Sophia, You're Wearing a Thong Today (2)
Early evening. After finishing my daily routine and returning home, I bustled about busily. Sophia's family was due to arrive soon. To treat them to a delicious dinner, I was nonstop prepping ingredients. It was better for me to handle it than to leave it to Ashley, who had no knack for housework. After holing up in the kitchen for ages and finishing the prep, I finally sank onto the sofa for a breather.
"I wonder if the steak will suit their tastes."
I'd chosen simple grilled dishes that even beginners could nail. Grilling meat? Anyone with eyes and hands could do it, and the flavor was guaranteed, making it perfect for entertaining guests.
"Pegasus Sesiah..."
Tomorrow, we'd finally go catch her. From my investigations, she was currently appearing in the Bagas Mountains. The locals were in an uproar, and adventurers from all over were flocking there on the rumors.
But they'd all fail. The only weapon capable of capturing Sesiah, the Erkness Lasso, was in my hands.
"Still, just in case, I want to get there fast."
I stroked my chin thoughtfully. The ancient east wind, Vera. The woman—and demigod—who was the only one to ever make me taste defeat. I'd won our recent bet, but it didn't feel satisfying. This time... this time, I'd win for sure. Utterly, completely.
And then I'd claim her. I'd cover every inch of her body with my saliva and flood her depths with my seed.
"Heh, makes me sound like the villain."
I chuckled wryly and shifted my gaze to the living room table. A pile of mail delivered that day had accumulated. Requests from all corners of the world. Some alliance, a frontline commander, a kingdom or another—all begging the hero for urgent aid.
Ever since word spread that I'd regained my powers, the letters had started piling up.
But right now, I was... bound by contract. In the human world, keeping contracts was paramount. Break one, and your reputation cracks; you'd lose the people's trust.
A one-year assistant professor contract with Buzdra Academy. Even a hero couldn't shake off those shackles. I'd signed it, so I had to honor it. Circumstances changing from when I signed didn't justify breaking faith.
Ding-a-ling.
The bell at the mansion's front gate rang. Sophia must have arrived. I hurried out and opened the gate.
"Welcome."
"How have you been?"
"Hi, Uncle! Good to see you again!"
"Hello!"
Sophia and her two daughters had dressed neatly and beautifully. They were all so pretty, it was hard to tell who was the mom and who were the daughters. Smiling brightly at me, I led them into the mansion.
"You must be hungry. Have a seat in the living room and relax. I'll get dinner ready right away."
I'd told Sophia in advance: I'd handle dinner, so come hungry. I'd picked up only the finest ingredients from the market that afternoon. A host's selfish desire—to serve guests a fantastic meal! I rolled up my sleeves immediately.
I lit the stove and pulled out the prepped ingredients. From outside the kitchen, I could hear Selma and Susan chattering energetically.
"Last time we only saw the basement, but inside it's so pretty!"
"I wanna live in a huge mansion like this!"
"Sit still, you two."
Sophia's scolding for her newly adult daughters not to roam around and to behave properly drifted in too. This lively clamor... it was bringing energy back to my quiet house. Yeah, this is how a home with people should feel.
I smiled and focused on cooking.
"Why's big bro cooking?"
Suddenly, Jenia poked her head into the kitchen.
"The future ruler of the dark elves stuck in the kitchen cooking? Does that even make sense?"
She crossed her arms with a displeased frown. She'd just finished training, her clothes damp with sweat.
"What's wrong with anyone doing it? Wanna help?"
"You trying to strip away my authority and dignity? Do it yourself. You've gone totally native with the humans. Idiot."
Jenia huffed and stormed off. She really hated seeing me cook. Since I was at it anyway, she even demanded room service—bring food to her room.
We were all eating together, and this girl wants to eat alone?
"No helping it. Can't refuse my little sis."
"Um... d-dear."
Turning around, I saw Ashley approaching in an apron.
"Can I help too?"
She gulped nervously, awaiting my response. I blinked a couple times before replying flatly.
"No need. Rest in your room. I'll bring it when it's done."
"......"
Ashley's face fell sadly. Her eyes trembled as she looked at me. I understood her feelings, but holding her hand here would only make her crave me more. The Laphone Family Estate reconstruction I'd commissioned would finish soon, and we'd have to live apart again. No sense giving her false hope.
"Go on. You're in the way."
"I want to help..."
"I said go."
Ashley nodded weakly and left the kitchen. I set a pan on the stove and laid out thick slabs of beef.
Sizzle!
Mmm. The savory aroma wafted up.
"Oh? You're doing it all alone without a maid, Uncle?"
Eldest daughter Selma entered the kitchen.
"Yeah. Haven't hired one yet."
"Ah~ You shoulda said so sooner! Let me do it! Hand it over!"
"It's fine. I'm the host."
"I said I'll do it! You go chat with everyone! I worked at a restaurant—I'm good at this!"
"Restaurant job, huh?"
"Yep! Wow, you got all premium ingredients! Steak, right?"
"Yeah."
She nailed it instantly—sharp eyes. No big deal for her, probably. I half-expected it might even taste better than mine, so I untied my apron and left the kitchen.
"Sophia, let me brew some tea..."
I trailed off at the unexpected sight in the living room. I was stunned. Sophia and younger daughter Susan were sweeping the floor with brooms and dusters.
"What are you two doing?"
"Oh. There was so much dust. Thought we'd clean up."
Sophia smiled while sweeping. Susan chimed in with a grin.
"Uncle, the bookshelves here have tons of dust! Gotta wipe 'em down!"
"It's 'cause I'm short on maids... and busy myself..."
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly. Embarrassed my house was a mess.
"Shall we come every day to clean?"
Sophia's sudden offer perked my ears. These folks would be perfect, I thought, blurting out a bigger proposal.
"Coming and going daily would be a hassle... Why not live here with your daughters and help with housework? I'll pay generously."
Susan clapped excitedly.
"I wanna live here! If you hire me, I'll quit corpse care and work here right away!"
Selma dashed in from the kitchen somehow.
"I'll cook every day! Mom, let's live here!"
"These girls..."
Sophia looked mildly troubled but soon smiled at me.
"We're grateful."
And just like that, it was settled. Not just Sophia, but her daughters too, were thrilled to become live-in maids at my Grand Mansion.
Perfect. With Sophia's family, security's solid.
It was a sweet deal for her too. Sell their current place, save up here, then build a big house later. I wasn't a strict landlord—I wouldn't nag them. Plus, with my frequent absences, I'd be a dream employer for maids. Nights aside, I wasn't home much anyway. And I often stayed out at other women's places for days.
Becoming my maid was like winning the jackpot.
"Dinner's ready! Everyone, come eat!"
Selma banged pots to summon us all. Sophia scolded her.
"Don't act like it's your house. Be refined."
"Oh, right. Refined. Hehe."
I liked how bright and cheerful Sophia's daughters were. Life here was gonna be fun.
The warm, cheerful dinner ended. After bathing in the communal bathroom, Selma toweled her wet hair as she returned to her room.
"So happy. Feels like I'm nobility."
The room was gorgeously incomparable to home. Like another world. Her sister Susan was still gawking around hers.
"But where's Mom?"
"Not in her room?"
"Nope."
"Dunno then. Anyway, sis, this place is awesome. Ahh, wish tomorrow came quick. Wanna brag to friends I got hired as a maid for Hero Kang Naru."
"You don't have to announce quitting."
"Quitting an attached job sucks, but what can ya do? Found something better. Right?"
Susan grinned. Selma grinned back and changed into light clothes.
"Where'd Mom vanish to without a word? Wanna go look?"
"Yeah. Let's scout the house. I love this place."
The sisters stepped out to find Sophia. Deep into the night, the dark mansion was dimly lit by sporadic lanterns along the halls. They wandered tensely, then bumped into Jenia patrolling with her bow.
"Oh!"
"H-hello?"
"What're you doing here?"
Jenia's eyes were sharp.
"Y-you're Jenia, right? Uncle told us about you at dinner. We're Selma and Susan, the new live-in maids. Nice to meet you."
"We're looking for Mom!"
"Mom?"
"Our mother. She was with us earlier, but we don't know where she went."
"......"
Jenia pondered briefly, then said,
"Follow me."
She led them to Naru's room and spoke at the firmly shut door.
"Your mom's inside. Serving the future Dark King."
"Th-this is Uncle's room, right?"
"What kinda service? Cleaning?"
The sisters tilted their heads. Jenia decided to show rather than tell. She drew a see-through arrow from her quiver and nocked it.
Whoosh.Thud.
The arrow flew swiftly, embedding silently in the wall. The wall rippled dramatically, turning transparent, revealing the room's scene perfectly.
"Slurp! Slurp! Schlorp!"
"Ooh, good..."
There was their mom, kneeling before the bed, sucking Naru's cock.