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Once I’m back at the Academy I split ways with Ruri who accompanied us the entire time, and then stopped by Annabelle’s laboratory to get Plum and my arm looked at.

“Your left arm should heal in a day if you let it rest. The right… won’t be so easy.”

I already anticipated that result, so I can only grimace hearing it.

“This is way past what your regenerative functions can handle, so you’ll have to get a completely new arm. Also, keeping the broken part might interfere with your regenerative functions’ ability to work properly, so it’s better if you take it off from your elbow down until you have a replacement ready.”

Hmm, that also sounds similar to wounds on humans. And I guess I’m only being so carefree about it because it doesn’t hurt, so it’s almost like it’s happening to someone else.

Then Annabelle secures my left arm with a plaster cast so it regenerates properly, and takes off my right arm from the elbow down. It’s a bit of a gruesome sight, but it doesn’t bother me at all since I didn’t feel any pain.

“Though well, I don’t have any Orichalcum or World Tree wood to build you a replacement. It’s not like those materials are found commonly in the first place.”
“About that, there’s still some in storage back home, so the next time we go back during break I’ll make sure to grab some.”
“Alright, you do that then. You could probably use a cheaper replacement until then. Plum’s are too small though, so come back in three days and I’ll have a new provisional arm ready for you.”
“Thank you.”

I feel like I keep making Annabelle do extra work for me. She always says it’s alright since Ophelia paid her in advance though.

Meanwhile Plum isn’t operational for now since her Sorcery Core is gone, but the damage to the rest of her body isn’t major. Her limbs might be cracked, but it’s all still repairable. She should be able to activate again once a new Sorcery Core is found.

“…”

But regardless of all that, my biggest issue is still Olivia, who keeps glaring at me from a corner of the room.

“Umm… Young Lady?”
“…Hmph.”

After a lot of hesitation I try talking to her, but she just pouts and looks away.

Ahhh I can tell she’s angry.

She also seemed pissed before when I was sleeping for a long time and couldn’t work. It makes sense now too, since a maid who can’t use her hands isn’t worth anything.

“That’s all. You can go home now.”
“Okay, thank you again.”

As soon as I stand up, Annabelle turns around and looks at Christina, who had been nervously standing behind Annabelle.

“Chris, you too.”
“Huh? But-”
“I’ll let you deal with everything outside. You can do that, yes?”
“Ah… Yes!”

Dealing with everything outside… She has a point. Christina is the daughter of a noble, so she’s better suited for that compared to a monster like me or a commoner like Anabelle.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me then.”

And so we leave Annabelle’s laboratory.

We all walk together, feeling slightly awkward. Once we reach the place where the path splits leading to the front gates and the dorm, Christina stands up straight and looks at me.

“Natalia, thank you so much for everything you did today, and I’m really sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

Unlike Christina’s usual frailty and timidness, she’s standing firm as she apologizes. That reminds me all over again that she’s a noble, and knows how to behave properly.

“Don’t worry about it, I decided to do everything myself. Not to mention that anyone would do that for their little sister.”

Even if Plum wasn’t made by Ophelia, I had still accepted her as my sister. I would never abandon her simply because it could be dangerous for me.

“I’m really glad you think that way. It was a good idea to make you Plum’s sister. And that’s also why please don’t be angry at her, Olivia, alright?”

The conversation takes a sharp turn to Olivia, who looks away awkwardly and can only mutter through a pout.

“…I know.”

Christina seems satisfied with that response, so she just turns around and walks away. We also head to the dorm.

Usually I go ahead and open the doors for Olivia, but I can’t use my arms right now, so she has to do that herself.

I’m really a failure as a maid.

We get to our room, where I just stand around awkwardly and fidgeting (though I don’t have the fingers for it), and then suddenly I feel something on my back.

“Natalia.”

I hear my name whispered next to my ear. Soon after I realize that Olivia is hugging me tightly from behind.

“Seeing you get hurt like that was really scary. I was really worried.”

Olivia’s voice feels like it’s filled with emotion.

“I know you worked really hard for Plum, I probably would’ve done the same if I was in your position. So these feelings are entirely my selfishness.”

I don’t think that really qualifies as being selfish.

Olivia got so worried because I’m weak and unskilled. If I had been stronger and done better, this wouldn’t have happened.

It’s been two years since I came to life as this magic automaton, but I’m still the same. It really makes me hate myself.

“My apologies, Young Lady. I realize my disappointing performance keeps being a bother.”
“I don’t really think it’s a bother. But do you really regret it?”
“Yes.”
“Alright then, I’ll forgive you if you do one thing I ask you to do.”
“I understand. You can ask for anything.”
“Anything?!”
“Hm?”

Was I too rash?

“Hmm, what should I make you do then. I’d really want to try that…or that too…”

Olivia is quickly getting excited about it, but I’m just getting worried about whatever is about to happen to me.

Also, I feel like she’s been groping my butt for a bit now, but maybe I’m just imagining things?

“Hmmmm, what should I choose…”
“Hyahh?! What are you doing?!”

My body jolts by itself as I feel something strange on my ear, and my voice gets strained for some reason too.

“Your ear just got in the way so I kinda just did that.”
“You don’t just kinda do that! Also could you stop touching my rear?! I’ll get angry if you do too many weird things!”

As Olivia’s face peeks into my peripheral vision I realize she just bit my ear, so I desperately move away.

“Sorry sorry, I’ll think about it seriously now.”

Olivia starts scratching her chin as she thinks about it.

Such actions remind me a bit of her mother’s allure, but it also feels a bit too eccentric for my liking.

“Okay. Natalia, give me a kiss.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll forgive you if you give me a kiss.”

Olivia is set on that, closing her eyes and pursing her lips slightly.

Her lips are so full and pretty, I can tell they’re really soft just looking at their color and shine.

Wait no, I shouldn’t be thinking of that. A kiss? I have to kiss Olivia? Hold up.

Olivia is the daughter of Ophelia, to whom I owe a lot. On top of that I’m not even human, so as much as I’m being pushed to do that, I don’t feel like it’s appropriate for me to do something like that.

“You won’t do it? Do you dislike me worrying about you that much?”
“That’s not what I…”

Ughhh, whyyy!

Why does she always have to word everything in a way that makes it impossible for me to say no!

“Okay, I understand. I’ll do it. But promise me you won’t open your eyes, no matter what, alright?”
“Alright.”

Olivia happily complies and waits with excitement. I can’t pull back now. This feels unfair, so damn unfair, but I have no option but to take a step forward.

Olivia is taller than me, so I have to turn my face up slightly.

I’m so embarrassed right now. But arghh, I’ll just have to do it!

I get rid of all my thoughts and push myself forward, letting my lips touch Olivia for an instant. But just for an instant. Only for an instant!

“Huhhhhhhh?!!”

Olivia’s voice sounds really dissatisfied, but that’s all I can realistically do. The second I touched her I started regretting it. This is too embarrassing. Just spare me already…

I close my eyes just like she told me, and soon after I feel Natalia get closer. I can smell the flowery scent pouches she always wears.

Finally it’s happening, I can hardly contain my excitement. But then I feel something soft for barely an instant. Only for an instant! And on my cheek!

“Huhhhhhhh?!!”

I thought Natalia was finally going to kiss me, but why did she do it on my cheek?! And it was way too short!

“Why didn’t you kiss my lips?!”
“This is as far as I can go!”

I open my eyes and see Natalia has already stepped back. So I grab her shoulder to stop her from fleeing further.

“Again, but this time do it proper-”
“No… I’m at my limit…”

I try to tell her to do it properly, but I can’t finish my sentence. It’s just so rare to see her blush this much. So cute.

“I’m… embarrassed to death… please forgive me…”

She desperately tries to hide her face, looking away and covering herself with her bandaged arm. She’s too cute. So cute I just want to push her down.

She felt like a reliable older sister when I just met her, but the way she sometimes acts so frail and embarrassed makes me want to protect her too.

Though a side of me also wants to make her feel troubled or cry.

“Alright, I won’t ask for more kisses.”

Natalia looks relieved hearing that and starts to lower her arm.

“But in exchange can I lick your ear and continue from earlier?”
“Hieee!!”

Ah, when she gets scared she’s like a cute trembling puppy.

“I-I can’t anymore!”
“Natalia?!”

She suddenly jumps out and runs away.

I try to stop her, but she stops me with metallic threads, which quickly restrain me on a nearby chair fixated to various points of the room. I think this is Aria’s silk that Natalia always uses.

“Natalia! It’s a joke! It’s just a joke!”
“I can’t handle this anymore!”

Natalia gets on her bed and curls into a ball, and doesn’t untie me until the next morning.

This is so complicated.