I was Alraune, the Flame Dragon Lord’s breakfast dessert and houseplant.
Thanks to pollination, I had returned to my form as a sprout young girl for the first time in a long while.
The Flame Dragon Lord had declared his intention to raise my youthful self into an Alraune tailored to his specific tastes. In other words, he was trying to turn me into a submissive houseplant that wouldn't cause trouble and would offer up its nectar obediently.
It reminded me of the "Hikaru Genji Plan" from The Tale of Genji, where the protagonist raised Wakamurasaki to be his ideal woman. Just as Wakamurasaki eventually became Murasaki no Ue, I wondered if I was destined to grow into an Alraune fit for the Flame Dragon Lord’s table.
Still, even if I looked like a child, I was an adult on the inside. I wasn't about to be "dyed" in his colors now, though I realized I might have to at least play the part of his ideal Alraune to keep him happy for the time being.
Since I was now young-girl-sized, I had been repotted into a smaller planter. I was tucked away in a corner of the Flame Dragon Lord’s room.
Despite his grand claims about raising me, Glüh-sama was a busy man and was rarely in his quarters. Consequently, life here was incredibly boring. I found myself missing Ms. Barometz back at the Botanical Garden; spacing out all day by myself was just too tedious!
With the Flame Dragon Lord out, the only other person present was Uncle Teddy, the butler tasked with cleaning the room. He was working diligently, broomstick and dustcloth in hand.
Since I needed someone to talk to, I decided to address him.
"Uncle... where... is this... place?"
Better late than never—I still hadn't actually asked what this room was.
"This is Glüh-sama’s bedroom," he replied.
I figured as much. I’d seen the bed in the back room, but it was still a shock. Even if he was a dragon, I never imagined I’d end up living in a gentleman’s bedroom. As a former Saint, it was quite the scandal.
"What... will happen... to me?"
"As long as you grow quietly and healthily as a houseplant in this room, nothing will happen. Beyond that, you need only provide nectar for his lordship's breakfast dessert."
Just as I suspected: my role was limited to houseplant and dessert. Even with his "Hikaru Genji Plan," it didn't seem like he intended to do anything particularly weird to me. I was basically just being left alone to grow like any other plant. I felt a bit silly for being so on guard.
Once my anxiety faded, I realized I was parched. I needed water.
"Uncle... I... want... water."
"That will have to wait. I am busy with my cleaning."
"But... the soil... is dry... I want... water."
"I will water you once I have finished. Until then, wait."
"B-But—"
"I would appreciate it if an Alraune recognized only for her nectar did not attempt to give orders to a butler such as myself."
My request was heartlessly dismissed. It was insulting; he spoke as if my only worth was my nectar. I’ll have you know I have plenty of other talents!
Besides, being a sprout Alraune meant I was in a growth phase. I needed a lot of water. Unlike my time in the Botanical Garden, living in a pot meant the soil dried out instantly. It was bone dry!
He clearly didn't understand the plight of a potted plant... but that gave me an idea.
"Hey, Uncle... shall we... play... a game?"
"A game?"
"Just... a little... fun."
The rules were simple: if I could make Uncle stop cleaning, I won, and he would have to water me. If I couldn't stop him, he won, and I would stop complaining. I proposed the challenge to Uncle Teddy, adding the condition that I wouldn't move an inch from my spot.
"Well, 'unable to move' would be more accurate than 'won't move,' but very well," he said. "You have been unacceptably noisy, so if this keeps you quiet in the future, I accept. However, as an additional condition, since you claim you won't move, I will not allow you to extend your vines either."
"Ehh?!"
"Similarly, I forbid the scattering of leaves, seeds, or pollen. It would only clutter the room. You are a houseplant, but you are also a female; you must behave as a lady befitting the Flame Dragon Lord’s service."
Hmph, fine then. I’ll show him I’m not just some ordinary plant-girl!
Good day to you, Uncle Teddy. While maintaining my poise as a lady, I shall captivate you until you have no choice but to abandon your work.
Vines, pollen, and even the Teppou-uri Machine Gun were off the table. But I still had a trump card.
It seemed Uncle Teddy didn't realize that plants are capable of discharging water. It wasn't that he lacked education; it was simply that I was exceptionally talented.
Using Plant Generation, I manifested a Soap Bubble Tree. I was low on moisture, but I decided to expend every remaining drop to secure my reward. To avoid waste, instead of a general spray via transpiration, I aimed my bubbles directly at Uncle.
For the liquid inside the bubbles, I chose a specific plant I’d recently assimilated at the Botanical Garden.
Bubble Attack, fire!
A stream of red bubbles surged toward him.
"Splashing water? I must admit, I am surprised an Alraune can do such a thing."
Uncle Teddy stopped moving. Broomstick in hand, he stared down my bubbles.
"However, it is futile."
With the grace of a master swordsman, he used his broomstick to swat the soap bubbles out of the air one by one.
"I won't have you soaking the—my—MY EYES! AAAAGH!"
Uncle collapsed to the floor. Apparently, the moisture from the bursting bubbles had sprayed directly into his eyes.
How do you like that, Uncle Teddy?
The secret ingredient in those bubbles was chili pepper juice. I hope you enjoy the sting of my special chili pepper extract! He never suspected I’d mix something like that into the bubbles. I felt a little bad for him, but he was the one who let his guard down.
Since his cleaning had been interrupted, I was the winner. I wasn't just some Alraune whose only merit was her nectar!
"Water... give me... quickly," I pestered the writhing butler.
"I'm impressed," a voice called out from the direction of the door.
I turned to see the Flame Dragon Lord entering the room.
"I've never seen a plant capable of weaponizing noxious water into bubbles like that."
Glüh-sama was holding a bucket. Seeing it, Uncle Teddy groaned in pain.
"Glüh-sama... the water..."
"It is your own fault for losing the match," Glüh-sama replied coolly. "This water belongs to the victor."
He must have been eavesdropping since the challenge began.
"For such a small thing, you are surprisingly formidable. I shall grant you your reward."
Wait—the Flame Dragon Lord was going to water me personally?!
I didn't know how to react. It actually made me kind of happy. Being treated with sudden kindness by someone who had spent so much time trying to incinerate me felt... strange.
"I suspected you were no ordinary Alraune, but this exceeds my expectations."
He approached slowly and poured the water into my pot. Ah, I felt like I was coming back to life. The water was divine.
"You may use the rest as you see fit," he said, tossing the bucket to Uncle Teddy.
He had provided the saving water to his suffering subordinate after all. Glüh-sama really was a dragon who looked after his own.
"But truly, are you a simple plant monster? I've never heard of a bubble-blowing plant."
"I am... just... a flower."
In reality, I was a former human Saint, but that was a secret I intended to take to my grave—mostly because telling him would probably get me burned.
"I've had my doubts since I met your 'mother,' but you are clearly something more," he mused.
The Flame Dragon Lord produced a spoon from nowhere and held it out to me. Was he planning to collect nectar?
I obligingly took the spoon in my mouth and deposited some nectar onto it. When he withdrew the spoon and tasted it, his eyes narrowed.
"As expected. Exquisite."
Being praised like that didn't feel half bad. Still, having my nectar taken with a spoon was a first, and it made my heart flutter a bit.
"I've just had a wonderful idea," he said with a smirk.
I didn't share his enthusiasm; I had a very bad feeling about that look.
"You're hiding other talents, aren't you? It would be a waste to keep you as a mere decoration."
He was sharp. Between my ability to create fields, snipe with seeds, and commit the occasional poisoning, I had a lot to offer—even if I couldn't walk.
"It's settled. You shall become my personal attendant."
"Eh?"
"You are now a maid."
I thought he was joking, but he immediately began ordering Uncle Teddy to move me. He was dead serious.
"I shall put that power of yours to use for my benefit."
Glüh-sama gave my head a few light pats. This was a completely unexpected development. I wasn't sure if I should be celebrating or not.
I had been promoted from a houseplant to a maid. Following my stints as "Lord of the Forest" and "Dryades' Forest Bodyguard," I had a new career. Incidentally, my salary was water.
Next time: Maid Alraune of the Demon King’s Castle.