I’d bought the brush during our last holiday.
Watching the two of them get along so well was a soothing sight, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something was still missing.
"Thank you, Roxanne-san."
"Your hair is so thick and glossy, Sherry. It’s lovely."
Roxanne set the brush down and took her usual seat across from me.
"Well, shall we eat?"
"Yes, Master. Let us eat."
Setting aside my sense of incongruity for the moment, I served the plates piled high with fried macaroni.
As for the taste, the dish was perfectly fine, but I felt a similar sense of lack here as well. Was it because I was eating macaroni instead of noodles? No, it was the lack of green laver. As expected, I hadn't been able to source any green laver or red pickled ginger in this world.
I suppose that couldn't be helped.
Both Roxanne and Sherry were digging in with apparent delight. I shouldn't measure everything by Earth’s standards; I should learn to be satisfied with what I had.
As I pondered that missing piece, I finally realized what had felt off earlier.
A mirror.
Both Roxanne and Sherry had been brushing their hair without looking at their reflections. That was why they took turns doing it for each other.
I never bothered with mirrors myself, but for them, it was a necessity.
About a month had passed since I’d arrived in this world. Lately, my hair had grown long enough to be annoying. Eventually, I’d have to ask Roxanne to trim it for me.
For that reason alone, we really ought to have one.
"Do you think we need a mirror?" I asked while chewing my macaroni.
"It would be a nice convenience, but it isn't an absolute necessity," Roxanne replied.
"The reflections are never very clear, anyway," Sherry added.
The mirrors in this world were usually nothing more than thick, polished metal plates. They didn't offer the sharp, crisp reflection I was used to. I’d seen them in general stores, but the quality was dismal despite the high price tags.
"I believe most mirrors are like that. Unless, perhaps, you possessed a mirror from Pelmask, Master?"
"Pelmask?"
"It’s a city located between the Empire and Kassim. I heard from Roxanne-san that you came from a region even further away than Kassim."
Right. I vaguely recalled a conversation like that with Roxanne. I couldn't remember the exact details of my lie, but it had been something along those lines. If I supposedly hailed from beyond Kassim, it wouldn't be strange for me to know about a major city like Pelmask sitting between the two.
"W-well, since it’s even further than Kassim, you see... I don't actually know much about the regions closer to here. Not even Kassim itself," I bluffed.
Was that convincing? If I kept spinning these irresponsible yarns, I was going to trip over my own lies eventually.
"I see. Pelmask is a city famous for its glassware. I hear mirrors made with glass provide an incredibly clear reflection. They are luxury items exchanged as gifts among nobles and the extremely wealthy."
So glass mirrors actually existed here. This world was surprisingly advanced in certain niches. I wondered if I could find one in the Imperial Capital.
"Sounds expensive. Well, I’ll look for one eventually."
"Since Pelmask is so far away, the high price is unavoidable," Sherry said.
"If it is you, Master, couldn't you simply go to Pelmask yourself?" Roxanne suggested.
She had a point. I could go there and buy one directly. It would certainly be cheaper at the source.
"I hear Pelmask isn't the sort of place one can easily fly to. That’s precisely why the goods are so pricey," Sherry pointed out.
"I see. That makes sense." I nodded. If it were within a distance that adventurers could easily cover, the local specialties wouldn't command such a premium. Setting aside large furniture, hand mirrors or stand mirrors could easily be transported via Field Walk.
If the trip were easy, anyone would buy them where they were cheap. If a significant price gap existed, people would just flip them for a profit. The fact that mirrors remained expensive suggested Pelmask was at a distance that defied easy travel.
Apparently, the difficulty of Field Walk scaled with distance.
"But surely for you, Master, it wouldn't be a problem," Roxanne said.
I wondered just how high her estimation of me had climbed, but then I realized the logic. In her mind, I had traveled here from a land even further away than Kassim, which lay beyond Pelmask. To someone like that, a trip to Pelmask should be a casual stroll.
It had to be, or my cover story fell apart. I really shouldn't have been so careless with my lies.
"I... I wonder about that."
"If you move in increments over several days, you should reach it. A direct flight might be impossible, though," Sherry suggested.
Right. Just as she said, I could break the trip up over several days. It wasn't as if I’d ever explicitly claimed to have crossed the distance from beyond Kassim in a single day. If the continents were connected, a person could walk from Kassim to here, even if it took years.
"Well, it’s worth a try."
"On the far side of the Imperial Capital lies a city called Dohona. Are you familiar with it?"
"I’ve never been."
"Beyond Dohona is Dobrow, then Saboja, then Aiena, and then..."
Sherry rattled off a list of place names. Naturally, I didn't recognize a single one. If I’d traveled from Kassim to here by land, it would be suspicious if I didn't know at least some of them.
My apologies, Sherry. As I suspected, I’d actually come from Kassim to here in a single leap, not by hopping between cities.
"I don't know any of those."
"I see. You must have taken a different route, then."
Yes, a different route. It wasn't like there was only one road in the world.
"I suppose so."
"I don't believe any Adventurer Guild can reach Pelmask in one go. You would have to connect through the cities I mentioned, moving in small jumps."
I decided I would try to make progress a little at a time.
After breakfast, I had Sherry get to work on the misangas.
I’d been gradually increasing the number of items she produced. By now, she could finish a few without breaking a sweat. Today, she completed her third misanga with an empty skill slot.
That should be enough for the time being. With three, we could provide Substitution Misangas for the entire party. If one broke, I’d just have her make another.
"After the misanga, what’s the next piece of equipment a Master Smith trains on?"
"Once you've mastered the misanga, the next step is the dagger."
"A dagger, huh?"
Making a sword, even a short one, really made it feel like she was coming into her own as a Master Smith. With misangas, she felt more like a jewelry crafter.
"Um. I was told that one must train on misangas for at least six months to a year—some even take two years..."
"But that training is based on making only one in the morning and one in the evening, right?"
"Y-yes."
"Since you can already make several a day, it isn't strange for you to move on to the next tier."
"...I suppose you're right."
She still seemed tethered to the traditional training methods she’d been taught. In all likelihood, a Level 1 Master Smith simply couldn't produce a dagger. But since Sherry's level was rising so rapidly, she should be able to handle it.
"It’ll be fine. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work."
"Making a dagger requires a branch. I hear that whether the craft succeeds or fails, the branch is consumed."
I see. So failure came with a material cost.
"Are there any other downsides if it fails?"
"No, nothing else."
"A branch is a small price to pay. Don't worry about it."
"I... I understand. To forge a dagger, I’ll need two Kobold Knives, one branch, and one piece of leather."
The recipe was getting complicated. I wondered if she could handle it—well, I couldn't exactly ask that after telling her it would be fine.
"The requirements jump up quite a bit, don't they?"
"Using multiple materials isn't as difficult as it sounds. There are pieces of equipment that require even more variety."
I see. I’d thought the Kobold Knife was a finished product, but it was just a component for the dagger. It was almost like evolving the item. Since the knife—which also served as raw material for copper coins—was metal, I supposed the branch was needed for the grip or some other part of the process. Using a tree branch to work metal certainly sounded like Master Smith logic.
"And the leather?"
"I use the leather to make the sheath."
"That’s convenient."
So the skill produced the sheath along with the weapon. Forging a blade and then having to find or make a separate sheath would be a hassle, so I was glad the system handled it.
During the afternoon exploration, we stopped by the third floor of the Vale Labyrinth to hunt Kobolds. They didn't drop knives every time, which was annoying, but after hunting ten of them, we finally had what we needed. The last pair even dropped two knives at once.
I could have just bought them at the guild, but I didn't strictly need the dagger right now. I just wanted her to make it once so she could move on to the next tier of equipment. I didn't know what level was required, but it should be possible.
It was also possible that MP capacity was the bottleneck rather than level. A Level 1 Master Smith might not have the MP to finish a dagger even if they had the skill. Or perhaps it required a certain amount of actual crafting experience. If that were the case, she might need to make several daggers before advancing. But if that were true, people wouldn't be stuck making misangas for two years.
We’d figure it out.
"I’m going to try now," Sherry said before dinner.
I handed her the two Kobold Knives, the branch, and the leather. She chanted the skill incantation, and her hands began to glow. The light lasted for quite a while, making it impossible to see exactly what she was doing. Her hands moved rhythmically as she drew in the materials from the table. The difficulty had clearly spiked.
Dagger: One-handed Sword
Eventually, the light faded, leaving behind a single blade encased in a leather sheath.
"Oh! A success."
"I did it!" Sherry beamed.
"How are you feeling? Any issues?"
"I’m fine. I think I could even make another one."
"Don't push yourself. I’m sure it was more exhausting than a misanga."
"It was. I feel a bit of the strain. I was told that daggers are much more taxing than misangas, while the leather gear that comes after them is supposedly easier. And yet, I don't feel nearly as tired as I expected. I wonder why... Was the person who taught me lying about the difficulty and the length of the misanga training?"
Sherry's distrust of her former mentors was reaching critical mass. This was starting to look like a problem.
Between her high level and the "MP Increase (Medium)" effect from my Hero job, discrepancies between her experience and common knowledge were inevitable.
"Well, there are always individual differences. I don't think they were lying. It just means you're exceptionally talented, Sherry."
"Thank you. You're right... I heard daggers are hard to make, making them rare and expensive on the market. That part seems to be true. So perhaps it wasn't a total lie. It's all very mysterious."
"They sell for a lot? Maybe I'll have you mass-produce them later, then."
I changed the subject. There are some things in life best left unexamined.
"Yes! I’ll work hard at it."
"Is leather equipment next?"
"Yes. Leather mittens, leather hats, and leather boots. Each one only requires a single piece of leather."
I see. If they only used one material, the difficulty was likely back down to misanga levels.
"We have plenty of leather. Let’s try those next."
"Yes! Since they don't use branches, there’s no real loss if I fail."
Emboldened by the lack of a penalty, Sherry answered brightly.
The next morning, I headed to the Vale Adventurer Guild alone. Roxanne was doing the laundry, and Sherry was preparing breakfast.
Since Pelmask was on the far side of the Imperial Capital, it had to be further east than Vale. I wanted to try flying east. Dawn came earlier in the east, so the morning was the best time for it.
I compared Sherry’s list of cities with the recruitment posters on the guild walls. Resident adventurers were stationed here to transport people to different locations, usually for a flat fee of two silver coins per person. I’d come alone to save money.
Which cities were reachable was clearly listed on the posters. You could make special requests for unlisted locations, but the price would skyrocket. Since Pelmask was far, it might be impossible to reach directly, and I didn't want to draw attention to myself. Steady progress was the better play.
I found a name on the wall that matched my list. Dohona. I remembered the name from yesterday.
"Can you take me to Dohona?" I asked a female adventurer at the guild.
Moments later, I was looking at the posters in the Dohona Adventurer Guild. Since I’d never been here, I couldn't be 100% sure it was the right place, but I doubted a professional adventurer would dump me in the middle of nowhere.
The next city on Sherry’s list was Dobrow, but the name wasn't on the wall. None of the other cities from her list were there, either.
"I want to go to Dobrow. This is the Dohona guild, right?" I asked a middle-aged adventurer stationed there.
"It is. But Dobrow is a long haul."
"That far?"
"Too far for two silver coins. I’ve been there, so I can take you, but it’ll cost you eight silver coins."
Apparently, the posters only listed nearby cities. Anything else was open to negotiation. Eight silver coins was the equivalent of four standard trips.
"Eight, huh?"
"The best two silver coins will get you is Shupoile. But once you're there, there’s no guarantee anyone can take you the rest of the way to Dobrow."
His logic was sound, but I could tell he was trying to squeeze me. Was this just how business was done here?
"If I can fly from Shupoile to Dobrow myself, it would only cost four silver coins total."
"True enough. How about six, then?"
"Mmm..."
If Field Walk’s MP consumption scaled with distance, taking someone a long way was a serious commitment. He might need a recovery potion afterward. A surcharge wasn't entirely unreasonable.
"Fine, fine. I’ll do it for five silver coins. I can't go any lower than that."
As I hesitated, the man kept dropping his price. If there was a chance I couldn't get from Shupoile to Dobrow, five coins wasn't a bad deal.
But then I thought—did he really not know if Shupoile had a route to Dobrow? If he knew there was a route and still lowered his price to five, it meant he was just trying to secure the sale. If there were no route, he could have stuck to six or told me it was impossible to ensure I took the direct flight with him.
The "maybe there's no route" line was definitely a bluff.
Whether it was Field Walk or my Warp, you could only travel to places you'd visited at least once. Since I might need to go to Shupoile in the future anyway, stopping there wasn't a loss. Even if I couldn't reach Dobrow directly from there, I’d have added Shupoile and one other town to my travel list. That was worth a silver coin.
"Just take me to Shupoile for two silver coins."
"Suit yourself," the man said with a wry grin. A smile like that on a middle-aged man was just unsettling.
I handed over the two silver coins and warped to Shupoile. On the wall of the Shupoile guild, the name Dobrow was listed plain as day.
I knew it.
That meant the trip from Dohona to Dobrow could be done for four silver coins total. Of course, five coins might be the "fair" market rate for the convenience of a direct flight, but I preferred adding Shupoile to my map.
In any case, the initial eight coins had been a total scam.
I flew from Shupoile to Dobrow, and from there, I warped straight home. I’d wasted enough time haggling, and I didn't want to keep the girls waiting for breakfast. Since Dobrow to Dohona wasn't a distance covered by a single two-coin flight, I needed to check my MP.
Back at home, I felt a distinct drop in my MP. It seemed Warp, like Field Walk, consumed more energy based on the distance. It wasn't a massive drain, though—either Warp was more efficient, or my MP pool was just that much larger than a typical adventurer’s. I didn't have Field Walk to compare it with, so I couldn't be sure.
If an adventurer was working the guild all day, they couldn't afford to bottom out their MP on a single long-haul trip. They probably only offered the two-coin flights because they were well within their limits.
The next morning, I pushed a little further before warping back. My MP dropped more than the day before. I’d likely covered more than half the total distance to Pelmask by now. At this rate, I’d reach it soon.
When I got back, I had Sherry make leather boots. With that, she’d mastered the mittens, the hat, and the boots. Her faith in her former teachers was now at an all-time low, but that wasn't my problem.
"What’s next after the boots?"
"The club."
"A club?"
That was Sherry’s current weapon. Her crafting skills were finally catching up to her equipment. Apparently, a club produced by a skill wasn't just a simple stick.
"However, making a club requires a board dropped by a Love Shrub."
"A board?"
"It’s an item dropped by monsters on much higher floors."
I see. There was the catch.
As a Master Smith’s skill improved, they could make better gear—but "better gear" required better materials. You couldn't make high-end items out of scrap. And high-end materials only dropped from powerful monsters. Monsters that dropped things like steel or orichalcum were literally made of those materials. They weren't going to be pushovers.
"What do we do? Buy the materials?"
"Um. Usually, one makes and sells leather gear until they are strong enough to hunt Love Shrubs."
"I suppose that makes sense."
"Buying the materials eats up all the profit. Unless it’s a specific request, there’s no reason to rush. There are more complex leather items I could try, though I don't know if I can make them yet. Making lots of leather gear serves as good training, so it’s all the same in the end."
Just as a dagger cost more MP than a misanga, complex leather items would likely cost more than simple ones. Making many simple items was probably as profitable as making a few complex ones, and since fewer people could handle the difficult stuff, the price would be higher, but there was no need to force it.
"Understood. We’ll stick to leather mittens, hats, and boots for a while."
"Yes, Master. Also, we are currently exploring the ninth floor. If we want to prioritize our training there, we could find a Labyrinth where Minos appear on the ninth floor."
That was an option. Hunting Minos on the ninth floor would let us gather materials while getting used to the difficulty.
"Hmm. Let’s not go that far yet."
Leather was a common drop from Minos, so we weren't hurting for it. Slow Rabbits on the ninth floor of the Vale Labyrinth dropped rabbit leather, which sold for double, making it more efficient. I didn't exactly look forward to fighting the boss, Rapid Rabbit, but that was all the more reason not to run away. It was bad to let yourself develop a "kryptonite" monster.
"Understood."
"Is there any Labyrinth where the monsters that drop boards appear on the ninth floor?"
"Um... Love Shrubs only start appearing on the twelfth floor at the earliest. Monsters from the first to the eleventh floor are the same in every Labyrinth. The same goes for the twelfth to twenty-second floors."
I hadn't known that. It made sense—Kobolds, Minos, and Slow Rabbits appeared in both Quratar and Vale within that first eleven-floor bracket. Love Shrubs wouldn't show up until floor twelve.
"Then we might look for a Labyrinth where we can find Love Shrubs on the twelfth floor later."
For now, the crafting expansion had hit a plateau. We couldn't mass-produce items enough to crash the market anyway, so I’d just have her make leather gear at her own pace.
I cut that afternoon’s exploration short. Today was the eleventh day since Sherry had joined us—the day the maid outfits were supposed to be ready.
"You are home early. Shall I prepare the bath?" Roxanne asked, her eyes sparkling with hope. She really had taken a liking to that tub.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the plan.
"Sorry, it’s not for the bath. We’re going to the Vale Trading House."
"The trading house? Are we getting a new companion?" Her eyes lost a bit of that sparkle. I definitely sensed a drop in her enthusiasm. Maybe it was just my imagination.
"Not that, either. We don't have enough money yet. Though I do intend to increase the party members eventually. Expanding our combat power is essential, after all. You should both keep that in mind."
"Yes, of course."
"I understand, Master."
It was better to keep reminding them. If I said it often enough, they’d eventually get bored of the idea, which was the goal. Of course, the primary reason was combat power. No other ulterior motives. Well, maybe a few.
"But the goal is purely to strengthen the party. I won't bring in anyone who can't get along with the two of you. You can rest easy on that."
"Yes, Master."
A male slave who might try something with them was out of the question. I had no intention of adding a man to this party. Old men and women were also out—for "combat power," young people were better.
And, if I were being honest, I wanted members who would keep my motivation high. Morale is a critical part of combat. Maybe the most critical. Therefore, beautiful young women were the only logical choice. My motivation would be on a completely different level.
Strictly for the sake of combat power, of course. It was the only logical conclusion. To maximize our efficiency, this was the path I had to take.
Yes. It really couldn't be helped.
"That aside, we’re going to Vale for a different reason today. To pick up some clothes. And to update my will. Roxanne, are you still sure you want your section left as is?"
"Yes! Of course!" Roxanne nodded with total confidence.
In this world, there was a system where slaves were expected to follow their masters into death—martyrdom—to ensure they didn't mistreat or betray them. It could be changed in a will, but I hadn't told Roxanne that. If she wanted it this way, so be it.
"Sherry has been working hard, too. I’m going to update my will so that she’s freed if I die."
"I have only just arrived... are you sure?"
"It’s fine."
"Thank you very much, Master."
Since I could die from something other than combat—like illness or an accident—there was no point in dragging everyone down with me. There was no real downside to freeing her. The system was meant to keep combat slaves from deserting in the Labyrinth, but Sherry had proven she was reliable.
"Besides, just because I made that will doesn't mean you're going to stab me in my sleep."
"If a master is killed in the house, the slaves are the first suspects. If one were to do it, the Labyrinth would be the better choice," Sherry noted coldly.
Her logic was terrifyingly sound.
"T-that’s a scary thought."
"I would never do such a thing, of course."
Right. And if I died in the Labyrinth, she could just claim a monster did it. No one would ever know. Still, Roxanne was always there too, so Sherry couldn't exactly get away with much.
"I trust you, Sherry."
"I will work hard to live up to that trust. Roxanne-san, has your will also been set to freedom?"
"No," Roxanne stated firmly. "I will not be freed if Master passes away."
She said it herself, which was better than me explaining it. If I’d said it, it might have looked like I’d coerced her.
"Is that so?"
"It is my duty to protect Master. No matter what happens, I must put my life on the line for him. Therefore, there is no reason for me to be freed. If Master dies, it means I have failed in my duty. It is only natural that I follow him. Besides, I have no desire to live in a world without him."
When she put it like that, her logic was just as intense as Sherry’s. I was grateful, but...
"Well, that’s how Roxanne feels. She insisted on it, but you don't need to follow her lead, Sherry. I might die from an accident or disease, and I couldn't bear to involve you in that."
The air in the room got a little heavy. It felt like that awkward atmosphere where everyone is expected to volunteer for a suicide mission. In a spot like this, it would be hard for a girl to say, "Yeah, I'd rather be free."
That was why I made it clear. Sherry didn't have to follow me to the grave.
"Are there no masters who leave their slaves as inheritance?" Sherry asked.
"None that I know of."
"I see. Then I would like my section of the will to grant my freedom."
Wow. She said it. Straight to the point, as expected of the ever-rational Sherry.
We went to the trading house in Vale and collected the maid outfit. While we were there, Alan tried to introduce me to a new slave.
She was an eighteen-year-old Wolfkin woman. Quite cute, actually. Her hair was a bit of a mess and her skin looked dull, but with a bit of care, she’d be a beauty. Back in Japan, she wouldn't have been a top-tier idol, but she would have been one of the prettiest girls in class.
Back then, a girl like her wouldn't even have looked at me. It was a depressing thought.
But now? With Roxanne and Sherry already here, I didn't feel a burning need to have her. I’d either matured, become more composed, or just gotten spoiled. I had two beauties waiting at home; there was no need to be greedy.
I only had six slots in the party. I had to choose carefully. I didn't have an infinite harem, after all—I had the "combat power" of the party to consider.
"What do you think? She doesn't speak Brahim yet, but we can educate her before the handover."
"I’ll pass this time. She’s nice, though."
"...I see. A pity."
I turned Alan down. I didn't have the money anyway. I changed the subject quickly.
"More importantly, I’d like to update my will regarding Sherry."
"Certainly. What are the terms?"
"If I die, Sherry is to be freed."
"A change to the will costs three hundred Nahl. Is that acceptable?"
I only had one request this time, so I couldn't get a discount. I paid the three silver coins.
"Please do it."
"Then, your left arm, please."
He used my Intelligence Card to process the update. When he was finished, I checked the display.
Michio Kaga, Male, 17 years old, Explorer, Free Citizen Owned Slaves: Roxanne, Sherry (Freed after death)
The will was clearly displayed. It would be hard to pull a "fake freedom" scam on a slave unless you never let them see your card.
"And finally, I was asked to give you this."
Alan handed me a piece of folded papyrus sealed with wax.
"What’s this?"
"A letter of introduction to a slave merchant in the Imperial Capital. I still haven't found a Master Smith for you, but you should stop by his shop at least once."
I didn't actually need another Master Smith, but I couldn't tell him that. Alan didn't have anyone else I wanted right now, so this was a good lead for later. Once I had more money, I’d check it out.
I carried the box with the maid outfit home and handed it to Sherry.
"It’s your outfit. Put it in the dresser."
"May I try it on now?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Sherry gave me a quick, uncertain look, then moved to the corner of the room and started undressing.
Right here?
Well, it wasn't like we hadn't seen each other naked, so it was a bit late for modesty. Still, seeing her try to hide herself while changing was a fresh kind of cute.
"Um... may I change as well?" Roxanne asked.
When I nodded, she stepped out of the room.
"While you were out, a message came from Luke," Sherry said as she changed. "He won the auction for the Skill Crystal: Caterpillar."
"The Caterpillar crystal? That’s the one for the Substitution skill, right?"
"Yes. It finally arrived."
About time. I’d told him I was willing to pay a premium for speed, so it made sense.
"We should put it on a misanga."
"Yes. The Caterpillar crystal can't be fused with weapons, and it can't be combined with a Kobold crystal."
"So it’s just the Substitution skill on its own?"
"Exactly. He said the price was four thousand three hundred Nahl. Last time it was only three thousand nine hundred... he’s definitely padding his commission."
Sherry stepped into the outfit and pulled it up. The buttons were on the back. I walked over and fastened them for her.
"Well, it’s not so expensive that it’s worth a fight."
"Thank you, Master. And you're right... that’s how he is. He knows exactly how much he can overcharge without provoking a complaint."
Sherry’s opinion of brokers was still rock bottom. She interpreted every action in the worst possible light.
Roxanne came back in and set her own maid outfit on the table. Why was she changing in here too?
In this world, bras didn't exist. Which meant as soon as Roxanne pulled her top off, everything was on display.
They swayed. The momentum of her movements sent them waving. Those soft, elastic white globes were bouncing with enough force that I could almost hear the sound effect.
The impact was incredible.
Roxanne, please put those things away before I lose my mind.
"...As I thought, Roxanne-san is very large."
"I-I’ll help you with the buttons too, Roxanne."
"Thank you, Master."
I moved behind her. I needed to say something to Sherry too.
"Sherry, it looks great on you. Your petite frame makes it look really cute."
"Thank you." She looked like a porcelain doll.
Roxanne, on the other hand, was a vision of contrast—the neat, frilly apron and the maternal, carnal curves hidden beneath. Both were irresistible in their own ways. Maid outfits really were a gift to mankind. They emphasized femininity like nothing else.
"Master?" Roxanne turned around after I finished the buttons.
"What is it?"
"How do I look?"
"You look amazing. It suits you perfectly."
"Thank you. Um... Master?" She looked down, her face flushing.
"Yes?"
"Could you carry me? Like you did the other day?"
There was only one answer to that. I scooped her up in my arms. Her soft, warm weight was a delight. As for where I was taking her... that went without saying.
"Sherry, you're next, so wait just a minute."
I carried Roxanne straight into the bedroom.