Chapter 324

324 The bloodthirsty gate guard Eliara

“Still treating me like a patient in the morning?” Vincent asked.

“I don’t want it to leave a scar. Ester...” Iris stopped and averted her gaze. It appeared Ester told her something she should mention.

“Did Ester tell you something you can say?” Vincent asked with a curious gaze. Iris wasn’t blushing nor nervous. Her expression, however, gave the impression of determination strangely.

“I can’t say. ” Iris replied while tightening the bandage.

*Pho* “Plow wants to sleep more. Plow loved warm bed. Iris is the best bed warmer.”

Iris blushed when Plow called her the best bed warmer.

*Tap* “Owwie” *Pho* “Why Vincent Vincent give me a tap? Plow only likes pats.”

“Do not say that word again and do not. I repeat, do not say something like this in front of Lupa... she will exhaust me to death to become the best.” Vincent said. He felt a shiver rush down his spine after recalling how she stopped at nothing to achieve her goal to be the best. The challenges become endless when the competitive wolf girl is involved.

“Plow wants com...pen...stai...on.” *Pho* Plow cheekily said.

.....

[Do not look at me, Vincent. This time, please don’t assume that it is my fault.]

[...]

[Well, it is not like I am admitting of the other times being my work... hehe...]

“And where did this cheeky little fox learn these words?” Vincent gently pinched Plow’s cheeks and moved his hand up and down.

“It was Lilith. ” Iris answered. “Plow must have overheard her mention compensation if she lends us the makeup.”

[Wait! Is Lilith threatening them? Is she a villainess?]

Iris saw Vincent frown. She waved her hands and explained with a pair of bright red cheeks, “I-I have to p-pay Lilith with inf... d-details of n-nightly r-romance.”

“...” Vincent now understood how hor... how she loved romantic stories. Real stories probably made Lilith more invested in learning about them.

“I... bye.” Iris got out of bed and ran out of the bedroom with a well-fitted green nightdress. It was easy to tell how much work Maid Xu had to do in the clothing department as the nightdress looked professionally made.

[I thought Iris became less shy, but some things take more time than one night off, as Plow calls it, bed warming, hehe.]

*Pho* Plow cutely barked and snuggled with Vincent. “Plow wants more head pats.” She asked.

“Haha.” Vincent laughed at the childish compensations Plow requested. “Okay, you little cheeky fox. Let me be your head patter for fifteen minutes. I think it should be...”

[Be enough time for the harem to judge the bed warming activity. I hope to hear about high numbers.]

Kazumi continued Vincent’s words while giggling. It was fun to have four judges as if it was a talent show. ‘I will need to ask my girls about the results, hehe.’ She planned.

Later, with Plow happily in his arms, Vincent entered the kitchen. Unlike yesterday, the kitchen was full of life.

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Yula was cooking while Sofy was spreading the butter on the toasted bread. Tula was in a maid outfit, and she was placing plates with an egg and toasted bread on the table.

Leah, Clara, Beth, Olive, and Lian were cheerfully eating while little Tusk was eating on the floor with its tail wagging left and right.

On the other hand, Nix was lying on a cover placed on the table. It was eating bread, and fortunately, the little condor didn’t look as weak as before. Being treated well allowed Nix to recover. Its feathers appeared to have started growing as tiny red and blue feathers were poking out of its body. Otherwise, Nix almost looked like it was the next in line for breakfast.

Lenn and Renn rushed in front of Vincent and greeted him. “Good morning, teacher.”

All the people in the room turned their heads and greeted Vincent after noticing he had entered the kitchen. “It looks like it is a good morning indeed. I am glad to see everyone having fun.” Vincent said as he placed Plow on the table and sat beside Olive and Tula.

“We will leave to prepare for the construction workers’ arrival.” Lenn and Renn said before leaving the kitchen.

“Your women took the breakfast and Iris outside. They said not to worry about the preparation or something like that.” Yula informed. She placed a plate in front of the drooling Plow and sat next to little Leah to eat.

“...” Vincent ate without uttering a reply. Kazumi teased him multiple times about how Iris was whisked away by the performance rating band of thieves.

After eating and hearing how the three little girls and two little demigoblin kids were content living in the mansion, Vincent left to find Iris and leave.

Vincent later saw Lilith resting on a chair and Maid Xu messaging her shoulders. Ester, Lupa, and Sakura were giggling and chatting. At the center of attention was Iris. She was eating with a smile on her face, yet her light gray cheeks were as bright as the sun.

“Morning, girls. Morning Maid Xu.” Vincent waved as he approached. “Is Iris prepared enough to leave?”

Iris took the last bite of the cool toasted bread and got up in a flustered manner. The moment Iris heard, “Have~ fun~” she walked to Vincent like a robot.

“Lupa. Are you sad?” Ester asked while watching Vincent and Iris leave and Lupa lowering her ears.

“Three more days... I can’t wait... ” Lupa revealed how difficult it was to wait.

“Mine is tomorrow. Lupa, do you want to change days?” Sakura offered.

“Can I?” Lupa raised her lowered ears and wagged her tail. She looked at Sakura as if she was offering to give treasure.

“Sakura. Are you sure? “Ester asked.

“Yes. The humans might need help tomorrow. I know their building techniques are amazing, but I don’t think the humans can complete the workshop in one day.” Sakura responded.

“I would also offer my day if it involves walking, hehe. Ouch. I am sore there...” Lilith didn’t look too good. She was sore, and Lilith was messaging her lady’s body to get better.

‘I should have sent a complaint to my lord and lady about how much my lady is suffering. But... my lady isn’t suffering from panic attacks at the moment.’ Maid Xu was thinking. She moved her gaze on the three spirited women thought, ‘It means my lady accepted them.’

*Lionheart Mansion Gate*

“Good morning, ladies. We are here to start the construction inside. All the materials are on us, so we do not require to make trips.”

The Sunrise Company arrived. There were two leaders this time around. One with a small team to start the workshop preparation and the other team to fix the mansion.

“You may enter.” Fliara opened the gate. “Good morning, lord Vincent. These gentlemen arrived.”

Vincent greeted the men. However, he noticed they were curiously looking at Iris.

[It looks like you have another eye-catching date in your hands.]

“Don’t be afraid, Iris. The dress looks cute on you, and your neck is covered as well. No one will know you aren’t a slave.” Vincent whispered.

Iris raised her gaze, but the sight of so many humans looking at her frightened her. Iris greeted with a nod and hid behind Vincent.

“Is she a gray hobgoblin?” A man questioned.

“Looks so. But... don’t all hobgoblins have an average-looking face?” Another man replied.

“Thank you for praising my woman. I hope you men can have a fine day.” Vincent held Iris’s hand and dragged the intimidated Iris.

“Is she a mistress then?” A man questioned after Vincent and Iris left.

“Gray hobgoblins are rare. I hope no slave trader gets interested in her.” Another commented.

“Do not worry about lord Vincent. He will simply make blood rain with his power like he did when he saved us.” Eliara suddenly stated.

Fliara stared at her sister. “Sis... I didn’t. You are this brutal.”

“Filthy men must die. ” Eliara said with a glimmer of bloodlust in her angered gaze.

Fliara and the men stared at Eliara in surprise. Fortunately, Lenn and Renn arrived after they finished preparations, such as removing unnecessary furniture.

The twins welcomed the construction workers and led them inside.

“Sis. You saw how not all men are evil. So please stay as the calm and collected Eli I know.” Fliara feared her sister changed too much after they were saved.

“...” Eliara raised her gaze and looked at the sunny sky. She saw the birds chirping and flying by. It soothed her raging thoughts.

*South middle-class district – Fountain Area*

“We are here.” Vincent found an empty bench next to the fountain. He went to sit and patted on the bench to sit next to him.

“Can we find another place? Many people are looking at me.” Iris was too conscious of her surroundings. She was so used to looking at her environment while exploring the forest alone for herbs that it was now her bane. She could see hundreds of people looking at her and it was making her afraid.

[I think you should move to a different location. I agree with Iris. I would feel anxious with all the people looking at me. Lilith covered her face while Iris only has her neck covered to hide if she is a slave or not.]

‘Iris looked happy before we left. But because she held my hand and walked behind me, I couldn’t see how this was making her uneasy.’ Vincent understood and decided to continue the date in a different location.

“Shall we go and buy vegetables or plants?” Vincent asked.

“Yes.” Iris nodded. She hurried her pace to Vincent and held his hand. “Thank you.” She was grateful Vincent was with how understanding he was to agree on the location change.