SLIME LEGION

Chapter 18: Master

Whoosh.

Carmela appeared inside Lorel’s room and quietly walked over to his bed.

The moment her eyes settled on his sleeping face, her hands slowly clenched into fists.

She’d had it.

The perfect chance to kill Moressa.

The chance she’d waited years for.

And she’d wasted it...

All because she’d hesitated at the last moment.

She hated Moressa.

But she hated Evangeline even more.

Still...

She’d already spent far too long away from her master.

Any longer and she’d lose herself completely.

Feeling his emotions every second was a double-edged sword. It magnified everything she already felt toward him a millionfold.

Her love.

Her longing.

The maddening ache of being separated from him.

Every emotion had grown so far beyond what any normal person could endure that returning to life without him simply wasn’t possible anymore.

If letting go of her hatred meant she could stay beside him forever...

Then she’d pay that price.

Her eyes glowed faintly.

She placed a hand over her chest.

That familiar, maddening love was there.

Always.

When she’d first met him, she hadn’t even liked him.

If anything, she’d looked down on nobles.

Then he’d saved her.

She owed him her life.

Everything changed after he made her one of his bonds.

Like the others, she became connected to him.

But unlike the others...

Her bond was different.

Far stronger.

It went beyond the normal limits.

She could feel every emotion he experienced.

She could even influence them.

Though she’d swear on Moressa’s life she’d never once abused that ability.

Never.

...

Cough.

She’d awakened something beyond simply sensing and altering Lorel’s emotions.

She could manipulate emotions themselves.

Anyone’s emotions.

Not just her master’s.

The problem was...

The ability came at a cost.

She lost her mind.

Yes.

She was insane.

Suddenly, she untied her hair.

It spilled down her back in a soft wave.

She climbed onto the bed, gently touched Lorel’s cheek, smiled, then slipped beneath the quilt and wrapped herself around him.

The instant she felt his warmth, the familiar pleasure crashed into her.

It was like satisfying a hunger she’d been starving with for years.

Her thoughts drifted back to every plan she’d made while they were apart.

Taking him somewhere far away.

Locking him up.

Keeping him somewhere no one could ever find him.

Somewhere he’d belong only to her.

Forever.

...

But she couldn’t.

No.

He’d hate her.

And nothing terrified her more than that.

She’d seen his eyes earlier.

He’d meant every word.

If he ever looked at her with hatred instead of love...

She didn’t even want to imagine what she’d become.

Maybe one day she’d find a way to erase that hatred.

Force him to love her again.

But even then...

Knowing she’d stolen those feelings from him...

It would never be enough.

"You can wake up now, Master," she whispered into his ear.

Her fingers slowly combed through his pink hair.

She nuzzled against his cheek, breathing him in.

"Master’s scent..."

She smiled to herself.

Her hands wandered over him before she suddenly froze.

’No... calm down...’

’You don’t want to molest him...’

’You can’t be bad...’

She bit her lip.

Then forced herself to stay still, simply lying against him as the young prince slowly opened his eyes.

"...Huh?"

Lorel frowned at the ceiling.

Right.

He’d only taken a nap.

His hand instinctively reached up and sank into a curtain of impossibly long, silky hair.

The body resting on top of him trembled.

Without thinking, he continued gently stroking it.

"M-master..."

The voice was barely louder than a whisper.

"...Master..."

She kept repeating it.

Oddly enough...

He found it kind of cute.

He continued absentmindedly stroking her hair until he suddenly frowned.

Something was pressing against his crotch.

BAM!! freeweɓnovel.cøm

The bedroom door slammed open.

Rapid footsteps echoed through the room.

Since Lorel was fully awake now, he immediately recognized the newcomer.

Moressa.

"Get out."

Carmela didn’t move.

She didn’t have to.

She simply melted further into his touch.

Her body shivered as if she’d reached the point of no return.

Her eyes rolled back.

IT WAS JUST A HEAD PAT.

AS MENTIONED BEFORE...

THIS GIRL WAS NOT RIGHT IN THE HEAD.

"...What?"

"And close the door behind you."

"..."

Moressa stared at the lump beneath the quilt.

That hateful bitch.

Lying on top of her master.

Her blood boiled.

She silently cursed herself for holding back that day.

She’d had the perfect opportunity to kill Carmela.

Instead she’d suggested that stupid mansion.

And she still couldn’t understand how the woman had escaped.

"...I understand."

As much as it hurt...

As unfair as it felt...

She obeyed.

She’d already disobeyed her master too many times today.

She didn’t want to push him any further.

Especially after seeing how angry he’d become during her little tantrum with the car.

Click.

The door quietly shut.

"...They won’t hurt you anymore, okay?"

Something about Lorel felt different.

His eyes carried the same faint glow as Carmela’s.

He leaned down, kissed her forehead, then gently pulled her against his chest.

She seemed completely out of it.

So he simply let her rest.

’Yes...

She’s mine.’