After finishing his bath, Uta left the bathroom feeling refreshed, leaving Stella alone to soak in the warm water. Sitting in the tub with the water up to her shoulders, she clutched her chest, which pounded with a mix of anxiety and determination.
"Did I go too far?" she wondered aloud. Perhaps her actions had been excessive, but deep down, she didn't think they were unnecessary.
Stella had scrubbed Uta's back and even pressed her body against him for reasons rooted in fear and calculation.
With her mission failed, she had lost the protection of the Flame Temple. Worse, if news of her survival reached the temple, they would likely send more assassins after her. Though she possessed the rare ability to nullify magic, she was otherwise no different from an ordinary girl. If the temple truly wished to eliminate her, she wouldn't stand a chance.
(If Uta abandons me, I'll die…)
Back in the village, she had resigned herself to death, but having survived, a spark of survival instinct had ignited within her.
She didn't want to die. She didn't want to be discarded like trash.
(He said all I need to do is cook for him… but is that really enough?)
To Stella, the answer was clear: it wasn't.
What if Uta grew bored of her cooking?
What if someone better at cooking came along?
What if Uta left her behind to continue his journey?
These thoughts haunted her. Stella feared being abandoned, left to die, discarded without a second thought.
Stella, though small in stature, was older than Uta. Her diminutive frame was a result of malnutrition during childhood as a slave's daughter. Yet, mentally, she was mature enough to consider using a woman's charm to ensure her survival.
"Alright…"
Resolved, Stella stepped out of the bath, dried herself, and forwent her undergarments. She donned only a bathrobe, her small frame swallowed by the fabric, and made her way toward the bedroom.
(My body may be small, but my chest is my pride. There are men who prefer girls like me… It's all about courage!)
Steeling herself with these thoughts, she marched determinedly back to the bedroom.
"U-Uta!"
Throwing open the door with a loud declaration, Stella's face burned red as she spoke:
"I've cleaned myself thoroughly! Please… do with me as you wish—"
"Snoooore…"
"Huh?"
Her grand declaration fizzled out as Stella took in the sight before her.
Uta lay sprawled on the bed, snoring loudly, a bubble inflating from his nose.
"U-Uta? Uta, wake up!"
"Mmm… can't eat anymore…"
"What kind of dream are you having!?"
"Dessert goes in a different stomach… And tomorrow's breakfast… honey toast sounds good… lots of honey…"
"You're definitely awake, aren't you!? No one sleep-talks this clearly!"
Despite her protests, Uta showed no signs of waking up.
Defeated, Stella sighed, her shoulders slumping as she sank to the floor.
"…Haha."
What else could she do but laugh? The situation had taken such a ridiculous turn that it left her no choice.
"Well… it can't be helped," she muttered with a mix of relief and disappointment.
Stella climbed into the bed next to Uta, who continued to snore peacefully.
"Mmm…"
"Eek!"
Uta's arms wrapped around Stella, pulling her close like a pillow.
For a moment, her body stiffened, thinking he was feigning sleep, but Uta simply snuggled her like a plush toy, his contented breathing soft against her hair.
"So full… seconds…"
"Yes, yes. Honey toast for breakfast, right?"
"Mmm… jam too…"
"As you wish, Uta," she whispered.
That night, though she spent the whole time in Uta's arms, Stella found that by morning, the heavy weight of her anxiety had lightened.
Despite the inn's breakfast service, Uta eagerly devoured the honey toast she prepared, his praise and satisfaction putting a genuine smile on her face.