Having completed her daily task of teasing Aura, Fíliya walked out of Aura's room, feeling refreshed.
Her next destination, of course, was Solitär's.
She had noticed the sounds coming from the kitchen as soon as she left her own room.
As for why Solitär, the owner of the house, was the one preparing breakfast, the reason was simple.
Fíliya and Aura were completely incapable of making food that any normal, rational being could swallow.
Miss Fíliya's culinary skills could only be described as a disaster. While not quite at the storybook level of making food that would cause the kitchen to explode, if she were truly allowed to cook, the resulting dishes would surely be indescribably horrifying.
Whenever she thought about it, Fíliya couldn't help but lament that someone had truly spoiled her. She had grown up without ever learning how to cook a single dish.
As for Aura, she had been banned from the kitchen by Solitär ever since she was asked to make something and produced a pot of blackish-purple filth stewed from the entrails of various monsters.
It had to be said, when it came to developing "eldritch cuisine," Fíliya and Aura possessed equally remarkable talents.
...
Fíliya entered the kitchen with light steps, and just then, the figure in a white dress came perfectly into view.
While cooking in a white dress was a bit strange, it wasn't a problem for someone who could use magic. No matter what stains got on it, a single thought could clean them away.
To Fíliya, Solitär's figure seemed a bit too petite and slender. Looking at her from behind, it was impossible to imagine what a dangerous being she was.
Fortunately, Miss Fíliya had already formed an intimate bond of baring their hearts and souls with the female demon before her. The sense of pressure and fear Solitär had once inspired in her had worn away in their daily life. Now, Fíliya was no longer afraid of Solitär at all and even dared—and enjoyed—making some very dangerous, provocative advances.
She quickened her pace, stopping less than ten centimeters behind Solitär.
Solitär, of course, had noticed her long ago. After all, judging by their mana fluctuations, Fíliya and Aura were distinctly different. Besides, Aura would never dare to get this close to her.
"Weren't you having a nice chat with Aura? What made you think of coming to see me?"
Fíliya knew that if Solitär wished it, her conversation with Aura in the room couldn't possibly escape Solitär's detection. Of course, she had never intended to hide anything from Solitär's eyes and ears.
What she found strange now was that although Solitär's tone was perfectly calm, she felt the words were laden with some peculiar emotion.
Was she angry? Hmm, that didn't seem right.
It was more like jealousy, or perhaps... a hint of sourness.
Fíliya made the judgment subconsciously but immediately shook her head vigorously.
'Impossible, right? This is Solitär we're talking about. Unlike Aura, Solitär's emotions aren't that rich. How could she possibly feel something like jealousy? I must have misunderstood, right?'
Fíliya thought to herself, but she still stepped a little closer, resting both her arms on Solitär's shoulders and placing her chin on the top of Solitär's head.
Mmm, their height difference was just right for her to make such a gesture effortlessly.
"...What are you doing? Don't bother me."
After a brief moment of surprise, Solitär continued with her task. But for some reason, Fíliya finally sensed a different kind of warmth in those words, much more than before.
"Ehehe, I have been busy studying Aura these past few days. I'm sorry... Solitär, for not fulfilling our promise."
As for this promise, it naturally referred to satisfying Solitär's curiosity and letting her study Fíliya thoroughly.
She had been engrossed in her interactions with Aura for the past few days, admittedly neglecting Solitär. But it was strange—even though she had broken their agreement, Solitär hadn't done anything other than seem a little unhappy.
This made Fíliya feel relieved, but at the same time, a small sense of guilt bloomed in her heart.
"That's right. Those who break their promises must be punished. Fíliya, what kind of punishment do you think would be appropriate for someone like that?"
Solitär stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Fíliya with an icy gaze.
"Ooh... so you really are angry? But this is good, too. It's the first time I've seen this kind of expression on your face. How refreshing."
The smile on Fíliya's face didn't diminish in the slightest.
"Cut the crap. Tell me yourself, what's to be done?"
Solitär pressed.
Mmm, looks like this situation can't be resolved without sacrificing a bit of flesh, Miss Fíliya thought.
So, she ventured in a negotiating tone.
"Well... how about one finger? That's my limit... You know, having a finger torn off hurts more than being disemboweled. That's a conclusion we've reached after several experiments."
Fíliya said this nonchalantly, but Solitär just looked bewildered.
What is this girl talking about? What one finger?
Seeing the lack of understanding in Solitär's eyes, Fíliya quickly explained.
"Mmm, as my apology, I'll let you eat one of my fingers... How about that? I've never been eaten before, so it'll be a new experience."
...Solitär was speechless. Even for a member of the Demon Race who had lived for a thousand years, she had never met someone as bizarre as Fíliya.
And as if completely oblivious to Solitär's exasperated gaze, Fíliya continued with her theory.
"Mmm, Solitär, if you're going to eat it, you should probably avoid the thumb. It has the most meat, but it's the most important finger. Without it, I can't even hold a cup properly. Hmm... although it would grow back in a day or two with mana healing... it would still be very inconvenient."
"Enough!"
Solitär shouted sternly, cutting off Miss Fíliya's monologue.
"Hm?"
Fíliya looked at Solitär, confused. She had clearly proposed her method of atonement, so why did Solitär still seem dissatisfied?
"You're not going to eat it, Solitär? Look, such a slender, well-proportioned, beautiful finger. I'm drooling just looking at it. Don't you want a taste?"
Fíliya continued to [tempt] Solitär.
...Solitär sighed. It was the first time she had ever met someone who praised herself as [beautiful].
"Didn't I promise you I wouldn't eat people anymore? What, are you trying to break that promise now?"
Solitär shot Fíliya an annoyed glare.
At this, Fíliya nodded her head vigorously twice.
"Mhm, okay, I guess I didn't think it through. So... what will it take for you to forgive me, Solitär? I'm out of ideas."
Fíliya asked with a sincere look on her face.
In response, Solitär moved aside and gestured for Fíliya to stand where she had been.
"Hm?"
Fíliya was slightly puzzled but did as she was told.
"Yes, just like that is fine. I'm going to go talk with Aura."
With that, Solitär started to walk out of the kitchen.
"Huh? Solitär? You're making me watch the pot? Something bad will happen!"
Miss Fíliya's face paled in horror.
"What could happen? I've already prepared the ingredients and added the seasoning. All you have to do is watch it. Don't tell me you can't even do that."
Without looking back, Solitär left the kitchen, leaving Miss Fíliya with a look of utter confusion.
Was I... forgiven... just like that?
A hint of secret delight welled up in Fíliya's heart.
_____
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