"Not bad at all—I'm quite satisfied!"
Ellen declared as she dismounted from Phaga's back, finally climbing off him. She habitually patted her maid skirt, suddenly feeling it had grown heavier. With a firm twist, a gush of water poured out.
"Tsk!"
While it had seemed charming during the moment, now that she'd calmed down, Ellen realized being completely drenched was an absolute nuisance. Her clothes weighed at least five pounds more than usual, clinging uncomfortably to her skin. Water seeped through her stockings and into her shoes, making every toe twist feel strange and leaving sticky marks wherever she stepped.
"That'll teach you to pounce without thinking! Seriously, I'm soaked from head to toe."
Seeing Ellen's flushed expression, Phaga couldn't resist a sarcastic jab before letting out a bitter chuckle. His right hand instinctively touched his left shoulder—the spot where Ellen had bitten him moments ago. Though it had already healed, leaving not even a trace of a scar, the memory still lingered. Ellen had bitten down hard enough to reach bone. Even recalling it made a faint, sharp pain tingle beneath his skin.
Shaking his head, Phaga climbed to his feet and scanned the area, searching for the butler coat he'd tossed into the water.
Ellen, meanwhile, flushed slightly. She instinctively reached to cover her chest, only to realize the softness of her skin against her arms meant she was already soaked through. The shimmering water surface at her feet reflected her figure in the moonlight.
Her clothes were completely soaked, causing the layers beneath to cling tightly together. A hint of snow-white color was faintly visible beneath the surface of her black maid skirt. Moreover, Victoria Housekeeping's uniforms were notoriously form-fitting, and the wet fabric only made them more revealing.
Ellen cupped her delicate face, her cheeks gradually warming. The usually lazy little fish snack suddenly realized how alluring the wet fabric's folds could be—like a signboard at a scenic spot proudly showing off her charm to Phaga.
Ah!!!
Ellen suddenly clutched her chest, her eyes spinning with bewilderment. Only afterward did she realize her breathless, adorable whimper had escaped her heart.
So this is what my body looks like?
Did Phaga notice?
He probably didn't...
He probably didn't notice, right?
He definitely didn't notice, right?!
"What's wrong?"
Phaga, wringing water from the butler's coat, heard Ellen's wail and asked with concern.
"Nothing!!!"
Ellen, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, let out a shrill, panicked cry and turned away abruptly.
Love gave too little adrenaline, too much timidity. The same Ellen who moments ago had thrown herself at Phaga without restraint, pressing her body against his to demand and bite, was now timid beyond measure. The crimson flush spread instantly to her ears, steam even rising from her head.
Phaga's suspicion deepened. He was already wading through the water, step by step, approaching her to see what was wrong.
No, no! She had to find an excuse!
Ellen knew her rationality was stretched tight as a bowstring. Every time Phaga parted the water, it felt like a pluck against it. If this continued, her sanity would snap!
Under the crushing pressure, Ellen blurted out, "Phaga, don't you feel cold in the water?"
Hearing this, Phaga halted immediately, scanning Ellen up and down. She seemed to catch on, quickly feigning shivers.
Phaga took it at face value, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm fine. Besides, do Shark-Thiren even feel cold?"
"We're Thiren too, you know!"
Ellen nearly shouted, turning to argue with Phaga. But the moment her waist twisted, the sudden chill snapped her back to her senses. She quickly turned away again, muttering, "Anyway, let's find somewhere warmer, okay?"
"Oh, sure."
Phaga seemed to notice something, his eyes glinting. Yet he said nothing and continued walking toward her.
At the sound of his footsteps, Ellen's entire body tensed. She wanted to stop him, but her mind went blank. She wanted to flee, but her legs felt like they were filled with lead.
She stood still, listening. Phaga's heartbeat grew louder, like a new spring gushing into the stillness of stagnant water.
Tick-tock, tick-tock—the rhythm filled Ellen's ears, making her bite her lip involuntarily. Even her own heartbeat was drawn into Phaga's rhythm, growing faster and faster.
Thump!
Thump!
Her heartstrings were plucked again and again. The blush on Ellen's cheeks spread completely; her reason teetered on the brink of collapse, just a breath away.
Ellen wanted to confess, making one last effort.
"Phaga..."
Splash!
A dark curtain fell, suddenly covering Ellen's body.
She froze, dumbly lowering her head, her fingers instinctively clutching it tighter. Before her mind could process it, she heard Phaga's whisper at her ear:
"I need to move the Ether battery. Could you hold the coat for me, Little Fish Snack?"
"Of course. Holding a soaked coat is chilly. If you're cold, just give it back."
As he spoke, Phaga's hand on Ellen's shoulder pulled back slightly, tugging the cloak draped over her front with it.
"I'll hold it even if I'm cold!"
Ellen clung to it like the last lifeline in a river, refusing to let go once she grasped it. She even leaned forward, opening her mouth to bite Phaga's fingers.
Phaga released his grip, and Ellen bit air.
Holding Phaga's coat, her courage seemed to return, and her mind grew sharper.
"We're family. How can you expect me to let you do all the work alone? Forget the coat—I'd even hug your pants if you took them off!"
Uh...
Phaga's eyes went blank. He glanced up at Ellen's eager face and couldn't help but shake his head.
"Attack like a blade, defense like cardboard..."
"Huh? What did you say, Phaga?"
"Complimenting your beauty."
"Hmph!"
Hearing Phaga's praise, Ellen flushed instantly and turned her head away.
"Hmph! Beauty? It's not like you just met me yesterday. I... I'm a maid from Victoria Housekeeping. Maintaining a beautiful appearance is part of my daily duties. Don't go looking at me like that..."
"Hey, listen to me! And what's with that expression!"
As Ellen muttered, Phaga rolled his eyes and walked straight past her, bypassing her position and heading toward the Ether batteries.
Ellen followed, splashing water as she went. Her voice trailed behind like a spoiled child's whine.
"Need help? All those Ether batteries must be heavy to carry."
"What did you say?"
Phaga grabbed one Ether battery in each hand, another dangling from each wing, and asked over his shoulder.
"...Huh, those wings of yours... they're surprisingly strong!"
Ellen's mouth twitched. She hadn't realized Phaga's wings possessed such immense strength.
"What did you expect? How else do you think I fly around normally?"
Phaga tilted his head with a small chuckle. One glance at the doorway told him everything—there was no way he'd fit through like this. After a moment's thought, inspiration struck.
He kicked a hole in the wall and strode out with a flourish.
"Ellen, remember to look around for something we can burn. We need to at least dry our clothes before meeting up with Mr. Lycaon and the others."
"Oh, okay."
Ellen responded, staring at the hole Phaga had kicked with her mouth agape. But after taking two steps, she suddenly stopped, startled.
"Dry our clothes?"
Phaga turned back, puzzled.
"Is there a problem? The commission isn't over yet. Or do you want to work in wet clothes later?"
By then, Ellen had already crouched down in frustration, burying her face in her hands.
Aaaaaah!!!
She had to dry her clothes by the fire!!!
That meant she'd have to strip naked again, hang her clothes on the rack, then sit next to Phaga by the fire—exposing herself completely to him???
Aaaaaah!!!
Why had things spiraled into this mess!!!