Chapter 6 : The Daily Life of a Little Slave

Early morning, Starlight Café.

Qianya was wearing the ultra-short maid dress Vivian had designed for her, paired with garter-style over-the-knee white stockings, standing on tiptoe to wipe the tables.

Her movements were clumsy and awkward, but there was no helping it; it was her very first day as a maid.

Qianya’s daily routine now could be summed up in one sentence:

One person required, one person present (don’t think dirty thoughts, it’s the proper meaning .

Because she was now the only maid at Starlight Café (sad).

While working, Qianya kept sneaking glances at the counter.

Iris was sitting in the boss chair that used to belong to Qianya, holding the account book. Her golden hair was tied back with a ribbon, and she was seriously checking the numbers, looking every bit the mature store manager.

Starlight Café was no longer Qianya’s territory anymore QAQ.

Iris had become the supreme boss, while Vivian, Zero, and Luko were the majority shareholders.

Only Qianya had been demoted to the café’s sole maid, doing all the grunt work: wiping tables, sweeping floors, carrying trays ( ).

“Slacking off?”

Iris noticed Qianya staring and crossed her arms.

“Work properly. Don’t forget, this is your ‘atonement.’”

Qianya: Too much QAQ

All these changes started last night.

…

Last night, the tights faction and the over-the-knee stockings faction couldn’t reach an agreement, so they simply decided to take turns dressing Qianya however they liked each day.

Iris loved tights, Vivian adored over-the-knee white stockings, Zero was obsessed with black stockings, and Luko insisted bare feet were the cutest (？).

So Qianya’s maid outfits became a daily rotation of different flavors (annoyed).

Then, since Yaxi no longer existed, the position of café owner was vacant.

Iris personally went to the Adventurer’s Guild and reported that Yaxi had “gone on a long trip” or something. Qianya had no idea what exactly she said.

In any case, the guild approved it, and the café Qianya had worked so hard to build officially became Iris’s property (sad).

Not only that, Iris made Qianya the café’s one and only little maid.

Completing the tasks Iris assigned every day was Qianya’s “atonement.”

When she heard that, Qianya was speechless. Did Iris really have to hate her that much?

So Qianya straight-up asked Iris why she didn’t just go back to the Sanctuary.

She finally had freedom. Shouldn’t she return to her family in the elven lands?

“Even if I’m free now, I was your plaything and defiled by you. I no longer have the right to return to the Sanctuary.”

That’s what Iris said↑.

Qianya: “When did I ever play with you guys! Do you think my history is just filler attacks?! ”

Though she had to admit, back when she was still Yaxi, she definitely had some impure thoughts at first.

But later on, he decided not to rush things. It was more profitable to use their combat power to grind monsters, fish, mine, run the business… and earn more gold first.

Once he had enough money, he could open an even bigger harem and enjoy life properly~

Fate really loves to prank people… Before Qianya could achieve her dream of “a single blade of grass among ten thousand flowers,” the tool for the crime was gone (big sad).

“Shut up! Even if you never touched our bodies, mental defilement is still defilement! I was an elven princess, yet you treated me like a slave. I lost all qualifications to return to the Sanctuary long ago… Since that’s the case, I might as well stay here and properly punish you, you menace. Consider it my contribution to the world.”

That’s what Iris added↑.

Qianya: “You’re just bullying me QAQ…”

…

After finally finishing cleaning, Qianya’s stomach was growling loudly.

It was time for breakfast.

Qianya walked to the counter. “Iri… ahem, Manager, where’s breakfast? I’m starving…”

“Here.” Iris didn’t even look up from the ledger, just pointed at a plate on the table.

Qianya walked over and immediately froze.

On the plate were exactly three slices of plain bread and a glass of water beside them.

“W-What is this!”

Where’s the jam! Where’s the milk!

Who are you trying to fool with a few slices of bread (annoyed)!

Qianya exploded. “I never made you guys eat anything this pathetic! ”

Iris: “Make do. The café’s revenue hasn’t been great lately. Money’s tight.”

Qianya: “Excuses! I’d rather starve to death outside than eat this!”

Iris set down her pen and slightly raised her fingers, preparing to snap: the wind-up for the electric shock punishment.

“Ahahaha… actually bread and water are pretty good, very healthy, yummy, I love it~”

“Nom nom…” Qianya forced a smile and started gnawing on the bread, tears streaming down her face as she chewed.

You could tell it was delicious enough to make her cry (not).

Only then did Iris nod in satisfaction and head to the kitchen.

Watching Iris’s retreating back, Qianya chewed the bread, tears falling.

“Damn it (つД`)” She complained inwardly while swallowing.

This wasn’t a life for humans… Qianya made up her mind.

Her 【main quest】 from now on was to remove the four slave marks on her body!

No matter what, she had to get them off. She refused to be a slave!

But she’d need energy to come up with a detailed plan ( ).

For now… food first…

…

Just a few minutes after finishing the bread, Qianya’s stomach started growling again.

Those few slices weren’t nearly enough, especially with how much physical work she was doing now. That little bit wouldn’t even last until lunch.

“So hungry wuu ”

Qianya clutched her stomach and pitifully squatted on the floor.

Just a few days ago at this time, she’d be sipping coffee and eating pastries… Now she was reduced to eating plain bread and still going hungry ( ).

But right at that moment, a cool voice suddenly sounded behind her.

“Oi.”

“Hm?”

Qianya froze, then turned around.

Zero had appeared behind her at some point, face as expressionless as ever, light-blue eyes completely calm.

Qianya got a little nervous. “Zero? W-What is it?”

Please don’t give her more chores… she really had no strength left QAQ.

Zero didn’t mean that. She simply pointed toward her own room upstairs and said flatly,

“I’ve got tasty stuff in my room. Come with me.”

With that, Zero headed up the stairs to the second floor.

“Eh? Tasty stuff ?”

The moment she heard those three words, Qianya wasn’t sleepy or hungry anymore.

She was about to stand up and follow, but then hesitated… Offering food out of nowhere felt suspicious 🤔.

Rumor had it cat girls were very (meow) in certain ways. Even though Zero usually didn’t show it, she probably had her (meow) periods too.

After thinking it over…

“Ah, whatever. She said there’s food, so I’m going. I’m starving ”

Qianya decided she was overthinking it.

Worst case scenario, she no longer had the tool to commit crimes anyway. What could Zero even do?

It’s not like she wanted to scissor or anything.

“Wait for me, Zero ”

Qianya dropped all her defenses and happily followed Zero to her room ( ).