Chapter 4: Velvet Shackles.

The moving process turned out to be far quicker than Hill had imagined.

Or rather, the pitiful amount of belongings she owned could hardly be called “moving” at all.

One iron sword that required constant oiling to prevent rust, two sets of spare coarse linen undergarments, and that dagger for self-defense—that was everything.

When she walked out of Old Oak Inn carrying the deflated-looking bundle, Phyllis was already waiting at the street corner.

Today Phyllis had changed her outfit.

She had traded the nun’s habit she wore while adventuring for a pale blue long dress, draped with a white knitted shawl.

Standing on the filthy, sewage-stained streets of the slums, she looked like a pure white lotus blooming from the mud—clean to the point that people didn’t even dare approach, for fear of soiling the hem of her skirt.

“Have you been waiting long?”

Hill walked over, a little embarrassed.

“No, I just got here too.”

Phyllis smiled and shook her head, then naturally reached out.

“That bundle looks heavy. Let me carry it.”

“No need, it’s just this little—”

Before Hill could finish, Phyllis’s hand had already settled on the strap.

Though she looked like a delicate healer, the sudden strength in her wrist was enough that Hill couldn’t wrest it back.

“It’s a partner’s privilege.”

Phyllis gave a playful wink and, without further discussion, hugged the bundle to her chest—clutching it almost like a stuffed toy, tightening her hold.

“Besides, this is for the sake of your wrist too. It was only just healed yesterday—you shouldn’t carry anything heavy today.”

Hill opened her mouth, then finally let out a helpless sigh.

“…You worry too much.”

“Because Miss Hill is always so rough with herself.”

They passed through the bustling market, crossed the central avenue that divided rich from poor, and finally arrived at the White Rose District in the east of the city.

Here the streets were paved with smooth bluestone slabs. Rows of plane trees lined both sides. The air no longer carried the stench of sewers; instead there was a faint, comforting scent of fresh baking.

“This is… the guild dormitory?”

Hill stared dumbfounded at the ivy-covered stone building in front of her, with its elegant arched windows, seriously wondering if she had misheard something.

This wasn’t a dormitory at all…

Wasn’t this more like a vacation villa prepared for noble children?

“Yes, this is the special support zone.”

Phyllis explained without the slightest change in expression as she took a brass key from her pocket.

“This is property sponsored by the Church specifically to reward promising adventurer teams. As long as there’s a member of the clergy in the party, you can apply to live here.”

“The Church handles something like this?”

Hill was skeptical.

In her memories from her previous life, those old fossils in the Church had been the stingiest people imaginable.

“It’s a new policy. To spread the Goddess’s love and compassion.”

Phyllis lied smoothly and pushed open the carved wooden door.

“Besides, rent is completely free. We only need to do occasional volunteer work at the church. Very cost-effective, right?”

The last shred of doubt in Hill’s mind was instantly shattered by the word “free.”

For an adventurer who had been poor for far too long, this was practically manna from heaven.

“…It really is a great deal.”

The room was at the very end of the second floor.

Pushing open the heavy oak door, her feet sank into plush wool carpet so soft it practically swallowed them.

The room was spacious and bright, with a living area that included a fireplace and a wonderfully sunlit balcony.

“Amazing…”

Hill looked around; the tension that had been coiled in her body unconsciously unraveled.

No mildew smell. No noise from next door. No drafty windows.

This was a real home.

“Do you like it?”

Phyllis stood behind her, voice carrying a trace of anticipation.

“Yeah… it feels like a dream.”

Hill walked to the window and pushed it open.

Outside was a carefully manicured garden, surrounded by tall walls overgrown with thorny roses—beautiful, and… very effectively sealed off.

“Ah, right, Miss Hill.”

Phyllis’s tone suddenly turned hesitant.

Hill turned back.

“What’s wrong?”

Phyllis pointed toward the inner bedroom, her face showing deep apology.

“Um… there might have been a small mistake when I applied. The administrator assumed we were… that kind of relationship, so…”

Hill stepped into the bedroom and immediately froze.

The bedroom was large, decorated warmly and with a touch of intimacy.

But the problem was…

In the center of the room stood only one bed.

A large double bed covered in pure white silk sheets.

“There’s only one bed.”

Hill scratched her head.

“I’m so sorry!”

Phyllis pressed her hands together in front of her chest, looking utterly remorseful.

“I should have confirmed ahead of time. I’ll go find the administrator right now and ask him to bring in another bed… but I heard furniture has been in short supply lately; it might take three to five days…”

As she spoke, she secretly watched Hill’s expression.

The moment Hill showed even the slightest hint of disgust, she would immediately back down.

But if…

Hill looked at the bed that appeared impossibly comfortable, then thought of her own aching back from sleeping on a hard plank every night.

And most importantly—they were both girls.

In her previous life as a man, she had shared tents and slept shoulder-to-shoulder with comrades countless times.

“Never mind. No need to trouble anyone.”

Hill waved her hand dismissively.

The craving this body felt for comfort completely overpowered any sense of propriety.

“The bed’s so big anyway; two people can sleep on it easily. And we’re doing this to save money, right?”

Phyllis lowered her lashes, long eyelashes hiding the sudden explosion of狂喜 in her eyes.

“Really… it’s okay?”

She asked carefully, double-checking.

“My sleeping habits might not be great, you know?”

“It’s fine. Mine aren’t much better either.”

Hill smiled, completely unaware of what contract she had just signed.

“As long as you don’t kick me off the bed.”

“I absolutely won’t.”

Phyllis lifted her head. Her smile was dazzling enough to blind.

“I’ll… behave… and sleep very quietly beside Hill.”

Night fell quickly.

Outside the window a light drizzle began to fall, raindrops tapping dully against the glass.

In weather like this, the fireplace inside felt especially cozy.

After bathing, Hill sat on the carpet in front of the hearth wearing a loose nightgown Phyllis had prepared, drying her hair.

The nightgown’s fabric was silky-smooth like water, but the neckline was a little too wide—any slight dip of the head revealed a large expanse of snow-white skin.

Hill felt slightly uncomfortable, always sensing a draft.

“Let me help.”

At some point Phyllis had appeared behind her holding a dry towel and knelt down.

“No need, I can—”

“You can’t reach the back properly. Sleeping with wet hair will give you a headache.”

Phyllis’s fingers had already slipped into Hill’s silver hair.

Her movements were impossibly gentle; every so often her fingertips brushed Hill’s scalp, sending little tingles of electricity through her.

Hill stopped resisting and let her continue.

Being taken care of like this…

It was far too dangerous.

Hill thought hazily.

It was like sinking into a pile of cotton; even the strength to resist had been drained away.

“Hill’s hair is so beautiful.”

Phyllis murmured softly while she worked.

She gazed obsessively at the silver strands in her hands—like a cascade woven from moonlight.

Unable to help herself, she leaned down and buried her face in Hill’s hair, inhaling deeply.

The scent of the bath soap.

The exact same fragrance she had deliberately chosen to match her own.

The sensation of coloring something with her own scent made Phyllis’s sanity tremble on the edge.

“Phyllis?”

Sensing the sudden pause behind her, Hill called out in confusion.

“…It’s nothing.”

Phyllis snapped back to herself and hurriedly resumed her movements to cover it.

“I was just thinking… it would be nice if I could always dry Hill’s hair like this.”

“Then wouldn’t I turn into a complete invalid?”

Hill joked.

“…That wouldn’t be so bad.”

Phyllis’s voice was very soft, almost melting into the crackle of the fire.

“If you were an invalid, you wouldn’t be able to go anywhere.”

“What did you say?”

“I said… I would be very honored.”

Phyllis smiled and set the towel aside.

“All done. Your hair’s dry. Shall we sleep?”

After the lights were extinguished, only the sound of rain remained in the bedroom.

Hill lay on the outer edge of the bed, body rigid.

Though she had said “it’s fine,” actually lying in the same bed as a beautiful girl was still far too intense for someone carrying memories of a previous life as a man.

Beside her drifted the faint, sweet fragrance that came from Phyllis—bath soap mixed with body warmth.

“Hill, are you cold?”

Phyllis’s voice came through the darkness.

“Not cold. The blanket’s thick.”

Hill tried to keep her voice steady.

“But… your hand is very cold.”

A hand that felt almost excessively warm reached under the covers and gently took Hill’s.

Indeed, this body had its old habit—whenever it rained, her hands and feet turned icy.

Phyllis’s hand was like a small stove, continuously pouring heat over, so comfortable Hill almost let out a long sigh.

“Come a little closer.”

As she spoke, Phyllis shifted nearer.

Before Hill could refuse, a soft, warm body pressed against her back.

Phyllis wrapped her arms gently around her from behind.

“Wait—this is too—”

Hill started to struggle.

“Shh…”

Phyllis’s breath brushed against the back of Hill’s ear, her voice trembling slightly.

“Don’t move. This is heat conduction—it’s part of treatment too. You don’t want to catch a cold and get a fever tomorrow, do you?”

Another damn legitimate reason.

And indeed, the chill was retreating.

Phyllis’s embrace was like a thick quilt, blocking out all the cold, fear, and unease.

Hill’s eyelids began to droop.

The bed was too soft.

The blankets too warm.

The arms around her too reassuring…

The warrior’s vigilance completely surrendered to physiological comfort in that moment.

“…Then, good night, Phyllis.”

Hill gave up resisting. Her body relaxed fully into the embrace and sank into deep sleep.

Feeling the person in her arms breathe long and even, Phyllis slowly opened her eyes.

In the darkness, her eyes shone bright and clear.

She tightened her arms, locking Hill more securely against her chest. Her legs coiled around Hill’s like a snake.

“Got you.”

Silently, she mouthed the words into the dark.