--The fact that he's surrounded with only women is also the same.
"Ku-Kuro-sama.... S-since the engagement was called off, um, th-that mean, I'm--"
"It's not because I don't like you. I'm currently courting the queen of the fairy, so I don't intend to go forward with other marriage proposals."
Queen of the fairy?
Starting with the elves, most of the fairykin have parliament system with their elders, so the only ones that are monarchy are the Spriggan and Leprechaun kingdoms.
Either way, since they're not of the same race, the possibility of the other party agreeing with the proposal is nil.
Although, even excepting Princess Shistina who was announced to be his fiancee, there are Sera-sama the daughter of a duchy house, and the daughter of Muno Earldom, the [Aloof Beauty] Karina-sama.... Elterina has a lot of rivals.
I can't help but sympathize with Elterina, but it has nothing to do with me who's a slave.
"--Do you hear me? Tifaliza?"
"I'm sorry, I was thinking about something else."
"Then, I'll say it again okay. I'm thinking of freeing you from slavery. I want you to work at Echigoya Firm as an executive."
--freeing from slavery?
"I'm a crime slave, so freeing me should be impossible."
"I've got the permission from the king. Of course, for Nell too."
Kuro-sama returned a smile to my panicked words.
"I-I--don't want to be freed."
Going against that smile, I conveyed my wish.
"Why, could you tell me?"
I shake my head to the bewildered Kuro-sama.
--I'm a coward.
Kuro-sama probably will do bigger and bigger projects from now on, getting to even higher grounds, expanding his places of activities.
Unlike Elterina who's resourceful, the only thing that I can do is filing documents.
Without the bonds of slavery, I do not have the confidence to stand beside Kuro-sama.
And, I cannot honestly express the favor I have like Elterina.
I'm a "coward" who couldn't even pull Kuro-sama's hands when he brought me to the bed.
"Right now, not yet. Someday--"
--When I have enough confidence to tell my feeling straight.
Once I cross that, I will discard my slave position and tread my foot on the battlefield called love.
Someday, standing in line with Elterina who should be respected, I want to walk that road.