Chapter 23: Why Do You Smell Like Mother?

“Little Chloe, I need to get up, so let go already—”

“Huh?”

Chloe froze, then realized her position and quickly released her hold.

“L-Larvia, you set me up like this to mess with me!”

She rolled a few times, scooting to the corner of the bed, hugging her knees tightly.

Though Chloe looked indignant, her voice lacked conviction.

“Come on, at least have evidence before accusing someone,” Larvia said with a mock-wounded tone. “Got any proof?”

“I… I don’t…”

Chloe’s cheeks flushed red.

Last night, she’d dreamed of her mother.

Seeing her long-deceased mother, she was so excited that she hugged her, nuzzling and even playfully nibbling in her arms.

Now that she thought about it, the one she mistook for her mother was probably…

‘No way—!’

‘Larvia didn’t wake up last night, didn’t wake up, didn’t wake up…’

Chloe frantically prayed to every deity she could name—and some she couldn’t.

“Um… little Chloe?”

“What?”

Chloe glanced at Larvia guiltily.

“Are you… actually super into my hugs?”

“N-No way!”

Chloe ducked her head, avoiding Larvia’s gaze.

There was one truth she’d die before letting Larvia know.

She’d slept so comfortably last night.

In both her lives, it was the most restful sleep she’d ever had.

That’s why she hadn’t gotten up this morning.

“Hm… alright~” Larvia said, feigning disappointment. “If you want to come back tonight, I’m more than happy~”

“Ugh, dream on!”

Sleep with Larvia every night? That’s something only Silia could do. No way she could!

She wasn’t her daughter.

“Oh, right.”

Larvia spoke suddenly, and Chloe perked up her ears.

“You drooled all over my collar last night. During lunch break, make sure to wash it.”

“Huh? Why? Aren’t there maids for laundry?”

“Dummy, if other maids saw, they’d think I, the queen, drool like a childish brat in my sleep.”

Larvia tapped Chloe’s head irritably.

“Besides, you’re the one who clung to me all night. If you hadn’t been so close, my collar wouldn’t be a mess. You caused it, so you clean it up. Don’t make others deal with your mess.”

“You—! Don’t you boss the maids around for random chores all the time?”

“That’s different. I pay them to work.”

Chloe was speechless.

“It’s a secret. Wash it during your break. And don’t let this affect your classes.”

“…”

‘Ugh, my break…’

Hours later.

Reginald lectured at the podium, while Chloe propped her cheeks with both hands, staring blankly at the blackboard.

Her notebook lay open, blank. Though she hadn’t played with Silia today, she still hadn’t written anything.

‘So annoying.’

She’d spent the night in Larvia’s arms.

Sniff, sniff…

‘I’m tainted.’

Sniff, sniff…

Worse, she’d sold her dignity for a chance and got nothing. No garlic juice, and with Larvia watching her all morning, no hair either.

Sniff, sniff…

She’d have to repeat last night’s ordeal.

“Little Chloe?”

‘I hate it… No way I’m sleeping with that woman again.’

“Hey, little Chloe?”

A pale hand waved in front of her face, snapping her out of it.

“…Huh?” She realized Silia had been calling her. “What’s up?”

“Little Chloe, I’ve got a question.”

“W-What?”

Chloe felt inexplicably nervous.

“Why do you smell like Mother?”

Chloe froze.

“…”

“Little Chloe?”

“It’s… your imagination, right?”

“No way.” Silia shook her head. “I’d never mistake Mother’s scent. Though you smell similar to her, there’s a difference.”

“When I was little, I slept with Mother every night. I’d know her scent anywhere.”

“This…”

Chloe was at a loss, racking her brain for an excuse.

‘What do I do, what do I do?!’

‘Confess and get leniency, resist and face consequences.’

Maybe she should just spill about last night…

Take the initiative, paint herself as innocent, and shift the blame!

Say Larvia summoned her and forced her into bed!

The excuse didn’t matter—Larvia would never admit to sleeping with her!

‘Brilliant, Chloe!’

“Actually, yesterday—”

“Actually, Mother made you wash her clothes, and that’s how you got her scent, right?”

Chloe froze for a few seconds.

“Y-Yeah, exactly!” She nodded frantically, like a pecking chick. “I’ve got proof!”

“Proof?”

Silia rubbed her chin, puzzled.

“Yep! This morning, she gave me her nightwear from last night to wash secretly during my break! Get this—Her Majesty drools in her sleep! And to keep other maids from finding out, she told me to handle it quietly!”

“Really? Even I didn’t know that.”

“Right? She acts all proper, but she drools like a kid in her sleep!”

Chloe was so caught up she didn’t realize she’d just called herself a kid.

“But when I slept with Mother, I never saw her drool…”

“Well…”

“And if she didn’t want anyone to know, why’d she make you wash it?”

“Ugh… it’s just like I said!”

Knock, knock, knock!

“It’s class time! What are you two doing?!”