Collector’s Cage - Chapter 33 - V.

`V.`

Froy had rejected her plea to be let out, but he expected Hermie to keep throwing tantrums. Contrary to his expectations, however, Hermie returned to her original demeanor.

She didn’t bring up being let out again and seemed to live well, as if adapting to the cage. She continued to show her lovely behavior.

‘Was she just throwing a tantrum because I came back too late?’

Froy was reassured. It would have been troublesome if Hermie had kept acting up. He still didn’t have the courage to take Hermie out of the cage.

If he carelessly opened the cage door and Hermie managed to run away, he would regret his actions forever. But he couldn’t just leave things like this either.

He needed a safety net—something to ensure that even if the cage door was opened, Hermie couldn’t run away. A magic that could open the frustrating cage door and also let him feel at ease.

‘Should I call the mage back?’

He recalled the mage who had shown up unexpectedly not long ago, spouting nonsense about taking the fairy back. He didn’t know how angry he had been hearing that insolent talk.

Ownership of the fairy had completely transferred to him. That mage had absolutely no grounds to claim he would take Hermie back. If his patience had been just a little thinner, he would have severely punished that mage.

‘It’s probably okay for now.’

The thought of calling back the mage who had been so rude put him in a bad mood. He was also worried that summoning him for no reason might make him spout more nonsense about taking Hermie.

Froy thought he should probably look for another mage as he approached Hermie.

He saw the morning food he had given, still placed in the cage. He also saw the food from last night, hidden under the stuffing. She had only pretended to eat, hiding it under the fluff.

“Why did you leave so much? You should eat it all.”

“…I just don’t have an appetite.”

“Is there something you want to eat? Tell me comfortably.”

“Umm, if I think of something, I’ll tell you. Come closer, Froy.”

As Froy approached, Hermie reached out her hand. The expression on her face as she touched his cheek was lonely.

Froy guessed her mood wasn’t good. It seemed her feelings were still hurt by him rejecting her request to be let out yesterday.

“Are you still feeling bad?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m okay as long as I have you, Froy.”

“Me too. Me too.”

Such a good girl. Froy gently stroked the crown of Hermie’s head. He touched her carefully so as not to hurt her. As if she had come to trust him completely, Hermie relaxed under his touch.

She stayed still when he touched her head, her shoulders, her waist. Considering how she used to shriek in embarrassment at the slightest touch, this was tremendous progress.

“So soft…”

Froy’s face grew strangely flushed as he touched Hermie with his fingertips. He felt a sense of guilt, as if he was doing something he shouldn’t.

He didn’t know why he felt this way while touching what was his, but the emotions blossoming as he touched Hermie were clearly not pure.

“Ahem.”

Froy tried to pull his hand away. Then Hermie grabbed his finger.

“Why did you stop touching?”

“Huh?”

“Touch me more. You can touch me.”

“Ah, I shouldn’t.”

When Hermie became proactive, it was Froy who ended up flustered. Not that he was actively refusing either.

The force with which Hermie was pulling was lighter than a feather, yet he couldn’t pull his hand free and was dragged along.

As Hermie bit, licked, and rubbed herself against his finger, Froy covered his eyes with a look of utter defeat.

‘I’m going crazy.’

This was very problematic.

She admits she did something crazy. Remembering Froy’s flustered face, Hermie bonked her own head.

She is also a person who feels shame. She knew full well how her actions might be perceived, and she was also embarrassed.

But she was at a point where she had resolved to do anything. She was not a Hermie who would succumb to mere embarrassment. Tomorrow, she would do something even more daring.