“I’m home—!”

After finishing our shopping and returning to Seriana’s room, I found that today’s work must have already ended—Seriana and Elena were relaxing comfortably in the room.

“Welcome back. A few packages have arrived for you.”

“Oh… you’re right…”

Stacked near the entrance to my room were various boxes—some long, some square, all in different shapes and sizes.

I don’t think we were out shopping for even a full two hours.

Still, not everything we bought has arrived yet, but… wow. The power of a lord’s mansion is something else.

Normally, deliveries would go through the Commercial Guild first and then be delivered together in the evening.

Could I do that too if I wanted to?

Well, I suppose there’s no need.

“We’ve gathered most of the essentials… Let’s finish organizing before the rest arrives.”

“Right. Princess, shall we begin?”

Fiora and Teresa looked eager to help redecorate my room.

Teresa, well… she’s sort of always taking care of me, but it was a bit surprising to see Fiora this enthusiastic.

Maybe it’s like with Seriana and the others—it’s easier to go all out in someone else’s space?

Either way, I appreciate the help.

“Alright then, let’s get to it!”

I was curious how they were going to arrange everything we bought.

Not sure if it’ll be necessary, but I activated 【Prayer】 and rolled up my sleeves.

First, we move the stuff in, then set it up… It’s been a while since I’ve done some real physical labor!

“You don’t need to help, alright?”

“Huh?”

“Yes. The two of us are more than enough, so just relax and wait.”

“Huh?”

Despite my enthusiasm, the two of them quickly shot down my attempt to join in.

And then—

“I’ll help too. You just stay with Lady Seria.”

“Ngh…”

Even Elena, who had been drinking tea with Seriana, got up and joined Teresa and the others to discuss the redecorating plans.

“Sera, come here so you’re not in the way.”

Seriana’s voice called out from behind.

I turned around and saw her gesturing for me to come over.

“Hmm…”

I mean, it is my room… and yet they won’t let me do anything.

◇

So, despite being in the mood to help, I’d been excluded from the whole redecorating effort for my own room. With no choice, I sat next to Seriana and chatted with her about what we bought while we were out.

A torso mannequin, a standing desk, a few chairs, and some small decorative items.

Then there was the extra-large package that had just arrived during our conversation—roughly the size of a door, and very carefully packed.

Still, I had no idea why we bought some of this stuff.

Sure, I went to the shop with them, and I do remember what we bought… but when I asked how everything was going to be set up, they refused to tell me.

When I mentioned that to Seriana, she didn’t get annoyed. In fact, she smiled, like she was enjoying it.

Well, I guess it’s not directly her concern.

She probably finds it fun just to watch how it all turns out.

I’ve got plenty of patience too.

That’s why I don’t mind leaving the interior design to everyone else.

Still, it is my room, so I’d like to help at least a little… but this situation?

I don’t get it.

“Like, maybe I’m just not cut out for working on stuff with other people…!”

Sure, my base strength isn’t much, but if I sprout a tail or extra arms, I can make up for it.

Okay, I can’t help carry shelves or big things with others because of the shape differences, but I can handle smaller stuff or store things inside the shelves.

That wouldn’t get in the way at all.

And I’ve been passionately explaining all that to Seriana…

“Alone… is still ‘together,’ right? The problem is that you’re not cut out for manual labor. Besides, we’ve already handled the detailed work. Even if you joined now, it wouldn’t change anything.”

“Ngh…”

She’s got a counter for everything I say.

Still, I feel like I’m losing this verbal spar.

“More importantly, sit still.”

With that, Seriana took my hand and resumed the task she’d been working on before.

A few minutes of dabbing and tapping passed.

“I’m taking it off, okay?”

“Yeah.”

She pinched the 【Shadow Blade】 equipped on my right index finger and slid it off. The black film that had covered my nail disappeared, revealing the original pale pink underneath.

Even though we were indoors, it felt like it’d been a long time since I’d taken it off in the daytime.

She handed me back the removed 【Shadow Blade】 and resumed dabbing polish on my nails.

Normally, I paint all ten nails black to match the 【Shadow Blade】, but now they were pink.

The same color Seriana usually wears.

Maybe just waiting around and chatting wasn’t enough to hold her attention, so she brought her makeup box from the bedroom and began removing my black polish.

Once that was done, she started applying the new coat with soft, tapping strokes.

The black polish I usually wear also strengthens and repairs the nails, but this one was just pure cosmetics.

Maybe that’s why… I don’t know, but…

“…Ooooh. They’re shiny.”

Once she finished painting and the polish had dried on all ten nails, I held them up in front of my face—they sparkled beautifully.

They looked like the nails of a girl from my past life.

“Well, it’s not bad. You’re not going hunting for a while, right? So try a different color for once.”

Seriana looked satisfied with her work, a proud smile on her face.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sera – 【Hideout】+1, 【Prayer】, 【Mira’s Blessing】, 【Wind’s Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1, 【Shadow Sword】, 【Scarlet Bee Needle】, 【Fairy’s Eye】, 【Dragon’s Lung】, 【Amber Sword】, 【Danrem’s Thread】, 【Serpent’s Tail】, 【Ankle Bracelet】, 【Amber Shield】, 【Purple Wings】, 【Red Sword】, 【Monkey’s Arm】・4 cards

Seriana – 【Area Identification】・【】・39 cards

Elena – 【】・【Green Fang】, 【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec – 【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】, 【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards