A Brighter Future (Kuroinu)

Although Rhodes was a bit unclear about Chloe’s situation, he still explained the reason for his visit.

“I was just worried that being chained up for so long would harm your body and cause problems later, preventing you from escaping. I didn’t come for what you’re thinking.”

While saying this, Rhodes unlocked the chains, and Chloe, freed, felt much more relaxed. After all, no one likes to sleep with their hands and feet chained. Then, seeing Rhodes lie down beside her to sleep, she moved closer.

She wrapped her arms and legs around him like an octopus, leaving Rhodes at a loss for words.

“Why are you hugging me like this to sleep?”

Rhodes was already finding it hard to deal with Chloe’s behavior, like burying her face in his neck, rubbing against him, and taking deep breaths.

“Doing this makes me feel relaxed. I haven’t had this kind of peace in a long time. Being with you makes me forget the hate and disgust in my mind.”

Chloe’s somber tone revealed her sadness. Clearly, her past life was not pleasant, and recent events, being treated as a slave, had been particularly hard on her.

“Actually, I’m a mix of human and dark elf, but my dark elf traits are stronger, so my human characteristics aren’t visible. I’m actually glad about that; I don’t look like the humans I despise. Of course, you’re not included in that.”

“I know, so you don’t need to remind me like that.”

Seeing Rhodes’s understanding, Chloe continued: “Since I was young, I never knew my parents. I was raised by humans and suffered their abuse. From my earliest memories, I haven’t had a single day of peace. I thought being bought by that guy would start a hellish life, but then I met you. It feels like a dream.”

A smile crept onto Chloe’s face, a result she could never have imagined.

Rhodes didn’t respond. He didn’t know what to say to such things, as he had never experienced anything like it and couldn’t imagine the pain she went through.

“Let’s not talk about such heavy topics. We’re both tired, so let’s sleep well. I’m sleepy too.”

With that, Rhodes turned off the bedside lamp, and the room was lit only by moonlight coming through the window, casting a quiet atmosphere.

“Good night.”

Rhodes turned to face Chloe, their eyes meeting briefly, and after wishing her good night, he closed his eyes to rest.

“Good night.”

Chloe responded with a smile. Soon, the room was filled only with the sound of their steady breathing. That night, she felt the most peaceful and comfortable sleep she had ever experienced.

The next day, when Chloe woke up early, she saw Rhodes still sound asleep. She let out a soft sigh of relief and hugged him tightly again. Even though maintaining such a posture all night made her body stiff and sore, she still didn’t want to let go.

It wasn’t until Rhodes woke up that Chloe, somewhat reluctantly, released him. However, because her muscles had stiffened, she couldn’t move freely for a while.

“Ha… Clearly, you can’t be chained up like this anymore. It will only make you feel worse. Let’s forget about the chains and think of some other excuse to pass this off.”

Seeing Chloe struggle to move, Rhodes couldn’t bear to chain her again, but he was troubled about what excuse to come up with.

“An excuse? That’s easy. Just say that you had your way with me all night long and that I was conquered by your manly prowess.”

Chloe suggested this without a second thought, leaving Rhodes with a complicated expression.

Rhodes: ?_?

“I mean, isn’t that kind of thing impossible? Such a story sounds totally implausible.”

“Would it? But I think Grave would believe it. He would be happy to hear that result. Plus, with my cooperation, we can definitely pull it off.”

“That’s true, but have you considered whether I would feel comfortable saying such a thing?”

The idea of bragging about his male strength, and taming a proud, hot-tempered dark elf, seemed like something only a social terrorist would say. It was certainly not something Rhodes felt he could do.

“In that case, how about chaining me by my neck and leading me out? That way, it would also prove that I’ve been tamed by you.”

Seeing Rhodes’s hesitation, Chloe suggested another method. This was not a problem for her, as being shackled by Rhodes was something she could accept.

“…Isn’t there a more normal option?”

Although he wouldn’t be the one embarrassed by it, Rhodes was still resistant to the idea. Chloe shook her head, indicating there was no other way.

Faced with this, Rhodes fell into deep thought, weighing his options.

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

“Chloe has been tamed by my manly prowess, so I won’t be locking her up anymore. There’s no need to be too surprised or worried about it.”

At the dining table, Rhodes, suppressing the embarrassment in his heart, tried to maintain a poker face as he explained the situation to Claudia and Grave.

Upon hearing Rhodes’s words, Grave and Claudia were momentarily stunned. However, Grave soon burst into laughter, seemingly not doubting the story and actually quite pleased by it.

“Could such a thing be an act? Just to lower your guard and then make a move? Of course, I’m not doubting your abilities, Rhodes. I’m just worried that the dark elf might be pretending to deceive you!”

However, Claudia still seemed concerned and asked for clarification, while emphasizing that she wasn’t doubting Rhodes’s prowess. In fact, hearing him say so, Claudia’s cheeks couldn’t help but turn red with embarrassment.