“Or maybe, he’s just trying to use this method to tell me that he isn’t interested in me, and just wants me to wait obediently for the divorce.” Xyla shrugged and turned to look at the pine tree in the snow-covered yard. “Forget him, this is nice too. I just have to wait quietly for three years and then get a divorce.”
“Actually, weren’t you already healed by then? Even if you choose to break the contract in advance, your master can’t do anything to you. So, why didn’t you?” asked Stanley, staring intently into her eyes, curiosity filling his gaze.
“Humans are supposed to keep their promises, aren’t they? Master is my benefactor, I can’t be so heartless. To me, my master is like a second parent.”
At the mention of her master, Xyla’s gaze became much softer and her voice more mellow. She voiced out her innermost thoughts without reserve, “In fact, when I first agreed to my master’s condition, I thought that maybe I could try living a proper life with him. After all, I’m indebted to his grandfather. But he had always been reluctant to show his face, so I started changing my mind.”
Seeing her this way, Stanley felt as if a warm hand had touched him somewhere deep inside his heart. His lips curled into a barely visible smile.
Xyla stood up. “Alright, let’s stop talking about this. Let’s put away the things you brought over. I’ll take you outside later to get you used to the house.”
Perhaps it was how dazzling and warm the sunlight was, at that moment, Stanley felt as if she was a soft and listless kitten. He felt an urge to caress her.
“Sure.” Stanley got up slowly and gently rubbed her head.
Xyla’s heart immediately squeezed, taking a step back out of reflex. “What are you doing?”
Was he teasing her?
“There’s something on your head,” he said. Turning to leave, his lips curved slightly upward again. “Let’s go…”
Xyla quickly tidied her ruffled hair before going after him...
“That won’t do either… If you feel bad, you can help me do some work that doesn’t require too much physical exertion. You’ll have to listen to me on this matter.” Xyla was firm, even her expression became stern.
Stanley nodded in defeat. “Alright.”
“There’s no need to sweep and mop the floor. After we have lunch, we’ll go out and get a sweeping robot and a mopping robot. We’ll put one of each on both floors,” said Xyla.
“Sure. I’ll pay,” replied Stanley.
“No need. I’ll pay. You just have to cooperate with me and play the role of my husband. You don’t have to care about anything else,” said Xyla casually. She had no plans to let him share any of the responsibilities.
Stanley was speechless. After listening to her, an awkward feeling rose in his heart. It was as if he was being kept by Xyla Quest.
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