Chapter 2
The masterpiece Fren unveiled at the exhibition sent shockwaves through the world. Visitors talked endlessly, gushing that displaying a living thing was already shocking in and of itself, but that the final piece was so astonishing it eclipsed everything else.
The exhibition reaffirmed Fren’s standing as the supreme artist, and his masterpiece and slave, Vanessa, became the most expensive slave in the world.
And now, Vanessa, a slave who could not be bought even for a mountain of gold, was pleading with his one and only master.
“Lord Fren, your guest will be arriving soon.”
Unlike the anxious Vanessa, Fren smiled with ease.
“It’s fine. They’re not right in front of us yet.”
Fren tugged at Vanessa’s arm as if urging him. After a moment’s hesitation, Vanessa sat on Fren’s lap. Satisfied by the weight settling over his thighs, Fren closed his eyes.
Like a bird pecking at fruit, Fren’s lips brushed Vanessa’s cheek, then pulled away. Flustered, Vanessa called Fren’s name.
“Lord Fren…!”
Even with his eyes closed, Fren knew. He could feel the flush rising on that precious little face. A face he had kept hidden from everyone for fifteen years until the eve of the exhibition.
Fren buried his face in Vanessa’s chest and breathed in his scent. Vanessa always carried an enchanting fragrance reminiscent of flowers and fruit, the result of spending day and night submerged in bathwater laced with scented oils. Fren’s heterochromic eyes grew hazy as he thought to himself.
My perfect creation. My eternal masterpiece that no one can ever imitate.
Stirred by a strange excitement at the thought, Fren could not resist pressing another kiss to Vanessa’s cheek. And so Vanessa pleaded.
“Lord Fren, the guest really will arrive at any moment. Please give me time to tidy myself. I could not bear for my unkempt appearance to tarnish your honor.”
“All right, all right. You worry too much, Vanessa.”
Fren raised both arms high. Vanessa quickly stood and smoothed down his attire, then drew a mask from inside his robe. Just as Vanessa was about to cover his face, Fren stopped him.
“You don’t need to wear that anymore.”
“Oh, right.”
“You won’t be needing it anymore, so throw it away.”
“Lord Fren…”
Vanessa quietly tucked the mask behind his back.
“Can’t I keep this mask instead of throwing it away? You made it for me, Lord Fren. I cannot throw away a single thing you have given me.”
Fren’s eyes widened.
“Then do you still have the ones I made for you before?”
“Yes. I have kept all fifteen of them.”
Fren burst out laughing. As his master laughed, a smile found its way to Vanessa’s lips. Nothing brought Vanessa greater joy than seeing his master laugh.
For Fren to smile always. That was Vanessa’s one and only wish. And right now, with that wish fulfilled, Vanessa was the happiest person in the world.
Vanessa looked at Fren with eyes overflowing with affection, only to flinch as doubt and anxiety crept in. Was it truly all right for a mere slave to be this happy? Just then, Fren’s laughter quieted. Vanessa quickly brushed his stray thoughts aside and turned back to Fren, who spoke with eyes just as full of affection as his own.
“You really are adorable, Vanessa.”
Fren patted Vanessa on the head.
“Alright, you may keep them.”
“Thank you, Master! I will treasure them forever.”
Vanessa cradled the mask tenderly against his chest. However.
“Elder. Master Mist of the merchant guild has arrived for his scheduled visit today.”
“Show him directly to my room.”
“Yes, sir.”
Vanessa felt his body tense at the news of the guest’s arrival. He quickly wiped his face with his palm.
Starting today, Vanessa had to accompany Fren with his face uncovered, no matter who he met or where he went. Vanessa felt strangely bare. It was only natural, considering he now had to reveal to others the face he had shown to no one but Fren for fifteen years.
Even so, he had to act natural. A slave misbehaving was as good as dragging his master’s name through the mud.
He could not let rumors spread that Fren’s house couldn’t even properly train a single slave. Better to die than bring shame upon his master.
As Vanessa etched into his heart the very first lesson he had learned upon becoming a slave, the door opened as today’s guest, Nefer Mist, stepped in with a light, cheerful stride and said hello.
“Long time no see, Mister Art Prodigy.”
“We met yesterday at the exhibition.”
Nefer was the sole heir to the Mist family, which had run a merchant guild for generations, and a siren with vivid blue ears that looked as if they had been painted on.
Vanessa quickly stepped out from behind Fren, then dropped to his knees and offered a polite greeting. Out of habit, Nefer was just about to tell someone of lower rank to get up without even looking. But then he suddenly froze. He then stared intently at Vanessa before reaching out a hand.
A cold hand of a siren rested on Vanessa’s shoulder. Despite the sudden contact, Vanessa didn’t move. The siren stroked down Vanessa’s shoulder as carefully as if handling expensive porcelain, marveling aloud.
“To think a living, breathing creature could be a work of art… Truly unique. No one will ever be able to match your artistic vision, Fren.”
“You flatter me.”
Removing his hand from Vanessa, Nefer asked,
“You said this one isn’t for sale, right?”
“No, he’s not.”
“What a shame. I wanted to buy him.”
“Do you even have space to keep him? I heard you bought a whole swarm of slaves recently.”
“Oh, come on, you know us.”
Nefer suddenly threw his arms around Vanessa’s neck from behind.
“We sirens adore humans. So you don’t need to worry about space.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“Right? Oh, how I love humans.”
Nefer’s breathing gradually grew heavier as he held Vanessa. Fren stared quietly at the sight before speaking up.
“You seem hot.”
“I am. I feel like I’m being steamed alive. Walking all the way to your mansion on my own two legs was so exhausting.”
Nefer let go of Vanessa and sank into a chair. Vanessa immediately stood up as Nefer began to air his complaints.
“There are plenty of sirens besides me who visit your house, so why don’t you just build a waterway connected to the ocean? Coming here is always so inconvenient.”
Fren glanced out the window at the sea before replying.
“I personally feel my mansion is close enough to the sea as it is, Nefer.”
“I’m a siren!”
Nefer declared proudly.
“Take away our love for humans and our urge to swim, and we sirens would have nothing left! Knowing full well that a siren has to swim to a location even if it’s right in front of them, are you really going to be this stingy? Keep this up, and I’ll make this deal with the lycanthropes instead!”
“Your jests are getting out of hand, Nefer.”
Fren gestured to Vanessa. Holding a swan-shaped glass decanter, Vanessa approached.
“You should wet your throat. Your voice is starting to crack.”
“Oh, I must be at my limit already.”
Vanessa tipped the decanter. Crisp, cold water filled the glass. Massaging his throat, Nefer muttered,
“My vocal cords seem to be getting weaker and weaker. It’s a real problem.”
“Shall I give you some herbs that are good for the throat?”
“No thanks. This is a congenital issue, so that won’t fix it.”
Nefer gulped the water down in one go and held out his glass. Vanessa instantly poured another, which Nefer also downed in one go before murmuring,
“I really can’t help but be amazed.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Well, the more I look, the more fascinating it is.”
Nefer pointed at Vanessa.
“Who could have known such a face was hidden under that mask? Wasn’t it tough keeping your face hidden?”
“A small price to pay. I wanted to reveal it when the time was right.”
“Not you.”
Nefer was still pointing his finger at Vanessa.
“I was asking him.”
Fren blinked in surprise. Vanessa found himself equally bewildered. He had been asked who his master was or where he lived countless times, but never a question like this.
Vanessa looked back at Fren, silently asking what he should do. Judging that there was no hidden motive behind Nefer’s question, Fren nodded, granting permission to answer. Vanessa bowed his head and replied.
“It wasn’t difficult at all.”
“Liar. I bet it was hard. And besides!”
As the cold hands touched his body once more, Vanessa reflexively dropped to his knees. Nefer cupped Vanessa’s face in both hands and pressed him further.
“Someone has to have seen your face before, right?”
“Pardon?”
“Fifteen years is an enormously long time by human standards. Do you expect me to believe that not a single person caught you in all that time? Be honest. Surely a few people must have caught a glimpse.”
Vanessa glanced at Fren once more for a sign. Fren silently mouthed for him to answer without worrying. That small gesture touched Vanessa deeply yet again. Surely Fren’s composure was proof of his trust in him. Vanessa answered without delay.
“No, sir. I truly haven’t shown my face to anyone but Lord Fren. I have lived all this time resolved that I would rather die than show my face.”
“…”
An inexplicable silence fell at Vanessa’s answer. Looking down at Vanessa, who remained kneeling like a loyal dog through it all, Nefer commanded,
“Alright, stand up.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
Vanessa flinched as he rose. Fren asked,
“What is it, Vanessa?”
Vanessa quickly shook his head.
“Nothing.”