Chapter 18: Conversation

I spent the night sitting next to Veene on the wooden bed, even in her sleep, she still grasped my shirt firmly. As the morning light shone through the window, Veene slowly opened her eyes. When she noticed her hand was still clutching my shirt, she jumped up and let go of my shirt.
"Lord Hades, I'm sorry." Veene lowered her head.
"I'm sorry about what?" I asked and started sponsoring Veene.
“For everything…because…” She began to mutter.
"I have no reason to apologize to you." I pat her head.
“But I am a slave, a slave who does not know its place.” Veene started to cry.
“You are neither a slave nor a person who does not know her place. You are you, that's enough." I hugged Veene in my arms.
"Thank you, Mr. Hades." Veene stopped crying.
We both took turns showering and changing. After I finished changing, I put about 3 silver coins inside and put the broken dagger and two books into my bag. When Veene came out in a maid outfit, I could see her tail more clearly. It is a rather short tail with a pointed, inverted heart-shaped head. It seems Veene has felt more comfortable because her tail is now no longer twitching but has been wagging back and forth like...a puppy? I don't know whether it is right to use that comparison. But now is not the time to think about that, I need to go to Sophia's room to prepare for the quest. When I opened the door and was about to go out alone, Veene came over and hugged me.
“Veene…em..what are you doing?” I mumbled.
"You won't abandon me, will you, Mr. Hades?" Veene shyly asked.
“Of course not. I just don't want you to go out because it's dangerous out there."
“But if I were here alone, I would be very sad.” Veene looked at me with shimmering pink eyes.
“What if those guys find you?”
“I will wrap the tail around me and put on the hat of my cloak. That way I won't be found." Veene pulled her tail inside her body and put on her hat.
"And what about your eyes?" Sophia walked slowly into my room with Puff below her and her bag by her side.
"What about her eyes?" I ask.
“Those pink eyes are rare, only one out of 15 million people have pink eyes. You will attract their attention.” Sophia approached Veene.
“But…but…” Veene pouted.
“I had away.” Sophia proudly placed her hands on her chest.
“{Huhhhhh}” Veene and I both doubted.
“What do you mean, Sophia?” Veene asked.
“Behold.” Sophia pulled out from her outfit a black and gray V-shaped evening mask with a simple pattern that has irises.
She then brought that mask to Veene herself. That mask fits perfectly on Veene's face.
“Veene, do you see anything?” Sophia asked.
“I can still see everyone,” Veene replied excitedly.
“Even though the irises are black, you can still see everything from the inside out. Can you go downstairs and play with Puff now? I have something to tell Hades." Sophia passed Puff over to Veene.
“Yes, Sister Sophia.” Veene took Puff and walked out of the room.
After a moment of silence, she spoke.
“So… today you just need to transport some items with me. And Veene will sit in the back of the car waiting for the goods. If we do it quickly, it will be done before sunset.” Sophia took out of her pocket a little book to jot down something in and put it right away.
"Okay. May I ask, what year and month is today, Sophia?"
“That reminds me. Today is January 15, in the year 60 of the imperial calendar.” Sophia took out a small calendar to mark the day.
"Really. Only about 20 years after the great holy war. And also yesterday you wanted to ask me something, right?"
“Of course, can you tell me again how you saved Veene?”
“That is…when I woke up in the southern forest, I had to go around the forest looking for help. That's when I came across a strange cave in the mountains. As I approached the cave, I was attacked by a skinny bandit, fortunately I beat him. After that, I went inside to meet another guy who was holding Veene. I beat him and tried to find other survivors like Veene but it seems I was late. Only Veene remained. In the end, I stole a few things from the bandits (since I had nothing on hand at that time) and led Veene out into the woods, that's when I met her."
“So, what an interesting story.” Sophia pondered thoughtfully.
Of course, I spent the whole night thinking about it. Sorry to have to lie to you again.
“Sigh. We don't have much time. Time is money, let's go." Sophia walked out of the room.
I locked the room and followed her.