The Sleeping Devil

Faint consciousness began to take shape like mist, gradually gaining clarity. The clinking of teacups and the joyful chatter of young girls could be heard.
Oh, did I fall asleep during the tea party...? I haven't been nodding off so suddenly lately.
Yes, today was my first invitation... Wait, did I just doze off at someone else's house!?
Snap! My awareness suddenly snapped awake. Yet my vision remained blurry, and I began to sense that something was wrong. My body wouldn't move as I wanted.
"Really, Miss Ellie! — What about the next dress for Lady Devi?"
"Well, I think I'll try puffing up the skirt more next time. Using that old-fashioned framework to make it poofy."
I felt a strange discomfort with the low, thick voice that seemed forcibly stretched, but the other girl's voice conversed naturally.
"That sounds lovely! It will surely suit you!"
Yes, I remember now. I started feeling sick on the carriage ride home, and then both my brother and Dirk collapsed...
Recalling the last word I heard from Didier, "poison," I realized things were seriously amiss.
Blinking rapidly, my blurred vision finally cleared.
This was unmistakably the setting of the tea party. Instead of the charming garden in my memory, it was a dimly lit salon with candles illuminating white and pale peach flowers.
Around the table were two petite girls, and Didier, who was tied to a chair with unfocused eyes. In front, there sat a conspicuously large, disheveled figure that could hardly be called a lady.
"Mr. David...?"
"Madame Sheriel, what is it? Isn't this Mr David?"
"And who are you?"
The petite young lady who interjected had a familiar face. I tried to recall if she was one of the young ladies at today's tea party, but I couldn't quite remember.
However, her attire—layered chiffon that differed from current trends, with extravagant shapes—resembled a fashion show from a past life. For a moment, I worried if I had been reincarnated again.
"I am Ellie. Please drink this. You can't have tea if your body won't move."
I followed Ellie's smiling instructions with my eyes, and from the corner of my vision, I saw a maid I had encountered in the garden earlier approach with a small vial.
After having its contents forcefully poured into my mouth, sensation gradually returned to my body.
"Once again, welcome to my tea party! Ah, your beautiful silver-threaded hair and meticulously groomed nails are truly splendid!"
David's gestures as he embodied a lady's manners down to the smallest detail left my mind in disarray. David himself was clad in a lavish dress with large frills, and though it didn't quite suit him, it somehow seemed fitting as a lady.
A peculiar unease intensified at the bizarre sight, and I wished desperately that this was all just a bad dream.
"David, what is the meaning of this? Where is Dirk!? What have you done to my brother!"
"No, no, you mustn't! Tea parties are meant to be enjoyed elegantly! Lord Didier and his attendants are resting peacefully in the next room, so please rest assured."
Cross-dressing... Could it be that he's using the hair and skin of slaves bought at a dark auction to create his ideal body?
Unpleasant thoughts swirled in my mind, imagining him flaying skin to make masks.
At that moment, Didier blinked rapidly, his lips curling into a beautiful smile that swiftly transformed into a princely smile.
Wait, why the princely demeanor all of a sudden?
"I see, I see. So that's how it is, Lord David. I am honored to be invited to your tea party as well."
"Oh my! Such flattering words! But you mustn't stay in such attire; please untie him!"
In high spirits, David instructed the maid, alternating between gazing entranced at Didier and me.
The maid gave Didier a vial to drink from and carefully untied him.
Cracking his neck and adjusting his clothes with a gesture, Didier casually created a pocket dimension under the table without an incantation...
And in the next moment, a sword was pointed at David's throat.
"Lord Devi!!" "Kyah!" "What are you doing!"
While the girls screamed, David continued to smile calmly.
"I have no intention to interfere with your hobbies. But hurting Sheriel is something I cannot overlook."
"Sigh... Is that so? I had hoped we could continue a little longer. Nonetheless, I am satisfied to have had a genuine tea party in the end."
It wasn't the strangely high falsetto from earlier. It was David's voice as I knew it, quietly resonating.
"Brother, I'm uninjured, for the record."
"You were poisoned; there's no time to entertain arguments."
As I stretched and checked my body for any discomfort, Ellie suddenly slammed the table and stood up.
"You've boldly intruded into others' territory—just what do you think you're doing! Are we not even allowed personal pleasures?"
"You guys are slaves bought at the dark auction, right? Bought by this pervert, forced to attend pretend tea parties?"
Oh, so that's how it is... It seems the grotesque scenario I imagined earlier didn't actually happen.
"Lord David is not a pervert! Everyone has their own discreet pleasures! What's wrong with that? We're not bothering anyone!"
"No, we're really bothered by it. So you guys normally work as maids? And you don't use drugs either, no wonder you haven't been found."
With a mixture of admiration and astonishment in their voices, I finally grasped the situation. Didier still believed that illegal slaves were being mentally paralyzed by drugs.
Treating maids or mistresses without using drugs is something even commoners do. If you're a noble, there's no need to resort to illegal slaves.
"So Lord David had slaves turned into his maids. For... for this kind of hobby?"
"Yes. You must find it disturbing. But this is my true self, my desire... It was my emotional anchor."
The maid, with a lonely look in her eyes, raised her voice. She had been the maid who stopped us in the garden and confronted Didier.
"I'm sorry! It's all my fault!"
"It's okay, Ann. I knew a day like this would come. I'm abnormal. Using the dark auction is illegal, but it's inevitable."
"No, we were saved! What about the dress you were making?"
"Lord David, please wait. I'd like to ask, are all the slaves you purchased safe?"
"Yes, besides the ones here, they're working in a separate room as my personal seamstresses."
When addressed as a woman, naturally, a feminine response came back. For David, this was likely the true form that Devi should have.
David taught the purchased slaves sewing work, apparently making dresses for tea party games like this.
Promising individuals were trained as maids, while noble slaves were given roles as young ladies at tea parties.
"Brother, please put away your sword. We were the ones being inappropriate here, as Ellie said. Don't forget our original purpose."
"Is that so? Well then, I'll follow Sheriel's judgment."
Didier sheathed his sword, sat down as if nothing had happened, and began observing David, the maids, and the young ladies. It was good that he could switch gears quickly.
"...Did Sheriel come here to assassinate me?"
"Huh? Why would she?"
"She hates that dark auction, right? As a user, I have some information."
"I think it's better not to, but if the purchased slaves are living happily now, I don't think it's my place to interfere."
Sergio just paid as a normal customer and bought me back. If the person who purchased it is satisfied, I shouldn't get involved anymore.
I told him about attacking the illegal slave owner so far and the circumstances that led to it
"So, those who wish to stay are welcome to do so, and Lord David, please feel free."
"Even with my strange habits...?"
David lowered his gaze and clenched his rough fists in front of his chest.
"Is your heart Lady Devi? Or are you a man who wants to wear cute clothes?"
"I don't know... I just love beautiful and cute things. When I wear them, my heart leaps, and I feel alive. I've often wished I could resemble my mother like my brother. But this was the only way I could be surrounded by what I love in this form."
The large man, on the verge of tears, lowered his body as much as possible.
"The tea party venue was also magnificent, and your talent is splendid. I heard you're working on a dress now. Do you sew it yourself?"
"Oh, um... Yes. I design everything myself... If I had a daughter, I could dress her up, but it's difficult to love a woman... And wearing the dress I designed myself makes me happiest."
"Fabric is freely available, and you're a dressmaker with your own workshop."
David shook his head vigorously. He squeezed out his wounded voice, expressing how much better it would be.
"A dressmaker who doesn't need magic isn't recognized in the noble world. Hiding underground like this, enjoying dressing as a woman, I'm not qualified to call myself a dressmaker..."
"It's not a big deal, is it? Maybe Lord David was a woman in a past life, and there's no problem with a man liking cute things. I also secretly study swordsmanship. So, during training, I wear men's clothes."
Whether the heart is male or female, it can't be helped.
Perhaps because he inherited most of his ethics from his past life, I couldn't understand David's despair.
This lack of empathy must be derived from Beriard.
Also, if I had vivid memories from even earlier lives, I'm not sure what my gender identity was. By the law of majority rule, I think I leaned towards being more female.
"Do you not think it's abnormal that I have such a hobby, Sheriel-sama?"
"Compared to the Beriard family's hobbies, isn't it a peaceful and wonderful hobby?"
"Is that so... Is it acceptable?"
"If you're interested in beauty, please come visit the salon next time. I'll apologize as well."
David's eyes widened, and he leaned forward with a clatter.
We discussed business at the tea party, but in retrospect, it wasn't interest in business but a pure longing to try it out.
"You mean, at that salon!? Me!?"
"If you're concerned about public perception, how about we arrange a day for a business partnership visit? We've already forcibly exposed Lord David's hobbies by taking slaves away, so a proper apology is necessary."
Ah, I've come up with a good idea!
"Lord David, you won't be taking over the family business, right? How about becoming my dressmaker? We could also improve the uniforms of the salon staff, so how about a business partnership in that direction?"
"Huh? Sheriel-sama's...?"
"Skilled dressmakers often show reluctance for unique designs, different from women's clothes or existing garments. It's just right."
The dressmaker introduced by Dior was certainly talented, but Dior, who liked it, was very particular. Even mentioning old designs, it wasn't aristocratic or feminine, so discussions didn't progress easily.
In that respect, David, who enjoys making clothes and extravagant costumes, will surely listen to various orders.
"Lord David, my Sheriel is like this, so it's better to give up."
Grinning and laughing, Didier completely forgot about threatening earlier and smiled at David.
"It's like a dream to have a real young lady wear clothes made by me..."
"Of course, I'll keep Lord David's secret. How about operating under a different name? If you agree, I'll regularly rent out the salon."
I was planning on setting aside a closing day, so inviting them that day wouldn't be a problem. In the salon, I also taught maid members how to bathe, so if Ellie or Ann learned, other employees wouldn't find out.
"Brother and Father bathe daily, so there's no need to hide it that much."
"Speaking of which, why not invite them to the castle?"
"That's different. Right, Lord David?"
David, who couldn't keep up with the conversation, fluttered his eyes like a real girl. He fumbled his hands without any place to go, and blushed shyly.
"If possible... I'd like to experience the salon..."
"Could you do it, dressmaker?"
"If it's me... But is it okay with different territories? Is it common to attach an exclusive tailor?"
"Then, could you become exclusive?"
David blinked and gradually reddened his eyes. Tears welled up at the edges of his eyes, and he hastily pressed them with a handkerchief.
"I'm so hopeless... as abnormal as I am... as a dressmaker, exclusively..."
Is it okay...? David couldn't find Didier and hide the slaves so well, fooled everyone's eyes, and thought he was perfectly managing the tea party. Surprisingly, he seems to be the type who's easily deceived.
"Shall we prepare a transfer array? Then you can move between territories without being seen by anyone, and it'll be easier to move as an exclusive in other territories."
"A transfer array... Is that possible?"
"Yes, but it's illegal."
"The installation of a transfer array spanning territories requires royal permission. More importantly, it's just necessary to apply through the Magician's Guild since only they can set it up.
So, for me, it's borderline legal. It's the fault of the laws for not having regulations against clandestine transfer arrays."
"Lord David!! Congratulations! We can tailor clothes for a real young lady, not fakes like us!"
"No, you're all splendid young ladies too, truly thank you..."
"Sheriel-sama, Lord David has such amazing talent, look at these outfits! Lord David thought of all of them!"
"Yes, they're really lovely. Seeing them makes me want to ask Lord David for some tailoring too."
"Yay!" The maids all cheer in unison, some even tearfully embracing each other.
A faint signal buzzes in my ear, and I telepathically connect with Didier.
"(Well done. You've acquired the slaves.)"
"(Yes, it deviated from the initial plan, but it's a harvest beyond expectations.)"
The slaves David raised will now continue making my clothes. They can freely purchase fabrics from the Forden Trading Company, which handles the finest materials, and have a talented dressmaker with free-thinking ideas exclusively for them.
"(As expected, Sheriel is a Beriard, huh?)"
"(Everyone seems happy, so it's all good.)"
Well, if everyone's happy with it, then it's fine. It's not like we're doing anything wrong.
Didier points out my guilty expression, so I hastily try to mask it.
Note: lady Devi is lord David
Due to some certain reasons🌚
Thanks for reading 😊