Chapter 7

I met the Cookie Monster.

These past few days of Nea's happiness can be summed up in those words.

What is that cute creature? If it's not a high-ranking one, I want it. No, it's probably not high-ranking. I really want it.

As a second monster, it would probably shorten my lifespan, and I wonder if Lady Eadaria's guard will let me have it. After all, the Cookie Monster's heart is probably already Nea's!

Thinking this, Nea chuckles to herself, and writhes on the bed.

Finally, the sight of Nea overcoming her cruel fate becomes somewhat comical.

"Nea, what are you writhing around on the bed for?"

Dino asks with a puzzled look, but if things go well, this beautiful pervert will be gone. There's a bit of sadness in her heart, but she'll pretend it's not there.

(I'll be a good master to the cute Cookie Monster!)

"Dino, a song petitioner can make contracts with multiple monsters, right? I met the guard's second monster."

She almost adds "cute" but stops herself. The beauty that could visually kill anyone nearby tilts its head.

"No, that's not possible. Was it a monster other than Zenosh?"

"A beautiful boy with wavy light blue hair and pale lemon-colored eyes."

"It's Zenosh."

"…Zenosh is a young man with straight light blue hair and amber eyes."

"It seems he's changed his form. Being a White might be troublesome."

"…So, that kid is a high-ranking monster, Zenosh…?"

Her voice trembles with shock, and Dino stares at Nea's face as if trying to gauge something.

"Are you trying to switch to that kid, Master?"

Nea looks back at the monster in disbelief. Why does he have to stab her in the heart at this moment?

"…My dreams are shattered. I didn't expect it to be a high-ranking monster! If it's a high-ranking monster, I don't want that cute Cookie Monster. Who would want such a troublesome monster!"

To think it would interfere with her job search in such a cruel way. She speaks harshly, almost falling into the trap, and Dino smiles contentedly.

"You're cute, Nea. A well-behaved master who doesn't cheat."

"Damn, why do you have to do that! Don't touch me without my permission!"

She warns Dino, who is trying to strangle her with both hands, and tries to get him out of the room. She's heartbroken from being deceived by a cute kid and wants to be alone for a while.

"Nea, you're cruel, but you're also cute. I won't let you leave me unless you give an order."

She glares at the monster, who whispers this. She had forgotten that Dino is always around in daily life, except for the occasional mysterious disappearances.

"Dino, the Cookie Monster was a demon! To think a high-ranking monster could be so innocent, this world is hell!"

She vents her frustration by hitting his chest, and Dino smiles and hugs her.

"Hit me more."

Damn, it was a reward.

"I found him collapsed from hunger in a corner of the hallway and started feeding him cookies. Once I realized he was the Cookie Monster, who loves cookies, I was confident he would be completely devoted to me with just cookies!"

She stops hitting and grabs a bundle of her long hair, tied in a ponytail, and complains. He pats her head soothingly.

By the way, this hair is easy to grab. It's a beautiful color and feels good to touch, so Nea often grabs it as a way to lead Dino around.

"What should I do? I'm back to square one with only Dino. And thanks to that Cookie Monster, I have no trust in monsters. I don't have the energy to job hunt for a while…"

"Sure. I'll praise Zenosh later."

"Why?"

"Also, I want you to talk to me without formalities like you did just now."

"If you're going to make a request, give me an order too. Introduce me to a cute, well-behaved, weak monster."

"Sorry, I'm high-ranking, so I don't know any low-ranking monsters."

"Your answer is cruel and stabs me in the heart…"

Then, Nea suddenly realizes something terrifying.

"I ordered a large quantity of cookies with my salary, planning to win over the Cookie Monster."

"That's a problem. Without enough money, it's hard for humans to survive. You need to stay close to me."

That's right. She realizes she has lost her escape funds and feels even more dejected. Her foolish investment was due to prioritizing the capture of the Cookie Monster.

(Maybe Lady Eadaria will let me borrow my salary in advance?)

If a potential new job appears during this time, she won't have anything to offer. Monsters, who are generally loyal to worldly desires, need to be won over with some kind of reward, such as food or items.

Nea, on the verge of losing hope, suddenly realizes something. Eadaria, though a strict and inflexible superior, has a weakness that she can exploit.

(If I say I'll introduce him to Dino, even Eadaria will be a goner…)

The more she helps Dino and Eadaria get closer, the more Eadaria's eyes moisten and his cheeks flush. It's a sin to have a beauty like Dino, who can make such a cold and cruel former prince fluster. Since she started making remarks to bring them together, Eadaria has even started to speak more casually to Nea, whom he used to avoid.

I want you to trust me. Your ex-fiancé is on your side.

"Lady Eadaria is kind, so he will surely help!"

"If he starts favoring someone based on personal feelings, I'll need to advise him as an elder."

"I hate Dino."

To the obstructors, death. Nea, feeling down after the Cookie Monster incident, won't tolerate anyone who stands in the way of her plans. Dino stiffens at her cold rejection.

She feels a bit sorry for him, but song petitioners have short lives, and Nea, who has had a tumultuous life, wants to be happy in her remaining years.

However, Nea, using the pretext of not wasting the large quantity of cookies that arrived later, quietly resumes feeding the Cookie Monster.

Even if the benefits of a contract are lost, it's just too cute to watch.