Kidnapping

Time went back a little, to when Marie was about to go out to attend the Bakers’ Guild meeting.

“Catherine, Mother is about to go to the meeting, so please watch the house.”

“Okay. So when will you be back?”

“Let’s see. I think I’ll be back by dinner at the latest.”

“Then I’ll make dinner and wait for you.”

“I’ll look forward to seeing what kind of food comes out. Then I’m going.”

“Take care. Bring back a souvenir, okay?”

“Oh, you.”

Marie left the house after being seen off by Catherine. Since today was a regular meeting, Marie thought it would not take long.

The Bakers’ Guild’s warehouse and office had become unusable because of the fire, so the regular meetings had been held by each bakery in turn providing a location. In the case of small bakeries, the inside of the shop was too narrow to use, and there had even been times when the meeting was held at the shop owner’s house. The shop owners who belonged to the guild thought that this was indeed inconvenient, but even if they rebuilt the office, there was also the financial aspect, so no one could say it aloud. Then Marie proposed that since she would cover the insufficient costs, they could combine it with the money the guild could provide and rebuild the office. Since the shop owners could rebuild it without hurting their own pockets, it was unanimously approved, and the new office was completed the other day.

Even though it was called a new office, it was not newly built. There happened to be a suitable vacant property that combined a building that could be used as an office and a warehouse, so they bought it, renovated it, and decided to use it. And from today onward, meetings were to be held at the newly renovated Bakers’ Guild office. Incidentally, Kent was not involved in the rebuilding of the office, so it did not have excessive facilities and was something extremely ordinary in this world.

After Marie left the house and walked a short distance, she saw Kent and Rachel walking from the other side.

“Oh, Kent-san. You were out with Rachel-chan.”

“Ah, Marie-san, are you going out now?”

“Yes, I have a guild meeting now.”

“I never expected him to go out with Rachel-chan. Since she was not included in the agreement, I cannot say anything.”

Marie had gathered the employees who had feelings for Kent and talked with everyone about not taking him out during this holiday and letting him rest properly. Since they had seen Kent looking tired, everyone who participated agreed, and there were no objections. However, Rachel was in the position of his younger sister, and Kent acknowledged that too, so she had been excluded from the members of the agreement.

“They’re even holding hands, and they look very close. I might get a little jealous.”

“Marie-san, thank you for your hard work.”

“Rachel-chan, did you enjoy spending some private time as siblings?”

“Yes. I had fun. Marie-san, even though it’s your day off, having a meeting must be tough.”

“As long as I belong to the guild, it cannot be helped. Then I will be going.”

“Yes, take care.”

After saying goodbye to Kent and Rachel, Marie headed for the Bakers’ Guild office.

“Wow, Marie-san, you really saved us. Thank you for supporting the Bakers’ Guild.”

When Marie entered the Bakers’ Guild office, the guild leader stopped her and thanked her again. Marie might have been called a good-natured person by those around her, but back when she had desperately run her small bakery to raise Catherine, she had received various kinds of support from the Bakers’ Guild. Now, her shop had grown to rank among the top in this town, and she had become financially comfortable, so she offered to support the rebuilding partly as thanks for that.

“The guild has helped me in many ways, so this is also meant as repayment for that. Please do not worry about it.”

“As the guild, we have caused you various troubles, Marie-san, but I am grateful.”

While she was having that kind of conversation with the guild leader, the bakery owners who were guild members gathered, and the regular meeting began.

“The flour made from this year’s harvested wheat will arrive soon. Handling it will be the same as usual. Is that acceptable?”

As the meeting progressed, the guild leader announced that flour would arrive in the near future.

“The sale of flour had been Kent-san’s income, but if this disappears, he will lose his regular income.”

Marie thought about Kent while listening to the guild leader’s words. He had done many things for the shop, and at first, she had acted with the simple-minded intention of thanking him with her body, but each time they joined bodies, she grew more attached to him, and now he had become the most important person to her. While she somewhat regretted that action, she was satisfied with her current life, surrounded by many companions. However, she wondered if there was something more she could return to Kent.

“…is what I think, but what do you think, Marie-san?”

“Huh?… I’m sorry, could you say that again?”

The topic was suddenly directed at her, and Marie, who had not been listening, said that with a wry smile.

“Then today’s meeting ends here. Let us adjourn. Good work.”

The regular meeting ended without any particular problems, and they dispersed. Then Marie left the guild office.

“Come to think of it, Catherine asked for a souvenir. Since I’m already out, perhaps I should buy something for Kent-san too.”

Remembering what Catherine had said before she left the house, Marie did not head home and instead went into town.

That had not happened before, but recently, whenever Marie walked through town, she had begun to feel the gazes of various men.

“I’m being looked at again.”

At first, it had felt uncomfortable, but now she had grown used to those gazes. And she had begun to think that she herself still had to make sure she did not lose to younger people. The women dating Kent were all younger than her, so while borrowing Kent’s help, she worked hard every day on things like skin care. She interpreted the increase in male gazes as the effect of that effort showing.

“But there is a gaze that feels unpleasant…”

Marie sensed something different from the usual gazes on her skin. And it was not just one person, but multiple gazes. She gradually quickened her walking speed, but those gazes did not disappear. Marie felt fear and began running. Wanting to escape those gazes, she lost the mental composure to think about where and how she was running, and before she knew it, she had come to an unpopular back alley. The path ahead was a dead end, and Marie could no longer move from that spot.

Several men who looked poorly behaved entered Marie’s field of vision.

“No wonder the young master took a liking to her. She’s a really beautiful lady.”

“Bro, instead of taking her to that guy, let’s pass her around ourselves.”

“You idiot, don’t lay a hand on important merchandise.”

While saying such things, the men closed the distance with Marie.

“W-Who are you people? Do you have some business with me?”

Although Marie felt fear, she somehow managed to speak and said that to the men.

“We were asked by a certain person to bring you to him. You’ll come quietly, won’t you?”

“No, kyaah! Please stop!”

“I didn’t want to do anything too rough, but I guess you’ll have to endure it for a little while.”

Marie was restrained by the men, had rope wrapped around her body, had a cloth placed over her mouth, and was stuffed into a sack. Then the men carried her somewhere.

“…”

Someone was observing the scene from the shadows without being noticed by anyone.

Marie was taken out of the sack in a beautifully decorated room. Marie thought it was probably the home of some noble.

“Mmm—mm-mm…!”

Marie tried to make a sound, but because her mouth was blocked, she could not speak, and because her body was tied, she could not move as she wanted. The men who had carried Marie left the room, and in their place, two women who seemed to be maids entered. Although Marie was restrained, they changed her clothes and arranged her appearance with practiced hands. The outfit she was changed into was a dress for nobles that commoners could not wear, and it exposed quite a bit. The dress was so revealing that it seemed as if Marie’s breasts might slip out.

“Good work. You may leave.”

Then Mark entered. He dismissed the maids, leaving Marie and Mark alone.

“I caused various trouble at the shop the other day. Let me say it again. Won’t you become my wife?”

“Mmm-mm-mm!”

“Sorry, sorry. You cannot speak while wearing something like this.”

Saying that, Mark removed the cloth covering Marie’s mouth.

“No matter how much of a noble you are, please do not treat people like objects. Also, I already have someone I have chosen in my heart. I respectfully refuse.”

“I apologize for resorting to forceful means. But please understand my feelings too.”

“I do not want to understand them. I have someone precious to me.”

“You mean Kent… If you do not accept me here, then you do not care what happens to Kent, do you?”

“Those are not words that someone in the position of the Knight Commander’s son should say, even nominally. Besides, Kent-san will not even flinch at interference of your level.”

“Ugh, that hurts to hear, but a dull commoner like him can be dealt with however I want using my power. I truly want you, Marie. Please understand.”

The conversation proceeded in parallel lines.

“If it has come to this, then even if I have to be a little rough, I will make you mine.”

“What are you going to do?”

Mark put his hand on Marie’s dress. From that movement, Marie’s breast appeared.

“This chest… Ah, what a wonderfully pleasant feeling.”

“P-Please stop.”

Mark groped Marie’s breasts over and over. Since Marie was tied with rope, she could not resist as she wanted, and Mark groped her breasts as he pleased.

“Then let us create an established fact by having you bear my child.”

“Let me go.”

Mark carried Marie like a princess and brought her to the bed. Then he became completely naked and began removing Marie’s dress.

“What is this tiny piece of cloth? Something like this.”

“That is something precious I received from Kent-san… Please stop.”

He tore and stripped away the panties that had protected Marie to the end.

“I have removed everything unnecessary. I will make you feel good with my technique.”

“N-No, please stop. Kent-san, help me.”

Mark got on top of her and began touching Marie’s body. With tears in her eyes, Marie rejected it with all her strength.

“Oh my, oh my, even though you’re a virgin boy, you said ‘my technique’… Pfft. That makes me laugh.”

“W-Who is it? I should have told them not to let anyone enter this room.”

“That so? But I don’t know anything about that.”

“You speak so arrogantly, but aren’t you the child who was at the shop? When did you get in?”

“Ah, Al-chan!”

Al suddenly appeared there.

“Marie-sama, sorry. I actually could have come out a little earlier, but I got curious about what would happen. Teehee.”

Al said that without any sign of guilt. From Marie’s perspective, that much was a trivial matter, and since she had been in a very dangerous situation, she was honestly relieved that Al had come.

“One child appearing changes nothing. Is no one there?”

Mark called for someone, but no one answered.

“Unfortunately, shouting is pointless. I cast soundproofing magic on this room, so no matter how loud a voice or sound you make, it won’t be heard outside the room.”

“Magic… you say?”

Mark said that in surprise upon hearing the word magic. In this country, only a small number of people could use magic. Those people were often welcomed into important posts by the country, and it was certainly not something a child working at a bakery could use.

“Now then, for now, could you move away from Marie-sama? If Master learns that a filthy human like you touched her, he will be sad.”

“Hmph. What can you do?”

When Al said that, Mark spoke as if sneering at her.

“What can I do? I can do all kinds of things, you know? What do you want me to do? Hey, what do you want me to do?”

“Disgusting. Don’t come near me.”

Al’s face became that of a dangerous person, and she slowly closed the distance. Mark felt an indescribable fear from the ominous aura that seemed to be emanating from Al. That fear was conveyed to Marie as well.

“Al-chan… eek!”

Marie somehow managed to speak, but she could not say anything more than that. In that instant, everything above Mark’s neck vanished, and a large amount of blood spurted from his torso. Al grabbed Mark’s head, which had gone flying, lifted it up, and glared at it.

“You know, when Master was hit, I felt like killing you right away. Do you understand? Hey, you understand, don’t you?”

“Ah, ah, ah.”

Glared at by Al, Mark was unable to speak from fear and only opened and closed his mouth.

“That’s right. You like Marie-sama’s bountiful chest, don’t you?”

Saying that, Al kicked Mark’s torso with a strength unbelievable for her physique and dropped it to the floor.

“Look, I made the same chest as Marie-sama’s on your body. Enjoy it all you want.”

Al made swellings on Mark’s torso the same size as Marie’s bountiful breasts.

“Ghh, I can’t breathe… My breath…”

She pressed Mark’s face against those swellings. After pressing it there for a while, Mark lost consciousness.

“Oh my, is that already the end… I thought you would try a little harder.”

Al said that with a slightly disappointed look.

“A-Al-chan, to kill a person…”

“Marie-sama, I am sorry for startling you. I will return it now.”

In that instant, the atmosphere of the room returned, and Mark was lying naked on the floor. Of course, his head was attached, and although he had fainted, he was breathing.

“What does this mean?”

“It is something called illusion magic. It directly affects the brain and makes things that did not happen in reality look as if they are happening… something like that.”

“I see. I was so shocked that I almost leaked. But… what is this?”

Marie pointed at Mark’s chest as he lay on the floor. The swellings made on Mark’s chest were not an illusion, but real.

“I might have wanted to see Marie-sama wet herself too. Well, I will leave that pleasure for another day… This is a modest present from me. Ah, but when I leave, I won’t be able to maintain the magic power, so it will return to normal in a few days. For now, it would be bad if he regained consciousness, so maybe I should tie him up?”

Saying that, she untied the rope that had bound Marie and used it to tie up Mark.

“This might be a pretty good result.”

Al nodded in satisfaction at the successful result and said that happily.

“Then, since my business is finished, shall we go home soon? Um, they took your clothes away, right? It looks like you will have to endure with this outfit for now.”

“It feels breezy below, but I have no choice but to endure it. Again, Al-chan, thank you for coming to save me.”

“If this makes Master happy, then I suppose my effort was worth it.”

Marie picked up the dress Mark had prepared and decided to wear it as it was.

“By tomorrow, Master should take some kind of countermeasure against this human. If that happens, I think this matter will be resolved.”

Al said that and tried to leave the room, but she stopped moving partway through.

“What is it, Al-chan?”

Marie, puzzled, asked Al.

“I did not expect them to come today. This looks like it will become interesting. Marie-sama, change of plans. Let us wait in this room for a while.”