Onion Punishment

The afternoon sun streamed through the hotel window, casting warm, dappled patterns on the simple linen sheets covering the bed. The room was quiet, save for the faint sounds of the market outside.

Frieren stood with her back to the room, facing the wall. Her long silver hair, unlike usual, didn't stand up proudly; instead, it hung listlessly over her shoulders, and a palpable sense of oppression enveloped her. Her head was slightly lowered, but her pointed elven ears were perked up sensitively, twitching slightly from time to time as she tried to catch the subtle sounds coming from behind her that made her itch with desire.

"Ah... um..."

Ruby was sitting on the edge of the bed, her little feet dangling in the air, swinging comfortably. In her hands was a delicate little porcelain bowl filled with trembling crème brûlée drizzled with amber honey. She scooped up a large spoonful with a small silver spoon, deliberately and slowly put it into her mouth, and then let out an extremely satisfied, even somewhat exaggerated, exclamation of praise.

"Wow~ So delicious! Sweet, smooth, and cool~ Mmm~" She ate while glancing at Frieren's stiff back out of the corner of her eye, her tone full of triumphant pride.

Frieren's shoulders hunched almost imperceptibly, her small face, turned towards the wall, scrunched up, and her voice, thick with grievance and nasal tone, came through in a muffled voice. "... I know I was wrong... Next time... next time I won't sneak away to eat it... please share some with me, Ruby..."

"No way!" Ruby immediately refused, her chin held high, her emerald eyes gleaming with the light of "justice being served." "This is punishment! How could you sneakily start eating the dessert at Ruby's birthday party before everyone else?! You have to learn your lesson! Go stand in the corner and reflect on your actions!"

"How about I teach you that advanced barrier technique you've always wanted to learn, the one that can defend against Qual's Killing Magic?" Frieren tried to make a deal, her voice laced with enticement.

"No--no!" Ruby drawled, shaking her head vigorously, her red curls like leaping flames. "This isn't teaching time! This is time for Lady Frieren to deeply realize her mistakes! Magic can wait until you know you were wrong!"

"... Ugh..." Frieren let out a soft, almost sobbing sound, her shoulders slumping even lower. "I know... I really know..."

Lowell, who had been leaning against the window leisurely flipping through a notebook, finally couldn't help but cover his mouth and chuckle softly as he watched this scene, his shoulders trembling slightly. "Pfft... The balance of power has shifted, truly a rare sight." Usually, it was Frieren had Ruby under her Ruby in various ways, so this role reversal was quite amusing.

Ruby she heard Lowell's laughter, but then became even more self-righteous. She finished the last bit of pudding in a few bites, put the empty bowl on the small table next to her with a crisp "click," then jumped off the bed, put her hands on her hips, and walked behind Frieren with a victorious gait.

"Hmm..." She pretended to think for a moment, a mischievous expression mixed with "I'm very magnanimous" on her face. "However... forgiving Frieren... isn't entirely impossible..."

Frieren's ears perked up instantly. She whirled around, her emerald eyes sparkling like parched land receiving rain, gazing at Ruby with anticipation. "What do you want me to do?"

Ruby magically produced a small plate from behind her, piled high with several unevenly sliced raw onions, emitting a pungent, spicy aroma! A near-wicked smile spread across her face as she presented the plate to Frieren like a victorious flag.

"Hehe~ It's simple! As long as Lady Frieren eats this 'delicious and nutritious' onion, I'll consider forgiving you!"

Frieren looked at the plate of onions, her face turning deathly pale. She instinctively took a half-step back, shaking her head vigorously, her voice filled with resistance. "No! Absolutely not!"

"You have to have it!" Ruby confidently, hands on her hips, mimicking the tone and gestures of her Master Serie when she scolded her, her face taut. "Being picky about food is not allowed! Frieren, as an elder... even though she doesn't seem like one at all, still has to set a good example for younger generations like me! Onions are good for your health! This is for Frieren's health!"

"But... but..." Frieren looked at the plate of onions that her elven taste buds instinctively rejected, her blue eyes welling up with tears as she looked at Lowell for help.

Lowell caught her gaze, shrugged helplessly, but his smile deepened, clearly saying, "You made this mess, you have to take responsibility for it."

Under Ruby's "fierce" glare, Frieren pouted, her eyes red-rimmed, as if she were about to be executed. She trembled as she reached out her slender fingers and picked up a slice of onion. She closed her eyes tightly and, with a death-defying resolve, stuffed it into her mouth.

"Awoo..."

The spicy taste exploded in her mouth, and Frieren's face immediately contorted in pain. Large, uncontrollable tears rolled down her cheeks. She forced herself to endure the discomfort, chewed a few times haphazardly, swallowed quickly, and then immediately wiped away the tears streaming down her face with the back of her hand, looking utterly pitiful.

"There are still several pieces left! No cheating! Chew slowly and carefully!" Ruby supervised strictly from the side, just like the most demanding supervisor.

With two clear, wide tears streaming down her face, Frieren sobbed softly as she slowly and painfully devoured all the onions she loathed, slice by slice, under Ruby's encouraging gaze.

After finishing the last piece, she immediately rushed to the table, grabbed her water glass, and gulped down several large mouthfuls to barely suppress the taste. But tears still streamed down her face, wetting her silver eyelashes, which clumped together, making her look both aggrieved and comical.

"Hmm! That's more like it!" Ruby satisfaction, put her hands on her hips, and puffed out her little chest triumphantly like a victorious little rooster. "I'll forgive you this time! If you steal food again next time, the punishment will be doubled! Remember that, Lady Frieren?"

With tears in her eyes, Frieren nodded sadly and replied softly with a heavy nasal voice, "... I remember."

"Alright! Punishment over! I'm going to find Himmel to practice my new magic!" Ruby in high spirits. She clapped her hands and skipped towards the door, her red curly hair swaying with her movements, full of victorious joy.

As she reached the door, she turned back and made a face at Frieren, whose eyes were still red. "Don't you dare steal any more food!"

The door slammed shut, leaving only Frieren, silently weeping and occasionally burping from the lingering smell of onions, and Lowell, who finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Lowell walked over to Frieren, handed her a clean handkerchief, and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, stop crying. It's your own fault for being so greedy and daring to steal food on the birthday girl's turf."

Frieren took the handkerchief, blew her nose forcefully, and complained in a heavy nasal voice, "... Onions, I hate them the most."

"Hahaha..." Lowell finally burst out laughing, ruffling her soft but slightly disheveled silver hair. "Alright, alright, I'll buy you a sundae tonight, a double. Let's go, get ready, we should be heading out."

"... Add nuts and chocolate sauce." Frieren raised her tearful face and seized the opportunity to make her demands. Although her voice was still trembling with sobs, her eyes had already brightened.

"Whatever you say," Lowell replied with a smile.

The sun was still shining brightly, and Ruby's cheerful voice, full Ruby energy, calling out "Himmel" from outside the window gradually faded into the distance.