The Foot-Kissing Ritual and a Witch’s Estate

‘Here.’

Kaelan, toying with the amethyst necklace at her chest, extended a foot forward, presenting her delicate instep to Saranya.

The foot-kissing ritual was something Kaelan demanded Saranya perform every morning.

Presumably, Kaelan intended to erode Saranya’s will and force her to acknowledge her subordinate status, a classic display of a s*ave owner’s mindset.

Yet, quite the contrary, this was a boon!

Saranya could, each day, press her lips against the beautiful maiden’s instep, inhaling to discern the scent of her jade-like feet; while such a foot-kissing ritual might be a humiliation for a proud ancient, it was nothing short of an invigorating tonic for a modern Homo sapiens!

Thus, Kaelan’s intentions, though malicious, ultimately yielded a favorable outcome.

However, Saranya was far from satisfied; this dark witch was brimming with wicked schemes, so how could she possibly endure such humiliation in silence and simply allow it?

This foot-kissing ritual, born from a backward system of slavery, demanded retaliation and resistance!

She certainly couldn’t win through brute force, but surely a softer approach would suffice? Saranya devised a viable method, which was…

Not only would she kiss Kaelan’s feet, but she would *wet* kiss them, thoroughly developing Kaelan’s preferences, cultivating a path of dependence, and ensuring that Kaelan’s jade-like feet would never escape her lips and tongue!

‘Ahem! It’s crucial not to rush such matters; at first, merely extending the tiniest tip of the tongue will suffice, aiming for that sensation of almost-but-not-quite-touching—perhaps one to three pixels. Pressing the fleshy part of the tongue against the opening of the lips, sweep it across the pristine white foot, ensuring the entire process is swift and appears utterly natural. This delicate balance must be mastered: enough to make the other person feel that something is amiss, but not so much that they perceive it as intentional.’

‘Unable to ascertain if it’s a mere illusion or a deliberate act, the other person would be forced to suppress all their questions, thereby allowing the torment to achieve its optimal effect.’

‘You foolish witch, this is my retribution against you!’

‘How did the ancestors’ saying go?’

“Swift as the wind, silent as the forest…”

“What are you muttering about?”

“Shadowflank Armor—! Ah, no, I couldn’t help myself. My apologies, Master.”

“Show some respect!”

The young woman extended her small foot forward; her skin was smooth and unblemished, and through her jade-like instep, the faint azure veins subtly hidden beneath were visible.

Saranya knelt on one knee, leaning in, and first delivered a scorching breath, intending to test Kaelan’s reactions.

Though Kaelan’s expression remained unchanged in Saranya’s peripheral vision, her ankle subtly rotated, instinctively pulling away from Saranya’s lips.

‘Hmph, you wicked little witch, so intent on humiliating your enemy, yet you underestimate your own tolerance?’

Saranya lifted her eyes, feigning a pitiful expression, and cast a look of confusion at the witch:

“Oh?”

“Hmph.”

As expected, this provocative tactic proved effective; Kaelan’s cheeks puffed out slightly as she feigned composure, then extended her foot back.

“Aggressive as fire!”

“What did you say—Ooh, ah…!”

In the blink of an eye, the seasoned master completed the operation, leaving the little witch dumbfounded in her seat, her mind completely blank.

“What’s wrong, Master? Did I do something incorrectly?”

Savoring the lingering sweetness on her tongue, Saranya deliberately adopted a timid demeanor, one that seemed uncharacteristic of her usual self.

“I apologize… You are my first master. Before being conquered by you, I was always leading troops into battle, engaged in rough work, and am still quite unaccustomed to such delicate matters…”

“No, it’s fine.”

“I truly apologize. I’ll practice diligently… *Mwah*~”

Saranya bowed her head once more, lightly tapping Kaelan’s other instep like a woodpecker.

Now, faint, glistening traces of moisture adorned each of Kaelan’s insteps, shimmering under the bedroom’s candlelight. With a sullen expression, she subtly curled her toes, allowing her arches to fully meet the air, seemingly experiencing the sensation of her saliva evaporating from her feet.

Gradually, the witch’s cheeks flushed faintly, and her expression became peculiar.

“Master?”

“…You may rise.”

****

Today, accompanied by Kaelan, Saranya was permitted to leave her quarters.

Saranya had always held a stereotypical image of a witch’s abode: a dilapidated shack nestled deep in the mountains, cluttered with various magical tools, and surrounded by strange plants, black cats, toads, and owls—ominous creatures all.

However, after witnessing Kaelan’s residence, Saranya completely abandoned that notion, replacing it with a new stereotype:

‘All witches are wealthy women.’

Kaelan’s estate, both in its vast expanse and the opulence of its interior and exterior decorations, clearly exuded the grandeur of a great noble’s domain.

The two exited the main villa and proceeded straight along a flagstone path, passing an auditorium, a dining hall, several mazes, a granary, as well as a chicken coop and stables; it was only after walking a considerable distance that the faint outline of the outer wall came into view.

Along the way, Saranya observed a few scattered men dressed as laborers, bustling between the estate’s buildings, while grooms attended to the stables. She found herself curious: how did these individuals interact with the infamous “dark witch”? Were they, like herself, slaves?

Saranya paused before several garden plots; the gardener, having just finished tending to the plants, offered Kaelan a greeting before departing.

The weather was clear, a gentle breeze wafted through the air, and the scent of flowers filled her nostrils; the vibrant, colorful plants were truly captivating.

‘If only we could have a small courtyard, with Mother tidying it up and planting flowers and greenery every day, how wonderful that would be.’

She used to hear her mother speak like this often, but alas, given their family’s circumstances, such a dream was utterly fantastical in their former world.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing…”

“Speak.”

Kaelan’s face settled into an unreadable expression, her gaze sharp, and her commanding tone sent a shiver through Saranya.

“How did you acquire this estate? And what became of its original owner?”

“Don’t look at me with that expression. I am a witch, not a bandit.”

‘Hmph, witches and bandits are indeed different; witches are merely an advanced, ‘plus’ version of bandits.’

Of course, Saranya would never dare voice such a thought to Kaelan.

“Forgive me, I had assumed you were one of those reclusive, magical murderers—”

“I am not. Do not apologize.”

“Yes, my apologies…”

Saranya bowed lowly, a picture of humility.

Kaelan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she cast a contemptuous glance at Saranya:

“What a coward. Perhaps I misjudged you.”

‘That look suggested she deeply regretted sparing my life.’

‘This wretched witch, one day…’

“Madam! Madam Hillburg!”

From a distance, a thin, elderly man with a curly gray beard came rushing towards them.

“Madam…”

‘Oh, right, Kaelan was married, a noble widow, but according to previous witch-hunting intelligence, her husband’s surname wasn’t Hillburg…’

After a moment of thought, Saranya, incredulous, couldn’t help but blurt out, “How many husbands do you have?!”

‘This little rich woman’s assets couldn’t possibly all be acquired by preying on childless households (TL Note: A colloquial term referring to the practice of taking over the property of a family line that has died out, often implying unscrupulous or exploitative means), could they?!’

Kaelan’s face remained impassive; she offered no explanation.

“Madam, your carriage awaits just outside the main gate, with breakfast prepared inside. We may depart at your convenience.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Leif. We shall be right there.”,