The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

Merry Christmas, From Cherwoods (Extra Chapter)

**Kuro**

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was that, my movement was restrained.

"..."

Of course, it was a given, having my arms and legs bounded on the pillars of the bed for some reason. I couldn't remember engaging in some weird fetish play when I fell asleep yesterday.

"Oh! You're finally awake!"

Somehow, hearing Maddie's voice in the room while I was tied to the bed didn't come as a surprise for me. She finally appeared on my left, staring down as she floated around.

"Hey there! Wazzup?"

"I'm also surprised you're not surprised with my tying you on the bed."

"Just my ordinary, fun-filled days with you," I chuckled.

My fiancée grinned, "I know you're sincere in saying the 'fun-filled' part, but somehow, it still irks me."

"Well, that 'crazy girlfriend' vibe of yours is part of your charms," I winked at her. "You're not Maddie if you're not doing something weird behind my back...but of course, save it for when we're not dealing with otherworldly horrors."

Maddie only stuck out her tongue to me as her answer. I continued, "I feel like I'm missing something. What's the occasion?"

"Given that you're always immersed in work that you should've delegated to someone else, it's already obvious," she grabbed a nearby calendar and pointed at the number 25. "I think you're forgetting that we're supposed to celebrate Christmas on this date? It's Christmas, right now."

"..." Oh, right. I did agree to celebrate Christmas in September. While the idea hadn't sunk unto me fully, people in this world were already dead serious in taking part in the celebrations, even if they're not aware of its meaning or its origins. As such, I couldn't help but feel awkward. I was not 'into it'.

"You'll get used to it, eventually," Maddie reassured me. "And while we're at the topic, we asked the permission of the celebrant himself, and he just gave us the 'go'. He was not that serious about it, you know, given that people in your world always get it wrong for thousands of years, anyway."

"He did not tell you the actual date of his birth?"

"It's the reason that counts, he said," she replied. "Besides, he's worried that if he corrects the date, the 'bonuses' and 'leaves'—whatever those are—for your working people would be affected, so he just lets it be. And that's only one of the problems if your world adjusts to the correct day."

I guess that's pretty understandable. I mean, it's been established thousands ago that it would be celebrated on that exact date, even older than the standards for salaries, wages, and bonuses of workers and employees. So, accuracy and religious shenanigans (I don't care if it was derived from a pagan festival) be damned, we're only celebrating it for its meaning...

"So, now that all the 'legal impediments' gone, I assure you we can go ahead with the festivities," Maddie continued.

"Sure..." I tried to move, but the binds were too strong. "Though, uh, mind if you remove these?"

My fiancée shook her head. "If I did that, you'd surely run off someplace else again," she pointed out. "Or if you don't, someone else will grab you from me. I don't want that; I'll be selfish just this once. I'd like to spend this first Christmas with you."

"You can be sure I won't run off anywhere," I reasoned. "Read my mind; we're having the same sentiments."

"The others won't agree to that, though..."