第２７掘：うさぎさん (Part2)
"...Being too sharp isn't good either. I am fond of you, Brother, but I don't necessarily want you to know every single thing..."
"...My apologies."
Only the sounds of the children playing echoed through the open-air bath.
"...It is quite embarrassing to admit, but I, too, dislike the idea of Elju-sama joining us..."
"..."
"...You understand, don't you? That you are using Elju-sama as an insurance policy after concluding a pact with the King?"
"Yeah."
Ratz splashed hot water onto her face once more.
"...That rabbit was something I crafted, but it had a previous owner. A master who held it for only three short days."
And so, Ratz began to speak, bit by bit. The story surrounding that rabbit.
***
**Side: Ratz**
It’s not as if telling the story will bring that child back to life... but I felt that since this kind Dungeon Master is the guardian of Aslin-chan, who is about the same age, it might be alright to share it.
"Where should I begin? Let’s see... I believe I mentioned that I was a merchant before I became a slave. Even then, I had a fair amount of skill as an individual adventurer, and my companions would often accompany me on my travels.
I had grown quite accustomed to the merchant life, and while traveling, I thought I’d try my hand at making some new merchandise. I made it while staying in a certain village. As I was whittling away at some wood, a cute little girl came peeking at me. She was about Aslin’s age, I suppose? I never did get to ask.
When I called out to her, she peeked at what I was working on, and gave me such a wonderful smile. 'It’s a bunny!' she said.
Oh, as a merchant, I made a painful mistake. Entranced by that smile, I gave the rabbit to her for free. After that, perhaps she had grown fond of me, but we traveled together, talked, and played by the river.
Then, the aftermath of this conflict reached that village. Honestly, I wish they would stop that—especially at night. If it had been during the day, I might have been able to do something. Because it was a small village, it was crushed in the blink of an eye.
My adventurer companions scattered on the spot, deciding to flee individually, and I intended to use the chaos to escape as well. Whether it was luck or misfortune, I ran into the girl I had given the rabbit to. If it had just been me, I could have escaped easily, but I couldn't help but reach out my hand to her.
...We were so close. We were truly just a little bit away from leaving the village. That was when the girl dropped the rabbit. She went back to retrieve it. I never imagined she would shake off my hand just to go back for a toy like that.
The moment she picked up the rabbit, multiple arrows pierced her. ...It wasn't the kind of wound one could survive. Her body was so small; a few hits would be fatal. ...I rushed to her side immediately, but it was indeed a fatal wound.
...It was because I had made that rabbit... The regret, the sheer regret is unbearable. ...After that, I seem to have wept while holding her lifeless body. By the time I regained my senses, I was a slave, still clutching that blood-stained rabbit. After that, I was chosen by Curse-san and met you, Brother."
I splashed hot water on my face again. I don't want a good man to see me crying like this.
"...Do you think that girl regrets or resents receiving the rabbit?"
"Who knows? Go ask her yourself someday."
"...You're harsh. In times like these, you're supposed to offer gentle comfort."
"Don't be an idiot. Why would I bother answering when the answer is right in front of you?"
Saying that, Brother looked over at where Aslin-chan and the others were playing with the rabbits.
"...Was the rabbit that made her smile not a mistake, then?"
"As of right now, four out of four children are enjoying the rabbits. Whether you increase them, decrease them, or end it here is up to you, Ratz."
"...I want to increase them."
"Then do your best here. I won't get in your way; I want the local specialties, after all."
"You are as sharp as ever. ...However, the weight on my chest has lifted. I think I will have sorted out my feelings by tomorrow. Well then, I'll be heading out first..."
As I stood up, my vision blurred. Ah, so this is what they call getting lightheaded from the bath...
"Whoa there. If you've been talking that much, it's only natural for someone who got in before me to end up like this."
"I-I'm sorry."
Brother caught me, just as he had anticipated. Honestly, I’m not embarrassed about being seen naked, but I feel a different kind of shyness being held in his arms.
"Alright, everyone, time to get out. Ratz is feeling lightheaded, so give me a hand."
"Okay!"
"Understood."
"...Tch, I'll get lightheaded next time too."
"Labyris, don't joke about getting lightheaded. It can be life-threatening."
While talking to the children, Brother carried me to the changing room in a princess carry without any trouble.
"B-Brother!? T-that way of carrying me is...!"
"Yeah, this is a romantic way to carry someone. I don't know if women actually like it, but I've always wanted to try it. Well, blame yourself for getting lightheaded."
He’s a romantic in the strangest ways.
"...Tch!!"
Labyris-chan, you can be the main wife, so please stop clicking your tongue. It’s scary.