Chapter 10: The Outstretched Hand
“. . .So, that’s how it is.”
“Huh?”
Even though it was a ridiculous story that could have been laughed at, Ralph listened silently until the end, and his expression seemed more convinced than doubtful.
“Lisette-sama has been enduring hardships all alone. . .I’m truly sorry.”
For some reason, he apologized.
“Do you believe me. . .?”
“Of course.”
Even though no one had ever believed me before. I felt a slight urge to cry at his unwavering statement.
On the other hand, Ralph had a dark expression and seemed to blame himself for something. Eventually, he raised his face and looked at me.
“. . .I will save you, Lisette-sama.”
“Huh?”
“Please, let me protect you.”
Even though I thought I didn’t want to involve anyone anymore, Ralph’s words made my heart waver.
Perhaps, from the moment I started telling this story, I had wanted someone to help me, someone to rely on.
“But, Ralph, you don’t have to go that far.”
“I will use my life that was saved by you for your sake alone.”
“That’s too much.”
“No, it’s not. Because I became who I am today thanks to Lisette-sama’s existence.”
I had only given him a small push, and Ralph’s current state was the result of his own talent and effort. And yet, he seemed to genuinely believe his words.
“Lisette-sama, please make use of me.”
And he said that with a serious expression.
“Don’t you think there is no one more suitable than me, who defeated the Demon Lord, to protect you now? Moreover, I am foolish enough to be happy just to have you by my side. I will surely become the easiest tool to handle in the world.”
How did he come to use words like “use” and “tool”? I had felt it before, but Ralph seemed to have some strange aspects.
However, as the hero who defeated the Demon Lord, he might really be able to defeat that monster. I couldn’t help but have such expectations.
“Don’t you think we both have nothing to lose?”
With that final push, my resolve crumbled. How many people in this situation could refuse when told such things?
Above all, I no longer wanted to die like that.
Only four months left until my 20th birthday. He had come this far to say these things, so I felt that it wouldn’t be a punishment to rely on him until I got through that turning point.
“. . .Will you really protect me?”
“Yes, even if it costs me my life.”
“No, I don’t want you to go that far.”
At this rate, he might really risk his life for me, and it troubled me. But I found myself wanting to take the hand he extended.
“Thank you. Well then, please take care of me.”
“Lisette-sama, thank you. . .!”
For some reason, he thanked me, and he said, “Please feel free to tell me anything from now on,” with a face that looked like that of a child.
“The sanctuary is dangerous, so please live here. I’ve heard about the Count’s house from Liala-san as well.”
“. . .I’m sorry, and thank you.”
Now that I couldn’t return to the sanctuary, where monsters might appear, I didn’t even have a place to live. I felt sorry, but I decided to take him up on his offer, just as Ralph suggested.
He said he would check on Grandma and everyone at the sanctuary, who I was worried about.
“Uh, a room for someone below a servant is fine.”
“You don’t like this room?”
“Huh?”
“I have prepared this room for you.”
“. . .What do you mean?”
“I imagined what you would like and prepared it, hoping that someday, I could live with Lisette-sama.”
“Ah. . .I see. . .”
And with a refreshing prince-like face, he said something terrifying. It was strange beyond belief that a room prepared for me, which I hadn’t mentioned at all, existed.
Eventually, he was called by someone who seemed to be a butler and said that he would be back soon, leaving with a lonely expression.
As for me, I was taken care of by the maids who came in again, preparing the bath, changing clothes, and doing my makeup. Even the perfectly fitting dress made me feel a little scared.
◇◇◇
While being guided through the mansion, I accidentally got separated from the maids and started searching for the room from earlier.
“Um, was it here?”
And I casually opened the door, only to be speechless. The walls of the room were covered with paintings.
One of them was covered with a cloth and couldn’t be seen, but everything else was my childhood drawings.
“No, no, no, no.”
Goosebumps ran not only on my arms, but throughout my body. There was no way this could be considered normal. It was too much.
And among the displays that resembled an art museum, there were the accessories I gave away that day. Did he really buy them all back?
When he said before, “I’ve been thinking about you every day for eight years,” I laughed it off as an exaggeration. But seeing this, I couldn’t help but feel that it wasn’t a joke.
Maybe I made the wrong choice. I seriously thought so.
