The abused merchant’s daughter – 02 | Sousaku – 創作

Chapter 1, Episode 2: Heaven

　I heard a voice.



“Hey, you're not really going to pick up that kid, are you!? "



"I can't just leave her here, now can I?

　I found this child here for a reason.

　I can't just abandon her."



　A man was talking.

　Could these people be angels?



　My body feels incredibly light.

　A feeling like I'm flying.

　

　Living is very hard.

　And it wasn’t fun at all.



　But it's okay.



　I always kept my promise to Mama and Papa.

　I was always a good girl who smiled.

　

　That's why, please.

　

　It doesn’t have to be heaven, just let me see my Papa and Mama.



　Or a person who will smile at me.



　A person who will speak to me.



　A person who will listen to me.



　A person who won't hit me.



　A person who won't yell at me.



　A person who won't speak ill of me.



　I want to see you. I want to see you. Like Papa and Mama.



　And thus――I opened my eyes.





　■□■



"Are you alright? "



　On top of a fluffy and warm bed.

　I woke up.

　Looking around, I wonder if it's somewhere indoors.

　I was in a room with a desk, chair, and bed.

　A man dressed as a priest from a picture book was standing in front of me.

　Could this person be an angel?



"……Aa, aa……"



　I tried to say thank you, but I didn't have a voice.

　Come to think of it, my throat was burned so that I couldn't call for help.

　But, it's strange. It doesn’t hurt. Can it be because this is heaven?



"……Ahh, it's alright. If you can't talk, you don't have to push yourself.

　But can you tell me with your head if it hurts or not? "



　The man smiled and spoke with a gentle expression, so I was convinced.

　I'm certain this person is an angel.

　I've come to heaven.



　I mean, the place I'm at has a soft and fluffy bed.

　When I was alive, I was a lowly child and they wouldn't let me use a bed.

　Come to think of it, before I fainted, my whole body had a burning pain, but now, it doesn’t hurt at all.

　I'm really happy heaven is a painless place.



"……Is there any pain? "



　When the angel asked me, I shook my head.

　Usually, my whole body would hurt, but I don't have any pain today.



　That's very nice. That's very nice.

　I hate pain, so I'm happy that it doesn't hurt.



"Then, can you speak? "



　I shook my head sideways again. I want to say thank you to the angel, but I can't.



"……Hmm. I'll touch you a little. Is that okay? "



　After saying  that, the angel's hand stretched out, which involuntarily startled me.

　Despite being an angel, his hands were big.

　And my body was thinking I would totally get hit.



"……Ahh, it's alright. I won't hurt you."



　The angel's hand that touched my throat was warm.

　

"……I see. It looks like your vocal cords have been wrecked.

　With this, it's impossible for you to speak.



　……Seriously, what a terrible thing to do."



　The angel's face grew stern. So, even an angel can make such a face.

　Oops, I think I'm staring too much.





"Sorry for the late introduction. I'm Farne.

　I am a priest of the Forsha Faith.

　I brought you here because I found you collapsed in the forest.

　Do you remember why were you lying in that place? "



　I stared at the angel when he asked me that.



　This......this is not heaven?



　Why did this person help me if this place wasn’t heaven?

　I'm filthy and useless. I'm of low birth.



　Will the priest (shinkan-sama) kick me out of this place if he finds out about that?



　This thought made my body tremble.

　What should I do? Will I be sent to that annoying girl again after being kicked out?

　Please, someone, stop this trembling.

　Even if I try to stop it, my body and limbs won't stop shaking.



　What should I do? What do I do?

　

　Farne-sama did not get angry when he saw my face but looked back at me with kind eyes.



"If you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to.

　Nobody will hurt you here. Please rest assured.

　

　You're now under my protection.

　

　So long as you're in this house, nobody will harm you."



　Farne-sama said and held out his hand to me, and I was suddenly overcome with drowsiness.



　I fell down on the fluffy bed.

　I think I have a pillow on my head.



　This place must be heaven.