The abused merchant’s daughter – 33 | Sousaku – 創作

Chapter 1, Episode 33: Don’t Kill

"Today I will introduce you to someone who will take care of you."

　It had been a long time since we have been living in the temple.
　Farne-sama said so again.

　Someone new?

"Yes. It is time for you to get used to other humans.
　I can't keep taking care of you forever."

　Am I troubling you, Farne-sama?
　It's alright.
　I can change my clothes properly!
　I can put on clothes by myself!

"Yes, you're getting better at it.
　But that is not the point.
　We talked about this the other day, didn't we?
　You have to get used to people not having bad intentions."

　But won't it be scary?
　Wouldn't they abuse me when Farne-sama isn't around?

『There is no one at this moment who can abuse you.
　Be a little more confident.』

　Cyril, who had been sleeping on the futon, looked up when I asked.

　Really? Really?
　My aunt also abused me behind my uncle's back at first.
　What if that person also abuses me in Farne-sama's absence?

『It's alright! ! Libelle will beat such a terrible person! ! ! 』

　Said Libelle.

『You should learn to control yourself! Killing here is forbidden! 』

　And then Cyril gave her a terrible glare and Libelle said 『U-Understood! 』 in response.

『I have seen the memories of the person you’re about to be introduced to, so don't worry about it.
　There's no malice toward you.』

"I will never leave your side when that person is around.

　Can you do your best? "

　Farne-sama held my hand and I nodded.
　Those adventurers were kind to me at first, so I'm really scared.

　But there's Farne-sama, and Papa and Mama.
　There must be a lot of good people like those in the picture books.

　Yeah, I'll do my best. Because Farne-sama is with me.

　When I said it, Farne-sama hugged me.
　My favorite smell of Farne-sama.

　I promised I'd do my best.
　To meet more people.
　He said we would find the answers together.
　So I have to do my best.

　■□■

"I am C-Clarice, an apprentice priestess. I look forward to serving you."

　Then I was introduced to a woman.
　Dressed the same as Farne-sama.
　She had brown hair that was tied back in a cowl.

　But what to do?
　She looked a little like my aunt.
　Even though their faces didn't resemble each other at all.
　Oh, they must be about the same height.
　My aunt would raise her whip and do painful things to me all the time.
　I would ask her to stop time and time again, but she would just keep hitting me.
　Pressing down on me with hot painful things.
　Not even allowing me to sleep.
　My cousin would also beat me with a stick.

　This person somehow resembled those people.
　Because she's a woman.

　This is a person whom I should not kill.
　She's not an enemy.

　But. Scary. Scary. Scary.

"W-What's the matter? "

　The woman asked.
　For some reason, I could not stop thinking about my aunt's face.
　People are still scary. Because they abuse me.

　Even if they seem like nice people, their hearts are black inside.
　They think about when they are going to torture or kill me or Farne-sama.
　They will kill me like Patricia.
　So I shouldn't trust them.

　I want to defeat them. I want to defeat them. I'm scared and I want to beat them.

　But I shouldn't kill her because she's a good person.
　People shouldn't kill people.
　Farne-sama taught me. I vowed to figure it out together.

　My body trembles.
　What to do, what to do?
　Please don't tremble. Please.
　I'm so scared it makes me want to cry.
　
"Riese."

　Farne-sama pulled me to my feet and the woman hurried out of the room.
　I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
　I promised Farne-sama that I'd work with him.
　I couldn't do my best.

"……No, I am sorry I pushed you too hard.
　You don't have to push yourself anymore.
　I'm sorry, I was in a rush."

　He said and hugged me, so I hugged Farne-sama, too.

　I still don't like people.

　Because they abused me all the time.
　My beloved Farne-sama and Patricia were both killed by humans.

　Farne-sama was able to come back to life, but Patricia is now dead and I can no longer see her.
　She was just trying to protect me, and she was killed even though she didn't do anything wrong.

　What if Farne-sama couldn't come back to life like Patricia?
　What if he died?
　I missed Farne-sama the whole time he was sleeping in the ball of light.
　
　But I knew he would wake up one day, so I could endure the loneliness.

　If he dies, he'll never wake up, right?
　I won't be able to see him like Papa and Mama or Patricia.

　I don't want this anymore. I don't want to be abused. I hate it when people I love disappear before my eyes.

　That's why I'm afraid. Even different people are scary. I want to defeat them.
　Humans always take away my precious things.
　So that they don't take anything from me. So that they don't abuse me.　　

"Farne-sama, Farne-sama."

　I said, and he patted me on the back.

　I have to work hard, I have to work hard.

　I squeezed Farne-sama and vowed to my heart.
　Even if I am afraid of humans, I should not kill them.
　There are lots of good people, too.
　I have to believe, I have to believe.
　I have to trust Farne-sama and Cyril.

　I squeezed Farne-sama's back.