Chapter 22

This content contains some subtle indecent elements. Please be cautious if you are sensitive to such content or are eating.

While fussing, I was carried back to the infirmary by Vincent.

"Captain Vincent, it's a good thing you're here."

Just as I was about to slip through the infirmary door, Kalaf's voice came from behind.

Turning around at the sound, Kalaf looked extremely surprised.

"What's wrong, Yuriko? Your eyes are all red. What did Captain Dilnan do?"

Dilnan...

Hearing his name made me want to cry again. I've never cried like this even after breakups.

"Captain Vincent?!"

"Dilnan let Yuriko go alone to order daily necessities. Considering her physical strength, it's time to give her a bath and put her to bed."

As I sobbed, Vincent wiped my tears with a towel. Thank you.

"So, Kalaf. You came again, did you accomplish something?"

"Yes, a nightgown, some undergarments for changing, and tomorrow's socks. The shoes were just finished by the blacksmith team. Oh, the size is so cute, the clothing team got really excited. The hat team even said they want to make something for Yuriko soon. And the apron you mentioned earlier, I put it in the pouch. I also put the handkerchief in the pouch."

While patting my back and soothing me, Vincent asked Kalaf, who then lifted the bag containing the items she had brought.

"Alright. Since you went to the trouble, show me."

"Of course."

Kalaf joined us in the infirmary and led me to the bed where I was resting before dinner.

Once I was set down, Kalaf took out various items from the bag and spread them out on the empty space at my feet.

She also put the apron in the pouch for me. It's a waist pouch type.

"With this, I can dress Yuriko in clean clothes after her bath. I'm really grateful."

"This time it was rushed, so I only made simple things, but I'll definitely make cute nightgowns and such."

As Vincent confirmed the items, Kalaf answered enthusiastically.

"Still, to seriously design and make cute dresses and dresses with lace and drapes, I had almost given up until Yuriko came. Now we can make all sorts of clothes. And matching cute shoes and accessories... Our skills as the blacksmith team's clothing department will be put to good use. This is the happiest thing ever."

"...Well, in the North Demon King's Castle until yesterday, dresses and dresses were mostly for punishment games, with no real use. Occasionally, a dress for Lady Kayu, perhaps?"

"That's right, Captain Vincent!

We put our heart into making them, but they were only worn once or twice before being discarded! We get so many interesting fabrics and samples, but our usual work is just work clothes. That's why Yuriko is our hope. What else would we decorate if not such a cute girl?!"

Just a moment ago, Kalaf was in high spirits, but now she was passionately arguing. She must have had a lot of pent-up frustration.

...Could Kalaf's appearance be a manifestation of her pent-up frustration? What if all the blacksmith team's clothing department members were like Kalaf?

Thinking about it, I felt a bit deflated.

"Is there really so much fabric?"

"Yes, Captain Vincent. We have some really high-quality fabrics, like deep green velvet, but Lady Kayu only wears plain black clothes in daily life. We don't have enough fabric to make adult women's clothes, and it would be a waste to use even a small part for costumes. If the fabric just sits there getting dusty and old, it would be better to make a cute dress for Yuriko and let her wear it. Then, I'll put her in enamel shoes, decorate her hair with ribbons, and give her a bear-shaped backpack."

"That does sound incredibly cute."

"Even if she can only wear them on days off, she can show them off in the villages around the castle. If I dress her up cutely and introduce her to Captain Vincent's wife, I'm sure she would be very happy."

"She might not let her go, but it's a good idea."

Kalaf's presentation made Vincent more and more enthusiastic.

What should I do? I can't stop these two.

I couldn't keep up with their excitement.

My head was still fuzzy from crying, and my eyes were swollen. As I rubbed them, Kalaf and Vincent noticed and looked at me.

"We need to get back to work soon."

"The bath in the infirmary is ready. Take a bath and rest."

Kalaf's words prompted Vincent to pick me up with the nightgown and undergarments. I haven't walked on my own all day.

Kalaf tidied up the other items, prepared the bed, and replaced my shoes with new ones. She was as attentive as a mother.

Since I've been living alone since I started working, I might appreciate this more.

...I wonder how my parents are doing.

I think they're fine with my younger sister and brother, but it's probably pointless to think about it. I'm really sorry for being a disobedient child.

"I'll bring more clothes tomorrow, Yuriko."

"...Okay."

As I waved back to Kalaf, who was waving, she left the infirmary.

I was then carried back by Vincent.

Vincent gave me a bath. I have nothing left to lose. (Dead eyes)

When I was allowed to use the toilet before the bath, I almost fell in because my body was so small.

I never thought I would be taken care of like this at my age.

In a daze from the shock, I was completely undressed and washed.

As a father who raised a son, Vincent efficiently dried me and guided me into the nightgown.

Now, I'm back in the infirmary, sitting in front of the mirror, having my hair carefully dried.

My body is that of a child, but my mind is that of an adult. I'm female.

Even I haven't completely lost my last bit of modesty.

Did I change clothes calmly just now? That's because I was wearing undergarments and wasn't naked.

Being taken care of by a nice middle-aged gentleman and then completely washed, today's events will definitely be etched in my memory as a black history. (Crying loudly)

"Alright, your hair is dry."

As I somehow returned from the brink of shock, Vincent stopped drying my hair with the towel, took a comb, and carefully combed my hair.

"Yuriko's hair is straight and a beautiful flaxen color."

Hearing Vincent's voice, I realized I didn't know what I looked like now and looked at the mirror in front of me.

...Wait a minute. Let's calm down.

In the mirror, only Vincent and I are there.

I can't mistake Vincent's appearance.

Since one is an adult and the other a child, the child must be me.

Straight, flaxen hair cut at the shoulders, with an angelic halo. Large almond-shaped purple eyes.

A small body in a white dress, with thin arms and legs that don't fit the size of the vanity chair.

And what is this? A face that's far from ordinary and looks like a doll. Even with a surprised expression, it's still cute. The gap between my inner and outer appearance is too extreme!

"...Are you sleepy already?"

No, I'm just escaping from reality. Sorry, I can't speak.

"You can rest now."

Unable to say anything, I was carried to the bed by Vincent and put to sleep.

Vincent's lullaby is truly beautiful.

I can't be bothered to think anymore. Sleepiness is...

I had a dream.

- Is it you, sister? -

- If we leave it to Yuriko, we can rest easy. -

- She can handle it on her own. -

- That kid must have been born the wrong gender. -

- You don't have any cuteness! He needs me, unlike you! -

Looking back, I've endured a lot. In life and at work, I had to endure things I didn't want to. But I felt I had to endure more than necessary.

Even though I thought it was unreasonable, I endured it.

The more I endured, the more I left the impression of being "strong and reliable" or "lacking in cuteness."

I'm not really strong. I was always on the verge of tears, trying to put on a brave face. I wanted to say "I can't do it" and pass the responsibility to someone else.

Should I have ignored the situation? Should I have not had a sense of responsibility??

After trying hard, my heart was deeply hurt by others' words.

What should I have done?

When I opened my eyes, I was in pitch-black darkness. The kind that makes you feel alone.

Out of habit, I tried to turn on the light, but the smallness of my hands reminded me that this wasn't my home in modern Japan.

The darkness, the dream, and the memory of Dilnan's absence made my anxiety surge.

Tears started falling from my hands, and before I knew it, I was crying out loud.

I wasn't sure what I was afraid of.

I heard a sound that wasn't crying from far away, but I couldn't even think about what it was.

My mind was overwhelmed by an indescribable fear, and the calm part of me felt like a small fragment.

I felt a sense of floating and warmth, and only then did I realize someone had come.

"Did you have a scary dream?"

A deep, resonant voice cut through my sobs and reached me directly.

It was Vincent's voice.

"There's nothing to be afraid of here. Nothing will threaten or hurt Yuriko."

The calm, deep voice reassured me strongly.

A large, warm hand gently patted my back in a steady rhythm, gradually melting away my fear.

"Go to sleep slowly. No more scary dreams will come. When you wake up, it will surely be morning."

Guided by Vincent's voice, like a spell, my consciousness drifted back into sleep.