Beast Noblewoman, Making a Person (4)
No, Roni, you bastard? I said it seriously twice...! For her not to get it is downright infuriating. Sure, my master is small and looks awfully youthful, but she's a full-fledged adult. Hell, this adorable little form is all because of that goddamn Mark of Dependence! I was just about to step up for the honor of our sect.
That's when Master latched onto me and spoke up.
"Hug me."
"Uh... wh-what?"
"Quickly."
Oy? This must be what buffering in the brain feels like. Before I knew it, Master had climbed me like a tree and nestled right into my arms. Roni watched, looking envious, and asked her,
"Huhu... So cute. What's your name?"
I had to admit, my master was cute. Roni's face completely melted as she locked eyes with Master.
Master's expression soured. Then came her curt, frosty reply.
"Go away."
Her voice was sharp as icicles—cold and utterly sincere in its rejection! Just hearing it made my blood run cold. If it'd been me? I'd have collapsed right there and bawled my eyes out.
The era-transcending acting genius, Master Tia, was fully immersed in the role. I carefully supported her in my arms so she wouldn't be uncomfortable, then answered Roni.
"There's... a story behind it, y'know? We've been living together. Kinda like... a little sister figure?"
"Huhu... I see. Figures... You've always been good at looking after kids, Dodo."
Roni shot me a gaze full of trust. She nodded, convinced, then continued,
"I knew how much the orphanage kids relied on you, right?"
"Uh... yeah... Was it like that?"
"You acted all indifferent in front of everyone... but when it was just us, you were always singing your praises."
No... don't spring that on me outta nowhere! It's embarrassing. I just shared some food when I had extra, that's all. And with Master right here, my face burned even hotter. Sure enough, from my arms came those sparkling, admiring eyes. Roni tentatively reached out a hand, but Master dodged without even looking.
"...Huh?"
Roni seemed shocked by that uncanny evasion. Master furrowed her brow and added,
"Don't."
Master wasn't just acting—she genuinely hated being touched. Except by me, that is. Since I'd somehow become her protector, it was my job to ask permission.
"She's super shy around strangers."
"Huhu... She's adorable. Can't she be my little sister too?"
Master recoiled in disgust. Roni... this bastard was so damn handsome, even that line looked good on her. A proper prince charming. If some average joe said it, he'd get his ass handed to him by the guardian and end up sprawled in an alley... but nothing felt off with her.
Damn it... Better ask about that thing I'd been wondering earlier.
"Hey, so what's with 'Bell'?"
"Huhu... Just an alias, what else?"
"Sounds like a name that'd cry easy if you got smacked. Good choice."
"You little shit...! Hufu..."
Roni elbowed my side. She seemed to get why I'd say that and chuckled along. I couldn't help but laugh too.
...Come to think of it, Roni was still in full armor. Covered head to toe, total battle gear. Wasn't she sweating buckets? It looked like leather... gotta be a pain to maintain if it got soaked.
"Hey, aren't you hot?"
"Fucking roasting... Oh shit."
The curse slipped out like second nature. Roni's eyes flicked straight to Master in my arms. Sure enough, Master glared and pressed a finger to her lips.
"..."
Seeing that filled me with relief. Good thing she usually watches her mouth! Roni quickly covered her lips and corrected herself.
"Super... hot, but armor's a mindset thing."
"Damn, that's kinda cool?"
I held back the "even though I beat you" part—wouldn't wanna hurt her feelings. Roni wasn't the type to fake it anyway. Her eyes were straight-up earnest. Real soldier material. If there were officers around, they'd be drooling. And with looks like that plus those values? No wonder the golden miss was head over heels. Eyes full of respect, I asked another question.
"So how'd you end up in the knights?"
"Huhu... Got lucky. Suffered like hell for it, though."
Roni launched into her tumultuous backstory. She tossed out the opener.
"Hey... what do you think of bandits?"
"Huh? Outta nowhere? Human trash... Wait, don't tell me you—?"
"Not that, so just listen, you punk. Hu..."
Roni cleared her throat fake-cough-style and went on.
"Even bandits... have routes, y'know? Whether it's shaking down merchants... kidnapping... or just killing 'em all and taking their stuff."
"Ooh, and?"
"I tracked those routes backward and stole it all back...!"
"No way! That's genius!"
Good lord! Someone actually did what I'd only idly imagined! Banditing the bandits!! Pure virtuous cycle. Stealing yet racking up good karma—a mad genius. That was Roni, you bastard.
"Obviously freed the kidnapping victims too."
"Good job! You rascal."
"Well, up till then I was just begging around. Hufu..."
"Ah."
She said it casually, but it wasn't light. A rootless beggar life was day-to-day survival. Especially for kids. I asked carefully,
"What about the others?"
"Dead. All of 'em."
"Damn..."
The orphanage crew that stuck together eventually dwindled one by one... until only Roni was left, she said. Missing, accidents, starvation—every cause under the sun. Just as the mood sank, Roni elbowed me.
"Hey, it's fine! Survivors survive, right...?"
"Yeah, true."
"And huhu... we got to meet again like this?"
"You rascal... Yeah, you're right."
Master's expression grew complicated as she listened. After a moment's thought, Tia stroked Roni's head.
Roni beamed instantly and looked at her.
"Whoa? My cutie pie...! You like me?"
"Go away."
But when she tried to touch back, emergency dodge. Master evaded flawlessly from my arms. Roni scratched her cheek, disappointed, and asked,
"So what's her name?"
"Uh... well... It's T..."
I trailed off, glancing at Master, who finally spoke.
"Tinya."
"Nice to meet ya, Tinya! Anything you need when big bro's not around, just ask me?"
"No."
Master turned away sulkily. The picture of a haughty little miss! Her method acting was so immersive, I'd almost patted her head on reflex. We parted ways with duty-weary Roni there and headed back to our room. Master hopped down from my arms and spoke up—in her usual solemn expression and calm voice.
"He doesn't seem like a bad child."
"She's sly-looking but loyal and a good kid."
Master smiled faintly, then hardened her face again.
"Child, more importantly—are you alright?"
She must've meant the orphanage kids.
"Yeah...! Totally fine. I mean—"
She was more upset than I'd expected. I'd half-anticipated it, so no huge shock. But Master apologized in a somber tone.
"This lady's lack of power led to losing your precious friends. I have no face to show you."
Yikes... Not long after we met, she'd flat-out refused a rescue plea. I'd accepted it then, but she'd bottled it up. She seemed fine, but she dwelled on the past a lot. Better lighten the mood before it got heavy. I swiftly changed the subject, settling Master on my lap to soothe her. Patting her head felt too cheeky... so I pulled her close against me for back support.
"Whoa, really, I'm good. But Master, you okay...? Everyone's treating you like a kid."
Her voice finally softened a bit.
"Ah, I've pondered it deeply. This role might actually be comfortable."
Seeming resolved, she continued,
"This lady knows how this form appears to others. However, without the Mark of Reverence... being treated this way is a first."
I recalled the shadows trembling at her mansion. If everyone feared you... looks wouldn't matter. But being babied wasn't all good. I'd felt it myself... especially since Master deserved respect. I asked cautiously,
"Doesn't it bother you?"
Her answer surprised me.
"More enjoyable than I thought. At this age, when else would I get to act spoiled like this?"
"Oh... really?"
Master smiled serenely.
"This lady feels no discomfort, so treat me as another person would."
She stroked my hand and leaned her head against me. Long-built trust and comfort flowed through. Same for me... Tia spoke to me in a gentle voice.
"Dodo, your inner care is enough."
Ah... I reflected on my shallow thinking. If you can't avoid it, enjoy it...! Master turned even this crisis into fun. My overflowing respect amplified beyond measure!! I couldn't hold back; my voice naturally boomed.
"Master! This unworthy disciple learned something new today!"
"Child, it's embarrassing. Enough."
She said that, but I knew she was smiling.
"No way! Master, I'll join in fully too. How about calling you Tinya all the time?"
"Hm..."
After a brief ponder, Master nodded and permitted it.
"Very well. Call me freely."
"Got it, Tinya."
"...Children adapt quickly; it's nice."
I only back down when I must. Seize the chance when it comes. I wanted to see her flustered once, so mischief bubbled up.
Heh heh... "Wanna go for a walk, Tinya?"
Calling her 'Tinya' again made the smile vanish from Master's lips. Her eyes turned enigmatic, playful mischief gone. She glared up at me and spoke—in a bubbly voice.
"Sounds good. Big... bro!"