Beast Noblewoman, Making a Person (8)
Lemonade, huh. Too bad, you can't make lemonade from human ingredients. It was an excuse even a kid wouldn't buy.
"…"
Ellen herself seemed to know that, hanging her head in silence.
But courage deserves a reward. This spoiled young lady had, just this once, become the savior of all our lives.
Quick-witted Roni was the first to respond.
"Heh… Embarrassing as it is, I kinda shat myself a little… Looks like she had some kind of fear ability."
Ellen's eyes went wide in surprise.
"R-Really?"
Tia joined in, her expression a bit hesitant.
"Yeah… Me too… Let's keep it a secret between us, Ellen sis."
"Of course!! Trust me, Tia! I won't tell a soul! Hehe…"
A warm atmosphere settled in. Now was my turn to chime in from the front lines. No, I'd fought up close, so I went even more overboard!
"Man, I shat myself front and back! Damn those filthy monster bastards!!"
But Ellen's face soured at my words.
"Eugh, gross… Don't come near me anymore, Dodo."
"Huh?"
This wasn't going right? Even Roni's pupils shook for a moment.
Oh crap! I'd gotten swept up in the mood and blurted out something stupid!! The hero who'd saved everyone was about to become the pants-shitter in an instant.
Ellen shot back triumphantly, her face screaming you got caught, punk.
Nothing unites a group like a common external enemy to overcome internal strife. The problem was this cheeky little goldbricker repaying kindness with betrayal.
She pointed and laughed mockingly.
"Can't control yourself at your age? Disgusting! Filthy!! Pfft hahaha!"
A despair like plummeting into the abyss washed over me! I'd learned there's a bottom even beneath rock bottom. And I was below the pants-pisser? This crazy bitch!!
She was using me to prop herself up! Such an ungrateful wench!
The issue was everyone else giving looks like yeah, fair enough.
No… Why? Did they really all shit themselves? No way, right?
Cold sweat trickled down my back. My chest grew icy.
It was just my Fear Resistance skill keeping me safe…! They'd all been trembling too hard to notice!
Even Tia glanced hesitantly at my pant leg, hesitating to defend me lest it hurt more.
This was a real crisis. Damn it all!
I couldn't prove it by dropping trou…!
If I lost momentum, I'd be the pants-shitting loser in a heartbeat. I decided to go on the offensive.
"What? Lady Ellen shat a ton too, didn't she? Lemonade? Ha!"
"Wha-what?! You did it in the back…!"
"Got proof? Proof, huh?! Wanna check? Right now? I'm game!"
I slapped my ass with loud smacks. Proving my innocence, however crudely.
I couldn't end up as the guy who shat during the fight! Never!!
I pressed the attack.
"Fine, let's do it. I'll spread it all over Kerpen territory that a grown-ass lady shat her pants!"
"N-No!! Don't! Please…!!"
Heh heh… I win.
A person with nothing to lose has no fear.
Ellen clung to my pant leg, sniffling. She'd reflected enough, so I let it slide.
Playtime over. I clapped to wrap it up.
"Alright, story ends here. We bury it in our hearts."
"Yeah!! Yup yup!"
"Heh heh… Good."
"Got it, bro."
Dawn was breaking bit by bit. I shifted topics back to praising Ellen.
Teasing was teasing, but good work deserved credit. That'd been the point of the campout, after all.
"Anyway, we survived thanks to you, miss. Truly grateful."
"Uh? Well… Hehe…"
Tia silently gripped Ellen's hand tight.
"…Tia!"
A hand she'd never allowed before. Her way of showing recognition and thanks, different from mine.
Ellen teared up, touched. Roni drove it home with one line.
"I've got a new respect for you after this, miss. Sacrificing for others ain't easy talk."
"Bell…!"
"You accomplished something huge, Lady Ellen."
The guy she had a crush on saying that… Ellen looked ready to die happy.
"B-Bell… So, wanna… like, go out with me or something?"
"Heh… If you grow into a more mature lady, who knows."
"Yeah! I'll do my best!!"
Damn, Roni? Playing hard to get so smoothly. Was she the key to taming Ellen?
An uncertain promise that shook her heart. She'd have made bank as a host.
We cleaned up the chaotic campsite and headed straight back. Injuries needed tending, gear too.
Spending another night in monster territory was suicide anyway.
Back at the manor, Sebastian eyed our state with blazing fury.
"Sir Dodo… Didn't you say to trust you?"
"Uh…"
Seeing Ellen's hands wrapped in bandages, he showed anger for the first time.
She hadn't been hurt directly in combat, but dodging responsibility was tough.
As I braced to take the heat,
Ellen stepped up.
"Sebastian, this isn't Dodo's fault."
"Miss?"
"As direct heir of Solaris, I order you. Don't question him about this."
Huh? Totally unexpected timing for Ellen to cover for me.
"Miss, even so…"
"No, I said it clearly! …And I felt it too. Yeah! It was fun!"
Calm yet bubbly. Unlike before leaving, her mindset felt much more mature.
We'd watched her evolve in real time and were moved… But Sebastian, facing a 180-degree changed goldbricker?
Shortly after, he pulled out a handkerchief to dab his eyes.
"Miss… This is Sebastian. I obey."
"Yeah. And no more skipping etiquette lessons!"
"No…! You mean that?"
"Of course!"
Ellen glanced at Roni while saying it. Roni smiled.
She nodded confidently, drawing strength from Roni, then declared to Sebastian with resolve.
"I'll grow as heir and help you, Sebastian! Just wait a bit!"
"Miss!"
The middle-aged butler's eyes reddened. Tears soon streamed down in emotion.
The day Solaris's goldbricker was reborn.
After that, spoiled Ellen changed beyond recognition. Her tantrum-fueled thought process normalized.
Of course, it wasn't flawless. She'd still throw fits loudly sometimes.
"Why the hell not! It has to be that way!! This makes no sense!!!"
But logic had emerged—a big step. When tutors or servants explained, she'd grimace but try to understand.
They'd find compromises, and she'd accept.
The three rehab team members showered praise each time.
"Hehe… Right? I'll try harder then…!"
Her instant shift to eager learning shocked everyone.
More and more accepted her as she accepted them. Days of the beastly lady transforming into a mature young heir.
A month or two later? Sebastian summoned me to his office.
"What's up?"
"Sir Dodo."
So busy, it had been ages. As reunion joy hit, he knelt.
"Whoa? What's this sudden?"
"Thanks to you, sir, I could revise the plan. This grace… I'll never forget."
Plan… Right, from the enlistment exam. Solaris revival plan.
Now he unveiled the veiled details.
"Truth is, Sir Dodo, I'd given up on everything."
"…Pardon?"
"Communicating with our sole heir, the miss. And… you were spot on about the other issues."
What? Sebastian, more passionate than anyone for the house's revival? Giving up? Absurd.
"Sebastian, didn't you say I was Solaris's hope?"
"Frankly, the provisional knights were just insurance to buy time."
He explained further.
"For the moment the house falls… a means to secure the miss's safety. Recruiting you wasn't much different."
"So the hope talk was…!"
"Yes. I just thought you'd be efficient."
I hadn't expected much, true. Good pay meant something more, but… planning to discard me openly stung. Shocking, a twinge of betrayal.
The butler looked straight at me, eyes full of loyalty to the house alone.
"But you shattered my expectations completely. These days, the miss is every bit a proper lady. She practices etiquette, no more whims."
His face softened like thinking of a granddaughter.
"Thanks to you, she's totally changed. Maybe… enough to hope as heir."
"Sigh… I get it. But why spill your heart now?"
Rising anger subsided seeing the deep shadows under his eyes.
Yeah. He never actually abandoned us, right? Brush off what never happened. Good treatment here—man up and move on.
"So, what're you getting at?"
"In a week, a social at Artis territory. I'd like you to accompany the miss."
"As guard knight?"
"Nominally, yes. I plan to debut her officially there."
Words carry weight. Solidifying position at a social… especially amid enemies gnawing? Obvious.
Prep for counterattack.
Piecing the puzzle:
"Planning a formal heir declaration this time?"
Sebastian's eyes widened. He answered, amazed.
"…You thought of the campout first, but you're no ordinary man. How far do you see?"
"Heh… Obvious. And right now, Artis'll ramp up pressure. Underestimating the miss."
"Spot on."
I grinned and continued.
"Turning that psychology against them to build position, right?"
Sebastian clapped, impressed, and spoke.
"Splendid. Sir Dodo, are you… nobility born?"
"Secret."
Not a damn bit, but mystery sells.
Sebastian grinned, eyes now of equal—or greater—respect, not mere employee gaze.
He cleared his throat, adding key info.
"Artis lord pressures with marriage betrothal to the miss."
Calm face, but voice dripped undisguised disgust.
"From first mention… over 12 years now."
Hm. 12 years ago… Ellen was 9?
Sudden chill; I asked.
"That… lord guy, how old?"
"Over 50, the shameless bastard."
"What?! Have you seen such a crazy fucker?!"