The Spreading Fame (2)
A few days passed, and the repairs on the house were mostly finished.
Neir looked at Berg’s house, where there was nothing left to fix or clean, and felt a subtle sense of regret. She had been starting to find their collaborative work quite enjoyable.
Though she had ended up with sore muscles all over her body from just a bit of cleaning, she had found a joy in it that far outweighed the physical toll.
Over these past few days, she had grown much closer to Berg. She no longer felt any fear toward him. She couldn't even remember why she had been afraid in the first place.
In the past, his stoic nature had seemed cold, and the scars covering his body had looked terrifying. Now, when he was silent, he just looked a bit dense, and those same scars looked pitiful.
Beyond that, the countless things that made up his character had shifted into something far less unpleasant. She realized that during these few days with Berg, she had become much more generous with her laughter.
She had likely laughed more in these few days with him than she had in the last four years. ...Of course, one had to consider that she hadn't had many opportunities to laugh over those four years.
“Neir. I’m heading out for training.”
Once the house repairs were completed in the morning, Berg prepared to leave for training by midday.
“I’ve told you, you don’t have to tell me when you leave.”
Neir had repeated the same thing dozens of times. As Wolf-kin, they valued each other’s freedom above all else, so such consideration was natural. It was about trusting one’s mate. No matter where they went or what they did, they wouldn't seek out another, and they would always return eventually.
Of course, Neir wasn't showing Berg consideration based on that kind of deep-seated trust. She still didn't know how she would feel if he were to meet another woman. She was simply trying to treat him with the same consideration he showed her, in the way of the Wolf-kin.
Yet, Berg insisted on telling her exactly where he was going, and watching him do so made Neir realize just how different their cultures were. She wondered if she, too, should tell Berg whenever she went somewhere. ...She didn't really like that idea. The feeling of being restrained was uncomfortable. Wasn't the ring already uncomfortable for that very reason?
Neir hid these thoughts and saw Berg off to the door.
“Anyway, I’ll be back.”
“Yeah. See you later.”
And just like that, he left for training.
Neir let out a sigh and stepped back into the house.
-Thud.
“...”
The house was silent. Neir stared blankly at the empty space. When Berg was around, she could manage, but once he left and her cold, rational mind began to settle in, her chest felt tight and heavy.
Perhaps she had enjoyed the last few days of repairing the house because it allowed her to be free from those kinds of thoughts.
Neir felt at a loss for what to do all day. Within the Blackwood territory, she could go for walks or visit the forest, but here in Stakpin—a place she wasn't used to—those were rather difficult tasks.
“...Haa.”
She let out a long sigh.
.
.
.
.
After a long time, Neir finally decided to summon her courage. She was sick of just sitting around all day. She wanted to bask in the sunlight and walk through the grass. She wanted to smell the flowers and hear the birds chirping.
Neir took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped outside. It was her first time wandering around Stakpin without Berg, but since she wasn't heading toward the village itself, she figured it would be fine.
Neir moved to the back of Berg’s house. Since the house was located on the outskirts of the village, it wasn't difficult to find uncultivated land. After walking a short distance, she discovered a small forest where tall trees stood upright.
She called it a "small" forest because she could see its end. If she turned her head just a little, she could see where the woods stopped. Beyond that were the wooden barricades that surrounded Stakpin.
“....”
It was the same as Blackwood, where walls surrounded the forest, but perhaps because this forest was so small, she felt a stifling sense of restricted freedom.
In truth, Neir wasn't even sure if it was right to call this place a forest. Wasn't it just a spot where a few trees had been planted? It was a pathetic forest with no walking paths and no variety of plants, but Neir had to be satisfied with it.
“...Haa.”
Still, once she entered the woods, the unique coolness of nature greeted her. She felt like the air itself had cleared. The faint scent of blood that drifted throughout Stakpin felt a little duller here.
It was nice to feel a bit more freedom after living only inside Berg’s house. She walked through the woods, careful not to stray too far. The more the village was hidden from view, the freer she felt. It was enough to create the illusion that she had returned to nature, rather than being in Stakpin.
Neir found a suitable spot and sat down. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the myriad sounds reaching her ears. The sound of leaves rustling in the wind, the chirping of insects, the songs of birds...
She spent her own private time among the dense trees. She even hummed a little tune, savoring the moment.
-Grab.
Then, Neir shrieked at the sudden sensation she felt on her tail.
“Eek!”
Something had grabbed her tail. She spun around in surprise and discovered a young girl who looked just as startled.
“Th-that is...”
The girl, who looked to be about eight years old, stood frozen, perhaps shocked by Neir’s loud scream. Neir’s heart was pounding as if it might burst. It was the first time anyone had ever grabbed her tail. It was a rude gesture, but realizing the culprit was just a young girl, she calmed her nerves.
A boy wearing gloves came running over from somewhere.
“Sara!”
The boy, who looked a year or two older, pressed down on the girl’s head and apologized.
“I...! I’m so sorry!”
Neir waved her hands dismissively.
“Oh, no, it’s fine.”
“You’re Lady Neir, right...? I’m sorry. Sara doesn't know any better yet...”
The girl called Sara began to tear up, seemingly realizing she had done something wrong. Neir felt bad seeing her cry, so she did her best to soothe her.
“It’s okay. Don’t cry. Look, my tail is perfectly fine.”
The girl wiped the tears from her eyes and apologized cautiously.
“...I’m sorry... It looked so soft... I didn’t kn-know you’d hate it...”
Neir thought for a moment before speaking.
“...For our race, the tail is a very sensitive part. That’s why I was just surprised.”
Neir patted Sara’s head, trying to act like an adult. Only then did Sara’s pained expression soften. Neir cautiously asked them,
“What were you doing here?”
The boy answered first.
“We were playing. Hide-and-seek.”
“That sounds fun. I also...”
Neir thought of her own childhood for a moment and then closed her mouth. There had been a time when she, too, wanted to enjoy games like hide-and-seek. Of course, all she remembered now was being tricked by her siblings and left alone in the forest until the sun went down.
“What are your names?”
Neir asked, changing the subject.
“I’m Paul, and this is Sara,” Paul said.
“Nice to meet you, Paul, Sara. I suppose we’ll be seeing each other often.”
Neir replied with a smile. It was a shame her alone time had been interrupted, but this wasn't so bad.
Sara looked back and forth between Neir and Paul, then asked cautiously,
“...What’s your... name...”
Neir smiled at the shy girl and opened her mouth.
“I am—”
“—You’re Lady Neir, Sara!”
Paul interrupted her. The girl looked up at Paul and asked again,
“...Lady Neir...?”
“Berg’s wife!”
Neir chuckled, watching Paul say Berg’s name so casually. Seeing how easily the children treated him, she felt she could see how he had treated them in return.
But Sara’s expression gradually stiffened at those words.
“...W-wife?”
“Yeah! She’s the woman Berg likes the most! That’s why you call her Lady Neir—”
-Plop.
Suddenly, Sara slumped to the ground. Before Neir could even understand the situation, a crying sound erupted.
“Hic... sob...”
“Huh? What’s wrong, Sara? Why are you crying all of a sudden?”
“I don’t want it...! I was going to marry Berg...”
Neir carefully observed the situation. She could guess why Sara had burst into tears. It wasn't uncommon for children to harbor admiration for adults. Since Berg was a cool person among humans, it seemed Sara had felt the same.
Neir couldn't just stand by while the child cried. For some reason, seeing her cry reminded her of her own childhood. Feeling uncomfortable, Neir crouched down next to Sara and patted her back.
“Oh, um... don’t cry. If you cry... well... you’ll look ugly, you know?”
Neir was prone to crying herself, but for now, she acted the part of an adult. But naturally, Sara didn't stop crying at such clumsy comfort. Sara began to throw a tantrum.
“I don’t want it...! Berg is mine, sob... I hate Lady Neir...!”
-Poke.
Sara gave Neir a light push. Seeing that Sara was still holding back her strength even in this situation, Neir felt the girl’s innocence. Neir smiled secretly at that innocence and let out a long breath.
......Maybe I can be honest in front of these kids.
Neir leaned in close to Sara and whispered quietly.
“....I’ll give him back when Sara grows up.”
“...Hic... r-really...?”
Neir made a promise to the innocent girl, holding her breath.
“If Sara grows up to be a beautiful woman, I’ll give Berg back to you. So stop crying. You’ll ruin your pretty face.”
In a way, this excuse, filled with the composure of an adult, definitely had a hidden meaning. It was a truth only Neir could understand. She would eventually leave Stakpin. She already missed the forests of Blackwood. That was why she could make such a promise to Sara.
Sara gradually stopped crying. Perhaps embarrassed by her tears, she buried her face in her knees. Paul shook Sara from the side and said,
“Hey, Sara... you shouldn't act like that to Berg’s wife...! I don’t know about Berg, but if you throw a tantrum at Lady Neir like that—”
Sara suddenly extended a finger. Her pinky finger was pointing toward Neir.
“...Promise.”
Sara muttered.
Neir looked at Paul for help, not knowing what to do. Paul, reading the situation, silently showed her how to do it by interlocking his own two pinky fingers.
Neir followed the method Paul showed her and linked her pinky with Sara’s. It seemed humans made promises this way.
“...Promise.”
Feeling the touch of the tiny, fern-like finger, Neir whispered as well.