Home/The Only Sunshine in a Toxic Novel/ch33

Episode 33. Those Who Promised a Future

"Didn't I tell you?"

"Then you told someone else?"

Lapin asked as soon as my answer came out.

"To Damian."

Taking advantage of the director's absence, I called him by name.

"You're not someone who promised a future with him, are you?"

"Future?"

"Yes, since you know everything, Lucy, you must understand what I mean."

Unlike his sharp questioning, his voice sank low.

"Lucy, please tell me."

"It was a reunion after ten years."

"…."

"Triton's only human friend is me, and my only Obum tribe friend is Triton, so we left a strong impression on each other's memories. Is there anything else you're curious about?"

I can answer everything.

"…Then how did your body end up like this?"

Lapin stroked my now-warm hand.

"Are you scolding me?"

"I'm not scolding you. It's my fault, not Lucy's."

"It's no one's fault. If we have to blame someone, it's the waves."

It was easy to explain the situation. I could just push all the blame onto the waves and the cliff.

I told him how terrifying the majestic waves and cold sea were. Even knowing that, I didn't leave out the part about being distracted and falling off the cliff.

I explained each situation in as much detail as possible, making sure Lapin wouldn't have to ask again.

The reason was simple — Lapin was always stubborn about these things. He would keep asking persistently, saying he'd make sure this never happened again.

"I'm done explaining…"

There was no response from Lapin.

Judging by his dark expression, I could guess what he was thinking even without words. He was silently furious that he hadn't been there.

But not wanting to say anything unpleasant in front of me, he kept his mouth firmly shut.

"Want a hug?"

I spread my arms wide first.

"Don't treat me like a child."

"You don't want to?"

"…No."

Lapin carefully pulled my arms and drew me into his embrace.

"Saying I'm cute is forbidden. You're much cuter than me, Lucy."

"Can you read minds?"

But what can I do?

His words just made him even cuter.

When I laughed, Lapin, as if feeling defiant, pressed my back to pull me closer to his body.

This was a usual gesture, so it was fine. The problem was his hot breath clinging to the nape of my neck.

'Huh?'

When Lapin's lips slightly brushed my neck, my body tingled. As if it were an accident, he casually moved his lips closer to my ear.

This time, nothing touched me, but my body still flinched.

"Lucy."

His voice, whispering secretly near my ear, seeped through my entire body.

"Don't get hurt."

"…."

"If something happens to you, I think I'd really die."

Maybe it was because of the unfamiliar sensation that invaded without warning. Words I would normally laugh off now struck me differently.

"You really have no relationship with the Obum tribe's heir, do you?"

For instance, Lapin seemed to be fiercely jealous of Triton, beyond just disliking him.

---

Triton guided us to the dining hall.

The merfolk working in the palace looked at us with curiosity but couldn't hide their discomfort.

Even when handing over dishes, they were careful not to touch my clothes.

"How can a human look like that?"

"They say that person knows the chief?"

"Goodness…"

But even the Obum tribe, known for rejecting humans, were living beings with eyes. They couldn't help but gaze at what was outstanding and beautiful.

I can confidently say Lapin is a perfect creation of the divine.

Even sitting still, his flawless appearance radiated light. His bearing was so beautiful I couldn't look away, and power overflowed around him. Everyone kept stealing glances at Lapin.

"So you left the Ohan mansion and are now at a place called the Bendon Guild."

Unlike the others, Triton fixed his gaze on me. Having calmly listened to my story, he summarized it in one line.

"That's right. I came all the way here to trade with the Obum tribe. We need your ore to make quality weapons, Triton."

"As I said, the elders don't favor humans."

Triton sighed briefly.

"The elders will certainly oppose trading the Obum tribe's treasure, the ore. Of course, if you grant me two requests, I can ignore the elders' opinions and trade the ore with you."

Two requests?

"Create a barrier with immense mana. Right now, we're blocking the waves with our own power, but we won't hold out if larger waves come. We're making a barrier with ore that boasts tremendous defensive power, but it'll take at least three years."

That's a request for Lapin, not me, but I'll let that slide.

"And the other?"

"You and I becoming husband and wife."

…Excuse me?

"I don't want the Obum tribe to remain isolated any longer. I want more interaction with humans. If you become my wife and bear our precious children, the fixed perceptions between our people and humans will be broken."

I let my guard down and got hit hard from behind.

"Even if you don't bear children… just mating would suffice. Then the elders will accept you as a member of the Obum tribe."

I was so shocked that I only realized I'd dropped my spoon long after.

That was basically "bear my children" said in a roundabout way, right?

"This doesn't matter even if you're no longer the Ohan Marquis's heir."

Oh my god, he's lost his mind. Did those words really come from that gentle face?

"Sorry. Was that too sudden?"

Sudden or not, the word choice was severely wrong.

Is it because he's from a different race than me?

"But I mean it, Lucy. I've always wished for this."

"Lord Triton."

The dignified man behind Triton interjected. It was the merman who had dragged Lapin away in the cave.

"Though you think favorably of humans, a child is—"

Right, even for the Obum tribe, different from humans, talk of mating and children like that isn't proper etiquette. In times like this, a loyal subordinate should warn their superior's words and actions for a good working relationship.

"I brought that human here to stop the power of the waves, not to form an alliance. No matter how much Lord Triton you are, the elders will oppose this with their lives."

…I guess I was hoping for too much.

Whoosh.

"Lord Triton!"

In that moment, a sharp blade aimed at Triton's throat.

"…."

It was Lapin's sword.

"Don't speak recklessly just because you have a mouth."

He threatened Triton with a glare.

"Lucy isn't someone you can toy with as you please."

I was the one insulted, but Lapin, even more enraged, wrapped his sword with aura and mana. The pale light, flickering like a storm, grew larger as if to devour Triton.

"Chief! That human is dangerous. Get away quickly!"

The guard knight, unable to stand by, tried to threaten Lapin with his spear.

But before he could, their bodies were thrown against the wall, unable to withstand Lapin's strong aura.

What kind of situation is this while we're eating…?

The merfolk, who couldn't even land a proper attack, collapsed groaning.

"This is a bit excessive."

Triton also rose, gripping the spear beside him.

Still, it seemed the situation would soon be resolved.

Judging by Triton standing still, pinned by Lapin's aura, it was clear.

The fallen merfolk around weren't much different. Even if they had the strength to stand, no one dared challenge Lapin's overwhelming presence.

"If you want to blame someone, blame your filthy mouth and the subordinates who insulted Lucy."

Lapin closed the distance to Triton, who had sunk down from exhaustion. Finally, just as the blade was about to cut Triton's throat—

"Stop, that's enough!"

I intervened.

Lapin, his eyes flashing like a ferocious beast, stopped mid-motion.

"Lucy."

Lapin called me, his face still not free of venom.

"Triton treated me when I was nearly frozen to death. Let's call it even."

"Then at least let me cut out his tongue."

How can I allow that?

"No. It might haunt my dreams."

"I'll take responsibility."

"Lapin, I don't want your hands stained with blood."

Just as you don't want my hands stained with blood.

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