Home/The Only Sunshine in a Toxic Novel/ch38

Episode 38. Flower Ring

Chirp, chirp—.

"…."

When I opened my eyes, Lapin's face was already there. With wide eyes, he looked at me as if wondering why I was lying there.

"Well… good morning."

I'd accidentally fallen asleep here.

Awkwardly greeting him, I leaned back a little.

"Haha, the Obum tribe's beds are just too soft."

As I tried to get up belatedly, Lapin grabbed my wrist.

"Ah!"

"Lucy."

He called me in a languid voice, then smiled brightly.

"You were here by my side the whole time."

As expected, handsome men still shine even when they've just woken up.

His arm pulled my back and trapped me in his embrace. My face pressed against his firm chest.

"You're tired, right? Let's just sleep a little more."

He stroked my head, coaxing me to sleep longer as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

It wasn't bad. Rather, the deep scent of Lapin reaching my nose was pleasant.

Lapin seemed to find it strange that I was staying still and lowered his head. The moment our eyes met, I slipped my arms free and tucked them between his arms.

It was an action done without thinking.

As I tightly embraced his back, Lapin stopped moving.

"…Ah."

A sound of distress came from above. His body, which had been so relaxed, stiffened. For some reason, it seemed like something blunt was touching me down there…

"Sorry, did that make you uncomfortable?"

When I said it, looking him straight in the eyes, Lapin's face flushed bright red. Who was it that initiated the hug first? Anyone would think I was the one making advances.

Embarrassed, Lapin released my back and rubbed his face repeatedly. Then he looked at me with reproachful eyes and blinked.

"That's cheating. Of course… it couldn't be unpleasant."

I didn't pull my arms away, instead rubbing my face against his chest.

"I was going to get up quickly, but I ended up falling asleep."

"Was the bed really that comfortable?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm."

Lapin pressed the bedsheet a few times and narrowed his eyes.

"It does seem soft. The bed size seems just right too. I should ask Triton what material the sheets are made of and take notes."

Does he need a new bed?

"Then let's get up now. Actually, Triton showed me a nice place last night."

At my words, his face immediately contorted.

"You went somewhere with that bastard last night?"

"Yeah, a fountain."

Lapin, who had been so bright just moments ago, radiated displeasure. But I'm sure he'll lighten up once he sees the pretty fountain.

"It was really beautiful! I wish you could have seen it with me."

"You thought of me even when you were with Triton?"

"Yeah, I wanted to go with you."

I held out my hand to Lapin.

His expression softened, as if his mood had improved again. He smiled shyly and took my hand.

---

【Hello, Director.

This is Lucy!

A lot happened, but the deal is going well.

I also met Triton! (The Triton I thought was a guard knight actually turned out to be the chief of the Obum tribe!)

I'll give you a full report after returning to the guild.

P.S. You haven't already fired more than five members, have you?】

The Obum tribe's ore — a rare ore boasting strong defensive power.

As such, the ore trade was a matter requiring careful consideration for the Obum tribe, and even though Lapin had saved them, Triton needed lengthy discussions with the elders.

Two days passed like that.

"Sister! Do this for me!"

"Me too!"

Staying with the Obum tribe until the discussions ended, Lapin and I adapted better than expected. Lapin mostly inspected the barrier, while I played with the merfolk children on the side.

"I'll do one for each of you."

I plucked a flower stem and tied it around a child's delicate finger. The children's giggling laughter at that one little thing was pleasant to hear.

What about this? This time, I blew a grass whistle.

"Wow!"

"How do you do that?"

The reaction came as expected. I taught the attentive children how to blow grass whistles with enthusiasm.

"Lucy."

Lapin, who had been inspecting the barrier, came up beside me.

"Finished?"

"Yes, no problems at all."

"Then, Lapin, your hand."

I should give a reward to Lapin for his hard work.

At my words, Lapin looked flustered but held out his right hand. What color flower would suit this hand? After picking the prettiest among the remaining stems, I placed it on his ring finger.

"Done."

Perhaps because his rough, large hand was used to wielding a sword, the ring didn't suit him at all. It looked so mismatched that the children beside him laughed, clutching their stomachs.

But Lapin's expression was different.

"…."

He couldn't take his eyes off his finger, as if he liked the ring. Staring blankly at the dangling flower ring, he seemed moved and swallowed hard.

"Is this… a proposal?"

"No. If that were the case, I'd have to get married over five times."

With all these children here, I mean.

"Do you like it?"

At my question, Lapin slowly nodded.

I'm glad he likes it! I was about to make another one for him when someone tapped me from behind.

The turtles, crawling over, circled around me. Seeing them stay here instead of going back to the sea, they must have taken a liking to the Obum tribe's dwelling.

I placed a flower on a turtle's head. The watching children also put flowers on the turtles' heads and shells. The laughter didn't stop.

"Human."

Until Lophon arrived.

He was already there, looking down at us.

"Lord Triton calls for you."

---

"After discussions with the elders, this is the proposal. What do you think?"

I quickly scanned the contract details Triton handed me.

Perhaps due to pressure from the elders, the ore trade volume wasn't as much as I'd hoped, but the yearly expenses Bendon had to pay the Obum tribe weren't that large, so it was fine.

"Good. I'll deliver this to the director."

I put the paper from Triton into my bag.

"Ah, and could I have a bit of your mana? The director will need it to send a carrier pigeon directly to you."

"Of course."

Triton readily agreed and handed me a small glass bottle.

Like most of the Obum tribe, Triton's mana was blue. Its color was so beautiful, like a jewel, that I found myself staring at it without realizing.

"When are you returning to the guild?"

Triton, still smiling, asked.

"Right after we finish packing. Ah, the barrier has no issues. Right, Lapin?"

Lapin beside me nodded slightly with a sullen expression.

"Lapin. I truly thank you. Not just me, but all the merfolk of the Obum tribe."

Triton turned his gaze from me to Lapin.

"Yes."

"Even if it's not the ore, if you need the Obum tribe's power, tell me. Just as you saved the Obum tribe, we can also be your strength."

"That won't be necessary."

Even if it's just an empty courtesy, what harm is there in saying 'I'll keep that in mind'?

"Lucy, if you ever need help, be sure to call on me."

Triton said seriously, as if still troubled by the omen of Ohan or the waves.

But what is there to fear? I have Lapin by my side. Now with Triton's help, I feel as if I've gained a powerful ally.

"Next time you come, I'll be a more mature and wiser chief."

He spoke with a special resolve.

"By then, I won't say 'mating' to you."

At that word, even Lapin and Lophon beside him flinched.

"I heard humans call it a 'proposal.' Next time, I'll 'propose' to you."

Propose?

When I heard 'mating,' I was just shocked and bewildered, but a proposal was different.

The weight of that word felt heavy and serious. The difference in nuance is truly striking.

"No."

Before I could answer, Lapin grabbed my wrist. His fierce eyes looked at Triton and curved even more sharply.

"Lucy is not for you."

His deep, resonant voice warned Triton.

"I won't give her to you."

"The choice is Lucy's, and Lucy can choose me."

"Shut up."

Then he raised our clasped hands. On that hand, the flower ring I'd just made was still there.

"You don't even have this. So no."

Having said his piece unilaterally, Lapin pulled me along.

"La-Lapin!"

Wait! I haven't even said goodbye yet!

"Triton!"

I hurriedly waved toward Triton.

"If you have any worries, send a carrier pigeon to the Bendon Guild anytime!"

Triton burst out laughing at the sight, then waved back at me.

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