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Episode 40. Disgusting Bastard

We had a great time in the village.

Card games, dancing, watching street performances, drinking, and more.

"Lapin! Look at this!"

"Lapin! This is so delicious!"

It felt like all the hardships I'd accumulated over four years at the Bendon Guild were finally melting away.

Lapin also seemed to have mostly forgotten his anxiety about the Tulda knights — even when he saw knights, he didn't tremble with fear. Though he did stick close to me and hold my hand.

Still, compared to before, when he was gasping for breath, he was much better.

After playing happily, we finally headed to a field on top of a hill. Lying down there, the star-filled night sky came into view.

Wow…

Even the gloomy sky could be this beautiful. The magnificent Milky Way, like something out of an illustration, swept away my fatigue.

"You'll catch a cold."

Lapin beside me covered me with a blanket and his own coat, asking if I was cold.

Thanks to him, I was almost too warm.

"I was flustered when Hugh and Jamie said they were sick, but I'm really glad I came on this expedition with you."

I whispered without taking my eyes off the sky.

"It's been four years since we've been alone like this. You're practically an adult now, Lapin."

You even know how to take care of others.

As I giggled, Lapin was quiet.

Turning my head, the flower ring that looked like it could break at any moment caught my eye first.

Judging by its condition, it would last at most until tonight. By tomorrow, the wilted stem would fall to the ground or blow away without notice.

Now was the perfect time.

The right moment to give the ring.

"…What will you do if Triton proposes to you later?"

But Lapin was faster.

A proposal.

At that word, I couldn't take out the ring.

"I'll refuse."

"…."

"I have no interest in being the chief's wife. A simple life is best, and a modest position suits me just fine."

"Even if it comes with ore deals or good offers?"

"Will I even still be at the Bendon Guild by then?"

Probably not.

"Then… where will you be?"

Lapin lowered his voice, as if nervous.

"In a cabin?"

"…."

"Or maybe a quiet place? Somewhere with a big garden would be nice too! And since I need to farm, I'd like it to be near a field."

"Then… will I still be by your side then?"

"Pardon?"

He muttered so softly I couldn't hear clearly.

He didn't repeat it. Staring at the stars, lost in thought, Lapin looked anxious again, as before. I wanted to ask what was bothering him, but the words wouldn't come.

'Is now the time?'

The moment to give the ring came again.

"Lucy, you're like the wind."

Once again, Lapin was faster. At the strange metaphor, I couldn't even reach into my pocket, let alone give the ring.

"Me?"

"Yes. Like a gentle breeze, you soothe me, and then suddenly you seem to drift far away. You're… free."

Lapin's red eyes were studded with countless stars.

"I think I'd be fine staying at the Bendon Guild with you for the rest of my life."

Lapin's bombshell remark erased all thoughts of the ring. For the rest of our lives at Bendon?

"…Did you eat something bad for dinner?"

Dinner wasn't bad — it was actually delicious.

"You're not sick, are you, Lapin?"

Who was it that just a few days ago asked me to live together outside the Bendon Guild?

It was Lapin.

Who said they had enough money to buy a house?

That was also Lapin.

Unless he'd been brainwashed, his mind couldn't have changed so suddenly.

"I meant it."

"Oh my god."

Though the Bendon Guild had good benefits and high pay, it wasn't a place for a lifetime. Above all, I didn't want to be at Bendon until I was old!

A modest cabin, enough money, a leisurely day, a peaceful home — a happy life, not a tragic one.

That was my dream.

"If something's wrong, don't hold back and tell me anytime, Lapin. I'll help you."

At my sincere words, Lapin chuckled.

"How will you help?"

"I'll listen to your worries! I'll stay by your side, give you advice…"

"Pfft!"

Lapin burst out laughing like before. He laughed heartily, then caught my gaze.

"Please do."

Please.

At those words, I nodded several times.

'Ah, the ring!'

Because of that, I forgot about the ring entirely. And I only remembered it before going to bed, so all my fatigue vanished.

'There's no rule that I have to give it today.'

I decided to put it off until the right moment came.

---

"It's the assistant!"

"Finally! Finally! The assistant is here!"

A 15-day schedule.

After completing the Obum tribe trade, we returned to the Bendon Guild.

The members, knowing we were coming, came outside to welcome us.

"Lucy!"

"Annie!"

Not only was there a warm welcome, but Annie, who had taken over my work, immediately clung to me.

"Boohoo. Lucy! Why did you come back so late?"

Annie hugged me tightly and continued.

"Do you know how much I sweated over the director's rotten personality?"

She was on the verge of tears.

"He spouted nonsense at visiting nobles, nagged whenever work was slightly delayed, and whenever something didn't please him, he'd dig it up and fire the members in charge!"

She spoke like a child tattling to their mother.

I gave up on calming her down and just patted her back.

"That's right! While you were away, the director's mood got even worse."

"Especially on the day you left for the expedition!"

"Nobody dared to speak to the director, right?"

As if they'd been waiting, the surrounding members chimed in one by one.

Annie, reminded of her hardships, tightened her arms around me.

"…."

While I was being welcomed, Lapin fixed his gaze on someone. In front of him, Hugh and Jamie were approaching from afar with fierce expressions.

'They're all better now!'

They seemed perfectly fine now, unlike when they were sick 15 days ago.

In Jamie's case, the shy smile was gone, replaced by a face full of wrinkles. That looked like an expression of anger.

"Lucy, keep talking with Annie."

Lapin, whose expression had hardened as soon as we entered the territory, spoke.

"I'll go talk to those two for a bit."

"I'll talk too—"

"It's fine. I'll pass along your greetings too. It won't take long, so let's report to the director's office together."

Lapin stepped away and blocked Jamie and Hugh.

Far from a tearful reunion, Lapin dragged them to a quiet, secluded spot. The two being dragged away frantically waved their arms toward me, as if they had something urgent to say.

"Lucy."

Annie, who had also been watching, called me while holding me tight.

"It's probably not the case, but nothing happened between you and Lapin, right? Like… a change in your relationship, or something terrible happening."

"It was fun being with Lapin after so long."

Lapin bought me food, took me places, showed me beautiful scenery… At my smile, Annie swallowed her words.

---

"Seems you had a great time on this expedition."

The study inside the director's office.

As soon as he saw our faces, that was what Damian said.

"Yes! It was great."

"I was being sarcastic, Lucy Ohan."

Even though we'd successfully completed a difficult trade and returned, his expression wasn't very pleased.

"I clearly told you to go with Hugh and Jamie. You disobeyed."

Damian pointed out what happened on the first day of the expedition.

"That couldn't be helped. They suddenly fell ill on the day of departure."

"You shut your mouth."

Even after 15 days, Damian's bitterness hadn't faded.

"You try explaining, Lapin."

Lapin stood silently, without batting an eye. The atmosphere grew strange, as if there was a private story between them that I didn't know.

"Hugh and Jamie were tied to the knight order's pillars, weren't they?"

"…."

"There was no high fever. They said it was your doing."

"…."

"So, did you enjoy yourself with Lucy?"

Ropes?

At this new information, I also looked at Lapin.

"Yes, I enjoyed myself."

Lapin answered with a stoic face.

"You crazy bastard."

"But I secured the deal."

Does that mean he really did tie up Hugh and Jamie?

'I had a feeling something was off when they suddenly got sick that day.'

"Lucy, this was all for a reason. I'll explain everything in detail later."

"Disgusting bastard."

At Lapin's excuse, Damian gave his honest opinion.

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