“Alright, we’re here.”
In front of me stood a large mansion.
It was bigger and more beautiful than any house I’d ever seen.
…Am I really going to spend my days here from now on?
“Um…”
“Come on, let’s hurry inside. It’s not good for you to be standing out here like that.”
I suddenly remembered what I was wearing.
The piece of cloth I had somehow been calling a dress definitely wasn’t suitable for this mansion.
“…Sorry.”
“After we get inside, you can take a bath and then change into something more appropriate.”
With that, the boy patted my head.
“Ah, okay…”
“Alright, let’s go.”
The hand that had been on my head moved down to hold mine.
Inside the mansion was even more luxurious.
There was no comparison to the tent I used to live in.
“Can you take a bath by yourself?”
“…I, I don’t know.”
To be honest, I didn’t even really know what a bath was.
“Ah… Could it be that you don’t know what a bath is?”
“…Yes.”
“Well, think of it as washing yourself with water—but instead of cold water, it’s hot water.”
“…Hot water!?”
What does it mean to bathe in hot water?
This person must surely be planning to…
“No, no! It’s not scalding hot or anything! It’ll be a comfortable temperature, I promise!”
I didn’t understand anything he was saying.
The people from this country attacked us, tricked us, and turned us into slaves.
So obviously, this boy must be planning something cruel for me too.
I won’t be deceived…
“…If you’re with me, then it’s fine.”
“Together!? Together!?”
The boy looked extremely troubled.
See, I knew it.
He was definitely planning to do something terrible to me.
“…If you’re not with me, I don’t want to go in.”
“S, still, even so…”
…He’s troubled.
I thought maybe I could trust him just a little, but I guess I was wrong.
Well, I figured he’d force me in anyway…
This isn’t going to end with just burns…
“Are you absolutely sure you won’t go in unless I’m with you?”
“…Yes.”
The boy let out a deep sigh.
“Alright, let’s go in together.”
“…Really, it’s okay?”
“That’s my line… But well, you’re just a kid, so it’s fine.”
…Huh?
Is this really okay?
Bathing in hot water would definitely burn me.
I didn’t understand.
But if this is how it has to be, then I guess I have no choice but to go in.
“…It feels nice.”
“Told you, right?”
The two of us soaked in the water.
I had imagined it being scorching hot, but it was nothing like that.
The temperature was soothing, making me want to stay in forever.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Hm? For what?”
“…I thought it would be much hotter and painful.”
“You were brought to an unfamiliar place—it’s only natural to be cautious.”
The boy didn’t seem angry.
…Maybe, just maybe, this person really isn’t trying to hurt me.
If that’s true…
“…Thank you.”
Still, it really did feel nice.
I felt like I might fall asleep if I closed my eyes.
“Feeling sleepy?”
“…Just a little.”
“There’s food prepared for after this, so try to stay awake until then, alright?”
“…Okay.”
…Food, huh?
I wonder what it’ll be like.
“…Wh, why?”
“Hm?”
“…Why are you doing all this?”
I was bought as a slave.
Why would someone do all this for a slave?
“Hmm, well, you could say it’s a hobby of mine?”
“…A hobby?”
What did he mean by that?
“I’m planning to build an orphanage. So, this is kind of part of that, I guess?”
“…?”
“Nobles like me have a lot of free time, you see.”
…Free time?
“…You’re building an orphanage because you’re bored?”
“That’s right!”
I didn’t quite get it.
But somehow, I could tell he wasn’t lying.
“…Is it fun?”
“Actually, you’re the first child I’ve taken in.”
“…The first?”
That’s why there weren’t any other kids around—just servants.
“I plan to bring in more kids soon!”
“…Is that so?”
“I’m even building a mansion where everyone can sleep!”
Why did this person look so happy about it?
I couldn’t understand.
“So, you don’t need to look so worried, alright?”
“…Huh?”
“I understand you’re scared. I don’t know where your homeland is, but being suddenly brought to a place like this would make anyone uneasy.”
…Worry.
Yes, that was undeniable.
I was full of worry and fear.
Even now, if this person were to suddenly attack me, I wouldn’t be able to fight back.
How could I not be afraid?
“I’m not telling you to stop being cautious. But if anything painful or unpleasant happens, please let me know. I won’t get mad, and I’ll fix it.”
“…I understand.”
The boy smiled gently.
“It doesn’t look like you’ve been hurt…”
“Huh?”
He seemed relieved as he looked at my naked body.
It was a little embarrassing to have him see my skin.
“Did that merchant hurt you?”
“…No, he didn’t.”
“I see, that’s good. What about before that?”
“Before…?”
I tilted my head, and the boy’s face turned slightly red as he became serious.
“I mean when the soldiers from my country captured you.”
“…I wasn’t hurt that much. But everyone else… Luna…”
“I see… So it’s true…”
Thinking about everyone made me want to cry.
I wondered if Luna was safe.
“Well, let’s get out soon. Maybe later, during dinner, you can tell me about your homeland?”
“…My homeland?”
Maybe…
Maybe I was incredibly lucky.
Perhaps life here would turn out to be much better than I had imagined.
Could I really allow myself to think that way?
I still didn’t know anything for sure.
But for some reason, the fact that this person wanted to learn about me made me feel just a little bit happy.
