Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death
chapter-24-4-30041322

Translator: mii

Editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic

Once the smiling maids are close enough, I can finally see the silver hairpin in one of their hands. Jewels decorate its surface, forming the image of a bird standing on a branch with flowers in bloom.

My shoulders sag. “Do I have to wear that too? Aren’t the earrings and necklaces enough already?”

Their eyes shine with flaming passion. “No! These are part of a set. It doesn’t look as good if you don’t wear everything!”

“That’s right!”

Then they flash me smiles.

Girls sure like to dress people up. I don’t have anything against that, but please don’t make me your mannequin!! I want to go home. I’m scared of seeing other people’s reactions once I leave this room. They will surely laugh at me. After all, what kind of man would wear something like this?! I will definitely be the star attraction at the party. And not in a good way.

Ugh, my stomach hurts just thinking about it.

Then I catch sight of the makeup box in one of the maid’s hands. And I can feel my face paling.

“P-please… Not the makeup… Please don’t put makeup on my face. I beg you!”

“Ahh… But…”

“I’m really begging you here! If you apply makeup on me, my heart will surely break into pieces! I’ll die of heartache! I can endure the hairpins, just please not that!”

“…Then it can’t be helped. We’ll give up on the makeup, but can you at least let me touch up your lips? Please?” says a maid, her face earnest.

“Lips… Is it lip balm?”

She bobs her head eagerly. “Yes.”

I hesitate. “Well, if it’s only that…”

Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. “Lian? Are you there?”

It’s Alfred’s voice.

Ah, he’s returned. Looks like their meeting’s over. And what a relief that he is able to find the right room. This mansion is excessively large. Almost like a maze.

But… I don’t want him to see me like this. It’s too embarrassing. I even feel like crying now.

“Alfred. Listen. Before you open that door, promise me you definitely won’t laugh or make fun of me.”

“…Huh?”

“This is all Grandfather’s hobby, not mine. Grandfather’s orders are absolute, so I can only obey him. I just want you to understand that I totally didn’t choose to be like this.”

“Wait, what do you mean?”

“Promise me.”

“I don’t really get it, but I promise. Can I open the door?”

“…Sure.”

I hear a click as the doorknob is turned. The door opens, and Alfred enters the room.

He stares at me in wonder.

Well, it makes sense he looks like this. These clothes are just ridiculous.

I look like a spectacle. Maybe even a clown that’s simply inviting everyone to laugh at me.

“I-I didn’t want to! I brought my own formal suit, but Grandfather forced me to wear this! I’m not lying!”

I feel like crying.

“I understand. I got it already, so calm down,” says Alfred. “Don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying!”

It’s true that I have the urge to. But as if I’ll cry over something like this! I’m an adult, okay?!

Alfred leans closer to me and grabs my chin. “Did you put on lipstick?”

“No, I didn’t! They said it’s lip balm…”

Alfred furrows his brows. Turning to the maids, he says, “Lip balm? Hey, do you have a handkerchief?”

The maids nod, looking a little frightened. “Y-yes, we have.” They take out a white piece of folded cotton handkerchief from their makeup box and hand it to Alfred. “I-is this good enough?”

Alfred nods as he receives it. He then proceeds to wipe my lips with it.

What a good guy! The god of salvation! Thank you, I will never forget this favor!

“Uhh… T-thank you, Alfred…”

“No…” Alfred averts his eyes. Though the furrow between his brows is still there, his face is turning red.

Why?

Is he suppressing his laughter? Yeah, that must be it. I mean, look at this funny get-up. But I still won’t forgive him if he laughs. I will absolutely hit him!

“How is it? He looks great, right?! As always, Master’s fashion sense is amazing and on the mark! I’ve learned a lot today!” says one of the maids.

“Lian-sama’s skin is so white, so pale colors suit you very well. You will surely attract all of the visitors’ attention!” says the other.

They’re making fun of me! Their eyes are ridiculing me!

Ahhh, I hate this so much. I don’t want to go out. And I definitely don’t want to meet someone like Luzé now. She’s just going to say something nasty.

I’m also scared that all the jewels on my body will rain onto the ground with my every step.

The maids excuse themselves and leave the room to return to their own post. Their smiles are filled with satisfaction, akin to the look craftsmen make upon seeing their finished masterpieces.

“By the way, I came across the smiling butler. The one we met at the entrance earlier. He told me to escort you to the office of the master of this mansion, once you’ve finished preparing. If I’m not wrong, the master is Count Violette, right?”

“I see… ” I murmured.

I guess he wants to check the result, right?

I’d like to at least say a few words of complaint to him. Grandfather, do you want me to become a laughingstock?

“…I wonder if people will laugh at me once we leave the room.”

The wells between his eyebrows grow even deeper. Alfred looks at me in what seems to be amazement before exhaling. “Did you even look at yourself in the mirror?”

“I’m too scared to look.”

“…Is that so? I think you can look just fine. And you definitely won’t be laughed at.”

“Thank you for comforting me. It’s fine, I already understand.”

“No, you definitely don’t understand…”

“Yes, I do. Let’s go to Grandfather’s office now.”

I’ve already prepared myself for the ensuing mockery.

Alfred suddenly brings his face closer to mine once again, eyes narrowed. “I want to make a mark…”

“A mark?”

“Yeah. This is too worrying.”

“Eh?”

Alfred doesn’t reply again. He only pulls my waist towards him.

He hooks a finger to pull at my lilac choker, made from a silk ribbon. Then proceeds to lightly bite my neck.

“Ngh… S-stop it! You can’t!”

Why does this brat sometimes act like an animal?!

Out of reflex, I lean back. And so, Alfred unwillingly removes his teeth from my neck.

“I can’t?” he asks, almost in a whine.

“No!”

Why are you trying to give me a hickey?!

How embarrassing!!

I am about to unleash the full force of my rage when, all of a sudden, he licks the area where he left the mark. Just like a dog.

The feeling of his wet tongue sliding across my neck causes goosebumps to appear on my skin, sending shivers down to my feet. Strength leaves my body until all I can do is cling to the body in front of me. “Ah…”

Alfred moves to my throat, chin, and lips, licking them in the same way.

I cover his mouth with my hand in an attempt to stop him, but he also licks my palm. Surprised, I retract my hand. What the heck?!

“Y-you animal! Stop it! Stop acting like a dog!”

Even though I am scolding him, Alfred happily narrows his eyes. “A dog… Arf?”

“What ‘arf?!’ You are really…” Then I am interrupted with another lick and light kiss on the corner of my lips.

If you don’t listen to what I say, then you’re just a useless dog! A stray dog!

“Lian, don’t follow any strangers. Also, if someone you don’t know—no, even if it’s someone you know, don’t eat anything they give you. And make sure to stay in places where I can see you. If you want to go somewhere, call me.”

“W-what’s up with that?! I-I’m not a child!”

At that moment, a knock sounds on the door.

I jolt. Alfred’s arm around my waist momentarily slackens, so I take the chance to quickly push at his chest and escape his grasp.

Who is it this time? I really don’t want to do this anymore!

People keep popping up one after the other ever since I arrived here. I’m really tired now. And depressed. After all, I’m not good at bustling, crowded places. I’d rather hang out in a peaceful place with only a moderate amount of people. Just like in our village.

“Lian! It’s me!”

Woah! Out of everyone, it just has to be Lian’s brother… I definitely don’t want to meet him.