The Tiger Cub Will Be Raised by a Squirrel
Slash, rip—
Accompanied by the savage tearing sound of flesh, piping hot liquid drenched my back.
Certain that it had to be the Panacon's venom or saliva, I squeezed my eyes tightly shut.
At the same time, I pulled the children closer against my chest and hunched my back as far as it would go.
‘Just take me instead….’
How long did I stay huddled there, trembling?
After that initial splash of scalding liquid, nothing more slammed into me.
A deep, resonant voice settled near my ear.
That voice, grown fairly familiar by now, gently stirred my shivering senses back to awareness.
Summoning every scrap of courage I had left, I managed to lift my head.
The Duke, who had been locked in mortal struggle with the Panacon by its tail near the cave mouth, was suddenly right in front of me.
Specks of the creature's blood splattered his face and armor, and his shoulders heaved violently with each ragged breath as the rush of battle lingered.
He was undoubtedly the savior who had rescued us, yet in that single moment, His Grace looked like a ferocious demon summoned straight from the netherworld.
Dazed and unable to find my voice, I could only bob my head in a numb, shaky nod.
Gale sprinted over, breathless and panting heavily as he spoke.
I forced my knees, locked rigid with tension, to unbend slightly and raised the hem of my skirt.
From beneath the wide folds, Jackjack and Hokan peeked their heads out.
“Phaa, whew.”
Jackjack and Hokan let out deep breaths and crawled out into the open.
Gale beamed warmly at me.
Only then did relief wash over me, and as I exhaled a long breath, my body collapsed to the ground.
The strength had deserted my legs entirely.
“Hic…”
The tears I had fought so hard to suppress finally burst through.
Without my realizing it, a crushing terror had seized me, leaving my fingers and toes shivering uncontrollably.
Fumbling over my clothes, Jackjack looked on the verge of tears himself.
Hokan, equally concerned, gripped my arm tightly while craning his neck to inspect my back.
At those words, the boys turned their heads from side to side.
They appeared to be searching for the carcass.
After severing the monster's neck, His Grace had hurled the lifeless trunk away, leaving it sprawled in the distance.
A proud, gentle smile curved Gale's lips as he spoke to them.
Hokan and Jackjack threw their arms around me at once, one from either side.
It was their way of saying thank you.
“Sob…”
Holding both safe and whole in my embrace, fresh sobs escaped me.
The tears, having once broken their banks, showed no signs of stopping.
Then, realizing every pair of eyes was fixed on me, embarrassment suddenly flared hot in my cheeks.
I scrambled to stand, keeping my head ducked low while furiously scrubbing away my tears.
A warm weight draped across my shoulders, and when I raised my eyes, the Duke stood before me.
He was fastening the cape of the Blantiger Knights around my frame.
I hastily wiped at the stray tears clinging to my cheeks with the back of my hand, swallowing down ragged, shuddering breaths so as not to betray any further weeping.
Beside him, Gale beamed and held up two thumbs.
Kuhn murmured in a low tone as his hands tied the cape's ribbons into a neat knot.
Those simple words dissolved the taut dread binding my muscles in an instant.
Bending at the waist, I offered him my deepest bow of gratitude.
Delivering his orders in short, crisp tones, the Duke turned and extended a hand toward me.
He intended to help me back onto the saddle.
For a fleeting moment, I gazed at his broad, calloused hand.
It looked large enough to shelter me from any terror the world might offer.
Gently, I placed my palm atop his.
His fingers closed entirely around my hand, which still bore a faint, lingering quiver.
The trembling stopped.
***
Thick darkness descended upon the mountain trails before long, prompting the knights to ride with blazing torches held aloft in hand.
Fortunately, we cleared the rugged pass without further incident and soon reached the entrance of Meist Village.
The innkeeper of Meist received our party with exuberant bows.
Evidently, hosting the Duke of Blantiger remained the proudest honor of the innkeeper's life.
A curt nod from the Duke served as his acknowledgment.
Having directed the knights toward their dinner, Kuhn suddenly made a request to the innkeeper regarding attire for me.
Flustered by the generous gesture, I hurried to dissuade him.
Observing the Duke's chilly countenance, the demonic vision of him from the cave flashed vividly through my thoughts.
A warrior severing a Panacon in a single sweep… covered head to toe in gore without batting an eye…
The Duke shifted his gaze toward the innkeeper, who had been lingering nervously nearby, wringing his hands.
Beaming with infectious excitement, the innkeeper hurried away.
After trailing the man's departure for a moment, the Duke turned his slow gaze back to me.
My voice trailed off as the Duke's brow furrowed deeper.
One of his dark eyebrows arched upward.
I dipped into a deep, hasty bow.
Pressing my lips together, I bobbed my head again.
Gathering the children close, I guided them to a seat at the dining table.
Before long, steaming dishes were set down before us in neat rows.
Offering Hokan and Jackjack a gentle smile to put on a brave front, I urged them to eat.
Without warning, Hokan rose from his seat.
Taking his spoon, Hokan ladled soup from his own bowl and transferred several careful spoonfuls into mine.
“Oh…”
Jackjack watched Hokan closely, then mimicked him with a proud grin.
A fresh lump rose in my throat, threatening to dissolve me into tears right in front of them.
Swallowing it down, I gave them a bright, sunny nod.
Bathed in the warmth of their innocent smiles and bright, clear eyes, the last lingering embers of fright melted quietly away.
