The Squirrel Will Raise the Little Tiger
After washing Jackjack and putting him to bed, I soaked in the tub to wash away the day’s exhaustion.
Though I had already wiped myself down with a towel earlier, the bathwater quickly turned blood-red.
A fair amount of the Panacon’s blood must have soaked straight through my clothes.
Watching the crimson film drift over the surface, that horrific sight flashed before my eyes once more.
The Panacon lunging forward with jaws agape to bare vicious fangs, and His Grace swinging his blade without an ounce of hesitation.
That fleeting terror—clutching the children while breaking into a cold sweat, eyes shut tight, left entirely at the mercy of sound.
I scrubbed my skin over and over, desperate to wash away the memories steeped in fear and dread.
Just as I changed into my nightwear and went to lay my tired body down on the bed,
a knock at the door startled me, and I rose with an uneasy look.
As I drew near the door and asked, an unfamiliar woman’s voice answered.
It seemed the innkeeper’s wife had come calling.
I cracked the door open gingerly and poked only my head out.
I was in my nightclothes, after all.
The middle-aged woman handed me a neatly folded dress with a faint smile.
To procure a gown in the middle of the night.
Come to think of it, the couple’s attire had looked exceptionally flamboyant when I saw them earlier.
I had simply assumed they dressed to impress because this was a famed resort village.
Evidently, they always pursued such vibrant, trendsetting fashions.
After she departed, I lit the two or three candles resting on the bedside table.
The fabric was softer to the touch than anything I had ever felt in my life.
On top of that, the entire outer layer shimmered with a delicate luster, revealing its sheer luxury at a single glance.
The water-blue dress was adorned with layers of fine silk lace, and tiny gemstones were densely clustered around the waistline.
Across the organza silk overlaid along the bust, delicate floral motifs had been meticulously embroidered.
Though I knew little of the latest dress trends, it was unmistakably, outrageously expensive.
‘I’ve never touched fabric like this…. Heavens, just look at the lace trimming on these engageantes.’
Until now, I had worn hand-me-downs brought home by Mother, or garments pieced together from leftover cloth after tailoring clothes for my younger siblings entering the academy.
Having never worn anything of the sort, holding it felt like peeking through someone else’s wardrobe.
‘This is too extravagant…. It doesn’t feel like mine at all. Is it really all right for me to wear this?’
The more I touched it, the more clearly I sensed its staggering price, and the heavier the burden felt.
‘Lulubell. Nothing in this world comes easy. When you undertake a task, never squander your hours, never wish for kindness beyond your station, and always see your duties through to the end.’
Those were the words Mother had given me on the morning of my very first day working at Toby’s home.
I caressed the fabric once more with the palm of my hand.
It was so smooth I could have touched it all through the night.
***
The next morning, Jackjack’s eyes widened to saucers the moment he saw me dressed in the new gown.
Jackjack nodded vigorously, grinning from ear to ear.
He was my brother, but Jackjack’s beam never failed to tickle my heart.
He was so adorable my chest practically ached.
I scooped Jackjack up and carried him over to the washbasin a maid had left for us.
After washing Jackjack’s face, I busily readied our things for departure.
Holding my bag in one hand and Jackjack in the other, I made my way down the stairs, where several knights offered greetings.
I gave a slight nod in return, offering a pleasant smile.
A knight named Halo approached and spoke.
Flustered, I inclined my head politely in return.
Another knight beside him chimed in with praise.
Even Gale, standing down the hallway, raised his voice to join in.
With compliments raining down at every step, I flushed crimson, completely at a loss.
Hokan, who had wandered over before I noticed, offered his own praise with a sunny expression.
Throughout our entire breakfast, I had to endure praise about the dress from every single person I encountered.
Yet His Grace, the very man who had given me the dress in the first place, never uttered a single word.
‘He must be so used to seeing high-end gowns that this is nothing to him.’
I glanced toward His Grace with a slight pang of disappointment.
After finishing breakfast, the party bustled about preparing for departure, loading luggage onto the carriages and tending to the horses.
The innkeeper and his wife bowed repeatedly, bidding farewell to the Duke and the Blantiger Knights.
The Duke reached out toward the wife.
Several gold coins rested in his palm.
Standing beside her, the innkeeper waved his hands frantically to decline.
Her face broke into an uncontrollable, radiant grin.
I swallowed hard as I watched the hefty amount of gold coins pass from His Grace’s hand to the innkeeper.
‘Gasp! To give that many gold coins… Does he truly think the dress looks that good on me?’
While money cannot represent the entirety of a person’s heart, somehow the sheer weight of those coins felt like the measure of His Grace’s praise.
Embarrassed yet secretly thrilled, I quietly lowered my head, unwilling to let anyone catch sight of my blushing cheeks.
Resolving to give my absolute all once we reached the capital and I moved into Blan Castle, I reined in my fluttering heart and stepped into the carriage.
The innkeeper and his wife waved their hands vigorously until we were completely out of sight.
***
After asking permission from the Vice Commander and His Grace, I decided to make a brief stop in Rabbis Village.
My plan had been to alight in Rabbis Village, bid a quick farewell to Thor and Toby, and then walk home with Jackjack.
His Grace, however, insisted that after such an arduous journey, he would wait and have us driven all the way home.
‘To extend such consideration to an employee…. Had I been misunderstanding His Grace all this time?’
Perhaps he was far more considerate than I had ever credited him for.
Entering Rabbis Village, it finally hit me that we were back in the capital.
It was just as we reached the Vittor Merchant Guild’s sumptuous estate located on the main street.
Right on cue, the siblings playing out front with their friends caught sight of me stepping out from the carriage.
I hugged the adorable pair tightly as they came scampering into my arms.
Toby’s large, round eyes drooped with sorrow.
Thor nodded with a crestfallen expression.
Viscount Lund stepped out of the building just then, striding over upon seeing me with the children.
I rose to my feet and offered Viscount Lund a polite greeting.
Thor and Toby burst into tears, throwing their arms around the folds of my skirt.
