Chapter 9 - In the Shadows

Chapter 9 – In the Shadows

The Reida mansion was a south-facing building with good sunlight. The panoramic view overlooking the large glass windows was also considered to be one of the best in the local residences.

Of course, enjoying it was a very short, or rare opportunity for Ronée. But on the day of the Countess’s birthday banquet, she had a chance.

“Never go downstairs!” Countess Reida said to her, while holding Count Reida’s hand. She was concerned that Ronée shouldn’t be visible to her precious guests who came to her banquet.

They turned their back and left where Ronée was, before she could even answer. It seemed like she didn’t want to be in the same space with her.

The fourth floor of the mansion where Ronée was located was empty. Only, the stairs going down were guarded by the knights, but the entire fourth floor was spotless as if no one had set foot on it, except for the servants who occasionally came and went.

It was rather free for Ronée. On that day, she fully admired the view exposed through the wide window.

“I was told that the views of this place are as clear as any other mansion.” Ryne knew how to match the mood of the Young Lady.

Ronée laughed. That day, she was able to receive as much sunlight as she wanted. So, her face was in full bloom. She was facing the opposite of the hall on the east side where guests had come. She didn’t know where the Count’s couple’s anger would suddenly blaze if they showed up.

“There are huge forests in the Western Continent. Where the leaves spread out like the sea. When you look down from the high tower, it’s really heart-pounding.” Ryne occasionally told the story of the Western Continent, where she had never been to by herself.

Nabel glanced up at her. Ronée opened her eyes. “The leaves are like the sea…” She was an inland person who had never been to the sea, but she knew that the sea was so long, that she could never see the end.

In her head, she tried to create a wide forest by endlessly connecting the trees below. Of course, it wasn’t easy.

It was then.

“The master ordered me to make sure that you won’t come out.” The maid, who appeared while holding the bucket, had an unpleasant expression on her face. It seemed like she didn’t want to be next to someone who had been abandoned by God. But cleaning was her duty, so she couldn’t help it.

She yelled and put the bucket down in front of Ronée. And Ronée, who had stepped away from the bucket without her knowledge, only realized then that the height of railing was too high.

In an instant, her body fell backward. The moment she was in the air, she lost her words. Her body fell off the railing. The blinding sunlight lit her shadow. She shimmered. Then, the ear and the sprinkling of tails moved from the end of the dark shadow.

“Sister!”

“Miss!”

Nabel’s reaction was faster than Ryne’s. He reached out quickly and held Ronée’s arm. At that time, Ronée saw something popping out of her shadow, behind Nabel.

“Nabel!”

It was some animal that jumped out behind Nabel, and it wasn’t a small one.

Kwang! Black and pointed ears first appeared to Ronée, barely hanging on the railing. She also saw a white, fluffy tail swaying back and forth. The animal was holding them back, as if trying to protect her and Nabel from falling off the railing.

“That’s…”

“Sister, hold me.” Nabel did not care about the new appearance. Ronée’s feet were trembling violently, causing her shoes to fall onto the ground.

Soon, the sound of shoes crashing into the ground was heard. The surprised maid screamed, dropping the mop. “Oh my!”

“What happened?” The knights, who were guarding the stairs to prevent Ronée from leaving the fourth floor, rushed through the room. With a surprised face, the maid pointed towards Ronée. Their gaze turned to the other side, away from Ronée, who was on the brink of falling.

“That’s…”

“Fox?”

“Why is that in the mansion?”

A black, pointed ear stood erected. Its black front feet were slightly bent as if it was about to jump forward. The soft-looking orange fur stood still as if guarding the surrounding. The same was true for the white, frivolous tail. The fox was clearly wary of the knights.

“……!”

At that moment, the fox’s appearance became translucent, and Ronée felt her body was floating. “Uh…?”

Along with that power, Nabel hoisted her with great force. She didn’t know where the child’s arms came from. “Sister.” And only when her feet touched the floor, Nabel let his breath.

Ronée’s bare feet touched the hallway, and felt the coldness of the floor, which jolted her awake from her daze. “Nabel…” Her gaze turned to the new fox. “The fox…?”

“It appeared in the shadow.” Nabel pointed to Ronée’s shadow. It was when Ronée opened her eyes wide.

“That devil brought a special animal into the mansion!” One of the servants, who saw the fox, screamed. It was not long before the gazes of the knights became harsh.

“Don’t let that go to the master!”

“Kill!”

Knights who believed in gods could also use magic. They made a fireball in one hand with a sword in the other.

“……!”

There was no hesitation in their attacks. Ronée flung her arms around Nabel without his knowledge.

Kwang!

For the first time, Ronée didn’t feel the scorching heat. It was the virtue of the fox standing in front of her, who had consumed the fireball.

“My, my…!” The knights were unable to coordinate.

“It’s also that woman who has a fox!” The servants and knights shouted. At that time, fox’s appearance again faded.

Kwang! The fox staggered. Surprised, Ronée reached out to the fox unknowingly, and the fox hid in her shadow. In the dark shadows, the pointed ears and fluttering tails appeared briefly, and then disappeared.