Published: December 3rd 2024, 8:31:26 am
Why does everyone overdo it?
The fabric woven from the threads made by Suigetsu-san and her companions resembled the heavenly robes of a celestial maiden. It was light, smooth, and glowed softly. It also took dye beautifully, and Miss Butterfly brought a variety of vibrant cloths to show me.
"Look, look! This is exactly what I’ve been searching for!!"
"Oh my! What an incredible creation!"
"This will surely become a dress worthy of you, Ojousama."
Miss Butterfly, Mother, and Martha were ecstatic. Meanwhile, I was more concerned about the exhausted-looking Suigetsu-san. I cast a healing spell on her, but she seemed visibly worn out after just one night. Even the spiders looked drained!?
"Suigetsu-san... what happened to you!?"
"I’m hungry..."
Suigetsu-san collapsed in a heap.
"Eat as much as you like!!"
It seemed Suigetsu-san, in her human form, had developed a taste for human food. Thankfully, I didn’t have to witness a beautiful woman devouring raw meat. I gave the spiders their fill of fresh meat instead. Eat up, everyone.
Once things had settled, I asked her what had left her so fatigued. She admitted she had worked tirelessly, forgetting to eat or sleep.
"Don’t forget! Eating and sleeping are essential!! Rest properly!"
Why are my magic creatures always so self-sacrificing…? I just can’t understand it.
"Are you not happy, My Lord?"
Suigetsu-san looked downcast.
"I am happy. These beautiful threads make me happy, but seeing you so worn out makes me sad. I love you all dearly. That’s why, when you push yourselves too hard, it makes me sad. You are more important to me than any thread. Please, understand that."
"My Lord..."
Suigetsu-san’s eyes glistened with tears. She began communicating with the other spiders, looking overjoyed and adorable.
"See? My Lord is the best in the world!"
Please stop with the overpraise. Spiders, don’t nod in agreement!
"My Lord, my companions want to serve you too."
"No! Suigetsu-san alone is more than enough for me!"
"My Lord is modest and underestimates herself too much. It took me a long time to serve her too. Persistence is key."
The spiders nodded again.
"Wait, Suigetsu-san, hold on. I’m not a lord worth such a long campaign of devotion!"
"You accept us without disdain, not as things, but as ‘us.’ You treat us like family and are kind to your pack. You are unimaginably strong. There’s no Lord better than you in this world."
She declared this proudly and confidently.
"No, there must be someone better suited to be your Lord!"
"For example?"
"Aldin-sama!"
"Too bright."
"Two word rejection!?"
They’re mostly nocturnal, so they dislike bright things. I didn’t know that.
"Alphage-sama?"
"Too dark."
"…………"
I couldn’t argue. He’s the type to exploit every resource. It’s logical as a ruler, but…
"Niisama?"
"He’s fine, but doesn’t he prefer plants?"
"……………"
Again, I couldn’t deny it.
"But Niisama likes spiders, too!"
"Only because they eat pests, right?"
"………………"
No counterarguments came to mind.
"Geraldin-san!"
"He’s not a bad person, but I wouldn’t serve an idiot."
"Harsh!"
"Then, then… Milfi!"
"Milfi? That child seems to dislike spiders."
"……………………"
I was completely out of options.
"The only one as strong as you is probably Dirk-sama. Dirk-sama is a good recommendation too."
"… Not as a Lord, but feel free to visit occasionally."
If they served Dirk, it’d be the same thing. While Dirk might be a good choice, I realized convincing them otherwise was futile. I resigned myself and told the spiders this weakly.
Afterward, I firmly explained the importance of proper rest and meals to Suigetsu-san and Miss Butterfly, who also had noticeable bags under his eyes. Finally, we wrapped things up.
Upon closer inspection, the fabric was semi-transparent, like a flowing stream. When held up to the light, it refracted into rainbows. I had a feeling this would become an extraordinary dress.
"Rosarin-chan, your mother will create something magnificent for you!"
"Thank you. Martha, please ensure Kaasama doesn’t overexert herself."
Though much healthier now, Mother still risked falling ill if she pushed herself too hard. I entrusted Martha with watching over her.
"Oh, I won’t overdo it anymore!"
"Leave it to me, Ojousama. Madam, you collapsed after pulling three all-nighters designing Ojousama’s last dress, didn’t you?"
"Kyaaa!! Martha, don’t tell her that!!"
"… Kaasama?"
Mother was adorable as she panicked and tried to shush Martha, but I couldn’t let this go unnoticed.
"I-I won’t overdo it."
"Promise me? If something happens to you, I’ll cry."
"Rsarin-chan…"
Mother gave me a bittersweet smile, looking lovely.
"And then I’ll tell Niisama, who will make you drink some extraordinarily potent concoction."
"Rosarin-chan!? What concoction!?"
"It’s a slosh Niisama makes, ignoring all sense of taste. Both its flavor and effects are extreme."
"I won’t overdo it!"
Mother was desperate. I, too, prayed the slosh wouldn’t need to make an appearance. The dress was ultimately entrusted to skilled artisans for completion. I can’t wait to see it.
P.S. I still had my brother prepare the slosh just in case. Let me just say, it was used once. That’s all I’ll mention.
Mother took one sip while tearfully promising never to overdo it again, and then promptly gave up.
----------
A perfectly matched couple.
I told Dirk about the dress situation and the day's commotion.
“… I got a report from Fizz, by the way.”
Dirk had already been informed. He chuckled and patted my head.
“Why is it that one word from me always escalates into something huge?”
“… Maybe because you’re loved, Rosarin?”
“Oh…”
Uh-oh. I can’t deny that. There’s already been the Mofumaru & Shirayuki-kun Margarita Incident and the Kurisu-kun Cracked Incident.
“Rosarin, you’re kind, you know. It makes people want to do something for you.”
“Eh? I don’t recall doing anything special.”
“You saved the lives of your magic beasts, remember? Oh, did you forget? They were about to be sold off at an auction and had been mistreated by the merchant.”
“Oh…”
Now that he mentions it, that did happen. It’s been so long, I forgot. My magic beasts are loyal to a fault, huh?
“… You saved me too, Rosarin. It might not seem like a big deal to you, but… for the person on the receiving end, it makes a huge difference.”
He gently hugged me from behind.
“… You’ve supported and helped me so much too, Dirk.”
During the Curtis incident, when I was nearly consumed by the Evil God—Dirk was always there to support me.
“I’m glad you feel that way. But compared to what you’ve done—and are still doing—for me, it’s not enough. Rosarin, you’ve changed my world.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
Dirk’s transformation was largely due to his own efforts and character. My involvement was merely the spark.
“… It’s not an exaggeration. Without you, I wouldn’t have reconciled with Fizz. Left unchecked, Fizz might have committed an unforgivable crime. Without you, the prejudice against beastfolk wouldn’t have eased this much. If you hadn’t been there… I’d probably still be a knight, still the ‘Dirk-sama’ who was liked by Rin. I wouldn’t have thought about fighting against prejudice toward beastmen—I’d just swing my sword aimlessly to escape. See? You’ve changed my future. Meeting you… made me happy.”
Dirk’s words, spoken so calmly yet passionately, made my heart race. What do I do? He’s too handsome, and I’m hopelessly smitten!
“Umm… I’m happy too, to have met and married you, Dirk… I’m happy now.”
I was blushing furiously, and my heart was fluttering!
“Oh, you’re just so adorable!”
“Gyaah?!”
Dirk’s eyes were brimming with affection. I don’t think any girl would find being hugged and squealing “Gyaa” adorable. But his petting technique? Utterly divine. Blissful!
“Rosarin, you’re so cute.”
“I love being petted by you, Dirk. Ahh… I’m so happy.”
These days, I’ve been acting like a pampered little kitten around Dirk. He loves it when I cuddle up to him, and no matter how much I do, he never minds—he just keeps being delighted. So here I am, snuggling in his lap and basking in his affectionate head pats.
Oh? What’s this? Dirk’s tail is wrapping around me. It’s luxuriously fluffy—pure heaven!
“Heh, you’re like a cat.”
Dirk chuckled as I nuzzled into him.
“Maybe I picked it up from you? Meow, I love you, my husband. Pamper me more, meow.”
I pulled out some cat ears and a tail from my pouch—gifts I’d received before—and donned them to play the role of a kitty.
“………………”
Dirk went completely expressionless.
Was this a bad move? Did I upset him? Was it too weird? Cats and leopards are different animals, after all. Or was it just too cringy?
“Meow?”
Trying to cover up, I tilted my head adorably. Oh, Dirk’s turning red. Huh? This tail—it moves at my will! It’s curling around his arm! The ears twitch too! Last time I used these, I was too distracted to notice…
“Unbelievably cute! What is this adorable creature?!”
“… It’s me, Rosarimeow.”
Or Rosakitten works too, meow. Phew, Dirk wasn’t angry—he was smitten.
But seriously, Dirk’s sense of aesthetics is odd. Someone like Milfi, who’s naturally cute, would suit this more. I’ve got a sharp, mischievous face—not something that looks good playing cutesy. We’ll never see eye to eye on this, will we?
“Oh, my Rosarin is just too cute… ahhh, so cute…”
Dirk seems utterly captivated. This cat-ears-and-tail combo is a potent weapon. Cat-ears charm is formidable!
Still, even as I think Dirk’s reactions are weird, I can’t help but feel happy when he calls me cute. Yep, I’m hopelessly weak to Dirk’s affection.
“Purr… meow.”
Now’s my chance to pour on the kitty charm and snuggle in, meow!
“You’re so adorable…! I can’t hold back anymore!”
“… Meowhat now?”
Dirk picked me up princess-style and carried me off. What followed was a lot of cuddling that had me meowing for real.
“I’m so sorry. You were just too cute, Rosarin… too cute… even now, you’re too cute!”
The next morning, Dirk apologized on his knees.
“It’s fine. Rosakitten is a creature meant to be pampered by Dirk alone… meow.”
When I smiled wryly, Dirk writhed on the floor in delight.
“My wife is too cute! Her charm is off the charts! Beautiful, sexy, kind, skilled at cooking, and a pro at cuddling—she’s perfect!”
Hey, Dirk… who are you talking about?
Sure, I’m good at cooking, but I’m pretty rough around the edges, not sexy at all, and definitely not a natural at cuddling.
“Well, let’s get breakfast started.”
“…I ’d rather have you for breakfast.”
Ah, this is dangerous.
And that’s why I skipped school today. From now on, I’ve decided to save the cat ears for nights before days off.
Finally free from the spell of cat-ears charm, Dirk profusely apologized. But watching him, I couldn’t help but think: “Beautiful, sexy, kind, skilled, cuddly—and fluffy—my Dirk is the true perfect one.”