Several days passed, and the houses renovation was approximately finished.
Ner felt a subtle sense of disappointnt looking at Bergs house, which had no more parts to fix or clean.
She had started to find the cooperative work with Berg quite enjoyable.
Despite the aches that spread all over her body from just a little bit of cleaning, she found it more enjoyable than anything else.
During those days, she had beco quite close with Berg.
She was not afraid of him anymore.
She couldnt even rember why she had been scared of him.
In the past, his aloof deanor seed cold, and the scars all over his body were terrifying.
But now, when silent, he appeared vulnerable, and the scars all over his body evoked feelings of empathy.
Many other aspects about him had changed to beco not unpleasant.
During the ti she spent with Berg, she realized that she had laughed far more than usual.
Likely, the tis she laughed with Berg in the past few days exceeded the tis she laughed in the past four years.
...Of course, considering that she didnt have many opportunities to laugh in the past four years.
Ner, Im going to go train.
When the house renovation was finished in the morning, by lunchti, Berg was preparing to go out for training.
Its fine if you co and go without telling .
Ner repeated the sa phrase dozens of tis.
Because for the werewolf tribe, individual freedom was the most important, so this kind of consideration was natural.
Trusting their partner to return at so point, regardless of where they go or what they do, without seeking another partner.
Of course, Ner was not considering Berg based on that belief. If he were to et another woman, even Ner didnt know how she would feel.
It was just that since Berg had shown much consideration for her, she also wanted to reciprocate in the way of the werewolf tribe.
Nevertheless, Berg always inford her of his whereabouts, and Ner realized that their cultures were indeed different.
She wondered if she should also tell Berg whenever she was going sowhere.
...She didnt like that.
She felt uncomfortable with the feeling of being constrained.
Hadnt she also found the ring uncomfortable for that reason?
Despite her inner feelings, Ner saw Berg off to the door.
Anyway, Ill be back.
Yeah, see you later.
With that, Berg left for training.
After he departed, Ner let out a sigh and walked back into the house.
-Thump
...
The house was quiet.
Ner quietly stared at this empty space.
It was sowhat bearable when Berg was around, but once he left and the cold rationality began to take hold in her head, her chest tightened, and it beca hard.
Perhaps the reason why the past few days of renovating the house were good was because she could be free from such thoughts.
Ner was at a loss for what to do all day.
In the Blackwood territory, she could take a walk or visit the forest, but... in this unfamiliar Stockpin, these actions were quite challenging.
...Haaa.
Thus, she let out a long sigh.
.
.
.
.
A considerable amount of ti passed, and finally, Ner gathered the courage to take action.
She had grown weary of sitting all day.
She wanted to feel the sun on her skin, the tactile sensation of grass. She wanted to fragrance the flowers and hear the chirping of the birds.
Taking a deep breath, Ner opened the door and stepped outside.
It was her first ti wandering around Stockpin without Berg, but she figured it would be fine since she wasnt going to the village.
Ner moved to the back of Bergs house.
Given Bergs house was on the outskirts of the village, it wasnt hard to find uncultivated land.
Taking a few steps, she discovered a small forest where tall trees stood.
She labeled it as a small forest because she could see its end.
If one turned their head just at a slight angle, they could see the end of the forest.
Beyond that were the wooden barriers surrounding Stockpin.
....
Blackwood was also surrounded by a forest, but this one felt more oppressive, probably because it was smaller.
Ner didnt know if it was even appropriate to call this place a forest.
Perhaps it was just a place where so trees were planted?
Although it was a shabby forest without walking paths or diverse plants, Ner had no choice but to be satisfied with it.
...Hah.
Nevertheless, the unique coolness given by nature greeted her as she entered the forest.
For so reason, the air felt as if it had beco clearer.
The sll of blood that perated Stockpin seed to have dulled slightly.
Having only lived in Bergs house before coming here, she appreciated the newfound sense of freedom.
She took a stroll inside the forest, being careful not to exit its boundaries.
The more the view of the village was obscured by the trees, the more freedom she felt.
It was almost as if she was not in Stockpin but had returned to nature, creating an illusion of sorts.
Ner found a suitable spot and sat down there.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the myriad sounds that reached her ears.
The rustling of the leaves in the wind, the sounds of insects, the birdsong...
She spent so ti alone amidst the dense trees.
For a mont, she even humd a tune, savoring this ti.
-Huh
All of a sudden, Ner scread due to a sensation she felt on her tail.
Ahhh!
Sothing had grabbed her tail.
Startled, she quickly turned around and found a little girl who was equally surprised.
That... thats...
When she ca, no one knew. It was a girl who looked to be about 8 years old.
Her body stiffened as if she was surprised by Ners loud voice.
Ners heart was beating fast.
It was the first ti soone had grabbed her tail.
It was an impolite action, but realizing the other party was a little girl, Ner cald herself down.
Soon, from sowhere, a boy wearing gloves ran up.
Sara!
A boy who looked a year or two older pushed the girls head down and apologized.
I...! Im sorry!
In response, Ner waved her hand.
No, its okay.
Youre Ner...? Im sorry. Sara still doesnt understand...
Upon realizing that she had done sothing wrong, the girl nad Sara began to sob.
Ner found the crying girl pitiful, and tried even harder to console her.
Its okay. Dont cry. See, my tail is fine.
The girl, carefully wiping the tears from her eyes, apologized timidly.
...Im sorry... It looked so soft... I didnt, didnt know you would hate it...
Ner pondered for a mont before speaking.
...In our species, the tail is a sensitive part. So, I was just surprised.
Ner, acting maturely, stroked Saras head.
Only then did Sara relax her twisted expression.
Ner cautiously started a conversation with them.
What were you doing here?
The boy took the lead in answering.
We were playing. Playing hide and seek.
That must have been fun. I too...
Ner thought for a mont about her childhood, then shut her mouth.
There was a ti when she, too, wanted to enjoy playing hide and seek like these children.
Of course, all she had now were mories of being tricked by her siblings and left alone in the forest until sunset.
Whats your na?
Ner asked, changing the subject.
Im Paul, and this is Sara.
Paul replied.
Nice to et you, Paul, Sara. I hope to see you often.
Ner responded with a smile.
It was a pity that her alone ti was interrupted, but this wasnt bad either.
Sara looked back and forth between Ner and Paul, then carefully asked,
...What is... your na...?
Seeing the girl shrinking back, Ner smiled and opened her mouth.
I am-
-Its Ner, Sara!
However, Paul cut her off.
The girl looked up at Paul and asked again.
...Ner...?
Bergs wife!
Ner laughed as she watched Paul casually calling Bergs na.
Seeing how the children were so at ease, it seed to show how Berg had treated them.
However, Saras expression gradually hardened at those words.
...wife?
Yes! The woman Berg likes most! So, you call her Ner-ner
-Thunk
Suddenly, Sara slumped down in her place.
Before Ner could even comprehend the situation, the sound of crying echoed.
Sniff... sob...
Huh? Whats up, Sara, why are you crying all of a sudden?
I hate it...! sob... I an... I... sob... I was going to marry Berg...!
Ner cautiously observed the ensuing situation.
She seed to understand why Sara had burst into tears.
There were often cases where children harbored admiration for adults.
Berg was a cool person among the humans, so it seed Sara felt the sa.
Ner could not just stand by and do nothing with a crying child.
For so reason, seeing her cry reminded Ner of her own childhood.
Feeling uncomfortable, Ner squatted next to Sara and tried to comfort her.
Oh, dont cry. If you cry... well... if you cry, you beco ugly?
Ner was quite the crybaby herself, but at this mont she acted like an adult.
However, naturally, such clumsy consolation didnt stop Saras tears.
Sara began to throw a tantrum and spoke.
I hate it...! Berg is supposed to be with ... I hate you, Ner...!
-Thunk
Sara pushed Ner away lightly. Seeing Sara controlling her strength even in this situation, Ner felt the innocence of the girl.
Smiling secretly at that innocence, Ner took a deep breath.
...Perhaps she could be honest in front of these children.
Ner approached Sara again and whispered quietly.
...When Sara grows up, Ill give him back to you.
...Sniff...what...?
Holding her breath, Ner made a promise to the innocent girl.
If Sara grows into a pretty woman, Ill give Berg back to you. So stop the tears. Youll ruin your pretty face.
Indeed, this statent, which might seem like an excuse imbued with an adults leeway, clearly had a certain depth to it.
It was a truth that only Ner knew.
She would one day leave this Stockpin.
She was already missing the Blackwood forest.
That was why she could make a promise to Sara.
Gradually, Sara stopped her tears.
Sara, perhaps embarrassed by her tears, buried her face in her knees.
Paul, shaking Sara from the side, spoke.
Hey, Sara...you cant do this to Bergs wife...! I dont know about Berg, but if you throw a tantrum at Ner-
Sara montarily stretched out one of her fingers.
Her pinky finger was pointed towards Ner.
...Promise.
Sara mumbled.
Not understanding a word, Ner looked at Paul for help.
Observing the situation, Paul interlocked his own two pinkies next to her, silently demonstrating what to do.
Following Pauls thod, Ner linked her pinky with Saras.
It seed that this was how humans made promises.
...Promise.
Feeling the touch of the fern-like hand, Ner also whispered.
End of Chapter
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