「I'm Having a Baby」So My Husband Told Me
Bedtime Story 10 ~ The Curse is Slow-Footed
Translated by: S3
-Horizontal.jpg)
*****
Was that it? Was it because I said, 「Eyes as blue as Lord Cloud's」?
To say you're in love with a wolf, and then mention its eyes are the same color as the person you're rejecting, is more than enough to cause a misunderstanding.
It could even be taken as an indirect confession.
How can I make him understand that it's not like that at all?
While I was troubled, Lord Cloud, his face bright red, covered his mouth and muttered something. I understood that his hand was trying to hide his widening grin, and I apologized inwardly for the misunderstanding.
「Um, Lord Cloud, I am—」
「I really must tell you everything.」
「Huh?」
Lord Cloud spoke over me just as I opened my mouth to defend myself.
When I tilted my head, he said he was going to tell me his secret.
A secret, you say.
I knew it. This marriage proposal suddenly smelled strongly of trouble. There's really no such thing as a marriage with only advantages.
As I braced myself for what he was about to say, Lord Cloud's face, which had transformed from a grin to a serious expression, stared at me. He then opened and closed his mouth several times, as if struggling to speak... and finally looked me straight in the eye with resolve.
「I said it was due to an illness in my childhood, but the truth is a little... no, quite different.」
「Different how?」
「It is not an illness... it is a curse.」
「A tortoise's pace (kame no ayumi)?」
「Yes, yes, the cursed turtle (noroi kame) steadily walks past the swift rabbit... No, that's not it.」
That was a good, quick-witted tsukkomi (straight man reaction). That's a huge plus point, Your Grace.
However, the conversation seemed serious, as the Duke cleared his throat once, his face completely earnest. Realizing this was no time for joking, I also decided to listen seriously.
「My House Fondis has a curse that has continued since the first generation. It is a curse placed only on the next head of the family, and the activation of the curse signifies that one will become the next Duke.」
「Oh, really?」
There are various succession struggles, but House Fondis is apparently free of them because the one who receives the curse is decided to be the next head. I thought that was convenient, but being cursed is not very pleasant.
「Is that curse the one that disables the reproductive function?」
「That is an accompanying symptom... a kind of side effect of the curse. It is not the curse itself.」
「Then what is it?」
What kind of curse is it?
The Duke hesitated, despite having said so much.
So, I spoke to reassure him.
「Please be assured. Although you might not be completely relieved, I am quite tight-lipped, despite appearances.」
Even though I often joke around, I believe I know how to discern things. I don't joke about things that shouldn't be revealed.
When I said that, he replied, 「Well, it's not exactly a secret...」
Apparently, the curse passed down in the Dukedom of Fondis is something that is known to those in the know.
「It dates back to the first generation, so it's been several hundred years. It's impossible to completely hide it. However, since it's something that's continued from the distant past, it's no longer a big topic. That is the curse of my house.」
「I see.」
So, it's not exactly new news, and everyone is used to it.
It is the secret of the Dukedom—a public secret, if you will—unknown only to those who have no connection with the Duke's family or to ignorant children like myself.
「And what is this curse?」
Just tell me without being so mysterious.
When I implicitly said that, the Duke began to say something, then closed his mouth again.
I thought, How frustrating, and then he happened to glance out the window, so I casually looked outside too.
It was completely dark—night had fallen. What time is it? I bet dinner time is long past.
My parents were probably being considerate, not wanting to interrupt the conversation, as there was no sign of them coming.
I doubted my brothers could be patient, so the family dinner was probably over. ...Please let my portion not have been devoured by my brothers.
As I was thinking that, the Duke walked briskly toward the window.
「It's a full moon tonight.」
He said, so I looked up at the window and nodded.
「It's a magnificent full moon.」
What is this? He's not going to say, 「The moon is beautiful, which means 'I love you,'」 is he? If he said anything like that, I would silently chase him out of the house. That statement is too much for a fourteen-year-old.
But the Duke did not utter any such words and looked at me.
Then he said,
「Please observe my curse.」
「...Huh?」
No sooner said than done, the 'change' began.
I was startled for a moment as the Duke bent his body and began to move strangely.
Before my wide eyes, the transformation progressed rapidly... and in an instant, a massive wolf stood before me.
「Eh... EHHHHHH!?」
A huge wolf covered in unmixed, jet-black, fluffy fur.
It looked at me with eyes as blue as the sky.
The being I had wished to see suddenly appeared before me, and all I could do was scream.
*****
Thank you for reading.
If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below.
Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.
OR
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
-Horizontal.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment