Part 1
I'm sure you can tell how things progressed from there.
The wolves attacked and I immediately made a decision.
That is, to escape while taking the girl with me.
Intent on disturbing me was the bowman studmuffin-- I mean super annoying person named Nide.
...Not that I remembered his name or anything... I-I just heard it from the knights earlier...!
Anyway,
This stalker bastard won't leave me alone!
And then it led to the present.
Huff...
Huff...
Hearing myself breathing roughly, I thought that it'd be great to just give up and stop but such ideas were blown away every time I looked behind me.
"Mama... My feet..."(Girl)
Running behind me was a little girl
I'm going to be honest, I'm surprised she hasn't tripped yet.
Thanks to this good-for-nothing chest, I've almost tripped a good number of times as well.
...Heavy.
Oh... And by the way,
"I'm not your mommy~!"(Alice)
Despite the fact that I don't accept her calling me mother, I held the girl's slightly chubby hand as I led her along the maze-like forest.
"A young mother, eh? I loathe the lucky bastard."(Nide)
Stalker looked honestly regretful.
In response, I--
"I've been single my whole li-- tch... look what you made me admit, you simpleton!"(Alice)
"That means I have a chance with you, then?" (Nide)
He said with a good-natured smile as his handsome face beamed.
Clearly, he is just Alice's type.
I visibly twitch.
Why am I not unhappy with that thought?!
Must... Suppress... Womanly urges...!
"Hyuup!"(Nide)
"Wah~"(girl)
Suddenly lifting up the girl, Stalker cradled her in his arms as he ran beside me.
Peeking at Stalker's sweating visage, I get annoyed.
Goddammit! I. Hate. Me. So much. What's with me?!
Noticing me sneaking glances towards him and his chest-- I mean body, he shows me a toothy grin.
"What is it, dear maiden? Would you like me to carry you as well?" (Nide)
"Go die." (Alice)
I reply with a frown. Stupid Stalker, who does he think he is?! Even Handsome doesn't talk to me like this...!
"Go die~"(Girl)
"What are you teaching your daughter?!" (Nide)
"We're not even related!" (Alice)
The girl parroted me and spoke in a cute voice that was lacking urgency while Stalker sounded surprised.
Also, what's up with his stamina?! His breathing hasn't changed even the slightest bit!
Meanwhile, I'm gasping like a fish out of water.
Not stopping at all, I desperately moved my legs to keep up with Stalker.
Rather, he slowed his pace down to accompany me.
How dare you act like a gentleman?!
H-How dare youuu!
Being secretly thankful to him, we ran side by side.
After what seemed like an eternity, words of comfort finally came out of Stalker's mouth,
"Well, it'll be fine since we're almost outside of the forest's domain. Those wolves have already stopped their pursuit. Hear them?"(Nide)
"Not anymore..."(Alice)
I heaved a sigh of relief as I stop running.
thud
"Mama?!" (Girl)
"H-Hey, lady?!"(Nide)
Their worried voices overlapped with each other.
After unceremoniously falling down, I immediately got back up in a fluster.
...How embarrassing .
"I'm fine, it's alright. Just... A little... Tired...Huaaah?!"(Alice)
Suddenly,
"U-Un-Unhand me, you lout!"(Alice)
Stalker evolved into Kidnapper as he reached level 16--
And held me in a bridal carry.
I flailed my arms wildly as I tried to escape his sexy-- fiendish grasp.
"Just be quiet and let yourself be carried-- wait, what the? Is this... blood?"(Nide)
What? Blood? Where?
He gently laid me down on the ground again with a worried expression.
"Were you injured by the wolves? No... none of them got near you... then--"(Nide)
Without him finishing, I had already realized at this point.
Noticing the numbing pain on my navel, I fell on my knees, powerless.
I turn to look at Kidnapper with a tearful expression.
"Sir knight--Nide... Please carry me on your back."(Alice)
Thus began my painful journey back to town with Nide, which was more stressful than being chased.
Part 2
Nide quietly carried me on his back as the little girl walked next to him. Seeing the town covered by walls, I release the breath I've been holding for so long.
Finally.
When we reached near the gate, I meekly asked Nide to let me down.
After sending a sidelong glance my way, he nodded and gently let me down.
"I'll at least guide you to an inn. Sorry, but I have to take you with me for questioning first."(Nide)
"...Why? It's not like I did anything wrong."(Alice)
"Ah, well... I kind of have to considering you hampered with our subjugation mission. Even if just by a little."(Nide)
I paused for a second then replied with a frown.
"I was just lost in a forest and befriended a wolf pup..."(Alice)
Pouting visibly, I avoided making eyecontact with Kidnapper.
...Hmph.
"Now now, don't be mad. It's just for a little bit. What about this girl?"(Nide)
Looking at the girl he pointed at, she only tilted her head sideways with a "?" on top of it.
"I only met her in the forest. She suddenly called me her mom but I figure she was just lost."(Alice)
I see... Kidnapper gave an understanding nod.
"Well, let's just go-- ah, by the way."
Kidnapper straightened his back, placed his right hand on top of his chest as his left arm wrapped around his belly, holding his right hip.
"I am knight Naito of Perton. You can just call me Nide as you have already been-- h-hey, what's so funny?!"(Nide)
How can I not laugh?
What's with that posture?!
I almost reflexively responded as I leaked out a stifled laugh.
I covered my mouth with a hand as I suppressed a coming giggle.
Kidnapper stared at me in wonder as I continued to laugh for a few more seconds.
As I stopped, I noticed something about his introduction.
Commoners don't have last names, right?
I forgot about that.
Perton, huh? I read about that place. If I remember correctly, it's a city green city full of trees. Somehow, I'm getting a really bad feeling.
I know that I have to save him some face, though.
After nodding, I introduced myself.
"I am Alice. Alice of the Icelance."
Kidnapper then became an owl.
Part 3
"Please stop that."(Alice)
I say as I look down on the kneeling Kidnapper with a tired face.
A little bit away from us is the girl, dazedly looking at flowers near the gate. Oh how I hope she doesn't pick them.
"Pray I apologize for my earlier rudeness, lady Alice. I... We have not heard of you--your family's arrival. Failing to recognize you has been my mistake as I did not see it despite Lady Alice's... unique features."(Nide)
Unique features? Does he mean my eyes and haircolor?
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Hmm... They're rare, I guess but not entirely unique, right?
While thinking so, I unconsciously touch my hair while putting a hand over my eye as I made a troubled face.
Thinking he offended me, Kidnapper quickly added, "O-Of course, it fits you well, milady. Just as I've heard, milady is staggeringly beautiful."
Ignoring his praise, I put on a bored expression.
What's with his attitude...? Talk about a complete one-eighty.
...I actually like the pervert Kidnapper better.
I urged him to stand up as I bent over to meet his eyes.
"Stand."(Alice)
"..."(Nide)
For some reason, he was red in the face. Huh? What's the matter?
Following his gaze, my body shot straight up.
...The biggest danger to me is me.
Because I had bent over, he had a glimpse at my chest. Feeling my face burning up, I asked him to stand up once more.
"Just stand...!"(Alice)
"A-As you command, milady."
Once he was fully up, I pushed him down again and as he fell, I grinned playfully.
"We're even with this."(Alice)
His face betrayed my expectations as he made a 'Just this?' sort of look as if expecting something worse.
What, you want more? Masochistic bastard...
Looking down on him again, I notice that he's not planning on standing back up.
What, do you need my permission for this, too? I'm not your master.
"Let's just go already... I'm tired."
I glance at the front hem of my dress.
Blood...
Seeing me like that, he stood up again and draped his overcoat over me.
I wordlessly accept.
"Little one, it's time to go."(Nide)
The girl looked over, "Okaaaay~"
She made a pitter patter with every step as she ran straight to me and reached for my hand as if it was perfectly natural.
Grasping her hand back, she hummed as the three of us walked with Kidnapper leading us.
As we passed through the entrance walls, Kidnapper exchanged knowing glances with the gatekeepers and they let us pass without issue.
Arriving at the city of Perton, I can't help but think that it's small because I know just how large Rappen, my home city was.
Walking through the streets filled with people, Nide led the girl and I towards a particularly large building with an unbelievably tall door.
...No, seriously. It's large.
We didn't go inside yet, though.
"Hmm? What's wrong, milady?"(Nide)
"Oh, it's nothing."(Alice)
Unfortunately, I'm more tired than curious, so I didn't ask.
Currently, my emotions were a swirling mix of anger, depression -- and a strange craving for something sweet. Or maybe sour?
I don't know, I'm confused.
Besides that, I'm more than a little bit bewildered by the change in atmosphere.
Comparing the hustle and bustle of Rappen with the air of nature here in Perton City, I couldn't help but feel calmer.
I feel like I'm not myself at all... Well, I guess I am a little bit irritable right now.
...Just a teensy tiny bit.
Oh! I know what'll make me feel better!
tap tap
I tap Kidnapper's shoulder twice.
With a "Hmm?" he turned around.
"Buy me icecream."(Alice)
Utilizing my Divine Powers, I made my order.
Kidnapper looked lost for some reason.
"...Lady Alice. I'd love to, but--"(Nide)
But? But?! W-What do you mean?!
I'm being denied? How-- what's going on?!
As my head began to spin, I heard Kidnapper's next words that shocked me even more.
"...What is this "i-scream" that you speak of?"(Nide)
I blink twice before finally realizing.
Icecream doesn't exist in this world.
Kidnapper ran towards me worriedly as a single tear ran down my cheek.
Chapter 4
Kidnapper led me to a bench and said, "Is it too hot for you? Milady, it's best that you rest first."
Unlike the hustle and bustle of Rappen,
After five minutes of crying, I noticed ths little girl clinging to my arm with a worried expression.
What's wrong with me, making a child worry about me...
This can't get any worse, right?
Unfortunately, I couldn't have been any more wrong.
"Have a drink."(Nide)
Kidnapper returned before long with two plastic cups.
He gave the girl and I a drink each and as I took a sip,
"..."(Alice)
"Yay~"(Girl)
A smile made its way to my lips as I gulped it down.
The sweet drink was pink in color and it had a slushy texture.
I think it's crushed ice mixed with sugar and milk topped with syrup.
Despite its simplicity, it's actually delicious.
"Uu...~"(Girl)
Finishing hers before I could even drink half of mine, the girl stared at me-- rather, at my cup longingly.
Without thinking, I offered her my drink with a smile.
"Want?"(Alice)
"...T-That's mama's..."(Girl)
Awww~
What a good girl. She wants my drink but is worried about me, too.
I pat her head with my free hand as I close my eyes.
Alright. Good. I am calm now.
"Here, you can have it. By the way, I never had the chance to ask. What's your name?"(Alice)
"... slurp slurp gulp... Name? slurp What is... Name...Wah...!"(Girl)
"...?! Are you alright? Where does it hurt...?"(Alice)
The girl frowned and tears formed in her eyes as she held her head.
What's this? Pain from trying to remember, is she the same as me?
Perhaps she could be--
"Ah. That happens when you drink the melo-melo too fast."(Nide)
Processing what Kidnapper just said, I get disappointed.
"Oh..."(Alice)
So it was just brainfreeze...
It's called melo-melo, huh. I see.
After asking her a bit more questions, I learned that she has no memories whatsoever.
Kidnapper on the other hand just watched us converse from the side like some sort of creeper.
I'll at least call him a guardian.
He also told me that he'll wait for his allies first before reporting to their HQ.
After responding with an "Alright." I began talking to the girl again.
"So you don't remember your name?"(Alice)
shake shake
"What should I call you, then? What do you want mom to call you?"(Alice)
For now, I already gave up and let her call me mother.
...It's not like I secretly like it or anything.
The girl stared at me with her big, sky blue eyes as if waiting for me.
Oh, do you want me to name you? It's not like you're a lost dog, you're a lost child.
Well whatever, I'll think of one that's easy to say,
"Aya, then."(Alice)
"Aya?"(Aya)
She tilted her head as she parroted me.
I said I'd think of an easy name but that one naturally rolled off my tongue.
Do I have a talent in naming?!
"Ayaya~ Ayayayaya~"(Aya)
"Yes, dear. Aya."(Alice)
I say as I pat her head again.
I didn't realize myself that the pain on my tummy was already a little better.