Little Rabbit Can’t Escape Her Enemy After Reincarnation! - Chapter 8

Ashley fearfully turned at the sound of a familiar voice. She saw the hem of his black robe. Glancing back, she saw Clyde’s stunned face behind her. His outstretched right forefinger was frozen. Apparently, this had been placed by her neck. She knew it was Clyde’s magic, but she was curious.

“Um, isn’t it cold?”

“…Yeah. It’s fine.”

He blew his breath on his fingertips, she watched as the ice melted. It was amazing.

“What are you doing here?”

“Uh…”

“I told you to stay away from this place.”

She tried to cheat herself out of this somehow, but Ashley is not good at making excuses. For some reason, she definitely gets found out. Her mother always figures it out. And now, Clyde was staring at Ashley. He looks calm at first glance, but his green eyes will surely catch Ashley. He’ll surely never let her go. It’s scary.

“…I want to know what’s in the stables.”

“I told you that I can’t tell you, right?”

“Yes, but I really want to know.”

“Why do you want to know so badly?”

“…I can’t tell you.”

“I see. You’re just like me.”

She was nervous because she never broke away from his gaze while she spoke. Above all, they were close, but because of this, she could smell the miasma from Clyde’s black robe. It was a peculiar smell, like the smell of rotten eggs with a thick smell of plants.

‘……’

Exposure to miasma made her feel a little sick. Still, now that she remembers it for the first time in six hundred years, it just feels like a happy smell. Clyde raised his brows to the smiling Ashley as he asked, “Do you feel sick by any chance?”

“Yes…”

“Then, please excuse me.” He reached out and touched her head, gently patting her fluffy black hair.

‘Hieeee――!!’

Suddenly, Ashley leaped backward like a scared rabbit. It’s terrifying to be patted on the head without warning by the descendant of the hero. Although she did say that she’ll try to get used to him, her arms had goosebumps all over.

Clyde chuckled, “You didn’t have to react this much.”

“…Why are you doing this?”

“Because your reactions are amusing.”

“……!?”

“I’m kidding. Do you feel better now? It’s sort of a defense magic, which protects you from what’s in the stable.”

“I see. So it protects me from the miasma.”

“–That’s right.”

Miasma is harmful to humans who do not have any magic powers. Inhaling it may cause people to feel sick or get ill. She heard that magicians feel alright because of their own magic. Clyde seems to have good powers and even possesses ice magic. Well, it’s no wonder since he’s a descendant of the great hero. 

She looked up and their eyes met. She felt a sense of discomfort then fear.

‘…What?’

His handsome face is smiling in front of her. It was familiar. It was a curious smile that was directed at her after he helped her in the palace―no, it wasn’t that, it was something else different. It looked as if he found something that he’s interested in.

Ashley felt her two long ears, which are gone now, stand up. As if telling her to be alert and vigilant.

‘Why?’ She was puzzled.

“Ashley,” Clyde said, “You want to know what’s in there, don’t you? Why don’t you come in and take a look?”

“Can I!?’

“Certainly.”

The sudden acknowledgement made her rejoice which made her forget her suspicions.

‘I can now go inside and see who the demon is!’

“Stay by my side, okay?” Clyde said in a serious tone as he stood before the solid iron door. With a nod, he placed his right palm on the door and said a small incantation. When she heard a dry “bang” the door slightly opened.

‘He had it locked with magic.’

No matter how hard one would push or pull, it won’t open. Clyde pushed open the door and extended his arm inside, “Go ahead.”

‘Finally.’ With growing expectations, Ashley took a step forward. The inside was better than she had imagined. Upon entering, both left and right sides had bunkers and each entrance of the place had doors as tall as Ashley. There were vaulted ceilings, brick walls, and fine stone floors. There’s also a fireplace and a boiler for temperature control. Unlike other stables, there’s no horses or dogs present. There are usually thickets that extend towards the back aren’t there as it continues to the courtyard.  The courtyard is in an open-air area, so the bright sunlight shines down on it. It seems that the night has completely dawned.

Weeds were growing everywhere as well as the tree branches. It could not be said that they were carefully maintained. There was a well with a roof in the center and the grass was cut only around it. The left and right sides of the courtyard are a kitchen and a washing area for feed. There’s a staircase leading to the second floor which is used as a storage area for feed and the private rooms for the magicians. The floors of the stables and washrooms were slightly slanted which seems to allow good drainage as drainage channels are placed along the edges.

There’s a strong cloud of miasma inside though she couldn’t feel anything, even though she should. The miasma is colorless which makes it invisible, it only has a faint scent. Moreover, it causes one’s body to be uncomfortable.

‘Lord Clyde’s magic is amazing.’ She was impressed.

Jeanne and another male magician were huddled in a stone washing area on the right. They wash the tubs and brushes with the pumped well water.

“Hey! There’s still some dirt there! That too!”

“”

“Shut up Jeanne! You’re too particular with detail.”

“Do it thoroughly! There’s still foam bubbles left. Rise it off properly!”

“If you’re going to nag, why don’t you do it all by yourself?”

They were quarreling. Jeanne’s fierce voice and the annoyed male magician’s voice echoed. When the male magician said something back, Jeanne threw the soap she was holding on the ground. She stood up with a snort and turned around.

“Master Clyde, where have you been?” She looked very happy and her voice sounded different from earlier, but soon enough… ”Huh…Miss Ashley? Why are you here?” she was gawking at her. The male magician was wide-eyed and alternately stared at Ashley and Clyde.

Only Clyde and the magicians were allowed to enter inside the stables. Not even Fernan, the butler, who has worked for the Sargent household for years and yet there was Ashley, a newcomer, who is not a magician entered. Since Clyde was beside her, it was obvious who brought her in. So, she couldn’t even get mad and simply asked, “Why?” And they probably can’t even guess the reason why.

Clyde smiled at the both of them and said, “You probably know, but this is my fiancée, Miss Ashley, the eldest daughter of Count Wollett.” 

“Ashley has already met Jeanne in the dining room. That’s Hank. They’re both magicians from the palace.”

Ashley bowed to the dumbfounded Jeanne and Hank and said, “Please to meet you.”

Jeanne’s eyes seemed to tighten for a moment in disbelief, but her expression quickly relaxed, suspecting that Clyde would’ve seen it. Perhaps due to her confusion, she wasn’t able to fix her expression and her eyebrows twitched. Beside her was Hank as he was still dumbfoundedly staring at Ashley. He’s in his mid-twenties. He has short hair and healthy tanned skin.

Clyde pointed towards the green iron door at the end. It was about the same size as the front door.

“Ashley, there’s a creature in there that the royal family has entrusted to us.”

“”

“Huh!?” Ashley’s cheeks flushed with excitement which was a stark contrast to the two magicians’ incredulous faces.

‘There may be a demon in that room. A survivor of the demon kingdom!’