I’m Done Being the Heroine’s Stand-in

As if it wasn’t a secret, Duncan answered readily.

“This is the Philia Islands. It’s a small coastal village located quite far from the capital.”

“Do gates appear here too?”

“I believe they rarely appear. Even if they do, they contain such low-rank monsters that the villagers can handle them.”

“Wow, it’s peaceful here, unlike the capital.”

“Yes. It’s a nice place.”

I had the impulsive thought of establishing Jinjijo Transportation’s first branch here.

In other words, this place seemed suitable as a hideout for me who had left the capital.

It was safe since threatening monsters didn’t appear, it was far from the capital, and since Duncan visited occasionally, I could meet him as if by chance.

Could I find a more suitable place than this?

“This would be perfect.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. Hehe.”

As soon as I return to the capital, I should prepare to establish the first branch here.

The Guildmaster, my reliable business partner, will help with that.

How enjoyable would it be to live here leisurely, turning my back on everyone?

A sly smile formed on my lips just imagining it.

Just by escaping from the Center and those three ruffians, my life seemed to be getting better and better.

While enjoying the leisure time at the empty beach, I felt something wiggling in the pouch tied to my waist.

There was something I had momentarily forgotten while enjoying the peaceful time with Duncan.

The culprit of that wiggling was Duncan’s birthday present. It seemed to be scolding me for forgetting about it.

I quickly untied the pouch from my waist.

“What’s that?”

“Before I answer, I’d like to ask something.”

Duncan nodded as if telling me to ask away.

“Do you like animals?”

“Yes, I do. Though I couldn’t keep any when I was young because my parents were strict.”

“Then do you like snakes too?”

I brought the snake trusting the Guildmaster’s opinion, but there was a possibility Duncan might dislike it.

After all, snakes weren’t common pets like dogs or cats.

If Duncan showed even the slightest sign of dislike, I planned to keep the snake myself.

Though I’d have to be careful it wouldn’t try to eat Bless while caring for it.

Being perceptive as always, Duncan seemed to catch on to what I was trying to say.

“Could it be you prepared a birthday present for me? You didn’t have to…”

Unlike his words suggesting it was too much trouble, Duncan’s eyes were filled with anticipation. He couldn’t take his eyes off the pouch in my hand.

“Yes, haha.”

“Whether it’s an animal, monster, or whatever, I think I’ll like anything you prepared.”

“……”

“Because you must have thought about me again and again while choosing the gift, considering carefully before deciding.”

How does he say such beautiful things?

His lovely words gave me confidence. I opened the pouch and placed the snake on my palm.

The snake naturally coiled on my palm and flicked its red tongue.

‘Cool breeze…’

It seemed to whisper in a small voice.

“May I touch it?”

Duncan faced the snake without showing any surprise. I had a feeling their meeting would become something special.

“Would it be okay if this gentleman touched you?”

I pretended to talk to myself while addressing the snake.

—Hisss.

‘He looks wealthy… I won’t go hungry…’

The snake seemed to have assessed Duncan’s financial situation from his appearance. And that sound was also permission for Duncan’s touch.

“I think it’s okay to touch.”

Carefully, Duncan’s extended index finger gently stroked the snake’s head.

“It’s a pretty snake that resembles Guide Yerena.”

“Not only is it pretty, but it’s also said to be a spiritual creature. It will surely be helpful as you raise it.”

“That’s amazing. I like the gift. Of course, this little one needs to like me too…”

Duncan spoke to the snake despite knowing it wouldn’t understand.

“I’m going to be your owner. Would you like to come onto my palm?”

When Duncan beckoned with his hand while whispering softly, the snake moved to his hand as if enchanted and coiled around his wrist.

—Hiss, hiss.

‘This man… is warm.’

Seeing that it didn’t run away and stuck close to Duncan, it seemed the snake liked him too.

“It looks like the snake likes you too, Duncan?”

“Then it won’t bite me, right?”

“No. If you feed it well, it probably won’t bite. It seems smart, so I don’t think it would bite people recklessly.”

“How do you know it’s smart?”

“Hahaha! I can just tell by looking. I’ve raised many animals, you see.”

Of course, it was a lie since I couldn’t mention my Tamer ability. I had never raised any animals other than Bless.

“Thank you. I’ve gained a good companion.”

“I hope it becomes a companion that bites anyone who picks a fight with you, Duncan. If it does that, you’d take even better care of it, right?”

I said this as if muttering, but it was meant for the snake to hear.

Glancing at it, I faintly heard it reply, ‘Understood…’

I briefly hoped that rumors of Rosie losing a finger from a snake bite would soon be heard.

“I’d like that too. I wonder who it will bite first.”

“Lady Rosie?”

“She’ll face something worse than a snake bite first.”

Although I said it calmly, for some reason it felt chilling. I was certain Duncan wouldn’t leave her be.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the snake climbed up Duncan’s arm and settled on his broad shoulders. It looked quite comfortable.

“Would you like to name the snake, Duncan?”

“Alright. I’d like to name it ‘Yerena’, but that wouldn’t work, would it?”

“I know my name is pretty, but it would be a bit odd to call it Yerena at the Center.”

“Then how about ‘Zelda’? It means ‘luck’.”

Just as I had given Bless a name with a blessing, he still seemed to believe in the power of names.

If we named the snake Zelda, it felt like luck would befall not only the snake but Duncan as well.

I wished for his happiness. Duncan was… cute, lovely, and handsome.

No, above all, he was my benefactor who had helped me.

“That sounds like a good name! From now on, let’s call this snake ‘Zelda’.”

I made eye contact with the snake’s red eyes.

Although it couldn’t communicate with humans other than me, if we keep calling it ‘Zelda’ repeatedly, it should understand. After all, it was a smart spiritual creature.

“Zelda. Got it?”

The snake flicked its tongue as if it understood.

“Now that I’ve given you a birthday present, I should say the most important thing.”

“……”

“Duncan, happy birthday.”

Duncan smiled brightly.

“Thank you. I think this will be the most meaningful birthday of my life.”

“It’s a shame we couldn’t cut a birthday cake together.”

“There’s always next time, isn’t there?”

It was uncertain whether we could spend quiet time alone together a year from now.

But I didn’t want to bring up uncertain matters and break this sweet atmosphere.

I just nodded as if there would be a next time.

“What does Guide Yerena like? Ah, please tell me what you dislike too.”

His eyes looking at me seemed to overflow with academic enthusiasm. It was Duncan’s typical earnestness in everything.

I thought there was no use telling him these things when we were about to part, but the words came out before I could think.

“First, I dislike holes. I once fell into a manhole, you see.”

“Manhole?”

“I mean something like an artificially made hole.”

“Ah, I see.”

“And what I like is eating delicious food and lazing around without thinking about anything. That’s why I’m satisfied right now. We’re sitting comfortably in a place with the right temperature and excellent scenery.”

If possible, I felt I could lie down for more than half a day.

Well, these days I’m almost lying down in my office chair under the pretext of hiding my identity.

Duncan chuckled softly, finding my idle-sounding answer amusing.

“When is your birthday?”

“In spring. Around when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in March?”

Of course, it wasn’t real Yerena’s birthday, but my original birthday.

“Let’s meet again then, for sure.”

Those words sounded close to a promise. Even though we didn’t link pinkies or anything.

I nodded.

Just for today, I wanted to view the future only optimistically. Even if that hope might turn into disappointment later.