BGDBP 05

Chapter 05

If Count and Countess Rive had abandoned their educational philosophy that children should grow up as children and taught Piani business from an early age, she might have become a big player in the investment world.

‘Of course, I’m satisfied with my current life, but…’

A happy smile spread across Piani’s face as she hurried toward Lake Dullis.

‘Hehe. The moonlight seems especially bright tonight!’

It was so bright that she could even distinguish the wild grasses and herbs in the forest.

‘Ah! Mint!’

Piani plucked a mint leaf and began chewing on it. Along with the bitter taste, the temperature in her mouth instantly dropped, and a cool aroma filled it.

‘Uhu-hu! Today, I’ll be writing a new page in my history!’

Piani smirked mischievously.

“Hehehe…”

How long had she been walking like that?

In the distance, she saw Delis’s back as he gazed at the moonlit lake. Seeing his hands clasped together in front of him, it seemed he was holding something.

At that moment, the words she heard at the tea party she attended earlier came to mind.

―I just wanted to tell you that something good will happen.

A broad smile bloomed on Piani’s face.

‘So, he prepared a gift for me from the shopping district!’

What could it be? A bouquet of flowers? Or perhaps jewelry like a ring? If not that, maybe a large stuffed toy?

‘Sir Delis is quite tall, so I can imagine anything that might be hidden by his stature.’

Piani raised her hand brightly. She was about to call Delis in a loud voice.

Even if he was a bit far away, so what?

‘I just wish his warm green eyes would look at me soon.’

But the moment her slightly parted lips were about to utter his name, it didn’t happen.

‘Ugh?!’

Suddenly, someone from behind covered Piani’s mouth.

‘W-what is this?!’

No matter how much she struggled, the grip was too strong to escape, and even a small moan couldn’t escape through the cold fingers of the assailant.

‘Save me!’

At that moment, an overwhelmingly foul floral scent assaulted Piani’s senses.

Sweat poured down like a waterfall, and soon her body went limp.

In her fading consciousness, Piani searched for Delis.

‘Sir Delis will turn around. And he’ll save me…’

But even until she completely lost consciousness, Delis did not look back.

‘Sir Delis…’

‘Hah!’

Piani’s eyes shot open as if she had been splashed with cold water.

Since she was lying flat on the ground, she could clearly see the moon in the sky.

‘T-thank goodness! I’m not dead!’

She thought for sure she was dead, but fortunately, she was alive.

‘I shouldn’t just lie here; I need to run away!’

Piani immediately tried to get up. But her body wouldn’t move an inch.

‘Huh? Why is this happening?!’

Except for a slight dullness in her senses, nothing hurt, yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move.

‘Ugh! This feels weird!’

Piani wanted to cry. But then, miraculously, Delis’s voice was heard!

“Miss Piani!”

It was a voice desperately searching for her.

Feeling relieved, Piani called out to Delis loudly.

[Over here, Sir Delis, over here-!]

But this time too, no sound came out.

No, to be precise, she clearly made a sound, but her voice didn’t spread through the air.

‘Why, why is this happening?’

Refusing to give up, Piani screamed until her throat felt raw.

[Sir Delis! Look over here! Uwaah!]

No matter how much she shouted, her voice never reached the world.

‘What is going on?!’

Tears streamed down her face from fear and self-pity. But just as her voice wasn’t heard, her cheeks weren’t warmed by the tears either. She was clearly crying, though!

[Sniff… What on earth is happening?!]

At that moment, footsteps were heard near Piani. From this distance, Delis must have found her.

“It’s been ages since I called you, and you’re only coming now?!”

But Delis, who always spoke so kindly, shouted sharply.

[Why are you shouting at me! I left early too! But suddenly—!]

On top of feeling miserable, how dare he talk like that! Indignant, Piani sharply defended herself.

But her defense never reached Delis’s ears. And Delis wasn’t asking her, either. He still hadn’t discovered Piani.

“Huhuhu…”

A woman let out a seductive laugh.

“When I call for you, you should come out properly dressed up. Shouldn’t you make yourself pretty?”

The woman’s voice wasn’t familiar, but it wasn’t entirely unfamiliar either.

‘By the way, did she just call Sir Delis “darling”…?!’

Piani stopped crying and pricked up her ears.

“Dammit, this is no time for jokes! Piani isn’t here!”

A cat-like, elegant stride approached Delis.

“Piani…? Ah, that tiny, chubby little thing?”

At the voice dripping with hostility and seduction, Piani stuck out her chin.

[Hey! Who are you! Let’s fight!]

At that moment, trembling with rage, Delis spoke through gritted teeth.

“Leah, watch your mouth! We’re outside!”

Driven mad by anger, Piani snapped to attention upon hearing the name from Delis’s lips.

‘If it’s Leah, that woman I met earlier in the day?!’

As if to confirm Piani’s thoughts, Leah replied in a clear voice.

“What does it matter if we’re outside? It’s just you and me here.”

Piani couldn’t see, but Leah, with a faint smile, placed her hand on Delis’s chest.

Delis irritably brushed off Leah’s hand and let out a deep sigh. Still unable to calm down, he spoke in a heated voice.

“Go check if Piani is at the Rive Count’s estate right now.”

“Darling. You know my power isn’t some convenient ‘magic.’ It’s a powerful and beautiful force.”

“So, are you saying you can’t do it now, or you won’t do it?”

When Delis asked coldly, Leah twisted her lips into a smirk.

“…Well, ordinary novices couldn’t do it, but I’m special.”

Leah closed her eyes, and a black aura emanating from her body persisted until she opened them again.

“She’s not there. Just a teddy bear lying in the bed. Really, as childish as she looks.”

“Did you check other places inside the mansion?!”

“Of course. I even thoroughly checked inside the Count and Countess’s wardrobe.”

“Damn it! Then where the hell is she?!”

Delis, having shouted, spoke urgently.

“Leah. Search every nook and cranny around here!”

Leah frowned for a moment, then soon smiled again.

“Alright. It’s not a difficult task.”

Black smoke enveloped Leah, and soon she disappeared.

Left alone again by the lakeside, Delis gritted his teeth and scanned his surroundings.

“Piani…!”

How many times had he called that name? It wasn’t until his throat was sore that Delis finally made eye contact with Piani.

“Huh…?”

[Ah! Sir Delis! You found me! I’m saved now!]

Piani, who had worn a smile of relief, soon began glaring at Delis.

[But what was that conversation just now?! You need to give me a proper explanation!]

Piani made a somewhat ridiculous expression. But that adorable expression didn’t last long.

Because Delis’s reaction was strange.

[Sir Delis, why are you acting like this? Say something…]

Delis simply stared at Piani without a word. And with a rather bewildered expression at that.

‘Did he know Sir Delis could make such an expression?’

Delis was always someone who wore a warm smile like the morning sun. At least, that’s how he was to Piani.

Cold sweat formed on Piani’s face. His chilly expression was frightening. But at that moment, Delis reached out his arm. It wasn’t the shy, cautious touch he always had.

[Eek!]

Without any consideration for the terrified Piani, Delis firmly grabbed her body.

[Oh my god!]

Piani was flustered by Delis’s hands tightly gripping her. Until now, their contact had been limited to lightly holding hands, but now he was grasping her waist like this!

‘I knew Sir Delis was strong, but to hold me with one hand like this…!’

If she could move, she would have struggled in embarrassment.

‘Huh, but something’s a bit off?’

Piani strained her eyes. It was true Delis’s hand was large, but was it really big enough to hold her waist in one hand?

And it was strange how close Delis’s face was. It was so close it felt like their lips might touch, or like she might be swallowed whole!

‘Sir Delis, were you always this big?!’

That’s when it happened. Delis spoke in a chilling voice she had never heard before.

“What is this insignificant clump of fur?”

Piani’s eyes, which had been tightly shut in fear, widened enormously, and her mouth fell open as if her jaw had dropped.

[Insignificant clump of fur?!]

But Piani didn’t know.

She didn’t know that she had turned into an insignificant stuffed doll, nor that from the moment she changed, she had been wearing nothing but a subtle smile.