The Bride Of The Sacred Forest God
Chapter 59. Finding Reasons to Pay Attention

In his room, Reda was still blushing.

“Ryuunosuke, it felt like my heart could stop anytime.”

“Cannot! Reda-sama cannot die!” the hysterical little fox heard him

“I'm sorry, don't you. I mean, I'm so nervous, Ryuunosuke.”

“Hoo~Ehehe, Ryuunosuke thought Reda-sama would die.”

The little fox hugged his beloved girl. Nagi, Ginko and Kuroto wanted to tell the village girl another beautiful thing, but Reda was more curious about something.

“Um, that beautiful woman earlier..is that a demon too?”

Ryuunosuke answered Reda's question.

“The woman was named Jorogumo-san. He is the one who made all the clothes that Aragaki-sama wore and also the one who sewed all the clothes of our friends in the past.”

“He is also the one who made the ribbon of Ryuunosuke's mother worn by Reda-sama.”

“So, but why is he here?”

“Aragaki-sama called him. After all, you were injured yesterday afternoon and there are no women here. Therefore, Aragaki-sama called her because she wants your wounds to be treated.”

Kuroto's answer surprised Reda, “Nushi-sama who....call?”

“True, Reda-sama. Nushi-sama who called.” Ginko confirms Kuroto's speech

Reda could not hide her pleasure. He's so happy. “God, is this a chance from you? I really feel happy. If I have to die after this, I think I'll be sincere.”

Nagi walked up and knelt down near the village girl.

“Ga–...Reda-sama..”.

“Eh?”

“Reda-sama, Aragaki-sama will see you from now on. We'll support you. Aragaki-sama may not have been able to open her heart yet. But, believe me that your efforts will not be in vain.”

“Nagi...-same..”.

“Thank you for all your efforts. Thank you for all your love for our master. As Aragaki-sama's loyal servant, I really appreciate that. Get well quickly and bring Aragaki-sama's smile back.”

Reda's eyes shed tears. He was so happy to hear it.

“Thank you..hiks, thank you for everything.”.

The newly arrived Hakuren heard all that and smiled outside.

In accordance with what Jorogumo said, Reda really did nothing. He just sat down sweetly while eating a delicious meal made by Ryuunosuke.

But, there was something unusual during that time of healing. The ruler, Aragaki comes almost at all times.

This is the second day after the unconscious Reda. Aragaki came up with many strange reasons.

Inside the room where Reda was, Aragaki was already sitting next to Reda while watching her eat. Beside the other Reda, Ryuunosuke just lowered his head while wagging his tail in delight.

“Why not eat?” ask Aragaki

“I...” Reduced so very nervous. He couldn't even hold his wooden spoon properly. Like yesterday, Aragaki's gaze at her made Reda hypnotized.

“You haven't drunk your soup at all.”

“It...Nushi-sama, the..”.

Ryuunosuke seems so happy that he finally does his way.

“Reda-sama, your hand still hurts?! Ryuunosuke will bribe you!”

“Eh? Ryuunosuke, my hands don't hurt!”

“What?! Put your hands cold!” ryuunosuke said while holding onto Reda's palm. The little fox did not lie, his palm was indeed cold. Cold from nervousness and embarrassment to be more precise.

Normally, such a thing does not work for Aragaki. But it seems that Aragaki's heart was quite shocked when she heard her little fox say Reda's hand hurt. He immediately took out the bowl of soup and the spoon the girl was holding.

“Nu–Nushi-sama!”

“If your hand still can not hold it, you should not force yourself.” Aragaki scoops the soup in her hand and intends to feed it to the girl's mouth.

“Open your mouth.”

“Eh?!”

“Kyaa!” again the little fox made a strange cute little sound. Aragaki and Reda looked at the fox together.

“What's up, Ryuunosuke?” ask Reda

“Ryuunosuke wants to make tea first. Aragaki-sama, please help Reda-sama eat yes.”

“Ryuunosuke!” Reda panicked as her little fox stood up and walked out of the room.

Now, again she was only alone with the man she loved.

“What are you doing? Quickly open his mouth.”

“Nushi-sama, i.

“Spend this now. I'll wait for you until this meal runs out.”

Now, compared to being embarrassed, Reda became confused. He finally ventured to ask the ruler.

“Nushi-sama, am I not bothering you?”

“What?”

“Nushi-sama does not...like humans like me, right? I.. I don't want Nushi-sama to be disturbed because of my body scent and I don't want to be hated more than this.”

“...” Aragaki lowered her spoon. He looked at the sad expression of the girl who was bowed in front of him.

Another sentence flashed in his mind.

[Nushi-sama, maybe you don't know but Reda-sama really holds and does everything you say. None of your words or orders were broken]

[In fact, just to eat the leftover food from this place alone, Reda-sama would rather endure her hunger than break your orders]

Aragaki remembered that very well. He finally opened his mouth and spoke.

“Eh?”

“I'm not doing this for you. During the incident where you kept waiting outside with wounds, all my loyal servants came breaking through my room. My little fox prostrated herself with tears and cried.”

“I told you, didn't I? If I make her sad any more than that, I don't know what reason I should tell her late mother, Ryoko.”

“It's not like I accept your presence. Remember well, I still haven't accepted you. My hatred for the humans and the blood of that damned village is still not gone. Let's just say this is my generosity for the sake of my servant.”

An unexpected sentence. Reda's happy face turned into a sad expression.

“I hope Nushi-sama will accept my presence even if a little. Apparently, that hope was too high for me. I should have realized how despicable I was in the eyes of Nushi-sama.”

While inside

aragaki thought, he was like thinking the opposite of what

which he just said.

“The expression became sad again. Did I say something that hurt her? But, why do I feel I'm so guilty?”

“I didn't mean to say such a thing. What's wrong with me? Why does it feel so strange to see that face without a smile?”

Outside, the five servants of Aragaki heard clearly the words of his master and began to curse inwardly.

“Aragaki-sama stupid! Why make Reda-sama sad again! Ryuunosuke will complain about this to mother while praying! Just look at it later!”

“Aragaki-sama romance road is still long apparently.”

“Nushi-sama, that sentence of yours really sounds quite painful.”

“I beg you, may Reda-sama not cry.”

“Village girl, please don't think that! Aragaki-sama too, shouldn't have said that! It will be troublesome!”

Reda tried to smile. She had known all of that from the beginning, so the village girl tried to show her a smile again.

“So. Nushi-sama loves Ryuunosuke very much and everything. Thankfully, Nushi-sama is not angry at Ryuunosuke and the others. Thank you very much.”

Indeed Reda's smile was made to cover her grief. But, right now he is giving his best smile for the sake of his loved ones.

She was sad, but she was happy because Aragaki wanted to say that. It was never thought that Reda and Aragaki would be close, even Aragaki said such an important thing.

That sweet smile was truly a sense of happiness Reda and somehow, Aragaki's heart was like being watered with happiness.

There was a warm feeling enveloping, making him want to return that smile. However, Aragaki still held herself back.

After which, he fed the soup in his hands to Reda without any significant problems. The girl finished her soup and all she ate from every mouthful the ruler gave her.

This happens during the healing period.

After 5 days, Reda is better. Jorogumo is no longer coming because Reda says he has improved.

Reda walks towards Aragaki-sama room with the little fox holding her hand.

“Reda-sama is fine, right?”

“Yes, I've been fine.”

“It really doesn't hurt, does it?”

“Ryuunosuke don't worry.”

Unbeknownst to Reda, from behind and on the roof, the four loyal servants of Aragaki were watching him so as not to happen something bad. They were worried that Aragaki would throw him back as he had.

Upon arriving at Aragaki's doorstep, Reda and the little fox kneeled in reverence.

“Aragaki-sama, Ryuunosuke and Reda-sama saluted.”

There is no answer from within. It seems Aragaki is still getting ready. The little fox stood up and intended to open the door. But before that is done, the door opens.

Aragaki looked at her little fox and the village girl who was still prostrating.

“Aragaki-sama, good morning!”

“Good morning, Ryuunosuke.” Aragaki gave her smile, but her attention was still on the girl who did not raise her head at all.

Ryuunosuke. Not only Ryuunosuke but the four Aragaki servants watching from a distance were also no less surprised.

Aragaki knelt down and held onto both of Reda's arms gently. As the soft hand touched Reda's arm, Reda was surprised and saw the charming beautiful face at close range.

“Until when do you want to kneel like that. Your wounds will open again later. Lift your head now.”

“Nushi...-sama?”

“Little fox can cry again if your wound opens.”

Reda could not say anything. He could only be dazzled with a flushed face stared gently by Aragaki. His soft voice entered from the ear towards the heart and made Reda speechless.

Carefully, Aragaki helped Reda stand up. “It's better like this. No need to force myself to give such a salute because I never asked for it.”

Reda could not say anything. As soon as Reda stood up, Aragaki immediately left the two of them.

“Re–Reda-sama..”

Reda's face flushed, ‘Nushi-sama wants to touch me, this is real.’

“Ryuunosuke..”

“Ya?”

“Nushi-sama is really good, right?”

Ryuunosuke hugged Reda.

**

Aragaki who was walking in engawa alone stopped. He looked at her hand and thought in his heart, “Why does it feel like I wanted to touch her back then? It seems that I was too affected by those little fox tears.”

Aragaki is not like her. He still hadn't received it, but on the other hand he was always looking for an excuse to give him some attention. The ruler realized that, but turned a blind eye to him.

As if a little small reason could always be a way for her to pay attention.

****