Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 102

　In the dimly lit room, the young girl with black hair lowered her head. No, it wasn't a mere gesture; it was a full-fledged prostration.

　The man sitting on the high seat before her cast a disdainful gaze, his crimson eyes piercing through her. Silently, he glared.

　"Father, please... I beg of you!"

　Once again, the girl pleaded, her voice trembling. It was a heartfelt plea, a desperate appeal.

　It was all because of her selfishness. She thoughtlessly demanded of him, without considering the consequences or the feelings involved. She had resorted to crying and even hurling insults, forcefully imposing her will upon him.

　And this was the result. The dream-like moments didn't last long. It was nothing more than a child's naïve attempt. But even so, the plan the boy had devised with cunning and intelligence, far beyond her childish imagination, had made it impossible for the adults to dismiss his actions as mere mischief.

　Being dragged away, looking like a rag and tattered rag with bloody clothes covered with cuts and lacerations, was the last sight of him for the little girl.

　And since the punishment was imposed, she had been crying for three days and nights, refusing even a sip of water. This was why. While they were on the run, hiding together in the thicket, he had casually mentioned a story. She remembered it.

　[If things go wrong, princess, please plead with the Lord. During your punishment, even if you fasted and under house arrest, he would still come to see you. I'm sure he'd give in.]

　She truly believed it was just a joke. But she, being far more foolish than him, couldn't think of any other solution. She wanted to help him at least, so she did just that. And his insightful eyes were right. That's how she was granted permission to meet her father like this.

　"...Father?"

　"Not happening."

　How long had she been pleading? The girl, puzzled by her father's unwavering silence, inadvertently raised her face and called out to him. He promptly responded with words of rejection.

　"It can't be...!?"

　"While basking in great gratitude, the audacity of this scoundrel who deceived and conspired against the princess, proved to be unforgivable audacity!!"

　"Wha...!?"

　Snap! The sound of a fan being struck echoed in the room as her father declared, instilling fear in her. It wasn't the kind and gentle father she had known when they lived in the countryside. It was an unimaginable scene compared to those times. Even so, she couldn't help but wonder if her father had changed since they moved into this house. Such thoughts crossed the girl's mind.

　"Thus, the appropriate punishment for this crime is death. Don't you all agree?"

　Though it was an unexpected reality for the still young fledgling to the extent that her father would declare his death.

　"Indeed! Such a rascal should be executed immediately!"

　"But before that, we should thoroughly torture and make an example out of him. No one should dare to repeat such acts!"

　"We could dismember him with a saw, or burn him alive. We could even have those lowly youkai devour him alive. In any case, we must ensure a gruesome end."

　"Hold on. A plan as intricate as this couldn't have been executed by a mere child. We should leave him as a cripple and extract the memories of those who were pulling the strings behind the scenes!"