Why does everyone overdo it?
The fabric woven from the threads made by Suigetsu-san and her companions resembled the heavenly robes of a celestial maiden. It was light, smooth, and glowed softly. It also took dye beautifully, and Miss Butterfly brought a variety of vibrant cloths to show me.
"Look, look! This is exactly what I’ve been searching for!!"
"Oh my! What an incredible creation!"
"This will surely become a dress worthy of you, Ojousama."
Miss Butterfly, Mother, and Martha were ecstatic. Meanwhile, I was more concerned about the exhausted-looking Suigetsu-san. I cast a healing spell on her, but she seemed visibly worn out after just one night. Even the spiders looked drained!?
"Suigetsu-san... what happened to you!?"
"I’m hungry..."
Suigetsu-san collapsed in a heap.
"Eat as much as you like!!"
It seemed Suigetsu-san, in her human form, had developed a taste for human food. Thankfully, I didn’t have to witness a beautiful woman devouring raw meat. I gave the spiders their fill of fresh meat instead. Eat up, everyone.
Once things had settled, I asked her what had left her so fatigued. She admitted she had worked tirelessly, forgetting to eat or sleep.
"Don’t forget! Eating and sleeping are essential!! Rest properly!"
Why are my magic creatures always so self-sacrificing…? I just can’t understand it.
"Are you not happy, My Lord?"
Suigetsu-san looked downcast.
"I am happy. These beautiful threads make me happy, but seeing you so worn out makes me sad. I love you all dearly. That’s why, when you push yourselves too hard, it makes me sad. You are more important to me than any thread. Please, understand that."
"My Lord..."
Suigetsu-san’s eyes glistened with tears. She began communicating with the other spiders, looking overjoyed and adorable.
"See? My Lord is the best in the world!"
Please stop with the overpraise. Spiders, don’t nod in agreement!
"My Lord, my companions want to serve you too."
"No! Suigetsu-san alone is more than enough for me!"
"My Lord is modest and underestimates herself too much. It took me a long time to serve her too. Persistence is key."
The spiders nodded again.
"Wait, Suigetsu-san, hold on. I’m not a lord worth such a long campaign of devotion!"
"You accept us without disdain, not as things, but as ‘us.’ You treat us like family and are kind to your pack. You are unimaginably strong. There’s no Lord better than you in this world."
She declared this proudly and confidently.
"No, there must be someone better suited to be your Lord!"
"For example?"
"Aldin-sama!"
"Too bright."
"Two word rejection!?"
They’re mostly nocturnal, so they dislike bright things. I didn’t know that.
"Alphage-sama?"
"Too dark."
"…………"
I couldn’t argue. He’s the type to exploit every resource. It’s logical as a ruler, but…
"Niisama?"
"He’s fine, but doesn’t he prefer plants?"
"……………"
Again, I couldn’t deny it.
"But Niisama likes spiders, too!"
"Only because they eat pests, right?"
"………………"
No counterarguments came to mind.
"Geraldin-san!"
"He’s not a bad person, but I wouldn’t serve an idiot."
"Harsh!"
"Then, then… Milfi!"
"Milfi? That child seems to dislike spiders."
"……………………"
I was completely out of options.
"The only one as strong as you is probably Dirk-sama. Dirk-sama is a good recommendation too."
"… Not as a Lord, but feel free to visit occasionally."
If they served Dirk, it’d be the same thing. While Dirk might be a good choice, I realized convincing them otherwise was futile. I resigned myself and told the spiders this weakly.
Afterward, I firmly explained the importance of proper rest and meals to Suigetsu-san and Miss Butterfly, who also had noticeable bags under his eyes. Finally, we wrapped things up.
Upon closer inspection, the fabric was semi-transparent, like a flowing stream. When held up to the light, it refracted into rainbows. I had a feeling this would become an extraordinary dress.
"Rosarin-chan, your mother will create something magnificent for you!"
"Thank you. Martha, please ensure Kaasama doesn’t overexert herself."
Though much healthier now, Mother still risked falling ill if she pushed herself too hard. I entrusted Martha with watching over her.
"Oh, I won’t overdo it anymore!"
"Leave it to me, Ojousama. Madam, you collapsed after pulling three all-nighters designing Ojousama’s last dress, didn’t you?"
"Kyaaa!! Martha, don’t tell her that!!"
"… Kaasama?"
Mother was adorable as she panicked and tried to shush Martha, but I couldn’t let this go unnoticed.
"I-I won’t overdo it."
"Promise me? If something happens to you, I’ll cry."
"Rsarin-chan…"
Mother gave me a bittersweet smile, looking lovely.
"And then I’ll tell Niisama, who will make you drink some extraordinarily potent concoction."
"Rosarin-chan!? What concoction!?"
"It’s a slosh Niisama makes, ignoring all sense of taste. Both its flavor and effects are extreme."
"I won’t overdo it!"
Mother was desperate. I, too, prayed the slosh wouldn’t need to make an appearance. The dress was ultimately entrusted to skilled artisans for completion. I can’t wait to see it.
P.S. I still had my brother prepare the slosh just in case. Let me just say, it was used once. That’s all I’ll mention.
Mother took one sip while tearfully promising never to overdo it again, and then promptly gave up.
What do you think about this chapter?
