I Was Reincarnated as the Villain in an Eroge, but I’ll Live Honestly ~Because the Protagonist Was Useless, I Ended Up Making the Heroines Smile and Somehow Built a Harem~ - 17

Chapter 17: Flora’s Story (Introduction)

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Flora Fioret. That was my name. My mother had passed away from illness, and I lived with my kind father and my cute younger brother, the three of us together. We were by no means wealthy, but I had been living a happy life day after day.

However, everything changed once my father became infected with a widespread illness. We didn’t even have the money to buy medicine, let alone enough to have a doctor come see him. Even though we needed to save money to buy medicine, our life was one where money only kept dwindling, and it truly felt like both our bodies and hearts were being worn away.

More than anything, I couldn’t stand how powerless I was. I was unable to do anything for my father as he struggled to breathe and spoke to me with difficulty, saying, “I’m sorry, Flora.” And watching us like that, my younger brother desperately held back his tears, trying not to cry. 

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look on his face for the rest of my life.

So I decided to go into town and work. But I couldn’t even read or write. I had steeled myself for it, but just as expected, I ended up working at a tavern under shockingly low wages. And it was while I was enduring my work under a shop owner who mocked me for being a country bumpkin…  I thought a savior had appeared… Though, in truth, he wasn’t a savior at all. Still, at that time, he felt to me like someone fated to me.

“Are you all right, Flora? A place like this doesn’t suit you. My estate would be far more fitting. Of course, you’ll accept my offer, right?”

The one who spoke to me was Abel-sama of a marquis family. I didn’t know why Abel-sama wanted to hire someone like me, and it was true that the way he spoke—especially the fact that he knew my name—left me feeling a bit uneasy. But the conditions were far better than where I was, so I accepted gladly.

“Y-yes…! Thank you very much, truly, thank you. I’ll be happy to work for you!”

Surely, from here on out, the future would move in a good direction. So I thought at the time… I never imagined that I would end up running away from him…

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“Alright! I’ll give it my all starting today!”

That was the day I began working at Abel-sama’s estate. As I received an explanation of my duties from the head maid, I asked about something I had been wondering.

“Is Abel-sama a compassionate person who hires commoners like me?”

Back when I was living at home, I had hardly heard any rumors about nobles, except for one person. That person was Noah Maycraft-sama. I had heard nothing but terrible rumors about him. Like how he was cruel beyond redemption and had killed dozens of innocent people… And yet, to think that he would become the most beloved person in the world to me…

*Life really is full of surprises.

“No, Abel-sama has never hired commoners before. That’s why we were surprised as well.”

“I see… Then I’m lucky! Please tell me to do anything, I’ll work as much as you want!”

At that time, I truly believed that. But there was no way such a convenient story could exist. It happened when Abel-sama dropped his handkerchief near me. He often paid attention to me, so up until then, I had thought he was such a kind and wonderful person.

“Ah, Abel-sama! You dropped your handkerchief!”

Perhaps he didn’t hear my voice, because Abel-sama didn’t try to pick it up. So I went to pick up the handkerchief for him. And then it happened.

All of a sudden, Abel-sama reached out his hand to pick it up as well. Naturally, I had also reached out, so our hands ended up touching. Of course, it would have been fine if it had ended there, but unbelievably, Abel-sama grabbed my hand.

“Sorry about that. You really helped me. Still… Your hand is really small… It makes me want to protect you.”

“……!”

I think it was a miracle that I didn’t scream. Goosebumps burst out all over my body, and I almost reflexively struck him.

“S-so that’s right…! I need to think about the cooking menu with the potatoes in the pantry! Excuse me!”

Even as I said it, I wondered if there really hadn’t been a better excuse. What was that about consulting with potatoes…? Still, that just showed how desperately I was trying to escape.

At first, I thought it might have been some kind of coincidence. Abel-sama was also at the age where the existence of a hero made one’s heart race, so I figured maybe things like that could happen. But when similar things kept happening, I finally gathered the courage to ask a coworker about it.

“Up until now, nothing like that really happened… Maybe Abel-sama has taken a liking to you, Flora…”

As my coworker patted my shoulder with a strained expression, all I could do was shake my head as hard as if it might snap off.

No way. It was disgusting. I couldn’t accept it on a physical, instinctive level. Of course, I was grateful that he had hired someone like me. And it wasn’t a lie that I wanted to work as hard as I could. But some things were simply impossible no matter how much I forced myself.

After that, I tried to keep as much distance from Abel-sama as I could while working… Though, well, it didn’t really have any effect. If anything, it seemed to make him worry, because he even said something incomprehensible like, “Don’t make such an anxious face. I’ll protect you,” while staring fixedly at my chest.

It was extremely unpleasant, but since the treatment—including my pay—was good, I was still able to endure it.

Even so, there really does come a day when you eventually reach your limit.

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