「……」279Please respect copyright.PENANAV2SUdFuUez
279Please respect copyright.PENANA389QJA5MlW
自己難耐著焦躁,在待客室等待著管家到來。279Please respect copyright.PENANAtSC7ZDr5ZF
隨著急急的腳步出現在自己面前的管家馬上就察覺了自己的異樣,稍稍靠近了些開口詢問:279Please respect copyright.PENANA2zmlKHBwy7
「老爺,請問有什麼要緊事嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAuBD3ILlci3
279Please respect copyright.PENANAib6neHrXiE
自己抬起頭,難忍嚴肅的神情看向管家,但在確認原因之前是不應該隨意動怒的,自己壓抑著心頭的焦躁向管家提出了問題。279Please respect copyright.PENANAgkQhvzVZ1r
279Please respect copyright.PENANACUSMnoYvFR
「我那天看到他去應門,那是你教他的事嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAuSAvHHhyPG
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4nuutpF3CG
「啊,是的,前陣子他似乎對在門外等待的送貨商人必須等小的過去應門有些在意,所以跟小的說他也可以幫忙……所以小的就教他哪些人可以讓他們進來,哪些人要打發他們走。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAgV8S7rQ9wl
279Please respect copyright.PENANA9g18iU8j1K
「……以後別讓他去做應門這種事了。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAnTxJRNuXfV
279Please respect copyright.PENANAF9xRy91oi1
「老爺……小的明白了。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAPU2D0G17pd
279Please respect copyright.PENANAhbPUQgnbgY
即使知道可能發生了什麼事也沒有多說一句話的管家,目送著自己起身離開了待客室。279Please respect copyright.PENANAjMXoGlCGG2
279Please respect copyright.PENANAkL4eI4JQQn
回到書房,那讓自己不由得感到心痛的身影仍是安靜地、佇立在有著盆栽的窗口,默默地看著那盆適應了盆栽泥土又繼續綻放花朵的植物。279Please respect copyright.PENANAMRYbjqzv0N
279Please respect copyright.PENANAYFeYtzmZj8
自從那天他應了那商人的門之後,只要自己沒有派給他事情做,他就會像這樣默默地看著那盆栽動也不動。279Please respect copyright.PENANAN3mjeXuc3z
279Please respect copyright.PENANAonq45xjB2K
即使自己用盡方法希望他開口,他也像在那一瞬間就失去語言能力般,什麼話都說不出來,表露著彷彿失去生氣的模樣,讓自己打從心裡感到不忍。279Please respect copyright.PENANAHdZLXuGOLU
279Please respect copyright.PENANAB0qCx5RrH2
「來替我抄寫地址。」279Please respect copyright.PENANACL2sVkvCKX
279Please respect copyright.PENANATHXy7cWHQZ
聽到自己的吩咐,緩緩轉過身走向書桌的他,默默地找出地址簿安放在閱覽架上,接著熟練地將羽毛筆與墨水擺到桌上後坐了下來,等待自己拿來空白信封。279Please respect copyright.PENANASl9jGdmEML
279Please respect copyright.PENANA1vr1vnHkd6
「……第二排第十個、第十二個。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAFli872l9NH
「第三排第一個、第四排第六個。」279Please respect copyright.PENANA350UPV4o0b
279Please respect copyright.PENANAUhj6BxkIa0
自己一一將信封擺到他面前,聽過自己的吩咐後,他一句話也沒有地動筆開始抄寫地址。279Please respect copyright.PENANA9ILPvVabXg
隨著書寫傳來羽毛筆劃過信封的輕微聲響,臉上沒有半點表情的他,彷彿只是一具會動的人偶。279Please respect copyright.PENANALMr0fWQHT7
279Please respect copyright.PENANABC9rjMvW6M
到底發生了什麼?279Please respect copyright.PENANAX719Ax9oVL
279Please respect copyright.PENANAApMk98ksyC
原以為他只是因為看到了那奴隸商人,感到不安害怕而已。279Please respect copyright.PENANAMTvXScoDz3
但自己對他說了再多安慰的話語也不見他從這副模樣裡恢復,即使特地邀他一起共進美味的晚餐,他也只是默默地吃著食物,彷彿完全感受不到料理的美味。279Please respect copyright.PENANAOVyVJxCzBV
279Please respect copyright.PENANAlbmFVtI3dC
即使是在夜晚的寢室,自己懷抱著他、親吻著他的身軀的時候,將手輕放在自己頰邊的他也像是失去了靈魂般無法注視著自己。279Please respect copyright.PENANAgOVlA2IjmL
279Please respect copyright.PENANAb64fZK6IKu
即使早晨他仍會輕柔地伸手將自己喚醒,迎接自己的,也是他失去生氣的面容。279Please respect copyright.PENANAYPiY41az8h
那雙美麗的眼睛裡透露著的,深不見底的什麼,自己無法理解。279Please respect copyright.PENANAsdKXfaTuIs
279Please respect copyright.PENANA1Om5Ke3Tya
279Please respect copyright.PENANA2FfRrUmxU9
———279Please respect copyright.PENANAbwmENgsQ0u
279Please respect copyright.PENANAfz96llD3XD
279Please respect copyright.PENANAhIEznrvGhI
今天他又在窗台邊看著那叢越發茂盛的花朵。279Please respect copyright.PENANApqwvpPWWaD
自己實在不忍注視著這樣的他,在處理過庶務後,走進了庭院。279Please respect copyright.PENANAXaBqwgbzna
279Please respect copyright.PENANAo7hD5Seq0J
279Please respect copyright.PENANArAkVdubmKv
「老爺!庭院最後一朵玫瑰開了喔!」279Please respect copyright.PENANAimhCLefHug
遠遠地,朝自己揮著手裡的帽子,園丁帶著笑容走向了自己。279Please respect copyright.PENANAcaP9YqOmA6
279Please respect copyright.PENANAMRC23USr8m
「辛苦了……開的好嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAb1XwxZ2rFo
279Please respect copyright.PENANARgOKImK8ZK
「開得很美呢!要為老爺摘下來嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANA91bk7Il9vc
279Please respect copyright.PENANAR6iQJuijuS
「……不了,讓它開吧。」279Please respect copyright.PENANALYb1PSTD1t
279Please respect copyright.PENANAee1QHDr0m0
自己現在實在沒有那個心情,一邊婉拒著園丁,同時,某件事情突然浮現在了心頭。279Please respect copyright.PENANA848w6fK4ZB
279Please respect copyright.PENANAe7pE85EMat
「……那天,你在庭院嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAza8UvFrjWS
279Please respect copyright.PENANAfWljDvJGws
聽到自己的問題,園丁挺起胸膛。279Please respect copyright.PENANAGHeiRFzZNH
279Please respect copyright.PENANAvCcurN27Z3
「小的每天都在庭院裡盡責地照顧老爺的花草!」279Please respect copyright.PENANAI37JFVfc4h
279Please respect copyright.PENANA2iFf852HHs
「嗯,辛苦你了……那天,就是奴隸商人來的那天,你有聽到什麼嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAhJUvHa2sfr
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQiDoDIg0d5
「奴隸商人?啊,是帶著一些髒兮兮的丫頭的那個胖男人嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAMVoNiNceWK
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4mAkNtZzXx
自己雖然想否定園丁所說的髒兮兮只是奴隸先天的膚色這件事,但既然園丁有看到,那最重要的事情,應該是……279Please respect copyright.PENANAhj8sI2N6an
279Please respect copyright.PENANA2kRG2Pqlr8
「沒錯,他們有跟他說什麼嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANABx8OWJsps2
279Please respect copyright.PENANAirbLY1RPhH
「他?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAGgkmjee0SF
279Please respect copyright.PENANAXUhOUizZhW
「嗯,之前跟我一起來向您借鏟子的那位。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAvC3clPdCDm
279Please respect copyright.PENANAZI3lRfmNk5
「啊、有的!那裡面有個丫頭朝他大吼。」279Please respect copyright.PENANA2Miix580tN
279Please respect copyright.PENANAONzLxR4xVV
「……她說了什麼?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAD5zzueEw9b
279Please respect copyright.PENANANrKUrn3gr6
聽到這回答,自己難忍心中的不安,壓著眉頭盯著園丁,園丁似乎因為自己的視線而變得謹慎許多,摸著下巴回想了許久,才緩緩把那句話語說出口。279Please respect copyright.PENANAMMTVRCX5wv
279Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7KwGHsRy5
279Please respect copyright.PENANA9nE443FRHB
「她說……吉娜的死都是他害的。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAsrwkLvU92m
279Please respect copyright.PENANAM9WVCMWGTD
「他是個背叛者。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAMtgrUGAor6
279Please respect copyright.PENANAa0NES8YNmS
279Please respect copyright.PENANAYQbuZMzG6j
———279Please respect copyright.PENANAhUU8UassNG
279Please respect copyright.PENANAUNKGH0ay3V
279Please respect copyright.PENANAPo6Iht03dJ
已經一整天都沒有聽到他的聲音了。279Please respect copyright.PENANAPvUqfudRvW
279Please respect copyright.PENANAlMJydPDiNs
在自己的命令下,與自己一起踏進澡間的他,默默地洗完了身子之後,在自己的注視下踏進浴池。279Please respect copyright.PENANA3A4V4wGy1E
雖然與自己在同一側的池壁,但卻背對著浴池坐著的他,只是注視著空氣中模糊的一點,動也不動。279Please respect copyright.PENANAAMWlsFxg4T
279Please respect copyright.PENANAtygBqMxJ8i
這令人心痛的模樣,讓自己想起園丁說的話。279Please respect copyright.PENANAcRr9NoMFuw
如果自己向他詢問了卻沒有結果怎麼辦呢?279Please respect copyright.PENANAoWaO9yPkbZ
如果……因為自己的詢問而回想起難受的事情,讓他跌入了更深的黑暗之中的話,自己該怎麼辦呢?279Please respect copyright.PENANAjr4yG1Nx3k
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGMOxgPOGkK
他現在的模樣簡直與剛來到這裡、自己第一次見到他的時候一樣。279Please respect copyright.PENANAdvLdXe0g7x
不礙著自己,也不做任何表示,像個物品般地,呼之即來,揮之即去。279Please respect copyright.PENANAVVhz7pkmfA
279Please respect copyright.PENANAImmxxFSy4d
但他確實……曾經碰觸過自己的心,也稍稍地、讓自己聽見過他內心的聲音。279Please respect copyright.PENANAnuwdAx6NyH
給予過自己屬於他的溫暖與期盼,即使他始終沒有親口告訴自己,卻也無法忽視那些、存在過他眼裡的,說不出口的話語。279Please respect copyright.PENANASstUW3QD0g
279Please respect copyright.PENANA1tZPNXLns4
他是怎樣從那一番話裡跌落到了原本的深淵裡,自己不明瞭。279Please respect copyright.PENANAABFWmngbKN
僅有手裡握著的這一絲情報,如果他仍舊不告訴自己的話,還能做什麼讓事情有所改變呢?279Please respect copyright.PENANAXJQ4AUvYwg
279Please respect copyright.PENANAk1tIECN2sJ
咬了咬牙,即使自己在這裡猶豫不決,情況也不會因此好轉。279Please respect copyright.PENANAnvtU99As6z
279Please respect copyright.PENANAlcMjlXVfL8
自己緩緩地靠近背向這裡的他,即使自己毫無掩飾地靠近也不為所動的他,是不是即使現在對他做了任何不合理的事情,也會默默接受呢?279Please respect copyright.PENANAhSrtZuBtPt
自己隱隱地感受到將會觸碰到他一直不願讓自己明瞭的真實,那會是自己能夠接受,並說服他的事情嗎?279Please respect copyright.PENANAjfcAhH0NFL
279Please respect copyright.PENANAFAYPlzTduy
搖搖頭,自己拋下那些不著邊際的思緒,趨向前伸手抱緊了他。279Please respect copyright.PENANANLrwvEShwo
就像夜裡被自己緊緊抱著的時候,絲毫沒有掙扎或者一絲反應的他,在自己說出那句話以後終於有了一絲不同。279Please respect copyright.PENANAXIIhu3ghWF
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKinLvvzgHe
「……吉娜是誰?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAK8T4lqtWt3
279Please respect copyright.PENANA9bmDQePbxI
即使只是微小的顫動,緊抱著他的自己也察覺了。279Please respect copyright.PENANAOULu9jqyKh
279Please respect copyright.PENANAMmUw2X6VTF
「是某位奴隸嗎?告訴我。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAmkB7tuHBQO
279Please respect copyright.PENANAkhJSN6zkTK
因為認真而變得粗糙的聲音,自己著實不想用這樣的語氣跟他說話。279Please respect copyright.PENANACa1NxVloy6
但如果不這樣做的話,他會知道自己是認真的……一直都是,認真地希望能夠知道他的事情嗎?279Please respect copyright.PENANA7ypTKJilIf
279Please respect copyright.PENANABJmIvRE7Q4
沉默許久,背對著自己的他緩緩地點了點頭。279Please respect copyright.PENANA5n6lcRplQw
279Please respect copyright.PENANASb6xu5WS7O
「……為什麼吉娜的死跟你有關係?你已經來這裡這麼久了。」279Please respect copyright.PENANApZHwQZdfmz
「背叛者,又是怎麼回事?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAr04Q01xhJN
279Please respect copyright.PENANADjz50FXVF7
自己將他抱得更緊了些,不讓他因為緩緩低下的頭而與自己拉遠了距離。279Please respect copyright.PENANArw5B6kDW7O
即使如此仍然沉默著的他,微微顫抖的身軀讓自己心裡湧現了一股酸楚。279Please respect copyright.PENANAAtwpiT62r6
279Please respect copyright.PENANAgBSToGv3sx
「……你答應過他們什麼嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANA9eGOev23Wm
279Please respect copyright.PENANA7TQZ0ITLKp
他微微地搖了搖頭。279Please respect copyright.PENANAF3DGXIiwz3
279Please respect copyright.PENANAaMhbkkNHM8
「在來到這裡之前,你負責做什麼?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAGHi6HdfWq1
「告訴我,否則到水冷了我也不會離開這裡。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAiDF09kZeah
279Please respect copyright.PENANAVBZ1pXjN6w
聽到自己這般要脅的話語,他的身子變得有些僵硬。279Please respect copyright.PENANAri5z8s5a5B
沉默著,直到自己真的要以為他要等到浴池的水都冷了的時候。279Please respect copyright.PENANAOKL3NvtMC6
久違地,屬於他的聲音才緩緩地流瀉。279Please respect copyright.PENANAWObbM3dDyP
279Please respect copyright.PENANAvCnp4ErLLy
「……試用。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAWQzIrYEC6j
279Please respect copyright.PENANA6NSdPb8BTK
「像那時候那商人說的一樣嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAz8S88uvcF0
279Please respect copyright.PENANAF5zZ4jc9ju
聽到自己的問題,他點了點頭。279Please respect copyright.PENANAHzJ7I2LzwL
自己想起那時候,那奴隸商人所說的話。279Please respect copyright.PENANAmoXFDnzpel
原本以為試用這件事只是因為自己選中了他,而不論是哪一位奴隸都會有的慣例。279Please respect copyright.PENANAZmLYBkZHeu
279Please respect copyright.PENANALCX7cyd47d
「試用之後呢?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAvbckUbAa6K
279Please respect copyright.PENANAK5HekNdGaP
「…………回去。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAkrFJJywZek
279Please respect copyright.PENANAzcxGRknQaj
「回去商人那裡?那買主呢?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAE1dLMMJEYq
279Please respect copyright.PENANAvx50ANt1jP
他低垂的頭,讓自己下意識握緊了他緩緩顫抖的手。279Please respect copyright.PENANAsm4YV5up1Z
279Please respect copyright.PENANArMUDD7JsJM
279Please respect copyright.PENANASg8RiEbS9K
「……我、試用……主人喜歡……買、別人。」279Please respect copyright.PENANA7U0MJoNSWi
279Please respect copyright.PENANA357oTeFXbb
279Please respect copyright.PENANAfmGGcKhJUO
這讓自己說不出話的答案,幾乎要讓腦袋一片空白。279Please respect copyright.PENANABkTyiLiVwu
279Please respect copyright.PENANAE0ydao8ek1
279Please respect copyright.PENANARqxN88jTYO
之所以他認為他不能露出面容,認為他醜。279Please respect copyright.PENANAYkJUUZuKK8
之所以他認為他骯髒,要用那種粗糙的刷子才能洗乾淨。279Please respect copyright.PENANAOhsqjyJnA4
279Please respect copyright.PENANAcidAupeaew
之所以他對任何痛苦與不合理都毫不反抗也不表達。279Please respect copyright.PENANAcMIRLceLw7
之所以他只是默默地承受這些,溫柔地對待著自己,卻對自己的承諾絲毫沒有接受的意思。279Please respect copyright.PENANAq7C1rbpQ3v
279Please respect copyright.PENANAItmIBA4ezr
——都只是因為,他認為總有一天會回去那個地方。279Please respect copyright.PENANAxToMg7ZgGL
279Please respect copyright.PENANAyfOxnj3tMU
279Please respect copyright.PENANAPTJBDage4e
而他所做的一切努力,都只是為了讓買主開心,認為買下奴隸值得,所以願意在試用之後,買下其他奴隸。279Please respect copyright.PENANARNdKUwqslm
279Please respect copyright.PENANAE0ETzbWlzV
「……那跟吉娜的死有什麼關係?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAY02TElnYB9
279Please respect copyright.PENANA3yfvFXnGBc
開口才察覺到的,自己話語中帶著的哽咽。279Please respect copyright.PENANAdQr5LouLdC
或許是因為聽到了自己變化了的音調,他緩緩抬起頭。279Please respect copyright.PENANAGDM3fym5MB
279Please respect copyright.PENANApXuy3KkY6O
「……女孩,試用……痛、難受……不吃飯、死掉……」279Please respect copyright.PENANAr47O3VdQg1
279Please respect copyright.PENANAcEWsejf1Jx
「……所以你代替她們去給買主試用嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAa1pYcjaQI5
279Please respect copyright.PENANATb26xBaZoM
面對自己的話語,他輕輕點頭。279Please respect copyright.PENANAVqOh2Ti0lb
279Please respect copyright.PENANAO7Im7fVUrJ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAoFwm8YMbTW
自己靠在他的背上,已經分不清楚模糊眼前的是浴池凝結的蒸氣還是眼眶裡滲出的液體,強忍著心頭的情緒,試圖理清腦中那自己從未想過的,殘酷的真相。279Please respect copyright.PENANAGwNnGyjpZi
279Please respect copyright.PENANAeob0KnOjXf
不,自己其實是明白的吧?279Please respect copyright.PENANAB0U8j40NYI
279Please respect copyright.PENANAMkCHQQQIjE
察覺他熟練那方面的事情更甚於好好地吃飯的時候。279Please respect copyright.PENANAEbYxksQ6uK
發現他對自己給他的承諾沒有一絲欣喜的時候。279Please respect copyright.PENANAnaILwIGA9V
注意到他得到了真正屬於他的物品的時候,露出懊悔的瞬間。279Please respect copyright.PENANAhvomStakQU
279Please respect copyright.PENANAoaWNUtECJN
279Please respect copyright.PENANAqdWqA1mMZF
「……你沒有虧欠她們什麼。」279Please respect copyright.PENANA3DA6k7jrPR
279Please respect copyright.PENANAF04YCHeU6Q
自己幾乎要使盡全身的力氣才能一字一句地說出話語。279Please respect copyright.PENANAFBOUxOb5SW
隨著這股情緒抱緊他身子的力氣,或許會讓他感到有些難受。279Please respect copyright.PENANAmTuXmrGpXk
但自己已經沒有任何方法能夠證明自己想緊緊地抓住他了。279Please respect copyright.PENANAysmwvYOvtu
279Please respect copyright.PENANA6hcR4ZehcU
「你被這樣對待,就不會痛、不會難受嗎?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAtLcQ24PWD4
「但你知道要好好地吃飯、好好地維持自己的樣子、好好地……取悅著買主。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAi7lRnLlAyF
「因為你的努力而被買下的她們,那不是她們的努力。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAr8ZsknMZ1Q
「你承受了的痛苦,她們當然也不會知道……」279Please respect copyright.PENANAIFbq0Z7AmU
279Please respect copyright.PENANAMGJenGUMsI
「你以為替她們擋下了痛苦,實際上她們什麼也不會知道,更不明白自己為什麼不需要任何努力就能被買下……你明白的吧?」279Please respect copyright.PENANAXk5gS7LTsJ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnIg6vq8CAt
隨著自己說出口的話語而顫抖的身子。279Please respect copyright.PENANAG3RkAFjKrh
因為止不住顫抖而喘息的身軀,讓自己稍稍地鬆開了緊抱著他的手臂。279Please respect copyright.PENANAgWbjto6KgP
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGqXcvjFipq
「誰都沒有資格說你是背叛者。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAPnpUr78zcn
「不論是誰,因為痛苦不吃飯、最後衰弱而死,也不是你的責任。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAaZv4MoH6gp
「那是她們自己的選擇,因為她們只想依靠別人替她們承受那些痛苦活下去……」279Please respect copyright.PENANA4HxvAB5wD7
279Please respect copyright.PENANA0lAdyxZvTL
「……別再……說……了……」279Please respect copyright.PENANATMH2xrPn1O
279Please respect copyright.PENANAdPNqtEcGYc
自己眼前顫抖的身軀開口打斷了自己的話語。279Please respect copyright.PENANA2H8ePUxAzz
那自己從未聽過的、濃重的鼻音,帶著掩飾不了的啜泣不住顫抖著的身軀。279Please respect copyright.PENANALLiSvkPXbo
279Please respect copyright.PENANAmKZJbSpz0h
自己再度靠上前,緊緊抱住了他的身子。279Please respect copyright.PENANABby9Fvy3H3
279Please respect copyright.PENANATJh6ZLoNGK
「……我不會放你走的。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAn2WT3ENA8V
「你就是你,是被我買下了、我重視的人,誰都不能代替你。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAVjISZsI1yf
「你不屬於任何人,沒有替誰受苦的責任,你只能……待在我身旁,只為了你自己,活下去。」279Please respect copyright.PENANAIQ61LgFelE
279Please respect copyright.PENANAy1HaLNW51R
直到自己因為逐漸冷涼的池水而將他帶離浴池,擦乾了身子與頭髮的他,也無法從那彷彿出生以來就沒有哭泣過、止不住的淚容之中脫離。279Please respect copyright.PENANA9LFBLrk0lz
279Please respect copyright.PENANArln32fZX3d
這是因為他從未為了他自己哭泣的關係嗎?279Please respect copyright.PENANAp21bqO7gLB
但自己,卻從那晶瑩的淚水之中,看到了他活生生的情感、躍動的靈魂。279Please respect copyright.PENANAYJmY05lfLV
279Please respect copyright.PENANArWxeXWncLk
一切都能好轉的,對吧?279Please respect copyright.PENANAhs3ROgDzTW
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnmpYApuJ4A
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHusV0xKNSg
279Please respect copyright.PENANAk54dV35dFT