「……」323Please respect copyright.PENANAh06XXxswOZ
323Please respect copyright.PENANASj5nj8phh4
自己難耐著焦躁,在待客室等待著管家到來。323Please respect copyright.PENANANYUVS2vgON
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:323Please respect copyright.PENANAw41kHfINUg
「老爺,請問有什麼要緊事嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4J5cAKqne
323Please respect copyright.PENANAbwhsEnDcnU
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAc0g9JDA5Ad
323Please respect copyright.PENANAXdh1LC3orz
「我那天看到他去應門,那是你教他的事嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAO1ZNniqNKx
323Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4RJ3SQhJM
「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。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAhejs8O6VEC
323Please respect copyright.PENANAN6Ux2sTZHV
「……以後別讓他去做應門這種事了。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAJd14uLgXZg
323Please respect copyright.PENANAF5q2UNK2D0
「老爺……小的明白了。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAFOMzvjw6Y4
323Please respect copyright.PENANA8FZQYRonGB
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAdRICibpHeP
323Please respect copyright.PENANAfnVfHoMlRt
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANATzkVbcF2zw
323Please respect copyright.PENANA4eevWTsa9Q
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAbLWb8G4N4F
323Please respect copyright.PENANAefcVkrb91a
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA1jmm1gpXXN
323Please respect copyright.PENANAIokeGIMXcw
「來替我抄寫地址。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAAmHKlxkt86
323Please respect copyright.PENANA6PvJTxKyOI
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAbxB7KtiWvA
323Please respect copyright.PENANA3FJ0bEwfME
「……第二排第十個、第十二個。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAmBucwd5ezW
「第三排第一個、第四排第六個。」323Please respect copyright.PENANASIJlb6uYeH
323Please respect copyright.PENANAvQaD370KyP
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAseOAjqSZSg
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANARiUfhBHhnB
323Please respect copyright.PENANAqg6hBCOSNi
到底發生了什麼?323Please respect copyright.PENANAuHCpE05gl7
323Please respect copyright.PENANAYPaDbGlpaX
原以為他只是因為看到了那奴隸商人,感到不安害怕而已。323Please respect copyright.PENANA3eNFgotvnh
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA3zgY0L27Bz
323Please respect copyright.PENANAh5I5oKBRNT
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANALbaujDe7x8
323Please respect copyright.PENANAId3193Oau5
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAyvkGBuCFnR
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAB7hnSXFyax
323Please respect copyright.PENANAnsaZfxJggy
323Please respect copyright.PENANAXjQrsHyvgv
———323Please respect copyright.PENANAyTWdJJDpF8
323Please respect copyright.PENANApzmY2s6Xcc
323Please respect copyright.PENANAMrV0CDPDGk
今天他又在窗台邊看著那叢越發茂盛的花朵。323Please respect copyright.PENANAxF2unjZh5H
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA2usYwRpM32
323Please respect copyright.PENANACK1Sa87YAv
323Please respect copyright.PENANAYxzTbCvcPL
「老爺!庭院最後一朵玫瑰開了喔!」323Please respect copyright.PENANAXaYksdzoXr
遠遠地,朝自己揮著手裡的帽子,園丁帶著笑容走向了自己。323Please respect copyright.PENANAAurryKRtvG
323Please respect copyright.PENANAHzRshk2Oka
「辛苦了……開的好嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAo9AbU8kGmz
323Please respect copyright.PENANAAeFHKxg5Du
「開得很美呢!要為老爺摘下來嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAKjFB2ILFPV
323Please respect copyright.PENANAYxiKbZubSc
「……不了,讓它開吧。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAlww83TcJjv
323Please respect copyright.PENANAv5zvYHhjO6
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAgDo7EC0LOR
323Please respect copyright.PENANAWzFNtRT1fB
「……那天,你在庭院嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAWB6h1YCu6U
323Please respect copyright.PENANAMrbKIsWKYq
聽到自己的問題,園丁挺起胸膛。323Please respect copyright.PENANA85hNAhFouJ
323Please respect copyright.PENANAmNqw85OJA8
「小的每天都在庭院裡盡責地照顧老爺的花草!」323Please respect copyright.PENANAYRsSwlDWZU
323Please respect copyright.PENANACBi6imnZgn
「嗯,辛苦你了……那天,就是奴隸商人來的那天,你有聽到什麼嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAANZ9HPOOtq
323Please respect copyright.PENANAxC3HJu0Ofn
「奴隸商人?啊,是帶著一些髒兮兮的丫頭的那個胖男人嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAPKwFrqYDGu
323Please respect copyright.PENANAaRbJUTWrGL
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……323Please respect copyright.PENANAMvA9GvLt3T
323Please respect copyright.PENANAbkZzESfP9e
「沒錯,他們有跟他說什麼嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANApQnxeMX75Q
323Please respect copyright.PENANATnwMBWdnB9
「他?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAv94Lz9dxkK
323Please respect copyright.PENANApqZhKoU0h4
「嗯,之前跟我一起來向您借鏟子的那位。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAjHxEfTzZtD
323Please respect copyright.PENANAZwxZeVsxsd
「啊、有的!那裡面有個丫頭朝他大吼。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAnykTGp2Iea
323Please respect copyright.PENANA7qBT7CBveo
「……她說了什麼?」323Please respect copyright.PENANA8JKYwGclVr
323Please respect copyright.PENANAj3GmNd0AiE
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAmKBwI6AAKs
323Please respect copyright.PENANAtyQlysJeDe
323Please respect copyright.PENANAr0MlJoVTlQ
「她說……吉娜的死都是他害的。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAsWG2W03Ibm
323Please respect copyright.PENANATtIBDannhd
「他是個背叛者。」323Please respect copyright.PENANATgWluqVbs0
323Please respect copyright.PENANALqDd3cAuy2
323Please respect copyright.PENANAowANNzNRYq
———323Please respect copyright.PENANAWgMEIUbUPz
323Please respect copyright.PENANAssTjfpJtCK
323Please respect copyright.PENANAsjLOxx3B7y
已經一整天都沒有聽到他的聲音了。323Please respect copyright.PENANAwdETVkH6JI
323Please respect copyright.PENANAMZONGYYiUx
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAxtUnvwBpO1
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAaFlQty4KUG
323Please respect copyright.PENANAfedC0ylFLy
這令人心痛的模樣,讓自己想起園丁說的話。323Please respect copyright.PENANA3ldY6l8wzz
如果自己向他詢問了卻沒有結果怎麼辦呢?323Please respect copyright.PENANA0EXwICI1mh
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?323Please respect copyright.PENANA9qemBw1xJM
323Please respect copyright.PENANAG1wIdWnh2D
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA1NlW0eOSsr
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA36GP6lJZTV
323Please respect copyright.PENANAF5M0g7fHF8
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAnYcIDGJcMB
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA5aj0p9vyxV
323Please respect copyright.PENANAJ85oB0Hti1
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAbnTuwvikxz
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?323Please respect copyright.PENANAqVgNiVbfyG
323Please respect copyright.PENANAGOG28p5UZ6
咬了咬牙,即使自己在這裡猶豫不決,情況也不會因此好轉。323Please respect copyright.PENANAMI2vstpZLA
323Please respect copyright.PENANAbZyy5ap8F3
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?323Please respect copyright.PENANA0eURc15YZN
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?323Please respect copyright.PENANAovojkcGE2y
323Please respect copyright.PENANAb0sueoV3qm
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAUIeAZizPc5
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAYScFTrlBd4
323Please respect copyright.PENANAIclktGDJNw
「……吉娜是誰?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAjcoxEPRyb8
323Please respect copyright.PENANAIqlJGciTaS
即使只是微小的顫動,緊抱著他的自己也察覺了。323Please respect copyright.PENANAide6uXajlQ
323Please respect copyright.PENANAKhgBoz7qe9
「是某位奴隸嗎?告訴我。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAbURsAPPzLK
323Please respect copyright.PENANAIwdnQvNDXV
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAFP7NKzApAQ
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?323Please respect copyright.PENANA9sQLNiXeAO
323Please respect copyright.PENANAbPyvYSKEuG
沉默許久,背對著自己的他緩緩地點了點頭。323Please respect copyright.PENANAobmUqq4JKo
323Please respect copyright.PENANABDikuHAAZ0
「……為什麼吉娜的死跟你有關係?你已經來這裡這麼久了。」323Please respect copyright.PENANARuDY8Fko8V
「背叛者,又是怎麼回事?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAwKnaBdT8FF
323Please respect copyright.PENANA0W26qcKE0M
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAfmwqkuLUwm
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAigEKKKw6bx
323Please respect copyright.PENANAovxMKCOyea
「……你答應過他們什麼嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAYuRM0nUEOU
323Please respect copyright.PENANAGe7ZS1O5Hq
他微微地搖了搖頭。323Please respect copyright.PENANAeV3nlzc6yI
323Please respect copyright.PENANABa7zRZkboU
「在來到這裡之前,你負責做什麼?」323Please respect copyright.PENANA3B6MW1FT26
「告訴我,否則到水冷了我也不會離開這裡。」323Please respect copyright.PENANA7vJFSDsMpj
323Please respect copyright.PENANAxnappypUA9
聽到自己這般要脅的話語,他的身子變得有些僵硬。323Please respect copyright.PENANAd3E4aeCFFG
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAzjOc7KI4jo
久違地,屬於他的聲音才緩緩地流瀉。323Please respect copyright.PENANA8m9srk84Pt
323Please respect copyright.PENANAisctpQtviT
「……試用。」323Please respect copyright.PENANA6Jj5dY4AAS
323Please respect copyright.PENANAXxKbUARlj9
「像那時候那商人說的一樣嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANA5MYk9D9EaP
323Please respect copyright.PENANA3yMbvkyGyT
聽到自己的問題,他點了點頭。323Please respect copyright.PENANANJGo1zT3Ol
自己想起那時候,那奴隸商人所說的話。323Please respect copyright.PENANAW1fMb4OvTM
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZxiHYWfbF
323Please respect copyright.PENANAPSOw5XqPqX
「試用之後呢?」323Please respect copyright.PENANADCL0Mxpv66
323Please respect copyright.PENANAyABLkdI8dH
「…………回去。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAsZ13HPGGqN
323Please respect copyright.PENANA8Ls9JxeWgb
「回去商人那裡?那買主呢?」323Please respect copyright.PENANA1hUTs0zgpE
323Please respect copyright.PENANAoP3JMm3YqC
他低垂的頭,讓自己下意識握緊了他緩緩顫抖的手。323Please respect copyright.PENANAqa2evPrxwo
323Please respect copyright.PENANApTMJk5OPFP
323Please respect copyright.PENANAjFHcoth8p4
「……我、試用……主人喜歡……買、別人。」323Please respect copyright.PENANA4dIZNrjHm3
323Please respect copyright.PENANAaDynay8WIz
323Please respect copyright.PENANAJnRbUd3m0B
這讓自己說不出話的答案,幾乎要讓腦袋一片空白。323Please respect copyright.PENANAkC8DEjFNvO
323Please respect copyright.PENANAPnyx4ECK3r
323Please respect copyright.PENANAngXT3P6clr
之所以他認為他不能露出面容,認為他醜。323Please respect copyright.PENANAPtuwWOhC3s
之所以他認為他骯髒,要用那種粗糙的刷子才能洗乾淨。323Please respect copyright.PENANA9jryGCAG4T
323Please respect copyright.PENANASatV97LAfQ
之所以他對任何痛苦與不合理都毫不反抗也不表達。323Please respect copyright.PENANAefk90yfJhd
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAlJUQsoisbU
323Please respect copyright.PENANAexJAcr9Gk2
——都只是因為,他認為總有一天會回去那個地方。323Please respect copyright.PENANAnK6OWPbSNz
323Please respect copyright.PENANAVPGabfiG2M
323Please respect copyright.PENANAw9wufbTKvd
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAuSEwDC6q86
323Please respect copyright.PENANAP7OmXRgNFP
「……那跟吉娜的死有什麼關係?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAAK0cE8OgRj
323Please respect copyright.PENANADCzf6RkzPG
開口才察覺到的,自己話語中帶著的哽咽。323Please respect copyright.PENANA77p38as2vL
或許是因為聽到了自己變化了的音調,他緩緩抬起頭。323Please respect copyright.PENANAa7Rdijr7Qd
323Please respect copyright.PENANAq85KkK0Jgc
「……女孩,試用……痛、難受……不吃飯、死掉……」323Please respect copyright.PENANAdeNdac0WQH
323Please respect copyright.PENANASgDfTIKQD0
「……所以你代替她們去給買主試用嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANAaq6oqPl4ih
323Please respect copyright.PENANArymHcux3tF
面對自己的話語,他輕輕點頭。323Please respect copyright.PENANAZeGVqsf7jL
323Please respect copyright.PENANAscVVLn28Le
323Please respect copyright.PENANAKgSkG3k8Rw
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA1chItF3gKX
323Please respect copyright.PENANADrrxwTR0dc
不,自己其實是明白的吧?323Please respect copyright.PENANASj3scYywRg
323Please respect copyright.PENANAFfN8a8c4fM
察覺他熟練那方面的事情更甚於好好地吃飯的時候。323Please respect copyright.PENANAFTDX7yHVc5
發現他對自己給他的承諾沒有一絲欣喜的時候。323Please respect copyright.PENANA78QzN8qLSj
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAV35hjTp3yQ
323Please respect copyright.PENANAI4B9ETySP7
323Please respect copyright.PENANANbTo3f1NbM
「……你沒有虧欠她們什麼。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAqluWv2Pbyc
323Please respect copyright.PENANAJTuVhdJmWU
自己幾乎要使盡全身的力氣才能一字一句地說出話語。323Please respect copyright.PENANAFmiGoiDWSa
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAPZOLQmczQN
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAgk23qO3GeB
323Please respect copyright.PENANAXT8HuiYIyE
「你被這樣對待,就不會痛、不會難受嗎?」323Please respect copyright.PENANA2sSG6Q3GQw
「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。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAu82NypjP44
「因為你的努力而被買下的她們,那不是她們的努力。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAIFVoCffV6P
「你承受了的痛苦,她們當然也不會知道……」323Please respect copyright.PENANAgwEDgqGYjr
323Please respect copyright.PENANAya4YDUzMxK
「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?」323Please respect copyright.PENANA3uhNpy5dYA
323Please respect copyright.PENANAxszrTjXLJ4
隨著自己說出口的話語而顫抖的身子。323Please respect copyright.PENANAcfT6UZ5YJF
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAJdcrQ9Oab1
323Please respect copyright.PENANAtFjfHOdW6f
「誰都沒有資格說你是背叛者。」323Please respect copyright.PENANA97slDnvJhM
「不論是誰,因為痛苦不吃飯、最後衰弱而死,也不是你的責任。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAbIbX9L5j11
「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……」323Please respect copyright.PENANAok6I2jbupw
323Please respect copyright.PENANAV0bUtNUtXj
「……別再……說……了……」323Please respect copyright.PENANAg9SqCZPWCz
323Please respect copyright.PENANAqp58kRnuoJ
自己眼前顫抖的身軀開口打斷了自己的話語。323Please respect copyright.PENANAnGQSoWuQNe
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANACnWXgKRJJZ
323Please respect copyright.PENANA0ed32qQgor
自己再度靠上前,緊緊抱住了他的身子。323Please respect copyright.PENANAhu5GvwdOxx
323Please respect copyright.PENANAtRCZ5QJpE3
「……我不會放你走的。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAtcoiUdKBVO
「你就是你,是被我買下了、我重視的人,誰都不能代替你。」323Please respect copyright.PENANAf9HGfLqDYJ
「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。」323Please respect copyright.PENANA3as0rOli4c
323Please respect copyright.PENANAKFDdYsDmUL
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANAXPM6srrxOv
323Please respect copyright.PENANA9GfcLBlTgW
這是因為他從未為了他自己哭泣的關係嗎?323Please respect copyright.PENANAuy7s4Dj3R8
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。323Please respect copyright.PENANA03azgwfRjd
323Please respect copyright.PENANAKcTnNtTjAJ
一切都能好轉的,對吧?323Please respect copyright.PENANAa5W6Jhk8fu
323Please respect copyright.PENANAAue5tiMXza
323Please respect copyright.PENANAMLWCgXQ4uM
323Please respect copyright.PENANA17oZRbRUqT