TSBTTDI – 2

‘Yeah, right. As if there’s any “maybe” about it.’

The first thing that greeted me when I stepped outside, heart pounding with anticipation, was a scream filled with horror and shock.

‘If only it had ended there.’

Instead, I tasted the bitterness of failure for the next four months straight.

After my first outing, I completely opened Laphelia Castle. I released the illusion magic that had been placed on the castle so that passersby could see it.

‘And now I wait for someone to pass by.’

According to the rabbits, the Latulenta Forest surrounding the castle was connected to a black swamp where demonic beasts dwelled.

Hardly anyone passed through, as straying into it could mean certain death.

Thanks to that, only three humans had passed through the forest, and I succeeded in luring them into the castle.

An elderly old man, a hearty young man, and a seasoned-looking middle-aged man.

Perhaps they were glad to see a castle in the cold and treacherous forest, as they hesitated but stepped inside, all seeking help.

It was only natural.

‘A warm garden like this in the middle of winter.’

Outside the gates, snowstorms raged—but beyond the iron doors, it was perpetual spring. In the freezing cold, this place was the perfect haven.

‘I even left the iron gates wide open to welcome them!’

But life isn’t easy.

With the old man, I revealed myself too quickly. Fail.

I served food and tea to the second, hearty young man without showing my face. I only let him hear my voice, putting him at ease, and then, thinking it was the right moment, I cautiously appeared, but it was a Fail.

I had high hopes for the last one, the seasoned-looking mercenary. His face had weathered all sorts of storms, so I thought he would calmly accept even if a talking beast appeared.

I even provided him with a warm bed for three whole days.

But what do you know? He ran away the fastest, even leaving his luggage behind, resulting in another Fail.

‘Why? I served tea, gave them delicious food! I even provided a warm bed.’

Wasn’t that enough to convey that I wasn’t a bad person… or rather, a bad beast?

For some reason, as soon as I showed my face, they’d slap a label on me–like monster, man-eater, or demonic beast, and then bolt as fast as their legs could carry them.

And today, I finally got stabbed with a knife.

I felt not just frustrated but wronged.

‘Am I really that monstrous?’

Back in Korea, I was just an ordinary person. I had never been discriminated against or bullied because of my appearance.

But now, it’s as if I have a one-way ticket to hell, and everyone is just trying to run away from me.

“This is just depressing…”

Such intense rejection, refusal, fear, and disgust.

It was so shocking that it shook my very identity.

I used to love people, but now I didn’t want to show myself to anyone.

‘I’m just a beast now. No one sees me as human.’

I didn’t even want to look at myself anymore. I was revolting. To hide my tears, I turned out the light and buried my face in the blankets.

* * *

“Squeak, squeak, squeak, croon.”

She’s not eating. She’ll starve to death at this rate.

The rabbit family fussed in front of the tightly closed door.

Among them, the smallest baby rabbit wrung its paws anxiously and rubbed its eyes.

Compared to the previous beast, who had given up on everything and was just waiting to die, the new Nadan often smiled and wandered around the castle positively.

In particular, the new Nadan seemed to hate being alone and would stick close to the rabbits day and night.

One day, a clumsily written word on a notebook caught their eye.

The same word, over and over. Mama Rabbit told me it meant ‘lonely.’

Another day, they followed Nadan to the garden, and they was muttering to themself.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak?”

Who are you talking to?

‘…Was I talking to myself?’

Nadan was shocked by the baby rabbit’s question and covered their mouth.

‘I’m going to die of loneliness…’

The baby rabbit hopped after Nadan as they turned away, muttering incomprehensible words.

Recalling these actions of Nadan, the baby rabbit looked up at the tightly closed door.

Nadan had hardly left their room for almost two weeks since they came back covered in blood.

“Squeak.”

The baby rabbit hesitated for a moment before moving its short legs. It put strength into its hind legs and leaped towards the top of the tower.

It wasn’t easy—lately, it had gotten used to riding on Nadan’s shoulder, not hopping on its own. But it didn’t stop.

Because it didn’t want Nadan to be hurt by people anymore. But neither could it let her stay locked away, dying of loneliness.

Finally reaching the top floor, the dense Latulenta Forest came into view.

The baby rabbit sat down in the spot where Nadan usually spent all day.

“Squeak, squeak.”

This time, please, let someone appear who can see Nadan’s true worth.

The baby rabbit lifted its paws and wiggled its bottom, looking down at the forest through the telescope.

How long had it been watching? Before long, the golden sunset completely dyed the forest.

“Squeak…”

Growing bored, the baby rabbit rubbed its face with both paws. Then, a glimmer of golden hair came into view.

‘!’

The startled baby rabbit’s white fur quivered with excitement.

It was obscured by the trees, but it was a human. Head, torso, arms, legs, and even walking upright!

“Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak!”

* * *

“Ah, my back…”

I lifted my heavy body. My back ached so much, probably because I had been cooped up in one place for too long.

How long have I been like this for the beast’s body to ache?

‘The rabbits must be worried.’

I composed myself and tried to get up to leave the room, but I heard a trivial sound scratching at the door.

“Squeak! Squeak, squeak!”

The intensity was unusual, so I opened the door, and white lumps rolled in. Among them, the smallest and nimblest baby rabbit jumped up and down.

“Squeak, squeak, croon, Sqeeeek!”

It stood up straight, folded its ears, and walked on two feet, as if…

“…A person?”

Is it imitating a person right now?

As I tilted my head, the baby rabbit walked to my feet and grabbed my ankle.

“Squeak?”

I was speechless at the baby rabbit’s question of whether I was going to give up.

It would probably be the same this time. I would probably hear the word monster again, but I felt a stubbornness to try just one more time, just one more time.

‘Just one more time.’

This time, I was determined to have a conversation, no matter what it took, whether it was through threats or intimidation.

Because I was going to return to being human somehow.

“Baby bunny, do you know what?”

The baby rabbit stared at me with its sparkling, glass-like eyes. A star nestled in its black pupils caught my attention.

“Giving up is only for counting cabbages.”

“Sqeeeek!”

I chuckled as I watched the baby rabbit run away to its mother in a fright.

“Everyone, wait there!”

I ran to the highest tower to release the illusion magic on the castle.

Foolishly, my heart started to beat again.

* * *

The man was injured.

He looked fine at first glance, so I almost didn’t notice.

‘But what am I? But a beast!’

I could smell his blood spreading from afar with my sensitive sense of smell.

‘Being a beast is helpful in times like this.’

I quickly prepared bandages and medicine with the rabbits and placed them on the bed.

A meal that wouldn’t be burdensome for the patient, a heater to warm the air, potions and bandages for treating the wound.

I was anxious, wondering if there was anything more I could do.

Whether he knew of this fervent attention or not, the man calmly looked around the inside of the castle.

Each time the man turned his head, his brilliant blonde hair, which didn’t lose its light even in the darkness, illuminated the surroundings. The green eyes, which seemed to be the epitome of purity, also sparkled.

“Excuse me. Is anyone there?”

The man slowly opened his lips after confirming that no one was visible.

The sweet voice tickled my ears, and both ears fluttered involuntarily.

‘Yes, you’re excused. I would be grateful if you would excuse yourself here forever.’

Perhaps it was strange that no one answered, as the man didn’t move from the lobby.

‘I can’t just leave him like that.’

The baby rabbit moved its plump body and approached the man.

Then, the man widened his eyes in surprise and bent his knees. He gently stroked the baby rabbit’s back.

A combination of a holy face that seemed to heal the sick and save sinners, and a rabbit with shining white fur.

‘Perfect.’

As I was captivated by the fairytale-like scene, the man began to move to the guest room, guided by the baby rabbit.

In the room, on the fluffy bed, were clothes for him to change into, new bandages, and medicine.

Unable to enter the room, I watched the door from afar.

‘Did he like it? Did he think he should stay here for a while? Was it so perfect that he wanted to settle down?’

I perked up my ears.

I closed my eyes and blocked my vision, concentrating all my senses on hearing, and I heard the man chuckle softly.

‘…I succeeded!’

Although it wasn’t the first time this had happened, only to have me reveal myself and end up in the gutter.

“Ah.”

I immediately slapped myself on the cheek and changed my mind.

‘I’m going to make it different this time.’

Before long, the man, having tended to his wounds, entered the dining room, following the baby rabbit.

The white tablecloth was decorated with beautiful candlesticks and flowers even before the man entered.

In addition, there were luxurious dishes with gold trim and a variety of foods. It was a table setting that even I, who was secretly watching, could be satisfied with.

But contrary to my expectation that he would be pleased, the man stared silently at the scene before him.

Then, he slowly approached the table and picked up a single rose petal that had fallen on it.

The corners of the man’s lips curled up beautifully as he gazed at the blood-red petal,

“May I eat this?”

He was speaking… to me.