The Falsely Executed Marquis' Daughter Wants to Live Peacefully with Fluffy God

A Short Story, Laura’s Secret

Note/TL comment: When the gods are referring to a member or family, they’re referring to a human they appoint to become a member of their family. It’s not like an actual blood related or human family type family, if that makes sense.

After Rio and Marie had entered the gardening store, Leon decided to wait at the store entrance. He had pretended to be bothered with the smell of hardware, but there was something else that bothered him.

A person whom they had recently met was leaning against the wall on the corner of the street leading to the main road, watching them. She seemed to have understood Leon’s intentions.

It was Laura, the owner of Sandorion. She was gazing at him with interest when she suddenly smiled. 

“Long time no see, Forest God. I heard that you had become a recluse due to the miasma, but it seems you’ve been safely released.”

The red, glossy lips curved in an arc. She appeared very seductive, as if trying to bewitch her audience. Leon walked over to Laura.

“I thought it looked like you, but I didn’t expect it to really turn out to be you, Fire Goddess. I didn’t know that you were now living as a human.”

“If you don’t mind, call me Laura, okay?” 

Leon was flabbergasted that the Fire Goddess had a name.

“I can’t believe it. You’ve never appointed a human as a member of your family, have you? Wait, is it that Crown Prince kid?”

“Prince? You mean Prince Richard of this country? He’s indeed a powerful fire magic user, but he’s cocky and arrogant. I don’t like him.”

Laura had a blatant scowl on her face, making no secret of her disgust. Leon was inwardly relieved. If a god made the Crown Prince a member, it could pose a threat to Rio. He didn’t want to put her in danger. 

“Then, who did you appoint as your family member?”

“I don’t have a family member. I gave myself a name.”

The gods do not like giving themselves a name. Only those who they’ve made a member are allowed to call a god by a name of their choosing. 

“You’re crazy. Are you interested in the human world?” 

“You’ve been asking me a lot of questions. But, yes. Yes, I am. However, I’m more interested in clothing than people. The clothing and decorations made by humans are beautiful.”

Speaking of which, Leon suddenly remembered. Probably because the gods don’t have a fixed form, their clothing is pretty simple. They don’t care about their clothes or accessories. The Fire Goddess, however, is interested in beautiful things. She wore a bright red dress, imitating the clothing style of humans.

“I see that you’ve found a replacement for her… that young lady. She has the same soul spark as Marion.”

“She’s not a substitute! Rio is—” 

Laura was about to say something when Leon interrupted her, but she cut him off with her hand.

“I like her, too. If she had been a fire attribute, I would’ve made her my family member.”

“Even if she had fire magic, I wouldn’t hand Rio over to you!” 

Laura looked at Leon, who turned his head away and smiled, enjoying herself very much.

“You’re serious, huh. Well, then protect her well this time.” 

Then with a wave of her hand, Laura disappeared into the main street. 

“I will never let her go. I won’t let anyone take her away,” Leon murmured aloud to no one in particular. 

Rio and Marie came out of the store. It looks like they’ve finished their shopping as they wave toward Leon.

“This time, surely… My dear Rio,” he said, but his voice never reached her.