Tamed or Captured

s?”

“A dagger.
Take it out.”

Asha politely took the dagger in both hands. 

The steel-colored scabbard was engraved with a horse’s head, and its eyes were studded with sapphire gems. 

Her eyes grew bigger.

“This…..
looks like a very expensive and precious dagger, can I have it?”

“Yes.
It’s very expensive and precious.
It’s a keepsake from my parents.”

At those words, Asha’s eyes widened even more, and she quickly returned the dagger and spoke firmly.

“I cannot accept something so precious.
Take it back.”

“Take it.
I have many daggers.”

“But this is valuable!”

“It’s not very valuable.
I was going to throw it away.
It was always a headache figuring out what to do with it.”

Then Asha asked foolishly.

“Why? If it were me, if my parents gave it to me, I would cherish it…….”

“Because it’s not a gift, it’s a heavy-duty.”

“Duty?”

Jackal meant a ‘duty to protect the clan’, but he just shook his head.

“……There’s something like that.
To me, this dagger made my heart ache just by looking at it.
But it’s light and well-bladed, so it’ll be convenient for you to use.
Take it as a reward for your training.
You deserve it, you worked hard.”

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Asha gulped and drew the dagger from its sheath. 

The beautiful silver dagger was quite shiny enough that she could even see the pores on her face. 

Asha gasped and Jackal just glanced at her.

“You can use it as a mirror then.”

His joke made Asha laugh again.

In her past life, she couldn’t remember the last time she laughed, but ever since she’s been here, she’s been laughing a lot, even at small things.

Jackal’s expression softened.
He seemed brighter than when she first joined the organization. 

But it was then.

“…… Oh? But why is Sheppy’s name engraved on the scabbard?”

His carelessness startled him.

But Asha didn’t notice.
She was busy feeling the scabbard with her fingertips.

“I like it a lot.
It looks like Sheppy.”

For some reason, she felt that Sheppy would protect her anytime, anywhere if she carried this dagger on her body. 

Asha was moved.

“Thank you very much.
I’ll take good care of it.”

“Well, let’s go back.”

Asha, feeling cold after walking away from the campfire for a while, rubbed her hands together. 

But then Jackal immediately grabbed her hand and strode forward. 

Asha’s cheeks flushed slightly as she felt his thick, warm hands gently wrap around hers.

Back near the campfire, a drunken Sosa was engrossed in playing the flute.

“There it goes again.
That old man.”

The members shook their heads as if they couldn’t stop him, but despite their reaction, Sosa closed his eyes and played the flute with enthusiasm and sadness. 

However, his good skills surprised Asha.

“Sosa, you can play the flute?”

“That’s right.
He only plays the flute when he’s drunk.”

“That’s an unusual drinking habit.”

Asha laughed and listened to the clear and beautiful tone of the flute. 

It was a lyrical song that suited the scenery of a rustic village with a campfire under the starry night sky. 

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However, the members furiously shouted.
They didn’t like the song.

“Shut up!”

“You have ruined the fun!”

Sosa opened his eyes and muttered.

“What a bunch of idiots who don’t even know art…….”

“What? What did you just say?”

Sosa closed his eyes again and played a cheerful song as if nothing had happened. 

Now everyone was happy because of the joyous song and they toasted again.

Then, they quickly brought a variety of instruments and joined in the performance. 

Stringed instruments such as mandolins and ukuleles appeared, as well as percussion instruments made by weaving barrels, and the music became richer.

Among the men who were singing vigorously as if they were angry, Asha was also so excited that she moved her shoulders to the beat. 

She was so cute that she made Jackal laugh.

But then, Aisha, who was slightly drunk, suddenly walked towards the center.

As everyone stared in amazement, Asha smiled and bowed gracefully with one hand raised.

“Everyone.
Let me cheer you up.”

“Wow!”

They raised their glasses in excitement.

“Sosa! Play a more exciting song, come on!”

Sosa played a bright and lively song with more force.

When Asha started dancing to the beat, everyone was startled and cheered even more. 

In fact, Asha learned several types of dance while in the palace, and she had a talent for dancing like a butterfly. 

Coupled with the power of the wind, when she dances, she moves like a gracefully fluttering butterfly.

Everyone clapped passionately to the beat. 

When Asha turned around and saw her hair fluttering like gold dust, their mouth dropped so wide that they wouldn’t even notice if flies got in.

Thanks to her, the mood was on fire. 

Jackal’s eyes widened at her unexpected appearance.
He just stared blankly at her.