所謂的幸福,到底是什麼呢?52Please respect copyright.PENANAsiHFbpGm4k
52Please respect copyright.PENANA6aZNL1mwS2
克萊爾搖動腦裡的紡車,嗡嗡作響,牽出一條思緒的紗線。52Please respect copyright.PENANAPsRb5URST0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAflURTrNYGO
是在充滿愛與關懷的環境下長大?或是擁有一輩子享不盡的財富?52Please respect copyright.PENANAckgOzj2PGt
52Please respect copyright.PENANArba22MRwMn
希冀的棉線縫製成通往幸福的棉布,綻放溫暖而耀眼的光芒。52Please respect copyright.PENANA7pLLYHsgwL
52Please respect copyright.PENANAvYzGwMogwV
然而,蠻不講理的疾病就像一把銳利的裁縫刀,輕易而殘酷地剪斷了布,使她從安穩的幸福之路上墜落。52Please respect copyright.PENANAnX6KQoeN2o
52Please respect copyright.PENANARqUhfNrQ1t
不。也許這只是一場虛幻而可笑的夢,畢竟下半身的肌肉從不依照自己的意志行動。52Please respect copyright.PENANAvDhkM2jj1w
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaPGrxQwg6C
童話故事裡的公主王子在結局過上了幸福快樂的生活。一同步入婚姻的殿堂,在眾目睽睽下互相宣誓不論生老病死,終生相伴。52Please respect copyright.PENANAQw5Mxa1n76
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3jUIlaow79
克萊爾深知這只是說給孩子們,如蜜糖般溫馨甜蜜的床邊故事。讓他們對美好的未來有所期待,滿懷希望;即便是已經成年的她,冰山一角的渴望偶會浮上心頭。52Please respect copyright.PENANAB3yJzeCsob
52Please respect copyright.PENANARlnHMHpi0r
那麼……我的幸福又在何處呢?52Please respect copyright.PENANALDhCONsSBN
52Please respect copyright.PENANAk8FmV9oYO6
沒了線,紡車也停止了轉動。52Please respect copyright.PENANAGlilFJOb3R
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52Please respect copyright.PENANAx1DD2ThuYx
克萊爾與貼身女僕烏里搬來這座小鎮想來也有三個月了。雖然尚未完全習慣這裡與原生家庭截然不同的、慢悠悠的生活。但,或許正是因為浸在寧靜祥和的環境之下,才得以讓克萊爾放鬆身心,使病情漸漸好轉。52Please respect copyright.PENANA0wGVqOAStQ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAn6vVJEykki
「在這裡,妳可以自由地做自己想做的事。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAbecMnZyTe4
52Please respect copyright.PENANA8ydqybb6FA
這是“丈夫”哈格多恩在克萊爾第一天來到宅邸時,親口對她說的話。52Please respect copyright.PENANAkOhzuvWcfS
52Please respect copyright.PENANAn2K1hqIJ9r
由於當時哈格多恩戴著黑漆漆的鳥型面具,所以克萊爾無法瞧見藏在面具後的表情,語氣也平淡如靜水,實在揣摩不出她的真意。52Please respect copyright.PENANAjfXWsuRuVA
52Please respect copyright.PENANAIy0s1at0kr
想做的事啊……克萊爾把這句話彷彿切下一小塊肉般,送入口中細嚼。52Please respect copyright.PENANADiumGmSdnm
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJKCQJP4XTI
光是別成為家裡的負擔已然卯足了全力,豈能奢望從中找出閒暇的一隅去做那些僅存在想像之中的事,簡直是一場空談。52Please respect copyright.PENANAtRUEfRWcVm
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlhjH5WYNwG
不如說……早就忘了曾經最想要的是什麼了。52Please respect copyright.PENANAFNq9mWQOsu
52Please respect copyright.PENANAYUhzA7HWQc
克萊爾將嘴裡早已咬得老爛的食物硬生生吞下食道,可口腔內似乎殘留了一股不可忽視的味道。52Please respect copyright.PENANA9CztexF5jv
52Please respect copyright.PENANAHqxnqS7kaI
哈格多恩為什麼會說那句話呢?她對我的事情了解多少?明明我們在這之前從未見過……52Please respect copyright.PENANA01yXzS2TpI
52Please respect copyright.PENANAxlTvV0dCXF
再者,她為何要偽裝成男人答應這門婚事呢?52Please respect copyright.PENANAep4r56v8ca
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZz9tqUH3UM
於是乎,她將散落一地的,疑問的碎布蒐集起來置於心底的皮箱,提著它,敲定了下一步的行程。52Please respect copyright.PENANAnudNTM3G0L
52Please respect copyright.PENANABfYseQpx2a
也是第一件想做的事情──解開疑惑。52Please respect copyright.PENANACj8Qjr0HmY
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□52Please respect copyright.PENANAseG5KwAHGW
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今天早上,烏里一如往常地提前準備好和克萊爾小姐一同到鎮上的河畔散步時所需的物品。52Please respect copyright.PENANA380RLUQsT1
52Please respect copyright.PENANArYnTmrv5Ep
腳步聲敲響期待的節拍踏上樓梯,途中對著貼在深棕牆面上的圓形鏡子稍稍撥正紊亂的瀏海,心滿意足後來到克萊爾的房門前輕敲兩聲。52Please respect copyright.PENANAY1u3oQ3Rpa
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3aiokLTALb
「烏里抱歉……今天我已經請哈格多恩陪我外出走走了。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAa7H78BMJ0x
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKgnL3KzSW6
克萊爾向鏡子裡的藍短髮少女微微低頭致歉。恰好抬起頭時,瞥見烏里替自己綁辮子的那雙手忽地一怔,之後又熟練地整理起髮絲。52Please respect copyright.PENANAyyN1xlKfbq
52Please respect copyright.PENANAOFJQ7cgMAr
「小姐並沒有做錯任何事,不需要道歉。」烏里將梳子擺回梳妝台上,努力壓抑油然而生的失落說道:「不過……出門前我會提醒哈格多恩醫生一些事情。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAL5wQzdNyvu
52Please respect copyright.PENANAmhRorpHWNa
結果就是──烏里在叨絮了整整三十分鐘後,才肯放心讓夫妻二人走出大門。52Please respect copyright.PENANAQirziciFfs
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsdRL9W382r
內容主要圍繞在照顧克萊爾小姐的注意事項,以及一些別讓小姐著涼了否則今晚沒飯吃的威脅字句;而哈格多恩僅僅是一邊點點頭,一邊舉起隨身筆記本,像警察調查案件時,深怕漏聽了重要線索般不斷抄寫。52Please respect copyright.PENANAhq8w3zZKUc
52Please respect copyright.PENANAN65BvAFQvq
她們以後一定能相處得很好。耐心候在宅邸門口的克萊爾如此想著。52Please respect copyright.PENANA4EUn1ytkg1
52Please respect copyright.PENANAb0TQlmzs6a
秋天造訪了小鎮。早晨的陽光照耀大地,爽朗的秋風將熱意一併掃去,撥下樹梢的金葉,讓小鎮搖身一變,瞬間變成了閃閃發亮的黃金森林。52Please respect copyright.PENANAL1y8ZJYdYC
52Please respect copyright.PENANA6wNmznhIyf
兩人一邊漫步在由金黃色落葉鋪成的金色大道,一邊欣賞小鎮的景色──一字排開的,橘黃色的尖頂小屋、哼著小曲,踩著單車的送報男孩、朝五顏六色的鮮花灑上水珠的花坊老闆,以及坐在面向河川的長椅上,相互有說有笑的居民們。52Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2AVrR1k6G
52Please respect copyright.PENANAM9gX0K0uP3
對於出生在市中心的克萊爾而言,一幕幕皆是令人觸目驚心。這代表她不必被充當鬧鐘的工廠機器聲擾人清夢,也無需面對家人夾雜在言語間,揮之不去的冷嘲熱諷。52Please respect copyright.PENANAmYyUzNIrSk
52Please respect copyright.PENANA6bD7EdEESb
這裡的一切,就像童話一樣……克萊爾在心中驚呼。52Please respect copyright.PENANAShwTYgVNpT
52Please respect copyright.PENANATX5Hy84fw8
哈格多恩雙手緊握輪椅把手,像推著滿載美酒的推車般小心翼翼地推著克萊爾前進。時不時也會停下動作,替克萊爾拿下飄落在頭頂和衣服上的落葉。52Please respect copyright.PENANAiE8CNTxh01
52Please respect copyright.PENANAfGefwQWNXg
一來一往經過她們的路人,有些會被哈格多恩的面具嚇得加快步伐,匆匆掠過;而有些則會壓下帽沿,稍稍垂頭,向哈格多恩致禮。52Please respect copyright.PENANAgEut7vcu6Z
52Please respect copyright.PENANAukJdrh9Tyo
但凡是哪一種人,哈格多恩都會以微微頜首的方式回應,克萊爾也會跟著勾起得體的弧度,微笑面對。52Please respect copyright.PENANAxPib1BhX5c
52Please respect copyright.PENANANx4xn9QXdR
「看來哈格多恩在鎮上很有名呢。」一是出於敬佩,二是突然萌生了調侃的念頭,克萊爾輕笑道。52Please respect copyright.PENANA9y1Okobgez
52Please respect copyright.PENANA86QaJDUcQd
身後的黑面醫生聽聞後雙肩輕輕一顫,像是撞了壁的小鳥,慌亂而無助。罩著面具的頭左搖右晃,不知該如何接下克萊爾丟給他這顆戲弄的小球。52Please respect copyright.PENANADdqYuweLDr
52Please respect copyright.PENANAq3Zo71yofv
「啊……這、這是因為……」哈格多恩努力將破碎的字句重新縫合在一塊,「大部分是……經由我醫治後康復的病患……啊……還、還有些是他們的家人……」52Please respect copyright.PENANArN3SleGMJL
52Please respect copyright.PENANAT3M9wCtlGL
「不愧是當醫生的人,記憶力特別好呢。」提到家人二字的時候,克萊爾的耳朵不免抽動了下,心湖也蕩漾出不安的漣漪。52Please respect copyright.PENANACqhHJdVuvB
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMltpLGkRNo
不對,現在還有更重要的事情要做。克萊爾深吸一口,緩緩吐出,緊接著問道:「對了,有件事我一直想問──」52Please respect copyright.PENANAPohP8nGb3U
52Please respect copyright.PENANANixuqKHWj2
「唷,這不是哈格醫生嘛。」渾厚而沙啞的驚訝聲朝夫妻檔傳來,兩人順著聲音方向看去。52Please respect copyright.PENANAnzMZetK01M
52Please respect copyright.PENANAEIpAJ2V5t6
「啊……奧利弗院長……」哈格多恩慢慢停止了前行。脫下頭頂的黑色禮帽,收起腹部,朝坐在長椅上的長者深深鞠了躬。52Please respect copyright.PENANA8kBa1dgdhq
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMPCgeE7ydb
「唉呦,老早就和妳說過,對我不用這麼畢恭畢敬。」奧利弗舉起支在拐杖上的手揮了揮,「哦?想必這位就是大家很期待見到的人了吧。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAjzGvlrwM1e
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQMhRRbQON0
克萊爾屈起上身,向院長致意。不禁思忖起他口中「很期待」的意思。「奧利弗院長您好,我是克萊爾,哈格多恩醫生的妻子。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7XXf9YtGg
52Please respect copyright.PENANAWu6giIcAOp
院長樂呵呵地捏起上揚的白色小鬍子尾端,一邊說著「哈格醫生妳還真厲害啊」「迎回了個美人當妻子可真幸福」52Please respect copyright.PENANADLBu1Iv41B
52Please respect copyright.PENANAHMtleAwJHG
「話說回來……院長怎麼在這……?」哈格多恩將輪椅靠向長椅的扶手旁,拍下肩膀快堆成塔的落葉。52Please respect copyright.PENANA8vrbuCRJg6
52Please respect copyright.PENANAStJ1FS9viX
「這個啊,原本是想到花坊去買要送妻子的花,」院長拍了拍消瘦的大腿,無奈地搖搖頭,「妳也知道這把年紀腿不好使了啊,所以坐在這休息一下。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAqI4s1PD0MG
52Please respect copyright.PENANAmhoj0eMAzo
克萊爾瞧著院長略為苦澀的、蒼老的臉龐想了想,正打算開口向哈格多恩求助時,她便立即提出自己願意幫院長去取回來,也拜託院長暫時照看一下自己的妻子。52Please respect copyright.PENANAYRHCocLCbC
52Please respect copyright.PENANACtCJism0N4
院長從外套口袋抽出一張摺成小方形的白紙,叮囑哈格多恩請務必要找到紙上寫的花,因為這是他妻子生前所鍾愛的。52Please respect copyright.PENANAyE9HvBspJ8
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlXNOCoa7ik
就這樣,兩人交談了一會兒。哈格多恩謹慎地把紙條摺回原樣,收進大衣口袋。臨行前,她撫上輪椅扶手,抬頭對上克萊爾的眼睛,說自己很快就會回來。52Please respect copyright.PENANA2uskaKDFP2
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQjgG3LnwEP
「再來,就是我們倆說悄悄話的時候了呢。」院長稍稍偏頭,彎起圓渾的綠瞳笑問:「哈格醫生應該沒有造成妳的困擾吧?」52Please respect copyright.PENANAe0iGcCau1D
52Please respect copyright.PENANACI870sAcvz
「怎麼會呢,倒是我這樣的身體……才是麻煩到她。」克萊爾不自覺地揪緊雙手。心裡貌似有什麼東西重重落下,撞擊心壁的反彈力度很大,迴響恍如雷鳴。「我想,她應該也覺得很為難吧……」52Please respect copyright.PENANARGWaBpvicP
52Please respect copyright.PENANA05VAl2a2kM
院長見狀,收回原本想打趣的心情,轉頭遙望波光粼粼的河面。「哈格醫生她啊,在妳來之前可是從來不走這裡的哦。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAt54Y41MhiN
52Please respect copyright.PENANAq2zuwKr4uy
「欸?」克萊爾打從心底地驚呼,這條的確不是她和烏里常常散步的路。52Please respect copyright.PENANAd91kMrBRuP
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtr19HDSxWT
「所以,今天能在這裡看到她我很欣慰。」院長拿下頭上黑色圓頂帽,擱置在長椅上,仍由承載秋意的徐風劃過白髮。52Please respect copyright.PENANAWMJAl7Enlb
52Please respect copyright.PENANAH6bYCBF1yj
「這裡是她小時候和她母親最喜歡的地方。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAwRhIgf4j8R
「令人惋惜的是,她的母親已經病逝了。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAhMDdmZpKgf
「所以她不再來了。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAWVCqdAABtD
52Please respect copyright.PENANAWZSZ27v6nq
克萊爾靜靜地聽著院長述說哈格多恩和她母親的往事。52Please respect copyright.PENANAKy9sg3Gxyk
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsQMXBlnQiJ
腦內想像出一對母女手拉手,一大一小走在由楓樹搭成的隧道。小孩撿起地上一片神似火蝴蝶的楓葉,興奮地展現給緊握她的小手的親人,共享發現新事物的喜樂。52Please respect copyright.PENANACjqFaDuktL
52Please respect copyright.PENANAxBgdRwiy52
院長撫平了如蘆葦的白髮,將帽子蓋回原位。「多虧有妳的幫忙啊,克萊爾小姐。」52Please respect copyright.PENANASbWGjvMoEO
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlG2bFUzDVG
「哦真是失禮,應該稱呼妳為圖爾夫人才對。」院長又拾起了捉弄的笑靨。52Please respect copyright.PENANA1moXRsrbY6
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMwzrnyh8sy
「我,明明才是受到協助的那一方……」克萊爾垂下眼眸,用拇指指腹搓揉著手背,臉上凝固著近乎悲哀的笑容。52Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3weVlp3z9
52Please respect copyright.PENANAX6hzWDWWus
「啊,回來啦。」院長挺起瘦弱的身軀,朝遠方的人揮了揮手──哈格多恩捧著紫色的花束迎面走來。52Please respect copyright.PENANAPW4HfBFhUK
52Please respect copyright.PENANAyFq1xIMEJV
「人啊,是可以為了某件事、某個人做出改變的。」院長拄起拐杖、立起身子。52Please respect copyright.PENANAjQOV2L2WoI
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhlrEheMIsc
「現在開始嘗試去了解她也不遲哦,就當作是對她的回報。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAMRnlwtIDH1
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和院長告別後,兩人沿著步道繼續前進。52Please respect copyright.PENANAqdn6uHI7NH
52Please respect copyright.PENANAYk5S5CDOUq
「那個……院長……應該沒說什麼奇怪的話吧……?」率先打破沉默的是哈格多恩。52Please respect copyright.PENANAhk1EiU2GGQ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9sLKzlVnS
「沒有喔。」她撒了謊。52Please respect copyright.PENANASfEmTaQ5Dc
52Please respect copyright.PENANArmkyFKzmIB
院長的話,就像海上的海鷗,不停地在克萊爾的腦海裡盤旋。52Please respect copyright.PENANAHuDxrgZfFi
52Please respect copyright.PENANAkUzelKP2Wx
「吶,哈格多恩。」克萊爾再度握緊了手,鼓起勇氣地向背後的,謠言只會帶來死亡的醫生問道。52Please respect copyright.PENANAPbbsAvqlVh
52Please respect copyright.PENANApYnMk93RQL
「為什麼妳要偽裝成男人呢?」52Please respect copyright.PENANAnxm4xzFith
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQvV0QnsKk1
咔的一聲,聽見了枯葉被壓碎的聲音,以及哈格多恩從齒縫間流出來的,細微的「啊」。52Please respect copyright.PENANAIBgA4HmKlP
52Please respect copyright.PENANAV4lqBKyaMl
「您很不擅長欺騙呢。」克萊爾憶起剛來小鎮沒多久,就戳破了許多關於哈格多恩的謠言。52Please respect copyright.PENANAYmLmaOg9eV
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtkz24vYiyI
做著殘忍無比的人體實驗、會在深夜的街道抓走不聽話的小孩、只要看見她就會有不幸的事情發生,甚至被喻為是無情的怪物……52Please respect copyright.PENANASISmjp9zyU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKVP1NyheKr
說到底,放任著這些流言蜚語流進人們耳裡的人,才是真正的怪物吧。52Please respect copyright.PENANAAzXGRHMr9Q
52Please respect copyright.PENANAPg1ipKljjQ
「……妳知道了啊。」哈格多恩再度停下了腳步。52Please respect copyright.PENANABHwFaJja3y
52Please respect copyright.PENANA5k7oOqIbhD
「嗯。但我沒有和烏里說。」克萊爾如實以告。「我們明明素面未謀,但您卻待我如珍寶,如此地重視我。」52Please respect copyright.PENANA9gk3WMQnYS
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「我想要知道……為什麼?」52Please respect copyright.PENANAlCRCp4eYAM
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彼此靜默了半晌。52Please respect copyright.PENANA6U9NoGBNK8
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原本涼爽的空氣逐漸凍結成牆,正緩緩升起,立於兩人之間。寒氣向外擴散,爬上克萊爾的皮膚,滲入骨髓。52Please respect copyright.PENANAkLrvfkGLiJ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKsNbQOpLNy
「我……在父親那裡聽說了妳的事情……」低沉而平淡的聲音彷彿冰槌,正在一點一點地鑿開眼前的冰牆。52Please respect copyright.PENANAQuqvyET6KJ
52Please respect copyright.PENANA9ukYRQioXI
「一個具備天賦和努力的裁縫師,卻因為病症和家族的緣故,再也不能隨心所欲地做自己喜愛的事情……」52Please respect copyright.PENANAsMQu7uLXDK
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「真是不幸的人呢……」52Please respect copyright.PENANA2b5ubtRBUk
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「……」克萊爾無言以對。因為,事到如今,提起這些也於事無補。52Please respect copyright.PENANAzcr9lZBFIi
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打從出生之後,我就知道了自己的命運。52Please respect copyright.PENANAOrndJslHeg
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幸運之神根本就不存在。52Please respect copyright.PENANACaXIKwsVuK
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至少……在我的眼前,祂是不會現身,施捨恩惠給我的。52Please respect copyright.PENANA8h3uCU1mE9
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「但是……我的母親曾經告訴過我,有一天我會找到和我一樣不幸的人,共赴幸福。」哈格多恩繞過克萊爾,來到她的面前,「所以,我一邊努力醫治人們,一邊不斷尋找。」52Please respect copyright.PENANApXuhu2YvFw
52Please respect copyright.PENANAV112FA0dGc
鳥面醫生摘下了她賴以為生,被譏諷是厄運的面具。然而藉由這次,克萊爾總算能看清她的臉了。52Please respect copyright.PENANATdLfR1cavM
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「也許……我只是想證明母親的話是對的。」哈格多恩亮出左半邊,曾經大火被燒灼的疤痕,淡淡地說道。52Please respect copyright.PENANAQC5JRTUzD5
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「不幸的人也能得到幸福。」52Please respect copyright.PENANAAeYP6Ozuzx
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倒映在克萊爾曈中的是──與自己眼睛相似的,一束盛開的桔梗花。52Please respect copyright.PENANAqx3CHy8v8k
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「所以……妳願意和我一起找到幸福嗎?」52Please respect copyright.PENANAScObofjpgF
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被人換上新的棉線,紡車也能繼續轉動了。52Please respect copyright.PENANA2kz6vz1XqH