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Chapter 49

“As I wish?”

“W-whatever it is . ”

Escape was out of question already, so I no longer had anything I couldn’t say, nor to hesitate in saying .

“I just need to do whatever you want . Just please, let me go . ”

“A place you need to go so badly that you ask me this desperately . ”

One of Rashid’s eyes distorted, as if being folded .

I knew I was becoming more and more suspicious the more I talked, but we only needed one of us to be the one kid who looked around endlessly looking during their admissions ceremony for a mom that would not be coming .

That kind of wound wouldn’t be forgotten even when you became an adult . It would be too much for young Haniel to bear .

“Your Majesty, I have already told you . I have only come out to walk around the lake . ”

“… . you expect me to believe that?”

The Emperor’s red eyes swept over me once more, seemingly telling me that was not going to cut it .

The same persistent gaze as what I’d seen in the palace the other day .

But unlike that time, nobody was around to stop him .

Two people by themselves on a narrow forest road .

His gaze was both quiet and persistent, as if even if I was eaten alive he wouldn’t leave a single feather behind .

“I really mean it . I must go . ”

“……fine . ”

When I gasped for breath like I had been dangling off of him, the feather ornament on my head shook . Even this minute movement that was practically invisible made his set of pupils greatly narrow .

“Then there should be no reason you must go by yourself . ”

***

[Okaay, all new students please line up here!]

Quack quack .

Lady Melleo’s resolute shout resounded in the reed forest . The children, who had been with their parents, were pushed to the front one by one .

[Prin- I mean, Miss Reina! You need to go out there now . ]

[… . B-but . ]

[Hurry, you must go . Everyone else is going out there, so how can you stay back here?]

Afraid that she might lag behind, Selene spread her wings and urged Haniel along . Coming all the way here, too, she had looked around several times, her reason apparent .

[Madame will definitely come . She promised . ]

[Miz Bwack Swan not here . Miz is lost? . ]*

[There is no way Madame doesn’t know where this is . She dominates over this entire lake . ]

Princess, your mother is this district’s top dog, you know .

What a ridiculous thing to worry about, Selene seemed to say, and she pushed Haniel into the line of new students at long last .

You have to stay put, okay!

As soon as Selene waved her wings as if saying so and disappeared into the back, Haniel was once again distraught in fear .

[M-mommyy . ]

She knew her mommy wouldn’t be there even if she called, but that was still the only thing she could say .

[…Mommy!!]

“You have come again, I see . Let me think, did you say your name was Reina?”

Hiccup, her little chest jumped .

Lady Melleo, who had been passing through the new students, stopped her webbed feet in front of Haniel .

[Why do you not answer me? We’ve met before . Do you still not know who I am?]

[… . Teacher Me, Merong . ]

[It’s Principal Melleo . Call me that correctly . This is not your house, little lady . You won’t survive here behaving in the manner of a spoiled child . ]

[… . . ]

When Lady Melleo acted more strictly on purpose, even the children surrounding them stopped what they were doing .

What’s happening? What’s wrong?

As more whispers turned towards her increased, Haniel’s head turned all the way to the ground .

[… . So, sowwy . ]

[Not ‘sorry,’ say ‘I apologize . ’ These are basic greetings that are a must for a lady . Reina, from here on out, you… . . ]

[So you were here, Lady Melleo . ]

[Sir Darren . ]

Lady Melleo brightened at the sight of the white swan who gracefully interfered . The fact that a person as meticulous as her was being this welcoming was a testament to the swan being a very dignified and sophisticated figure .

[The parents of the new students are waiting . If I may, might I ask you to personally put them at ease?]