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Chapter 55

While I was leaning against a firm shoulder, going on and on, the great gods finally informed me of two different realities .

“… Your Ladyship . ”

First, they reminded me of who I was clutching onto with my two hands .

「…My . 」

Second, only I could hear Haniel speaking .

“Achoo!”

Those were not the only two things I realized . After hearing the sneeze I let out, I realized that I was currently in a lake during the winter, and I had jumped into its ice-cold waters .

“Come… Come here . ”

With a shaking hand, I took in Haniel, who was with Rashid . I didn’t have the courage to look into his eyes, but judging by how he had kept me alive so far, it seemed I still had another day to live .

If he really wanted to kill me, he would’ve grabbed me by the head and submerged me in the water right there .

“…”

Maybe he shouldn’t have followed me in the first place .

“Th-thank you . ”

“…”

As expected, there was no answer, but I found that more reassuring . Although I had no idea what I was saying at that moment, whether I live or not was not as important as Haniel’s current state .

“…Mo…mmy… E…Elder brother… he…”

“I know . ”

You don’t have to look . It’s not something you have to look at .

I wrapped Haniel with my drenched shawl, quickly loosening it from my shoulders .

Judging by how she was merely blinking her eyes like a broken doll, the kid must’ve been shocked greatly .

With the wet mud unable to be shaken off, and Haniel starting to convulse, I grew impatient . I needed to return and wash her with warm water as soon as possible .

「…Madam! What should we do? What happened to the Young Lady? 」

「Your Ladyship! 」

Starting with Selene, all the birds in the lake started making a fuss, surrounding us .

Even Lady Melleo waddled over . She absentmindedly gazed at Rashid, it seemed she had figured out who Rashid was .

「Oh… Oh my! To think that we would meet here! I must greet the Emperor who has been given the prestigious protection of the sun god…”」

“Hu, what kind of birds are these!”

「Keuheuk! 」

After seeing Lady Melleo, who had fallen down backwards, my heart felt half-solemn . Although he didn’t put much force into it, just being kicked by this man was a lethal weapon .

What should I do?

I couldn’t lift up Lady Melleo, who was sprawled on the ground, instead, I could only keep swallowing back my faltering breath .

“Jumping into the water just for one little bird, are you insane?”

“…”

While holding Haniel, I could hear his fierce scolding above my head . I was still struggling to catch my breath .

“… What do you mean ‘just for one little bird’…”

It’s your little sister!

There was a lump in my throat .

They say that once a person is driven into a corner, they’re unable to see anything . I too was like that .

Wow . I was barely keeping it together .

My body, which was already tired from the excitement and worrying, shivered as the wind hit it .

“In Your Majesty’s eyes it may just be a little bird, but to me, it’s the only family I have left! It’s a family member that’s even more important than my life! Heugh . ”

“… So you think you did well because of that?”

“What am I supposed to do when my child’s drowning in front of me? Heugh . If you have to hesitate over this kind of stuff, it’s like you guys aren’t family . Heugh . ”

“…”

“Heugh… You don’t even know a-anything…”

As soon as I said those words, my rationality started to return to me .

I didn’t want to say those last words, but seeing that with his personality, he had no remarks, there was a chance he might’ve not understood .

Seeing Lady Melleo, who was rolling on the ground with all of her dignity lost, every single drop of rationality returned to me .

Before I become like her, I better come back .

“Ah…”

However, things did not go my way .

Two thick somethings were placed on my quietly retreating shoulders . They were almost like shackles, yet they were shining brightly at the same time .

As I slowly turned, the appearance of a brightly shining brooch with the Imperial family’s symbol filled my view .