MCFATTKM

168

They finally returned to the castle. Kalix was still carrying Lelia on his back.

Lelia didn't like that she was clinging to Kalix, but she had no way to get down on her own, and she had no shoes either... so she had no choice.

After they arrived at the castle, she went straight to visit her mother and grandfather. A few days ago, she had revealed to her family all of the atrocities the emperor had committed. It's not that she didn't consider the impact her grandfather would have... but she couldn't help it.

If she wanted to protect her mother from Emperor Perseus, her grandfather had to know this too.

That way, she would be able to prevent it from happening again.

Apart from everything else, she thought that everyone had the right to know. Because she was precious to all of them just as her mother was, to others, their precious family.

Her grandfather was greatly shocked and was furious, but he soon regained his composure.

He gave instructions to strictly guard the border of the estate and even assigned an escort knight to her mother.

"Grandfather."

"Oh, you're here."

"How is mother?"

"She seems very fine," he said.

"That's good to know."

"Yeah, you? How are you?"

"I'm okay... grandfather... ."

"You don't think about yourself and always worry about others."

Grandfather stroked Lelia's cheek as if scolding her.

He knew that she was still the little Lelia in his eyes, and she was still a small and delicate child. He wondered when the child had grown so much...

Nevertheless, in his eyes, his granddaughter was a baby. He felt sorry for Lelia, who was pretending to be mature to cover her wounds.

"Now don't worry. Okay?"

"... Yes, Grandpa."

"Don't even say you're going to the neutral zone."

"Yes... sorry."

Lelia pulled her grandfather in her arms for a hug and smiled at him. No matter how hard she tried, she eventually felt like a child in front of her grandfather.

She bowed her head as if she was about to cry.

"No! Father, did you make Lelia cry again?"

At that moment, an angry voice separated the two of them.

Karius came thumping and pulled away Lelia from the Duke of Superion.

"Anyway, my father...! Stop crying, little child!"

"But this child... Have I ever made Lelia cry? You would have! You!"

His grandfather was angry at her childhood memories, but his uncle ignored him.

"You're so toxic. Isn't it?"

Karius asked Lelia's consent with a sullen expression. Seeing this, the Duke of Superion roared with anger.

"Lelia, let's go. Let your uncle buy you candy. Okay?"

"This old man!"

Her grandfather eventually waved his hand and Lelia burst out laughing before her tears could come out.

***

The atmosphere in the Imperial city was gloomy.

The emperor, who had left for recuperation to recover his health, returned crippled.