Alas...
As I listened to his story, I brushed my goosebumps with my palms.
The terrible reality that I didn't realize even in the flames of eons hit me on the head.
The royal family sent a message without any regret before the fire cooled down at Meridy Castle.
They said they would absorb Meridy's territory, as if they had been waiting for it.
I finally understand clearly.
The reason why they were able to steal and manipulate the Marquis de Meridy's Princess, which is so precious, at will.
Because someone dared to burn the entire Meridy of Fire.
The royal family was behind it.
The royal family that Meridy praised as if it were a symbol of the only remaining kingdom, and the royal family that has the only one of the spirit stones that have been handed down to the continent.
If you use Spirit Stone, you can make a big fire without a pyromancer.
In my previous life, de Haan always said that even the royal family couldn't protect Meridy, but that was a ridiculous fabrication.
'Did the royal family abandon Meridy...'
So no one looked for me and didn't remember me.
It was in the royal family's Interest to disappear...
Because the royal family coveted Meridy.
Caliph refuted Theodore's words.
"Maybe the royal family is testing us. If we take the Princess's neck with our own hands, they may divide the Meridy territory in half."
Caliph's words were so right that my little heart thumped.
Sneung.
I heard someone draw his long sword.
"Caliph Halias, the Princess is protected in the name of Halias. If you talk about cowardice, I won't forgive you, even if it's my brother."
It was Theodore.
Alseid scolded softly.
"Can't you both quit?"
Then he turned to the firstborn son and said coldly.
"Caliph, is Haliad weak enough to be covered in a child's blood and cooperate with the royal family?"
Theodore was also rebuked.
"Theodore, I will never forgive you for daring to raise your sword against your brother, who will become the lord of the family."
I heard Theodore thrust his sword back in.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry. I had a short thought, Father."
Alseid sighed deeply and spoke again.
"There were many reasons why Halias had always conformed to the ruling system of the Jantar dynasty. Some of them are still valid, and some are not, but there is no need to rebel against the royal family right away."
Does that mean that you will give my neck to the royal family?
'Should I run away now?'
I looked down at my tiny feet, wondering if I would be able to get out of this terrifying stone castle.
Fortunately, Theodore immediately protested.
"Please reconsider, Father!"
Alseid said coldly.
"There is no reason to hurt a Princess who is nothing but a pool of blood. It's easy to just meet the Princess by chance, reveal that we protected her, and take her to the royal family as it is. Then, until the Princess reaches adulthood, the royal family will appoint a representative to rule over Meridy."
Under the circumstances, Theodore did not doubt the royal family, so no one objected this time.
'No, no.'
If I return to the royal family, I will not be safe.
It is not clear whether the royal family knew that I survived the fire of my previous life.
It is clear that they wanted me to die and were glad that I was gone.
Unfortunately, Edipa did not die, and if he met Bachel, he would surely survive.
Among Bachel's spells, Oblivion is the most powerful, but healing is also a level that cannot be ignored.
If Edipa came back and stole me, the royal family would clap their hands and rejoice.
Then I'll go back to Lausanne...
My past life flashed ominously.
Caliph agreed with Alseid.
"Theodore's promise to take the Princess to the Meridy is also kept, so it's more convenient."
I clenched my fists at Caliph's cowardice.
Caliph was a strategist who guessed ten steps ahead.
If I go there, you'll surely guess that I'm going to die.
I clenched my little fist and finally knocked on the door. Knock.
There was a clear knock.
Alseid's cold voice came through the thick door.
"Didn't you all tell them to step down?"
That's why the hallway was so empty.
Instead of answering, I stretched out my arms and clung to the doorknob.
I finally turned the handle with my whole body weight. As I struggled to push the door in, the Halias' eyes widened equally. Theodore came to his senses and called my name.
"Liana..."
But instead of going to Theodore. I walked to Alseid. I looked up at the man who didn't bow his head out of consideration for me. Then I asked with all my heart.
"Don ananon me. (Don't abandon me.)"
***
How many people on this continent have seen Grand Duke Alseid Hallas panicked?
Alseid parted his lips with an agitated look in his eyes, then closed them again without saying a word.
No one replied, but I said it again.
"If you raise me, I'll definitely do it. (If you raise me. I'll definitely repay the favor.)
I don't know if they understood my words.
Theodore quietly approached me, knelt down, and made eye contact.
"Liana, aren't you scared?"
I nodded a couple of times.
Frightening.
I'm only three years old.
There is no Meridy flame yet.
Anyone in the royal family or de Haan could hurt me if they wanted to.
Now that my parents are dead, the only thing on this continent that can stand up to them is Halias.
Halias does not gain any special benefit from the destruction, and the only ones who are not involved in the fire are Halias.
'Halias are not my enemies. Rather, it's the only family that can protect me from my enemies.'
I felt sorry for the flame inside me that hadn't bloomed yet.
'If I had a flame, I'd ask Alseid to buy me, and if he didn't like it, I'd ask him to buy me my powers.'
Thinking about that, I quickly shook my head.
What if I become a puppet of Halias? Is there any guarantee that it will be better than the previous life?
Theodore cautiously stretched out his arms and embraced me.
Then he said to Alseid.
"I'll take her to her room first."
"No, it's just a matter of time... No, the ..."
I still had a lot to say, but Alseid nodded bluntly to his son.
"Do so."
***
On my way back to my guest room with Theodore in my arms, I met Dorian with a blank face.
"You were clearly asleep, but you disappeared after a short absence. I was surprised."
Theodore gave me a hug to Dorian with a slightly regretful face.
"She seemed to be very surprised and anxious. Please take a good look."
Dorian took me in and patted me on the back.
Theodore patted my head and soothed me.
"Liana, if you wake up, eat something. You didn't eat anything for dinner."
Dorian quickly agreed.
"Baby, the chef has made a cheese soufflé for the baby guests. Shall I ask Suzy to bring it to me?"
I wanted to beg Theodore not to send me to the royal family, but it is also true that I starved for food.
The baby's body is too weak to starve, and if I die again, I may be sent to the royal family without a chance to see Alseid again.
Nervous, I nodded reluctantly to Dorian.
"You're nice, baby."
Dorian's eyes were moist as she smiled brightly.
Suddenly, that was comforting.
At least the people of this castle mourn my misfortune.
No matter how useless or incompetent I am, I feel sorry for myself for losing my family and home all at once.
The more I do that, the more I want to stay in Halias, but what can I do to buy that icy heart of Alseid?
***
"Can't you sleep, baby?"
I ate a few spoonfuls of souffle and lay down again, but I could only hold back my tears and couldn't sleep.
I nodded, and Dorian smiled softly.
"If you don't stay up late, the monsters of the north wall will come and bite you."
I pouted my lips.
I know that Alseid protects it with an expensive protective spell on its north wall.
That's why everyone calls him the Guardian of the North Wall.
"But it would be suspicious if a three-year-old knew that."
Dorian lay down on the bed on a cold day and lured me with a friendly voice.
"I'll tell you a funny old story, Baby"
I turned my head to the other side.
'It's an old story!'
I am curious about the future, not the past.
But Dorian stood firm behind my back and began to talk.
"Once upon a time, there was a cheerful and beautiful Princess. Her hair was as red as fireworks..."
What the heck?
Are you making it up for me on purpose?
I was so sincere that I closed my eyes and listened to Dorian's voice.
"The Princess had magic. What magical powers! Then everyone became afraid of her. The Princess was lonely."
Isn't it too depressing to make up a story to put a baby to sleep?
The story went suspicious for a while.
"One day, a silver-haired knight appears in front of you."
A silver-haired knight?
"The knight was not afraid of the Princess. Because he has the best swordsmanship on the continent."
Ah, is the title of this story a long Live Halias?
I smiled a little inwardly at the nanny's loyalty to Halias.
"The wonderful knight saved the Princess from people's rudeness and jealousy. The Princess was no longer lonely. She has a friend."
This is a good thing about old stories.
It always has a happy ending.
I don't know about friends I haven't had before.
I thought of my mom the whole time I listened to Dorian's small story.
I imagined my mother's red hair and flushed cheeks, which I don't remember well.
As in the story, I wished my mom happy.
The nanny's voice became quieter and quieter.
For a nanny who is skilled in raising three great sons of Halias, a three-year-old Princess must have been so easy.
I think I was praying while thinking about my mom, but at some point, I fell asleep again.
***
I listened intently to the sound of the door opening.
I kept my eyes closed because I thought it was Dorian who came in.
But I felt it when someone came into the room and sat down on a chair by the bedside.
"It's not Dorian."
I don't know who he is, but he moves much quieter than Dorian.
My eyes were hot, but I didn't feel anything like flesh.
'Could it be Theodore?'
Was he worried about me and came late?
Then I thought I'd open my eyes and borrow it.
'Let's try to convince him that I shouldn't go to the royal family.'
As I was thinking about it, a rough hand came over me and brushed my hair on my forehead.
I managed to hold back my almost flinching in surprise, and after a while, I heard a small voice.
"I'm sorry, Cecilia."
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