episode_0006

Where did it go wrong?

I didn’t mean for things to turn out like this. I just wanted to help the poor guy who was causing trouble.

Ah, here it comes again. Unavoidable violence.

The sword extends so straight that it’s strange. It flies without any shaking. It’s a slow sword, visible to the eye, yet somehow unavoidable.

Whoa!!!

“Isn’t this really strange?”

“Kidney, be confident like me. Today, young ones, enter with the intention of impressing them all!”

“David, it’s not that. Kidney, I guarantee you. At least half of those inside won’t be able to ignore you.”

I was invited to the 13th birthday party of Frill Young Ae that I mentioned last time, and I made my debut in the social circle. Maybe it’s because I’m wearing a suit instead of my usual training clothes, but it feels awkward.

“Ugh. Let’s go in, David, Selina.”

“Yes! Let’s make a good impression today!”

“Sigh.. Asking for an engagement partner after leaving me like that… Oh, my head…”

“Selina, do you really need to find an engagement partner?”

“Hmph. I’ll handle it myself, so stop worrying and get yourself ready first.”

“Okay..”

I shouldn’t have brought up the engagement talk; now it’s become awkward.

Crunch!

“Lord David Youngsik Protérin and Lady Selina Young Ae, accompanied by Lord Kidney Youngsik of House Aster, please enter.”

“I’ve seen David Youngsik and Selina Young Ae a few times, but it’s my first time seeing Kidney Youngsik.”

“That’s right, it seems like a good decision to attend since we’re seeing your face for the first time.”

After entering, the somewhat noisy atmosphere suddenly quieted down. Soon, conversations about us became loud.

“Is Kidney popular?”

“He’s a new face, so people are interested. It’ll probably return to the original topic soon, right?”

“It doesn’t seem like it will…”

“Anyway! When entering, the first thing is to greet the host of the party. Let’s go say hello to Frill Young Ae.”

“Okay.”

“We should leave a good impression. It would be awkward if she fell for me.”

“David, as long as Frill Young Ae isn’t showing signs of confusion, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“You!”

“Hello, Frill Young Ae.”

“Hello! Nice to see you after a long time!”

“It’s been a while for both of you. And who is the person next to you?”

“Nice to meet you, Frill Young Ae. This is Kidney, a writer from House Aster. He’s here to celebrate your birthday.”

“Oh.. That’s why, you have a new face. I hope to see you more often in the future.”

“Yes. Please take care of us.”

With her blonde hair, blue eyes, flowing hair, and smooth skin, it’s clear to anyone that she’s a precious lady. Even her smile is filled with elegance, making it easy to understand why Selina called her the flower of society.

“Well then, everyone, please enjoy the party with a joyful heart.”

Frill Young Ae quickly took over the role of the party’s protagonist and disappeared into the crowd. Surely she’s engaging in various discussions with guests.

“Kidney, we’ll go greet the neighboring lords, the Hilton siblings.”

“One of my rivals. Not quite at your level, but maybe a sparring partner when bored.”

“Alright, I’ll be back.”

Perhaps because the chaotic atmosphere is unfamiliar, I felt a bit dizzy as I sat in a corner sipping my drink.

“Hmm?”

“Uh..?”

There was a girl with a small stature, a small face, large watery eyes, and a somewhat melancholic expression with dark circles under her eyes.

“Hello..?”

“…Yes..”

The girl seemed anxious, constantly looking around, and moisture gathered in her eyes, which dominated most of her face.

That appearance… reminiscent of children who had moved into facilities after wandering the streets during their orphanage days. Somewhere, resembling children who have experienced deprivation or pain.

“Don’t come near me!”

Like a cat hissing in defiance.

“Uh..uh!”

To the extent that she couldn’t even speak, avoiding people.

The girl in front of me was closer to the latter.

What did I do back then.. Right.

“Would you like to see this?”

“Yes..?”

Performing magic with a coin from my pocket. I practiced a lot staying up late at night when I was young.. This brings back memories too.

The girl, seeing the coin that was in my right hand suddenly disappear, widened her eyes even more and looked as if she was greatly surprised.

“Wow..”

“Now.. If I blow on this empty hand, watch.”

“Why are you not blowing?” Looking at the girl as if questioning why she wasn’t blowing, I realized and blew with all my might on my hand as if there was wind. It’s somewhat amusing that it only amounts to a tickling sensation.

“Tada!”

“Wow.. Are you a magician..?”

“Uh, no, I’m not.”

“Regina!! What are you doing?!”

Frill Youngae approaching angrily from afar with her attendants.

“Eek!”

Is Regina the girl’s name? Startled by the angry voice calling her, she unknowingly hid behind me.

“Regina! Come here quickly! Kidney Youngsik, you have caused a disturbance. The family will compensate later.”

“No, there was no behavior worthy of an apology at all. But what about this child?”

“.. She is my two-year-old immature younger sister. Regina, go back to your room.”

“Yes..”

As if about to step back thinking it was a family matter, upon seeing the trembling shoulders and eyes, I couldn’t just stand by and intervened.

“Just a moment, Frill Youngae. May I ask what the matter is?”

“I was here and was afraid of causing trouble again.”

Continuing to try to move Regina out of sight as if to say not to worry anymore, Frill Youngae, who looked completely different from before, sparked curiosity about which one was the real person.

More than that

“As I said earlier, it was not a bother to me, so if it’s okay, I will stay with Regina until the end of the banquet to prevent any accidents.”

Unable to outright refuse due to many watching eyes, after hesitating, she eventually agreed. In Regina’s eyes, there was a mix of affection and fleeting pity, with a confusing emotion.

“Then please take care of Regina.”

“Yes, goodbye.”

Some of the attendants, feeling resentful for not following their lady’s words, glared at me, but with a teenage body, it was merely cute.

“Why did you help me..?”

Seeming puzzled. Despite trembling with anxiety, there was a glimpse of hope in the curious question.

It’s better than being immersed in despair or appearing powerless. Still, it’s not a good sign.

Typically, young children, especially those who have suffered abuse in their early years and have emotional instability, sadly become very perceptive. They know better than anyone else that if they don’t, greater violence will come their way.

Children who receive help once in this process come to cling and depend on that lifeline as their only salvation.

‘Regina can’t be made that way.’

“I didn’t help you. I just didn’t like ordering people around like objects.”

“Oh..”

A slightly disappointed look. But until she can break free from her helplessness herself, I can’t directly help. It will likely worsen.

“Okay, now what should we do?”

“Probably.. the next step is social dancing. I’ll be back in the corner, so enjoy yourself..”

“Right, let’s go!”

Handing the coin to Regina, she grabbed it in surprise.

“Why is this..?”

“A gift for the assistant who helped with the magic. I’m not a magician, but today is just temporary business.”

“Yes.. Oh! Wait a moment!”

Taking her hand, moving slightly away from the stage, she trembled like a rabbit in front of a tiger.

“Well then. I’ll perform the final magic trick of the day for you.”

“The final.. magic…?”

“This magic is so powerful that it won’t be undone until I release it. Do you want to try?”

“Isn’t that dangerous..”

“It’s not dangerous at all. In fact, it could make you the protagonist of this world.”

“Then.. I’ll give it a try.”

“Alright, from now on, this world will change for you. You are the protagonist, Regina. No one can touch you, no one can say anything to you. Yes, like a dragon in a fairy tale.”

“A dragon..?”

“Breathing fire, with huge feet and fangs. That kind of dragon that no one can mess with.”

“Could I become that..?”

“Yes. Where I come from, the word ‘Regina’ means queen. So you will become a queen of dragons. Quite something, isn’t it?”

“Then, truly no one can mess with me.”

“That’s right. You are Regina.”

“I am Regina..”

“Now, Your Highness. With the sound of singing, count one, two, three for transformation.”

Ding, dong.

“Did you see Regina, Your Highness?”

“The failure of the Demonio family?”

“Stop.”

One

“Well, I made another mistake earlier…”

“So, does that mean the academy is still…”

“I am Regina.”

Two

“Who will Princess Frill dance with this time?”

“More importantly, it’s the first time Regina is still here.”

“The queen that no one can mess with.”

Three

Thud-

“Are you still feeling anxious?”

“No.. because I am Regina.”

“That’s right. You are Regina. Strong like a dragon, charismatic like a queen. That’s why no one can mess with you.”

“Yes, Dragon Queen.”

“Haha. It will be so. The coolest and strongest among dragons.”

“And with the greatest magician too.”

“Indeed, Regina, let’s fly anywhere with your wide wings. To the world you desire.”

“Brother, don’t cry. Will I be able to live freely now?”

“Yes..”

“Sob. They say tears are gifts from angels, telling those filled with anger to take a break.”

“Winter, maybe you were that gift. Melting away quickly.”

“Did Dad love me..?”

“That’s..”

If I had answered right then.. If I had told him not to worry, he would have definitely loved you.

“Kidney! Let’s dance too!”

“Brother, let’s become protagonists in our next lives. Like the heroes we saw in games.”

“Yes.. If we’re not the protagonists, who else will be? We will definitely become them.”

“Just a moment. Just a very short while. Do I have to wait until then?”

“You. You won’t go anywhere. I’ll wait for you right here.”

“Yes. Because we are the protagonists of our story. We will be the protagonists even at this party today.”

“Yes!”