episode_0148

Yes, it was not a natural disaster in the first place, but an intentional man-made disaster.

“Could you explain in a little more detail?”

“So, so. I heard that they are poisoning the Raz River in the western Leeds region.”

Yuri, who was biting her nails nervously, finally revealed key information.

“Sorry, that’s the only place Sasha mentioned, and.”

Yuri held out a glass bottle. At first glance, it contained an unpleasant black-purple liquid.

“Tell me to mix this in the fountains at the academy and the capital… .”

[If you poison the Leeds area and the Raz River, the plague will spread from the nearby areas around the dukedom.]

‘That’s right, there are so many different things.’

At least one thing is certain. In the original, the epidemic was not in the capital.

This is probably a trick to divert attention.

Since Yuri brought the poison in the first place, there would be no running water.

The reason why Sasha is targeting the Duke family directly.

There are so many that I don’t even need to think about them all.

‘I guess I should give him a prize.’

I chuckled.

“Thank you for listening.”

Yuri folded her hands and bowed her head. And then he began to walk slowly and heavily.

It looked like no one wanted to go back.

“Are you okay?”

“…”

Yuri stopped walking at Nazar’s words.

I don’t want to go. It seemed like he was saying that.

[What should I do?]

‘Tell me you’ll protect me.’

“If you want, we will protect you. They will never find you.”

Yuri turned around. His face was somewhat sad, as if he had given up on something.

“But, I made a mistake… . I really appreciate your words.”

What is it?

I frowned.

Help me.

thank you.

I’m glad you said that.

that.

An expression like that of a misfortunate heroine.

The glass turns slowly.

For some reason, I felt worse.

[ah. miss.]

I ignored Nazar who tried to stop me and grabbed Yuri’s wrist.

“Hey, you.”

“…Princess Marian?”

Yuri’s eyes were shaking wildly.

“I told you before, if you need help, ask for it and say it clearly.”

I said that and walked away.

*

“But I…”

Yuri muttered softly. Is this really okay? I don’t remember exactly. But, myself.

Marian stopped walking.

“Just don’t think too deeply. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it. If you like it, it’s good. I don’t think you’re that good, so don’t be so rude.”

She turned around and poked Yuri’s forehead with her finger.

“…”

Yuri opened his mouth.

“Why, what, are you smarter than me?”

“…No.”

Yuri lowered his head. I sigh as I see him dying over that again.

“Do you not want to go with me? Just tell me that.”

Marian put both hands on her hips and spoke as if preaching.

“I don’t hate it… But I don’t know anything about the people behind it… But really.”

It’s okay as long as you don’t like it. I also have no intention of forcibly taking in a child I dislike. When I held his hand, Yuri’s eyes widened.

“I know what’s behind it, and you have to go with me anyway. I reported a terrorist act to take place on our territory, and the terrorist and his accomplice. I need it for the investigation.”

“…Yes.”

“Why do you look so happy? Are you a terrorist? Do you want to go to jail?”

Marian said bluntly and snapped her fingers.

The space shook and the gate opened.

“There, there.”

Yuri was embarrassed. The princess grabbed her wrist. But different from Sasha, softer and more careful.

I could tell the gate in front of me even before entering. Just with the soft lighting and canopy, I had a vague feeling that it was definitely not a prison-like place, but rather, that this was something like a fairy tale I longed for as a child, and that the moment I crossed that door, I would be happy.

“There’s no need to walk.”

Marian turned her head. He speaks too slowly.

‘Nazar. Let’s start at the West Mansion. This time, don’t leave out the inside.’

[yes.]

“But don’t be scared.”

Marian crossed the gate. Holding Yuri’s hand.

*

“Stay here for a while. The biggest room next to it is mine, so if you have anything to say, come over.”

Yuri looked at the guest room and tilted her head. His expression was a mixture of all kinds of emotions, including admiration and doubt.

“…Is this a prison?”

“What, do you like prison? Do you really yearn for prison? Do you prefer a place where there are some rats and cockroaches? If it’s your preference, you can respect it.”

“That’s not true… .”

Yuri, seeing my expression that said I would do just that if I wanted, shook his head.

“What do you want?”

I looked at her sullenly.

“Just… . I want to rest and do nothing… . But, that can’t be possible… .”

“Why… ?”

“Yes… ? That’s right… … Why?”

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, really.

“Yes. You are just an idiot. So don’t think too much about it, just say that if there’s something you want to do, you want to do it. I will decide whether it works or not.”

“Ah… .”

“If you don’t do volunteer work, your hands get itchy, right?”

I pressed Yuri’s cheek with both hands. The texture was softer than I expected, so I gently swept it with my thumb and index finger and pulled it without mercy. It expands like glutinous rice cake. After all, the female protagonist. The feel is wonderful.

“…Oh my.”

Yuri frowned, his pronunciation slurred. I guess I’m in a bad mood. Yet he doesn’t resist at all.

It was a very stretchy ball like glutinous rice cake.

“Right?”

I grinned. After all, there is no way such a person exists.

As I relaxed my hands, my white cheeks turned like strawberries.

I giggled as he smoothed my cheek with both hands, even though it was painful.

“Does it hurt?”

“…Yes.”

Yuri looked at me with gentle eyes. Even though I see tears, I don’t feel any resentment.

“But why didn’t you tell me not to do it?”

“…Ah.”

Yuri blinked his deer-like eyes. It was as if he had heard something unexpected.

“If you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to do it, and if someone hurts you, you have to say no and don’t do it. It’s natural, right?”

“Ah…”

Yuri opened his mouth.

Only then did I realize it. Yuri lived in an environment where that was not a given. I know Sasha’s personality and Abigail, who was devastated even in a short period of time. Continuous neglect and abuse destroy humans. Even more so if it has been done for years.

“I will do whatever I want with you. If you have something to say, just say it. I won’t necessarily listen to you, but I will listen if it makes sense.”

“…Yes.”

Yuri nodded slowly.

“And if you don’t want to do anything, you can just rest without doing anything, right?”

I said and walked away.

“Nothing…?”

“Uh. You can just sleep in bed for 16 hours a day.”

Coincidentally, we have an example at home.

“…Is that possible?”

“There is already that kind of person in my house, no, just follow me.”

I held Yuri’s hand and walked forward without hesitation.

When we arrive at the library, we see Seria sleeping peacefully.

I wondered if he was awake because he’s been coming in and out a lot recently because he’s worried about me.

“Hmm… Marian?”

Seria wakes up rubbing her eyes.

“Ah. You just woke up? Seria, how many hours did you sleep?”

“Umm… . I don’t know… .”

“Since when did you sleep?”

“Right after dinner… .”

“Oh. After all, it’s Seria.”

Ceria tilted her head at my admiration.

“Did you hear? We had dinner around 7 o’clock yesterday. And now it’s 4 o’clock! In other words, Seria slept for 20 hours! how is it? Isn’t it amazing?”

Seria looked somewhat dissatisfied.

‘I don’t usually sleep this much.’ Seria muttered softly and puffed out her cheeks.

“Wow…”

Yuri was also impressed.

Seria held my hand.

“More than that, Marian.”

He pointed at the glass with his other hand.

“Who is this guy?”

Yuri, who had been pointed at, bowed her head.

“Hello, my name is Yuri West.”

“I didn’t ask you.”

Ceria said bluntly.

“Sorry, sorry.”

Yuri repeatedly lowered his head.

“…”

Ceria narrowed her eyes. It was a look I didn’t like. Not her, but her apple. There was definitely no one like Yuri around me. I guess it’s at least similar.

“Yuri is a junior at the academy.”

After saying that, I whispered softly into Seria’s ear. ‘This is a child who was abused by Sasha. I plan to protect you as a reward for reporting terrorist acts against our territory.’

ㅡ.

“My juniorㅡ.”

Seria sighed and nodded.

“If it’s Marian, okay. It’s Seria.”

Then I lay down on the sofa.

“Sleep more?”

“Yes.”

“Because I sleep in bed.”

“Hug me.”

Ceria stretched out her hand.

“Ha.”

I sighed lightly and picked her up and laid her on the bed.

“Good night.”

“Yes. I like you, Marian.”

“I like it too.”

Yuri followed me out without saying a word and stared at me.

“Why?”

“…Who was he just now?”

“He’s a friend.”

I also stared at the glass.

“Chi, you are my friend.”

Yuri stuttered and turned his head. Even his ears were red.

‘That’s right, he was so scared.’

It would be better to just say it.

“Did you hear? I don’t grow for 20 hours a day like Seria, but if I want to sleep, I just sleep. Do you think I don’t have the money to feed you alone? I can feed you for the rest of my life just with the information you provided.”

“…”

“It doesn’t matter what you do, you can be like Seria. Read a book, eat a meal, and eat a delicious snack. If you’re bored, sometimes you play chess with me.”

Yuri’s mouth opened wider as he listened to me.

“Volunteering is not necessary. If you need hands, you can spend money and hire people. I don’t know how good you are at volunteering, but if it’s not enough, you can hire 2 people, and if it’s still not enough, you can use 10 or 100 people. Why do it yourself?◦ #◦

He also doesn’t know how great what he has done is.

If a large-scale, even intentional, epidemic spreads, no matter how well we respond, there will be no casualties at all. Even if you only calculate the taxes that one household will pay over the course of its life, no, this is not the case.

“I see… That’s what it was.”

Yuri shook his head as if he was asking himself something.

“Me too. Can I become the princess’s friend?”

“Well, wouldn’t it happen naturally if you stayed at my house?”

“As long as you don’t do something crazy like Sasha, I don’t have any intention of kicking you out.”

“……Yes.”

Yuri laughed.

“What is it? I don’t even know how to laugh like that.”

I held Yuri’s hand and walked away.

“Let’s go get some snacks.”

It was truly a smile like a heroine who has reached an ending.