# Chapter 18
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The plate was emptied cleanly and only the grease remained.
I could say I reached my ultimate goal today just by feeding paprika.
"good.
Since you heard well today, I'll take you out.
Instead, there are conditions."
"What do you keep imposing conditions on?
"You were the one who said you would play with me!"
“First, don’t go more than five steps away from me.
Second, don't do what you're told not to do.
Third, don't do anything."
"Why don't you just tell me not to breathe?"
Katrina, who was gritting her teeth, got up from the bed and pushed Nezar's back.
“I’m going to wash and get ready.
"Come out and wait!"
Nezar, who was expelled, had nothing to do but go downstairs and head to the indoor running track.
On days when it snowed a lot, I turned into a horse with a loose rein and ran up the hill, but when the sun came up I was riding the horse inside the house and I don't know what the mood was.
It was all about Rockherd.
After sitting in the stands for a few minutes, Rockherd, who recognized him, slowly walked up the stairs.
"What, all of a sudden?
Nowadays he doesn't even show his face.
"Is playing with Kate so much fun?"
"It's more rewarding and practical than playing with you."
"What else would be worth it?
"Did you even get a job as a tutor?"
"It's similar, but a little different.
"Why are you so curious if you don't care what Katrina does?"
Rockherd, who was sitting in the front seat, appeared calm and without a drop of sweat.
Despite Nezar's harsh words, her neatly trimmed bangs were still intact.
He leaned back in the chair, crossed his legs comfortably and looked at Nezar.
“If you’re not interested, will you ask?
It's surprising how well he gets along with you.
"If I try to do anything, he stretches out his teeth and claws like a hundred wolf cubs."
In response, Nezar just rolled his eyes from the empty racetrack and looked at Rockherd.
"They say you're an idiot."
"Well then, how about giving that idiot some advice?"
It's advice.
Nezar, who thought deeply for a while, finally submitted an answer sheet with 100 points out of 100.
"Be beautiful.
Be kind.
"Be smart."
"Hmm, this must be a joke, right?"
"If you're going to keep talking nonsense, go back and get on a horse."
Hearing Nezhar's cold voice filled with chills, Rockherd collapsed into the seat, clutching his chest.
"Fuck you already?
"Isn't that very cruel?"
"I came to see you ride a horse, not you."
Shaking his head, Rockherd stood up and returned to the track.
Somehow, his back looked more thoughtful than when he approached.
***
“Three, my God.
Look at this, Nezar!
"Sat, bunny!"
Nezar nodded with an unimpressed expression.
However, contrary to her gestures, Katrina didn't even look at Nezar and was busy looking at the little cub.
So no matter how you look at it, it doesn't appear to be a rabbit.
The rabbit Nezzar knew was shorter, fluffier, and had a much lower viewing height than that animal.
"The rabbit has patterns on its back...
...
.
"The book said it had long ears and furry fur, but this one is a little different."
"That's because it's a deer, not a rabbit."
"...
...huh?
Sat, isn't that a rabbit?
"Is the tail that short?"
"This forest is full of short-tailed animals, as well as rabbits."
Katrina's face was shocked.
Since I go out a lot, I thought I would have found some small animals, but I think I overestimated.
The place they walked was the ridge behind Ezelot Castle, and although it was small, it was definitely part of the mountain because it was inside the castle wall.
Katrina said she didn't have a chance to climb the mountain because the maids had a maximum of ten minutes to get close to the castle walls.
After all the hardships she endured, she followed Nezar dressed in riding clothes instead of a dress.
It had been about an hour since we had such a short conversation, similar to that of a six-year-old child.
At this point, Nezar also felt like he had regressed into a child similar to Katrina.
"You know, can't we take that baby deer to the castle?
"If you live in the woods on a cold winter day like this, you'll get frostbite and freeze to death."
As Katrina said, at her fingertips there was a deer jumping in the forest.
Nezar kindly gave the most exemplary answer with the heart of a teacher teaching a child.
“Even if I took it, there would be no use for it.
And there will be a mother deer nearby.
Taking someone away at will is the same as kidnapping.
"Kidnapping is a serious crime."
"I also left without telling Madame Morcada?"
"If it's the head maid, it's okay because I told you."
On the contrary, the old man seemed relieved to have to transfer the burden of sadness.
As the sun set behind the forest, raindrops fell onto the pure white snow.
When the rain, which was just a drop or two, began to fall more heavily, Katrina grabbed Nejar's arm and ran deeper into the forest.
"I heard from Eden that there was a wooden cabin that was used by a ranger in the past when you entered the pond.
"If you go there, you can avoid the rain."
She was right.
At the end of a long dirt road deep into the forest, there was an old wooden cabin.
Katrina was productive for the first time in a long time.
If you think about it, it seems like not only a long time ago, but also the first time.
"Wow, spider!
Look at this, Nezar.
The spider is as big as my fist!
One leg, two, three...
...
"Eight!"
"Okay, so please don't describe what that tuft of hair looks like.
"Because I have goosebumps on my back."
The only problem was that this little building had been abandoned for so long that it was overflowing with strangely shaped bugs and dust.
Nezhar's shoulders shook and he looked away from the furry spider hanging from the ceiling.
No matter how gentle he was, it was difficult for him to resist a spider the size of a child's fist.
No, to begin with, it didn't make sense for Katrina to treat her casually.
"Nezar."
Nezar, who was standing looking into the house, turned around.
In the thread I mentioned first, Katrina turned away as soon as our eyes met and dusted off the leather chair.
Then he removed his hands, which were probably black and dirty, and sat down on the chair.
"Well, my mother said that if I received help, I should always be grateful.
"Thank you very much for having me."
No matter how dark it was, the shape of the voice was clearly visible.
Nezar looked in the direction where Katrina was sitting and leaned his back again.
Regardless of whether he listened or not, at times like these, he was an incredibly good child.
"One would think I received money to provide experiential learning.
There's no need to be grateful.
"I wasn't particularly busy either."
I searched the empty furniture and found a small candle and a flint.
Nezar worked hard with his hands to light the candle.
"You said you were taking time out of your busy schedule to go out?"
"...
...
"Anyway, just listen and understand."
I bent a crooked candlestick that had fallen over and placed a candle in it.
When I placed it gently next to Katrina, my damp platinum blonde hair got wet from the fire and turned red.
Katrina smiled broadly as she was bathed in the flickering light of the fireworks.
It seemed like the dark room became bright as if it were early morning.
"It's been a long time since I've had a happy day like this without crying or being angry.
"Until a few days ago, I just slept every day because it was more fun to play in my dreams than to play alone outside."
"dream?"
Katrina placed her hand on the thin candle and nodded.
"huh.
In my dream, I was a short seventeen-year-old student.
In the world I live in in my dreams, large birds carrying people fly in the sky and opera actors perform inside small black boxes.
The night is clear even without fire, and the carriage moves even without a horse...
...
."
Katrina's face was dreamy as she spoke.
Nezar sat silently, leaning against the wall, and listened to her.
"I have a lot of friends there.
I had so much fun every day that I didn't want to wake up.
If you skip meals and just sleep, you won't be able to move your body afterwards, right?
That day, Mom and Daisy cried for the first time.
"It was so shocking that I couldn't dream about it the next day, no matter how hard I tried."
Shoot!
Heavy rain fell from the sky.
The intensity was so strong that it was difficult to guess when it would stop, so Nezar slowly began to worry.
At sunset, I felt a strong chill, even though I was indoors.
The vaguely spreading breath now edged the darkness in pure white.
The only light they could trust was a single flickering candle.
"If this continues, both mice and birds will freeze to death without even realizing it."
"You just have to wait until the rain stops."
"The problem is not stopping."
What is it?
The gloomy dawn disappeared as the rain fell.
All that was left in the peaceful forest was heavy darkness and the sound of torrential rain.
Nezar, who had been thinking for some time, stood up and stood in front of Katrina.
"I can't do this.
Katrina, wait here while I bring the carriage from the castle.
Keep the candle away from the window so it doesn't go out and sit next to it.
The room is dry, so if a fire starts, it will get out of control, so watch carefully.
Understand?"
Katrina, whose eyes were wide at his words, quickly shook her head.
She jumped out of her chair and snuggled into Nezar's arms.
"Well, I don't like it.
It's really dark in here...
...
.
"Can't I just go with you?"
"no.
I'm feeling better now, but if I get caught in the rain again, I might not be able to get up.
The flu comes back quickly, so you need to be careful.
"I'll be back in 20 minutes."
He patted his head lightly and walked away from the body.
Katrina looked at Nezar with all her eyebrows furrowed, and after being silent for a long time, she forced herself to nod her head.
A creaking sound seemed to come from its slender neck.
"Yeah.
Oh okay."
He took off his coat and covered Katrina's shoulders.
You're going to get wet anyway, so it doesn't matter if you wear one or two layers.
Nezar didn't forget to ask when he opened the door.
The forest in the space between the open doors was filled with moisture, as if it were submerged in the sea.
"Lock the door.
"Never open it unless it's me."
With one last look from his turquoise eyes, Nezar descended into the heavy rain.
The condition of the road was a bit messy, with snow and earth melted by rainwater.
Still, you should be able to drive a carriage at this level.
Thanks to the heavy rain, the snow that had accumulated up to our ankles was completely gone.
After running for a while, Nezar managed to reach the castle like a drowned rat.
My entire body felt heavy, as if there were sandbags on it, so I took off my tie as soon as I entered the hallway.
Katrina's personal maid Daisy, who was standing next to the stairs, stamping her feet, ran out.
His face was somewhat distorted with anxiety.
“Well, Your Highness!
Kate, who went out with me...
...?"
"I'm sheltering from the rain in a treehouse at the entrance to Dimania Forest.
"Do you know where it is?"
"You mean the forest keeper's log cabin?" "Yes I know."
Daisy nodded quickly.
"I'm happy.
A carriage and blankets will be sent there now...
...
."
"your majesty."
At that moment, a long, dark shadow appeared next to Nezar.
I lifted my dripping chin and pointed at the ceiling.
The person who called Nezar was his elegantly dressed aide, Ron.
"His Majesty the Emperor has sent a decree."
"...
... now?
"So suddenly?"