There was no greater recklessness than this.
Ihis was startled, speechless, then covered his forehead with his hand and burst out laughing.
“I never expected to be subjected to such a threat in my life.
Whew, wow!
Emperor, really, wow.”
He repeated the astonished expression while shaking his head, then asked Kazan, who was still holding the sword to his neck: “Why do you go to this extent?
I heard that you did not like the Empress very much.”
That's why rumors of the Emperor's madness spread.
If he had treated her well, it would have been different, but he was always neglecting her.
It was only natural that the story of turning the continent in search of his favorite bedroom doll would elicit whispers.
"There was a misunderstanding.
It's gone now, and when I get her back, I'll treat her well."
“Does the Empress want to return to you?”
Kazan was silent for a moment.
The innocent question stabbed him to his core, but he managed to muster an answer.
"She'll hate it.
But I'll change her mind, no matter what it takes."
Ihis nodded.
Kazan looked like he would do anything to achieve his goal.
Who would have expected to get involved in an emotional dispute at this age?
Life is unpredictable, Ehis thought, and laughed softly.
“I will open the way for you.
But you must go alone without a guard.
My teacher hates noise, so be careful out there.”
“Thank you.
I will never forget this beautiful thing.”
Kazan finally relaxed and put the sword back in its sheath.
He felt a slight pain in the wound on his neck.
Although placing the sword on his neck seemed reckless, it was a completely rational act.
He gathered information from the short conversation, came to a conclusion, and acted boldly, making it seem like madness.
The empire's contracted mages cannot break the barrier created by the sage's teacher.
It was necessary to avoid provoking the sage or his teacher.
The only option was to rely on the sage, but he refused to interfere.
This moment, face to face, was the only chance to convince him, so he had no choice but to risk his neck.
Kazan succeeded in the bet.
He wiped the blood off his neck with the back of his hand comfortingly, but noticed a strange look.
“…We didn’t talk about the return.
Since you spilled blood, give me some.”
"What?"
“It is not ordinary Tenilath blood, but blood ripe with abilities.
It is tempting.
I want some for me and my teacher.
Put it here.
The more, the better.”
Thus, Kazan donated a large amount of blood without a prior plan, and then set a travel date.
The deal was satisfactory to both parties, despite its strange appearance.
Kwam-!
“Ahhh!”
"Calm down, kid.
Thunder is nothing.
Nothing can hurt you."
“Mama, mamma...”
“Mama's here, Michael.”
“Hush, it's okay.
Mom is here.
I will always stay by your side.
I will protect you.”
Yasiris constantly whispered to her child while patting his back.
This was the first time the weather had been bad since Michael was born, so it was no surprise that he was afraid of thunder and lightning.
Because of the sky that continued to cry violently, as if it were a bad omen, Michael and Yasiris stayed awake all night.
The baby's breathing calmed first, her rearing slowed, and her eyes closed as dawn approached.
Of the two sleeping, Yasiris woke up first, as expected.
"…Yes."
When did you sleep?
Yasiris rubbed her tired eyes and got up, then looked out the window and sighed.
Because of the thick curtains I closed to prevent the lightning from being seen, it was difficult to guess the time.
Fortunately, the noise is less now.
Michael seems to be sleeping well.
Yasiris moved carefully so as not to wake the child.
When she pulled back the curtain a little, she saw fine strands of rain falling softly.
Despite the clouds, the sun in the middle of the sky illuminated the world.
Fortunately, the lightning did not strike nearby.
“I have to go shopping today...”
Due to the recent heavy rain, she was unable to go out.
Now that the rain has weakened, it's time to buy food ingredients.
Should I leave Michael and go?
Or should I wait until he wakes up and we can go together?
I looked at him hesitantly.
Any other time, she would have gone, but the memory of him crying last night made her unable to move.
“…but the food must be prepared.”
Yasiris closed her eyes and then opened them.
With a decisive expression to prepare a better breakfast, she whispered to Michael in a soft, barely audible voice.
“I'll quickly go somewhere nearby.
Rest well.”
There was no response, of course.
Yasiris looked at the quietly sleeping Michael, then moved belatedly.
Having fully adapted to commoner life, it didn't take her long to wash, change clothes, and go out.
She felt that not having to be extravagant was better than her life in the palace.
“Liz, you went out today!
Did you sleep well?
The weather is bad these days, isn’t it?”
“Hello, Mr.
Fairy.
Fortunately, the rain is light today.
Can you give me some fruits?”
“Of course, I'll add some favors too.
I haven't seen you for days, I'm much happier!
Haha!”
The owner of the store near the house poured a generous amount of fruits into the basket.
At the next store, I was given a generous amount of meat, and then a pile of bread.
There were neighbors who welcomed her and added snacks and vegetables.
"Liz, isn't this too much?
Are you okay alone?"
“Yes, I'm fine.
Thanks for the concern, Jian.”
Yasiris ignored the worried looks and quickened her steps.
She was holding the umbrella in one hand and supporting the purchases with the other, causing her to lean back.
It would have been better to ask for help, but she didn't want to because she was used to relying on herself.
She also wanted to avoid bringing strangers into the house.
It was just her and Michael's refuge.
The feeling of belonging to Lina's borders gave her security.
Not only was her trust in Lena, but the feeling that this place was only for her and her son made her not want to break it.
“…It's heavy.”
Yasiris squeezed her trembling arms and moved her feet with effort.
Fortunately, as she went somewhere nearby, the hut appeared on the horizon.
All that remains is to cross a clearing at the end of the village.
The crisis happened there.
Yasiris did not notice a small hole in the ground, so she stumbled and almost fell.
"Yes …!"
Fortunately, she quickly regained her balance with her other foot, but a small bag of Michael's favorite cookies fell to the ground.
“Ah”
Yasiris tried to bend down to pick it up, but stopped.
The ingredients stacked in her lap were shaking dangerously, preventing her from falling any further.
What an embarrassment.
While she was frozen, unable to move, someone reached out to help.
Footsteps were heard on the wet ground, and someone bent down to pick up the bag for her.
It was a man wearing a black robe.
“Be careful.”
“Thank you.
It's raining a lot...”
Yasiris's chattering voice suddenly stopped.
When the man straightened up, her blue eyes widened at the sight of his face under the robe.
Red eyes.
Black hair.
Sharp face.
It was her husband, who should never be here.
“How...how...”
Yasiris's mind went blank.
Once she confirmed his identity, she lost her strength and dropped the umbrella.
The food she was carrying was scattered on the floor.
But it did not get wet from the rain.
Kazan caught the parachute before it fell, and the roof hovered over her again.
Water dripped onto the beige awning.
Kazan's robe was equally wet.
In the quiet void, the man and woman met again.