Chapter 35

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: A Lingering Chill
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His Majesty the Emperor approached us swiftly the moment he saw us.

In an instant, he was right in front of me, kneeling on one knee to meet my gaze.

Startled, I gripped my uncle's clothes even tighter.

“Are you alright?”

I nodded before I could answer.

“...Yes.”

“Are you hurt anywhere? Your uncle was very worried.”

“I'm sorry, Your Majesty... Uncle.”

I glanced furtively at my uncle.

He wasn't even looking at me.

“Are you really alright?”

His Majesty asked again, looking me over carefully.

I nodded emphatically to answer more clearly.

“Yes, I'm okay.”

Only then did His Majesty the Emperor place his hands on my forehead.

“What a relief, what a relief. As long as you're safe. I'm sorry. I was too shortsighted.”

“It's, it's okay!”

I soothed the Emperor, who looked as if he was about to cry.

But my uncle was still angry, so I hesitated and shot a pleading look at His Majesty.

Miraculously, His Majesty the Emperor understood my meaning immediately and nodded.

“Cassel, now that you've found Aika, you should head back with her. It's about time they start sniffing around.”

“...”

My eyes met His Majesty's again.

Sniffing?

I didn't know what he meant, but my uncle's expression changed subtly.

It seemed there was something the adults knew that I didn't.

“Aika must have been very startled too. Even I find it overwhelming when you're angry, so imagine how Aika must feel. Today's events are my fault for not telling you beforehand. So don't be angry with Aika. As long as she's safe, that's all that matters, understand?”

“...”

“Right, Aika?”

As I looked back and forth between my uncle and the Emperor with anxious eyes, His Majesty gave me a gentle smile.

So I nodded too.

Finally, the Emperor stood up and patted my uncle's shoulder.

“The Duke is waiting outside, so go on back. I'll take care of the rest.”

I watched them cautiously, waiting and waiting for my uncle's reply.

It was then.

That my uncle, who had his hand on his hip, extended it to me.

His large palm was facing upward.

I took it as a signal to take his hand and hurriedly reached out to grab it.

“We'll talk at home, you hear?”

Along with the terrifying threat, my waist was grabbed and my body was lifted into the air.

Afraid of being dropped, I hugged my uncle's neck tightly and nodded about twenty times.

When I whipped my head around, His Majesty the Emperor was smiling brightly.

So it's okay to feel relieved... right?

My shrunken heart finally eased a little.

“I'll make sure word of today's events doesn't get out. Now, go.”

I nodded at the retreating Emperor as a farewell.

As soon as we were outside, I saw Grandfather, Ruspe, Zenda, Gerard, and Kamaye.

Even though a scolding awaited me, it was a moment of complete relief.

“My girl. My girl, come here.”

Grandfather stretched his arms out to me.

I glanced at my uncle again.

As soon as my uncle's grip loosened, I was passed over to my grandfather.

“Grandfather...”

“There, there, my girl. Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you? You have to tell us before you go anywhere, you little rascal. Hm? You worried this old man sick. And why is your belly so empty! Are you really okay?”

“I'm sorry... Grandfather. I'm okay, I really am.”

I felt the gentle touch of my grandfather's hand patting my back.

“As long as you're not hurt. As long as you're safe.”

Grandfather started walking somewhere, still holding me.

I belatedly noticed Ruspe standing behind Kamaye.

*Ruspe...*

His round eyes were filled with worry for me.

I gave Ruspe a quiet, timid wave.

His face brightened, and he waved back at me.

I was about to wave again when I met my uncle's eyes.

Unable to greet him further, I buried my face in my grandfather's shoulder.

“G-Grandfather.”

“Yes, little one. Let's go home now.”

That day, Grandfather came all the way to my uncle's house and stayed the night.

Thanks to him, I didn't have to worry about Grandfather being in danger.

The incident where Grandfather and his escort were attacked by an assailant would not happen.

*Who was the man with the bandaged left hand, and who was the assailant who attacked Grandfather?*

In any case, it was a relief that nothing terrible happened to Grandfather.

I still got scolded by my uncle when we got home, but thanks to Grandfather's intervention, it was only a little.

However, I couldn't escape the punishment of being banned from the imperial palace for the time being.

And that night.

I had a dream where I was coiled tightly by a pitch-black snake, crying out and thrashing around in bed in terror.

***

The next day came.

“Where's Grandfather?”

“He left early this morning.”

“This morning?”

“Yes, he had urgent business... He asked me to tell you to have a hearty breakfast and a good day when you woke up.”

“I wanted to have breakfast with him, what a shame. What about Uncle?”

“He must be working right now. Shall we wash up and have a meal first?”

Zenda said, picking up a warm washcloth.

I had no choice but to nod and close my eyes while Zenda wiped my face.

I didn't see my uncle until noon.

It seemed yesterday's incident had made our relationship worse than when we first met.

After being scolded yesterday, I went straight to my room and didn't even get to properly make up with my uncle.

This morning, I woke up late because of the nightmare about the snake coiling around me, so I couldn't eat with him, and after that, I was too scared to go look for him.

But thinking about it, it felt a little unfair.

It was wrong to keep it a secret, but I definitely didn't go in there because I wanted to.

I was just planning to play with Ruspe.

And a small problem had arisen.

“...It's cold.”

I was walking down the hallway to find my uncle, holding the new doll I'd received as a gift, when I collapsed and curled into a ball.

Lepus definitely said it wouldn't hurt yesterday, but since last night, I've been alternating between feeling cold and hot.

When I woke up this morning, I told Zenda I had a fever, but the doctor she brought said there was nothing wrong.

Then I got cold again, and the doctor came back, but said I was fine.

The doctor gave me a strawberry-flavored potion, saying it would make me healthy, but it had no effect at all.

He just said it was probably because I was startled yesterday.

But I'm really cold and hot...

I called for the snake several times, but it didn't even pretend to hear me.

Just occasionally, I would feel something slithering behind my back like a ghost was clinging to me, and then it would disappear.

It wouldn't even think of answering when I called its name.

“I was trying to find Uncle...”

I suddenly felt hot again, then just as quickly, it felt like the temperature had plummeted, and I was cold.

I shivered and curled up a little tighter.

I don't have time for this.

The rabbit's words that the Predators might come to harm me, an Indagator, kept replaying in my mind.

What if they come to hurt me?

And I had to find out if those Predators were really the ones who hurt Mom.

I have to protect Grandfather and Uncle.

To uncover that secret, I need to get healthier and grow up fast.

I wish I could grow up quickly. I wish I could get strong quickly.

I should have eaten more for breakfast.

I didn't leave any roasted vegetables today, but it wasn't enough.

I found myself wishing that time would pass quickly so I could become a strong, big adult like my uncle.

“So, have you decided to become a street urchin?”

I snapped my head up.

I saw my uncle with a sour expression.

It's Uncle! When did he get here?

“Uncle.”

I shot up from my spot.

When I saw my uncle, I gave him an awkward smile, a wide "hee-" that showed all my teeth, and his expression soured even more.

“What are you smiling about? Why are you out of your room, carrying on like this?”

“I-I was coming to see you, Uncle.”

As I said this, squirming, my uncle strode past me and started walking away again.

Not wanting to be left behind, I trotted after him.

My uncle's steps, which had been quickly carrying him away, slowed down.

“Uncle, where are you going?”

“Somewhere there aren't any kids who don't listen.”

He was clearly talking about me.

“What if I start listening from now on?”

“Hmm, I find that hard to believe.”

He had slowed down so much that I could have walked ahead of him.

“I'll be really good! I'll listen to everything you say, Uncle.”

My uncle stopped dead in his tracks.

“Just words?”

“It's true!”

I subtly took another step closer to my uncle.

I reached out to grab his clothes, but instead of fabric, my body was lifted into the air.

“Who said I'd pick you up just because you reached out? You don't listen at all. Huh?”

“No, I wasn't asking you to...”

Not that I actually said it.