Chapter 228

Just trust in me

Thud. A huge stone falls on my chest. My heart beat wildly. I couldn’t say anything in shock.

At this moment, I didn’t even care about the memories of my previous whole world that had constantly shattered me. No, in fact no words came to mind.

Die? Who? Pudding didn’t mention death, but at the end it was the same thing. My lips trembled. I tried to hold back the tremors, but to no avail.

“Sister? Sister!”

Just then, Francia shook my shoulder. My appearance reflected in Francia’s eyes was filled with emotions I couldn’t describe.

My mouth clenched. My voice wouldn’t come out.

This is not the time to be helplessly shaken like this. I stopped it. It left a huge shock, but at the same time it gave me time to think.

Why would his lifespan end suddenly? Obviously, the last I heard there was still some time left!

-Human…… that…… I don’t know why, Nyang.

Pudding did not even know the reason. It was just that from one day, suddenly, Ricdorian’s life was rapidly dying out.

Pudding’s explanation that it could not tell me was because of the prohibition, and also because it was weakened, made my eyes dizzy. For the Red Rose, his lifespan was the source of life and strength. Could it be that he was trying too hard to save me? I closed my eyes. Resentment came rushing in like a tidal wave.

‘Why didn’t you say anything?’

I feel sick and sore. It seemed as if a hole had been opened in me, and it was accompanied by a bitter and heavy blunt pain, like sand was sprinkled on a wound.

But it soon subsided. It wasn’t that I couldn’t figure out why he wouldn’t say anything. Why? Because I look busy, and he doesn’t want me to mind him?

No. Perhaps, I don’t know. This soon turned into a blame towards me, it was me who made him unable to speak.

But I shook my head and closed my lip.

No, it’s not anyone’s fault. If I was to look for fault…….

It is in this deformed world where Ricdorian’s body was made that way, and in this power that wields the fate of people at will just like a tyrant. As the resentment, having no place to go, found its destination, it came crashing down.

“Sister…….”

Francia grabbed my shoulder and her lips’ twitched. She was looking for something to say, but at the same time she looked like she didn’t know what to say. I took my hand and placed it over her shoulder.

“Francia. Perhaps. I think something big has happened.”

I could only express the calamity that had occurred in my heart in this way. Because I was unable to express it directly. If I had to explain one thing, what I said in the end was a straightforward word that I didn’t want to say.

“I think Ricdorian is…… going to die.”

Francia’s eyes widened.

“Huh? Die? Who? The Grand Duke?”

Even this was incomprehensible to her. Her head, swaying violently, expressed denial.

“Nonsense. Even if I want him to die, it’s hard to do! Why? So suddenly?”

Francia raised her voice, asking if any limbs were cut off as she can fix it herself. Wouldn’t it be better if that was the case? I quickly explained the situation. As concise and simple as possible.

Listening to the whole story, Francia’s mouth dropped, and she said nothing. Like I did, she didn’t know what to say. Her expression soon turned stiff.

“For now, let’s join Marquis Valtaize. As Sister knows, the Yellow Rose’s ability is fortification. He would thread through all of Kambrakam’s structure. With the Grand Duke’s nature, even if he was dying, he would never have been caught by the Imperial Knights. Even if he dies, he doesn’t want to hurt Sister.”

Francia said, biting her fingertips. I also agreed.

“Yes, let’s go.”

It was not far to join Lenag after all. I walked diligently with Francia and arrived at the junction.

“Marquis.”

The space we arrived at was an empty cavity on one side of the prison. The prisoners had already been sent to another place, so all the prison cells we passed were empty.

In this place, usually the guards chatted…….

Francia called Lenag, but there wasn’t really anyone there. But Francia didn’t heed it, and knocked around the wall, and then she pulled out a brick. The stone looked heavy, but she was holding it casually. Before I could say anything, the wall slowly turned.

I seemed to see a yellow energy.

And a familiar face appeared in front of the wide open space. Haa, haa. Lenag appeared, heaving his breath with his brown hair scattered haphazardly.

“Miss Iana…… !”

As soon as he saw me, he walked up to me and grabbed my hand. Ooh, I was dragged into the space without a moment to do anything. Thud. The door closed behind me, and Francia’s small grunting was heard.

“Can’t you close the door quietly?”

Instead of giving Francia a gaze, I stared in front of me. It was dark and I couldn’t see anything, but I gradually got used to it and saw a silhouette. Lenag. He took a deep breath as he rested his forehead on the back of my hand.

“…… I thought something happened to you.”

He spoke in a broken whisper. His large shoulders went up and down without rest.

“The Empress suddenly appeared and said that she participated at your request, and it is your will to appear here…… I can’t believe it. You haven’t contacted me for three days, and I don’t even have the means to reach you.”

A ray of light leaked in.

“I felt foolish and pathetic because I didn’t even have that kind of ability.”

It was a light of the torch from the door on the other side that opened by itself. And it revealed half of the face that was stained with tears and sweat.

“…… And then the Red Rose that should be with you suddenly appears here, fainted, how much I really…….”

The gentle but calm voice was holding back tears, I raised my head without being shaken by the affection. I grabbed Lenag’s hand. Our fingers were automatically interlocked.

“Hold on, Lenag. What? Did Ricdorian appear here with you? Where?”

I paused while asking questions hurriedly. It was because I saw the golden eyes blinking slowly. I lifted my unclenched fingers and slowly wiped away his tears.

“…… Sorry. I took your worries lightly. However, when I came here, I met Chaser, and Ricdorian’s condition was…….”

I bit my lip and said hurriedly.

“It’s not really good. It’s dangerous enough. Perhaps… he might die.”

“No. I know. The Black Rose appeared here too, right?”

Lenag knew the situation accurately.

“Did Ricdorian tell you?”

“No, he didn’t. He just woke up a little while ago. Right before we go to pick up Miss Iana.”

That means he passed out from a while ago. As expected, he’s in bad shape. I felt the impatience again.

“How did you know that Chaser was here? Did you come across him?”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“I didn’t have a chance to tell you my abilities properly. I know anything that happens in this prison.”

Lenag’s voice was faster than usual. He must have sensed something unusual on my face.

He continued to explain with a firm expression.

“To be precise, it is the ability to ‘fortify’ a land into my own fortress. I can create a space in the building I designate as a fortress and move it anywhere. It’s the ability to keep just one person safe.”

In one of Lenag’s hands, his guardian deity, Azul, was wrapped around him.

“My guardian deity can transform into any weapon, but its original basic form is a shield.”

“Then the bow…….”

“It has changed since I heard about the traitor a long time ago. I mean, I don’t deserve to be a shield.”

Lenag, referring to the poison, shield, and the Yellow Rose family symbol, said that it was useful not only as a means of attack but also as a defense.

“I don’t have time to explain any more. This way, Iana.”

Lenag’s explanation was brief, and he quickly led me to another room.

As we walked, Lenag said that this was a space he had specially created, and that even within Kambrakam, only his closest aides would know. As I walked, I felt something familiar. I can’t express them all in words, but the pleasant and affectionate feeling, the energy that causes these feelings…….

My steps got faster. My staggering arms were caught from both sides.

“Be careful.”

“Careful, Sister! I know it’s urgent, but take it slow. Alright?”

Lenag and Francia, who each grabbed my arm, spoke to me at a time. I nodded and walked again. Soon, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared through the gap.

I hadn’t seen him for only a short while, but my heart was pounding. There was only one person who made me feel this way. The one who was sitting, jumped up. Ricdorian was wearing a tattered shirt like when he had come out of his cell.

“Iana!”

However, as usual, I was faster than him. Instead of walking and hugging him……. Snatch. I grabbed his face.

“I, Iana?”

Ricdorian, whose cheek was caught in an instant, blinked his eyes and gently lowered his head. so that I won’t feel uncomfortable. My heart thumped at the sight, and my fingertips trembled, but I strengthened my hand.

I won’t cry. Because it ain’t over until it’s over

“Who told you to act like this?”

I took a breath.

“Who told you……. To be so selfish!”

Ricdorian was astonished. He looked lost.

“Well, Iana. Did…… something happen? I’m sorry if it’s because I collapsed a while ago. No. Sorry for worrying you. I haven’t been able to take care of my body……. I guess it was because I was tired.”

I was taken aback by his shy smile and his words as clear as the blue sky. Does he still think I don’t know?

“You mean for me to believe that the Red Rose can feel tired now?”

Ricdorian paused. He tried to make excuses, but a voice from behind me spoke faster.

“How is that possible? The Red Rose. Tired. What kind of crap is this? What do you think, Yellow Rose?”

“I don’t want to respond to you in a friendly way, but it is.”

“Right? It was total crap. Tsk tsk tsk.”

As Francia made a tsk tsk tsk sound with her mouth, a frown and an awkward light flashed on Ricdrorian’s face. At the same time, I thought that Ricdorian might be better at acting than I thought. But what about that?

“You don’t have time anymore right? Tell me the truth. I know it.”

At the same time, Ricdorian, who was smiling, stiffened his shoulders.

“Lies don’t work anymore.”

It wasn’t only Ricdorian who was surprised, but I heard Lenag muttering.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

As my words flowed, I stared only at Ricdorian. Ricdorian, who had been looking at me for a long time, opened and closed his lips. When something finally came out of his lips, I raised my hand.

“No, don’t tell me.”

My hand covered Ricdorian’s lips. I looked at him and said,

“Because the story will be long.”

Whatever his reason, the story will be long. It wasn’t that I didn’t resent him for this. However, it cannot be denied that the root of all this man’s actions is ‘me’, no matter what. I made up my mind and pulled away from his lips.

“I won’t let you die.”

I emphasized each word.

“Never.”

I will definitely protect him. My gaze turned back for a moment, then returned to Ricdorian.

“Just trust in me.”

I will move directly. I won’t lose to anyone. No one will get hurt. I promise.

“This situation, I will destroy everything.”

Everything, I’m going to finish it all with my own hands.

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