[Mommy.] Haniel, who had been clinging tightly to Darren, became frightened when the birds suddenly disappeared. However, she was well aware of how urgent the situation was. [I have to find Mommy!] Summoning her courage, she shouted, but as expected, the adults were nowhere to be seen.
[We can only find Mommy if I wear the ring!] With that thought in mind, she tried her best to hold her breath, but as soon as she saw the murky water, fear engulfed her.
‘Our princess, huhuhu. Mommy has been looking for you.’
[I can do it.]
Haniel could do it too! Even if Mommy was scared of the rain!
*SPLASH*
Haniel tightly closed her eyes and buried her head in the water. All she wanted now was to return to Mommy, who came to find her on a rainy day.
“[Ugh.] Bubbles surged from her mouth. The fear of being submerged in the water, just like last time, enveloped her small body. Struggling and shaking her head, Haniel suddenly stopped moving.
[Yes, that’s it. Slowly, open your eyes wide. Look around and see if there’s anything——] Teacher Darren had said that Haniel could do it! Recalling the explanations she had heard several times during class, she relaxed her body but she realized that she didn’t sink like last time.
[Big brother.]
Just then, her older brother’s large hand reached out and grabbed her. When she realized that she had never touched the bottom before, strangely enough, her heart didn’t beat fast anymore. Perhaps a small glimmer of courage that she wouldn’t sink this time floated faintly, lifting her body ever so slightly.
“Huh?”
A flash. Red eyes blinked underwater.
[This is it! I’m not sinking!]
While unconsciously assuming a certain posture, another world unfolded before her. A different sense of comfort spread throughout her body, separate from being outside the water. Unable to explain that fascinating and astonishing feeling, Haniel watched the swaying seaweed on the ocean floor with fascination.
[No! No! This isn’t it! Even if it’s as beautiful as the blue sea, this couldn’t bring back Mommy. I have to wear the ring to bring Mommy back!]
She ignored the pretty colored seaweed and various pebbles. No matter how beautiful they were, they couldn’t compare to Mommy. Struggling to avoid looking at them, she opened and closed her eyes, fervently shaking her little claw.
[Mommy, please wait!] The eyes of the buoyant baby swan in the water sparkled as fiercely as the adults. As she continued to splash, Haniel suddenly opened her beak wide, spreading her wings widely as she approached the center of the lake. [Mommy!]
◇ ◆ ◇
“Big brother?”
Although Rebecca’s scream drowned it out, Rashid’s eyes twitched. Oh no! Not again. He covered his mouth to suppress his smirk, unintentionally pressing it down.
“Grrr!”
[It’s me! Me!]
The demon dog that raised its front paw at Rebecca glanced at him.
‘So he came to buy some time!’ Unable to contain his impressed heart, he placed his hand on his trembling cheek.
“I don’t understand. It’s been quiet for the past few days, so why the hell is the dog here?”
“Your Majesty, I’ll have to call the court ladies in before it harms them. It’s ferocious but it’s rare for me to step forward like this——- ”
The prince, who had been following a step behind, quickly drew his sword. Tennon, having witnessed the unexpected commotion, subtly waited for Rashid’s command. The best way was for the owner, the Emperor, to call in the dog, but if not, at least the imperial name must be dropped to move.
“Hurry up and get the dog.”
“Leave it.”
“What? But———”
“I wish I was tired of the demon beasts’ lineage chasing to the North while carrying their offspring.”
“…”
As if understanding the dog’s sentiments, Rashid’s attitude suddenly transformed into that of an animal lover, and the princes sheathed their swords. Even now, they were just overturning things and causing chaos without any purpose, never attacking or biting anyone.
“The guy who used to live like that somehow ended up hanging a basket on his back.”
Whoa.
Stepping back from the faintly rising dust, Rashid revealed a glimpse of his obliviousness as a clueless dog owner.
“Your Majesty, the nobles are watching.”
“Well, so what?”
After observing those who were keeping their distance for a while, Rashid slowly raised his hand. As the dog’s owner, he couldn’t just stand by and watch forever when such a commotion was taking place. Besides, isn’t there a good reason? Just as he was about to call the dog and tighten his grip on his fingers, the dog suddenly stopped in its tracks.
*WOOF!*
“?”
The black eyes of the demon dog widened as it looked back at the bird flown in from the lake. As the dog approached him and lowered himself before Rashid called, the princes’ expressions became strange.
“Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
“I think he knows he did something wrong. Anyway, Dog! I will firmly ask you to take responsibility for today’s incident!”
Want to read more chapters and support us? Please consider becoming a patron to read up to 7 chapters in advance!
