TYHL 157

~Chapter 157~

My lips moved, but no sound came out.

“Duke Zebert…”

Second, who was holding me like a hostage, growled.

“Let go of that hand.”

Dad’s purple eyes glowed coldly. I had never seen him look so scary.

A dark, heavy aura poured out of him, so intense it hurt my skin.

Sensing the danger, the high-level magical beast charged, breathing fire.

“Dad…!”

But before I could even finish speaking—

Boom.

“Ha…”

The huge monster’s body fell to the ground, split in two.

A beast that could be a challenge for a whole squad had been defeated before it could even breathe fire.

With a single slash from Dad’s sword.

Step, step.

He kept walking forward.

“I told you to let go… This is the second time.”

Dad’s eyes, somehow out of focus, were fixed only on Second’s hand holding me.

But unlike with the beast, he didn’t charge in recklessly.

‘He can’t move quickly because I’m being held.’

If this went on, the Mage King might attack Dad first.

I didn’t want that!

I struggled to get out of Second’s grip.

“Let go. Let go!”

Just as I gathered magic power to break her hand away—

Whish!

A sharp, fast sound cut through the air.

Thud!

“Kuh!”

Second’s hand suddenly lost its strength.

Because of that, I rolled on the ground, but the thick leaves softened the fall.

I quickly lifted my head.

There was a thin arrow piercing her shoulder.

‘That arrow… no way!’

“Whew…”

Not far away, pink hair fluttered in the wind. She was breathing hard.

“Right now, my husband said to let go of our daughter.”

Rosetta smiled coldly, pulling back her bow again.

“Why don’t you ever listen the first time? So rude…”

Another arrow flew through the air.

Before I could even see where it was aimed, someone grabbed me tightly.

“Ha.”

Dad had rushed in like lightning. His big body almost collapsed as he hurried to hold me.

“Thank goodness…”

His voice, so full of held-back emotions, was breaking.

“I’m so glad…”

I grabbed onto his collar and closed my eyes tight.

Arrows rained down.

Second quickly cast a defensive spell, but she was forced back.

“What a nuisance…”

A thin back stood in front of me and Dad, blocking us.

Just her back showed how angry she was.

“M-mom…!”

“Rubian. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Rosetta glanced back and smiled softly.

I sat on the ground, dazed in Dad’s arms.

“N-no, but… how did you… when…”

“Your eyes got all wide. So cute.”

“….”

“I came to surprise you, but I’m the one who ended up surprised. Anyway, don’t worry anymore.”

She turned back to face the front again.

“I’ll get rid of that one.”

“Huh?”

A big hand covered my ears, so I couldn’t hear her next words well…

Just then, Second, lying on the ground, got back up.

“Ha, you’re all crazy.”

Blood dripped from her drooping shoulder.

“Mom? Dad? Do you really think that child is just an ordinary kid?”

Her shiny eyes turned to me.

A chill ran down my spine.

Second smirked.

“She’s—”

“No—!”

“a mage.”

At that moment, I forgot how to breathe.

“Family, I’m actually a mage.”

I had practiced this line countless times.

When my secret as a girl was revealed—

I promised myself I would tell the rest of my secrets in my own words.

Once I was free from the stigma—

Once I got away from the trackers—

“But I’m not like those mages who made the Duke’s family unhappy!”

I wanted to say it bravely.

Even if I was nervous, I wanted to act calm.

“See? There’s no mark on my body. That’s proof I’m far from that world now.”

So please, don’t see me as suspicious. Don’t remember my bad past. Don’t be sad…

But—

‘Why… Why does nothing ever go the way I want…?’

Where did it all go wrong?

Why did things turn out this way?

All I did was try to do what I could.

‘The stigma, the trackers—!’

If not that… then what was I supposed to do?

Reality stared me in the face again.

My hands shook as I clutched them together.

With effort, I lifted my heavy head and looked at Dad’s profile.

His lips were stiff, his eyes wild and unblinking.

A low, dark aura shimmered over his broad shoulders.

Dad was truly angry.

“Do you really think you can handle that child?”

Second looked at my pale, frozen face and smiled with madness.

“She’s a seed of misfortune. The kind of mage you hate so much, and do you know how cunning she’s been…!”

“Stop it!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I shouted.

“Rubian.”

“Please… just stop.”

I rubbed my eyes hard, and hot tears smeared my cheeks.

“Who are you to say that…”

You mean I don’t even get to say it myself?

“Who are you…”

I wiped my tears over and over. When my eyelids got red and puffy, Dad mumbled something and gently pressed my hands down.

Suddenly, a desperate feeling and unbearable anxiety filled me.

Maybe—maybe it’s not too late. I can’t miss my chance.

“D-dad.”

I wiped my tears and grabbed his collar.

His face, looking down at me, was twisted in pain.

“I know it’s late, but actually… I… I…”

My breathing was a mess.

Imagination was nothing like reality.

I wasn’t brave, and I couldn’t hide how scared I was.

I hadn’t meant to hide it.

I just wanted to explain when I finished what I needed to do, but now I didn’t know how to say it without being misunderstood.

“So, I’m actually from the Magic Kingdom, I mean, a mage—!”

“Rubian.”

Once more, Dad’s big arms wrapped around me.

Pat, pat.

His hand rubbed my back, and tears I’d held back started falling.

“Wait… I have something to say… Something I really, really need to say…”

“Okay. I’ll listen to everything. So calm down.”

His voice was gentle, comforting. Dad pulled away a little and looked at me softly.

“I always told you, do what you want in our family.”

“….”

“That still counts.”

His hand gently wiped my cheek.

“Ruby, say what you want to say. Not what you have to say.”

I looked up with teary eyes.

“Is that really what you want to hear, Dad?”

Drip, drip.

Tears fell on my clothes.

What did I want to say? That was…

“Dad…”

My words came out mixed with crying. In the moment our eyes met, Dad seemed to know what I would say, and hugged me tight.

I clung to his strong neck and sobbed.

“I’m scared…”

So please—

“Help me…”

That was something I’d held in for a long, long time.

“Someone, please help me…”

Maybe I’d wanted to shout that from the battlefield, all along.

I’m scared. I’m tired.

Somebody help me.

But who?

This was my second life. I was used to bearing things alone.

Protecting myself had always been my job. That was carved into my bones from my previous life.

But—

If I’d asked for help sooner, would anything have changed?

If the stigma is gone—

If the trackers are gone—

Without any conditions, just—

If I had said I needed help, would it have been okay?

“Of course, Ruby.”

A low voice answered me.

“Dad will help you with everything.”

Crack. The sound of a sword being gripped tightly was chilling.

Dad passed me to Mom and slowly stood up.

A savage energy swirled around his giant back.