Chapter 55 (1/2)

While I was leaning against a firm shoulder, going on and on, the great gods finally informed me of two different realities.

“… Your Ladyship.”

First, they reminded me of who I was clutching onto with my two hands.

「…My. 」

Second, only I could hear Haniel speaking.

“Achoo!”

Those were not the only two things I realized. After hearing the sneeze I let out, I realized that I was currently in a lake during the winter, and I had jumped into its ice-cold waters.

“Come… Come here.”

With a shaking hand, I took in Haniel, who was with Rashid. I didn’t have the courage to look into his eyes, but judging by how he had kept me alive so far, it seemed I still had another day to live.

If he really wanted to kill me, he would’ve grabbed me by the head and submerged me in the water right there.

“…”

Maybe he shouldn’t have followed me in the first place.

“Th-thank you.”

“…”

As expected, there was no answer, but I found that more reassuring. Although I had no idea what I was saying at that moment, whether I live or not was not as important as Haniel’s current state.

“…Mo…mmy… E…Elder brother… he…”

“I know.”

You don’t have to look. It’s not something you have to look at.

I wrapped Haniel with my drenched shawl, quickly loosening it from my shoulders.

Judging by how she was merely blinking her eyes like a broken doll, the kid must’ve been shocked greatly.

With the wet mud unable to be shaken off, and Haniel starting to convulse, I grew impatient. I needed to return and wash her with warm water as soon as possible.

「…Madam! What should we do? What happened to the Young Lady? 」

「Your Ladyship! 」

Starting with Selene, all the birds in the lake started making a fuss, surrounding us.

Even Lady Melleo waddled over. She absentmindedly gazed at Rashid, it seemed she had figured out who Rashid was.

「Oh… Oh my! To think that we would meet here! I must greet the Emperor who has been given the prestigious protection of the sun god…”」

“Hu, what kind of birds are these!”