Chapter 49

“As I wish?”

“W-whatever it is.”

Escape was out of question already, so I no longer had anything I couldn’t say, nor to hesitate in saying.

“I just need to do whatever you want. Just please, let me go.”

“A place you need to go so badly that you ask me this desperately.”

One of Rashid’s eyes distorted, as if being folded.

I knew I was becoming more and more suspicious the more I talked, but we only needed one of us to be the one kid who looked around endlessly looking during their admissions ceremony for a mom that would not be coming.

That kind of wound wouldn’t be forgotten even when you became an adult. It would be too much for young Haniel to bear.

“Your Majesty, I have already told you. I have only come out to walk around the lake.”

“….you expect me to believe that?”

The Emperor’s red eyes swept over me once more, seemingly telling me that was not going to cut it.

The same persistent gaze as what I’d seen in the palace the other day.

But unlike that time, nobody was around to stop him.

Two people by themselves on a narrow forest road.

His gaze was both quiet and persistent, as if even if I was eaten alive he wouldn’t leave a single feather behind.

“I really mean it. I must go.”

“……fine.”

When I gasped for breath like I had been dangling off of him, the feather ornament on my head shook. Even this minute movement that was practically invisible made his set of pupils greatly narrow.

“Then there should be no reason you must go by yourself.”

***

[Okaay, all new students please line up here!]

Quack quack.

Lady Melleo’s resolute shout resounded in the reed forest. The children, who had been with their parents, were pushed to the front one by one.

[Prin- I mean, Miss Reina! You need to go out there now.]

[….B-but.]

[Hurry, you must go. Everyone else is going out there, so how can you stay back here?]

Afraid that she might lag behind, Selene spread her wings and urged Haniel along. Coming all the way here, too, she had looked around several times, her reason apparent.

[Madame will definitely come. She promised.]

[Miz Bwack Swan not here. Miz is lost?.]*

[There is no way Madame doesn’t know where this is. She dominates over this entire lake.]

Princess, your mother is this district’s top dog, you know.

What a ridiculous thing to worry about, Selene seemed to say, and she pushed Haniel into the line of new students at long last.

You have to stay put, okay!

As soon as Selene waved her wings as if saying so and disappeared into the back, Haniel was once again distraught in fear.

[M-mommyy.]

She knew her mommy wouldn’t be there even if she called, but that was still the only thing she could say.

[…Mommy!!]

“You have come again, I see. Let me think, did you say your name was Reina?”

Hiccup, her little chest jumped.

Lady Melleo, who had been passing through the new students, stopped her webbed feet in front of Haniel.

[Why do you not answer me? We’ve met before. Do you still not know who I am?]

[….Teacher Me, Merong.]

[It’s Principal Melleo. Call me that correctly. This is not your house, little lady. You won’t survive here behaving in the manner of a spoiled child.]

[…..]

When Lady Melleo acted more strictly on purpose, even the children surrounding them stopped what they were doing.

What’s happening? What’s wrong?

As more whispers turned towards her increased, Haniel’s head turned all the way to the ground.

[….So, sowwy.]

[Not ‘sorry,’ say ‘I apologize.’ These are basic greetings that are a must for a lady. Reina, from here on out, you…..]

[So you were here, Lady Melleo.]

[Sir Darren.]

Lady Melleo brightened at the sight of the white swan who gracefully interfered. The fact that a person as meticulous as her was being this welcoming was a testament to the swan being a very dignified and sophisticated figure.

[The parents of the new students are waiting. If I may, might I ask you to personally put them at ease?]