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Chapter 50
Declan, who gave reasons to persuade me, was very serious.
“Hans’ younger brother is being protected at the residence of Duke Buccleuch. So he can’t have a different mind.”
…Yes. Because Hans thinks of his brother terribly.
“And, a madman recognizes a madman.”
Involuntarily, I nodded my head at the neat arrangement.
“The person is not normal. He was crazy about guardian angels, so I thought he was qualified.”
“How is he eligible?”
“A fanatic who follows you will obey what you say, and he won’t be surprised when the doll moves.”
That would be it. Rather, he was a person who would be moved by the movement of the doll.
“Besides, he will be loyal to the benefactor who saved him and his younger brother.”
The more I listened to him, the more my confused mind calmed down.
“His physical body and stealth skills are also top-notch. That way, he’ll be able to protect you better than a normal attendant.”
It seemed like Declan made a decision after considering it and thinking about it.
“And, since he’s taken an oath of obedience, he can’t hurt you or me.”
“Oath of obedience…? What is it?”
At my question, he pulled out a flat, square stone-like object from his chest before answering me, “It’s magic. If you drip the contractor’s blood on the front side and the contracted person’s blood on the backside, the contractor will obey the contracted.”
“What happens if you break it?”
“The life of the contractor is the guarantee.”
Hearing those words, I was relieved, even though I had goosebumps.
“If you had such a safety device, you should have told me first.”
“I thought I didn’t need to explain because you believed in a man called Hans like a rock.”
For some reason, I glanced at him slightly in his mean tone.
‘When did I say that again?’
It was simply to repay the favor, and I only used him because I thought he would be helpful in catching Count Nolan.
“The only person I trust in this world is Your Majesty.”
Declan’s lips twitched when I said those words.
“Then, am I allowed?”
“Your Majesty is confident, let’s leave it to you.”
He then called Noah again and brought Hans in. Seeing him, Declan opened his mouth, “The guardian angel has given me permission, so please take good care of the doll in the future.”
“Thank you for this glorious opportunity. I will risk my life and do my best to serve you.”
Hans nodded his head with an emotional expression on his face.
After making up my mind, I entered the doll and sat down on the table in front of the office sofa. Declan was sitting on the sofa, and Hans was standing next to him.
‘Ah, I’m finally here to show you this.’
“Your Majesty, you don’t know how much I practiced every night for this.”
“That’s why it’s rustling every night in the doll’s room.”
In my hand was a pen custom-made for the doll.
“Okay then, let’s try it.”
I moved my fingers as delicately as possible to write on the paper. After groaning for a long time and completing only one word, I then stared at my work with pride.
〈 Declan 〉
When writing letters, the first thing I wanted to do was write his name because he was the person I was most grateful for and depended on.
“This is the first thing I wrote. I’ll give it to Your Majesty in particular.”
“Your Majesty, I’m really envious. You’re receiving the guardian angel’s handwriting.” Saying so, Hans put his hands together and looked at me with envy.
“Usually, he’s quiet, but he acts like Noah when it comes to dolls.”
I shook my head and looked at Declan’s expression.
Declan stared at the paper I handed him for a while.
‘Did I write it too bad…?’
It was impossible to move as precisely as a human hand, so the letters were crooked.
“I, if you don’t like it, I can write it again?”
It would be similar to re-writing it, but wouldn’t it be a little better?
“Isn’t this the first thing you wrote?”
“Yes. Except for what I practiced.”
As soon as he heard that answer, Declan’s eyebrows rose.
“It’s an honor to receive your first work.”
He stroked my hair and gave me a satisfied look. I could see Hans’s hand twitching as if he wanted to caress me, too.
‘You can’t.’
As I shook my head towards him, he quickly turned pale.
‘Only Declan can stroke my hair!’
“Well written.”
“Thank God. Actually, I practiced a lot.” I lamented as I recalled the late night practice, and Declan smiled a little.
“Write your name.”
I grabbed the pen again and started writing with all my heart.
〈 Erica〉
Looking up happily, his eyes were strange.
“I’m going to put this in a frame and keep it from generation to generation.”
“Ugh, I’ll decline that.”
Why would he like to put the letters that a child would have written in a frame and display them?
“This is a gift only for His Majesty, so please keep it for yourself.”
He made a sad expression when I strongly recommended keeping it in a safe together with the video stone but to no avail.
“No matter how outstanding a masterpiece is, if people don’t look at it, it has no value.”
“It’s a sensible thing to say. This is the first work that the guardian angel left on this earth, so it should be known widely.”
I clenched my teeth and glared at Hans, but he, who couldn’t see me, chirped in even more excitedly.
“Yes, you have eyes, too. Noah!”
Without a moment’s notice, Noah opened the door and entered, “Did you call me, Your Majesty?”
“Bring a picture frame made of the strongest and highest quality material.”
“What is going on with a frame all of a sudden?”
“Erica wrote for the first time.”
Declan lifted up the paper I had written on him, like a father who brags about his child’s genius. Seeing that, I turned my head in embarrassment.
“Is this really written by the Miss?”
An epitome of honesty, who would say everything he has to say even in front of a tyrant…
“With those tiny hands? Unbelievable. This is a masterpiece that deserves an exhibition right now.”
Even with my ears covered, the sound made me want to hide in a mouse house.
‘Ah, why are you all like this? If I wrote a poem, they would ask to hang it in front of the Imperial Palace…’
I shuddered at the sudden thought. Just because I looked like this doesn’t mean that I’m actually a child!
Every time I came inside the doll, I felt that visual image was important.
“Miss, can you write my name as well? I’d like to have one, too.” Saying so, Noah looked at me and blinked his eyes prettily.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
As I was terrified and about to step back, my vision suddenly darkened.
‘What?’
When I blinked my eyes and looked up, I could see Declan’s large hand.
“Noah, ten steps back.”
I made a face that was too much, though he frowned even more and continued his words, “You should see only the good and the pretty. There’s no need for something so ugly.”
“What do you mean ugly. It’s a look that you can’t miss anywhere you go.”
Noah poured out his resentment with a shocked face.
“You?”
Declan crossed his legs and lifted his head. Even though he had a perfect appearance, he even smiled softly, and my eyes were dazzled. Looking at that face, I turned to Noah and secretly avoided his gaze.
‘…Sorry. I can’t afford to take your side.’
Of course, Noah was handsome enough to not miss it anywhere, although it was different if his opponent was Declan.
‘The difference between God and microbes.’
Perhaps, Noah knew this, too, since the feeling of defeat was vivid on his face.
“You are too much. You are hurting my tender heart.”
Noah held his chest and wept.
“Erica, you mustn’t write anyone else’s name other than me.”
I wanted to ask why not, but I quietly nodded my head under the strange pressure.
“You’re selfish. You’re taking the Miss’ writing by yourself!”
I quickly inspected Declan’s heart. No matter how generous he was to Noah, that obviously seemed to have crossed the line. However, Declan only raised his eyebrows and didn’t look angry.
“From now on, the writings written by Erica cannot be read or owned by anyone without my permission. Do you understand?”
As if announcing a new ordinance, my mouth was wide open.
“You press with power, you are a tyrant!”
Noah grumbled, rubbing his mouth.
“Of course, I’m the Emperor, too.”
The two are childish, so why is the embarrassment on my side? For a moment, I was worried about what Hans would think of this, so I looked at him carefully.
“….”
Hans also rubbed his mouth and looked at Declan with a grudge.
I suddenly became lonely. I wondered if it had finally calmed down, but this time, there was a heated discussion about the type of frame and the schedule of the exhibition.
‘I’m tired, I’m tired.’
For a short time, I felt exhausted, so I lay down on the table.
“Gasp, Guardian Angel, are you okay?”
Hans was startled and came over to me.
“Erica, are you hurt?”
Declan also leaned down and glanced at me anxiously. Then, he grabbed me in his arms and patted me.
“You must have had a hard time writing letters. Take a break.”
It’s because of you…!
Nonetheless, I didn’t have the strength to shout, so I leaned on Declan’s arms. I felt at ease when I was held in his warm arms.
After replenishing my energy for a moment, I lifted my head.
“I’ll have to decide on a hand signal with Hans.”
“Why would you do that?”
Declan tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
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