Chapter 86

As soon as the engagement ceremony was over, the Pope saw us off and we left the Great Temple. He held me by the hand and was tearing right before I left. If Declan hadn’t cut him off like a sword, we’d probably leave quite delayed.

“Again, it’s amazing that I once was like this…”

I muttered while fiddling with the doll that was my body. After becoming a human, I had a lot of work to do, so I didn’t have time to look at the doll properly.

‘I’ve been struggling to survive with such a small body.’

I was really melancholy about my past.

“It’s a pity that I can’t see it walking or dancing anymore.”

Now that I thought about it, that, too, remained as a happy memory.

“I should have left a little more video.”

Saying so, Declan clicked his tongue in regret.

When I was a doll, I just wanted to burn it right away, but now I couldn’t lie that I was a little curious. What would I look like when I was a doll…?

“Can I see the video, too?”

“You were angry when I was filming such a thing?”

“…It was embarrassing. What a clumsy dance it was.”

Even thinking about it now, my face was burning.

“When you see it in person, you will change your mind. I really want to bite you.”

How could he say something like that casually? As I thought that to myself, I slowly turned my head to hide my reddened face.

“It’s a really nice doll. Not only did it allow me to endure, but it also allowed me to meet you.”

After that, he turned his gaze to the doll. It was only a few months ago when I was swearing at why I was made to possess a doll. Now, like he said, I even felt grateful. Was it because it was a being who had shared a difficult journey with me?

“The link with the doll is now broken, I still want to keep it well for a long time.”

“It should be. There are so many memories here.”

Declan lightly patted the doll’s head and carefully placed it in the box.

“Perhaps, our whereabouts may have been known by now.”

There was concern in his eyes.

“I am no longer a weak doll.”

It was something I was prepared for, but now I had no restrictions. In addition, there was also the power that Rohim gave me.

So, even though I was nervous, I was not afraid.

“I thought I would be less anxious when you became a person, but I’m rather afraid.”

Declan, who was stroking my face, let out a small sigh as he continued.

“I can’t stand it just imagining… if there’s even the slightest damage to your delicate skin.”

“If they put their hand on me, will God stand still?”

Declan smirked when I deliberately put on an arrogant expression to alleviate his worries.

“If God keeps looking at you, I won’t let it go.”

Oh, Rohim must be nervous?

I laughed out loud at the unexpected thought.

“I’m not afraid of anything because Your Majesty is here. As long as we’re together, they won’t be able to even touch us.”

‘…I would definitely do that.’

With that promise, I grabbed his hand, and he clasped it and held it tight.

“I will protect you. I will never lose you in vain like Chloe again.”

The light in his eyes, who muttered the words to himself, changed dimly for a moment and then returned. In any case, it was no use for him to be troubled by the thought of Chloe’s death.

“I will be by your side for a thousand years and ten thousand years.”

Even though I uttered those words calmly, it was filled with determination as if spitting out the natural principles of the world.

“I love you, Erica.”

A soft confession whispered softly in my ears.

“I love you, too.”

As we hugged each other and I buried my face in his arms, his beating heartbeat was transmitted to me.

* * *

“We’re finally at the empire.”

Buildings in a style different from that of Ielro began to appear.

“From now on, you’ll have to be on guard.”

“Have they not figured out our whereabouts yet?”

“I don’t know.”

Declan touched his chin.

“Even so, they will find out soon. There is no place in the Empire that Duke Otien has not reached.”

Then, he opened the window and ordered Liam to strengthen his vigilance.

“The trade negotiators must be coming from Tierra by now, right?”

Although we had originally planned to return before they came, the schedule was changed as we stayed at Perseum longer than expected.

“Perhaps, it is. Mason must be sweating.”

Saying that, Declan still seemed calm. Just as I was about to ask more about the trade negotiation, the carriage rumbled to a halt.

“Guard the carriage!”

Outside, the group’s shouts were heard, followed by the sound of metals hitting each other.

“It’s an attack!”

Declan covered all the curtains on the carriage and grabbed my hand.

“No matter what, never get out of here.”

Looking at him worriedly, I smiled softly.

“Don’t you trust me?”

He kissed my forehead before immediately opening the carriage door and leaving.

‘What do I do? Should I go out now?’

First, I leaned against the carriage wall and listened to the situation outside.

“Ugh.”

I got up reflexively to the sound of someone’s groan and grabbed the doorknob, but I could not easily open the door.

‘…If I go out now, I will be a burden.’

After holding my breath and waiting earnestly for everyone to be safe, it soon became quiet outside.

‘Is it over…?’

The door swung open as I barely moved my back into a corner with an anxious mind. I reflexively retreated back though I became accustomed to his relaxed face.

“Are you okay?”

Declan gazed me around with his eyes.

I was only in the carriage, what was he so worried about?

“Is Your Majesty okay?”

There were drops of blood everywhere, but none of them were injured. Breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled faintly.

“What about the others? I heard a groan earlier.”

“Oh, Hans is hurt a little, but it’s nothing major.”

“Hans?”

I quickly got out of the carriage and glanced around.

The smell of blood was followed by the smell of the earth. There seemed to be enough twenty or so corpses scattered here and there.

“Uuhp.”

I was uncomfortable at the sight I saw for the first time in my life. The next moment, I looked for Hans, trying to avoid seeing the corpses if possible.

“Hans, you’re hurt.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Hans stepped back, feeling awkward.

“Let me take a look.”

“This will get better soon.”

As he turned around and covered his side, it looked like he had been injured there.

“You know who I am? I have a duty to heal the wounded.”

When I insisted with a stern expression on my face, he eventually turned his body back but still looked troubled.

“Hey! Is this really a wound that will get better soon?”

Seeing the cut was quite deep, my face frowned while Hans scratched his head with a shy expression.

“Stay still.”

When I put my hand on the wounded area, the white light shone and the wound healed in an instant.

“Wow…”

Hans exclaimed in admiration as he looked that there was no trace left.

I gazed down at my hand quietly. It was the first time I had healed an injured person after divine power was given to me. While I was terrified that I had such power that the wound healed so quickly… Most of all, I was proud to be able to help others.

“Thank you, Guardian Angel! It is such an honor to receive the grace of God like this!”

Hans fell on his face with tears on his face.

“No. Get up.”

“Meeting the Guardian Angel is the greatest fortune in my life.”

He bowed his head again.

“When I return to the Imperial Palace, I have to improve my skills properly. It’s a shame for the other people.”

Hans got up, feeling embarrassed.

Come to think of it, did the others really not get hurt?

Thinking so, I glanced at Wenzel and Liam with concern, but everything was fine except for a few scratches on their hands.

“Are you okay?”

Finally, as I went to look at the Kefienas, they took a bow.

“We’re okay. Didn’t Rohim grant us protection?”

Niki replied softly, showing there was no problem at all.

“Still, don’t overdo it.”

“Yes.”

As I requested worriedly, Niki and other Kefienas responded with a smile. I then entered back into the carriage again while they cleaned up the bodies.

“Erica, I’m hurt too.”

Declan followed me in and frowned.

“Where?”

“It’s a little sore here.”

At the question, he swung his left hand at me, and I gazed to see if there were any major wounds. However, there were no visible wounds that could be seen.

“Hm, I can’t see the wound?”

“Here.”

Then, he pointed at a certain part with his finger.