I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 24

(Like My Granddaughter)

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It has been a while since Ella left the room. I was sitting on the couch and enjoying the warmth of the fireplace.

I wish I had my books on me. I wonder where Anne put my books.

Sigh~

I shouldn't be thinking about useless things. I can read them when I reach the palace. Anyways, I hope Anne is alright. So she will be reaching the Capital of Fellmirr earlier than me.

I got up from the couch and went near the window. The corners of the window were frozen with beautiful frost patterns. How pretty!

I looked outside. The entire town was covered with white snow. It's like I entered a white fantasy land.

Now that I think about it, the forest is right behind the town. No. More like the town is surrounded by the forest.

Hmmm…

What a strange place to build a town. It's in the middle of a forest. How do people even find this place!? Well, they are beastmen after all. It's probably because of their eyesight or their sense of smell.

Anyways I wonder when we will continue the journey. The weather seems to have gotten better.

It seems like the blizzard has stopped.

"Princess."

I flinched and looked behind. It was Leonus. He was right behind me. And his eyes are blue now.

Phew~

Chuckle*

"Were you surprised? I apologize, my dear. I have called you so many times but you didn't respond."

Leonus put his head on my shoulder from behind and said.

"Anyways, what are you looking at?"

"N-Nothing."

"Hmm. Is that so? Anyways let's go. We have to leave this place now, Princess."

"Okay."

After that, Leonus escorted me downstairs.

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"Greetings. So you kids are already leaving?"

Cale said with a sad face. He was in the reception room.

"Yes. We should continue as the weather is a little better now."

Leonus replied to Cale with a straight face.

"Yes. Yes."

Cale sighed and said slowly.

"Young Lady, come here for a bit."

I was standing beside Leonus while holding his hand. I was quite surprised when he called me.

"Yes?"

"Won't you listen to this old man?"

I looked at Leonus. He was glaring at Cale. But then he softened his expression and looked at me. As if giving permission, he nodded his head.

I went near Cale. He then put his hand on my head and was murmuring something. And in a minute a bright light filled the whole room. I closed my eyes as it was too bright.

"I hope you will choose the right way, child. And I hope you will be happy here."

Cale said while patting my head. My eyes widened. A low and gentle voice.

I looked at him. He was smiling gently. Why does he look so familiar?! There was still a bright light in the room.

"Isabella!"

I can hear Leonus shouting. He then hurriedly came to me and grabbed my shoulder.

"Isabella! Are you alright?"

He asked anxiously. Is he worried? Well, it will be a problem if something happens to me.

"Yes. I am fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He then glared at Cale and grabbed him by his collar. His eyes turned red.

"You old snake! What did you do to her?"

Cale smiled softly and said,

"Calm down, young man. You really love your mate, huh? Don't worry. It was just a blessing.".

"What?"

"She is like my granddaughter. So I gave her my blessing."

"You-"

"Leon!"

Leonus halted and looked at me.

"Don't. He is telling the truth."

"But Bell-"

"Please. And he is an elder. You should be respectful to him."

I said nervously. I don't know what he will say. Is he going to beat me for that?

Well, at least the elderly will be safe. I can bear a bit of beating.

"Tch! Sigh! What am I supposed to do with you?"

He then let go of Cale's collar and came near me and was going to put his hand on my cheek. Is he going to slap me? I closed my eyes tightly.

"Are you sure you are okay?"

But contradictory to my assumption, he put his hand on my cheek gently and asked me. I opened my eyes. His eyes were blue again.

Phew~

I sighed in relief.

"Isabella, are you really fine?"

I nodded my head and said,

"Yes."

"Tch! Let's go."

"Wait."

I then greeted Cale and said,

"Thanks for everything.".

Cale smiled and replied,

"Anytime, my dear.".

How strange! I feel like crying.

"Bell, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Let's go."

After that, they went outside the inn. And Cale was left alone… once again.

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Whoosh~

A cold wind struck my skin.

It's really cold outside. But that didn't seem to affect anyone. The outside of the inn was bustling. Everyone was busy preparing for the journey.

Now that I see, Ella was right. Almost half of the Knights were absent. I hope they are safe.

"Bell, let's go."

"Uh- Yes."

A knight opened the door of the carriage and Leonus helped me to get in.

"I will be back in a minute."

"Oh- Okay."

Then he closed the carriage door.

It's so warm inside. I sat comfortably. Suddenly-

Thud!

The carriage door opened with a loud noise. I flinched at the sudden noise.

"Go! Check her."

It was Leonus. He brought Sir Blaine with him. It hasn't been a minute yet.

"Yes. Yes. I am going."

Sigh~

Blaine sighed and got in the carriage. Leonus followed him to the carriage and sat beside me. Sir Blaine sat in front of me.

Why did he bring Sir Blaine? I heard Sir Blaine is a magician. Wait… Is he going to beat me and then ask sir Blaine to heal me? What am I supposed to do?

"Greetings, princess. Can you give me your hand?"

Sir Blaine forwarded his hand and asked me.

I was going to put my hand over his hand. But suddenly Leonus grabbed my hand and glared at Sir Blaine.

"What did you just say?"

Even though Leonus said that with a smile, Blaine knew that he was pissed.

"Captain, you do know I need to be in physical contact with the person to cast magic."

Sir Blaine sobbed and said.

"Shut up! Do it without any contact."

Sob*

"Yes."

Then Swoosh~

A bright light surrounded me. Although it wasn't as bright as it was in the Reception room of the inn. Sir Blain's eyes were closed and he was murmuring something.

"So? Is she okay?"

'Don't bother me while I am casting magic. I need to concentrate. Damn it! I wish I could say that.'

"Princess is better than before. She is a little bit weak but she will be okay after resting and eating well. But nothing is-"

"Tch! Is there any strange flow of mana in her body?"

'Aghh! Stop interrupting me! I was going to answer it anyway.'

"No. She-"

"Okay. Then get out."

'Sob*'

Blaine sobbed inwardly.

"Yes."

And Blaine left the carriage.

"Princess, we will continue our journey now. Our destination is Dedra territory. We will stay there for a day. And from there we will continue until we reach the Capital."

"Oh. I see."

"I am going to ride my horse now. Just say my name, if you need anything."

After that Leonus kissed my hand and got out of the carriage.

Rattle*

And in a minute the carriage started to move in the white street of snow.