I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 74

(Dream)

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"Princess."

Leonus said with a hoarse voice and started roughly sucking Isabella's lips.

Mmph*

Isabella struggled to breathe. 

Haa~*

Unlike other times, he stopped kissing her lips while listening to her struggling.

Huff* Huff*

Isabella started breathing roughly.

"Princess… Do you hate it?"

"...No."

"Then kiss me back."

"Huh?"

"You don't want to?"

"That's not it. I am just shy…"

"What's there to be shy about? I am your mate, after all. If you are shy just about kissing. What will you do when I eat you?"

"Huh… That…"

Isabella said with a flustered face. Her face was burning red.

"Well, you will get used to it. I will eat you every day, after all."

Whispering that Leonus bit Isabella's lips.

>

Gasp*

I jumped up from my bed.

Huff* Huff*

Why am I having trouble breathing? And why is it so hot?

Haah~

I… What did I just dream about?! Leonus and me…

Kyaa~

I covered my face with both hands. I know there isn't anyone in my room. But still… I am so embarrassed… My face and neck are burning.

It's all because of that Cursed book. 

I should get some fresh air. Or I could never fall asleep.

Thinking that I got down from the bed and walked to the balcony.

Whoosh~

A cold wind struck me.

It's so dark outside. Well, it is the middle of the night, after all.

And I couldn't concentrate on anything today.

Sigh~

I have to think. Before anything, I have to know about myself.

The Silver Shapeshifter with Blue eyes…

He didn't say Beastmen but Shapeshifter. And Silver? Is it Silver hair? But if he can say Blue-eyed then why not Silver-haired?

Aghh~

That old tree… Sigh~

Rattle* Rattle*

Suddenly I heard a carriage rattling from outside. I looked down. 

A carriage stopped in front of the Royal Palace. And someone got down. I wonder who it is…

Could it be… Mathias?!

I trembled at the thought. 

No. No way. It cannot be him. Yes. Calm down, Isabella. It can be Daniel.

Ah. Yes. It must be Daniel. He must have returned from the Academy. 

Haa~

Let's just get inside the room and sleep. I have to search for some clues about the Shapeshifter tomorrow.

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"Good Morning, My Lady- Ah. You are already awake."

Anne said while entering my room.

I just woke up early today. Is it because I am worried? What if I can't find it in time…

Haa~

"My Lady, are you alright? You look troubled for some reason."

"I am okay. Oh. Anne."

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Prepare a bath for me right now."

"But My Lady, please have breakfast before that."

"Alright."

After that, I got down from my bed and washed my face. Then I had a light breakfast. 

"My Lady. Your bath is ready."

"Alright."

I got up from my chair and went inside the bathroom.

After that Anne undressed me and I got into the bath. 

"You can get out."

"Ah. Alright, My Lady. I will be standing outside the door. Please call my name if you need anything."

Saying that Anne bowed and left.

"Haa~ The water feels so good."

I miss Ella and Cande. I hope they are doing well.

And also mother… and the Emperor… everyone…

Sigh~

I will meet them soon. But for now, let's focus on the things on my hand.

The silver shapeshifter with blue eyes, the fire spirit, and my magic.

Fire Spirit… Should I ask Daniel? He is a Fire Wizard after all. 

No. First, let's read some books about fire magic. If I don't find anything, then I will ask him, I guess.

Sigh~

I sighed leaning on the bathtub. 

Knock* Knock*

"My Lady. You should get up from the bath now. Or else, you will catch a cold."

"Alright."

Soon Anne entered the bathroom and wiped my body with a towel.

After that, I went back to my room and Anne started dressing me up. 

"It's done, My Lady."

"Hmm."

"My Lady, What do you want for lunch?"

"Anything will do."

"I see."

"You can go now, Anne."

"Alright, My Lady."

Saying that Anne bowed and left the room.

Hmm… 

Let's read those books I have brought.

I got up from the chair and went towards the bookshelf. Then I took some books about magic and started reading them.

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Haa~

There's nothing new. I have been reading these books for hours now.

Even my back is hurting now. 

Haa~

Let's take a break for now.

Let's enjoy some fresh air on the balcony.

As soon as I got up from my chair to go to the balcony, someone knocked on my door.

"Princess, it's me, Kelvin. May I come in?"

Sigh~

"Come in."

I said in an annoyed voice. 

Creak~

"Greetings, Her Highness, the Princess."

"Why did you come here?"

"It's about today's dinner. The Prince requested you to join the dinner."

"No."

"Huh? Bu-"

"Don't make me repeat myself. I said, No. So, get out."

"Ah. Alright."

Kelvin bowed and left the room.

Haa~

I can finally go to the balcony now.

I went to the balcony while stretching my hand.

Whoosh~

Such a cold breeze. 

Now that I think about it, after her birthday, it will be time for the Mid-Autumn Expedition. 

William: "Isabella."

Aghh! Does he not have any work?

Let's just ignore him.

William: "Isabella."

Don't bother. Just ignore him, Isabella.

William: "Isabella."

"..."

William: "Isa-"

Aghh.

"Oh my. Greetings, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. I apologize. I didn't notice you earlier."

I said with a smile.

"Ah. It's okay."

"So do you need something from me?"

"Oh, no. But…"

But?

"But will you not join the dinner tonight?"

"No. I have already informed the butler."

"I really wish for you to join me for dinner."

"I ap-"

"Please."

Oh my goodness. What is wrong with him? Aghh.

"N-"

"Please, Isabella."

"Alright."

Ah. Why am I such a pushover…

"Thank you so much."

"Then please excuse me."

Saying that I hurriedly returned to my room.

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Aghh~ 

He is so stubborn. 

Anyways… What should I do now?

The books I have here don't have any necessary information.

Aghh. I have to go to the library again.

Knock* Knock*

"My Lady, it's time for your lunch."

"Come in."

I will go there after lunch.

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Hmm. Which books should I take with me? 

Aghh. Please don't let me find any cursed books.

Thinking about this and that, I continued walking in the hallway of the first floor.

"You-"

Huh? I looked in front of me.

Daniel… I guess he was the one who was in that carriage last night. 

Anyways, why does he look so shocked? Whatever. Let's just bow and pass him.

"Greetings, His Highness, the Second Prince."

Saying that I continued walking.

"You? Is that really you? Did you really come out of your room? Alone?"

"Why? Can I not?"

"Huh? Of course, you can. I just didn't expect you."

"And it's Isabella. Not YOU."

"Ah. I apologize."

Daniel flinched hearing that then apologized.

He is weird. 

"I don't need your apology."

"I... I see."

Daniel said in a low voice.

Now that I think about it, he warned me about Mathias at that time. Although it was useles-

[

"Isabella! Run! Run away!"

A boy with red hair screamed desperately.

Grrr*

A growling monster is in front of me. It looks like a dog. But huge with sharp teeth. Poisonous Saliva is dribbling from its teeth. 

Huff* Huff*

I have to run away. But I can't move.

"I will kill you this time."

Huh? Mathias? He looks young. And what is he saying?

Kill? Kill me?

Huff* Huff*

I can't breathe. 

]

Aghh* 

My head! My head hurts! 

I staggered. 

"Isabella?!"

But Daniel caught me before I could fall.

Huff* Huff*

I can't breathe. It hurts. It hurts.

Someone. Someone, please stop this. It hurts.

My head. It will explode. 

"Aghh."

"Hey! What's wrong? Isabella! Isabella! Say something."

Daniel said, panicking.

"My head-"

Aghh*

Why? Why does it hurt so much?

"Your head? Does it hurt? D*mn it! Say something."

"Shut up!"

I screamed. 

My head already hurts. His voice is making it worse.

Huff* Huff*

I can't breathe. My consciousness… It's slowly fading.

"Hey! Isabella. Open your eyes! D*mn it! Isabella~"

The last thing I could hear was Daniel's panicked voice. As I lost my consciousness right after that.

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Haa~

I opened my eyes. It seems like I am lying on a bed. 

I slowly got up.

Aghh*

My head still hurts a little bit. I remember losing my consciousness. 

Anyways-

"Where am I?"

I looked around. This is not my room. And looking outside, it's probably night.

"You are in my room."

I flinched hearing the voice and looked beside the bed.

Daniel was standing right next to the bed wearing a robe.

"Ah. I-I apologize for causing so much trouble."

Aghh. Why am I in his room?! 

Now that I think about it, I was in his arms while losing consciousness.

So embarrassing!

"What are you saying?"

"N-Nevermind. I will return to my room."

"Huh? But the phys-"

"Thanks for worrying about me. But I am alright now."

I said while getting down from the bed.

"And I apologize for bothering you. Then please excuse me."

Saying that I slightly bowed and walked towards the door.

"H-Hey. Wait. Isabella!"

Ignoring his words, I hurriedly left the room.