Chapter 26.1

Whether what happened here was my subconscious, reality, or anyone else’s desire, whatever it was, there was no one here who was as tired as me. It’s selfish, but it was the truth.

“I know it’s very sudden. But can’t you just give me a hug?”

I needed warmth, even for just a moment. It was not an impure intention. In fact, it didn’t matter who it was. Mikael just happened to be the perfect person right now.

If it had been Evan in front of me, I would have asked him. If Elijah and I were affectionate to each other, I would have hugged him without saying anything.

Since that’s what a common family is like.

“… What?”

Mikael lifted his chin quickly as if someone had pulled it. Seeing his expression, he seemed very surprised.

“It’s nothing. Forget it.”

I added as I stood up.

“You said something weird. You’re tired too…”

“No. No way.”

Without giving me a chance to finish my words, a pleasant scent filled my head. A sigh of relief unconsciously burst out as I felt his strong arms tightening around my waist.

“Thank you.”

My expression of gratitude was crushed against his shoulder. I stood on my tiptoes and embraced Mikael’s neck tightly. He buried his face in my neck as if to answer.

It was an innocent embrace.

It was nice to hear the sound of regular breathing in my ears. Because of this, although very slightly, I seemed to be getting better.

***

My skin was stinging from the hot sun. The hood on my face could not overcome the harsh, hot wind, and eventually fell down. Celina’s purple hair fluttered.

I barely stood there, breathing hard.

“Haha!”

Red Tail laughed so much that her stomach hurt.

“I underestimated you back then. What a fool I was.”

Above the vast desert, only the sound of her laughter echoed around.

“I never even dreamed it would be like that. Well, he is an archmage. He wouldn’t just abandon his daughter.”

She cursed, then pulled out the knife I had seen at that time from the leather garters on her thighs. Trudge, trudge. The sound of the boots trampling on the sand sounded dangerous.

“I’ll be sure this time. I’m serious. I don’t make the same mistakes twice.”

Help me. I turned around and started running. But no matter how much I ran, I didn’t take a single step. The harsh sand turned into a muddy swamp and bound my feet. My body did not move.

Don’t go.

There was a voice in my ears that I didn’t know whose it was. No , I shouted loudly, but my voice didn’t come out. My feet began to sink in slowly.

And I finally collapsed.

I gasped urgently and opened my eyes. Seriously, I kept having all these stupid dreams. I rubbed my forehead to wipe off the cold sweat and raised my upper body.

Speaking of which. I mean, you’re supposed to wake up like this when you’re shocked. If this was a dream, how…

“… Hm?”

I blinked a few times, wondering if I was seeing an illusion. But it wasn’t an illusion.

A cat with black fur and an odd eye had clearly climbed on top of my legs and was licking its fur. It felt quite heavy.

“You. What are you?”

I muttered blankly. It was obvious that I hadn’t been able to run away in my dream because of this child.

No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t seem like it came in from the outside. The cat with sharp eyes glanced at me like I was uncivilized, then moved agilely and gracefully and landed on the rug on the floor.

The topaz-like gemstone on the lace collar sparkled beautifully.

A golden color.

There was only one person in question.

“Hey. What the hell are you?”

Without taking my eyes off the cute intruder, I reached out my hand hesitatingly and rang the bell.

“Have you woken up? Did you sleep peacefully?”

Ian immediately came in. I omitted the morning greeting.

“What is this child? Did you bring it here?”

“… I apologize. I don’t know either. It’s the first time I’m seeing it.”

He replied with an equally confused expression. The two of us kept our mouths shut and repeated the process of staring at the cat and staring at each other about three times.

“Hm. I wonder if it is the Master after all. Bad things have been happening to the Young Lady these days.”

“I also assumed that right away. Why did he do this without notice?”

I trembled.

“I had a nightmare because of it.”

“Did you? What should I do…”

Ian frowned and stared gently at the cat, as if pondering.

The cat, who stretched as it got up, walked as if the two of us did not exist in this space, and then sat proudly by the sunny window. Its fur was shining, showing how well it was kept.

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