The two women who looked alike hugged each other warmly.
“That’s her daughter.”
“Sure enough.”
A happy smile settled on the faces of the Barbarians. There were also people who sighed as they thought of the family that they had left behind. So while Lara and Isadora were catching up, Acerus approached the Barbarians.
“Long time no see. I have something to tell you so I come here alone for now. I will give you a public welcome next time, so let’s start with…”
“Who?”
“What?”
“Who’s the opponent?”
Acerus was flustered. As he was about to ask back because he did not understand the meaning of the question, a middle-aged Barbarian standing in front of him said with a ferocious smile.
“Who is the enemy? Your weak knights could not deal with them. Isn’t that why you had that brat, Oscar, to call us all?”
“Huh? Nope?”
“No?”
“It’s not me who called you.”
“Then, who?”
“The woman Demian has a passionate crush on.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
The Barbarians gave strength on their chins, pushed their faces back, and lowered the corners of their mouths. It was even more spiteful when they made such a face as a group. Acerus could not shake the awful feeling he had that he would be the carrier pigeon to notify of Demian’s crush.
Acerus had been contemplating for the past few days. When the Barbarians arrived in Dandelion, how would he explain what had happened to Demian and his comrades?
This was not a big deal compared to the daily conflicts at the border. Even now, if he could, Acerus wanted to order Demian and his comrades to be immediately released from imprisonment, then, he would call all those responsible for the matter, and he would yell at them. But that saintess with a haughty face warned him not to deal with the matter like that.
‘I can’t figure her out.’
Acerus had always prided himself as someone who knew women’s hearts quite well. The reason he was once called Dandelion’s best womanizer was not because he used his position to date any woman but because he liked to talk to women and hear their deepest stories.
But he could have never figured out what was inside that cold-hearted saintess. What she was thinking, how she would act now, whether she was friendly to him or not—he knew nothing about that; it made him scared. But at the same time, that point of hers was also very impressive.
‘Is it because God is a God after all?’
Maybe the God of Fate was trying to balance this tilted world through that saintess. Even if she did not use the power of God, summon light, or turn the ground over, she still had the power to move the people.
Acerus thought that perhaps he was the best subordinate to be handled among all those people.
“I’m just going to be honest.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lampion took Domino and Demian to a shop. It was to buy a present for Demian to give to his crush.”
“What?”
“But the people of Tarragon, knowing those three were Barbarians, tried to kick them out of the shop. There were some exchanges of cussing and punching. Because of that, Lampion, Domino, and Demian took all the blame and were put in prison.”
At first, the Barbarians looked like they could not understand what Acerus was talking about. But the longer he spoke, the playfulness on their faces slowly faded.
A Barbarian asked.
“You tried to kick us out? Because we’re Barbarians?”
“I’m sorry.”
Acerus apologized cleanly. He was a man who knew how to apologize for the mistakes of his people. But his apology did not mean it did not happen.
“Crown Prince Acerus.”
A middle-aged Barbarian standing in the front said.
“We fought for Tarragon. We were paid like mercenaries, but we still tried to be loyal to your country.”
“I know.”
“If we have to be treated that way just because we are Barbarians, we will never fight for Tarragon again in the future.”
“I know that too.”
“Not only that. We could be your enemies. Tarragon is not a Barbarians' country. If that happens, I will fight harder than anyone else. I can weave the necks of your knights that you are so proud of and drag them around.”
“That too… I know.”
“But why didn’t you release them? You’re the Crown Prince.”
At his question, Acerus took a heavy breath and looked at Lara. and again, he spoke frankly.
“The saintess did not want that. If I deal with the matter like that… she thinks that the problem would never be solved.”
“The saintess?”
“Yeah. it was actually not Oscar who called you here, but the saintess.”
“Who is that?”
“That lady.”
Acerus raised his hand and pointed to Lara.
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Lara kept her head down in Isadora’s arms for a very long time. As she was focusing on her mother’s touch patting her back and shoulders, she felt like the worries that had been accumulated had melted away.
“What happened?”
Isadora asked. Lara muttered that she was okay and asked how her mother got there.
“As soon as the Royal Palace suggested sending a delegation here, Princess Sonnet actively recommended me. The nobles opposed it… But they became quiet when the King told them that they should send the most influential person in Tarragon.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“No.”
Isadora smiled.
“The duty of a delegation is nothing. Hautean has decided to abandon Prince Sidhar.”
“Then…”
“God wants to order my daughter as his vicegerent. As her mother, I can’t just remain a mere spectator.”
Lara raised her head. She might be tired of the long trip but Isadora still looked at the distant Dandelion fortress with a piercing look.
“Lara, don’t be discouraged.”
Lara was not discouraged, yet she still nodded anyway.
“The places where people live are just the same anywhere. There’s nothing to be afraid of. The same goes for the Empire.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me if the Emperor or if the Crown Prince is bothering you.”
What are you going to do if I tell you?
Lara asked with her eyes. She heard the answer from someone else, not Isadora.
“They will see with their eyes open how the continent’s top trading company closes its doors and leaves the Empire.”
“Sebastian!”
Lara called his name out loud out of joy. Then, Sebastian approached her and patted her on the shoulder with a friendly touch.
“You’ve worked hard by yourself, now that we’re here, you don’t need to worry about anything.”
“No, that’s not the case…”
Why did everyone think I was having a hard time alone?
Lara tried to say that she was very comfortable and free with the consideration of the Crown Prince Acerus, but Sebastian talked first before her.
“And since there are people who want to see you, I especially brought them here.”
Is there someone else here?
Lara was all over the place. It was fascinating enough that the delegation departing from Hautean met Barbarians on the way to Tarragon and moved together, but it amazed her more that the delegation’s representative was Isadora, her mother. Moreover, she did not even come alone.
When Lara asked Sebastian to tell her who they were, Isadora pointed to a carriage.
“Come out now.”
The carriage door opened. There was a hasty and fussy sound from the carriage. Then, wrapped in thick travel clothes and heavy capes, Eunice and Ximena ran towards Lara. Their noses had turned red as though they had a cold.
“Lara.”
“You bish!”
Lara opened her mouth wide. It was an unexpected company. Eunice and Ximena ran toward her while sniffling. They hugged Lara tightly and stamped their feet as they screamed.
“Hey, do you know how much I held back when I wanted to send you a letter? It’s my first time having a secret that was so hard to keep! I didn’t even feel like this when my father cheated, I even hesitated whether to tell my stepmother about it or not!”
“Eunice?”
“Madam Isadora persuaded the adults. She helped me dispose of my grandfather’s inheritance. My father opposed me going. But when I told him I would be going with Madam Isadora, he could not even say a word and was just busy acting subserviently. I was so happy to think about living far away from that human… Moreover, when I think that you’re here.”
Ximena sniffed in her runny nose that flowed down to the tip of her nose and laughed.
“What’s the use of having a friend? My friend is the saintess chosen to save the world. We’re willing to be at least your footrest.”
Tears welled up. When Lara did not say anything and just stood still biting her lips, Eunice teared up looking at her and began to cry first.
“Hey, don’t cry. I caught a cold so all I have from my nose to my chest is snot…”
“Disgusting, Eunice.”
“Shut up, you bad bish.”
Eunice rubbed her eyes with her palm and quickly held Lara in her arms. Ximena hugged Lara and Eunice at once. She fretted, telling them to stop crying because she was embarrassed.
“It’s nice that they’re close.”
Sebastian was just pleased with them. When he smiled and stroked his mustache, Isadora smiled back and said.
“Take good care of them so they will have enough money to study abroad.”
“Of course.”
“Send someone to the hotel and ask them to prepare lodging and everything for them.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Now, shall we go meet the Crown Prince?”
Isadora turned to the Crown Prince Acerus with the Barbarians. Perhaps they were responding to something serious. The Barbarians, who had seemed simple and carefree, now had such vicious energy.
At that time, Acerus noticed Isadora looking at him. He turned his head toward her. They exchanged silent bows to each other at the same time.
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