My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me

Chapter 125

The teacher who instructed Kalix when he was a mercenary always said

A man must guard and protect a woman, even at the risk of his own life. So, just like before, I cant accept a request like that from a crazy man asking me to kill his lover, even if he gives me a million dollars. Do you understand?

Okay, Master.

So he thought women were weaker than men.

Of course, after going through a war, he knew that there were so many women who were stronger than men. There were quite a few women among the heroes who made contributions in the war against the dragon.

Nevertheless, when he was a mercenary, the words he heard while being clubbed were engraved into his bones.

So, without knowing it, he became prejudiced that women seemed weaker than men.

No, in the first place, Kalix has lived thinking that all living things are weaker than him. 

Because he has never lost to anyone by force.

The hero who saved him as a child was an exception.

But my hero

Leo, who saved him, is a woman. 

How could you do it with that lean body? With that small body that was three years younger than me How did you save me?

Kalix laid down with a blank look and looked up at Lelia.

The shoulders, arms, and wrists all looked weak. Thin, like they would break if you touch them

I cant believe it

That hero came close to him with a look as if she was staring at a very pathetic person.

Wait. 

But why are you looking at me so pathetically? What did I do?

While wondering, Lelia warned him.

Just stay tied up like this for a while. I dont think I can do this.

Why? Why?

More than that, what is important!

Leo! Then

What?

Kalix answered in a hurry.

Ah, marriage? What about our marriage?

Isnt that the most important thing right now? Its true that I promised.

However, Lelia smiled in vain as if she were dumbfounded.

Did I ever say Id marry you in the first place? What kind of marriage is that!

Huh?

Lelia looked at Romeo and Griffith and said, Is there any way to knock him out until we arrive in the capital?

There is.

It was Oscar who answered.

Turning his head, Oscar pulled out a sword.

No, no. Not killing, but fainting!

Lelia reached out her hand as if to calm him down and approached Oscar.

***

The Imperial Castle began to appear in the distance.

Lelia frowned in a strange mood.

Just a while ago, Lelia ran away alone from there while looking at that landscape.

Of course, it turned out that Oscar was following secretly. 

[Anyway, I thought I would never come back, let alone coming back on my own.

But its a must at least once.]

Ending the relationship by seeing Emperor Perseus in person.

Failure to do this will damage the Duke of Superion.

So she had to go in person.

She was fortunate that she had friends next to her. She felt reassured as if she had gained thousands of troops.

[Theyre always the ones who will support me no matter what I do.]

Lelia passed through the capital city with such a firm mind.

However, as soon as they passed the capital border, her expression crumpled.

There stood knights who, by the emperors order, greeted her.

Welcome to the Imperial City. From now on, we will escort you.

The person who appeared to be the leader said, bending one knee. 

The knights of Superion, who accompanied the horses, looked stiff.

The emperors intention was clear.

Youre trying to make sure everyone in the capital can see it.

But she didnt understand why he was doing this. She didnt really want to understand.

Thank you for the favor, but its okay.

After Lelia firmly refused, they drove the horses forward as they previously were.

Like that, the Superion knights took the lead and guided the group to the Imperial Castle.

The rejected emperors Knights were forced to follow at the end.

***

With the guidance of the most sincere servants, they were led to stay in the Imperial Castle.

Lelia, who entered her room, laughed in vain.

The small annex in the Imperial Palace was luxuriously decorated.

And there hung a big picture inside

Its my moms portrait.

It was a portrait that she had never seen before.

In the painting, her mother wore colorful clothes and smiled gracefully.

It was a smile that looked so happy.

It was at that moment she wondered why the painting was hung here.

Lelia couldnt take her eyes off her mother in the picture.

After a while, she heard a knock.

When allowed to enter, two maids came inside. They spoke very politely, telling her to instruct them on what she needed until she had a dedicated maid.

It was Uncle Carius who came after that.

Lelia.

He asked with his eyes if she was ready.

Lelia nodded her head slightly.

Perhaps out of consideration for the party, the guest room where her uncle and friends stayed was not far from here.

Carius, who was looking at the portrait hanging over Lelias back for a while, came to his senses after.

And he reached out to Lelia.

Lets go.

Yes, uncle.

It was time to go to see Emperor Perseus.

Perhaps because of the tension, her hands seemed to be sweating.

Last time, she was dressed as a man and greeted the emperor alone as Sir Raymond.

But now

Lelia headed to the drawing room together with her uncle, and looked at herself reflected in the glass decoration present in the hallway.

Unlike the last time where she changed her hair and eye color with alchemy to conceal her identity, Lelia had complete silver hair.

The same was true of the light, green eyes that resembled her mother.

This way.

The servant, who stopped at the big door, said carefully. Then, he knocked on the door, saying he would inform his Majesty.

Creak

Soon the door opened.

Lelia held her uncles hand tightly and headed inward.

It was now reality that she was going to meet the emperor.

Lelia slowly walked through the door.

And she encountered Emperor Perseus standing by the window.

Standing with his back against the light, he was framed exactly like how she saw him last time.

[No, I think he lost a little more weight.]

Its been a while.

Carius spoke first. However, Perseus did not turn his gaze away from Lelia.

Like a hardened, stone statue, he just stared at Lelia blankly.

Carius waited for a while because he could understand what must be going through his mind.

It was as if Elizabeth, who died, suddenly had returned alive. It was understandable that he was surprised.

Lelia, Ill step out for a moment.

Yes, uncle.

Carius relieved his anxiety at Lelias calm attitude. He went out of the drawing room.

Sit down.

Perseus, who opened his mouth after a long time, seemed to have barely come to his senses.

Lelia sat in the same place as she sat last time. Soon the servant came out from the side.

Looking at the steaming teacup, Lelia endured silently without saying anything.

Perseus stared at Lelias face.

However, Lelia, who never paid attention to him, was cold-hearted and sad.

Lelia.

Yes, Your Majesty.

He barely called her name, but Lelia answered very calmly and looked at him.

As if nothing had happened to her; as if she had been ordered.

Perseus forehead was wrinkled by the attitude.

How can you do that? How can you look at me and make an expression like everythings okay? I expected you to cry and be resentful.

I knew you would be angry at me for abandoning you like that, and why I didnt recognize you. I decided that I would accept whatever anger and resentment you poured out

The expectations were completely wrong.

There was no resentment or anger in Lelias expression. She had no feelings.

Do you not blame me?

I was resentful.

That meant, not anymore.

Perseus exhaled with a disastrous look. 

His heart was hot, as if it had fallen into hell fire.

When When did you know this? Since when did you know?

When did the Duke of Superion let you know about this?

Lelia took her gaze off the teacup and looked at the emperor.

It felt weird. 

Unlike last time, was it because she faced Emperor Perseus as her original, perfect self?

She had wondered how it would feel

It wasnt as bad as she thought.

Lelia slowly opened her mouth, looking at Perseus, who had misunderstood.

She didnt want to lie at all. Rather, she wanted to tell him all the facts.

The truth.

From the beginning

What?

I knew it from the beginning.

From the beginning? If its from the beginning

Perseus looked as if he didnt understand.

Lelia decided to kindly explain.

To be exact, Ive known since I was seven.

!!!

Perseus expression hardened with surprise.

It was an answer that was wholly unexpected.

Having been frozen for a long time, he breathed out roughly. Then, he asked with an angry look, How? But Why didnt you tell me when you first met me? Why?!

You thought I was the daughter of Princess Iris. If I suddenly revealed it Would you have believed me?

Lelia replied calmly. 

Perseus turned red as if he had been ridiculed.

Lelia was right. 

Yeah, I wouldnt have believed it at all.

Perseus himself knew how much truth there was in that statement.

At that time, there was a great deal of hatred and hostility toward her younger sister, Princess Iris.

But But!

I wouldnt have believed it at the time but if you had continued to grow up in the Imperial Castle, I would have believed it. You have such a similar appearance. Im sure you noticed!

It was a forced silence. In order to remain calm as much as possible, Lelia sighed softly.

However, it was difficult to maintain her composure at the end of the emperors next words.

Why did you run away? Why? It is so dangerous outside the Imperial Castle. At that age, and without fear! What if something happened?!!!

She wasnt going to respond, she was just going to tell him the facts. 

She couldnt help but laugh at that.

***