Chapter 103
Olivia would risk her life to uncover the truth in Seta.
She pulled out the knife from the door frame. Its the first house she owns, but she doesnt regret the damage to the door. The voice she exhaled was as gloomy as the cold weather.
There is another way to save Laritte. Dont even think about lying to me.
Thats, thats not a lie And how dare you speak so disrespectfully to a dragon!
Seta, with the sunlight on his back, looked like he was about to cry.
Im a great dragon! Why dont these humans treat me like a god? She wont even let me in!
Olivia sneered.
Im sorry, but since the official said that he would choose me as a dancer for the festival if I gave him 50 gil then didnt contact me, Im usually not lied to.
Since then, it has been over twenty years since she left evidence when dealing with behind-the-scenes money. So, Olivia continued the good conversation through the sword. Her relentless swing was like the hand of a seasoned farmer cutting ripe golden rice.
Seta was a dragon completely weak with faces. Unable to counterattack, he held back the tears inside him as he dodged with a dragons senses.
This is unfair! I am a dragon, a very great race! I will annihilate all these humans!
Of course, that idea was something that the faces-loving dragon would never be able to implement.
In the end, Seta revealed all the facts. He fumbled as he stuttered as to why he hadnt told the Ducal couple the truth.
So it is impossible to convince all dragons. There is a reason this Seta left without giving hope. Thats the whole story of coming here to see the face of the person who has been looking for me!
Olivias wrinkled face was filled with despair.
Then What about my daughter?
Finally, there was a man who could live comfortably with her daughter, but he had to disappear.
Seta took advantage of Olivias devastated stupor and entered the house.
The small house that Ian had saved with great care was cute and well-heated. The fact that it was well heated was a huge advantage.
Seta sat on the chair with an arrogant posture. Although the wooden chair that had existence before Olivias arrival looked plain, the frame was strong and it boasted a decent personality.
Its a chair Olivia never sat or stepped on. It must have used the Dukes expenses, so her heart didnt allow it.
Olivia was so stiff that she couldnt stop Seta from doing that. Seta chattered.
Dont talk to those man and woman for nothing, human. This body knows that clinging to the impossible is no different than torture.
Still, if you convince the dragons well
Hey human, just looking at a dragon like me, do dragons look that easy?
Yes. Olivia almost nodded her head without realizing it.
Some dragons are annoyed when humans talk to them, so they kill them right away. Do you think thats too much? Do you walk while looking at the ground for fear of trampling on the ants? Compared to dragons, humans are insignificant beings.
Long ago, after Olivia abandoned the young Laritte to the County, she never met her again. It was because Count Brumeiers family did not return Laritte.
Olivia took comfort from it, but in fact, Olivia knew it.
If Olivia wandered near the tall wooden fence surrounding the Countys mansion, she could one day meet Laritte. Laritte wouldnt be in the house for the whole ten years. One must go outside one day.
However, Olivia gave up on her and left the area. She brainwashed herself that Laritte would have been happier there too.
She has no way to relieve her regret and sorrow at that time.
Laritte accepted the death that she would lead herself to. She believed that Ian had the same mind as her.
Therefore, Laritte did not know that Ian was desperately looking for Seta, and she did not desperately seek Seta.
As a result, thanks to Olivias desperate search for the dragon, Seta is reunited with the Ducal couple
Even that didnt help you at all, dear.
The result was always the same.
Either the couple breaks up, or Laritte dies. It is a resignation sentence that has been repeated countless times.
Olivia was fed up too, so Ian must have been more tired than her.
* * *
As Seta confirmed, Laritte really couldnt last a few days.
Seta turned into a dragon and even cut off his own claws, but it didnt last long.
An intensive magical attack began.
Brightly striped bees flew nearby or the window was broken. If it wasnt for Ian, Laritte would be hit by a falling chandelier and die instantly.
Also, she caught a bad cold even when no one around her had a cold.
Laritte trembled as she was covered with the blanket of her bed. A damp cloth or wooden basin was piled up around it.
It was already the third cold. It was so bad that her fever didnt go away for half a day.
Ian sat in the chair next to the bed and continued to monitor Larittes condition.
Even though sunlight comes in through the window of her room, it feels like only cold air hits her lungs.
He remembered the doctors panic when diagnosing Laritte.
Its not a disease that cant get better
Its not the doctors fault. He had a second degree in medicine from the top school of the empire, Blusche.
The problem was Ian.
Ian, who was next to Laritte.
Larittes blue eyes, which were behind the lowered eyelids, touched the ceiling and touched Ians black hair.
Ian noticed the sign, and forced a smile to Laritte.
How are you feeling now?
As he stroked Larittes cheek, Laritte nuzzled her face and shoulder like a cat. Butterfly, the real cat, was barred from entering the room because she was ill.
Laritte spoke frankly as she always did.
Im not feeling very well. Its like being thrown naked in the middle of winter and buried in snow up to my neck.
It was kind of a joke, but Ian wrinkled his face more than a piece of paper.
Laritte slipped further into the thick duvet, with only her eyes exposed. She turned her gaze to the white silk curtain of the window and then went back to Ian.
Its a random question.
Will you be by my side? Always?
Of course, thats obvious. Didnt I promise to be by your side until the end and take care of you?
Ian lied in a sincere tone. It was a given. Now it is really time for him to leave again.
Laritte was relieved and fell asleep after a while
Half a day later,
When she lifted her hot, sweaty eyelids, he was absent.
He wasnt there.
Dear.
A voice that didnt know how to be kind called Laritte softly. Laritte looked at Olivia in Ians place.
Mother?
Olivia had no time to rejoice at her title as mother. She wiped Larittes forehead with a cloth vigorously.
Where is Ian?
He left the mansion.
Where did he go? He should be here soon.
Laritte tried to ignore her own intuition, but Olivia told the truth.
He wont come. The Duke will never come.
Olivia finally accepted the request to stay by Larittes side on behalf of Ian. If she can do anything against her conscience, she can help Laritte.
Laritte let out empty words.
No, he cant.
Ian and Laritte clearly made a commitment.
On a cold winter day, while on the walking trail. They were holding hands under the bare branches that were frozen.
Ian Why?
Please, call Ian. You know where he went, right?
Olivia didnt answer. Instead, she rinsed the sweat-soaked cloth into the water in the basin.
Laritte realized that Olivia, too, knew all the reasons why Laritte was ill.
In her silence, only Olivias hand moved diligently.
Laritte again tried to ask her to contact Ian, but Olivia didnt even make eye contact with Laritte.
Olivia, a commoner without a last name, was such a determined woman. Laritte thought that her mothers heart was made of stone. But now, she knew that her heart also had love for Laritte. She held Olivias hand that was above her own forehead.
Laritte was very hot with fever.
Cant you do my favor just once?
The next words made even that stone-hearted Olivia cry.
You are Mom right. My mom
Olivia thought that there was nothing to hold her stronger than words. Shes never done Larittes request in her life, should she do it this time?
However, it was an act that would kill Olivias daughter.
Mom.
Olivia instantly sensed that she would do Larittes favor. It was a grotesque, sad and terrifying sense.
Do I have to see my daughter die sooner than I do?
Ah, I was never a good mother after all.
She doesnt even have the right to say such a thing, so she struggles with what to say now.
Olivia finally left the room without answering anything. This was driving her crazy. She grabbed the maid nearby and asked in a gibberish way.
The Duke would be in the carriage going to the Imperial Palace, so could you send a letter towards the Imperial Palace? Tell, tell him to come back to the mansion right now
What? Yes. I understand.
The maid was worried about Olivias attitude, but Olivia left.
As her footsteps moved, she found a rare corner in the hallway. When she opened the thick door and stepped out onto the terrace, she felt something hot on her cheek. It wasnt until the cold air hit her that she realized she was crying.
A red object approached from the dark starry sky. It was Seta who took out the dragons wings.
When Olivia looked for Seta, Seta came to Olivia like before.
What else this time? I came right this time because I was nearby, but dont ask for a body again! I tell you in advance, it will be a hundred years before my claws grow back!
Seta got worried belatedly.
Youre not asking me to cut off the horns this time, are you?
Though Olivias request was different. Her silver hair swayed to and fro in the night breeze. The hair ran down her face and made her look like a ghost, but she didnt think of getting rid of it. The old voice was desperate.
Take me to the other dragons.
Shell convince everyone somehow, even if she sacrifices her life.