Chapter 35

35

I sucked on the lollipop and kept my distance from him.

Melaine glanced at me but didn’t approach.

"Shelina."

A stern and heavy voice hit my ears.

I turned my head to see who was approaching. Desar Clown was already standing in front of me.

I obediently crawled over to him.

"Uh."

I halfheartedly raised a hand in response.

It would be better to return to the Clown family than to stay in this place. It might be better to die quickly.

"Really, you didn’t get very far."

I lifted my head at the renewed surprise in Sharent Clown’s voice, which followed.

Yes, I didn’t get very far!

What can I do! Who would have thought I’d only get this far!

I wanted to get out of here too! I only used the magic stone. I’m also frustrated!

Feeling choked up, I bowed my head deeply.

Then, plop, a tear like a chicken dropping fell from the leaf and slid down to the ground.

Tears fell unexpectedly. Since I became a child, I’ve been crying a lot.

Annoyed, I tried to rub my eyes with the hand holding the magic stone, but a slender, long finger stopped me.

When I looked up, Sharent Clown was holding my hand.

He took a handkerchief from his inner pocket, wiped my hand, and then neatly stepped back.

I realized my palm was covered in dirt.

"Why is the child crying again?"

"Did I make her cry?"

Sharent Clown retorted to Desar Clown’s scolding.

He had only said that I didn’t get very far, so he must have felt wronged. But it’s not my concern.

"Come on, Shelina. Stop crying."

Desar Clown held out the magic stone he was holding.

What’s the point of a magic stone when I have no hands to hold it?

Huuu...

"Hey, stop it, I said."

Desar Clown’s stern voice made me even more annoyed.

Just put it in my pocket. What’s the point of always giving me a stone I can’t even take?

As I silently shed tears, Desar Clown looked perplexed.

"If you stop, I’ll give you ten more of these."

Sniff.

Ten sounds like a better deal.

"Uu... Ha... Fu..."

I subtly called out to Desar Clown and crawled over to him.

Desar Clown picked me up with a pleased look. It seems he’s in a good mood because of my magical talent.

"See, grandpa is here."

Fortunately, he didn’t give me the feeling that he was going to kill me.

I glanced at Sharent Clown and buried my face in Desar Clown’s shoulder.

I can endure the sadness for ten magic stones.

Most importantly, I wanted to get out of this place.

Being in the same space as Melaine, breathing the same air, was so terrifying.

"Let’s go back, Sharent."

"Yes, Father."

Sharent Clown looked at me with a bewildered expression but nodded obediently to Desar Clown’s words.

‘At least the hierarchy is well-maintained.’

In fact, Sharent Clown’s abilities and reputation were enough to surpass Desar Clown and inherit the title of Duke. Yet, he still respected Desar Clown.

"Thanks to you, I’ve saved some effort. I suggest you go in and rest."

Sharent Clown said coldly to Melaine.

I didn’t bother to turn and look at Melaine.

"I’m glad you found her safely."

Melaine spoke in a stiff tone, different from before.

It was a voice similar to when he said goodbye to me. I wondered if he could control his emotions to that extent.

"May I ask how old the young lady is?"

"About one year old. Why do you ask?"

Desar Clown showed displeasure.

His hand was as thick and hard as a snake’s skin. It felt solid and a bit strange as he patted my back.

"...Being able to use such magic at such a young age is remarkable, but as her abilities grow, she will struggle to control her magic."

I frowned at Melaine’s words.

It wasn’t just because he was right, but also because I was afraid of what he might say next.

"If you allow it, I would like to take the young lady as my apprentice and take care of her. It would be better for her to be in Silofia than here."

Melaine continued calmly.

"Knowing that the Clown family doesn’t particularly favor mages..."

"Melaine, Silofia."

Desar Clown’s intimidating presence was fierce, revealing his discomfort.

I saw Melaine involuntarily take a step back.

It was a different kind of pressure from Sharent Clown, but it felt overwhelming.

Even in his arms, I felt it, so Melaine must have felt even worse.

With my head bowed, I saw Melaine’s face contorted, his eyes tightly shut.

It felt like an invisible, massive force was suffocating his breath.

"How dare a mere outsider claim to know anything about my family and offer to take a member of the Clown family as an apprentice."

I should have been afraid of that voice, but at that moment, it was a bit reassuring to know he was on my side.

If Sharent Clown was a calm wave that could swallow everything in an instant, Desar Clown was a literal landslide.

A massive landslide that swallows everything in its path, accompanied by loud noise from a distance.

It’s ironic. The person I thought I would rely on for life is standing on the opposite side, while those I thought were my enemies are now by my side.

Even if this is someone’s manipulation.

"I was merely speaking honestly..."

Melaine looked at me, then straightened his head as if making a decision.

I turned my head away without looking at him.

"Even after biting the hand that feeds you, you still expect the Clown family to trust you?"

Sharent Clown’s voice was full of emotion.

He probably had a smile on his face, the same sweet smile that always melted his opponents.

"Even if it’s a cockroach, Melaine Silofia, I wouldn’t entrust it to you."

I thought I had been promoted from a cockroach.

But it was only from a ‘mere rolling cockroach’ to a ‘cockroach raised by the Clown family.’

At least it’s better to be fed.

"Hella would have been a problem if she had become any stronger. Her power is..."

"I warned you once before."

Desar Clown cut off the hypocritical voice, his face contorted as if he didn’t want to hear more.

I shuddered and slowly closed my eyes. The lollipop in my mouth was my only comfort.

‘I understand why kids are so attached to lollipops.’

Just having it in my mouth is enough to make me feel safe.

Meeting Desar Clown and Sharent Clown wasn’t a one-time thing. If I had to say, it’s been quite a while.

I spent a long time with them, discussing and finding common ground, and learning about the country’s administration.

I didn’t like the time I spent with them, but I never avoided it.

I painfully realized that those seemingly eternal and unpleasant moments became experiences for me.

"I already knew Hella Silofia was using dark magic. I was surprised at first, but..."

Desar Clown narrowed his eyes, as if recalling the incident.

"I advised her not to use that power, but she just smiled at me. She said she already knew the risks and had plans in case it became dangerous."

I slowly blinked, recalling the old memory.

The lollipop in my mouth fell. Fortunately, the lollipop with a necklace didn’t roll on the ground but dangled from Desar Clown’s shoulder.

"I told her not to worry about it, cutting it off sharply."

Desar Clown’s eyes were fierce.

"She was a leader with more sense than you."

Melaine clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

I watched him for a long time through my half-closed eyelids.

A long time ago, the face of a young, impulsive boy flashed over Melaine’s face.

"In my family, my word is law. Even the royal family must bow to my word here."

It was a truly disrespectful statement, but even if he had said it in front of the emperor, he would have smoothed it over with a smile.

In the Duke’s mansion and territory, his word was the law.

I could almost see a small crown on Desar Clown’s head.

He was a ruler who could rule over others.

I wondered if I could ever wear such a small crown.

"No one will dare to defy me. If you defy me again, you’ll see how the Clown Duke’s family deals with you."

Desar Clown abruptly turned around.

I slowly closed my eyes as I watched Melaine’s retreating figure.

‘This is the first time I feel grateful to these people.’

"Ha... fu..."

"Sure, my child."

"Go... au..."

How do I move my tongue to say ‘thank you’? I sighed deeply and closed my eyes.

I surrendered my body to the approaching demons. I never thought the approaching darkness would feel so welcome.