Chapter 69

"Master Rick, are you ready?"

*Chirp.*

The fringe that fell over his eyes, the beautiful gesture. Livio's smile and bow, exuding a charm and elegance as if standing in a fragrant breeze, made Sophie bite her lip, and the boy with azure hair narrowed his eyes. Behind his long bangs, the aquamarine eyes shone brilliantly, incredibly beautiful.

"Of course, Livio. I'm always causing you trouble, I'm sorry."

"Rick's whims are quite a handful, aren't they? Right, Sophie?"

The golden hair, rippling in the wind, and the rainbow-colored eyes shining, made Sophie smile.

"I find it enjoyable, Allen."

"Did you hear that, Rayli? My sister is so cute."

*Adorable!* *Adorable?!*

Sophie froze at the smile that suddenly appeared, and the man called Rayli lifted his head from the saddle. With eyes like peridot, he raised one corner of his mouth in a cynical smile.

"Both of you siblings are so cute, aren't you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"!"

"Wait a minute, that's true, but I can't let it slide."

"Heavy, this handsome guy."

Well then.

Two black horses, one white horse, and *poof!* a large white bear. This suspicious group, pretending to be of a different status, yet strangely cheerful, set off on a peculiar journey. Or rather, a journey to break Eleanor's curse.

Yes, it's a serious journey. A journey that starts with a rebel against the king, a no-holds-barred serious journey. The people involved might feel a bit lacking in tension, but that's another matter. They need to move secretly.

Given such a covert journey, they can't just show themselves. After all, the combination of a beautiful golden-haired boy and a tall black knight is quite eye-catching. Standing alone, they already stand out, and together, they'd be pointed out as "It's the king!" and exposed immediately. What's the point of a covert journey then?

So Adolphus suggested changing their names, hair, and eye colors.

"Let's call Mother."

So, late at night.

*Tap.* Eleanor's room window made a sound.

When the maid opened the window, the wind blew through the room. The air rippled, and a small petal fell to the floor. Picking up the petal, the maid quietly closed the window.

Then, out of nowhere, the tip of a navy boot appeared.

As if born from there, the long laced boots, short dress, beautiful collarbone, small face with large piercings, and finally, short aqua hair appeared, and the person opened their eyes.

In front of the stunned Sophie, cat-like almond-shaped eyes smiled girlishly.

"Hi! The sky-blue witch, Reijinian, is back in style!"

"Mother..."

Adolphus, who looked at least in his late twenties, dropped his shoulders. Reijinian, his mother, was youthful and beautiful, making Sophie blink. Perfect figure, smooth skin. How old are you? Sophie isn't stupid enough to ask a woman her age, but she'd like to know the secret to her beauty.

Moreover, in her seemingly empty hand was a blue cloak. What is that? A secret tool for a witch?

Excitement couldn't be contained, but Sophie maintained a neutral expression. She knows it's not the right atmosphere. Yes, she does.

"I'm sorry to call you again."

When Ehrich spoke, Reijinian, who had made a grand entrance, bowed deeply.

"Not at all. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to make amends for my failure."

Ehrich shook his head quietly.

"Thank you for coming, madam."

"Please forgive my inappropriate entrance, Your Majesty."

"Of course, Lady Sky-Blue Witch."

When Ehrich laughed, Reijinian, standing up, winked charmingly, and Adolphus covered his face with his hand.

"Mother..."

"I'm not a noble lady now. I'm a free-flying sky-blue witch."

"I really don't want to hear my mother say 'now.'"

"You're so mean. Who do you take after?"

"Definitely not Father."

"Ho ho, you say that, you sly son."

"Ouch!"

*Swish,* Reijinian moved her finger, and a small light exploded next to Adolphus's face. *Crack,* and Adolphus held his cheek.

"Is there a mother who casts lightning magic on her son without incantation?"

"Thanks to that, you grew up strong, didn't you?"

"Ah, yeah, sure!"

What a family.

Sophie, who thinks her own parents are quite unusual, finds this family quite unique too. As she nods, thinking about the various families in the world, a warm voice from beside her says, "I feel a sense of familiarity," and Sophie can't raise her face. Well, kind of.

"Princess Elenora?"

"Eh?"

Elenora, who had been watching the playful exchange, blinked when her name was called. Reijinian narrowed her eyes and bowed deeply.

"Madam?!"

"I am deeply sorry for my failure to assist."

"Ah, please raise your head!"

"For failing to save the noble lady who was to become the queen, I apologize. And I deeply, deeply thank you for saving His Majesty."

"Madam..."

Elenora raised her right hand, hesitated, and then gently placed it on Reijinian's shoulder.

"Please continue to support His Majesty."

"Thank you, I will."

A beautiful scene.

A loyal subject swearing allegiance to their lord, and the lord's fiancée supporting them. Their words are beautiful, weighty, and pure.

—Yet, something feels off.

What is it? It's hard to put into words. It's like a vague, indescribable feeling scratching at her mind, and Sophie furrowed her brow. What is this?

"Sophie?"

Noticing Sophie's change, Livio bent down to look at her face. His curious purple eyes are always beautiful. The only unshakable, clear truth. Sophie shook her head, saying it's nothing.

It's a small, barely noticeable discomfort. There's no need to voice it, and Sophie smiled. Livio looks puzzled, but since she can't explain, there's nothing she can do. If only someone else could explain it for her. Just as she thought that,

"Are you Sophie?"

Reijinian, who had been raised by Elenora, suddenly met Sophie's eyes. Her eyes, filled with curiosity like a cat lifting its head, shone.

"Y-Yes."

Sophie straightened her back, and to her surprise, Reijinian bowed to her.

"On behalf of the citizens, I thank you for saving Princess Elenora."

"Please, stop! I am not someone who should be bowed to by a lady like you!"

As an outsider, Sophie doesn't know Reijinian's status. She doesn't know, but the mother of a man who assists the king and is called "madam" by the king can't be a commoner.

Sophie frantically waved her hands, and Reijinian, still bowed, continued.

"There is no status when bowing to a benefactor."

"But that's not right!"

"Then..."

Reijinian raised her head and smiled like a child.

"I'll thank you as Reijinian. ——Thank you so much."

Her smile, a pure expression of joy, was filled with gratitude. It's confusing. It's confusing. Such a noble gesture leaves Sophie unsure of how to respond.

Completely flustered, Sophie looked at Azwer, who was lying on the sofa and yawning. But Azwer, back to his usual bear form, only tilted his head when he noticed Sophie's gaze. The fluffy, reliable yet unreliable god made Sophie frown.

"Madam, it wasn't my power. Without the blessing and the staff, I couldn't do anything."

"Hmm?"

When the exhausted Sophie said this pitifully, Reijinian tilted her head curiously and blinked.

"But, all of that is part of your power, right? Why are you so scared?"

"Scared?"

"Yes. You can puff out your chest and say, 'I'm amazing, right?' and no one will be angry."

See? Reijinian turned to the others, and Adolphus, Ehrich, and Elenora nodded, "That's right!" Livio clenched his fist. Startled, Sophie looked up, and Livio, with a flushed cheek, said,

"That's right! Sophie doesn't realize how amazing and wonderful she is! Say more!"

"Eh, no, you have a really beautiful face. You're the second most handsome after your husband."

"Mother, I don't think that's a fair assessment."

"What are you saying, Adi? Your husband isn't the most wonderful in the world."

"Mother, you're the only one who thinks that. It's embarrassing, so please be aware."

"Adolphus, you often say similar things."

"Ah? My wife being the cutest in the world is a fact, Your Majesty."

"Parents and children are like that, aren't they?"

"What do you mean, Lord Livio?"

"Hmm."

There's no room to interject.

The lively conversation made Sophie feel lightheaded, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Sophie?"

Ah, ah. It's ridiculous.

Sophie has always thought she has no great value or power. It was the easiest way to live.

By giving up on thinking and closing her heart, she could avoid getting hurt. It's a very simplistic way of thinking.

But, it's not good anymore. It's not good if Sophie can't stand beside the people she loves. She often thinks this, and resolves to be strong.

Yet, she still can't accept praise, and this makes her dislike herself, but she can't change it. So, in other words,

She was scared.

No one will blame her for living as herself. No one will only push their failures onto her. There are no empty compliments. Everything, good or bad, is hers. No one can take Sophie away from her.

Yet, it's scary?

That's why it's scary?

What a joke. How long will she cower in fear of the days she left behind, the days she locked herself away? She should have already flown into the world.

At least, there was no such lively conversation in Sophia's life. That's enough, isn't it?

"I was... scared."

"...I don't understand complicated things."

Laughing, she whispered, and Livio bent down to meet her eyes.

"I'll knock down anyone who gets in Sophie's way, so don't worry."

Hmm, that's not the issue.

But, when this beautiful face smiles at her like that, Sophie can't say anything. Well, it's simplistic, optimistic, even momentary, but she loves this foolish impulse.

"Extreme."

"It's our family way."

Things you can't let go of, things you can let go of, all the connections. They will become today, tomorrow. The joy and the pain, everything, everything is connected, and that's Sophie.

"I will become stronger."

It's embarrassing to keep telling herself this, but if her personality could change so easily, it wouldn't be a struggle. If the person she loves the most smiles and says it's okay, maybe it is.

*Chuckle.* Sophie laughed while watching the lively conversation still flying around in front of her.

---

I'm alive! (Terrible greeting)

I'm sorry for the delay in updates due to work and personal matters...

Thank you for reading and liking...

The book is going well!!

I've written a new short story about a love quadrangle (a big lie) in the back, a new short story about Livionis's knight days for the digital version, and a new short story for the Book-Off exclusive paper!!!

You can enjoy different aspects of Hajikane in the book and digital versions, so I hope you'll pick it up if you can!!! Thank you very much!