Chapter 29
TL-Mechatronic
After carefully listening to Luciel’s words, Kizef thought that it might be okay.
If they are in a relationship to divorce someday, he can keep the secret about the contract with the Grim Reaper he has to carry out.
However, the age of adulthood in the empire was 18, and the girl in front of him looked very young.
“How old are you this year? Are you 7-years-old?”
“I’m nine, soon I’ll turn 10-years-old.”
He was momentarily surprised to hear Luciel’s words, but Kizef continued.
“Are you trying to stay married for the next 8 years?”
“… Yes.”
Luciel lowered her head and answered in a muffled voice. Eight years was a very long time for her. It seemed even longer when she asked for someone else’s time. On the other hand, it was also time enough for a child to become an adult and get stronger.
Kizef took a step closer and lifted Luciel’s head with his hand to make eye contact.
“Why are you so obsessed with marriage? Little one.”
Luciel looked straight at him and shouted slightly angrily at his playful words.
“I’m going to turn 10 soon. I’m not small.”
It was not intended, but the child’s plump cheeks puffed in a round and cute way. “You are older than I expected, but still too young to get married. What about your parents?”
At Kizef’s question, Luciel no longer stretched her shoulders with confidence.
“…l fled from home. My biological father is not a wonderful and nice adult like the Duke. So I need a place to be protected until I become an adult.”
Your biological father is not a nice adult?
That short word contained a lot of meanings.
‘If the parents don’t protect a small child like this, who would?’
His fine brow furrowed even more. He couldn’t make heads or tails out of her story. But in any case, he got to know the biggest reason why this child wants to marry himself.
“…That’s why you wanted to get married.”
“Yes. Because I can be safely protected.”
Luciel nodded her head.
A small girl trying to protect her safety with marriage. I couldn’t help but feel compassion. What happens to this child if he refuses?
Then her small and limp hand grabbed Kizef’s hem.
“Please. If you marry me, other girls won’t bother you, And I’ll try my best to be as inconspicuous as possible in the Duke’s Castle! So, please, marry me under the contract.”
Luciel’s sparkling eyes filled with desperation turned for him. The child’s eyes were like a beast’s caught in a
trap and calling for help. She was a wounded, fragile, young beast
“Help me, I want to live.’
Looking at those transparent and clear eyes, a corner of his heart fluttered. He couldn’t turn away from a child like that. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them and spoke as if notifying Luciel and left the room.
“Stay here for a second.”
“Huh? No, I’m not finished yet…”
“I need some time to think.”
“Okay.”
She couldn’t even bring up the story of knowing the future yet. Luciel murmured anxiously as she fiddled with her silver hair.
“I guess I got too hung up on it. Phew, it’s hard to propose.”
Luciel, who sat on the sofa and leaned her little body tightly against it, let out a small sigh.
Her life was on the line, it was not easy. Still, it was too early to be disappointed. She has Grandpa Gillard and her father-in-law consent.
“…Why isn’t he coming back?”
Luciel, who had been waiting for Kisef with a bored face, came down from the sofa realizing that thirty minutes had passed.
Then she left the room and looked around.
‘Where did he go?’
“Oh, the dress is too long.”
Tap, tap, tap.
While holding up her white dress, she diligently walked through the hallways of the building, looking around from time to time.
I wanted to have longer legs, I would also have liked to have been a little taller and bigger.
Her present self was too small.
Kizef was leaning against the railing of the academy’s hallway, blankly enjoying the wind. Luciel, who was looking for himself, was seen one floor down
Two eyes shining like crimson diamonds and silver hair flowing softly.
It was the first time he had seen a girl with such a look. A fairy or an angel would have that kind of appearance. She was sweet as cotton candy, as it all the loveliness was stuffed together inside her.
It looked like she must have grown up loved by her family. But what the child said did not seem to be a lie.
Seeing Luciel looking around like a puppy searching for her owner, he slowly moved his steps towards the child.
“Kizef!”
Luciel couldn’t see him and walked around calling his name. Then two female students passing by, tapped, the child’s shoulder and asked.
“Oh, you are so cute. Hey, have you lost your mom?”
“I am looking for someone. Kizef von Bellstein.”
“If it’s Kizef…..I think I saw him before.”
“Are you his sister?”
“……No.”
“Then?”
Luciel said she pondered what she would answer.
“…I’m like his fiancée.”
“What?”
“No way. Did Kizef have a fiancée this young?”
“I’m not young.”
At Luciel’s bright words, Kizef approached, holding his forehead.
“You… What the hell are you talking about?”
“It’s true…hmph.”
“She’s my little cousin.”
Kisef’s hand covered Luciel’s mouth, and then he surrounded the bewildered young girls. The female students, as expected, immediately looked down.
Luciel opened her eyes wide and tried to say something
“Uh-huh? (Liar.)”
“Shh. Please don’t say anything here.”
As Luciel nodded her head, he finally released the hand that had been covering her mouth. Turning his gaze away, he spoke.
“Give me your hand.”
“What?”
“… Because you are too small and easy to lose.”
She reached out her little hand like a maple leaf. Kizef grabbed it and started to walk. However, his stride was so large that it was difficult for Luciel to follow.
“Wait a minute. G-Go a little slower!”
Kizef paused for a moment and looked down at the child. He didn’t know if it would have been faster to carry her.
“……What?”
“Nothing.”
He shook his head and slowly shortened his stride to match Luciel’s pace. After some time he arrived at a place where only the two of them were present, a place where they could have a quiet conversation.
The grassy shelter next to the training center was empty. Kizef released her hand and sat down on the shelter bench. As he glanced at Luciel, she was looking at the morning glories that bloomed like a vine with curious eyes.
Kizef spoke.
“Let’s finish what we were talking about earlier.”
“…Yes.”
The gaze of Kisef who was seated and Luciel who was standing became moderately similar, making it easier to see each other.
Kizef softly stared at Luciel. Her crimson eyes, as clear and transparent as strawberry syrup, and silver eyelashes were trembling softly. Luciel’s lips couldn’t open easily as she was thinking deeply. He thought the child needed some more time and asked first,
“…How do you feel in Bellstein?” “Huh?”
“How are you doing there?”
Luciel finally understood and nodded her head to say
“Yes, I’m doing really well. They are so sweet that I wonder how they can be this nice to me.”
Luciel’s expression answering that way looked really bright and happy. Her life in Bellstein seemed very satisfying.
“Sweet?”
“Yes, Grandpa Gillard and the Duke are friendly too.”
“My father wouldn’t be like that.” (Rizef)
That’s a bit unexpected.
“Right. Then it’s fine.” (Rizef)
His hand stroked Luciel’s soft silver hair once. The boy was surprised by his unknowingly stretched hand and lifted it again, coughing in vain.
“Let’s get married. Instead, it’s only on paper.”
“What? Why did you change your mind?”
“You said you were doing well in Bellstein.”
“Yes, but I didn’t tell you all of my conditions.”
When Luciel bit her lips slightly and said so, Kisef shook his head.
“…I decided to protect you. So you don’t have to do anything for me.”
What was contained in his red eyes visible through the hair that fluttered in the wind was heartfelt compassion. Eyes that sincerely wanted to save someone.
“Eight years later, when you become an adult, we each go our own way. That’s all.”
“Because I will keep the contractual marriage as you wish. I hope there are no other expectations.”
“……Yes, I know what you mean. I’ll stay quiet and leave right away without bothering you.”
“Okay.”
Kisev’s unexpected gaze stuck to Luciel and fell.
‘This will do, right?’
Luciel avoided his gaze and sat on the bench for a moment.
I decided to put aside the story of knowing the future was trying to bring up. It seemed difficult to do something together with Kisef. If Bellstein fell, the Marquis of Cavill, and even the Crown Prince, might eventually find her. In order to prevent that, we need to cooperate together, but…
For now, let’s keep the distance as much as Kizef wants. At least I got permission to get married,
“It’s okay. When I become an adult and stronger, I can move for Bellstein by myself as much as I want.’
Luciel stood up, patted her butt, and said to him.
“Now let’s go back to the Duke.”
Kizef held out her hand again.
“Yes, let’s go to Father.”
“Yes.”
On the way back, seeing the students smiling, Luciel suddenly became envious of them. Come to think of it, all the girls at this academy were tall and pretty noble girls. Seeing these young girls every day, I felt like I couldn’t even go inside his sight. Well, it doesn’t really matter.
While holding Kizef’s hand, Luciel muttered to herself without realizing it.
“Everyone is so pretty.”
I could feel Keith’s gaze as he listened to what! mumbled.
‘Ah, let’s stop talking to myself…’
“You fool.”
He said as he ruffled Luciel’s silver hair.
“You’re pretty. More than any other girl in the academy.”
At his words, Luciel, whose face turned red, couldn’t say anything back.
“Of course, it will take a few more years for that to happen…”