Chapter 143
“Don’t you feel a bit regretful…?”
By now, Mom must have realized that we were all gone. So why aren’t we going back quickly?
Zion’s dad tilted his head, unable to understand the question.
Harzen’s dad seemed to have reached a similar conclusion and raised one eyebrow.
“Yuria must be alone by now. We need to go back as soon as possible. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, the person who would worry the most if C.C. isn’t around is Yuria.”
“Right, right. Exactly, exactly.”
I still wondered how Mom had intended to leave me behind in the royal palace.
Of course, back then, there was a royal decree, and she probably thought we’d return quickly…
“I left a letter in the bedroom, so she probably won’t worry too much. Anyway, the story is that we took C.C. with us.”
Even so, Zion’s dad didn’t budge.
“Honestly, I understand why C.C. must have been frustrated staying in the palace all the time.”
“Gasp… Dad…!”
Hearing that, I looked at Zion’s dad with a deeply moved expression.
It wasn’t like I was super frustrated, but… okay, let’s go with that!
“Also, if you’re worried about Yuria being alone, just bring Yuria here too.”
Zion’s dad gently patted my head and spoke kindly.
Derik’s dad frowned slightly and asked,
“Here?”
“Of course not here.”
Kyle’s dad muttered as if the question was absurd.
Clearly, we couldn’t bring Mom to a place like this graveyard.
If we did, the dads would surely scold us, saying, “Why on earth did you bring the kid here?”
“I really don’t want Yuria to scold me, ♬♪.”
Kyle’s dad shivered his shoulders and waved his arms, probably imagining the same scenario I was.
“Why did we even lie to come find her? The moment they realize we left C.C. alone, we’re dead!”
“…Luckily, we found her.”
Harzen’s dad also trembled slightly.
So it wasn’t just worrying about me; it was more about being scolded by Mom?
And all this time, I had been feeling incredibly sorry toward the dads!
“That’s why we absolutely can’t go back like this.”
While I nervously twitched my lips at being tricked, Zion’s dad continued,
“If Yuria asks what we did outside, what do you think C.C. will say?”
“….”
As soon as Zion’s dad finished speaking, all three dads’ gazes turned to me.
Facing their eyes made me feel awkward, and I scratched my head sheepishly.
No, I do have some sense of that. I can answer just fine…
“She… she can’t do it. She’s no good at lying.”
“Her expressions give everything away anyway.”
“Lie, heavy punishment.”
“Right, if she tries to lie badly, Yuria might get even angrier.”
Zion’s dad smiled faintly, summarizing everyone’s words.
That smile said it all: if we go in now, we’re really doomed…
“Anyway, my opinion is simple. Since we’re out, we should come up with a proper excuse—”
Zion’s dad looked down at me and continued,
“And also let C.C. see a bit of the royal road.”
“I’m in!”
Honestly, I was curious about the outside of the palace!
I jumped up on the spot, agreeing with Zion’s dad.
The only time I had seen the outside of the palace was through the carriage window when we first arrived.
And luckily, Fer was right next to me…
“Of course, Fer, you’re coming too.”
Try running away like last time!
I grabbed Fer’s hand firmly, determined not to let him go.
Fer looked down at the hand I was holding and smiled lightly.
“This time, I won’t run.”
“Really? Really?”
“Why would I miss the chance to play with you?”
Hearing that, I beamed at him.
Even if the dads’ stares felt a bit sharp, I held back…
“And this might be the last time I get to play with you.”
This time, Fer’s expression softened compared to before as he spoke cautiously.
“Since I dragged you out like this, your parents might think I’m unfit as your guardian…”
“What? No!”
So that’s why he said he wouldn’t run!
Hearing this, I immediately jumped up, still holding Fer’s hand, and looked at the dads.
‘I had to do this anyway.’
Earlier it almost slipped by, but if we go back to the palace later, they might scold us again.
‘I better get the promise first before that happens.’
Anyway, there’s no way Fer can give in!
“This isn’t Fer’s fault. I begged him to come out! So you can’t blame him!”
“….”
The dads looked at us with wide eyes, clearly not used to this side of me.
‘I can’t let this slide.’
I needed to make my point clear.
“Even if Fer isn’t here, I’m still going to get into trouble. I’d rather have him by my side to protect me!”
Half serious, I pulled Fer’s hand closer to me.
The dads slowly opened their mouths as if waking from a dream.
“…I feel like I’m going to collapse.”
“Blood pressure.”
“♬♩ They said raising kids is useless.”
“Hmm.”
No matter what they say, I’m not backing down this time.
I interlaced my fingers with Fer’s and waved them at the dads.
Harzen’s dad turned pale and knelt on one knee in front of me.
“We already know how much you care for this child. We never intended to separate you forcibly.”
“Really?!”
“Yes, really.”
“That’s great, Fer! I’m so relieved!”
As soon as Harzen’s dad finished speaking, I smiled brightly at Fer.
Fer shyly smiled back and said,
“Yeah, getting a promise directly like this puts my mind at ease.”
“That sly ♬♪…”
Kyle’s dad muttered, looking genuinely irritated at Fer.
Well, he did seem a bit different than usual, but that’s fine.
“Anyway, so!”
Having pushed aside all the worries, it was time to change the topic.
I looked at Zion’s dad with excited eyes and asked,
“Where are we going?”
“Oh, right.”
Zion’s dad finally came back to his senses, blinking a few times.
“It’s the perfect timing… yes, that’s good.”
“That?”
“Yes, that.”
Zion’s dad smiled softly and said,
“Let’s go to Hiteflets.”
