Chapter : 151
Julia’s face was full of things she wanted to say, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask more and kept her mouth shut.
Sebastian’s presence was too overwhelming.
Instead, she studied her daughter’s expression.
It was already more than enough for Jonathan Blanche to be tossed around by nobles.
“If Erica shows even the slightest displeasure, this time I’ll make sure to take her and run away.”
But her daughter only blushed at the words of the tall, handsome Grand Duke Akcliff and didn’t show any sign of dislike.
“…Ah. I see. So that’s it.”
Julia could read a feeling of excitement in her daughter.
“So the Grand Duke isn’t just forcing this on her.”
If that was the case… she could feel a sense of relief.
There were still worries, but she could let herself relax just a little… just a little.
Julia looked at Sebastian again.
The wary look in his eyes had softened considerably, now carrying warmth.
“Tall, handsome… and seems straightforward in personality as well.”
Above all, he seemed like someone who would definitely protect those within his circle.
The thought that Erica would probably never have to suffer emotionally for the rest of her life made Julia think that this was enough—she could ask for nothing more.
A gentle smile formed on her lips.
“Of course, he’ll treat her better than I ever could.”
Of course, Julia was willing and prepared to do anything for Erica, but she knew her feelings and the current circumstances were separate matters.
Gently, she patted the back of Erica’s hand, which was looped through her own to support Julia’s weakened frame.
Erica’s body stiffened briefly as if tensing, but Julia pretended not to notice and spoke in a low voice, close enough that only Erica could hear.
“You seem like a good person.”
She heard a faint intake of breath beside her. A moment later, Erica’s quiet reply came back.
“…Yes. He is. He’s wonderful. Even more than I deserve.”
Julia immediately shook her head.
“No, Erica. In my eyes, the two of you suit each other perfectly.”
“….”
This time, her daughter didn’t respond.
When Julia subtly glanced at Erica, she saw a faint, cloudy smile.
Sensing it wasn’t necessary to add anything further, Julia kept silent.
Meanwhile, Sebastian finished his brief conversation with Julia and turned toward Shoppen.
“But Shoppen, why didn’t we return to the townhouse and came this way directly?”
Though his voice sounded normal, the question itself carried weight.
In truth, Sebastian had agreed to wait here because Erica wanted him to. He hadn’t expected Shoppen and Jorge to come this way at all.
Shoppen had left a separate note at the townhouse, expecting to join them.
If he anticipated joining, he surely also guessed that Sebastian would prioritize Erica.
Thus, it would have been more efficient to focus only on rescuing Julia and then immediately return to the townhouse.
But why?
Sebastian couldn’t understand that part.
“Oh, that’s because…”
Shoppen hesitated briefly, glanced at Jorge, and then reluctantly spoke.
“The priest said there are still traces of the Grand Duchess here.”
“Traces?”
A deep vertical line formed on Sebastian’s forehead.
“What traces?”
He still didn’t understand.
Shoppen frowned, unsure how to explain, and scratched the back of his head.
“Uh… well…”
At that moment, Erica, who had been listening closely, trailed off.
She realized there was still one thing she hadn’t told Sebastian.
‘I haven’t told him I have divine power yet…’
A shadow passed over Erica’s face.
In a way, this might be the biggest obstacle for the future the two were about to build, and she suddenly realized she hadn’t even started explaining.
‘I need to tell him before it’s too late.’
Just as Erica drew a deep breath and was about to speak, a sudden rumbling shook the ground.
“……?!”
“What’s happening?”
The unexpected event froze everyone in place.
The wind was so strong it whipped up dust and scattered hair, making it hard to even lift their eyelids.
Erica managed to open her eyes and asked, struggling:
“What on earth is going on?”
But no answer came.
Even Sebastian and the others had no idea what was happening.
At that moment, she felt a force tugging at her clothes from below.
“Erica, duck your head! You’ll get hurt!”
It was Julia.
From the moment the ground began shaking violently, Erica had been holding onto her frail mother as if to protect her.
Julia, likewise, gripped her daughter tightly, determined not to let go.
The mother and daughter clung to each other with all their strength.
Erica tightened her embrace around Julia and shouted:
“Mom, I’m fine!”
Then a low voice spoke.
“Stay still. Don’t move.”
It was Sebastian.
In this situation, a wrong move could be dangerous, so it was a reasonable command.
Erica swallowed hard and nodded.
Nothing had been resolved, and the situation hadn’t improved, but hearing Sebastian’s voice strangely steadied her heart.
Shoppen held onto Jorge, who was struggling to maintain balance, while Sebastian’s hawk-like eyes scanned the surroundings.
The rumbling didn’t subside and continued, growing even stronger.
“This doesn’t seem like an earthquake.”
Sebastian muttered, his face tense.
Then—
BOOOOM!
A deafening explosion struck, tearing through their eardrums.
The shockwave rattled everything around them.
“Ugh…”
The sound was so immense that it erased all other noise.
A powerful wind followed shortly after, far stronger than before.
“Ugh…!”
Erica shut her eyes tightly and wrapped herself over Julia.
The wind could have easily blown away both Erica and Julia. Their feet left the ground multiple times as they were lifted and dropped.
Erica bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.
‘No. At this rate…!’
As she imagined the worst-case scenario, a large hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder.
The warmth was all too familiar.
“Sebas…tian…”
Sebastian had arrived and was firmly supporting her body.
Her hearing, momentarily overwhelmed by the sound, began recovering quickly.
“Are you okay?”
“…Yes. Thanks to you.”
Though the wind remained fierce, Sebastian had become a human shield, allowing Erica to finally take a breath.
Sebastian scanned the surroundings and locked eyes with Shoppen, who had been surveying the situation as well.
Shoppen silently gestured toward a point.
“Look over there.”
Sebastian’s red eyes followed the direction indicated and froze.
The ground rumbled violently, and the wind tore through everything.
He easily spotted the source of the chaos.
“…That.”
He swallowed.
A column of black smoke rose tall into the night sky.
Just like six years ago.
