≈ Chapter 10 ≈
Even so…
Caesar simply shrugged.
“It seems you’ve all forgotten who I am.”
“I am the High Priest of the Grand Temple… and the first servant of the God of Light.”
Then he continued confidently.
“Holy power is the most effective force for suppressing demonic energy, isn’t it?”
“Besides, the Grand Temple is filled with faithful priests of the God of Light.”
“Well… that’s true…”
“But raising a child in the temple…”
The two of them tried to argue.
But from where I was sitting…
It didn’t seem like their arguments were working at all.
Looking at them with the eyes of a winner, Caesar let out a small sigh.
“Still…”
“I’m afraid a place filled with so much holy power might be too much for Miss Tatiana’s young body.”
My heart suddenly sank.
“T-Then…”
“Does that mean I’ll never be able to visit the Grand Temple?”
No!
The Grand Temple is supposed to be one of the Empire’s greatest landmarks!
I always wanted to see its famous ceiling paintings and beautiful statues!
Caesar gently smiled and shook his head.
“Don’t worry.”
“I only meant that staying there for a long time would be difficult.”
“Simply visiting the Grand Temple is perfectly fine for Miss Tatiana.”
“R-Really?”
“Of course.”
“And when you grow older and become healthier…”
“You’ll be able to stay there much longer.”
Thank goodness!
I quietly sighed in relief.
Just then—
“That was well said, Caesar.”
Zigfried suddenly joined the conversation.
Looking back and forth between Caesar and Kyrios, he said firmly,
“We all agree that Tatiana’s health comes first, don’t we?”
Eek…
I couldn’t help flinching.
B-But I’m not sick anymore…
Maybe because I had coughed up blood and collapsed before…
Everyone had become overly protective of me.
“The Duke’s family doctor once served in the Imperial Palace.”
“He’s one of the best physicians in the Empire.”
“I’m sure he’ll be a great help in taking care of Tatiana’s health.”
“I-I can hire a doctor too!”
Kyrios quickly protested.
“If the kid comes to the Magic Tower…”
“I’ll treat her really well!”
“I’m sure everyone there will like her too!”
Zigfried smiled confidently.
“Instead of making empty promises…”
“Why don’t you suggest something more practical?”
His smile looked like that of someone who had already won.
Unable to watch any longer…
I finally spoke up.
“Then…”
“Can’t Mr. Zigfried…”
“Mr. Kyrios…”
“And Mr. Caesar…”
“…all become Titi’s guardians?”
Everyone immediately looked at me.
Wow…
That’s a lot of pressure…
Cold sweat ran down my back.
But I forced myself to smile.
Whatever happens, happens.
I grabbed Zigfried’s sleeve tightly.
Then I looked at Caesar and Kyrios with pleading eyes.
“Titi wants all three of you to get along…”
“And…”
“I want to stay with all of you.”
Then I lowered my shoulders sadly.
“…Is that not okay?”
Silence filled the carriage.
The three men looked at each other.
Then…
Trying to act completely casual…
They answered one after another.
“O-Of course it’s okay.”
“Fine.”
“Let’s make it fair.”
“Since we’ve decided to become Miss Tatiana’s guardians…”
“I’ll do my very best.”
“Thank you!”
Pretending I couldn’t contain my happiness…
I quickly hugged Zigfried.
I buried my face against his chest…
Hiding the sly smile on my lips.
Who says I can only have one guardian?
This is my chance to have the strongest supporters in the entire human world.
If possible…
Of course I want all three Heroes as my guardians.
✦ ✦ ✦
After a very long discussion…
It was decided that I would live at the Duke’s residence.
The Magic Tower carried out many dangerous experiments.
Small magical accidents happened there all the time.
It wasn’t a safe place for a child.
As for the Grand Temple…
It was filled with holy power.
Since I carried demon blood…
It wasn’t the best environment for me.
“What?”
“You think I can’t take care of one little kid properly?”
Kyrios complained.
“Stop acting like a child, Kyrios.”
Caesar calmly scolded him.
Kyrios grumbled for quite a while.
But in the end…
He quietly gave up.
After traveling for some more time…
The carriage finally came to a gentle stop.
“We’re here.”
Zigfried looked out the window.
A magnificent townhouse belonging to the Duke’s family stood before us.
But honestly…
I didn’t even have time to admire it.
Because—
“Mr. Caesar…”
“Mr. Kyrios…”
Without realizing it…
My eyes filled with tears as I clung to both of them.
“When will I see you again?”
We had spent the whole journey together.
Now we were suddenly going to separate.
Of course I felt sad.
“We’ll see each other again very soon, Miss Tatiana.”
Caesar smiled warmly and patted my head.
“I’ll come visit often.”
“So don’t get tired of seeing me, alright?”
“Yes!”
“I’ll never get tired of you!”
Only then did I finally relax a little.
I secretly looked toward Kyrios.
“Then…”
“Mr. Kyrios…”
“Of course I’ll come too.”
“So stop making that sad face.”
Kyrios crossed his arms and smirked.
“You’re already ugly enough.”
“If you keep pouting, you’ll look even uglier.”
“W-What?”
“You’re so mean.”
I puffed out my cheeks.
But…
I couldn’t stop smiling.
Great!
We’ll get to meet again!
Just then…
Zigfried stepped out of the carriage first.
He held out his hand toward me.
“Come on, Tatiana.”
“Okay!”
I hurried toward the door.
As soon as I reached him…
He grabbed my hand.
Then…
He easily lifted me into his arms.
“Kyaa!”
Without thinking…
I wrapped my arms around his neck.
My eyes grew wide.
H-He picked me up!
Adjusting me so I could sit more comfortably…
Zigfried spoke in his usual blunt voice.
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“Your tiny steps are just too slow.”
Tch.
Would it really hurt him to say something nice?
I pouted.
But then…
I smiled anyway.
Still…
At least he carried me.
Leaning comfortably against him…
I waved both hands toward the carriage.
“You have to come see Titi again!”
“Promise!”
Caesar smiled through the carriage window and waved back.
Beside him…
Kyrios let out a helpless laugh.
His lips silently formed the words,
“Just hurry inside.”
Soon…
The carriage began moving again.
I quietly watched it disappear.
“They’re gone…”
“You’ll see them again.”
“Both of them said so.”
Zigfried replied calmly.
“But…”
I still felt a little lonely.
With a disappointed expression…
I finally turned toward the Duke’s townhouse.
Then…
My mouth slowly fell open.
“Wooooow…”
“It’s just like a princess’s castle!”
A huge five-story townhouse stood in the middle of an enormous garden.
Rare flowers and beautiful trees surrounded it.
Its cream-colored walls and rose-colored roof looked like a work of art.
“Your jaw is about to fall off.”
Just as expected…
Zigfried teased me after seeing my dumbfounded expression.
Hey!
Anyone would be surprised!
Did he really have to say it like that?
I puffed out my cheeks and glared at him.
Just then—
“Welcome home, my lord.”
A respectful voice greeted us.
It belonged to a middle-aged woman.
Startled…
I turned around.
Many servants were bowing respectfully.
The middle-aged woman who had spoken first smiled politely.
“I heard that you defeated the Five Demon Kings.”
“Congratulations.”
“You all worked hard taking care of the estate while I was away.”
Zigfried nodded.
“It’s nothing, my lord.”
The woman bowed once again.
Then…
Her eyes moved toward me.
“May I ask…”
“Who is this young lady?”
“H-Hello.”
“I’m Tatiana.”
Still in Zigfried’s arms…
I quickly bowed my head.
Zigfried explained,
“For the time being…”
“I’ll be acting as this child’s guardian.”
Huh?
He’s speaking so politely.
I quietly listened.
Maybe this woman isn’t an ordinary servant.
If even Zigfried speaks respectfully to her…
She must have quite a high position.
“Her guardian…?”
Huh?
My eyes widened.
For just a brief moment…
A strange expression crossed the woman’s face.
That doesn’t look like a friendly expression…
“Yes.”
“I’ll be raising Tatiana for the time being.”
“So please make sure she is as comfortable as possible.”
“…”
The woman quietly looked at me.
Then…
She suddenly smiled brightly.
“Of course.”
“Please leave it to me.”
“Thank you.”
Zigfried nodded.
Then he walked into the townhouse.
As he carried me inside…
The middle-aged woman looked at me once again.
Our eyes met.
There wasn’t a trace of warmth in her gaze.
It was so cold…
As if she were looking at her greatest enemy.
‘…Ah.’
At that moment…
I knew for certain.
I had spent my entire life surrounded by demons who hated me.
Because of that…
I could recognize hostility immediately.
‘That woman…’
‘She hates me.’
‘And she hates me a lot.’
