At first I tried to refuse.
Because my father said that he had to get confirmation that he would give me the crown prince position.
If the Crown Prince refuses or answers vaguely, I told him to press the Crown Prince with the incident yesterday.
By linking the red-eyed man with the demon, it meant that the imperial family could testify that they control the demon.
I didn't want to offend the Crown Prince, but my priority was to have the position of Crown Prince.
The moment Lilian opened her mouth to say what her father had told her, the Crown Prince quickly added.
The selection process is just a form to show other nobles.
There are many families wanting the throne, including the Duke of Peyton, so Lillian agreed not to give them an excuse.
'Yes, there was Payton.'
Evelynn Gorge pretended not to be interested in the Crown Princess, saying that she was going to be the head of state, but inside, it seemed that she wasn't.
It's disgusting.
Anyway, Evelynn was a patient who couldn't even open her eyes properly.
A person with a disability is the Crown Prince. Gadankina Hanga.
It was unpleasant just to be named as a competitor.
I was annoyed that Evelyn had to go through a lot of trouble, but I definitely needed to press it.
So that you can't keep the Crown Prince in your heart.
'Because my father said that justification and legitimacy are important in politics.'
On the other hand, a sad heart arose for the Crown Prince.
'I wish I could just say I love you.'
Who would say that the Crown Prince loves and wants to get married?
He knew he loved him more than the Crown Prince, but he was still very upset.
'it's okay. Because you said there is no woman I love as much as I do.'
One day, even the Crown Prince will cling to me saying he loves me.
Everyone has to love themselves. That was God's will.
When I imagined the Crown Prince confessing his love to me, my heart sank.
"Oh, I hope that day comes sooner."
Lillian muttered hazy.
*
I was in a state of confusion, not knowing that I had thrown shock and confusion to everyone.
"Ed."
I didn't like the powerless voice, but now it was the best.
I kept calling Edwin, but there was no answer from anywhere.
I was terrified
'Isn't he dead?'
Before I lost my mind, I was faced with the blue eyes that had completely returned.
Why is there no answer?
Why is it so quiet around you?
I was in chaos, but I heard a clear and warm voice that was unfamiliar to me.
"My child."
Who is it?
"I have been waiting for you."
Who are you waiting for me? He frowned when spraying.
Then I heard a small laugh in my ear.
Suddenly, I leaned over and felt something hard under my feet.
It was then that I realized that I was still lying in bed.
blink blink.
I blinked consciously because of my blurry vision, and my eyes slowly returned to focus.
"Ah... ... ."
The first sight I saw with clear vision was a plain with green grass.
A cool breeze fluttered through my hair as if jokingly.
"... ... Huh?"
I let out a bewildered sound as I saw the white hair fluttering in front of my eyes.
Why did your hair change color?
The question didn't last long.
It was because a large tree in the middle of the field caught my attention.
Just looking at the abundant branches from afar, as if about ten trees were attached with thick trunks that were not enough for a dozen people to surround them, it was majestic.
In particular, the stems as white as my hair and the pale pink leaves looked so beautiful and mysterious.
I was fascinated by its beauty and stood staring at the tree for a long time.
"My child."
At that moment, I heard a voice that had been ringing in my ear for a while.
At the same time, a heart-pounding sound was heard.
It was a familiar sound.
"come here."
The pink leaves quivered and shook as if beckoning to me with a gentle voice.
I walked towards the tree as if possessed. As the distance from the tree got closer, the heart-beating sound grew louder and louder.
When the sound got so loud that it hurts, I was finally able to stand in front of the tree.
I thought it was really big even from a distance, but when I saw it up close, I was stunned by not only the size but also the immense intimidation.
At the same time, I felt a sense of longing for some reason.
"My child, come quickly."
Hearing the voice again, he raised his head and looked up at the tree.
I knew intuitively that this tree was talking to me, even though no one told me.
I was stunned, but I wasn't afraid.
Because I had a strange belief that it wouldn't hurt me.
"Who are you?"
"Your guardian, Kiaro."
you guys? Are you the one who protects Jewery?
Looking back, I felt as if I had seen this tree somewhere.
As I was reminiscing, I suddenly remembered an old tree I had seen in the Mujas Desert.
"no way... ... Jueri's guardian tree?"
"You recognized me."
The sound of laughter rang out quietly, as if happy.
I looked at the tree in embarrassment.
The guardian tree in the desert was obviously an old tree that lost its life. Even Edwin said it was a dead tree a long time ago.
"But how... ... ?"
"I have not yet been reborn. But the only reason we can meet here is because our soul is tied to you."
"You mean my soul is bound?"
"It is. You are the child who will make me reborn."
I frowned at the incomprehensible words.
"I am not a real Jueri. You know."
"It's something only you can do."
"I don't know what that is, but it probably won't be something I can do."
"You will find out when the time comes."
Instead of refusing to say no, he gave a vague answer.
Does the guardian tree think of me as amber?
Even though the souls of my clan have changed, you don't recognize them. It was a little disappointing.
Suho-mok said as if regretful whether he knew or not knew my heart.
"The time is running out."
My heart suddenly became impatient at the unexpected words.
"How can I activate a gem like Jewel? No, is there no way to break the curse of Duke Crawford?"
It didn't matter why I came here or what Suho-mok meant to me.
The important thing to me was Edwin.
I don't know when I will meet the guardian tree again, but I had to figure out how to save Edwin.
"Smoke your jewels. When the jewel blooms, both I and the child will come to life."
"A jewel? What jewel?"
"I will be waiting. My Chiarosia."
"Come on, wait a minute. answer... ... ."
I desperately called for Suho-mok with a foreboding that I would be kicked out of this place, but in the end I didn't get an answer.
I just lost my mind.
*
"Oh, no!"
I shrugged my arms and opened my eyes.
"Reena!"
At that moment, I felt someone hugging me tightly.
"it's okay?"
My heart, which was beating quickly at the higher body temperature and the familiar woody scent, gradually regained stability.
"Ed?"
"Yeah, it's me. Are you sick anywhere?"
"Oh, it's okay."
There was no strength, but there was no particular pain.
He relaxed his body and leaned against Edwin, but something strange happened.
The dark surroundings, the shaking body, and the wind brushing the cheeks.
I couldn't understand the situation for a moment, so I blinked blankly.
"Ed?"
Edwin pressed his lips to my ear at my questionable call.
"Don't be surprised. I am riding a horse."
Every time he spoke, I flinched involuntarily.
It was because the breath that flowed through his lips tickled his ears.
I tried to turn around to keep my distance, but it was not enough on the horse.
I posed a question to him to focus his attention elsewhere.
"Where are we going?"
"Payton."
"Huh? Didn't you decide to go with the Duke the day after tomorrow?"
"There was a raven in the lake."
"Ah... ... ."
It was then that everything made sense.
Even without Raven, he had to go to Payton as soon as possible to fight the warlock.
"Sorry. I can't give you a rest."
"I'm fine. It's to protect me."
I was not in a position to lie down comfortably in bed now and recuperate.
Because from the moment I fell into this world, something I had been afraid of had happened.
There was even an unknown warlock targeting me, so I couldn't rest peacefully.
"Is Ed okay?"
I wanted to turn my head to see him, but I couldn't turn because I was running so fast.
Edwin patted me with a hand wrapped around my waist, telling me not to move.
"it's okay."
"thank God."
"Thanks to Lina."
I was worried about the voice that seemed to be wet with night dew.
"Aren't you holding on even if you are sick?"
I wanted to check my face to see if it was okay, but it was frustrating because I couldn't.
"It's Lina who should be worried now, not me."
He leaned his chin on the top of my head and sighed.
"I'm OK."
"Lina shouldn't lie to me. I was waiting for Lina with a certain heart."
"worry... ... Done?"
"You say that... ... ."
Edwin couldn't forget his words for a moment, as he was filled with emotion.
"I was scared. For the first time in my life."
My heart sank and sank at the trembling voice.
"The moment I saw Lina falling from the sky, I couldn't breathe."
The hot breath on his head seemed to constrict his chest.
"I never want to feel that way again. So don't leave me."
Edwin hugged me tightly as if I was about to disappear.
I blinked blankly at the desperate gesture.
What did I hear now?
I know you'd be worried about me. Because I am a person who cannot pass even the slightest pain.
But I never imagined that I would be afraid of losing myself.
A strong, arrogant person who has nothing to fear in the world feels fear.
Because of me and no one else.
In an instant, a lightning-like realization flashed through my mind.
'Ah, I was precious to this person.'
He didn't bring me with him just because of the oracle, or because he needed Jueri's powers.
An unknown euphoria rose from the depths of her heart.
My heart was pounding and my heart was pounding.
"I was scared too. I'm afraid I'll lose Ed. I'm afraid I'll be left alone."
He leaned his head against his firm chest and whispered.
You're not the only one. I was scared too.
"Are you very scared?"
As I nodded, I felt Edwin hold his breath for a moment.
"Ed?"
Why? Where is it bad?
I managed to turn my head back slightly, and under the soft moonlight, I could see the curved eyes.
'Well? Why are you in a good mood?'
I tried to check again to see if I was wrong, but I couldn't because of my unstable posture.
I had to turn my head to the front.
"I will never leave you alone."
Edwin's low voice whispered in his ear.
A small whisper, as if scattered in the wind, sounded heavier than a knight's pledge of allegiance.
Still, I didn't like the weight. Rather, I felt at ease.
The warmth that touched me and the strong arms wrapped around my waist made me realize that Edwin was alive by my side.
A deep sense of relief came over me.
'Now I can't imagine life without Edwin.'
I was stunned by the momentary realization.
When did your feelings for Edwin grow so big?
While I was in a bit of confusion, I heard a familiar voice.
"Angelina, you are awake."
When I turned around, the Archduke with the hood turned was looking at me worriedly.
"Oh, my lord."
"Is your body okay?"
"Yes. Sorry for worrying you."
"Don't say that. It's my fault for not protecting you."
"no. Your Majesty took the risk and came into the lake to rescue me."
I remembered the last sight of the Archduke I had seen before running to Edwin.