Chapter 21. Pat me too2020.04.14.
When I was startled by the handsome face of a child, a hand that came out of nowhere pushed it away.
“I want you to be quiet. You surprised our Mabel.”
Oscar scolded me and patted me. I alternated between the blond boy and Oscar.
‘Come to think of it, we’re both about the same age. Be cute.’
I smiled at the sight of the two cute boys standing side by side, and Oscar smiled and lifted me up.
“I’m sorry, Mabel. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
Oscar’s cheek touched my cheek. He lost his temper and started rubbing my cheeks. My eyes went round and round at the excessive expression of affection.
‘Ahh…!’
For some reason, I was still frozen because I was embarrassed, and my eyes met the blonde boy. He was looking at me with a somewhat surprised face.
“Oh Oscar…?”
“why.”
Oscar pulled me away and turned to the blond boy. Ah, but isn’t the tone of voice a bit different?
“You… Oscar, right?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
I was quite surprised by Oscar’s unfamiliar appearance in replying cynically. When he talked to me, he was kind to me, like a fluffy and moist puppy, but he couldn’t be so cold to a friend my age. Oscar carefully set me down on the bed, not caring whether his friend was surprised or not.
“Mabel. Did the meeting go well?”
“yes.”
“Oops. Now I have to call you His Majesty.”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to be called His Majesty by Oscar, even if other people didn’t know.
‘Even if it’s not the case, it looks like it was taken over.’
“seer.”
“no?”
“seer. Heather it.”
“huh. You didn’t like our Mabel? okay. Then, when it’s just the two of us, let’s call each other by name. Are you fine?”
“All right.” (Okay.)
I nodded and looked at the blonde boy behind Oscar. The boy was pointing at Oscar with a shocked face.
“Wow, you really…”
“What am I?”
“I heard rumors that my younger brother is an idiot, but I never thought it would come to this point.”
“Are you not going to shut up?”
I widened my eyes at Oscar’s harsh attitude. To say the least, Oscar’s attitude was too different from usual. But when he met my eyes, he smiled like cotton candy.
‘Is my blood relative… actually a double personality?’
I glanced at the blond boy, and Oscar sighed and pulled him away.
“Mabel. This guy is my classmate who trains swordsmanship with me.”
I looked at the blonde boy with a new look. It’s because he’s saying that it’s not a good position to learn swordsmanship like Oscar, who was a prince (soon to become a duke). There was a reason for her cute appearance.
“Come on, Enrique. Introduce yourself.”
“uh? okay. hello baby I am-.”
Sureureung. Before the introduction of the boy named Enrique was finished, a tremendous sound was heard. Oscar drew his sword and aimed it at Enrique’s neck. I was taken aback by the unexpected knife action.
“What? Why are you like this all of a sudden?”
“It’s rude. Say hello to His Majesty the Emperor with courtesy.”
At Oscar’s point, I was at a loss for words. It seemed to be the same with Enrique. Of course, it was only natural to show respect to the emperor. still.
‘Guys… can’t we play as we get older?’
How can I not be embarrassed when the children who are not yet in their 10s pull out their swords and say, “It is rude.” But what was even more absurd was Enrique’s next move.
“…You’re right, Oscar. I have done a great disservice to Your Majesty.”
Enrique, who meekly admitted his mistake, suddenly knelt down in front of me.
‘What is S Scale?’
Enrique lowered his head with a guilt-stained face without even having time to be surprised by the scale of the children.
“In a moment of misjudgment, I have committed disrespect to Your Majesty.”
“All of a sudden.” (It’s okay.)
“This will never happen again.”
“How is it…” (Okay…)
“I’m sorry again, Your Majesty.”
There was no sign that the apples would break. I was tired of receiving it.
‘Let’s stop, son.’
“How can I commit this sin!”
Unable to bear it, I put my hand on Enrique’s head and he started a match. At that cute reaction, he smiled happily and stroked his round hair. And solemnly added:
“I forgive Jaerul.” (I forgive my sins.)
I smiled brightly at Enrique, who blankly looked up at me.
‘So let’s stop now, right?’
Enrique licked his lips and then spoke out.
“lung-.”
“Mabel!”
However, it was buried by Oscar’s cry. For some reason, Oscar had a desperate expression on his face.
‘What’s wrong?’
The reason soon became clear.
“Mabel. You never stroked my hair, so why only that bastard…!”
“what?”
“…pat me too.”
At Oscar’s bold request, I carelessly stroked the boy’s head. When he came to his senses, he was stroking Oscar with his left hand and Enrique with his right.
‘This picture is strange…?’
In the eyes of others, it would seem that seven-year-olds are being petted by a mere one-year-old. I hurriedly removed my hand, fearing that anyone would see it, and the two children looked up at me with moist eyes. It’s like he wants to be stroked more.
“Whew…”
I sighed and stroked their hair until they were satisfied. A new realization crossed my mind today.
‘It’s hard to take care of a child.’
***
As soon as I opened my eyes, what I saw was the middle of the battlefield with a bloody smell.
‘It’s this scene again.’
Called Devlin’s dog or Devlin’s devil, he looked around anew. It was a sight I always saw. Bloody furrows were dug under the mountains of dead bodies all around. Occasionally, a person with a life attached to them couldn’t stop lingering on life and desperately scratched their fingertips. Sukkuk- He took a step, giving the enemy a peaceful rest to the enemy who struggled in pain.
‘…boring.’
Today, how long has it been since I lost my reason again and ran out of control? I couldn’t tell. Since the day I remember being born, he has been killing people on a rampage.
“You are a knight who has sworn allegiance to the Devlica family.”
“Prove your faith.”
“Decapitate and cut off the flesh of the soldiers of Ermano who dared to set foot on my land.”
The voice of Veron Arthur Devlica, the emperor of the Devlin Empire, lingered in my head countless times. No matter how much he tried to disobey, he was killing people according to the Emperor Devlin’s intention. There was a time when I put a sword through my own heart to break this damn bondage. but.
“You have done something foolish, Aidan. Your body is immortal.”
“…”
“So it’s better to follow my orders without thinking nonsense.”
The day he realized that no matter what he did, he could not escape Veron Arthur Devlica’s clutches, and he gave up his escape. A life in which one loses one’s reason and runs amok, committing slaughter like crazy, then suddenly comes to his senses and faces what he has done. Even then, he loses his reason again and repeats the same process.
‘A life without purpose or meaning.’
All he had was a cursed body that could not die and the name ‘Aidan’. How long will I have to repeat this life? Aidan fled the battlefield to avoid the soldiers of Ermano who rushed to kill him. There was no destination. Devlin’s imperial castle was even less. It was because I wanted to get away from it as much as possible, even if it was only when there was a reason.
‘If I go berserk again, I’ll crawl into it on my own.’
Laughing self-deprecatingly, he climbed the tree and leaned against the thick branches. The treetops collided with each other in the cool wind and sang. It felt like my body was being dragged down and down, as if it had been buried and engulfed in the soil.
“…I want to die.”
He muttered softly and raised his head. My eyes caught on the sky that was starting to turn pink. Normally, it was just a passing scene without any inspiration, but suddenly someone came to mind. Not long ago, I was escorted to an enemy country because I suddenly lost my mind during a runaway. Then, I remembered the face of the baby with light blue eyes that I had met twice. Aidan had no choice but to repeat that face even when he escaped from Ermano and headed back to Devlin at the command of Veron, which lingered in his head like hammering.
‘Because it was the first time.’
The experience of clearing my mind in an instant as if I was drunk with drugs. A futile hope reared its head.
‘…perhaps.’
Maybe the baby will save him. That it might give you the death you so longed for, freed from this infernal restraint. Aidan was willing to seize even the slightest possibility. There was nothing to lose anyway. Even if I failed, I just kept repeating this life over and over again. Soon after, he gazed at the darkened sky and landed lightly on the floor.
‘I must go back.’
In order to head to Ermano, he had to meet Veron at the time when he had reason. The miserable feeling of walking down the road to hell with a sane mind was worth enjoying now. Because I have a very small hope that I may face the death I longed for.
***
The blonde boy’s name was ‘Enrique Javier’. It was fortunate that the nanny came and kicked them out when I was thinking about how long to pet them. It was up to Xavier to explain the unexpected guest.
“His Highness said that he was defeated in a swordsmanship sparring and decided to do a favor for you.”
“Uh…”
“I begged to see His Majesty, so I had no choice but to listen.”
‘I see.’
Somehow, the reaction of Oscar who brought a friend was harsh. Enrique Javier was the eldest son of the Javier family, and he and Oscar were said to have learned the sword together under Lisandro from a very young age.
‘Well passed.’
Anyway, I really liked him because he seemed like a good kid. That was enough to allow him to be friendly with Oscar. I was passing the time roughly waving my rattle when I suddenly realized that I hadn’t seen the sheep for several days.
“Change.” (Outside.)
“Outside? It’s too late.”
The sun was setting outside the window. It’s not too late, but the people who take care of me are all worried. I used a secret method that had no choice but to grant my request. She held onto the hem of Xavier’s clothes and drooped her eyes.
“Change…” (Outside…)
“Go! Let’s go!”
. . . Seeing that it is less cold than before, it seems that time is passing.
“Hoo. like.”
Breathing for no reason, in Xavier’s arms, we arrived at the entrance of the northern forest where Yangyang usually appears.
“Sheep!”
As soon as I called out vigorously, Yang slowly appeared.
‘how have you been doing?’
It was nice to see you after a long time, so I greeted you warmly, but Yang turned her head away.
[joy. I thought you forgot about me because you didn’t come so much?]
‘No, that’s… I also have various circumstances…’
[Okay! I don’t need anything like you!]
Even when he was angry, he seemed to be strong. It was heartbreaking to see him pouting and banging his tail on the floor. It seemed like he was very lonely while he was alone. She got out of Xavier’s arms, took her hand, and took a step toward Yang.
“Sheep…”
[Huh.]
But he just turned his head away.
‘I can’t. I have no choice but to go back today…’
It was the time when I was about to be hugged by Xavier again, as it seemed like I needed some alone time.
[Where are you going!]
“…huh?”
[Where are you going without me!]
The sheep that I hadn’t looked at suddenly ran up to me and clung to my leg.
‘It’s just because you’re angry…’
[When did I get angry!]
‘You’re still paying?’
[This is not mad! Anyway don’t go! Don’t leave me alone in this lonely forest!!]
I let out a deep sigh as I saw the sheep holding me sadly.
‘Ehhh.’
Having to play with the sheep after Oscar and Enrique is too tiring for a one-year-old life.
***
In the end, just as Yang had wished, we sat down in an empty lot near the forest.
‘It’s a sheep. I have a question.’
[Ask me anything!]
Yang-yi answered with her eyes shining brightly, as if she was soon relieved of her anger. I asked a question that I had been curious about but hadn’t been able to.
‘What the hell are you?’
[I am Shin Su-ji.]
‘Yes, Shin-soo… But what does it have to do with me? Why can only I hear your voice? And don’t you find it strange that a one-year-old talks to you casually?’
Because I had a lot of questions during that time, questions poured out in a row. The sheep gently waggled its tail and rested its head on top of my outstretched calf.
[I can’t explain it exactly, but I was waiting for you to be born. Because I exist only for you, you can hear me. I already know that your soul is not a one-year-old soul.]
‘…why is it me?’
[Because God chose you.]
‘God?’
I was taken aback by the unexpected appearance. Yes, there is no such thing as a god in the yard where a talking cat god was born with memories in a completely different world. I felt strange. In my previous life, I cried and prayed every day, wanting to run away from my miserable life. please get me out of here But there really is a God who never listened to my wishes.
‘Why did you choose me?’
[That’s something Mabel will figure out in the future.]
‘…Yes.’
While answering, I didn’t know why I had to look for the reason. I didn’t even want to know. Because I don’t believe in God.
***
[Boo-ooh-uh!]
[Boom.]
A loud sound gradually woke me up. I frowned and quickly threw off the hand wrapper.
‘What else is so noisy?’
Booth got up and fell down the bed. It hurt, but I could bear this much.
[hoot. I’m hungry!]
‘…?’
hoot. hungry…? I tilted my head and headed towards the sound. A slight push on the balcony door opened up a gap for me to enter. I slipped out onto the balcony. There was a bird on the balcony railing. Three eagle owls.
[hoot. I’m hungry.]
[Mouse. hoot. hid Boo-ooh!]
[Frog. hoot. No.]
The three owls took turns talking. In the middle of it, I stood stunned. There’s no possibility that those three are divine beasts. Let’s pinch our cheeks to see if they’re dreaming.
“Aww.”
I quietly opened my mouth.
‘The owl speaks…’
