Published at 30th of March 2022 06:54:15 AM

You.

Huh?

Does this happen frequently to you?

No. Derek came back to Lagrange more often than Dietrich, but he was still focused on the battlefield.

Dietrich half-heartedly listened to my answer and began to examine my body.

The gaze that closely examined me for any injuries for some reason made my toes curl.

You didnt seem to care about it earlier.

Why do you ask that?

Dietrich couldnt answer immediately my question which was subtly laced with resentment. I pressed down his handsome nose and continued speaking.

....I heard its been a while since you came to Lagrange, so why didnt you look for me?

Because I didnt feel the need.

I struggled to get out of Dietrichs arms at his cold reply. When I was about to fall down because I couldnt stand properly due to the pain in my side, he extended his hand behind my knee.

Ill take you back.

....Its fine.

I hated Dietrich who pretended to be considerate at the last minute, so I shook off his hand.

Smack.

Even though the back of his hand which I hit must be stinging, he didnt even frown once. He stared at my face with an apathetic expression just like earlier.

It left me speechless to see his doll-like face, showing neither anger nor joy.

Its been a while for us, hasnt it?

..........

Did you forget me because you havent seen me in years?

Dietrich really looked like that. The way he treated me as if I was a stranger was hilarious, so even though it wasnt funny to me, it made me laugh.

I remember the nights I spent with you.

............

Whenever I cant sleep because Im lonely, I always go to Dietrichs room and pretend you were sleeping there. I was always looking at the moon.

I didnt know if it was because of the fairy tale I liked but he and I liked the moon when we were kids. I sincerely wanted to hide behind the shadow of the moon with him.

I told you Id protect you.

Even if Dietrich didnt remember my resolve, I remembered.

It was dark, cold and the winter nights of Lagrange were hard, but at least we werent lonely when we were together.

You werent bothered that I was here and I was very thankful for that.

My parents were bothered by me. But you, whom I didnt share a drop of blood with, took me in.

I have never thought that you didnt cherish me.

What a fool.

Yes, Im a fool. Thats why I didnt think Dietrich had changed.

...........

I didnt believe Veronicas words that you have changed. No matter how much you use your power, I thought you wouldnt change.

Because he didnt seem weak enough to be swallowed by the demons.

But I must have been mistaken.

This wasnt the reunion I longed for.

However, the words of resentment that I had begun to spit out came out one after another.

Even when you didnt come despite knowing I was locked up in the basement, I thought there was a situation that held you back.

............

I was just fooling myself.

Unable to bear it any longer, tears started pouring out of my will.

I couldnt sleep well thinking that you might have died, or that you were hurt.

Even though I knew that he was the damn villain in the novel, I was still like that.

I thought we were family. I was the only one thinking that. I, alone, waited for you.

As I poured out my resentments, Dietrich didnt even make excuses.

I would have forgiven him if he had said a word of apology, no, even if he just showed a slight hesitation.

I have never thought of you as family, Anissa.

Contrary to his cold words, the fingers that wiped away my falling tears were warm like always. I closed my eyes, not knowing what to do.

It had been a long time since he returned to Lagrange but it was still endlessly desolate.

Maybe it was also because there was no voice that kept on prattling. Dietrich caught a glimpse of the withered branches hitting the window.

Are you really not going to take Anissa?

Yuric stomped his feet in anger. Next to him, Baal was fiddling with his fingers as if he was nervous.

Please listen to the princes words, Your Majesty. Why arent you going to save the princess?

He pretended to be worried, but the demons intentions were clear. Candidates who didnt have a sacrifice wouldnt be able to enter the final gate.

However, Baal raised his voice as if he was really worried about Anissa, who was locked up in the basement.

The princess isnt an ability user like you, Your Majesty, but an ordinary person. Her body wouldnt last if she stayed locked up for a long time.

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........

I will also try to tell Agares.

I disapprove.

Dietrich shook his head firmly. Yuric, finding the situation frustrating, began to pull his hair.

There are also abandoned evil spirits in the basement. Do you think Anissa will be able to hold out?

Its none of your business.

This bastard, why do you think its none of my business? Do you think shes only your little sister?

Yuric fumed and raised his voice. If it was only up to him, he would have run to her and taken her out a long time ago, but Derek had only one condition.

Dietrich himself must admit that Anissa is a precious existence to him. [1]

It was exactly the same condition. He wondered what use it was for him to admit it, but he had a strong feeling that it had something to do with the succession gateway.

No, why not save her first and then think about it later.

I have no obligation to save that child.

Despite Yurics insistence without knowing the situation, Dietrich continued to stare outside the window with no thoughts of being moved.

This jerk, really!

Yuric, who was seething, finally couldnt control his anger and ran towards him, grabbing him by the collar.

His black eyes, as cold as a winter night, meet with blue eyes flashing with fury.

Are you really using Anissa? Because of that gateway or something!

No matter what Yuric did, Dietrich maintained a calm attitude. He grabbed his hand and snapped it with intensity.

Let go.

He let out a short warning. However, Yuric didnt loosen his hold.

I dont want to, you bastard!

Yuric Lagrange. You still dont know how to bark.

In an instant, a shadow rose under Yurics feet and began to tighten around him.

Boom!

Yurics body which was thrown into the wall dropped to the floor. He got up with a tearful face but showed no sign of pain.

It was because he realized that Dietrich deliberately didnt throw him hard enough.

I really dont understand.

You dont have to understand me.

Didnt you tell me to protect Anissa? With that condition, you risked your life to make a contracts with the demons and gave the others to me and Veronica, and now youre pretending you dont care?

Silence again.

As if he was on the brink of insanity, Yuric smashed the wall with his fist and then harshly opened the door.

Ah, Mister Yuric is also here.

As if he had been waiting, Dereks hands and feet told them that he was looking for Dietrich.

Dietrich slowly got up from his seat and headed outside.

As soon as he found Anissa, who had a swollen face from being beaten by Derek, he abruptly stopped walking.

He shouldnt be agitated.

He chewed on the words as if he had pledged to himself.

Because what Agares wanted to see was his agitation.

How suspicious.

Derek, who received a report that he had no precious existence, did not trust him.

Dereks demon was one of the demons who regarded the successor game to be sacred. The demon asked for proof.

So the only solution left was patience.

All he had to do was give up being the grand duke and wait for death.

I just have to treat her as if she isnt precious to me.

Dietrich shook his hand off and watched as Anissa stood up with a limp.

She seemed to have grown taller, but he was uneasy because her small feet seemed to be the same.

He bit his lips so that it wouldnt show and called the child.

Anissa.

What.

The sharp answer that came back was something he hadnt expected. Because Anissa had never been angry at him.

Dietrich let out a small sigh as he watched the tears forming in her big eyes, unable to even wipe them away.

At least accept Baals help.

No. Never.

Baal, who had perked up his ears at Dietrichs words and had risen up from Dietrich's shadow, recoiled.

The demon fiddled with his fingers as if in disbelief at her refusal.

Why are you also getting mad at me? I beseeched his majesty to save the princess.

Anissa did not even respond to Baals words and turned her back. She couldnt even maintain her precarious steps and started falling forward.

Of course, she didnt fall down because Dietrich quickly stepped forward and caught her in his arms.

Dont help me!

Anissa quietly shouted and bent her body backward. Dietrich, who alternately looked at her hand embarrassingly raised in the air and her white face, frowned one eyebrow.

Dont make me confused.

...........

You told Derek you didnt care whatever happens to me, but why do you care now?

Thats--

He didnt have an immediate answer to her question. The truth was, he was going to pretend not to care until the end.

In the first place, Derek could not harm Anissa as he was bound by the constraints as the head of the state and there was a possibility she could be designated as a sacrifice at the gate of succession.

He thought if he endured it a little longer it would be solved soon.

He had made up his mind to pretend not to care until the end but seeing her struggle in front of him was hard to bear.

Why are you trying to help me now?!

Whenever clear tears fell from her eyes, his hands would reach out on their own, and whenever she swayed and was about to fall, his body ran to her without his command.

Nothing.

Dietrich turned his head, ignoring Anissas question. As if she had expected it, Anissa turned her back.

Dietrich stood there as if stuck in place, looking at her brave back despite her limp.