I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 184

Ariel returned to the castle and first checked on Sonia’s condition.

In the meantime, Sonia, who had been holding back tears like a trooper, finally let them flow, perhaps relieved that the tension had lifted.

“Onnie…! Sonia was so scared… hic!”

“That’s right. You did well, Sonia. I’m sorry for being late.”

While comforting Sonia in her arms and wiping away her snot-like tears, Ariel gritted her teeth inside.

How dare some bone from who-knows-where make someone cry like that?

She was determined to repay that debt with interest.

“I’m sorry. It’s my lack of ability…”

“It’s not your fault, Kelrag. I should be thanking you for protecting my sister.”

Meanwhile, Edgar bowed his head slightly in gratitude towards Kelrag, who had spoken those self-deprecating words.

If it weren’t for his quick actions and his willingness to sacrifice his life to buy them time, Sonia wouldn’t be resting safely in Ariel’s arms now.

Clunk.

“Sonia!”

At that moment, Katria, who had just heard the news, rushed back after a brief outing with Helene.

Without a word, she flung open the door, calling out frantically for her daughter and scooping Sonia into her embrace.

This precious little girl had almost disappeared.

When Edgar nearly lost his life before, she had been in a panic, and today, without Helene by her side, she might have collapsed on the spot.

“I’m so sorry, my daughter…! Mommy just looked away for a moment…”

Katria kept apologizing while gently touching Sonia’s face.

Ariel felt a bittersweet smile creep onto her face, unsure of how to look at her.

Earlier, she had seen off Katria and Helene when they went out, telling them to enjoy their cozy time without worrying about Sonia, but now it felt like she had betrayed that promise.

“…Ed.”

Edgar quietly approached her, patting her shoulder as she clenched her right fist tightly in frustration.

Given how much she cared for Sonia, she must be feeling more guilt than anyone else right now.

“It’s not your fault. You don’t have to look so distressed. If we want to assign blame, it’s my fault from the start.”

Edgar thought if he’d paid a bit more attention to Sonia, this situation might not have occurred.

Of course, the fundamental fault lay with the unidentified magician, but he wasn’t entirely innocent either.

Moreover, Ariel was one of the main contributors to resolving the incident; she definitely shouldn’t be bearing any guilt.

“Thanks to the pendant you and Kelrag gave to Sonia beforehand, she’s safe. Without that, she wouldn’t have made it back.”

It was a pendant that Ariel had given to Sonia just in case, designed to resonate with Sonia’s emotions so that Ariel would receive a signal and a magical circle would open between them.

Although gemstones that react to magical power are rare, those that respond to the owner’s emotions and feelings are even rarer, making this pendant a rare item even within the Robeheim Family.

Ariel’s foresight had allowed Sonia to come back safely.

As Edgar brought it up as comfort, Ariel’s rigid expression didn’t ease.

“…That doesn’t excuse anything. In the end, the best thing would have been to prevent something like this from happening.”

“What good is saying that after the fact? Besides, neither Mother, Sonia, nor I think it’s your fault.”

People tend to say things like “Things would have gone better if I had done this or that” after something happens.

But Edgar thought that was a statement only possible after experiencing the situation.

They couldn’t predict that the enemy would launch a surprise attack, or that at that moment, Sonia would happen to be there.

Even amidst that uncertainty, it was thanks to the pendant Ariel had handed Sonia and Kelrag’s sacrifice that they could now face each other safely.

“By the way, remember that thing from before?”

“What thing?”

“The assassin who broke into your room, and how you felt guilty about being impulsive afterward.”

“Yeah, I remember.”

How could she forget?

Just recalling that day sent chills down her spine.

“You said back then that if you protect something, you should cherish it. That sounds apt for your current situation.”

“…I never thought I’d be hit by my own words.”

Ariel let out a bitter smile, acknowledging she’d been hit in the gut.

Well, that statement was indeed spot-on.

Now that she thought about it, no amount of “I should’ve acted faster” would change anything.

All she needed to do was reflect on her shortcomings and work hard to ensure there wouldn’t be a next time, just like she had advised Edgar back then.

“Hey! Where’s Sonia!?”

At that moment, the rest of the group, including Ransel, rushed into the room, making it a total mess.

Especially Ransel, who seemed so flustered that he couldn’t even catch his breath as he rushed to his wife and examined Sonia.

“Fortunately, she’s safe. Thanks to the… no, Ariel protected her.”

“Haa… I feel like my guts just fell back into place. Anyway, thank you so much, Ariel.”

“…It’s nothing. I’m the one who’s rather sorry.”

Ariel shook her head at Ransel’s gratitude, crouching down to meet Sonia’s eye level.

When she saw the tear streaks on Sonia’s white cheeks and the redness around her eyes, it felt like her heart was being torn apart.

“Sonia, are you okay now?”

“Uh-huh… I’m fine.”

Though she still sniffled a bit, her resilient nature seemed to have helped her shake off the fear somewhat.

Seeing Sonia’s tiny hands tremble, Ariel gently took hold of them.

It might sound like a lie, but for this little girl, she had to give her courage.

In a way, it was also a kind of vow to protect her.

“Don’t worry; I took down that bad guy. What did I tell you earlier?”

“This necklace… to keep it always….”

“That’s right. If that kind of guy shows up again, I’ll come to help you just like today, so there’s no need to think anything scary, okay?”

Nod.

Though she hesitated a bit, Sonia trusted her sister, who was as reliable as a real brother, and showed her faith quickly.

The good news was that no one got hurt or died in front of her.

When the nearby guard was killed, Sonia couldn’t see it due to the trees blocking her view, and since Kelrag wasn’t seriously injured, there wasn’t any visual trauma that would haunt her.

If it had been otherwise, given her young age, it would’ve been hard for her to shake off fear easily.

Ariel mused that this was what “a blessing in disguise” meant, absentmindedly giggling.

“So, what happened to him, Ariel?”

“…Can I tell you later?”

“Sure. Do as you please. It’s not a conversation that should take place here anyway.”

Seeing Ariel not mention how she handled the situation, Yulken picked up on something strange and chose not to press further.

It would probably be better not to bring up what just happened until Sonia’s fear fully subsided.

At that moment, Sonia, who had drawn closer, tugged on Ariel’s sleeve and expressed her thanks in a whisper.

“Onnie, thank you…….”

Although there was still a little moisture in her voice, her shaking hands indicated that her heart was calming down.

Ariel tousled Sonia’s hair and indicated to Kelrag standing nearby.

“You’re fine, so thank that uncle there.”

“Same here. Sonia saw, didn’t she? That uncle protected you.”

“Yup……!”

When Edgar also shifted the praise towards Kelrag, it was Kelrag who suddenly looked flustered.

He tried to add some explanation but couldn’t bring himself to do so with Sonia waddling over.

“Uncle, thank you!”

Now, Sonia spoke more clearly than before, thanking Kelrag.

Caught off guard by the sight, he quickly softened into a gentle smile and patted her head.

“…Right. No injuries, right?”

“Yup! Because uncle protected me!”

Why did this tiny girl’s words strike him so deeply?

Perhaps it was because, after the Carvita Tribe, once a proud warrior nation, had turned into a plundering tribe, he felt a trace of that lost pride being recovered, even if only in fragments.

“Looks like you’re not afraid at all. You should still be scared.”

“Uh-huh… I’m scared, but I’m with onnie, oppa, and uncle, so it’s fine!”

“Well, I can’t guarantee I’ll save you next time, kiddo.”

Even if he had a bond with her, he ultimately had to leave.

Even if the Carvita Tribe regained its former pride and ceased hostilities with the Robeheim Family, this wouldn’t be his place.

‘But at least for now, maybe it’s okay.’

But there’s still some time left until then.

Until they find out who’s behind the enemy, until they know who the real enemy is.

Until then, this little girl would need someone to bring her joy.

“…During the time you’re here in this castle, I’ll play with you. Just settle for that.”

“Hehe, is that a promise? If you lie, I’ll ask onnie to scold you!”

“Wow, what a scary threat.”

Ariel herself scolding him was not something he could easily dismiss.

Just looking at the attention she poured into Sonia was enough to convince him.

Ultimately, Kelrag had ended up signing a rather unfair deal, but it didn’t feel that bad.

At least it proved that he wasn’t harboring any ill intentions toward the Robeheim Family while relying on them.

That revelation itself wasn’t a bad outcome at all.