Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 283

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story Episode 26

Cesar looked back at Belinda with a face that said ‘what are you talking about?’

And only then did he realize that her uncharacteristic boldness had all been for his sake. Foolishly, far too late.

He swept Belinda’s disheveled hair behind her ear and reflected on the events of the festival.

The street food wasn’t particularly good, and people’s gazes toward the festival destruction squad weren’t kind.

But even so.

“I was able to introduce us as husband and wife to people.”

Being able to proudly tell those who asked about their relationship that they were married.

“My wife compared me to the street performers and looked pleased.”

Because Belinda’s face filled with subtle pride was so lovely.

“Hearing your voice cheering for me despite people’s glares, and seeing you cover your face in embarrassment – all of it was joy that could only be enjoyed at a festival.”

He thought she must have saved up and avoided looking around festivals until now, all for today.

“…Anyway, I don’t know when you became so good with words.”

Belinda grumbled while avoiding Cesar’s gaze.

“It’s hot, so cool me down.”

He gladly channeled ice aura into his hands and cooled Belinda’s flushed cheeks.

Belinda familiarly rubbed her cheek against his hand.

However, the heat that had made her flush wouldn’t easily subside.

“Y-you can come a little closer to cool me down.”

At her permission, Cesar leaned his head toward her. The bright moonlight softly illuminated her features, creating delicate shadows.

‘Why does my wife only grow more beautiful with each passing day?’

Thanks to that, his greed only increased day by day.

That thirst sometimes resembled the curse of demonic beasts, making him commit rude acts even in such outdoor places.

Finally, just as his lips, filled with urgent thirst, were about to reach Belinda.

Bang!

Fireworks that shook the world burst forth.

It was Belinda who pushed away Cesar, who hadn’t even noticed them.

“Wait! This isn’t the time for that. Those fireworks are the grand finale of the festival! Look, look. You said you liked them when you were young, right?”

“…”

I think I’m starting to dislike them now.

Cesar quietly stepped back, hiding his displeasure.

The only thing he could enjoy while confined to the castle.

But now Cesar no longer looks up at the night sky. He only gazes at Belinda looking up at the fireworks.

Watching the face of his beloved with colorful lights falling upon it was surely another joy of experiencing the festival directly.

Much later, when the fireworks that had covered the sky ended and brief silence settled.

“I’m already looking forward to next year’s festival.”

At Cesar’s casually spoken words, Belinda’s face filled with smiles.

* * *

It was late at night when the Duke and Duchess returned to the castle after finishing their private date.

The two glanced at the Winter Castle where the banquet continued until midnight, then headed straight to the Summer Castle.

“Let’s just check on the children and go back.”

Walking on tiptoes stealthily, they opened the children’s room door.

Inside Ria’s room with the night light softly glowing.

A small outline bulging up in the middle of the bed was faintly visible.

“Sleep well.”

Just as the relieved Belinda was about to close the door again.

Cesar’s hand caught hers.

“Why?”

“The presence…”

Presence?

Without properly answering, Cesar strode into the room.

And immediately lifted the blanket on the bed.

Under the night light, the figure of a pillow scarecrow lying quietly covered with blankets was revealed.

“…”

“…”

While Belinda immediately searched every corner of Ria’s bedroom, Cesar headed to Theo’s room connected to Ria’s.

Since the children sometimes made secret hideouts in closets or under desks, they might be crumpled up and fast asleep somewhere in the room.

But he had a bad feeling.

As expected, only another scarecrow was placed on Theo’s bed, and the children’s figures weren’t found anywhere.

After a commotion that turned the castle upside down, Terry brought new information.

“Master, one unpowered carriage has disappeared.”

With those words, the couple immediately intuited where the children had headed.

Judging by the crude scarecrow left on the bed and the missing unpowered carriage, it was definitely a runaway, not a kidnapping.

“I certainly said I hoped they would grow up healthy even if they caused trouble, but this…”

This is going too far, kids.

Crack. A grinding sound leaked from between Belinda’s teeth.

Late at night when even the heat of the Winter Castle banquet had subsided.

An ominous aura appeared in Belinda’s purple eyes as she looked toward Comet Plains beyond the darkened Barrier Forest.

“Suga, settle 100,000 gold.”

【Yes, yesss.】

Suga trembled and put all her strength into sprinkling blessings of luck.

“Cao.”

Flap flap.

Belinda’s shadow bubbled up and exploded like an active volcano, spewing out pitch-black ravens,

“Cerberus.”

Whoosh.

Flames like divine wrath protected Belinda’s back,

“Lili.”

Whooom.

The Lich Queen’s fluttering pitch-black veil embraced Belinda.

Click. Finally drawing out even Vivian’s special rifle, Belinda chanted ominously.

“It’s hunting time.”

* * *

Shiver.

Ria trembled at the sudden chill.

“That’s strange. It’s summer, so why is it so cold?”

Ria tilted her head and closed the carriage window.

Though it was normally time to be fast asleep, she couldn’t easily close her eyes due to excitement.

The same was true for Theo. Though his reasons for not being able to sleep were a bit different.

Theo, who had been spinning around inside the carriage like a puppy that needed to pee, whispered in a hushed voice.

“Sister, something’s strange.”

“Don’t worry. We passed the Barrier Forest a long time ago, right?”

Ria calmly reassured Theo.

Her younger brother, who had been particularly timid since childhood, especially feared the Barrier Forest.

When she once asked why he was so afraid of the forest, she got a puzzling answer.

“It feels like someone’s in The Forest.”

But now, what Theo feared wasn’t The Forest.

“Not The Forest. What was in the castle…”

Theo clamped his mouth shut after saying that much.

Theo often sensed presences that others couldn’t feel.

However, even Cesar, who could perceive corrupted fairies, couldn’t figure out what Theo was seeing and feeling.

His parents had never scolded the child for it or gotten angry saying it was a mistake.

‘But I don’t want to become a liar.’

Eventually, at some point, Theo kept his mouth tightly shut in front of his parents.

He only spoke honestly to his Older Sister.

But this time, he couldn’t bring himself to open his mouth even to his Older Sister.

The thing that always wandered around Winter Castle.

The thing that only briefly left when Brother Leo came to visit the castle seemed to have followed them.

‘It’s probably just my imagination again anyway.’

Theo hung his head dejectedly.

Seeing this, Ria, who had been pondering something, spoke cheerfully.

“Lend me Guardian’s dimensional bag.”

Theo showed Ria the backpack he was carrying on his back.

Ria stuck her arm deep into the backpack and began pulling out her secret weapons one by one.

Countless pillows that could fill the carriage and then some.

Toys and reading materials to help endure boring times.

Finally, when she pulled out a heap of sweet desserts, the previously dreary carriage interior became a small, cozy hideout just for the Siblings.

“Ta-da! I even brought the head chef’s special cake that he’s so proud of. Let’s cheer up by eating something sweet like Mother taught us, okay?”

“…Yeah, sounds good.”

Theo, who had finally regained his smile, moved his fork with determination.

Desserts eaten in the middle of the night were exceptionally sweet.

The Children, having filled their stomachs with snacks, lay down on the soft floor covered with pillows.

“We should brush our teeth before sleeping.”

“We should wash our faces too.”

As tension eased and excitement subsided, drowsiness came over them.

Blink, blink. Ria, who had been desperately fighting against her slowly closing eyelids, suddenly rolled her body around.

Then, meeting Theo’s eyes, she shouted as if she had made an incredible discovery.

“Theo, maybe we don’t have to brush our teeth? We’re on an adventure right now!”

“Oh, come to think of it, I think Brother Leo said he often couldn’t wash properly when he was on adventures.”

“Adventures are really the best. Let’s not brush our teeth today, and not wash our faces either!”

The Siblings, licking their lips that sparkled with sugar, excitedly chattered for a long time about the advantages of adventures.

Late at dawn.

Theo, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

His drowsy violet eyes stared blankly at the carriage ceiling.

‘Why did I wake up?’

It definitely felt like someone had shaken him awake.

Except for Ria who was snoring in her sleep, there was no one around.

Realizing this fact sent chills down his spine.

From experience, bad things tended to happen at times like this.

Theo shook awake Ria, who was sleeping sprawled out like a Grand Master.

“Older Sister, Older Sister. Wake up.”

“Mmm. What’s wroooong.”

Ria opened her eyes slowly while grumbling.

She thought her Younger Brother had another nightmare and woke her up in fear.

“Something seems to have followed us.”

Theo’s face, lit by the magic lamp, was strangely terrified.

Ria forced herself to sit up for her Younger Brother’s sake and threw open the small window at the back of the carriage.

Blue Road, made from ground magic stones, was emitting a faint blue light in the darkness.

Ria’s hand pointed to the window that framed the desolate landscape outside.

“You had a bad dream. Look, see. There’s no one… huh?”

That’s when it happened.

Far in the distance, something could be seen following their unmanned carriage.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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