The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 173

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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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Chapter 173

In fact, Maximus was also in such a panic that he couldn’t figure out what Isabela knew and what she didn’t.

However, the reason he confided in Isabela was that she was the only trustworthy adult of his age in this place.

It was also because his anxiety had grown so severe that he needed to tell someone.

“That being who knows all the geography of the Empire, no, who might know secret passages of the Empire that we don’t know about…”

Isabela closed her eyes for a moment.

The ‘modified’ Half-Human, Half-Beast she had actually faced was incredibly powerful.

‘But that wasn’t even the completed form…’

She really didn’t want to think this far, but Alpheus’s choice had been the best option.

They had to prepare thoroughly without fail.

It wasn’t just a problem with the Empress Dowager alone. They might have to face countless such Half-Human, Half-Beasts in the future.

The Empire’s future looked bleak. Isabela briefly recalled the Emperor’s continued silence.

“Even in this situation, His Majesty the Emperor was quite calm. At this rate, he seems like he’ll personally demonstrate the virtue of resignation to everyone.”

It clearly seemed like it would pass without any official response. In other words, even if they reported the possibility of the First Emperor’s return, they’d likely just hear something like ‘Hmm.’ and that would be the end of it.

Isabela found herself being sarcastic without realizing it.

“Really… His patience is remarkable.”

“I always thought our Father would be good at at least one thing.”

Maximus replied gloomily.

“Though it didn’t seem like playing the role of the Empire’s ruler was it.”

Then he came to a conclusion by himself.

“My hypothesis that His Majesty the First Emperor will soon return to this land as such a monster… I should tell the Magic Tower Master right away, shouldn’t I?”

He meant that informing the Magic Tower Master took priority over the Emperor.

Isabela answered seriously.

“If a mere prince’s life is more precious than the 800-year honor of the noble Bebiano Imperial Family.”

Maximus’s answer was quick.

“Ha, in times like this, choosing the Imperial Court’s honor would naturally be the attitude of a noble royal.”

The prince who dreamed of the throne to survive revealed his consistent belief.

“But I’ve always been a commoner who only looks for ways to survive. I’m going to the Magic Tower right now.”

Maximus hurriedly disappeared toward the Magic Tower like that.

Isabela was somewhat shocked as she stared at the Imperial Family’s emblem.

After some time had passed like that, she was startled.

Brisa and Wolf-dog had disappeared without her noticing.

* * *

The Imperial Palace Gate was bustling with people trying to return home.

Everyone wanted to return to a safe place as quickly as possible. The sight of the Empress Dowager transformed into a monster had been that shocking.

On the other hand, there was no one in the garden.

Wolf-dog crouched down in front of me as my legs kept giving out and I couldn’t move.

I rode Wolf-dog and quietly crossed the garden.

Once I came out of the banquet hall, everything felt like a dream.

The Empress Dowager who had kidnapped me, the momentary fear that had shot up to the sky, and the sight of Alpheus collapsing.

While thinking it would be better if it had all been a dream, tears welled up again and I quickly wiped them away.

After arriving in front of the men’s restroom, which was our destination, I got down from Wolf-dog and whispered while looking into his golden eyes.

“Leopold, come out.”

Then I sat down and buried my head. It felt like tears would flow again.

Before long, I felt body warmth on my shoulder. It was a human hand.

When I raised my head, I saw Leopold.

He had put on only the minimum clothing in such a hurry that he hadn’t even buttoned up his shirt completely.

“Sorry.”

Leopold said in a low voice.

“I’m sorry for… not being able to protect you.”

I shook my head.

I wanted to tell him that he had done his best. That there really was nothing he could have done in that situation.

I also wanted to say that people who knew about his family’s curse probably noticed his presence, and that I was sorry for calling him despite knowing that, because the situation was so urgent.

But no words came out.

“…Could you carry me on your back?”

That was the only voice that finally came out. Even that trembled terribly.

“Sister Isabela will be looking for me… But my legs have given out…”

Even while speaking, my thoughts were directed elsewhere.

If I had known this would happen, I should have called him Brother Alphy.

I shouldn’t have been disgusted when he said he’d lose his limbs.

I shouldn’t have disliked it when he called me Bri-bri.

Leopold didn’t say anything and just hugged me tightly.

“We need to wait for news from the Magic Tower. Let’s hurry to the Bacchan Townhouse…”

I said while being held in his arms.

“We need to contact Sears Territory too… Tell Langsi about this situation and prepare for any possible circumstances…”

“Marquis Sears allowed the Magic Tower to research Half-Human, Half-Beasts.”

Leopold had also grasped Alpheus’s motivation for his actions. He too had heard what Alpheus said about ‘contagion’ at the end.

“Everyone will help the Marquis, so don’t worry. But first, get on my back…”

He turned his back to me without hesitation.

“It’s okay, so cry out loud.”

“Who’s crying?”

I answered while gasping for breath.

“I’m Sears’s representative now. I have to protect Sears well until my brother comes to his senses.”

I hadn’t forgotten Alpheus’s last words.

There were still nobles remaining in the banquet hall, so I had to pull myself together.

If rumors spread that both siblings weren’t normal, it would only be a loss for the Territory Residents of Sears who traded with various places.

“My body isn’t just my own.”

“Right. So…”

It was a gloomy yet gentle voice.

“So cry to your heart’s content here before we go.”

His steps were careful as he walked while carrying me on his back.

“I brought you out for that reason. Not to transform.”

He said in a quiet voice.

“If you don’t think you can sleep alone, tell me. I’ll sleep with you in Baekgu form. If you want, transform me again before we go in.”

But it’s Baureliandugius…

Leopold also remembers his name through Alpheus’s nickname…

“Sniff…”

When my thoughts reached that point, I hugged his neck and finally burst into tears.

“Waaah… Waaahhhhh…”

Carrying me as I sobbed and hiccupped, Leopold walked slowly.

Silently, as if he would walk around several times until I cried to my heart’s content.

“My brother… my brother will be okay, right? Right? He will be, right? Sniff, waaah…”

I had never even dreamed that we’d have to prepare for an army of Half-Human, Half-Beasts created by black magic.

Contagion.

To think they could create an enormous number of such beings.

I knew that Alpheus had been hiding something after returning from the Magic Tower, but I didn’t know it would be this kind of disaster.

Moreover, the moment the Empress Dowager was about to open her mouth toward me, Alpheus leaped up. He was probably afraid that the Empress Dowager would reveal my identity in front of many people.

If I had been in Alpheus’s position, I would have acted the same way.

But even so.

“Brother… brother… how could brother be like this…”

It seemed unlikely that Alpheus would be able to return to how he was before.

Only then did I realize anew what kind of protection I had been receiving. At some point, I had begun to take it for granted that Alpheus would stay by my side and protect me.

Just when exactly had I stopped being alone…?

Come to think of it, before Alpheus came, I always felt like I was standing at the very front lines of my own life.

But I had somehow forgotten that feeling.

“Huu-uk, huu-uk…”

I buried my face in Leopold’s neck and sobbed as I truly understood.

From a very young age, I had lived feeling only responsibility and duty. I didn’t even know how to rely on someone or lean on them.

But when Alpheus appeared in my life.

“Mm, so you’re saying that even though Father passed away, you’re not alone…”

That was when I first encountered my childhood.

“I promise. I’ll stake everything I have to protect you, Brisa. The reason is simply because you were born as my little sister.”

Throughout my growth, crying and laughing, I was unconditionally protected by Alpheus. Under my protector’s shelter, I did whatever I wanted to my heart’s content.

And today, my brief childhood had come to an end like this.

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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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