I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess - Chapter 172



172 – Everyone Has Something Called Pride

After finishing the story, Berwick quickly returned to base to deliver the news, even though it was late.

As soon as her stiff mood she seemed to have relaxed a little, Edgar called Ariel aside to her room and hugged her without saying a word.

“What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”

She did not push him away, but Ariel, who was quietly holding her in her arms, belatedly asked about the true intention of her actions.

But somehow it was as expected. Because he always recognized her better than she did.

“Isn’t that what you wanted to do?”

“… I really don’t know anything. It’s scary sometimes.”

From noble mtl dot come

Ariel smiled with a strange expression that was neither joy nor fear, and stretched out her hand to hug Edgar’s back.

True to his words her her her her, Ariel was hoping for comfort in her her heart her her her.

It may be closer to encouragement than comfort, but anyway, I felt like I wanted to feel someone’s warmth and receive strength.

I thought a lot.

I wanted to make Yulken and Edgar, and by extension, her and Helen, pay for the emotional hardship they had gone through.

Anyway, it’s none of her business to know who she is.

In the first place, Ariel does not easily feel sympathy for others.

Because she was the type of person who only devoted her affection to those she defined as her own.

Therefore, when she heard the news that Kelagh was in critical condition, her eyes sparkled with honest feelings.

However, this was a heavy choice for her to choose based solely on her personal revenge or hatred.

If she didn’t take this opportunity to find the darkness hidden inside her, she might have a sharp blade pointed at her uvula when she opened her eyes again.

And in any case, two years of peace is an opportunity that is harder to miss than you might think.

All she has to do is close her eyes for a moment and peace will come to the people of the North whom she cares about.

Now she is gone.

She did not want to wield her power solely for personal gain and emotion.

Even if Yulken had advised her that it was acceptable for her to sometimes use her power for her her own her self-interest her her her, she did not want to remain a child like that.

‘Because I can’t be tied to the past forever.

Ariel stared silently at Edgar, who was looking down at her with profound eyes.

The person who brought about a change in her heart was standing proudly in front of her, but he probably did not know her true feelings.

‘Am I able to catch up now?’

In Ariel’s memories of her as a child, Edgar seemed like a hero who could do anything.

It was Ariel who always led him by the hand, whether in the mountains or fields, but she knew in a corner of her heart.

If there is a leader who leads the other side in this group of only two people, it would be Edgar.

It’s just that he was mature.

He just followed Ariel’s lead her and seemed as if he was walking alongside her.

But as time passed, she realized that Edgar had always been one step ahead of her.

I hated it. I hated it so much.

This was not the kind of relationship Ariel wanted from him.

I did not want to remain as a child who just closed his arms and whined.

All she wants is a seat next to him. Never behind or in front of him.

For that, Ariel thought she needed to break herself.

She is just the girl she was when she was intoxicated with emotions, and even if she were next to him, she would feel nothing but humiliation.

This action today is a stepping stone for that.

A stage for her to impress upon herself that she is changing, and for her to show off to him as well.

The result, Ariel thought to herself, was very satisfying.

“Ed.”

“Why?”

“I feel like I’m finally at eye level with you.”

“In what sense?”

Edgar tilted his head at her seemingly random story her, which was not like her.

I was confused as to whether meeting her her her her eye level meant that she was too high or that he was too high.

“I know that? “Are you the reason I wanted to become a head of the Robeheim family?”

“When did you talk about your responsibility as a member of the family?”

“Actually, it’s a lie. It was just my self-satisfaction.”

Of course, there may have been some sense of responsibility.

However, the biggest reason why she was able to endure the education and sense of duty that were too heavy for a young girl to bear was very simple.

Because she just wanted to catch up with her lover who was walking ahead of her.

Isn’t it said that a girl in love is strong? It was exactly as it was said.

“You don’t know, but more than ten years ago, I walked while looking at your back.”

“I never thought there was something I didn’t know about you.”

“Of course. Just as there are things I don’t know about you, the opposite is also true.”

Ariel placed her lips on Edgar’s and smiled.

It was a natural smile that reminded me of Shuri, but it was not like the woman who was always proud and arrogant.

“So, please know more about me. “Tell me more about yourself.”

“It’s going to be a long time.”

“Are you okay. It doesn’t matter.”

‘Because it will pass so quickly that you won’t even notice that it is a long time.’

After Ariel responded like that, she was once again held in his arms and enjoyed the feeling of relief that had been relieved of her burden.

She has finally grown enough to spread her heart both as the head of the family and as a woman and friend.

She was just overjoyed with that fact.

*

Berrick, who returned to the base, immediately met Kelagh.

Although he tried to convince him, Burrick also thought that it was unlikely in a part of his mind.

That is why, even though he was by his side, he felt deeply responsible for driving the leader to that point and went with the intention of throwing his life away.

But what is this?

When I heard that the Loveheim family had agreed to this and would even provide treatment for Kelagh, I felt like tears would pour out at any moment.

Just with the desire to quickly deliver this good news, I lifted the tent and headed towards Kelagh, who was lying in a bad state. He welcomed Berrick despite breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Chief… ! “This is good news!”

“What a fuss… “Let’s hear what news makes them so happy.”

After leaving the bed, Kellag adjusted the clothes that were becoming disheveled and scratched his shaggy hair.

It means that it is quite a big deal that he, who is rarely rash, shows his emotions so clearly.

That was good news, and even though he didn’t have much time to spare due to his immature body, Kellagg’s expectations couldn’t help but rise.

“The Robeheim family has accepted our offer! He said he would treat the leader’s body too…”

“… Is it true? That can’t be possible.”

His new brother, who had been standing up, suddenly stopped and looked at Berrick with disbelief.

That’s because, ever since I heard of Berrick’s plan, I thought it was completely unfeasible.

His opinion was that there was no reason for the Robeheim family to accept the proposal in the first place.

“Really! He told me to come to Brutholm with the leader and one of his companions within tomorrow.”

“Were there any special conditions?”

“Yes, other than the conditions we decided to put in place, there was nothing added by them.”

“…”

Why on earth?

Despite this good news, only questions remained in Kelagh’s mind.

Unless a person is foolish just because he or she is a good person, it would be right to refuse this condition. No, it had to be that way.

Although a two-year truce may be attractive, it is the Robeheim family that has the most power.

It wouldn’t be a big deal if they ignored the armistice agreement and took advantage of Kelagh’s weakened body to suddenly subdue the foreigners.

It may be an unrelated case where there was no superficial contact at all, but the Robeheim family and the Carbita tribe were literally enemies of enemies.

Is there any reason to accept this offer and personally treat the leader of the enemy?

His mind could not keep up with their intentions.

“I can’t believe it… Berrick, do you think there is any possibility that it is a trap?”

“… “Can I be honest with you?”

“Okay. “After all, you are the only one who has seen their reality, so don’t leave it to your own judgment.”

In any case, it was as if Kelagh gave up his authority as leader when he was attacked by an unknown wizard.

Therefore, this time, he wanted to ask Berwick about his intention, since everything from the proposal of the plan was entirely his responsibility.

If he decides it is right, he will head to Brut Holm without delay.

If not, he would once again leave his compatriots behind, give up his own life, and leave the role of leader to Berrick.

“Actually, I was skeptical at first too. I was happy when the current head of the family directly said that she would accept the offer, but inside I was wondering if it was possible. But…”

“Sore?”

As Kelagh asked again, taking a sip of a glass of water that someone presumed had been left behind, a faint smile appeared on Berrick’s lips.

“Their leader said so. “They say they haven’t let go of their anger towards us, and they still hate us.”

“Is that a good story? “I don’t know.”

“Haha, of course it’s not a good story, but… At least we learned that they were not trying to deceive us with empty words.”

If they had really intended to use this opportunity to separate Kelagh and Berwick from the group and use that opportunity to strike them out, they would have used a more gentle tone.

That’s how appeasement is usually done.

But Ariel didn’t do that.

Rather, he openly showed his hostility and criticized Berwick.

They even declared that there would only be a two-year ceasefire at the end, and that they should not think that they would neglect their guard during that period or that they would be able to laugh and live like friends after two years.

That’s why Berrick was able to relax.

Anyway, it felt like I heard their sincere intention to put aside their hatred and relationship with each other for a moment and cooperate in this matter.

“Besides, to put it bluntly, there is no one else to rely on here. “This is the only way to treat the leader.”

“There is no way…”

“Uh huh, I have no intention of following in your footsteps. “I’m not even equipped to do that in the first place.”

Berrick smiled, immediately cutting off what Kelagh was trying to say.

In the first place, he simply admired the majesty of the warrior named Kellag and decided to serve him, and he was not suited to standing on top of someone in the first place.

“… Okay. Anyway, even if this is a trap, does that mean we don’t have any sharp measures?”

“That’s right. However, if we take advantage of this opportunity, we can achieve two years of peace.”

Hearing the words, ‘You were hoping for it too, Mr. Leader,’ Kel Rag raised one corner of his mouth and smiled strangely.

It was just as he said.

However, the problem is that if he made such a choice, he could not guarantee the lives of his compatriots, so he could not bear to make it as the leader.

“First of all, we have food to eat right now. Moreover, there is some land that was previously cultivated through slash-and-burn, so wouldn’t it be okay for two years?”

“This is a terrible thing for our compatriots. “You must already be used to looting.”

“We must change too. “Then wouldn’t we be able to tell future generations that the Karbita were proud people of warriors?”

Of course, I know it’s too late. And maybe it’s impossible.

Nevertheless, Berwick encouraged Kelagh and told him not to give up.

If we don’t know what will happen to the world, wouldn’t there be a possibility that the Karbita people will return from being a bandit group that engages in plunder and looting to the warrior people they once were?

If you dare to dream, at least the future will be more romantic and hopeful.

“Okay. I’ll have to try my best. “My compatriots and me too.”

“Then it has been decided. When will you head to Brutholm?”

“There is no need to delay. It’s a night road, but if you ride a horse, it’ll be worth it.”

Kellag immediately picked up a blanket and a coat that had been thrown aside and stood up.

At least if you want to make a change, you won’t have time to sit idly by and waste time.