And then,

Thunk!

The sharp sword pierced through Kallagula’s heart in a single stroke.

Kallagula, now doomed, ceased its breath.

As April released the tension in her hands holding the sword, she involuntarily trembled.
The sensation of life fading away at the fingertips.

It felt very unfamiliar and evoked a fearful feeling, accompanied by a peculiar sense of guilt.

“…”

Grayan quietly approached April and gently wrapped his arms around the girl’s shoulders. The warmth seeping through his clothes gradually reassured April.

“This time, the target whose life you took is a monster, but…”

“…”

“If you truly want to fight, risking your life against others, the one you take life from should be a human, walking like you, talking like you, and thinking like you.”

April looked up at Grayan with trembling eyes.

Although April’s adoptive father, the great Duke of Solzberrry, always seemed kind and robust, April finally realized that he seemed somewhat tired.

“So, remember this. Fighting with the determination to take someone’s life is never a simple matter.”

“…”

April, who had been silently staring at the lifeless Kallagula, once again gripped the sword in her hand.

After a moment of hesitation, she pulled it out with force. The silver blade bore the vivid stain of red life.

That scene would be etched in her memory for a very long time.

“Have you, my lord… ever been troubled by taking another life?”

On the way back to the castle after the hunt, embraced by Grayan, April asked.

April, who was riding along with Grayan’s words, was followed closely by her words from behind.

Grayan glanced down at April and then turned his gaze forward before answering.

“Of course.”

“…When did you get used to it?”

“Well…”

Grayan’s voice was like the sound of snow falling on a quiet night. Unshaken, quiet, gently falling like the sound of silently descending snow.

“Sometime, I stopped trembling even when I beheaded someone with a sword. From that time on, I no longer had nightmares.”

“You had nightmares too…?”

Smiling faintly, Grayan stroked April’s head.

“Everyone goes through an immature period.”

To April, those words sounded quite unreal. Because, in April’s eyes, Grayan seemed perfect from the beginning.

“…I became curious about my lord’s childhood.”

“My childhood? It wasn’t particularly interesting.”

“Arwin mentioned that when you were twelve, you dressed as a woman and secretly surveyed the territory…”

“…Arwin said that?”

As they continued to share light-hearted stories, the somewhat subdued atmosphere brightened a bit.

They had already arrived at Solzberrry Castle, and as Grayan and April dismounted, Gloria hurriedly emerged from the garden.

“Grayan! April!”

Glancing at the two in a scrutinizing manner, Gloria quickly scanned them and then tightly hugged April.

A sweet and pleasant fragrance emanated from Gloria’s warm embrace. Unconsciously, April transformed into a rabbit.

“Oops.”

“Kyaa.”
Clutching Gloria’s flustered dress, April pressed further into her embrace. Strangely, whenever she was with Gloria, she felt an urge to act cute.

Even though she wanted to grow up quickly.

“April, how was the hunt? Are you feeling okay…?”

The caring voice that worried so meticulously was incredibly affectionate.

While one couldn’t remain a child forever, April couldn’t help but want to be a spoiled rabbit at least during the moments when Gloria pampered her.

“Woong-kyaa.”

“Yeah, maybe I should’ve worn the translation earring…”

“Kkyaa~.”

Pulling her head out from Gloria’s embrace, April bounced up and pecked Gloria’s cheek with a quick kiss.

Just because she felt like expressing affection suddenly.

Surprised, Gloria widened her eyes for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Afterward, she hugged April tightly and showered her with affectionate strokes.

“Our adorable bunny. Did you miss mommy?”

April couldn’t find the thought to deny those words.

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, and I spoke confidently.

“April, we have guests coming today.”

“Kkawoong?” (Guests?)

For some reason, the translation earring was doing its job well. This worked out conveniently.

Scratching April’s ears with her hind leg, I continued talking to her, looking at the rabbit.

“Mommy, it’s a friend. The first friend I made in the Elowin social circle…!”

“Kkihung…….” (Hmmm…….)

The rabbit with narrowed eyes propped its chin up with its front paw. So cute. I want to capture this moment in a picture…!

“That friend will come to Solzberrry Castle today. We’ll have tea time, tour the castle, and April, you’ll introduce yourself too. Be good, okay?”

“…….,”

For some reason, April glanced at me with a displeased look and shook her head in a rather disrespectful manner.

I don’t know what she’s unhappy about… but since she nodded, it should be fine… right?

“Gloria!”

A lovely lady with pink hair jumped out of the carriage.

Upon seeing me, she smiled widely and then ran towards us.

Her appearance was so cute that I
“Greenhouse! I’m really curious! How did you decorate it? Our castle also has a greenhouse, but…”

While exchanging various conversations in a pleasant atmosphere, they headed to the reception room. As for Bianca… she was a bit awkward at first, but after getting closer, she became a very comfortable conversational partner.

First of all, she was incredibly kind. So kind that it felt like she would nod along no matter what I said…?

But subtly, there was a firm side to her, so it seemed like she wasn’t completely without backbone.

“This is the reception room, come on in. Oh, and…”

Before long, they arrived at the reception room, and there, waiting for them…

“…….”

The moment to introduce the rabbit had finally come…!