The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella - Chapter 23
[That— What do you mean by that?]
The High Priest Ratzen, who had stiffened up like something broken, stammered his response in the mouse language.
[Perhaps you’re dissatisfied with this place? Have I somehow disappointed you as a father? Tell me anything. Whatever you desire, I’ll do anything…..]
“No, tha’s not it.”
There was no way that was the case.
Compared to her days living in a mouse hole, this place was practically paradise.
In fact, even if it had been a dilapidated shack instead of a grand cathedral, Elodie would have been fairly content.
At least she wouldn’t have to struggle daily at the brink of life and death.
But there was another reason why Elodie had decided not to stay with the Ratzens.
“It’s not wike tha. Is because I weally, weally wike Sewa…” (It’s not like that. It’s because I really really like Sera…)
Elodie replied calmly.
“Without Sewa, I feel like I gonna die.”
[What……!]
“I make a pwomise.”
[What, what promise……?]
“To make suwe Sewa wivvs happiwy evuh aftuh.” (To make sure Sera lives happily ever after.)
Elodie’s bold and heartfelt confession left everyone momentarily speechless.
Sera seemed momentarily flustered by the sudden words, but soon smiled as if she owned the world.
“Elodie, you don’t need to do any more. Thanks to you, I’ve already had dreamlike opportunities.”
She added, comforting the child.
“It’s not like being apart means we’ll be separated forever, right?”
“No. Mowe physhicaw distance, mowe emoshunal distance with thwe heawt, too.” (No. The more physical distance, the more emotional distance with the heart, too.)
“……”
Where did you learn such a thing?
Before Sera could ask, Elodie took control of the atmosphere and firmly grasped Sera’s hand.
Then, with a deep gaze, she looked up at her and spoke in a lowered voice.
“Awso, I gonna keep aw thwe pwomises I make, no mattew what.” (Also, I will keep all the promises I make, no matter what.)
“……!”
Trying to sound cool with her limited pronunciation…
Sera bit her lip.
The child’s nonsensical words were both funny and endearing to her, but a warm feeling bubbled up inside her, making it impossible to utter a word of rejection.
“Um…”
Instead, she blushed unwittingly and nodded.
As the High Priest Ratzen watched the scene with bubbling emotions, he suddenly grabbed his neck with a squeak!
[Your Holiness!]
[Come to your senses, Your Holiness!]
Their daughter has already found her destiny.
Yes, she met that fated person early, and that’s how she broke the curse. She’s the family’s benefactor, but still, isn’t it too soon?
[I haven’t even held her in my arms, and she wants to leave her father already……]
Elodie watched him murmur pitifully with complex feelings.
In truth, Elodie wasn’t eager to leave Ratzen’s domain immediately either.
But.
‘Mom, Dad, are you hiding something from me?’
Elodie had no choice but to test them.
Because, no matter how much she thought about it, something felt off.
‘Why haven’t you returned to human form even for a single moment?’
Even though it was the moment of reuniting with their daughter after two years.
‘Or perhaps…’
Is there a reason they cannot turn back to that form?
Like Elodie had been unable to.
Just then, Mrs. Ratzen, who had been silent in thought, spoke up.
[……Let’s do this then. Stay with the Valkyriesen family for a while.]
[Dear!]
[Valkyriesen is a neutral territory that doesn’t tolerate any minor conflicts. It’s a place I can trust that our daughter will be safe.]
[Isn’t this too hasty a decision?]
High Priest Ratzen timidly objected.
But that was short-lived, as Mrs. Ratzen silently gazed at him, he began to sweat and averted his eyes.
Everyone’s attention simultaneously turned to Duke Eisen Valkyriesen.
Leaning on his staff-like sword, he flicked an eyebrow and responded.
“I had anticipated this.”
You anticipated it?
Elodie’s eyes narrowed slightly.
[Will it be difficult?]
“Well, we don’t stop anyone who wants to come… but are you sure?”
[Please ensure her safety.]
Mrs. Ratzen smiled weakly.
