Chapter 292
In the first place, the very reason Canopus avoided facing Izar must have been because confronting him directly was dangerous.
‘It seems she doesn’t even have the strength to summon the dragon like during the Hunting Festival…!’
The retreat path was secured not long after the monsters began rampaging within the palace. The group headed toward the banks spreading out behind the canyon palace.
The slope wasn’t steep enough to be considered a sheer cliff, but below lay a black forest and a wide stream.
If they managed to cross that stream, their allies’ pursuit would be significantly delayed.
Freesia’s heart pounded violently at the looming final chance. The men were hurriedly regrouping. This was the sign that the true escape was about to begin.
“Freesia, bear with it even if it’s uncomfortable.”
As Canopus approached, holding the rope with which to bind her hands, Freesia kept her head down, darting her eyes around urgently.
‘Nova…! Where’s Nova?’
A mercenary standing three or four steps behind Canopus was holding the child. Nova was trembling with her eyes wide open.
Freesia, too, was drenched in cold sweat from fear, but she calmly moved her lips in silence.
‘Don’t be afraid.’
Mama will save you. I won’t lose you too.
Losing my briar baby because of my own shortcomings was more than enough…
‘Even if we can’t see the starry night together one last time, I’ll at least get you to Izar.’
Thankfully, as if her heart had reached her child, Nova, though on the verge of fainting in tears, was enduring to her very limit.
When Canopus finally grabbed her wrist, Freesia lifted her tear-glazed eyes. It wasn’t a performance. She had never been so afraid in her entire life.
This situation, where her living child’s life hung in the balance, was far more terrifying than when she had taken all the beatings alone.
“Canopus.”
She looked up at him with a pitiful expression. His only unharmed eye, the right one, glowed like a somber red moon.
Surprisingly, Canopus’s attitude wasn’t harsh. Perhaps he was still gentle, at least toward her…
“You don’t… intend to let my child live, do you?”
“……”
“Because she’s Izar’s child, you’ll kill her… when I’m not watching.”
At her words, Canopus’s face hardened. If the woman had once again begged for the child’s life, he might have either brushed her off gently or simply ignored her.
But those light green eyes already knew everything and wavered calmly. Freesia let her gaze grow more earnest.
“Don’t lie to me. I’ve had more than enough of that back at the duke’s estate.”
“Freesia.”
“So let me hold her one last time. Just once.”
“…Fine.”
Canopus answered reluctantly after a moment of silence.
If he needed to use monsters to flee, it would be more than possible even after knocking Freesia unconscious.
Still, despite knowing it wasn’t a rational response… perhaps, deep down, he wanted to prove himself morally superior to the Arcturus family he so despised.
At his signal, one of his subordinates brought the child, who had been slung over his shoulder without care, closer.
Nova’s clothes were soaked with Riegel’s blood, and she had a streak of dried blood on one cheek. The pretty hairpin she’d worn that morning was nowhere to be seen.
Her pale face was soaked with tears in her large golden eyes, and when she was placed in Freesia’s arms, she sobbed and hiccuped through her stuffy nose.
“M-Mama…”
“Nova. My sweet baby.”
Freesia embraced the child tightly as she nestled into her chest.
Though she had left behind a letter, the words she wanted to say in the end turned out to be as simple as could be.
But in the face of death, perhaps only the truest essence of one’s feelings remains.
“Nova, remember this. Even when you grow up, you must remember.”
“Uuh…”
“Mama loves you very, very much… I’ve loved you since before you were even born.”
“Hic, Mama…”
Back then, when she’d cursed and said she hated the child while still in the womb… whether it was to hurt Izar or not. she should never have allowed herself to think that way toward her baby.
She had extended her life this way, but couldn’t even be by her child’s side as she grew.
Looking back now, she wondered if this was the punishment she deserved.
She felt tears welling up, but fearing this really might be the last time, Freesia forced herself to smile bravely.
“My baby, don’t cry.”
“Hic… ungh.”
When Freesia whispered gently, Nova shoved her little fist into her mouth and nodded repeatedly.
Freesia hugged her tighter. Nova was healthy, but perhaps due to being born early, she was small for her age, which made things easier now.
“You have to hide until Papa comes.”
Even if the mother holding you is shattered to pieces.
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