NOVEL NEXT Chapter 61.1
Stage 2-30. Curse
I was born in a small island country called the Kingdom of Lambdave.
Because it was far from other countries and had limited land, we lived in peace without conflict.
My family was the same.
Papa and Mama worked growing tea leaves, and my younger sister Mary and I sometimes helped out.
“Papa, Mama, listen! Reina was praised at school today for having great magical talent~!”
“Oh, really? Then Reina will become a splendid magician.”
“Mary too! Mary wants to be like big sister!”
“Well, well. You’re both so talented like Papa, you’ll go far~!”
“That’s not true.”
“Don’t say that, Mama~!”
Mama pushed Papa’s face away as he tried to hug her.
But I knew Mama wasn’t really upset. It was just a secret that she was embarrassed to show it in front of Mary and me.
“Haha! But you know, Reina doesn’t want to become a magician.”
“Huh? Why not? Such a waste.”
“Because… Reina wants to make a family that’s as close as Papa and Mama!”
“…Papa.”
“Yes, Mama… Reina~! I love you so much~!”
“Mama’s hugging too!”
“Mary loves big sister too~!”
Sharing stories about our day while eating dinner together was delicious.
It was happiness. I never doubted that such days would continue as I grew.
Until the devil came.
Roaring flames burned fiercely everywhere.
Crying could be heard from all around.
Huh…? What am I doing…?
“Ma… cough! Cough…!”
Trying to speak made my throat sear with heat and pain, preventing any words.
Water… I need water…
Without understanding why, I followed instinct and tried to fetch water from the well.
A woman was standing there.
“…If you’d just handed it over quickly, none of this would have happened to your island.”
She spat in annoyance, and at her feet lay the charred bodies of Papa and Mama.
“Papa…? Mama…?”
I reached out and touched their faces. So rough, and they gave no response.
“Hmm…? Ah, you must be Reina.”
“W-Who are you…?”
“That doesn’t matter. Hmm… This will do for a first try. All right, I’ve decided.”
While muttering incomprehensible words, she grabbed my hair and began dragging me somewhere.
“Ow! Let go!”
“Ugh, children are noisy. Quiet down already.”
“Papa! Mama!”
No matter how much I cried, they couldn’t help me.
Because they were already gone.
Their figures grew distant but then suddenly stopped.
“No… Sis… don’t take her…”
Mary was clinging to the woman’s leg.
“…Like parents, like child, I suppose.”
“Everyone… together… happy… that’s my dream…”
“I see. Then go ahead and wait with Papa and Mama.”
“Ah.”
There was a flash of light, and when I opened my eyes, Mary was with Papa and Mama.
“Ahhhhhhhhhh!!”