Chapter 190: Cleenah’s thoughts 4

Cleenah lowered her head slightly.

She had indeed had a plan long before this conversation. But after telling Julian about it, Cleenah felt a little guilty.

After all, the man before her had just been willing to listen to all her troubles.

Cleenah hadn’t expected that revealing something she’d hidden for so long would make her feel so much better. The threat to the Qiezhuran hadn’t disappeared, but at least now she no longer felt she had to keep everything to herself.

’...Lord Julian is truly a kind person.’

Earlier, Cleenah had felt ashamed of crying in front of him. But Julian had never made an issue of it. He had even offered his help, even though he had no obligation to join in facing the Qiezhuran’s problems.

That helped Cleenah understand a little why the Primordial Dragon trusted him so much.

But precisely because of that, she didn’t want to let Julian face the danger that was coming.

’...Forgive me.’

Cleenah had already decided to carry out her plan on her own.

Even though she now knew that Julian was willing to help her, that didn’t mean she would hand that responsibility over to him.

On the contrary, she had to make sure that Julian, Felicya, Monk, and Lumi could leave the Qiezhuran with Garph before the attack happened.

And to do that, Cleenah needed a reason.

"...Lady Cleenah?"

Hearing Julian’s voice, Cleenah lifted her head again.

"Ah... Y-yes?"

"The plan you mentioned, may I know it?"

"Umm... Of course."

Cleenah nodded slightly, then tried to organize her words.

"Lord Julian, there are actually still a few small Clans that haven’t given us a definite answer about attending the Primordial Legacy Festival."

Julian tilted his head slightly.

"...And?"

"I want to ask for their help."

Cleenah explained that not all of the small Clans had decided which side they would support. Some still maintained good relations with the Qiezhuran, but they might not be willing to get involved if the dispute with the Drazhuel became more serious.

Therefore, gaining their support would be a great help to the Qiezhuran.

"...I want to send Garph to meet a few of those Clans in person."

"Garph?"

"Umm. He has known many Clan leaders since long ago. If Garph goes himself, I think they’ll be more willing to listen to our request."

Julian seemed to consider her words.

"...Isn’t Garph badly needed here?"

Cleenah had anticipated that question.

"Of course. But precisely because of our current situation, I don’t want to miss the chance to gain help from other Clans."

She then continued in a gentle voice.

"Besides, I still have several elders who can help manage the festival preparations. For the time being, I think everything will be fine."

’...Sorry.’

Cleenah knew the matter wasn’t that simple.

She even knew that some of the elders who were supposed to support her were hiding their own intentions.

But she couldn’t possibly say that now.

If Julian learned that Cleenah actually wanted to keep Garph away from the Qiezhuran, he might start questioning her real reason.

And if Garph grew suspicious of anything, her plan might not work.

"...Then, what can I help with?"

Julian’s question made Cleenah pause for a moment.

She hadn’t expected Julian to go straight to the part that was hardest to explain.

"Umm... Actually, I’d like to ask Lord Julian to go with Garph."

"...Me?"

"Yes."

Cleenah nodded.

"As I said, the Drazhuel are now using your presence and Lumi’s to make an issue of the Qiezhuran."

Julian listened.

"If Lord Julian stays here during the festival, I’m afraid they’ll try to cause trouble again. But if you’re outside the Qiezhuran for a while, perhaps we can avoid that problem."

Cleenah paused for a moment.

"And if you go with Garph, I also won’t have to worry too much about your safety."

Julian fell silent.

Cleenah could understand his hesitation.

After all, she had just told him that the Qiezhuran might be attacked. Asking Julian to leave now surely sounded like telling him to walk away from the whole matter.

So Cleenah quickly added an explanation.

"It isn’t that I simply want you to leave, Lord Julian. By doing this, you would actually help me a great deal."

"...How?"

"If Garph manages to win the support of a few small Clans, we may be able to face the Drazhuel’s pressure better."

Cleenah smiled slightly.

"And I’d like Lord Julian to help explain what truly happened regarding Lumi, if necessary. The Drazhuel’s accusations have already begun to spread, so I think it would be better if some Clans heard the explanation from you directly."

Julian fell silent again.

Cleenah wasn’t entirely lying about that.

Gaining support from other Clans would indeed benefit the Qiezhuran. So would setting the record straight about the accusations against Julian and Lumi.

But that wasn’t the real purpose.

She wanted to put them as far from the Qiezhuran as possible while the festival went on.

And since Cleenah didn’t know exactly when the attack would begin, she needed to make sure that the journey didn’t end too quickly.

"...The trip may take several days," Cleenah continued. "There are several Clans to visit, and we can’t force them to give an answer right away."

"Several days?"

"Umm. It might even last until the festival is over."

Cleenah nodded slightly.

"That’s why I’d like you to stay with Garph until the matter is truly settled. There’s no need to hurry back, especially if some Clans still need time to consider our request."

Julian finally nodded slowly.

"...I see."

Seeing his reaction, Cleenah felt quietly relieved.

At the very least, Julian seemed to be taking her proposal seriously.

But the girl still couldn’t relax.

She knew Julian had already stated his willingness to help. If he now refused to go because he felt he should stay in the Qiezhuran, Cleenah wasn’t sure she could easily find another reason.

"...But, Lady Cleenah."

"Yes?"

"If we leave with Garph, what about you?"

That question made Cleenah pause.

"...Me?"

"Yes. Didn’t you yourself say that an attack might happen during the festival?"

Julian turned his gaze toward the residence behind them.

"If Garph isn’t here, who will protect you?"

’...Ah.’

Cleenah felt her chest tighten a little.

Even after hearing her proposal, Julian was still thinking of her safety.

When it was Cleenah who ought to be protecting that man.

’...Lord Julian.’

She felt guilty.

Cleenah wanted to say that everything had been prepared, that Julian didn’t need to worry about her, and that she would be fine.

But she knew there was no guarantee of any of that.

Even now, Cleenah still felt afraid when she thought about what would happen.

Even so, she kept trying to smile.

"...I won’t be alone, Lord Julian. There are still the elders and the other members of the Qiezhuran."

"...."

"And if Garph manages to gain help, wouldn’t that also make our situation better?"

Julian didn’t answer right away.

Cleenah waited a little, then spoke again.

"...I know you’re worried about me. Thank you."

She bowed her head politely.

"But I truly want to ask for your help with this."

"...."

"May I?"

Cleenah tried to smile once more.

She hoped Julian wouldn’t notice how hard it was to say that request.

After all, that man had already been so kind to her.

He had listened to her story, hadn’t made an issue of her tears, and had even been willing to help when he learned of the threat the Qiezhuran faced.

But now Cleenah was using that kindness to make Julian leave.

’...Forgive me.’

Cleenah didn’t want to do it.

But in her view, letting Julian stay in the Qiezhuran would be far worse.

At the very least, if he went away with Garph, Cleenah wouldn’t have to worry about their safety when the attack finally came.

And that was the only thing she wanted to make sure of now.

"...Alright."

Cleenah lifted her head slightly.

"...Eh?"

Julian nodded.

"If that can help you, I’ll do it."

"...Really?"

"Yes. But you have to talk to Garph about it first. I don’t know whether he’d be willing to leave this place for several days."

Cleenah quickly nodded.

"Of course! I’ll talk to Garph."

For the first time since they began talking, Cleenah truly felt a little lighter.

At the very least, Julian had agreed to her request.

There was still Garph to convince, but Cleenah had already thought of how she would present this task to the old Dragon.

"...Thank you, Lord Julian."

"No need to thank me. Aren’t I the one helping you?"

"Umm... That’s true."

Cleenah laughed a little.

"Hehe... In that case, I’ll be counting on you."

Julian nodded.

"...Alright."

They then spoke briefly about the departure time, though Cleenah still had to arrange a few things before she could confirm it.

After that, Cleenah finally decided to go back and rest.

"Then, Lord Julian, I’ll take my leave first."

"Yes. You should really get some rest."

"Umm. I will."

Cleenah rose slowly with the help of her cane.

But before leaving the garden, she turned once more toward Julian.

The man was still seated with Felicya in his arms, watching her with a face as calm as ever.

’...Thank you.’

Cleenah smiled faintly.

She felt a little better after talking with him. Even the fear she had found so hard to hold back earlier no longer felt as heavy.

But Cleenah’s decision hadn’t changed.

She would still carry out her plan.

And whatever happened, she didn’t want Julian or Garph to be there when the time came.

With that thought, Cleenah finally left the garden.

***

Julian remained seated on the bench, watching Cleenah’s figure slowly disappear beyond the corridor door.

He actually still had a few questions. But considering the girl’s earlier state, Julian felt it was best not to prolong their conversation.

At the very least, he now knew something he could do to help the Qiezhuran.

And just as Julian began to consider the journey he had agreed to, a small voice suddenly sounded from his arms.

"...She’s lying."

Julian lowered his head slightly.

Felicya had already opened her eyes.