My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me…

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Table of Contents

  • 1. Chapter 1 - Part 1
  • 2. Chapter 1 - Part 2
  • 3. Chapter 2 - Part 1
  • 4. Chapter 2 - Part 2
  • 5. Chapter 3
  • 6. Chapter 4
  • 7. Chapter 5
  • 8. Chapter 6
  • 9. Chapter 7
  • 10. Chapter 8
  • 11. Chapter 9
  • 12. Chapter 10
  • 13. Chapter 11
  • 14. Chapter 12
  • 15. Chapter 13
  • 16. Chapter 14
  • 17. Chapter 15
  • 18. Chapter 16
  • 19. Chapter 17
  • 20. Chapter 18
  • 21. Chapter 19
  • 22. Chapter 20
  • 23. Chapter 21
  • 24. Chapter 22
  • 25. Chapter 23
  • 26. Chapter 24
  • 27. Chapter 25
  • 28. Chapter 26
  • 29. Chapter 27
  • 30. Chapter 28
  • 31. Chapter 29
  • 32. Chapter 30
  • 33. Chapter 31
  • 34. Chapter 32
  • 35. Chapter 33
  • 36. Chapter 34
  • 37. Chapter 35
  • 38. Chapter 36
  • 39. Chapter 37
  • 40. Chapter 38
  • 41. Chapter 39
  • 42. Chapter 40
  • 43. Chapter 41
  • 44. Chapter 42
  • 45. Chapter 43
  • 46. Chapter 44
  • 47. Chapter 45
  • 48. Chapter 46
  • 49. Chapter 47
  • 50. Chapter 48
  • 51. Chapter 49
  • 52. Chapter 50
  • 53. Chapter 51
  • 54. Chapter 52
  • 55. Chapter 53
  • 56. Chapter 54
  • 57. Chapter 55
  • 58. Chapter 56
  • 59. Chapter 57
  • 60. Chapter 58
  • 61. Chapter 59
  • 62. Chapter 60
  • 63. Chapter 61
  • 64. Chapter 62
  • 65. Chapter 63
  • 66. Chapter 64
  • 67. Chapter 65
  • 68. Chapter 66
  • 69. Chapter 67
  • 70. Chapter 68
  • 71. Chapter 69
  • 72. Chapter 70
  • 73. Chapter 71
  • 74. Chapter 72
  • 75. Chapter 73
  • 76. Chapter 74
  • 77. Chapter 75
  • 78. Chapter 76
  • 79. Chapter 77
  • 80. Chapter 78
  • 81. Chapters 79
  • 82. Chapters 80
  • 83. Chapters 81
  • 84. Chapters 82
  • 85. Chapter 83
  • 86. Chapter 84
  • 87. Chapter 85
  • 88. Chapter 86
  • 89. Chapter 87
  • 90. Chapter 88
  • 91. Chapter 89
  • 92. Chapter 90
  • 93. Chapter 91
  • 94. Chapter 92
  • 95. Chapter 93
  • 96. Chapter 94
  • 97. Chapter 95
  • 98. Chapter 96
  • 99. Chapter 97
  • 100. Chapter 98
  • 101. Chapter 99
  • 102. Chapter 100
  • 103. Chapter 101
  • 104. Chapter 102
  • 105. Chapter 104
  • 106. Chapter 104
  • 107. Chapter 105
  • 108. Chapter 106
  • 109. Chapter 107
  • 110. Chapter 108
  • 111. Chapter 109
  • 112. Chapter 110
  • 113. Chapter 111
  • 114. Chapter 112
  • 115. Chapter 113
  • 116. Chapter 114
  • 117. Chapter 115
  • 118. Chapter 116
  • 119. Chapter 117
  • 120. Chapter 118
  • 121. Chapter 119
  • 122. Chapter 120
  • 123. Chapter 121
  • 124. Chapter 122
  • 125. Chapter 123
  • 126. Chapter 124
  • 127. Chapter 125
  • 128. Chapter 126
  • 129. Chapter 127
  • 130. Chapter 128
  • 131. Chapter 129
  • 132. Chapter 130
  • 133. Chapter 131
  • 134. Chapter 132
  • 135. Chapter 133
  • 136. Chapter 134
  • 137. Chapter 135
  • 138. Chapter 136
  • 139. Chapter 137
  • 140. Chapter 138
  • 141. Chapter 139
  • 142. Chapter 140
  • 143. Chapter 141
  • 144. Chapter 142
  • 145. Chapter 143
  • 146. Chapter 144
  • 147. Chapter 145
  • 148. Chapter 146
  • 149. Chapter 147
  • 150. Chapter 148
  • 151. Chapter 149
  • 152. Chapter 150
  • 153. Chapter 151
  • 154. Chapter 152
  • 155. Chapter 153
  • 156. Chapter 154
  • 157. Chapter 155
  • 158. Chapter 156
  • 159. Chapter 157
  • 160. Chapter 158
  • 161. Chapter 159
  • 162. Chapter 160
  • 163. Chapter 161
  • 164. Chapter 162
  • 165. Chapter 163
  • 166. Chapter 164
  • 167. Chapter 165
  • 168. Chapter 166
  • 169. Chapter 167
  • 170. Chapter 168
  • 171. Chapter 169
  • 172. Chapter 170
  • 173. Chapter 171
  • 174. Chapter 172
  • 175. Chapter 173
  • 176. Chapter 174
  • 177. Chapter 175
  • 178. Chapter 176
  • 179. Chapter 177
  • 180. Chapter 178
  • 181. Chapter 179
  • 182. Chapter 180
  • 183. Chapter 181
  • 184. Chapter 182
  • 185. Chapter 183
  • 186. Chapter 184
  • 187. Chapter 185
  • 188. Chapter 186
  • 189. Chapter 187 - The Final Chapter
  • 190. Side Story - 1

Chapter 1 - Part 1

Huge thanks to SKIP_A_BEAT for the kofi!

Bonus chapter (1/1)

Request you all to read the notes in Chapter 127.

My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me now has extra chapters up on kofi-shop!  Buy them now, only at https://ko-fi.com/rainofsnow/shop ! Tier 1 with 3 advance chaps is for 5$, tier 2 with 7 advance chaps is for 12$, and tier 3 with 10 advance chapters is for 18$~

***

The teacher who instructed Kalix when he was a mercenary always said…

 

“A man must guard and protect a woman, even at the risk of his own life. So, just like before, I can’t accept a request like that from a crazy man asking me to kill his lover, even if he gives me a million dollars. Do you understand?”

 

“Okay, Master.”

 

So he thought women were weaker than men.

 

Of course, after going through a war, he knew that there were so many women who were stronger than men. There were quite a few women among the heroes who made contributions in the war against the dragon.

 

Nevertheless, when he was a mercenary, the words he heard while being clubbed were engraved into his bones.

 

So, without knowing it, he became prejudiced that women seemed weaker than men.

 

No, in the first place, Kalix has lived thinking that all living things are weaker than him. 

 

Because he has never lost to anyone by force.

 

The hero who saved him as a child was an exception.

 

‘But my hero…’

Leo, who saved him, is a woman. 

 

‘How could you do it with that lean body? With that small body that was three years younger than me… How did you save me?’

Kalix laid down with a blank look and looked up at Lelia.

 

The shoulders, arms, and wrists all looked weak. Thin, like they would break if you touch them…

 

‘I can’t believe it…’

 

That hero came close to him with a look as if she was staring at a very pathetic person.

 

Wait. 

 

‘But why are you looking at me so pathetically? What did I do?’

 

While wondering, Lelia warned him.

 

“Just stay tied up like this for a while. I don’t think I can do this.”

 

“Why? Why?”

 

More than that, what is important!

 

“Leo! Then…”

 

“What?”

Kalix answered in a hurry.

 

“Ah, marriage? What about our marriage?

 

‘Isn’t that the most important thing right now? It’s true that I promised.’

 

However, Lelia smiled in vain as if she were dumbfounded.

 

“… Did I ever say I’d marry you in the first place? What kind of marriage is that!”

 

“… Huh?”

 

Lelia looked at Romeo and Griffith and said, “Is there any way to knock him out until we arrive in the capital?”

 

“There is.”

It was Oscar who answered.

 

Turning his head, Oscar pulled out a sword.

 

“No, no. Not killing, but fainting…!”

Lelia reached out her hand as if to calm him down and approached Oscar.

 

***

 

The Imperial Castle began to appear in the distance.

 

“……”

Lelia frowned in a strange mood.

 

Just a while ago, Lelia ran away alone from there while looking at that landscape.

 

Of course, it turned out that Oscar was following secretly. 

 

[Anyway, I thought I would never come back, let alone coming back on my own.

But it’s a must at least once.]

 

Ending the relationship by seeing Emperor Perseus in person.

 

Failure to do this will damage the Duke of Superion.

 

So she had to go in person.

 

She was fortunate that she had friends next to her. She felt reassured as if she had gained thousands of troops.

 

[They’re always the ones who will support me no matter what I do.]

Lelia passed through the capital city with such a firm mind.

 

However, as soon as they passed the capital border, her expression crumpled.

 

There stood knights who, by the emperor’s order, greeted her.

 

“Welcome to the Imperial City. From now on, we will escort you.”

The person who appeared to be the leader said, bending one knee. 

 

The knights of Superion, who accompanied the horses, looked stiff.

 

The emperor’s intention was clear.

 

‘You’re trying to make sure everyone in the capital can see it.’

 

But she didn’t understand why he was doing this. She didn’t really want to understand.

 

“Thank you for the favor, but it’s okay.”

After Lelia firmly refused, they drove the horses forward as they previously were.

 

Like that, the Superion knights took the lead and guided the group to the Imperial Castle.

 

The rejected emperor’s Knights were forced to follow at the end.

 

***

 

With the guidance of the most sincere servants, they were led to stay in the Imperial Castle.

 

Lelia, who entered her room, laughed in vain.

 

The small annex in the Imperial Palace was luxuriously decorated.

 

And there hung a big picture inside…

 

“It’s my mom’s portrait.”

 

It was a portrait that she had never seen before.

 

In the painting, her mother wore colorful clothes and smiled gracefully.

 

It was a smile that looked so happy.

 

It was at that moment she wondered why the painting was hung here.

 

Lelia couldn’t take her eyes off her mother in the picture.

 

After a while, she heard a knock.

 

When allowed to enter, two maids came inside. They spoke very politely, telling her to instruct them on what she needed until she had a dedicated maid.

 

It was Uncle Carius who came after that.

 

“Lelia.”

He asked with his eyes if she was ready.

 

Lelia nodded her head slightly.

 

Perhaps out of consideration for the party, the guest room where her uncle and friends stayed was not far from here.

 

Carius, who was looking at the portrait hanging over Lelia’s back for a while, came to his senses after.

 

And he reached out to Lelia.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

 

It was time to go to see Emperor Perseus.

 

Perhaps because of the tension, her hands seemed to be sweating.

 

Last time, she was dressed as a man and greeted the emperor alone as Sir Raymond.

 

But now…

 

Lelia headed to the drawing room together with her uncle, and looked at herself reflected in the glass decoration present in the hallway.

 

Unlike the last time where she changed her hair and eye color with alchemy to conceal her identity, Lelia had complete silver hair.

 

The same was true of the light, green eyes that resembled her mother.

 

“This way.”

The servant, who stopped at the big door, said carefully. Then, he knocked on the door, saying he would inform his Majesty.

 

Creak

Soon the door opened.

 

Lelia held her uncle’s hand tightly and headed inward.

 

It was now reality that she was going to meet the emperor.

 

Lelia slowly walked through the door.

 

“……”

And she encountered Emperor Perseus standing by the window.

 

Standing with his back against the light, he was framed exactly like how she saw him last time.

 

[No, I think he lost a little more weight.]

 

“It’s been a while.”

Carius spoke first. However, Perseus did not turn his gaze away from Lelia.

 

Like a hardened, stone statue, he just stared at Lelia blankly.

 

Carius waited for a while because he could understand what must be going through his mind.

 

It was as if Elizabeth, who died, suddenly had returned alive. It was understandable that he was surprised.

 

“Lelia, I’ll step out for a moment.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

Carius relieved his anxiety at Lelia’s calm attitude. He went out of the drawing room.

 

“… Sit down.”

Perseus, who opened his mouth after a long time, seemed to have barely come to his senses.

 

Lelia sat in the same place as she sat last time. Soon the servant came out from the side.

 

Looking at the steaming teacup, Lelia endured silently without saying anything.

 

Perseus stared at Lelia’s face.

 

However, Lelia, who never paid attention to him, was cold-hearted and sad.

 

“… Lelia.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He barely called her name, but Lelia answered very calmly and looked at him.

 

As if nothing had happened to her; as if she had been ordered.

 

Perseus’ forehead was wrinkled by the attitude.

 

‘How can you do that? How can you look at me and make an expression like everything’s okay? I expected you to cry and be resentful.

 

I knew you would be angry at me for abandoning you like that, and why I didn’t recognize you. I decided that I would accept whatever anger and resentment you poured out…’

 

The expectations were completely wrong.

 

There was no resentment or anger in Lelia’s expression. She had no feelings.

 

“… Do you not blame me?”

 

“I was resentful.”

 

“…”

 

That meant, not anymore.

 

Perseus exhaled with a disastrous look. 

 

His heart was hot, as if it had fallen into hell fire.

 

“When… When did you know this? Since when did you know?”

 

“……”

 

“When did the Duke of Superion let you know about this?”

Lelia took her gaze off the teacup and looked at the emperor.

 

It felt weird. 

 

Unlike last time, was it because she faced Emperor Perseus as her original, perfect self?

She had wondered how it would feel…

 

It wasn’t as bad as she thought.

 

Lelia slowly opened her mouth, looking at Perseus, who had misunderstood.

 

She didn’t want to lie at all. Rather, she wanted to tell him all the facts.

 

The truth.

 

“From the beginning…”

 

“What?”

 

“I knew it from the beginning.”

 

“… From the beginning? If it’s from the beginning…”

Perseus looked as if he didn’t understand.

 

Lelia decided to kindly explain.

“To be exact, I’ve known since I was seven.”

 

“……!!!”

Perseus’ expression hardened with surprise.

 

It was an answer that was wholly unexpected.

 

Having been frozen for a long time, he breathed out roughly. Then, he asked with an angry look, “How? But… Why didn’t you tell me when you first met me? Why?!”

 

“… You thought I was the daughter of Princess Iris. If I suddenly revealed it… Would you have believed me?”

Lelia replied calmly. 

 

Perseus turned red as if he had been ridiculed.

 

Lelia was right. 

 

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed it at all.’

Perseus himself knew how much truth there was in that statement.

 

At that time, there was a great deal of hatred and hostility toward her younger sister, Princess Iris.

 

But… But…!

 

“I wouldn’t have believed it at the time… but if you had continued to grow up in the Imperial Castle, I would have believed it. You have such a similar appearance. I’m sure you noticed!”

 

“……”

It was a forced silence. In order to remain calm as much as possible, Lelia sighed softly.

 

However, it was difficult to maintain her composure at the end of the emperor’s next words.

 

“Why did you run away? Why? It is so dangerous outside the Imperial Castle. At that age, and without fear! What if something happened?!!!”

 

She wasn’t going to respond, she was just going to tell him the facts. 

 

She couldn’t help but laugh at that.

***

Chapter 1 - Part 2

Huge thanks to SKIP_A_BEAT for the kofi!

Bonus chapter (1/1)

Request you all to read the notes in Chapter 127.

My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me now has extra chapters up on kofi-shop!  Buy them now, only at https://ko-fi.com/rainofsnow/shop ! Tier 1 with 3 advance chaps is for 5$, tier 2 with 7 advance chaps is for 12$, and tier 3 with 10 advance chapters is for 18$~

***

The teacher who instructed Kalix when he was a mercenary always said…

 

“A man must guard and protect a woman, even at the risk of his own life. So, just like before, I can’t accept a request like that from a crazy man asking me to kill his lover, even if he gives me a million dollars. Do you understand?”

 

“Okay, Master.”

 

So he thought women were weaker than men.

 

Of course, after going through a war, he knew that there were so many women who were stronger than men. There were quite a few women among the heroes who made contributions in the war against the dragon.

 

Nevertheless, when he was a mercenary, the words he heard while being clubbed were engraved into his bones.

 

So, without knowing it, he became prejudiced that women seemed weaker than men.

 

No, in the first place, Kalix has lived thinking that all living things are weaker than him. 

 

Because he has never lost to anyone by force.

 

The hero who saved him as a child was an exception.

 

‘But my hero…’

Leo, who saved him, is a woman. 

 

‘How could you do it with that lean body? With that small body that was three years younger than me… How did you save me?’

Kalix laid down with a blank look and looked up at Lelia.

 

The shoulders, arms, and wrists all looked weak. Thin, like they would break if you touch them…

 

‘I can’t believe it…’

 

That hero came close to him with a look as if she was staring at a very pathetic person.

 

Wait. 

 

‘But why are you looking at me so pathetically? What did I do?’

 

While wondering, Lelia warned him.

 

“Just stay tied up like this for a while. I don’t think I can do this.”

 

“Why? Why?”

 

More than that, what is important!

 

“Leo! Then…”

 

“What?”

Kalix answered in a hurry.

 

“Ah, marriage? What about our marriage?

 

‘Isn’t that the most important thing right now? It’s true that I promised.’

 

However, Lelia smiled in vain as if she were dumbfounded.

 

“… Did I ever say I’d marry you in the first place? What kind of marriage is that!”

 

“… Huh?”

 

Lelia looked at Romeo and Griffith and said, “Is there any way to knock him out until we arrive in the capital?”

 

“There is.”

It was Oscar who answered.

 

Turning his head, Oscar pulled out a sword.

 

“No, no. Not killing, but fainting…!”

Lelia reached out her hand as if to calm him down and approached Oscar.

 

***

 

The Imperial Castle began to appear in the distance.

 

“……”

Lelia frowned in a strange mood.

 

Just a while ago, Lelia ran away alone from there while looking at that landscape.

 

Of course, it turned out that Oscar was following secretly. 

 

[Anyway, I thought I would never come back, let alone coming back on my own.

But it’s a must at least once.]

 

Ending the relationship by seeing Emperor Perseus in person.

 

Failure to do this will damage the Duke of Superion.

 

So she had to go in person.

 

She was fortunate that she had friends next to her. She felt reassured as if she had gained thousands of troops.

 

[They’re always the ones who will support me no matter what I do.]

Lelia passed through the capital city with such a firm mind.

 

However, as soon as they passed the capital border, her expression crumpled.

 

There stood knights who, by the emperor’s order, greeted her.

 

“Welcome to the Imperial City. From now on, we will escort you.”

The person who appeared to be the leader said, bending one knee. 

 

The knights of Superion, who accompanied the horses, looked stiff.

 

The emperor’s intention was clear.

 

‘You’re trying to make sure everyone in the capital can see it.’

 

But she didn’t understand why he was doing this. She didn’t really want to understand.

 

“Thank you for the favor, but it’s okay.”

After Lelia firmly refused, they drove the horses forward as they previously were.

 

Like that, the Superion knights took the lead and guided the group to the Imperial Castle.

 

The rejected emperor’s Knights were forced to follow at the end.

 

***

 

With the guidance of the most sincere servants, they were led to stay in the Imperial Castle.

 

Lelia, who entered her room, laughed in vain.

 

The small annex in the Imperial Palace was luxuriously decorated.

 

And there hung a big picture inside…

 

“It’s my mom’s portrait.”

 

It was a portrait that she had never seen before.

 

In the painting, her mother wore colorful clothes and smiled gracefully.

 

It was a smile that looked so happy.

 

It was at that moment she wondered why the painting was hung here.

 

Lelia couldn’t take her eyes off her mother in the picture.

 

After a while, she heard a knock.

 

When allowed to enter, two maids came inside. They spoke very politely, telling her to instruct them on what she needed until she had a dedicated maid.

 

It was Uncle Carius who came after that.

 

“Lelia.”

He asked with his eyes if she was ready.

 

Lelia nodded her head slightly.

 

Perhaps out of consideration for the party, the guest room where her uncle and friends stayed was not far from here.

 

Carius, who was looking at the portrait hanging over Lelia’s back for a while, came to his senses after.

 

And he reached out to Lelia.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

 

It was time to go to see Emperor Perseus.

 

Perhaps because of the tension, her hands seemed to be sweating.

 

Last time, she was dressed as a man and greeted the emperor alone as Sir Raymond.

 

But now…

 

Lelia headed to the drawing room together with her uncle, and looked at herself reflected in the glass decoration present in the hallway.

 

Unlike the last time where she changed her hair and eye color with alchemy to conceal her identity, Lelia had complete silver hair.

 

The same was true of the light, green eyes that resembled her mother.

 

“This way.”

The servant, who stopped at the big door, said carefully. Then, he knocked on the door, saying he would inform his Majesty.

 

Creak

Soon the door opened.

 

Lelia held her uncle’s hand tightly and headed inward.

 

It was now reality that she was going to meet the emperor.

 

Lelia slowly walked through the door.

 

“……”

And she encountered Emperor Perseus standing by the window.

 

Standing with his back against the light, he was framed exactly like how she saw him last time.

 

[No, I think he lost a little more weight.]

 

“It’s been a while.”

Carius spoke first. However, Perseus did not turn his gaze away from Lelia.

 

Like a hardened, stone statue, he just stared at Lelia blankly.

 

Carius waited for a while because he could understand what must be going through his mind.

 

It was as if Elizabeth, who died, suddenly had returned alive. It was understandable that he was surprised.

 

“Lelia, I’ll step out for a moment.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

Carius relieved his anxiety at Lelia’s calm attitude. He went out of the drawing room.

 

“… Sit down.”

Perseus, who opened his mouth after a long time, seemed to have barely come to his senses.

 

Lelia sat in the same place as she sat last time. Soon the servant came out from the side.

 

Looking at the steaming teacup, Lelia endured silently without saying anything.

 

Perseus stared at Lelia’s face.

 

However, Lelia, who never paid attention to him, was cold-hearted and sad.

 

“… Lelia.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He barely called her name, but Lelia answered very calmly and looked at him.

 

As if nothing had happened to her; as if she had been ordered.

 

Perseus’ forehead was wrinkled by the attitude.

 

‘How can you do that? How can you look at me and make an expression like everything’s okay? I expected you to cry and be resentful.

 

I knew you would be angry at me for abandoning you like that, and why I didn’t recognize you. I decided that I would accept whatever anger and resentment you poured out…’

 

The expectations were completely wrong.

 

There was no resentment or anger in Lelia’s expression. She had no feelings.

 

“… Do you not blame me?”

 

“I was resentful.”

 

“…”

 

That meant, not anymore.

 

Perseus exhaled with a disastrous look. 

 

His heart was hot, as if it had fallen into hell fire.

 

“When… When did you know this? Since when did you know?”

 

“……”

 

“When did the Duke of Superion let you know about this?”

Lelia took her gaze off the teacup and looked at the emperor.

 

It felt weird. 

 

Unlike last time, was it because she faced Emperor Perseus as her original, perfect self?

She had wondered how it would feel…

 

It wasn’t as bad as she thought.

 

Lelia slowly opened her mouth, looking at Perseus, who had misunderstood.

 

She didn’t want to lie at all. Rather, she wanted to tell him all the facts.

 

The truth.

 

“From the beginning…”

 

“What?”

 

“I knew it from the beginning.”

 

“… From the beginning? If it’s from the beginning…”

Perseus looked as if he didn’t understand.

 

Lelia decided to kindly explain.

“To be exact, I’ve known since I was seven.”

 

“……!!!”

Perseus’ expression hardened with surprise.

 

It was an answer that was wholly unexpected.

 

Having been frozen for a long time, he breathed out roughly. Then, he asked with an angry look, “How? But… Why didn’t you tell me when you first met me? Why?!”

 

“… You thought I was the daughter of Princess Iris. If I suddenly revealed it… Would you have believed me?”

Lelia replied calmly. 

 

Perseus turned red as if he had been ridiculed.

 

Lelia was right. 

 

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed it at all.’

Perseus himself knew how much truth there was in that statement.

 

At that time, there was a great deal of hatred and hostility toward her younger sister, Princess Iris.

 

But… But…!

 

“I wouldn’t have believed it at the time… but if you had continued to grow up in the Imperial Castle, I would have believed it. You have such a similar appearance. I’m sure you noticed!”

 

“……”

It was a forced silence. In order to remain calm as much as possible, Lelia sighed softly.

 

However, it was difficult to maintain her composure at the end of the emperor’s next words.

 

“Why did you run away? Why? It is so dangerous outside the Imperial Castle. At that age, and without fear! What if something happened?!!!”

 

She wasn’t going to respond, she was just going to tell him the facts. 

 

She couldn’t help but laugh at that.

***

Chapter 2 - Part 1

Huge thanks to SKIP_A_BEAT for the kofi!

Bonus chapter (1/1)

Request you all to read the notes in Chapter 127.

My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me now has extra chapters up on kofi-shop!  Buy them now, only at https://ko-fi.com/rainofsnow/shop ! Tier 1 with 3 advance chaps is for 5$, tier 2 with 7 advance chaps is for 12$, and tier 3 with 10 advance chapters is for 18$~

***

The teacher who instructed Kalix when he was a mercenary always said…

 

“A man must guard and protect a woman, even at the risk of his own life. So, just like before, I can’t accept a request like that from a crazy man asking me to kill his lover, even if he gives me a million dollars. Do you understand?”

 

“Okay, Master.”

 

So he thought women were weaker than men.

 

Of course, after going through a war, he knew that there were so many women who were stronger than men. There were quite a few women among the heroes who made contributions in the war against the dragon.

 

Nevertheless, when he was a mercenary, the words he heard while being clubbed were engraved into his bones.

 

So, without knowing it, he became prejudiced that women seemed weaker than men.

 

No, in the first place, Kalix has lived thinking that all living things are weaker than him. 

 

Because he has never lost to anyone by force.

 

The hero who saved him as a child was an exception.

 

‘But my hero…’

Leo, who saved him, is a woman. 

 

‘How could you do it with that lean body? With that small body that was three years younger than me… How did you save me?’

Kalix laid down with a blank look and looked up at Lelia.

 

The shoulders, arms, and wrists all looked weak. Thin, like they would break if you touch them…

 

‘I can’t believe it…’

 

That hero came close to him with a look as if she was staring at a very pathetic person.

 

Wait. 

 

‘But why are you looking at me so pathetically? What did I do?’

 

While wondering, Lelia warned him.

 

“Just stay tied up like this for a while. I don’t think I can do this.”

 

“Why? Why?”

 

More than that, what is important!

 

“Leo! Then…”

 

“What?”

Kalix answered in a hurry.

 

“Ah, marriage? What about our marriage?

 

‘Isn’t that the most important thing right now? It’s true that I promised.’

 

However, Lelia smiled in vain as if she were dumbfounded.

 

“… Did I ever say I’d marry you in the first place? What kind of marriage is that!”

 

“… Huh?”

 

Lelia looked at Romeo and Griffith and said, “Is there any way to knock him out until we arrive in the capital?”

 

“There is.”

It was Oscar who answered.

 

Turning his head, Oscar pulled out a sword.

 

“No, no. Not killing, but fainting…!”

Lelia reached out her hand as if to calm him down and approached Oscar.

 

***

 

The Imperial Castle began to appear in the distance.

 

“……”

Lelia frowned in a strange mood.

 

Just a while ago, Lelia ran away alone from there while looking at that landscape.

 

Of course, it turned out that Oscar was following secretly. 

 

[Anyway, I thought I would never come back, let alone coming back on my own.

But it’s a must at least once.]

 

Ending the relationship by seeing Emperor Perseus in person.

 

Failure to do this will damage the Duke of Superion.

 

So she had to go in person.

 

She was fortunate that she had friends next to her. She felt reassured as if she had gained thousands of troops.

 

[They’re always the ones who will support me no matter what I do.]

Lelia passed through the capital city with such a firm mind.

 

However, as soon as they passed the capital border, her expression crumpled.

 

There stood knights who, by the emperor’s order, greeted her.

 

“Welcome to the Imperial City. From now on, we will escort you.”

The person who appeared to be the leader said, bending one knee. 

 

The knights of Superion, who accompanied the horses, looked stiff.

 

The emperor’s intention was clear.

 

‘You’re trying to make sure everyone in the capital can see it.’

 

But she didn’t understand why he was doing this. She didn’t really want to understand.

 

“Thank you for the favor, but it’s okay.”

After Lelia firmly refused, they drove the horses forward as they previously were.

 

Like that, the Superion knights took the lead and guided the group to the Imperial Castle.

 

The rejected emperor’s Knights were forced to follow at the end.

 

***

 

With the guidance of the most sincere servants, they were led to stay in the Imperial Castle.

 

Lelia, who entered her room, laughed in vain.

 

The small annex in the Imperial Palace was luxuriously decorated.

 

And there hung a big picture inside…

 

“It’s my mom’s portrait.”

 

It was a portrait that she had never seen before.

 

In the painting, her mother wore colorful clothes and smiled gracefully.

 

It was a smile that looked so happy.

 

It was at that moment she wondered why the painting was hung here.

 

Lelia couldn’t take her eyes off her mother in the picture.

 

After a while, she heard a knock.

 

When allowed to enter, two maids came inside. They spoke very politely, telling her to instruct them on what she needed until she had a dedicated maid.

 

It was Uncle Carius who came after that.

 

“Lelia.”

He asked with his eyes if she was ready.

 

Lelia nodded her head slightly.

 

Perhaps out of consideration for the party, the guest room where her uncle and friends stayed was not far from here.

 

Carius, who was looking at the portrait hanging over Lelia’s back for a while, came to his senses after.

 

And he reached out to Lelia.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

 

It was time to go to see Emperor Perseus.

 

Perhaps because of the tension, her hands seemed to be sweating.

 

Last time, she was dressed as a man and greeted the emperor alone as Sir Raymond.

 

But now…

 

Lelia headed to the drawing room together with her uncle, and looked at herself reflected in the glass decoration present in the hallway.

 

Unlike the last time where she changed her hair and eye color with alchemy to conceal her identity, Lelia had complete silver hair.

 

The same was true of the light, green eyes that resembled her mother.

 

“This way.”

The servant, who stopped at the big door, said carefully. Then, he knocked on the door, saying he would inform his Majesty.

 

Creak

Soon the door opened.

 

Lelia held her uncle’s hand tightly and headed inward.

 

It was now reality that she was going to meet the emperor.

 

Lelia slowly walked through the door.

 

“……”

And she encountered Emperor Perseus standing by the window.

 

Standing with his back against the light, he was framed exactly like how she saw him last time.

 

[No, I think he lost a little more weight.]

 

“It’s been a while.”

Carius spoke first. However, Perseus did not turn his gaze away from Lelia.

 

Like a hardened, stone statue, he just stared at Lelia blankly.

 

Carius waited for a while because he could understand what must be going through his mind.

 

It was as if Elizabeth, who died, suddenly had returned alive. It was understandable that he was surprised.

 

“Lelia, I’ll step out for a moment.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

Carius relieved his anxiety at Lelia’s calm attitude. He went out of the drawing room.

 

“… Sit down.”

Perseus, who opened his mouth after a long time, seemed to have barely come to his senses.

 

Lelia sat in the same place as she sat last time. Soon the servant came out from the side.

 

Looking at the steaming teacup, Lelia endured silently without saying anything.

 

Perseus stared at Lelia’s face.

 

However, Lelia, who never paid attention to him, was cold-hearted and sad.

 

“… Lelia.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He barely called her name, but Lelia answered very calmly and looked at him.

 

As if nothing had happened to her; as if she had been ordered.

 

Perseus’ forehead was wrinkled by the attitude.

 

‘How can you do that? How can you look at me and make an expression like everything’s okay? I expected you to cry and be resentful.

 

I knew you would be angry at me for abandoning you like that, and why I didn’t recognize you. I decided that I would accept whatever anger and resentment you poured out…’

 

The expectations were completely wrong.

 

There was no resentment or anger in Lelia’s expression. She had no feelings.

 

“… Do you not blame me?”

 

“I was resentful.”

 

“…”

 

That meant, not anymore.

 

Perseus exhaled with a disastrous look. 

 

His heart was hot, as if it had fallen into hell fire.

 

“When… When did you know this? Since when did you know?”

 

“……”

 

“When did the Duke of Superion let you know about this?”

Lelia took her gaze off the teacup and looked at the emperor.

 

It felt weird. 

 

Unlike last time, was it because she faced Emperor Perseus as her original, perfect self?

She had wondered how it would feel…

 

It wasn’t as bad as she thought.

 

Lelia slowly opened her mouth, looking at Perseus, who had misunderstood.

 

She didn’t want to lie at all. Rather, she wanted to tell him all the facts.

 

The truth.

 

“From the beginning…”

 

“What?”

 

“I knew it from the beginning.”

 

“… From the beginning? If it’s from the beginning…”

Perseus looked as if he didn’t understand.

 

Lelia decided to kindly explain.

“To be exact, I’ve known since I was seven.”

 

“……!!!”

Perseus’ expression hardened with surprise.

 

It was an answer that was wholly unexpected.

 

Having been frozen for a long time, he breathed out roughly. Then, he asked with an angry look, “How? But… Why didn’t you tell me when you first met me? Why?!”

 

“… You thought I was the daughter of Princess Iris. If I suddenly revealed it… Would you have believed me?”

Lelia replied calmly. 

 

Perseus turned red as if he had been ridiculed.

 

Lelia was right. 

 

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed it at all.’

Perseus himself knew how much truth there was in that statement.

 

At that time, there was a great deal of hatred and hostility toward her younger sister, Princess Iris.

 

But… But…!

 

“I wouldn’t have believed it at the time… but if you had continued to grow up in the Imperial Castle, I would have believed it. You have such a similar appearance. I’m sure you noticed!”

 

“……”

It was a forced silence. In order to remain calm as much as possible, Lelia sighed softly.

 

However, it was difficult to maintain her composure at the end of the emperor’s next words.

 

“Why did you run away? Why? It is so dangerous outside the Imperial Castle. At that age, and without fear! What if something happened?!!!”

 

She wasn’t going to respond, she was just going to tell him the facts. 

 

She couldn’t help but laugh at that.

***

Chapter 2 - Part 2

Huge thanks to SKIP_A_BEAT for the kofi!

Bonus chapter (1/1)

Request you all to read the notes in Chapter 127.

My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me now has extra chapters up on kofi-shop!  Buy them now, only at https://ko-fi.com/rainofsnow/shop ! Tier 1 with 3 advance chaps is for 5$, tier 2 with 7 advance chaps is for 12$, and tier 3 with 10 advance chapters is for 18$~

***

The teacher who instructed Kalix when he was a mercenary always said…

 

“A man must guard and protect a woman, even at the risk of his own life. So, just like before, I can’t accept a request like that from a crazy man asking me to kill his lover, even if he gives me a million dollars. Do you understand?”

 

“Okay, Master.”

 

So he thought women were weaker than men.

 

Of course, after going through a war, he knew that there were so many women who were stronger than men. There were quite a few women among the heroes who made contributions in the war against the dragon.

 

Nevertheless, when he was a mercenary, the words he heard while being clubbed were engraved into his bones.

 

So, without knowing it, he became prejudiced that women seemed weaker than men.

 

No, in the first place, Kalix has lived thinking that all living things are weaker than him. 

 

Because he has never lost to anyone by force.

 

The hero who saved him as a child was an exception.

 

‘But my hero…’

Leo, who saved him, is a woman. 

 

‘How could you do it with that lean body? With that small body that was three years younger than me… How did you save me?’

Kalix laid down with a blank look and looked up at Lelia.

 

The shoulders, arms, and wrists all looked weak. Thin, like they would break if you touch them…

 

‘I can’t believe it…’

 

That hero came close to him with a look as if she was staring at a very pathetic person.

 

Wait. 

 

‘But why are you looking at me so pathetically? What did I do?’

 

While wondering, Lelia warned him.

 

“Just stay tied up like this for a while. I don’t think I can do this.”

 

“Why? Why?”

 

More than that, what is important!

 

“Leo! Then…”

 

“What?”

Kalix answered in a hurry.

 

“Ah, marriage? What about our marriage?

 

‘Isn’t that the most important thing right now? It’s true that I promised.’

 

However, Lelia smiled in vain as if she were dumbfounded.

 

“… Did I ever say I’d marry you in the first place? What kind of marriage is that!”

 

“… Huh?”

 

Lelia looked at Romeo and Griffith and said, “Is there any way to knock him out until we arrive in the capital?”

 

“There is.”

It was Oscar who answered.

 

Turning his head, Oscar pulled out a sword.

 

“No, no. Not killing, but fainting…!”

Lelia reached out her hand as if to calm him down and approached Oscar.

 

***

 

The Imperial Castle began to appear in the distance.

 

“……”

Lelia frowned in a strange mood.

 

Just a while ago, Lelia ran away alone from there while looking at that landscape.

 

Of course, it turned out that Oscar was following secretly. 

 

[Anyway, I thought I would never come back, let alone coming back on my own.

But it’s a must at least once.]

 

Ending the relationship by seeing Emperor Perseus in person.

 

Failure to do this will damage the Duke of Superion.

 

So she had to go in person.

 

She was fortunate that she had friends next to her. She felt reassured as if she had gained thousands of troops.

 

[They’re always the ones who will support me no matter what I do.]

Lelia passed through the capital city with such a firm mind.

 

However, as soon as they passed the capital border, her expression crumpled.

 

There stood knights who, by the emperor’s order, greeted her.

 

“Welcome to the Imperial City. From now on, we will escort you.”

The person who appeared to be the leader said, bending one knee. 

 

The knights of Superion, who accompanied the horses, looked stiff.

 

The emperor’s intention was clear.

 

‘You’re trying to make sure everyone in the capital can see it.’

 

But she didn’t understand why he was doing this. She didn’t really want to understand.

 

“Thank you for the favor, but it’s okay.”

After Lelia firmly refused, they drove the horses forward as they previously were.

 

Like that, the Superion knights took the lead and guided the group to the Imperial Castle.

 

The rejected emperor’s Knights were forced to follow at the end.

 

***

 

With the guidance of the most sincere servants, they were led to stay in the Imperial Castle.

 

Lelia, who entered her room, laughed in vain.

 

The small annex in the Imperial Palace was luxuriously decorated.

 

And there hung a big picture inside…

 

“It’s my mom’s portrait.”

 

It was a portrait that she had never seen before.

 

In the painting, her mother wore colorful clothes and smiled gracefully.

 

It was a smile that looked so happy.

 

It was at that moment she wondered why the painting was hung here.

 

Lelia couldn’t take her eyes off her mother in the picture.

 

After a while, she heard a knock.

 

When allowed to enter, two maids came inside. They spoke very politely, telling her to instruct them on what she needed until she had a dedicated maid.

 

It was Uncle Carius who came after that.

 

“Lelia.”

He asked with his eyes if she was ready.

 

Lelia nodded her head slightly.

 

Perhaps out of consideration for the party, the guest room where her uncle and friends stayed was not far from here.

 

Carius, who was looking at the portrait hanging over Lelia’s back for a while, came to his senses after.

 

And he reached out to Lelia.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

 

It was time to go to see Emperor Perseus.

 

Perhaps because of the tension, her hands seemed to be sweating.

 

Last time, she was dressed as a man and greeted the emperor alone as Sir Raymond.

 

But now…

 

Lelia headed to the drawing room together with her uncle, and looked at herself reflected in the glass decoration present in the hallway.

 

Unlike the last time where she changed her hair and eye color with alchemy to conceal her identity, Lelia had complete silver hair.

 

The same was true of the light, green eyes that resembled her mother.

 

“This way.”

The servant, who stopped at the big door, said carefully. Then, he knocked on the door, saying he would inform his Majesty.

 

Creak

Soon the door opened.

 

Lelia held her uncle’s hand tightly and headed inward.

 

It was now reality that she was going to meet the emperor.

 

Lelia slowly walked through the door.

 

“……”

And she encountered Emperor Perseus standing by the window.

 

Standing with his back against the light, he was framed exactly like how she saw him last time.

 

[No, I think he lost a little more weight.]

 

“It’s been a while.”

Carius spoke first. However, Perseus did not turn his gaze away from Lelia.

 

Like a hardened, stone statue, he just stared at Lelia blankly.

 

Carius waited for a while because he could understand what must be going through his mind.

 

It was as if Elizabeth, who died, suddenly had returned alive. It was understandable that he was surprised.

 

“Lelia, I’ll step out for a moment.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

Carius relieved his anxiety at Lelia’s calm attitude. He went out of the drawing room.

 

“… Sit down.”

Perseus, who opened his mouth after a long time, seemed to have barely come to his senses.

 

Lelia sat in the same place as she sat last time. Soon the servant came out from the side.

 

Looking at the steaming teacup, Lelia endured silently without saying anything.

 

Perseus stared at Lelia’s face.

 

However, Lelia, who never paid attention to him, was cold-hearted and sad.

 

“… Lelia.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He barely called her name, but Lelia answered very calmly and looked at him.

 

As if nothing had happened to her; as if she had been ordered.

 

Perseus’ forehead was wrinkled by the attitude.

 

‘How can you do that? How can you look at me and make an expression like everything’s okay? I expected you to cry and be resentful.

 

I knew you would be angry at me for abandoning you like that, and why I didn’t recognize you. I decided that I would accept whatever anger and resentment you poured out…’

 

The expectations were completely wrong.

 

There was no resentment or anger in Lelia’s expression. She had no feelings.

 

“… Do you not blame me?”

 

“I was resentful.”

 

“…”

 

That meant, not anymore.

 

Perseus exhaled with a disastrous look. 

 

His heart was hot, as if it had fallen into hell fire.

 

“When… When did you know this? Since when did you know?”

 

“……”

 

“When did the Duke of Superion let you know about this?”

Lelia took her gaze off the teacup and looked at the emperor.

 

It felt weird. 

 

Unlike last time, was it because she faced Emperor Perseus as her original, perfect self?

She had wondered how it would feel…

 

It wasn’t as bad as she thought.

 

Lelia slowly opened her mouth, looking at Perseus, who had misunderstood.

 

She didn’t want to lie at all. Rather, she wanted to tell him all the facts.

 

The truth.

 

“From the beginning…”

 

“What?”

 

“I knew it from the beginning.”

 

“… From the beginning? If it’s from the beginning…”

Perseus looked as if he didn’t understand.

 

Lelia decided to kindly explain.

“To be exact, I’ve known since I was seven.”

 

“……!!!”

Perseus’ expression hardened with surprise.

 

It was an answer that was wholly unexpected.

 

Having been frozen for a long time, he breathed out roughly. Then, he asked with an angry look, “How? But… Why didn’t you tell me when you first met me? Why?!”

 

“… You thought I was the daughter of Princess Iris. If I suddenly revealed it… Would you have believed me?”

Lelia replied calmly. 

 

Perseus turned red as if he had been ridiculed.

 

Lelia was right. 

 

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed it at all.’

Perseus himself knew how much truth there was in that statement.

 

At that time, there was a great deal of hatred and hostility toward her younger sister, Princess Iris.

 

But… But…!

 

“I wouldn’t have believed it at the time… but if you had continued to grow up in the Imperial Castle, I would have believed it. You have such a similar appearance. I’m sure you noticed!”

 

“……”

It was a forced silence. In order to remain calm as much as possible, Lelia sighed softly.

 

However, it was difficult to maintain her composure at the end of the emperor’s next words.

 

“Why did you run away? Why? It is so dangerous outside the Imperial Castle. At that age, and without fear! What if something happened?!!!”

 

She wasn’t going to respond, she was just going to tell him the facts. 

 

She couldn’t help but laugh at that.

***

Chapter 3

Huge thanks to SKIP_A_BEAT for the kofi!

Bonus chapter (1/1)

Request you all to read the notes in Chapter 127.

My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me now has extra chapters up on kofi-shop!  Buy them now, only at https://ko-fi.com/rainofsnow/shop ! Tier 1 with 3 advance chaps is for 5$, tier 2 with 7 advance chaps is for 12$, and tier 3 with 10 advance chapters is for 18$~

***

The teacher who instructed Kalix when he was a mercenary always said…

 

“A man must guard and protect a woman, even at the risk of his own life. So, just like before, I can’t accept a request like that from a crazy man asking me to kill his lover, even if he gives me a million dollars. Do you understand?”

 

“Okay, Master.”

 

So he thought women were weaker than men.

 

Of course, after going through a war, he knew that there were so many women who were stronger than men. There were quite a few women among the heroes who made contributions in the war against the dragon.

 

Nevertheless, when he was a mercenary, the words he heard while being clubbed were engraved into his bones.

 

So, without knowing it, he became prejudiced that women seemed weaker than men.

 

No, in the first place, Kalix has lived thinking that all living things are weaker than him. 

 

Because he has never lost to anyone by force.

 

The hero who saved him as a child was an exception.

 

‘But my hero…’

Leo, who saved him, is a woman. 

 

‘How could you do it with that lean body? With that small body that was three years younger than me… How did you save me?’

Kalix laid down with a blank look and looked up at Lelia.

 

The shoulders, arms, and wrists all looked weak. Thin, like they would break if you touch them…

 

‘I can’t believe it…’

 

That hero came close to him with a look as if she was staring at a very pathetic person.

 

Wait. 

 

‘But why are you looking at me so pathetically? What did I do?’

 

While wondering, Lelia warned him.

 

“Just stay tied up like this for a while. I don’t think I can do this.”

 

“Why? Why?”

 

More than that, what is important!

 

“Leo! Then…”

 

“What?”

Kalix answered in a hurry.

 

“Ah, marriage? What about our marriage?

 

‘Isn’t that the most important thing right now? It’s true that I promised.’

 

However, Lelia smiled in vain as if she were dumbfounded.

 

“… Did I ever say I’d marry you in the first place? What kind of marriage is that!”

 

“… Huh?”

 

Lelia looked at Romeo and Griffith and said, “Is there any way to knock him out until we arrive in the capital?”

 

“There is.”

It was Oscar who answered.

 

Turning his head, Oscar pulled out a sword.

 

“No, no. Not killing, but fainting…!”

Lelia reached out her hand as if to calm him down and approached Oscar.

 

***

 

The Imperial Castle began to appear in the distance.

 

“……”

Lelia frowned in a strange mood.

 

Just a while ago, Lelia ran away alone from there while looking at that landscape.

 

Of course, it turned out that Oscar was following secretly. 

 

[Anyway, I thought I would never come back, let alone coming back on my own.

But it’s a must at least once.]

 

Ending the relationship by seeing Emperor Perseus in person.

 

Failure to do this will damage the Duke of Superion.

 

So she had to go in person.

 

She was fortunate that she had friends next to her. She felt reassured as if she had gained thousands of troops.

 

[They’re always the ones who will support me no matter what I do.]

Lelia passed through the capital city with such a firm mind.

 

However, as soon as they passed the capital border, her expression crumpled.

 

There stood knights who, by the emperor’s order, greeted her.

 

“Welcome to the Imperial City. From now on, we will escort you.”

The person who appeared to be the leader said, bending one knee. 

 

The knights of Superion, who accompanied the horses, looked stiff.

 

The emperor’s intention was clear.

 

‘You’re trying to make sure everyone in the capital can see it.’

 

But she didn’t understand why he was doing this. She didn’t really want to understand.

 

“Thank you for the favor, but it’s okay.”

After Lelia firmly refused, they drove the horses forward as they previously were.

 

Like that, the Superion knights took the lead and guided the group to the Imperial Castle.

 

The rejected emperor’s Knights were forced to follow at the end.

 

***

 

With the guidance of the most sincere servants, they were led to stay in the Imperial Castle.

 

Lelia, who entered her room, laughed in vain.

 

The small annex in the Imperial Palace was luxuriously decorated.

 

And there hung a big picture inside…

 

“It’s my mom’s portrait.”

 

It was a portrait that she had never seen before.

 

In the painting, her mother wore colorful clothes and smiled gracefully.

 

It was a smile that looked so happy.

 

It was at that moment she wondered why the painting was hung here.

 

Lelia couldn’t take her eyes off her mother in the picture.

 

After a while, she heard a knock.

 

When allowed to enter, two maids came inside. They spoke very politely, telling her to instruct them on what she needed until she had a dedicated maid.

 

It was Uncle Carius who came after that.

 

“Lelia.”

He asked with his eyes if she was ready.

 

Lelia nodded her head slightly.

 

Perhaps out of consideration for the party, the guest room where her uncle and friends stayed was not far from here.

 

Carius, who was looking at the portrait hanging over Lelia’s back for a while, came to his senses after.

 

And he reached out to Lelia.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

 

It was time to go to see Emperor Perseus.

 

Perhaps because of the tension, her hands seemed to be sweating.

 

Last time, she was dressed as a man and greeted the emperor alone as Sir Raymond.

 

But now…

 

Lelia headed to the drawing room together with her uncle, and looked at herself reflected in the glass decoration present in the hallway.

 

Unlike the last time where she changed her hair and eye color with alchemy to conceal her identity, Lelia had complete silver hair.

 

The same was true of the light, green eyes that resembled her mother.

 

“This way.”

The servant, who stopped at the big door, said carefully. Then, he knocked on the door, saying he would inform his Majesty.

 

Creak

Soon the door opened.

 

Lelia held her uncle’s hand tightly and headed inward.

 

It was now reality that she was going to meet the emperor.

 

Lelia slowly walked through the door.

 

“……”

And she encountered Emperor Perseus standing by the window.

 

Standing with his back against the light, he was framed exactly like how she saw him last time.

 

[No, I think he lost a little more weight.]

 

“It’s been a while.”

Carius spoke first. However, Perseus did not turn his gaze away from Lelia.

 

Like a hardened, stone statue, he just stared at Lelia blankly.

 

Carius waited for a while because he could understand what must be going through his mind.

 

It was as if Elizabeth, who died, suddenly had returned alive. It was understandable that he was surprised.

 

“Lelia, I’ll step out for a moment.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

Carius relieved his anxiety at Lelia’s calm attitude. He went out of the drawing room.

 

“… Sit down.”

Perseus, who opened his mouth after a long time, seemed to have barely come to his senses.

 

Lelia sat in the same place as she sat last time. Soon the servant came out from the side.

 

Looking at the steaming teacup, Lelia endured silently without saying anything.

 

Perseus stared at Lelia’s face.

 

However, Lelia, who never paid attention to him, was cold-hearted and sad.

 

“… Lelia.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He barely called her name, but Lelia answered very calmly and looked at him.

 

As if nothing had happened to her; as if she had been ordered.

 

Perseus’ forehead was wrinkled by the attitude.

 

‘How can you do that? How can you look at me and make an expression like everything’s okay? I expected you to cry and be resentful.

 

I knew you would be angry at me for abandoning you like that, and why I didn’t recognize you. I decided that I would accept whatever anger and resentment you poured out…’

 

The expectations were completely wrong.

 

There was no resentment or anger in Lelia’s expression. She had no feelings.

 

“… Do you not blame me?”

 

“I was resentful.”

 

“…”

 

That meant, not anymore.

 

Perseus exhaled with a disastrous look. 

 

His heart was hot, as if it had fallen into hell fire.

 

“When… When did you know this? Since when did you know?”

 

“……”

 

“When did the Duke of Superion let you know about this?”

Lelia took her gaze off the teacup and looked at the emperor.

 

It felt weird. 

 

Unlike last time, was it because she faced Emperor Perseus as her original, perfect self?

She had wondered how it would feel…

 

It wasn’t as bad as she thought.

 

Lelia slowly opened her mouth, looking at Perseus, who had misunderstood.

 

She didn’t want to lie at all. Rather, she wanted to tell him all the facts.

 

The truth.

 

“From the beginning…”

 

“What?”

 

“I knew it from the beginning.”

 

“… From the beginning? If it’s from the beginning…”

Perseus looked as if he didn’t understand.

 

Lelia decided to kindly explain.

“To be exact, I’ve known since I was seven.”

 

“……!!!”

Perseus’ expression hardened with surprise.

 

It was an answer that was wholly unexpected.

 

Having been frozen for a long time, he breathed out roughly. Then, he asked with an angry look, “How? But… Why didn’t you tell me when you first met me? Why?!”

 

“… You thought I was the daughter of Princess Iris. If I suddenly revealed it… Would you have believed me?”

Lelia replied calmly. 

 

Perseus turned red as if he had been ridiculed.

 

Lelia was right. 

 

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed it at all.’

Perseus himself knew how much truth there was in that statement.

 

At that time, there was a great deal of hatred and hostility toward her younger sister, Princess Iris.

 

But… But…!

 

“I wouldn’t have believed it at the time… but if you had continued to grow up in the Imperial Castle, I would have believed it. You have such a similar appearance. I’m sure you noticed!”

 

“……”

It was a forced silence. In order to remain calm as much as possible, Lelia sighed softly.

 

However, it was difficult to maintain her composure at the end of the emperor’s next words.

 

“Why did you run away? Why? It is so dangerous outside the Imperial Castle. At that age, and without fear! What if something happened?!!!”

 

She wasn’t going to respond, she was just going to tell him the facts. 

 

She couldn’t help but laugh at that.

***

Chapter 4

Huge thanks to SKIP_A_BEAT for the kofi!

Bonus chapter (1/1)

Request you all to read the notes in Chapter 127.

My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me now has extra chapters up on kofi-shop!  Buy them now, only at https://ko-fi.com/rainofsnow/shop ! Tier 1 with 3 advance chaps is for 5$, tier 2 with 7 advance chaps is for 12$, and tier 3 with 10 advance chapters is for 18$~

***

The teacher who instructed Kalix when he was a mercenary always said…

 

“A man must guard and protect a woman, even at the risk of his own life. So, just like before, I can’t accept a request like that from a crazy man asking me to kill his lover, even if he gives me a million dollars. Do you understand?”

 

“Okay, Master.”

 

So he thought women were weaker than men.

 

Of course, after going through a war, he knew that there were so many women who were stronger than men. There were quite a few women among the heroes who made contributions in the war against the dragon.

 

Nevertheless, when he was a mercenary, the words he heard while being clubbed were engraved into his bones.

 

So, without knowing it, he became prejudiced that women seemed weaker than men.

 

No, in the first place, Kalix has lived thinking that all living things are weaker than him. 

 

Because he has never lost to anyone by force.

 

The hero who saved him as a child was an exception.

 

‘But my hero…’

Leo, who saved him, is a woman. 

 

‘How could you do it with that lean body? With that small body that was three years younger than me… How did you save me?’

Kalix laid down with a blank look and looked up at Lelia.

 

The shoulders, arms, and wrists all looked weak. Thin, like they would break if you touch them…

 

‘I can’t believe it…’

 

That hero came close to him with a look as if she was staring at a very pathetic person.

 

Wait. 

 

‘But why are you looking at me so pathetically? What did I do?’

 

While wondering, Lelia warned him.

 

“Just stay tied up like this for a while. I don’t think I can do this.”

 

“Why? Why?”

 

More than that, what is important!

 

“Leo! Then…”

 

“What?”

Kalix answered in a hurry.

 

“Ah, marriage? What about our marriage?

 

‘Isn’t that the most important thing right now? It’s true that I promised.’

 

However, Lelia smiled in vain as if she were dumbfounded.

 

“… Did I ever say I’d marry you in the first place? What kind of marriage is that!”

 

“… Huh?”

 

Lelia looked at Romeo and Griffith and said, “Is there any way to knock him out until we arrive in the capital?”

 

“There is.”

It was Oscar who answered.

 

Turning his head, Oscar pulled out a sword.

 

“No, no. Not killing, but fainting…!”

Lelia reached out her hand as if to calm him down and approached Oscar.

 

***

 

The Imperial Castle began to appear in the distance.

 

“……”

Lelia frowned in a strange mood.

 

Just a while ago, Lelia ran away alone from there while looking at that landscape.

 

Of course, it turned out that Oscar was following secretly. 

 

[Anyway, I thought I would never come back, let alone coming back on my own.

But it’s a must at least once.]

 

Ending the relationship by seeing Emperor Perseus in person.

 

Failure to do this will damage the Duke of Superion.

 

So she had to go in person.

 

She was fortunate that she had friends next to her. She felt reassured as if she had gained thousands of troops.

 

[They’re always the ones who will support me no matter what I do.]

Lelia passed through the capital city with such a firm mind.

 

However, as soon as they passed the capital border, her expression crumpled.

 

There stood knights who, by the emperor’s order, greeted her.

 

“Welcome to the Imperial City. From now on, we will escort you.”

The person who appeared to be the leader said, bending one knee. 

 

The knights of Superion, who accompanied the horses, looked stiff.

 

The emperor’s intention was clear.

 

‘You’re trying to make sure everyone in the capital can see it.’

 

But she didn’t understand why he was doing this. She didn’t really want to understand.

 

“Thank you for the favor, but it’s okay.”

After Lelia firmly refused, they drove the horses forward as they previously were.

 

Like that, the Superion knights took the lead and guided the group to the Imperial Castle.

 

The rejected emperor’s Knights were forced to follow at the end.

 

***

 

With the guidance of the most sincere servants, they were led to stay in the Imperial Castle.

 

Lelia, who entered her room, laughed in vain.

 

The small annex in the Imperial Palace was luxuriously decorated.

 

And there hung a big picture inside…

 

“It’s my mom’s portrait.”

 

It was a portrait that she had never seen before.

 

In the painting, her mother wore colorful clothes and smiled gracefully.

 

It was a smile that looked so happy.

 

It was at that moment she wondered why the painting was hung here.

 

Lelia couldn’t take her eyes off her mother in the picture.

 

After a while, she heard a knock.

 

When allowed to enter, two maids came inside. They spoke very politely, telling her to instruct them on what she needed until she had a dedicated maid.

 

It was Uncle Carius who came after that.

 

“Lelia.”

He asked with his eyes if she was ready.

 

Lelia nodded her head slightly.

 

Perhaps out of consideration for the party, the guest room where her uncle and friends stayed was not far from here.

 

Carius, who was looking at the portrait hanging over Lelia’s back for a while, came to his senses after.

 

And he reached out to Lelia.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

 

It was time to go to see Emperor Perseus.

 

Perhaps because of the tension, her hands seemed to be sweating.

 

Last time, she was dressed as a man and greeted the emperor alone as Sir Raymond.

 

But now…

 

Lelia headed to the drawing room together with her uncle, and looked at herself reflected in the glass decoration present in the hallway.

 

Unlike the last time where she changed her hair and eye color with alchemy to conceal her identity, Lelia had complete silver hair.

 

The same was true of the light, green eyes that resembled her mother.

 

“This way.”

The servant, who stopped at the big door, said carefully. Then, he knocked on the door, saying he would inform his Majesty.

 

Creak

Soon the door opened.

 

Lelia held her uncle’s hand tightly and headed inward.

 

It was now reality that she was going to meet the emperor.

 

Lelia slowly walked through the door.

 

“……”

And she encountered Emperor Perseus standing by the window.

 

Standing with his back against the light, he was framed exactly like how she saw him last time.

 

[No, I think he lost a little more weight.]

 

“It’s been a while.”

Carius spoke first. However, Perseus did not turn his gaze away from Lelia.

 

Like a hardened, stone statue, he just stared at Lelia blankly.

 

Carius waited for a while because he could understand what must be going through his mind.

 

It was as if Elizabeth, who died, suddenly had returned alive. It was understandable that he was surprised.

 

“Lelia, I’ll step out for a moment.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

Carius relieved his anxiety at Lelia’s calm attitude. He went out of the drawing room.

 

“… Sit down.”

Perseus, who opened his mouth after a long time, seemed to have barely come to his senses.

 

Lelia sat in the same place as she sat last time. Soon the servant came out from the side.

 

Looking at the steaming teacup, Lelia endured silently without saying anything.

 

Perseus stared at Lelia’s face.

 

However, Lelia, who never paid attention to him, was cold-hearted and sad.

 

“… Lelia.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He barely called her name, but Lelia answered very calmly and looked at him.

 

As if nothing had happened to her; as if she had been ordered.

 

Perseus’ forehead was wrinkled by the attitude.

 

‘How can you do that? How can you look at me and make an expression like everything’s okay? I expected you to cry and be resentful.

 

I knew you would be angry at me for abandoning you like that, and why I didn’t recognize you. I decided that I would accept whatever anger and resentment you poured out…’

 

The expectations were completely wrong.

 

There was no resentment or anger in Lelia’s expression. She had no feelings.

 

“… Do you not blame me?”

 

“I was resentful.”

 

“…”

 

That meant, not anymore.

 

Perseus exhaled with a disastrous look. 

 

His heart was hot, as if it had fallen into hell fire.

 

“When… When did you know this? Since when did you know?”

 

“……”

 

“When did the Duke of Superion let you know about this?”

Lelia took her gaze off the teacup and looked at the emperor.

 

It felt weird. 

 

Unlike last time, was it because she faced Emperor Perseus as her original, perfect self?

She had wondered how it would feel…

 

It wasn’t as bad as she thought.

 

Lelia slowly opened her mouth, looking at Perseus, who had misunderstood.

 

She didn’t want to lie at all. Rather, she wanted to tell him all the facts.

 

The truth.

 

“From the beginning…”

 

“What?”

 

“I knew it from the beginning.”

 

“… From the beginning? If it’s from the beginning…”

Perseus looked as if he didn’t understand.

 

Lelia decided to kindly explain.

“To be exact, I’ve known since I was seven.”

 

“……!!!”

Perseus’ expression hardened with surprise.

 

It was an answer that was wholly unexpected.

 

Having been frozen for a long time, he breathed out roughly. Then, he asked with an angry look, “How? But… Why didn’t you tell me when you first met me? Why?!”

 

“… You thought I was the daughter of Princess Iris. If I suddenly revealed it… Would you have believed me?”

Lelia replied calmly. 

 

Perseus turned red as if he had been ridiculed.

 

Lelia was right. 

 

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed it at all.’

Perseus himself knew how much truth there was in that statement.

 

At that time, there was a great deal of hatred and hostility toward her younger sister, Princess Iris.

 

But… But…!

 

“I wouldn’t have believed it at the time… but if you had continued to grow up in the Imperial Castle, I would have believed it. You have such a similar appearance. I’m sure you noticed!”

 

“……”

It was a forced silence. In order to remain calm as much as possible, Lelia sighed softly.

 

However, it was difficult to maintain her composure at the end of the emperor’s next words.

 

“Why did you run away? Why? It is so dangerous outside the Imperial Castle. At that age, and without fear! What if something happened?!!!”

 

She wasn’t going to respond, she was just going to tell him the facts. 

 

She couldn’t help but laugh at that.

***

Chapter 5

Huge thanks to SKIP_A_BEAT for the kofi!

Bonus chapter (1/1)

Request you all to read the notes in Chapter 127.

My Childhood Friends Are Trying To Kill Me now has extra chapters up on kofi-shop!  Buy them now, only at https://ko-fi.com/rainofsnow/shop ! Tier 1 with 3 advance chaps is for 5$, tier 2 with 7 advance chaps is for 12$, and tier 3 with 10 advance chapters is for 18$~

***

The teacher who instructed Kalix when he was a mercenary always said…

 

“A man must guard and protect a woman, even at the risk of his own life. So, just like before, I can’t accept a request like that from a crazy man asking me to kill his lover, even if he gives me a million dollars. Do you understand?”

 

“Okay, Master.”

 

So he thought women were weaker than men.

 

Of course, after going through a war, he knew that there were so many women who were stronger than men. There were quite a few women among the heroes who made contributions in the war against the dragon.

 

Nevertheless, when he was a mercenary, the words he heard while being clubbed were engraved into his bones.

 

So, without knowing it, he became prejudiced that women seemed weaker than men.

 

No, in the first place, Kalix has lived thinking that all living things are weaker than him. 

 

Because he has never lost to anyone by force.

 

The hero who saved him as a child was an exception.

 

‘But my hero…’

Leo, who saved him, is a woman. 

 

‘How could you do it with that lean body? With that small body that was three years younger than me… How did you save me?’

Kalix laid down with a blank look and looked up at Lelia.

 

The shoulders, arms, and wrists all looked weak. Thin, like they would break if you touch them…

 

‘I can’t believe it…’

 

That hero came close to him with a look as if she was staring at a very pathetic person.

 

Wait. 

 

‘But why are you looking at me so pathetically? What did I do?’

 

While wondering, Lelia warned him.

 

“Just stay tied up like this for a while. I don’t think I can do this.”

 

“Why? Why?”

 

More than that, what is important!

 

“Leo! Then…”

 

“What?”

Kalix answered in a hurry.

 

“Ah, marriage? What about our marriage?

 

‘Isn’t that the most important thing right now? It’s true that I promised.’

 

However, Lelia smiled in vain as if she were dumbfounded.

 

“… Did I ever say I’d marry you in the first place? What kind of marriage is that!”

 

“… Huh?”

 

Lelia looked at Romeo and Griffith and said, “Is there any way to knock him out until we arrive in the capital?”

 

“There is.”

It was Oscar who answered.

 

Turning his head, Oscar pulled out a sword.

 

“No, no. Not killing, but fainting…!”

Lelia reached out her hand as if to calm him down and approached Oscar.

 

***

 

The Imperial Castle began to appear in the distance.

 

“……”

Lelia frowned in a strange mood.

 

Just a while ago, Lelia ran away alone from there while looking at that landscape.

 

Of course, it turned out that Oscar was following secretly. 

 

[Anyway, I thought I would never come back, let alone coming back on my own.

But it’s a must at least once.]

 

Ending the relationship by seeing Emperor Perseus in person.

 

Failure to do this will damage the Duke of Superion.

 

So she had to go in person.

 

She was fortunate that she had friends next to her. She felt reassured as if she had gained thousands of troops.

 

[They’re always the ones who will support me no matter what I do.]

Lelia passed through the capital city with such a firm mind.

 

However, as soon as they passed the capital border, her expression crumpled.

 

There stood knights who, by the emperor’s order, greeted her.

 

“Welcome to the Imperial City. From now on, we will escort you.”

The person who appeared to be the leader said, bending one knee. 

 

The knights of Superion, who accompanied the horses, looked stiff.

 

The emperor’s intention was clear.

 

‘You’re trying to make sure everyone in the capital can see it.’

 

But she didn’t understand why he was doing this. She didn’t really want to understand.

 

“Thank you for the favor, but it’s okay.”

After Lelia firmly refused, they drove the horses forward as they previously were.

 

Like that, the Superion knights took the lead and guided the group to the Imperial Castle.

 

The rejected emperor’s Knights were forced to follow at the end.

 

***

 

With the guidance of the most sincere servants, they were led to stay in the Imperial Castle.

 

Lelia, who entered her room, laughed in vain.

 

The small annex in the Imperial Palace was luxuriously decorated.

 

And there hung a big picture inside…

 

“It’s my mom’s portrait.”

 

It was a portrait that she had never seen before.

 

In the painting, her mother wore colorful clothes and smiled gracefully.

 

It was a smile that looked so happy.

 

It was at that moment she wondered why the painting was hung here.

 

Lelia couldn’t take her eyes off her mother in the picture.

 

After a while, she heard a knock.

 

When allowed to enter, two maids came inside. They spoke very politely, telling her to instruct them on what she needed until she had a dedicated maid.

 

It was Uncle Carius who came after that.

 

“Lelia.”

He asked with his eyes if she was ready.

 

Lelia nodded her head slightly.

 

Perhaps out of consideration for the party, the guest room where her uncle and friends stayed was not far from here.

 

Carius, who was looking at the portrait hanging over Lelia’s back for a while, came to his senses after.

 

And he reached out to Lelia.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

 

It was time to go to see Emperor Perseus.

 

Perhaps because of the tension, her hands seemed to be sweating.

 

Last time, she was dressed as a man and greeted the emperor alone as Sir Raymond.

 

But now…

 

Lelia headed to the drawing room together with her uncle, and looked at herself reflected in the glass decoration present in the hallway.

 

Unlike the last time where she changed her hair and eye color with alchemy to conceal her identity, Lelia had complete silver hair.

 

The same was true of the light, green eyes that resembled her mother.

 

“This way.”

The servant, who stopped at the big door, said carefully. Then, he knocked on the door, saying he would inform his Majesty.

 

Creak

Soon the door opened.

 

Lelia held her uncle’s hand tightly and headed inward.

 

It was now reality that she was going to meet the emperor.

 

Lelia slowly walked through the door.

 

“……”

And she encountered Emperor Perseus standing by the window.

 

Standing with his back against the light, he was framed exactly like how she saw him last time.

 

[No, I think he lost a little more weight.]

 

“It’s been a while.”

Carius spoke first. However, Perseus did not turn his gaze away from Lelia.

 

Like a hardened, stone statue, he just stared at Lelia blankly.

 

Carius waited for a while because he could understand what must be going through his mind.

 

It was as if Elizabeth, who died, suddenly had returned alive. It was understandable that he was surprised.

 

“Lelia, I’ll step out for a moment.”

 

“Yes, uncle.”

Carius relieved his anxiety at Lelia’s calm attitude. He went out of the drawing room.

 

“… Sit down.”

Perseus, who opened his mouth after a long time, seemed to have barely come to his senses.

 

Lelia sat in the same place as she sat last time. Soon the servant came out from the side.

 

Looking at the steaming teacup, Lelia endured silently without saying anything.

 

Perseus stared at Lelia’s face.

 

However, Lelia, who never paid attention to him, was cold-hearted and sad.

 

“… Lelia.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He barely called her name, but Lelia answered very calmly and looked at him.

 

As if nothing had happened to her; as if she had been ordered.

 

Perseus’ forehead was wrinkled by the attitude.

 

‘How can you do that? How can you look at me and make an expression like everything’s okay? I expected you to cry and be resentful.

 

I knew you would be angry at me for abandoning you like that, and why I didn’t recognize you. I decided that I would accept whatever anger and resentment you poured out…’

 

The expectations were completely wrong.

 

There was no resentment or anger in Lelia’s expression. She had no feelings.

 

“… Do you not blame me?”

 

“I was resentful.”

 

“…”

 

That meant, not anymore.

 

Perseus exhaled with a disastrous look. 

 

His heart was hot, as if it had fallen into hell fire.

 

“When… When did you know this? Since when did you know?”

 

“……”

 

“When did the Duke of Superion let you know about this?”

Lelia took her gaze off the teacup and looked at the emperor.

 

It felt weird. 

 

Unlike last time, was it because she faced Emperor Perseus as her original, perfect self?

She had wondered how it would feel…

 

It wasn’t as bad as she thought.

 

Lelia slowly opened her mouth, looking at Perseus, who had misunderstood.

 

She didn’t want to lie at all. Rather, she wanted to tell him all the facts.

 

The truth.

 

“From the beginning…”

 

“What?”

 

“I knew it from the beginning.”

 

“… From the beginning? If it’s from the beginning…”

Perseus looked as if he didn’t understand.

 

Lelia decided to kindly explain.

“To be exact, I’ve known since I was seven.”

 

“……!!!”

Perseus’ expression hardened with surprise.

 

It was an answer that was wholly unexpected.

 

Having been frozen for a long time, he breathed out roughly. Then, he asked with an angry look, “How? But… Why didn’t you tell me when you first met me? Why?!”

 

“… You thought I was the daughter of Princess Iris. If I suddenly revealed it… Would you have believed me?”

Lelia replied calmly. 

 

Perseus turned red as if he had been ridiculed.

 

Lelia was right. 

 

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed it at all.’

Perseus himself knew how much truth there was in that statement.

 

At that time, there was a great deal of hatred and hostility toward her younger sister, Princess Iris.

 

But… But…!

 

“I wouldn’t have believed it at the time… but if you had continued to grow up in the Imperial Castle, I would have believed it. You have such a similar appearance. I’m sure you noticed!”

 

“……”

It was a forced silence. In order to remain calm as much as possible, Lelia sighed softly.

 

However, it was difficult to maintain her composure at the end of the emperor’s next words.

 

“Why did you run away? Why? It is so dangerous outside the Imperial Castle. At that age, and without fear! What if something happened?!!!”

 

She wasn’t going to respond, she was just going to tell him the facts. 

 

She couldn’t help but laugh at that.

***

Chapter 6