I Became the Black Swan Mother of the White Swan Princess

As soon as we entered the boundaries of the winter palace, Haniels expression darkened rapidly, like she had a rain cloud that was only over her head.

The flapping wings that had risen up when saying Teacher Darrens name fell flat, and her two webbed feet that had been rolling excitedly were gathered properly and stretched out to the side.

B-baby. What are you going to do if youre already like this!

[..Mommyy.]

Thats it. For now, lets go back home first and

Go back where?

Rashid, returning from the Pavilion, approached us suddenly.

Since when were you outside!

As I hadnt sensed anyone nearby, I was pretty surprised.

Leaving as soon as you came?

.Your, Your Highness.

As hurried as I was, I tried to greet him properly, but it was unsatisfactory since I had Haniel in my arms. When I stood there unable to do anything with an already frozen child in my arms, Rashid shook his head first.

Never mind, that kind of thing.

But.

Even without Haniel here, I already had complicated feelings in my heart about confronting him. Maybe because I was still a bit stuck on what happened that time hed come to the villa, it wasnt easy to face Rashid.

What, what might you be asking of me? As Ive said countless times before, theres nothing more to squeeze out from me.

I did not ask you to do anything.

I will be the one doing something.

Just how diligently was he planning to squeeze something out of me?

Contrary to how nervous I was, feeling like I was already being juiced, Rashid leisurely left us, as if he was going to make a declaration of war.

How fiercely did he turn and walk that I wondered who in the world it was that had touched my cheek.

Thats how starved I mustve been.

To be blunt, it wasnt like wed kissed, or even hugged; all that hed done was lightly put his hand on my cheek.

Since I had become a widow the moment I opened my eyes to this second life, it was probable that I had this kind of side effect. I had seen many a side character who deluded themselves over something like this and got mixed up, ruining their lives in the end.

.and whats wrong with you?

No. Its nothing.

Anyhow, what was with that man seeming so okay.

Of course, I hadnt thought that he would explain what happened that day, but Rashid was extremely calm.

As if he had lived like this his entire life, the way he stood there with his hands in his silver coat pockets just oozed off ease from his entire body.

Though that in itself was irritating too.

..Catherine.

Oh. Ye-es. This child over here is my real child. You saw her last time, but.

I know.

Reina.

The short call of her name made my heart drop with a thud.

He hadnt even called my name, so why would I

I tried my best to focus solely on Haniel without being conscious of him anymore, but I wasnt sure why I was so senselessly acting like this.

.Didnt you say she was Reina before?

Oh, yes. Youre right!

So continuous repetition was the way to go, even if you were blind and deaf.

Unexpectedly moved, I nodded my head.

I kind of knew this man now, and the fact that he had remembered the name of a bird was at par with the achievement of knocking down a few well-sized countries.

I hastily tickled Haniels neck to convince her to look at her own brother.

Isnt that right, Reina?

[No. Not Haniel. Not Reina too. Mommys daughter. Im foweva mommys daughter.]

.Oh, oh my.

Haniel had become frozen solid into a robot the moment shed faced Rashid, and she entered a state of unconditional negativity.

Perhaps because she thought wed come so I could return her to her brother, she only shook her head denying everything automatically.

[No. No. Not Haniel. Im mommys daughter!]

..This is, I mean, no. Whats happening now, child?

Even Rashid, who hadnt been interfering until now, approached with an expression that showed how strange he found this situation. That only made Haniel whip her head into harder shakes, but as a spectator he seemed to find this funny.

I thought you said her guards gone down completely; did something happen on your way here?

Well, about that.

Its cause we came to your house, thank you very much.

Swallowing a lump in my throat, I wrapped up Haniels head into the palm of my hand gently. Thinking that it might be better for her if she couldnt see him, I was using it as a temporary solution, but I did not expect the side effect that it would produce.

I cant see her.

As much as he couldnt see Haniel, he took one step forward towards us.

Even just the sound of her brothers footsteps made our princesss eyelids tremble, squeezed shut as they were.

And whats the problem now?

[Mo-mommy. Empwer bwother, sword, sword is scawy!]

Haniel panted as she felt the ringing of the sword that even I hadnt recognized.

As she had the body of an animal, she may have been more sensitive to sound, but certainly Rashids sword was threatening as it towered much bigger than the size of a child.

[When bwother takes out sword, scawy! Eyes hurt! Huehh.]

.Your Highness, if, if you could

What?

Unlike us mother and daughter, now deadly pale, Rashid looked down on his own body, clueless.

At this rate, this will be the death of this child.