Julia Areta couldn’t believe it.

‘How can you be so pitiful…!’

Lindel’s arms, which were like a symbol of a strong knight, had become so thin that they looked as if they would break if struck.

Her dynamic muscles, which Julia loved so much, had already disappeared.

‘Our poor Lindel!’

It felt like she could picture the hardships Lindel had gone through without even having seen it, and Julia felt like she was going to cry right away if she relaxed her eyes.

The memory of that day was still vivid.

Julia was 12 years old.

She met Lindel for the first time in the middle of the street.

That day was like fate for Julia.

The beginning was very ordinary. It was a common story about the daughter of a noble family who, unable to overcome her boredom, wandered around the streets alone, ignoring the workers, and was caught by some bad thugs.

The funny thing is that even though it was an empire with such good security, there was no trace of where all the guards were.

People passed by, pretending not to notice the girl in danger, and Julia was half-frightened by this crisis she was experiencing for the first time in her life.

And it was Lindel who then appeared.

‘Hey, big guy. Don’t you think you’re a lousy dog ​​for picking on a child?’

Lindel, who was only half a span taller than her, stood in front of Julia.

Lindel’s back, carrying a rugged wooden sword on her shoulder, looked exactly like the hero from a storybook.

It was enough to light a fire in the little girl’s heart.

Lindel even won with ease against adults with bigger stomachs, so it was natural that Julia was even more charmed by her.

‘Be careful. You seem like a rich lady, but it’s dangerous to walk around in such a place with such flashy clothes.’

Lindell at the time was dressed like a commoner and her speech was crude.

Julia fell in love that day.

‘I want to be like that too!’

After that day, Julia followed Lindel’s lead. 

Even though she wanted to approach and talk to Lindel, it was hard to stand by her because of her shy personality. 

Julia didn’t give up and hovered around Lindel. 

How is it possible that just looking at Lindel, gave Julia strong motivation? Although Lindel did not recognize her passionate gaze, Julia still liked her. 

‘Why are you always staring at Lady Bache?’

In the meantime, a man called her brother always said something mean, but it was not Julia’s business. 

‘Stop hiding from Lindel. Go out and find the kids who like you.’

‘Anyways, you’re stubborn.’

‘Ah! Go away!’

Those were the days when Julia admired Lindel like a sunflower looking at the sun.

Then one day, Julia heard a story that struck her like a thunderbolt out of the blue.

On a rainy night, the story the stern-faced Cassius told after returning from the Imperial Palace was such a terrible one.

‘You might die.’

Cassius always had a smile on his face, but that day even he had stopped smiling.

Since then, Julia paid close attention to news concerning Lindel.

While she was looking forward to the day when she would become Lindel’s strength, Julia finally got the chance to meet her.

She will definitely be crumbling.

Julia dared to expect that someone so strong would be in a precarious situation since she had lost everything and was in a situation that was no different from being imprisoned.

However, Julia’s idol remained strong.

“What do you mean, forgiveness? Thank you for coming here despite your busy schedule.”

Julia was awestruck.

How can someone like this exist?

Far from being precarious, Lindel was warmly embracing those around her.

Her unique kindness still had a strong will and did not break in the slightest.

Cassius was also admiring her appearance.

‘She is like an unbreakable bamboo. She doesn’t hesitate to lift her sword against the strong, and she doesn’t hesitate to give her knees to the weak. In this world where deceitful people prevail, I have never seen such an upright person. So I think she should be empress.’

Before coming here, Cassius told Julia his thoughts.

Given how much the Emperor is shaken, that shows even more how much he needs her.

Cassius, who had said that with an anxious face, looked relieved when he saw Lindel now. He realized that his choice was not wrong.

Julia’s heart was filled with joy at seeing Lindel so dazzling.

However, because of that, she felt even more heart-wrenching sadness.

‘Why are you so thin!’

“Rice. “Are you hungry?”

That was how this unexpected situation came about.

* * * 

“My Lady, try this, too.” 

“That’s enough-” 

“There you go. Go get me some more raspberry sauce. My Lady, your hands have stopped. Go ahead and keep eating.” 

A row of dishes with a fragrant smell and salty taste came up to the table. 

When I first sat at the table, my heart was beating more than ever at the sight in front of me, but now my heart was beating in a different sense. 

“I can’t eat anymore. I still have dessert left.” 

I didn’t know those words would be so scary. 

Cassius, who had already finished his meal a long time ago, was looking at us and smiling affectionately. 

‘Don’t just smile! Help me, you punk!’ 

Stop your sister!