27 Lost Children II

In the end, Seraphine decided to follow Eric and agreed to have Clement guide them around the tunnels.

At first, she was torn between not trusting him and fearing for his life. If he did try to betray them, he would be joining Clifford at the doorstep of death. She really didn't want any more bloodbath, and she was still concerned for her fellow orphan despite everything. But fortunately, none of what she was afraid of had happened.

Clement neither did any backstabbing nor got beheaded by Eric - he did as he promised.

"Freedommm...!!!"

As soon as they got out of the underground and arrived in what seemed to be a forest, Seraphine could not help but be so relieved that she ended up shouting that out.

Both Eric and Clement were taken aback to find her brightening up and cheering in high spirits. She merely even stepped out of the tunnel, but she was already this ecstatic and thrilled. With her beaming like that, she could practically light up the whole town that was awaiting them beyond these woods.

Even the glowing moon above the night sky could not rival the brilliance of her smile.

"So, ummm... Where are we, by the way?" Seraphine then asked, dropping her exuberant display at once.

"We're at the safest place that the tunnel can lead us to - or at least, this is the safest one I know. This is near to a barony," Clement answered as he began navigating through the forest with the two of them in tow.

"A barony...? Whose barony is it?"

"Baron Helios Carmina."

She felt like she heard that name somewhere.

It then took her a moment longer before she recalled that this Baron was the one who adopted Historia during her previous lifetime - Helios was supposed to be her adopted father had Ferdinand not beat him to it. Her eyes widened in surprise and enlightenment at that realization. She couldn't help but think that destiny was pulling its strings again.

'But then, this is not so bad either. So what if this is Baron Carmina's territory? Not like Historia is here or anything...' Seraphine found herself pondering before turning to take a look at Eric.

'In fact, it's a good thing that Clement chose this place. As far as I remember, Baron Carmina is a good man despite having a terrible adopted daughter. He is compassionate towards orphans, and he is generous towards those in need. Perhaps, if I entrust Eric to him, he can help him return to the palace.'

Of course, she's not about to give him to just anyone out there. Whether they're knights from the castle or affiliated with the imperial family, she can't trust them right away. He might get abducted, led astray or taken advantage of again, after all. She needs to entrust him to someone who she is sure can help him.

Thinking that Eric deserves all the care and protection he needs, Seraphine unconsciously reaches out her hand and pats him on the head - a gesture she is starting to get used to at this point.

"Seraphine?" he blurted out in surprise.

"Let's get you back home now, okay...?" she said, making him stiffen all of the sudden.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Eric?"

"What if I say I don't wanna go back?"

"Huh?"

"I don't want to go back, and above all, I don't want to be apart from you."

Seraphine came to a standstill after hearing what Eric said, not expecting this development at all.