Hana remembers is hugging Arion before she heard the scream and felt her body being pushed down. Luckily, she was able to protect Arion so that he didn't get hurt.
When Hana turned her head to see what had happened, she was speechless. Someone protecting her from the dagger attack.
"Emily?" Hana whispered in a trembling voice as she saw that the dagger now deep in Emily's abdomen, bleeding profusely.
Arion gasped in horror, 'Why did she end up protecting us?'
His gaze was a little unfocused due to the amount of Emily's blood coming out. The sight reminded him of his old body. He felt sick just remembering it.
Eric tried to approach Hana but fell to his knees as his balance faltered. His breathing sounded labored. He cursed himself for being weak.
Just a little bit of magic had this kind of effect, what if he released more? His body wouldn't be able to take it.
Dean's figure walked over with a look full of irritation that he directed at Emily, who was slowly kneeling, clutching her badly injured stomach.
Dean snorted in annoyance, "Pesky old hag."
Noam, Zane and Rose, who hadn't expected an attack, froze stiffly. Their eyes were still wide as they stared at Hana and Emily, then at Dean as he walked over.
Before Dean could get any closer to them, Emily let out a bolt of lightning to stop him. She coughed up a little blood from overexertion this time.
Dean stopped with an unhappy expression on his face, "So you finally found the courage to betray? How annoying," He snorted in annoyance.
"I never agreed to give you my loyalty." Emily hissed sharply.
Dean snorted lightly, "How arrogant." He pulled out another dagger and twirled it around to make Noam and the others more alert.
Dean hummed, "Where's Nova?''
The question made the kids gasp in surprise, especially Hana, Eric and Arion. Did it mean that Nova was okay and had escaped?
Emily snorted, "What an idiot," Her mocking remark was loud enough for all to hear.
"What did you say?" Herris roared in disgust. He was still trying to overcome the combination of Eric's magic and sword attacks that had managed to temporarily paralyze him. He was currently on his knees, unable to resist the effects of the stun and the paralyzing magic.
Emily gave a small smile as she stared intently at Dean, "You three are so stupid.''
Dean clicked his tongue in annoyance, "So annoying."
"Stay away from her!"
Suddenly, Hana jumped in front of Emily with Arion in her arms, trying to stop Dean from approaching her. She gritted her teeth as she glared at Dean.
Arion wanted so much to groan in frustration at his sister's careless actions, 'Why are you protecting him all of a sudden? That's so careless!'
Dean stopped with an astonished raised eyebrow, "Oh? I'm sorry I didn't see the little princess next to the servant," He mocked with a small smile that managed to make Hana even more annoyed.
Dean just nodded indifferently before turning his attention to his other companion. He snorted in amusement when he saw the state of the two.
"Hans, you look pathetic." Dean taunted him with an amused smile. Come on, they were adults. How could he humiliate himself by being defeated by a child?
Hans growled angrily, "It's all because of that damn boy!" He shouted unacceptably.
Dean snorted in amusement before looking at his other companion, "You too, Herris?"
"Shut up! I don't need your comments!" Herris shouted angrily. He slowly began to get to his feet, though he was still unsteady. He looked angrily at Eric, who looked at him in shock.
Nevertheless, Eric stood up and pointed his sword at Herris. Blue sparks of lightning could be seen on his sword again, although his whole body was in pain now.
Arion frowned worriedly, 'He doesn't look good.'
Although it was barely noticeable, Arion could tell that Eric's legs were shaking slightly as he got back to his feet. Even his breath was slightly shaky as he let out a spark of blue lightning from his sword.
Dean whistled in admiration, "Very good. His magic has already awakened at such a young age. I'm surprised."
He remembered that the boys were still 5 years old. Either because Eric was a genius, or because his magic awakening was triggered by the adrenaline rush of all the fighting.
In fact, Dean couldn't wait to test the boy's blue lightning magic. But when he saw that Herris had a huge murderous appetite for the boy, Dean decided to give in. He was too lazy to deal with a partner who had no brains and only muscles.
So Dean changed his target to the other boy. He wanted to see if their fight could cause one of the kids to awaken his magic. He couldn't wait to try.
Dean twisted his two daggers with a maniacal smirk. Without warning, he lunged at Hana, who seemed unable to protect herself with her hands full of Arion.
Unable to react, Rose's hands were again full with the other 2 babies as Noam and Zane quickly put their sibling down before blocking Dean from Hana.
"Rose, take care of these three! We'll take care of him!" Zane shouted before joining Noam in attacking Dean.
Rose groaned in frustration, but there was nothing she could do. Finally, with three babies in her arms, she decided to approach Hana.
Hana believed that Noam and Zane could handle Dean, so she decided to knelt in front of her and looked her straight in the eye.
"Why are you protecting me, Emily?" Hana asked seriously when Emily didn't even look at her. She looked down, her hand still trying to pull the dagger out of her stomach.
"I don't know... My body moved on its own..." Emily replied a little hesitantly. She groaned in pain as she managed to pull the dagger out of her stomach, not caring about the blood that poured out.
Hana frowned worriedly, "Weren't you the one who said you had your own priorities? Something more important than this kingdom?"
Emily chuckled sadly, "Those words made me forget something else."
Her eyes began to glaze over as she bit her lip so hard that blood oozed out. Hana was speechless at Emily's devastated expression.
Rose stepped up beside Hana, struggling to keep the 3 babies in her arms, "Hana, we have to get out of here."
Hana grimaced and looked at Rose pleadingly, "Just a minute, Rose. I want to hear the reason."
At first, Rose wanted to protest. But seeing the conviction in Hana's eyes made her curious about what was really going on. Why did Hana believe so strongly that Emily would tell her anything?
"My daughter and granddaughter..." Emily's muttered words made them both look back at her. Rose glanced back to check the situation before kneeling down next to Hana. Her hands were beginning to hurt from carrying the three babies.
"What's wrong with them?" Hana asked gently, as if trying to give Emily the courage to tell her.
Emily's expression softened before hardening with anger, "Those bastards are using them as a threat if I don't bend to their will."
Hana and Rose looked at each other before focusing on Emily again, "Where are they now?" Rose asked seriously.
"Where their boss is. And I don't know where he is," Her words made Rose frown in surprise and a little suspicious.
"Then how did you meet her boss?" Rose asked sarcastically, which was met with a gentle elbow from Hana.
Emily shook her head slowly, "He comes to my house whenever he wants. He tells me whatever he wants and if I don't comply, he kills my daughter and granddaughter."
She remembered how it all began. Emily returned home as usual. But what she found in her house was not a warm welcome from her daughter and granddaughter. Instead, there was a scary-looking man with several other men following him.
At first she was angry and wanted to attack him, especially after one of the men showed her proof that the men had taken her daughter and granddaughter hostage. But she couldn't fight back. Not without endangering their lives.
Inevitably, Emily had to obey them. She didn't even have the chance to secretly ask her king and queen for help.
Rose nodded understandingly, "So that's why you're on their side."
"They are the only ones I have now. I can't lose them," Emily murmured softly.
"Then what made you change your mind?" Hana's question made Emily chuckle sadly before she looked at Hana gently.
"Princess, even though the time we spent together was short, you are still someone precious to me."
Emily's statement left Hana speechless with shock. Rose remained silent, wanting to let them speak freely.
Emily began to sob as tears began to flow from her eyes, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Princess..."
Hana shook her head gently before taking hold of Emily's trembling hand. She wanted to say something, but no sound came out of her mouth. She was still confused and surprised.
Rose sighed resignedly, "Let's stay here and treat the wound."
Hana looked at her in surprise, "You want to help, Rose?"
Rose gave her a flat look, "I may seem callous. But I'm not so cruel now that I know the truth."
Hearing her words, Hana smiled softly, "Thank you, Rose."
Seeing Emily about to protest, Rose immediately cut her off sharply, "Shut up and play along. Can't you see my hands are full?"
Hana giggled, "Let me help."
Emily could only remain silent as she watched Hana take Seth from Rose's arms. There was great strength in their small bodies, especially in their hearts.
Emily smiled a little. It seemed that she had underestimated these children. This time she wanted to believe in them.