That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Goblin Girl Chapter 21

I was concerned by what my grandfather said, but there was nothing I could do but wait and see what happened next. The rest of the party went by in a flash, as I did pass out several times during it. Each time that I woke up, I found someone new in front of me.

For the moments that I was awake, there were many nobles coming over and greeting me. Some tried to offer large presents for me while others offered to have their children become my playmates. I could tell that none of them saw me as a person. They saw me as a way to get closer to my grandfather. Though with each attempt, grandfather turned them down. There was talk about buying me a bunch of toys and dresses, but I was too tired to care.

When I woke up for the fourth time, I found myself lying on the couch in my grandfather’s office, underneath a fluffy blanket. Curious, I looked around to see my grandfather and the king talking with one another.

“Kayden, are you insane? To make a decision like this without even telling me beforehand,” the king said, using grandfather’s name.

“If I had told you, then you would have never agreed. I had to do this, and I didn’t lie to you about the truth.” Despite talking to the king, my grandfather stood his ground. I could tell that they were arguing about something, yet I didn’t know what.

“Of course, I wouldn’t have agreed to it. What were you even thinking? How could you bring three children from a goblin village back with you,” the king said to my surprise, revealing that he knew about where we came from.

“Goblins are nothing more than savage monsters. You know that better than anyone else. After everything that they’ve done to your family, this is an insult to them. It would have been better to kill them on the spot like all the other goblins.”

“At the time, they were believed to be elves. Killing them would have only harmed our teetering relationship with them. But seeing what I learned, you can’t say that what I did was wrong,” my grandfather said back to the king, causing my heart to start to race. The king knew that I was a goblin. There was no way that he would let me live.  We were all in danger! “She had Illya’s pendant; you know the significance that it has to my family.”

“She is my flesh and blood, yet I kill her mother, Illya’s daughter, my granddaughter, without even a moment’s thought. I’ve committed the worst crime of them all, murdering my own family. You of all people understand the weight of killing a family member.”

“For that, I mourn for you, but the fact is still there,” the king said, sounding sympathetic. “This girl is a goblin, and the other two you mentioned are as well. I don’t know how they managed to change their skin color or even their eye color, but that doesn’t change what they are. They are monsters, working for the demons.” The king sounded cold, and the warm expression that I saw on his face before was gone. Demons? There were demons in this world?

“They are children,” grandfather said, refuting the king. “Even if you don’t count Illya, the other two have done nothing wrong. Neither of them seems to be anything more than little girls. They’re innocent. Goblins are raised to be savage, which means they can also be raised to be civilized.”

“Innocent? Am I hearing you correctly? Innocent after they murdered your father, your brother, your firstborn son, and even defiled your daughter. Stop talking lunacy and accept the facts for what they are. They can’t be raised as humans! The king sounded furious, and hearing what he just said, it really was a miracle that I was still alive. My people have harmed him this much, yet he harmed me. Was there really such a thing as a right or wrong side to be on? Each side took lives from the other; there were nothing but victims.

“Then what do you expect me to do? Kill them? The other two are just children, and she is Illya’s granddaughter. They had no part in what happened to my family. We were at war. My father, brother, and son knew that and accepted their fate like any other soldier of this kingdom. You cannot expect me to kill them. I won’t kill her, even if you order me to.”

“You’re willing to commit treason over a goblin?” The king drew his sword and placed it against the side of my grandfather’s neck, terrifying me. Would he die because of me too? No! I couldn’t let that happen. He needed to stay alive so that he could suffer for what he did to my mother and uncle. He needed to survive so we could be a family!

“Wahhh! Wahhhh!! Wahhhhhh~!!!!” I began to cry, terrified that I would lose yet another person. Was my fate just to suffer? How was any of this fair?

“She is just a baby. Babies are born without sin, and she has the right to grow up like any other child. If you want to take my life, then so be it, but if you do, then it will be your job to look after her. You can tell by looking in her eyes that she isn't like other goblins.”

“…Sigh~, you never make things easy for me,” the king said, sheathing his sword as his voice lost the malice it just had. Though I still couldn’t help but be scared of him. He allowed my grandfather to pick me up and hold me in his arms so that my crying would cease.

Wait… was he not going to kill me? Was this some sort of test? I don’t understand why the king gave up so easily. Was this just a trick to give me a false sense of security?

“You're right. She is just a child,” the king said, sitting across from my grandfather, looking at me in the eyes. “But she is also a goblin. That fact can’t change. If she was a half-goblin, there might be a way to justify taking care of her but seeing how she is your great-granddaughter, that means she is more goblin than human. No one will accept her.”

“I know that,” grandfather said, sitting down and bouncing me on his knee. “But I can’t abandon her. She has nowhere else to go. I’m the only family she has. I have to protect her. I have to protect her legacy.”

“If that is your desire, then I won’t stop you,” the king said, sounding as if he wanted to support my grandfather but couldn’t. “Though eventually, rumors about her origins will come into question. The way that your nephew Damien acted today is more than enough proof that one-day people will find out she’s a goblin. Rumors will spread, and while it may not affect you, it will affect her. She will face many threats.”

“Then I will protect her,” grandfather said, clearly not understanding what the king meant.

“No, you won’t. You can’t protect her from everything without taking away her freedom. Knowing you, that isn’t possible.” The king was right. While my grandfather's words were kind, there was no way that he could always be there to protect me. It was impossible. “There is only one method that I can think of to help her, and that is the witches. Amongst the allied races, witches don’t discriminate against any side. They will help so long as they receive what they desire.”

“The witches have already shown their interest in this one,” my grandfather said, pulling out my bag with the potions that Lilith had made for me. “Lilith Haze was the one that provided these girls with these potions. The smaller vials change eye colors, and we recently discovered that a large vial is able to change one’s skin color. Half-goblins would easily be mistaken as half-elves if it wasn’t for their green skin. This potion achieves that. Based on what I've found out so far, there should be enough for three years between the three of them. Long story short, Lilith knew that this would happen. She knew that Illya would come with me.”

“Hmm, and not to ask anything in return. Lilith was always a crafty one. I wonder what she is planning this time?” Wait, the king knew Lilith as well. Just who was she? “Hmm, it is concerning that she is still doing as she wishes, but this has given you some time. I will help you think of a plan for later on. Please do your best not to upset anything during this time. Your announcement of replacing your heir today will not sit well with your vassals. Damien will use everything in his power to take back that position from her.”

“I understand that,” grandfather said, sounding confident. “Though try as he might, he won’t succeed. Everything that he has ever accomplished was because he used my own resources. He has no true merits to show because of his wealth. There is no need to worry about that.”

“Careful, my friend, that confidence will lead you to many problems in the future. You must be certain that you are making the right decision.” Once again, the king was right, my grandfather, while he may be a calm and confidant man, had his faults, and the orphanage was one of them. Hopefully, I can survive whatever comes my way.

“It is getting late,” the king said, rising to his feet. “More can be discussed at a later date. Until then, I wish you a proper farewell. You do not need to both see me out. My carriage is already waiting in the front.”

“Thank you, your majesty, I will be sure to request an audience with you soon,” grandfather said, watching the king leave. “As for you, you were very brave today. I promise that everything will be alright. And I promise that I will protect you. No one will ever harm you again.”

“My grandfather cradle me in his arms, slowly lulling me to sleep. My trials awaited me in this new life, and I would do everything in my power to make sure that I survive.