If it's to become my favorite stepmother, I'll gladly do a fake marriage! [Main story complete] - Chapter 20
The circus began with a captivating show, including cute dogs, jugglers, an acrobat on a large ball, and even a massive elephant, filling the tent with excitement.
The main attraction of this circus was a monstrous creature jumping through a ring of fire. Water Leon, a lion-like creature with blue fur but weak against fire, appeared in a cage with iron bars. The person pushing the cage was an adult with animal ears, clearly marked as a slave by the collar he wore. The fact that he had not received the Sacrament of Adulthood, retaining his beastly nature, indicated discrimination, as such individuals often struggled to find regular jobs and often turned to slavery or dangerous makeshift work.
Brigid couldn’t help but frown at this sight. She was uncomfortable with this custom, given her memories from before her reincarnation.
(Now that I think about it, the reason Nisha was killed as a villain was because she formed an organization to unite people who couldn’t receive the Sacrament of Adulthood.)
Nisha nervously twitched her ears but likely didn’t understand the full context yet.
However, Brigid softened her expression when she looked at the lovely Nisha.
(But I won’t let history repeat itself. I’ll make sure things are different for Nisha Kyun.)
“Mom, look! It’s starting!” Nisha pointed to the stage, capturing Brigid’s attention.
Diarmid was slightly taken aback by Brigid’s worried expression as she looked down at Nisha.
A ring of fire was ignited in the center of the stage, the glowing orange flames crackling. Brigid and the others in the front row grew tense as they watched.
The slaves trembled as they opened Water Leon’s cage. The creature, wearing a collar similar to the slaves, roared loudly and attempted to attack them. A powerful slave armed with a magic whip intervened, causing Water Leon to cower and approach the ring of fire.
The audience erupted in cheers at this display.
(That’s in bad taste…)
Brigid sighed and looked at Nisha, who appeared frightened and was looking up at her with desperate eyes. Brigid comfortingly hugged Nisha’s shoulders.
“It’s alright.”
“Yeah.”
Nisha leaned closer to Brigid, seeking comfort.
The sound of the whip cracking echoed through the tent. However, inexplicably, the whip, which should have been aimed at the ring of fire, was directed toward the audience seating area. Water Leon, instead of attacking the fire, gazed helplessly at the audience.
Brigid checked on Nisha and then snorted at the situation. Water Leon, noticing Brigid amidst the audience, suddenly began barking loudly and charged toward them.
The audience panicked, standing up with frightened screams that contradicted their earlier mockery.
Brigid immediately picked up Nisha, and Nisha clung to her tightly. Brigid tried to make her way to the exit, but the panicking audience was creating a domino effect that blocked their path.
Brigid decided to head toward the stage, thinking they could escape through the wings and out the back door. However, for some reason, Water Leon fixated on Brigid and her group, relentlessly pursuing them.
(Why us?)
Water Leon chased after Brigid while she held Nisha. When they attempted to escape through the stage wings, they encountered a large obstacle that prevented their passage.
(What do I do? There’s no way out!)
Water Leon closed in, preparing to attack Brigid as she stopped.
(This is strange. Why are they only targeting us? What’s the difference between us and the other customers?)
Suddenly, Brigid realized something.
(This is it! The artificial flowers that smell like roses! No one else is wearing them except me. I remember that cat monsters are attracted to the scent of roses.)
“You want this, don’t you!?” Brigid hurled the artificial flowers that the clown had given her, aiming them at Water Leon.
The scent and pepper from the flowers hit the monster’s nose, causing it to recoil and sniff the fallen artificial flowers. It then looked at Brigid with gentler eyes.
It roared and raised its front legs, appearing ready to strike. Brigid shielded Nisha with her back, unable to fight while holding her.
(We’ll be done for!)
As Brigid had that terrifying thought, warm droplets splattered onto her back. There was a heavy thud, and the metallic scent of blood permeated the air, along with a cloudy blue liquid.
“Ah…”
Nisha pointed her finger over Brigid’s back, and Brigid turned toward the direction Nisha was indicating.