That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Goblin Girl Chapter 27 (Patreon)

“How is she?” I heard my grandfather ask in my half-asleep state, unable to move after exhausting myself so much.

“She’s fine. She cried herself to sleep in my arms,” the queen said back to him, sitting next to me.

I could feel her gently move my hair out of my face. “To think that she react so violently, she must have been through a lot.”

“Sigh. I really am a pathetic excuse of a human being. Her suffering is my fault. I never thought that the events of that day would linger in the farthest corner of her memories. I’m sure that Edward told you more than enough.”

I was right, the king did tell the queen. There was no way that he could keep this from his wife. Though why was she this kind if she knew the truth?

“You killed her mother and her people. Some would say that it’s a cruel act that you let her live. And I agree. The pain and torment she witnessed will stay with her forever.”

I felt her hand tense up over my head, almost as if she truly felt sad for me.

“Though I can’t say that you made the wrong choice.”

“What?” My grandfather sounded surprised by the queen's words, and so was I.

“You took her in and raised her with love. You did not let what she is define her. You loved her for who she is.”

Was that really alright, though? Despite the king and queen knowing my secret, how many others will act the same way? How many others will see past my green skin?

“She’s my great-granddaughter, my family.”

“If that’s the case, you must tell her the truth.”

“It’s not time yet.”

The air started to feel cold, and I soon found myself shivering.

“Not time yet? I have seen those maids. You’ve been using less of that potion on them than Illya. Their green skin is already showing under their sleeves. It’s only a matter of time now. I’m certain that you have already discussed this with my husband, Edward. No matter what you try to do, you can’t keep her from the truth.”

“Nggh~.” I could feel the air getting colder as her tone became harsher. Was she doing this?

“… Oh my, I’m sorry, sweetie!” the queen said in an apologetic tone, tightening the blanket around me to keep me warm, as the temperature around me started to go back to normal.

“I lost control of myself for a second there, but what I said is true. Illya is hurting because of wounds she doesn’t know she has. It is the job of parents and guardians to protect our children, but we can’t protect them forever.”

“For her to work past this wound, you need to tell her the truth sooner rather than later. If you don’t, I’ll just have to take her away for myself,” she said, kissing me on my forehead, making me blush.

I couldn’t tell what to think about the queen. She scared me because she knew my secret, but she still treated me with kindness. How was I supposed to feel?

“What do you mean by that?”

My grandfather sounded defensive, by her statement, like he actually thought she was being serious.

“Well, who better to protect this poor baby than the queen? I most certainly hide anything from her, and I’m sure that she will have more fun with me than some grumpy old man.”

Wait… the queen liked me? She actually liked me?

“She isn’t going anywhere. This is her home!” Grandfather yelled, as I slowly began to open my eyes.

“Good. That is the attitude you should have for her. Now I think I should leave the two of you to talk,” she said, noticing my eyes were open now. “Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll see you in the morning.”

The queen gave me another kiss on the head before making her way to the door. Before she left, I saw her whisper something to grandfather's ear.

“Grandpa?”

“Illya, it’s okay sweetie, grandpa is here,” he said, making his way closer to me, holding my hand,

“Grandpa, I’m a monster, aren’t I?” I didn’t want to hide that I knew everything from him. I didn’t want him to hate me.

“Illya…” I could see his pained expression as he said my name. He put on a smile to comfort me, but it didn’t.

“Illya, did you know that your mommy was one of the bravest women I ever met.”

No, please, don’t. Don’t make me remember, please.

I could feel the tears start to flow out of my eyes as he talked.

“She protected you until the very end and kept you safe. Illya, you will learn this one day, whether I tell you or not, but it’s better that you hear this from me. Illya, you, as well as Tully and Sola, are goblins.”

“We’re monsters. We don’t deserv to wive,” I said, thinking back to what Justin said. There was no reason I should be here.

“No. Illya, you do deserve to live,” he said, caressing my cheek. “No matter what you are, you don’t deserve to die.”

“Grandpa, I scared. I don’t… I don’t want to be a monster!”

I couldn’t handle it. I just wanted a peaceful life, but no matter what, I could never escape the fact that I was a monster.

“Shh~. It’s alright. I promise you have nothing to fear. No one will ever harm you, not as long as I still breathe.”

I couldn’t say anything in response. I just wanted to believe that it was true. I just wanted to forget about the pain.

A few days passed since then, but I was not allowed out of my room. Grandfather didn’t want me to overexert myself. I understood that he was trying his best to help, but I didn’t want to stay couped up here forever.

Though having this time, I was able to calm myself down. It still hurt, but at least I was able to stop crying.

“Illya? Would your princess like tea?” Sophia asked as we once again played with my dolls. She had been coming down to play with me whenever she could.

It was nice, almost as if I had a friend. Though I kept myself from thinking that I could be friends with her. It doesn’t matter how she treats me now, because everything will change when she discovers that I’m a goblin.

“She would, thank you,” I said, allowing her to pour a fake cup of tea for my doll.

“Would you mind if this little princess had a cup of tea as well?” the queen asked, walking into my room with something behind her back. “I’m sure that she’s very thirsty after what she’s been through.

To my surprise, the queen brought out the doll that Justin had destroyed. I couldn’t believe it.

My hands trembled as she knelt down, handing her to me.

“I did my best to fix her, I hope that you like it.” The queen's words were soft and gentle. Whenever I saw her, I couldn’t help but want her to hold me. Was this my longing for a mother?

The goblin doll that Justin had destroyed was finally back in my hands, and she looked better than ever. The queen was humble about it, but there were no signs of damage, and even her dress had been elegantly embroidered. She was beautiful.

“…T-thank you.” I could barely bring myself to thank her, embracing my doll in my arms.

“It’s alright. There is truly no need to thank me,” she said, wiping a small tear forming in my eye. “I am sorry for what happened, and I think that there is someone else that would like to apologize if you are willing to let him.”

The prince nervously walked out from behind the queen, making me hold onto my doll even tighter. I didn’t want him to harm her again.

“I’m… sorry…” the prince mumbled, looking at the ground. His face was red from embarrassment, but I didn’t care. I knew he didn’t mean it, just like last time.

“Justin, if you say it like that, Illya won’t understand that you’re sincere this time,” the queen said, pulling him closer to me, which only made me wearier of him.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have broken your doll. I… I didn’t know that you would react like that. I didn’t want to hurt you… I…”

Justin actually looked like he meant it, but I still had no intention of forgiving him, at least not yet.

“Nggh~.” I looked away from him, refusing to acknowledge him.

“Illya, I know that you are upset, but Justin did apologize to you. Don’t you think that you should forgive him?”

The queen obviously didn’t want us to fight. I didn’t want to forgive him, but looking down at my doll, which she fixed, made me feel guilty. She was just trying to make it so we all get along. …Fine, just this once for her I would forgive him. He was just a kid, I needed to show him that I was the more mature one here.

“Here, you can play with her,” I said, handing him the doll I was playing with previously.

“Play dolls? You can be serious.” Justin clearly didn’t want to play with us, but this was the only chance I was giving him to be forgiven.

“Justin, can’t you see that Illya wants to forgive you? Don’t you think that you should do your best and accept her kind offer?” The queen smiled at me, knowing exactly what I did.

Making the tough boy prince play with dolls and have a tea party. Looking at his face it was clear that he was more than embarrassed.

The prince accepted my offer and began to play with us. At first, he was very resistant, but before he knew it, he was having his doll act like the perfect little lady. It was adorable.

“Aww, how cute. If only there was a painter here. I would have them immortalize this moment,” the queen said, eagerly watching us play.

“No! You can’t!” Justin yelled, dropping his doll to the ground before running out of the room embarrassed.

“…Pftt!!! Hahaha~!!!” the three of us couldn’t help but laugh, seeing how embarrassed he was when he ran off.

“I’m glad to see that you’re doing better,” the queen said, moving my hair out of my eyes. “A smile suits you far better.

“It does,” Sophia said, moving closer to sit next to me. “I like it when you smile.”

“Thank… thank you,” I said, fidgeting with my doll, embarrassed to receive their praise.

“Hmm, what do you say about leaving this room?” the queen asked, holding her hands out for us both.

“But grandpa said I need to stay inside.” If I left there no doubt he would freak out.

“That’s only when he thought you were sick, but I don’t see anyone sick over here. I see two young girls that need some sun,” she said taking our hands and helping us to our feet. “And besides if that old coot has anything to say about it, just leave it to me.”

“Okay.” There was no way for me to say no to the queen and it really was a good chance to get out of this stuffy room.

“Come along girls, let’s go have some fun~!”