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Chapter 138
While Ludwig remained silent, the inspectors struggled to prove that Arellin was of Phytal’s bloodline, feeling a strange pressure from the seat of honor.
However…
“Why… why isn’t it reacting?”
One failure followed another.
Not even once did Arellin’s blood resonate with the protective stone fragments.
If even a drop of Phytal’s blood had been mixed, the fragments would have resonated without fail.
“Hah.”
Ludwig pressed his hand to his forehead.
“Hahaha.”
It was a real blow to the mind.
“Really.”
What a formidable woman.
She hits you like this?
“Y-Your Majesty…”
Amid the stunned silence of those who were caught off guard and the inspectors who didn’t know what to do, Ludwig laughed like a madman.
“This is completely unexpected.”
He had believed without a doubt that she was his daughter.
Another man with Shione?
She met someone, evading his watch, within Phytal? With whom? Could that even be possible?
“What an incredible woman.”
Did she want revenge that badly?
Did she want to twist me inside out like this? Was this hellish torment not enough for her?
As his mind became entangled in a messy swamp of thoughts, his final realization concerned Shione’s cherished younger brother, Valer.
Ah, so that’s why Arellin had been in Halbern.
“So that’s why.”
Ludwig gritted his teeth at the intricately laid trap by Shione.
Even if he succeeded in registering Arellin as his daughter by invoking his common-law relationship with Shione, once Arellin manifested Halbern’s abilities, she would be taken away again.
Valer would not abandon Arellin, who had been registered as his daughter, and the only one in the world capable of guiding a manifested Arellin was Valer, the current Duke of Halbern.
Moreover…
Halbern’s abilities were special and rare. The Allemang royal family wouldn’t simply stand by and watch.
“Shione.”
Ludwig ground his teeth, thinking of Shione, who had so expertly outwitted him.
Amid it all, the most miserable part was himself—still longing for Shione, unable to let go.
No matter how many times he regretted it, no matter how much he wanted to hold on again, the time that had passed would never return.
“Hah…”
Had he gone mad? That he could find even her meticulous torment so endearing and tender.
Ludwig muttered self-deprecatingly and gave his orders.
“Keep everything that happened today strictly confidential.”
“Y-Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If even a rumor leaks outside, no one here will survive.”
“……”
Everyone held their breath at the brutal warning.
Amid the tense atmosphere, like walking on thin ice, it was Ludwig’s aide, German, who finally broke the silence.
“Your Majesty, then… what should we tell the Lermren Principality?”
“Tell them that Arellin is my daughter, certified by the Phytal royal family, and to proceed with the trial without doubt.”
“If they request evidence…”
“Tell them it cannot be disclosed as it concerns royal secrets.”
German swallowed nervously.
“Th-Then, Princess Arellin…”
“Yes. I will raise her as my daughter.”
Why? Why go that far?
All eyes were full of suspicion, but Ludwig’s resolve was firm.
“She is the only trace left by Shione.”
Since last night, I had been overwhelmed by a strange feeling.
“Why is our lady acting like this today?”
“Shall we get something delicious?”
I waved away the meddling maids and sprawled across the bed.
The Grand Duchess’s room. I had just been there, yet it felt as though I had witnessed something monumental between Shione and the Regent Duke.
“Being nosy is not my specialty, though.”
Had it transferred to Pession as well?
With mixed emotions, I checked the status window.
It was still showing the answer to my question: “Mehen, are you doing well?”
[No health issues detected. Concerned about you. Managing busy tasks. Troubled by the complex situation. Worried about Duke Halbern.]
Mehen was still the same.
Just three weeks—about a month apart—and I missed my mother so much.
Even seeing words that conveyed simple updates made my eyes tear up.
[Thinking the mansion has become quiet and lonely.]
[Missing you.]
I was glad I wasn’t the only one missing her.
“I need to cheer up.”
There’s a place I have to return to.
“Ugh.”
After getting up, I checked the status window again.
The cooldown for asking a new question had long passed.
I was ready.
[Please input your question.]
“Mom. No, tell me about Shione Siguria Halbern.”
[Collecting information on Shione Siguria Halbern.]
Beep!
[To provide detailed information, a medium is required.]
[You will be guided to the location where the medium is present.]
Albrecht.
Pession tapped his foot, looking somewhat displeased.
“Your Majesty, why that expression?”
“Well…”
Even though the founding ceremony ended and the tribute gathering resumed, Pession’s constant uncomfortable aura made many children reluctantly keep their distance.
Only the twins and Harun dared approach him.
“Because of Arell?”
At Ciel’s question, Pession’s face crumpled even further.
“Lord Mehen said Arellin went for recuperation because she was sick.”
“Yes, yes.”
On the day of the large-scale terror in Albrecht, the Empress Ajeni, shocked that Pession had nearly been caught in the magician’s rampage, had overprotected him for a while.
Because of that, Pession could only hear about Arellin two weeks later, and when he learned she had gone for recuperation due to injury, he felt his heart stop.
“Lord Mehen even refused my visit request today.”
If Arellin were at the mansion, he would have gone without hesitation, but hearing that she was sent to a scenic location, Pession had been submitting requests to visit her almost daily.
“We even tried to visit her ourselves, but your request was refused too!”
“Even though we said it was to discuss the automobile business!”
“Arell must really be sick.”
Pession and the twins fell silent.
Harun followed suit.
“Ah… Arell…”
Pession was troubled.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Is it because you can’t see Arell?”
“Do you miss her that much?”
The twins didn’t miss their chance to poke Pession.
Pession glared at them and sighed.
‘Do I want to see Arellin?’
Of course, he did.
“I’m more worried…”
Was it an unexpected answer? The twins’ eyes went wide.
“I’m afraid she might be crying alone.”
“Arellin…”
“…crying?”
Unable to imagine it, Ciel and Noel exchanged reluctant glances while Pession sank into his thoughts.
Outwardly, Arellin seemed to dislike people and attention, yet she was prone to loneliness.
She didn’t realize she was lonely until now, finally admitting it.
But if left alone again, wouldn’t she feel even lonelier?
‘Arellin….’
From the beginning, all Pession wanted for Arellin was one thing:
For her not to be lonely.
For her never to disappear from his sight again.
For Arellin to be happy.
This was Pession’s pure wish.
If there was any selfish desire, it was simply to be by her side.
‘It’s been good so far.’
Spending ordinary days with a healthy Arellin had been so enjoyable he hadn’t noticed the passage of time.
“I really can’t wait any longer.”
Suddenly, Pession stood up.
“I’m going on an expedition.”
“Expedition?”
“Suddenly?”
Not suddenly; he had already planned a nearby trip with the knights and attendants. The catalyst that solidified Pession’s decision, however, was something else.
“I need to obtain rarer elixirs.”
He could no longer be satisfied with the knightly requests.
Now he would fetch them himself!
Harun quietly approached, joining Pession.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Harun too?”
Harun nodded.
“I’m also Arellin’s friend.”
