Episode 55

I walked towards the carriage with Ludwig escorting me.

The sky was as clear as ever, as if yesterday’s events had been nothing but a lie.

“I heard.”

Ludwig’s quiet voice stopped me in my tracks.

He was referring to what had happened yesterday.

“Why didn’t you use the magic stone immediately?”

“…I hesitated. If I retreated right away, I would have missed the opportunity.”

Ludwig responded to my words.

“I understand your reasoning. But next time, if something happens, use the magic stone immediately.”

Although he seemed composed on the surface, there was an underlying tension.

“I will handle any consequences that arise.”

Looking into his earnest golden eyes, I found myself nodding without thinking.

“Alright, I will.”

His expression relaxed a bit at my response.

As we rode towards the capital, I suddenly remembered something.

“How is Rachel doing?”

A healer must have visited from the capital by now. If my letter had been delivered properly, they should have diagnosed her illness.

“Ah, she is suffering from a disease called Kionel. It seems she has been afflicted for about four months.”

Four months was relatively recent.

If treatment started now, she could recover without any major issues.

“Fortunately, it was detected early, so treatment is possible. Thanks to you persuading Rachel.”

“No, I didn’t do much. Rachel is your imprinted one, so please take good care of her.”

“Ah….”

Ludwig fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.

“Yes, you’re right. I should take better care of my imprinted one.”

“Yes. She’s the only precious person you have.”

Ludwig chuckled softly at my words.

“Why are you laughing?”

Did I say something wrong?

“No, Sierra. You’re absolutely right. An imprinted one is a precious person that I’ll have only once in my life.”

His gaze was particularly intense.

Feeling a sudden warmth in my cheeks, I hastily opened the window.

The cool breeze helped to cool down the small blush.

* * *

The main banquet celebrating the Emperor’s birthday was held at Arundel Palace, the most beautiful palace in the capital.

The hall was even more crowded than the day before.

“Announcing the entrance of Grand Duke Ludwig Karsian and Lady Sierra Drenihan!”

At the loud announcement, all eyes turned to us.

Although Ludwig hadn’t officially succeeded the title yet, he was already referred to as the Grand Duke due to his role as acting Grand Duke.

As we entered the hall, nobles swarmed around us from all directions.

Previously, they had been intimidated by Ludwig’s presence, but now they had a reason to endure it to form connections.

And for me as well….

“Are you really considering investing in our magical tools business?”

“Our shipping business has doubled its profits just this year….”

“These days, fashion is the trend….”

“…….”

A multitude of opportunists tried to woo the young lady with some money.

“I’m sorry, but I gave all the gladiatorial tournament winnings to my father.”

So stop talking about business and go away.

I hid my true feelings behind a polite smile.

“My goodness, you gave all that money to your father….”

“You are truly a filial daughter!”

“Then we must approach the young duke!”

People dispersed, seeking my father.

‘I’m sorry, Father.’

I mentally apologized to my father, who would be overwhelmed by the sudden influx of investment proposals.

He would surely handle it much more adeptly than I could.

“The Emperor is entering!”

With the Emperor’s entrance, followed by the royal family, everyone bowed towards the red carpet.

He walked down the long carpet, took his seat on the throne, and the other royals sat beside him. The nobles then spoke in unison.

“Happy birthday, Your Majesty.”

“Haha, raise your heads.”

The Emperor’s face was bright, still satisfied with yesterday’s gladiatorial tournament.

Especially since Peter, whose skills he coveted, had joined the Imperial Knights, he was even more pleased.

He gave a brief opening speech and announced the start of the banquet.

Nobles and envoys from various countries presented gifts to the Emperor.

Each time a rare treasure, previously only heard of in stories, was unveiled, gasps of admiration filled the room.

As the banquet reached its peak, many people gathered around Ludwig.

He had come here as the acting Grand Duke of Karsian.

It was widely known in the empire, even to a passing child, that he would soon officially assume the title of Grand Duke.

Then, people parted like the Red Sea, and an unexpected figure approached him.

“Greetings to the Emperor.”

The Emperor himself had come down to greet him.

“Haha, I had many worries when you were young, but seeing you grow so splendidly makes me truly happy.”

“You are too kind.”

The Emperor was cousins with the previous Grand Duke.

And the previous Grand Duke’s brother, Alfonso, was also a cousin.

The three were known to have been quite close.

As they aged, their interactions decreased, but they always reached out to each other in times of need.

Even after the previous Grand Duke’s death and Alfonso’s rise to power in the Karsian Duchy, their relationship remained the same.

However, the recent massive embezzlement scandal revealed to the public was beyond the Emperor’s ability to assist.

Even for a cousin and old friend.

Although it pained him, he couldn’t shield Alfonso when other nobles were being executed.

The best he could do was ensure Alfonso retained his life and title.

Holding onto decayed power out of sentiment was futile.

He smiled warmly but scrutinized Ludwig with practical eyes.

“Seeing the bright future of the Karsian Duchy puts my mind at ease. Everyone, give a round of applause to the young Grand Duke.”

With the Emperor’s words, the hall erupted in applause for Ludwig.

“I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”

“Haha, enjoy the banquet.”

As the Emperor left, nobles swarmed Ludwig, fearing a potential confrontation between him and the Emperor due to Alfonso’s imprisonment. They eagerly sought to build a rapport with him.

Ludwig glanced at me with a troubled look.

This was an excellent opportunity for him to solidify his position.

“It’s alright. I’ll go meet my father.”

I wasn’t sure if he heard me, but I left to give him space.

While looking for my father, who had entered later, I overheard a surprising conversation.

“Did you hear? They say Mount Tesaposa erupted yesterday. Suddenly, boom!”

‘What?’

The woman’s words made me stop in my tracks.

Those listening to her seemed uninterested, but it was significant to me.

“It’s strange for a non-volcanic mountain to erupt so suddenly, isn’t it?”

The Tesaposa mountain explosion.

The cause of the mysterious explosion was none other than….

‘That’s from the first chapter.’

Below Mount Tesaposa was the orphanage where Jenna stayed.

The explosion caused a landslide that destroyed the peaceful orphanage, forcing Jenna and the children to lose their home.

The orphanage, being poor, couldn’t rebuild, scattering the children.

Jenna became a wanderer.

Starving for a week, Jenna collapsed in the cold weather, her life in peril.

That’s when she miraculously recalled her past.

[I was… the lost daughter of the Selber Duchy.]

Kidnapped by assailants in her childhood, she escaped but suffered a head injury that caused her memory loss.

Living as a wanderer, she was mistaken for an orphan and taken in by the orphanage.

From then on, Jenna began her journey to the capital.

Despite her weakened state from days without food, she pressed on.

Finally, she reached the Selber Duchy, collapsing at the front gate.

When she woke up, she was in the room of the long-lost daughter awaited by the Selber Duke and Duchess.

They had an emotional reunion, and the story began.

‘So the explosion of Mount Tesaposa means….’

The original story’s beginning is near.