Disregarding Alex’s chatter about going together, I ascended the carriage provided by the duke.
With each step closer to the central square, the crowd multiplied exponentially. A rough estimate would put the number in the thousands.
These were individuals who had gathered from all corners of the empire to partake in the memorial ceremony.
Upon entering the central square, numerous banners, bearing tribute to the victims, adorned the meticulously arranged chairs.
Methodically, I read the engraved words on each banner.
“It appears that the Lady’s seat is located over there.”
The platform was positioned closest to the nobility and aristocracy, followed by the priests and mages, with the commoners occupying the seats behind.
“Most of the deceased were commoners. I fail to comprehend why the irrelevant nobility and aristocracy are seated at the forefront.”
Nonetheless, I took my assigned seat.
Nevertheless, it was evident that the duke’s lineage had been taken into consideration. The chairs exuded luxury, accompanied by shades to shield from the sunlight.
The spacing between my seat and the surrounding ones was also slightly wider…
“Isn’t that the designated seat for the Luteous Duke’s family? But who is that? Did the Luteous family have a young lady of our age?”
“Oh my! Isn’t that Lady Astel? The mad princess!”
“The mad princess? Goodness, how did she end up here? I heard she was confined to her mansion.”
“Can they truly allow an individual who is mentally unstable to attend? I am concerned if something has transpired within the Luteous Duke’s family.”
“Could it be that the mad princess is a hunter? I recall hearing about a hunter within the Luteous family.”
“Oh, please, refrain from uttering such dreadful remarks! What’s the difference between arming a deranged person with a knife or not?”
“The hunter of Luteous is Sir Alex Luteous, not the mad princess.”
…Despite the distance, fragments of conversation reached their ears, scattered whispers and murmurs from the nobility.
Considering it was a memorial ceremony for commoners, it was perplexing why they had made the effort to come here and engage in gossip.
“Perhaps it’s because even the nobility is expected to attend.”
It served as evidence that the Emperor regarded this event with importance.
So, it seemed that a few restless nobles had gathered in hopes of catching the Emperor’s attention, huh?
Regardless, the situation was far from comfortable. Restlessness lingered in the air.
“Lady… It appears rather noisy here. Shall we find another spot?”
“Why bother? It’s troublesome.”
Genia couldn’t tolerate the nobles’ chatter about the deranged lady.
Meanwhile, I sat composedly and arched an eyebrow. It was because Alex, who had arrived shortly after, dropped onto the seat beside me and grumbled.
“Why are you going alone when we were supposed to go together? You certainly know how to irritate people.”
He’s persistent, isn’t he? I couldn’t fathom why he continued to trail behind his younger sister with such an air of self-importance.
“We have several carriages for our family. There’s no need to accompany someone you dislike, right?”
“…do you hate me that much?”
“Then, do you like me?”
“What utter nonsense…”
Alex was on the verge of launching into a tirade but hesitated.
The reason for his hesitation was obvious, and he had the urge to retort. However, he realized it would only cause trouble with the clergy.
He wanted to stand up for himself, but he knew it wouldn’t go well with the clergy.
The teasing of his younger sister belonged to their innocent days, and now he had to maintain the image of a reformed and kind older brother.
‘Poor guy. He used to struggle under Father’s scrutiny, and now he can’t even express his thoughts because of the clergy. It seems like he’s been a pushover his whole life.’
Perhaps sensing that it was an unfavorable topic, Alex abruptly changed the subject.
“But didn’t you do the same thing? Why did you call Father the Duke?”
“Because, to me, he is the Duke, not Father.”
“I understand that Father treated you coldly. But I don’t think his intentions are like that. Even if they were, you can’t say such things about your parents. Try to understand.”
“If you understand so well, did you run away to the Academy?”
The reasons for Alex’s early admission to the Academy were complex, but primarily it was because he couldn’t bear Duke Luteous’ coldness.
Alex’s usual casual demeanor vanished with the piercing question.
He glared at me with icy eyes.
“Is that all you have to say?”
“Alex, you’ve been hiding at the Academy all this time, so you might not know, but it was the Duke who abandoned me. I’m just a fool who realized it now. I can’t keep looking only at the Duke, can I?”
“…The circumstances have changed. He won’t be the same as before. In reality, too. Didn’t you feel it this morning?”
“Yeah, it was amusing.”
“Amusing?”
“Both you and the Duke. It was funny how your attitude changed just because I’m a hunter. That doesn’t mean I’m not the crazy princess Astel.”
“That’s the issue with you. You’re always so negative. Can’t you think that things have turned out well? You could try accepting it positively…”
I interjected, cutting off Alex’s words.
“Let’s drop the act of being a good older brother.”
“Co… what?”
“If you’re curious, ask the clergymen or keep your mouth shut. See those young ladies over there? They’re watching us with great interest.”
“Who?”
“Those girls, I mean. If you continue mingling with me, you might hear crazy person remarks too.”
“…Who called you crazy?”
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Read from the original site [ https://moonlightnovel.com/ ]
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“You used to say it often before. If you want to be crazy, go ahead and be crazy on your own.”
“Am I just like everyone else to you? I’m the only one allowed to insult you!”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“Hey! You have a bad habit of talking about Orabi…”
Alex abruptly fell silent.
It was because a boy was quietly observing us from a distance.
He appeared to be around ten years old, with a pale face and blue lips. He looked so thin that it was difficult to determine his age.
“What’s wrong with him?”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him, feeling a sense of urgency. I called out to Genia.
“Genia, I think that child might be lost. Bring him over here.”
“Oh, a child?”
Genia turned around absentmindedly, then her eyes widened.
“Kun! How did you end up here?”
“Aunt Chelsea brought me here.”
“How did you know your sister was here?”
Could they see the carriage from a distance? Aunt Chelsea had informed him that this was where the Luteous’s Duke resided.
“Oh, my dear little brother. So you’ve come all the way here? Isn’t it too much for you? Are your legs not hurting?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Remember to dress more warmly when you come outside…”
“I was wearing it, but I took it off. It was too hot.”
“You did well. Are you taking your medicine properly? Don’t skip it just because I can’t check. You understand, right?”
“I know. I’m taking it properly, so don’t worry, sister.”
“Why did you come out when you could have just stayed at home…?”
“I wanted to see the mansion too. It’s a beautiful place. We might meet later.”
“I told you not to say things like that! Who are you planning to meet?”
Genia, who was becoming angry, suddenly regained her composure and closed her mouth.
She gently pulled the child who had been observing them toward her.
“Lady, this is my younger brother, Kun. Kun, say hello. This is our lady and the Marquis.”
“Ah, hello, lady, Marquis.”
“Yeah.”
“Hi.”
Despite their brief and concise answers, the child smiled brightly.
I gazed at his smile as if under a spell.
‘Run, sister! Run quickly!’
“Ugh!”
“Hey! What’s the matter? Do you have a headache?”
“My lady, are you feeling unwell?”
“…No, I’m perfectly fine.”
“But your face looks pale. Should I go and get some medicine?”
“Why are you asking? Hurry up and fetch it!”
“Don’t worry, I’m alright. Alex, there’s no need for your unnecessary concern.”
As Alex’s expression hardened, the child suddenly reached out with something.
“Would you like to have this?”
“…What is this?”
“It’s candy.”
“…Why?”
“I often get headaches too. But I can only take a limited number of pills. If I take too many, I’ll have to keep taking more. So when I can’t take the medicine even though I’m in pain, I eat this. It makes me feel better.”
“…”
The candy rested in the child’s small hand.
The wrapping paper had worn out from being touched repeatedly.
They must have resisted the temptation to eat it. They had to save it for when they were in pain.
I narrowed my eyes sharply.
“Do you think I’m destitute? How dare you offer this to me?”
“Huh? Oh, no, that’s not what I meant…”
The startled child shook both hands frantically.
Genia, too, rolled her eyes beside them.
“My lady, my brother didn’t have any ill intentions. He doesn’t know any better…”
“Hey, why are you getting angry over something like this? The child is offering it with good intentions.”
While eavesdropping on Alex and Genia’s conversation, I reached into the storage compartment and retrieved an item.
Handing it over exactly as it was, the child’s eyes widened.
“Let’s make an exchange.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t like receiving things for free, so let’s swap this. Is that alright?”
“Um, um, what I have is really cheap…”
“It doesn’t matter. This is what I need the most right now.”
I tucked a <Jean Blanc’s Royal Dessert Hall Cake Voucher> into the child’s pocket and took the candy in return.
Unwrapping the crumpled packaging, I placed the candy in my mouth, and a cheap sweetness spread.
“Despite indulging in finer things for the past few days, I thought my palate had become more refined. But even something like this is good.”
I closed my eyes, sensing the peculiar gaze of Alex and Genia.
Somehow, a feeling of nostalgia washed over me. The headache was gradually subsiding.
In a hushed voice, Alex inquired, “What did you give?”
“There’s no need for you to know.”
“…Did you hurt your head while I was away? Why has this child’s impudence suddenly vanished?”
As I listened to Alex’s bewildered voice from the side, I savored the candy until it was a mere sliver between my fingernails.
Then, I slowly opened my eyes.
This is because of a stinging gaze on my cheek.
As I turned my head, our eyes met.
The source of that gaze.
He was the man who proudly claimed the vacant seat of the royal family.
