novelraw Chapter 220: Beggar Siblings – Balloon
Chapter 220: Beggar Siblings – Balloon
220. Beggar Siblings – Balloon
Outside the castle, there was a commotion. In contrast, the royal castle was wrapped in an almost orchestrated silence. Tension and anticipation filled the air. After a simple breakfast, the prince returned to his room to change clothes.
Shrine gothic tapestry. The finest fabric for clergy of this era.
The blue velvet shone with a smooth luster, and the embroidery on it was magnificent. While Leo fastened the densely embroidered gold cuffs, the maids draped a short cape over his shoulders.
Shoulder roving. The prince naturally straightened his back and puffed out his chest. It was the attire for such an occasion and a day requiring such demeanor.
- Akine.
Today was the day Leo was declared the official heir of the Yeriel royal family. As he confidently left his room on the third floor, the princess on the second floor was also getting ready.
Though they had known she was beautiful, the maids were in awe.
The white bell-line dress made of chiffon fluttered. The light, non-glossy fabric was covered with lace leaves scattered like snowflakes in midwinter. The slender waist of the princess was adorned with branches that climbed gently upward, and leaves adorned the soft curves of her chest.
A deep V-neck dress.The pale chest exposed between the sparse white leaves was delicate.
Following the gaze up her soft, smooth skin, her beautiful, hollowed collarbone, and her long, elegant jawline could be seen, compelling one to swallow dryly.
A noble princess.
Her white, firm skin might have blinded the eyes, but her red-painted lips would make one fall in love when their eyes fell on them.
Neat white teeth, cheeks as white as the snow of a winter morning, and the vivid red between them could not be endured. Even the intense emotion of love would wither away when met with her gaze.
Shining golden eyes. The maids dared not look up at Lena. Her eyes, shining like the brilliant autumn sunset, defined her.
She was not just a beautiful princess. The dignity of royalty, which ruled over all, enveloped her.
If you had dared to look up and peek at the princess’s chest or jawline, or if you had lost your heart to her red lips, now was the time to bow your head. The ends of her golden hair, flowing down to her waist, were all you could steal a glance at.
Click. And clack.
The prince and princess met in the silent hall on the second floor. Leo de Yeriel briefly stared at his sister.
You've grown so muChapter The sister who was like a baby has now become a lady.
He could not pat the head of his sister, who confidently stood ahead, leaving behind a dozen maids. Seeing his sister standing tall on her own made him inexplicably sad.
Feeling a dull ache in his chest, Leo reached out his hand. Lena softly smiled and placed her hand on his.
The succession ceremony for the royal heirs, Akine, has an order opposite to Akinen. Leo led Lena towards the lowest part of the royal castle.
For today, the neatly dressed kitchen maids welcomed the noble prince and princess. In the stables, where hundreds of horses were cleaned, the stable hands respectfully folded their hands, and in the garden, where green leaves sprouted, the gardeners bowed. The princess and the prince also bowed.
Greeting the workers of the royal castle.
This was the first task set by the Arcaea Empire for the heir to the throne. They hoped their descendants would start by lowering themselves to the level of the humblest before ascending.
After touring various parts of the royal castle, Lena and Leo next visited the training ground.
The people who guarded the palace.
The guards were lined up, with the captain of the guards and the commander of the first knight division at the forefront, waiting for the prince and princess. Lena and Leo greeted them in front of the solemnly fixed formation.
“Everyone, draw swords!”
“Loyalty!”
As the prince and princess turned around, the knights and soldiers drew their swords and held them high to the sky. The morning sunlight reflected off their swords, making their eyes sparkle with expectation.
An unnecessary ceremony.
However, as Leo climbed the stairs, he felt his sister’s elbow gently poke him and turned back. He drew his sword and raised it high as they wished.
Aura blade.
They had insisted on seeing this. Leo gathered the sparse mana he had, and the soldiers and knights cheered.
They revered martial prowess almost to a naive degree. In contrast, at the top of the stairs they had just climbed, at the main gate, stood the officials symbolizing the kingdom’s civil authority. The ceremonial officer, representing all the officials, stepped forward to address the prince and princess.
“In the 21st year of Caderyk de Yeriel’s reign, the officials of the Conrad Kingdom greet the heir. Under the remaining rule of the king, may you look after the people’s hardships, advise the king, and grow into a wise and just ruler!”
Though formal, without gaining the recognition of the officials here, the gate would not open. Lena and Leo had to state their ambitions here. Each responded in a clear, dignified voice.
“I will ensure the people do not go hungry and can build harmonious families.”
“I will create a kingdom where people do not go hungry and can receive education.”
Only then did the gate open. The hall, decorated with gold and silver, with a luxurious carpet and chandeliers covering the ceiling, unfolded before them. The nobles were waiting there.
On the right was the faction led by Duke Midian Tertan, and on the left was the new royalist faction led by Marquis Dennis Arne, each positioned according to their ranks. As the prince and princess entered, musicians played, and Lena and Leo exchanged greetings with the heads of the families.
The Yeriel royal family was one of the families that made up the Conrad Kingdom. As the family representing the kingdom, they were respected, but Leo and Lena, being heirs rather than heads, were treated as equals to those present.
Thus, this occasion was different from the process that had been solely about loyalty until now.
The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat relaxed, with Marquis Arne and Duke Tertan engaging in a subtle battle over who would propose the toast, while maids served drinks and food. When everyone held a crystal glass, the marquis raised his glass.
“I offer a toast to the two heirs of the Yeriel royal family. May you shine the glory of the royal family, passed down for generations, and harmonize with the honorable families to dream of great achievements! May honor and glory, and blessings be upon your path!”
“May there be honor!”
“May there be glory!”
The nobles each added their desired refrain. Amidst the cheerfulness and clamor, where sharp deals were secretly being made, the prince and princess made their way through.
At that moment, heading for the next round of steps, they were intercepted by Jenia Monarch.
“Your Highness, you haven’t forgotten about me, have you?”
“Hahaha. How could I?”
If the heir participating in Akine had a partner, it was customary to announce it at this event. If not, proposals would be received on the spot, but it was already well-known that the prince and Baroness Monarch were linked.
Leo briefly let go of Lena’s hand and wrapped his arm around Jenia’s waist. Introducing her as his partner to the nobles, Lena watched the scene blankly.
Some young nobles approached and invited Lena to dance, but she kindly smiled and declined.
It was on the second-floor stairs that Leo took his sister’s hand again after parting with Jenia. After introducing Jenia to the royal family of Yeriel, Lena and Leo headed higher, towards their mother’s room on the third floor. After offering incense to the late queen and being followed by the nobles, they headed towards the king’s chamber.
This process was originally unnecessary.
After greeting the nobles, the king and queen should have led the royal family to meet the heir, but with the queen deceased and the king bedridden, this process was added.
“May the gods bless you.”
Cardinal Verke was waiting on the fourth floor, in front of the king’s chamber. He briefly made the sign of the cross and offered a blessing prayer for the prince and princess, allowing those who had climbed to the fourth floor to rest their aching legs. After a moment, the cardinal spoke.
“The king is waiting for you.”
A wave of astonishment spread.
The king has woken up? What does this mean? The murmurs were cut off as Cardinal Verke opened the door, and a message appeared.
[ Achievement: King 4/7 ]
“Prince Leo de Yeriel and Princess Lena de Yeriel request an audience.”
The king was listening to the chamberlain.
With his blue hair still tousled, it was evident that Caderyk de Yeriel, who had suffered from a curse for over ten years, had only recently woken up. He raised his navy blue eyes to meet the gaze of his grown-up son and daughter.
“My son, my daughter... come closer.”
Though he had regained some color, he was still a gaunt king. Gazing at his grown children with eyes full of regret, he sighed.
“Akine, I heard you have endured much hardship. Come... closer.”
I have no memory of my father.
Filled with suspicion, Leo scrutinized his father. He couldn’t believe that nothing untoward had happened so far.
However, this emaciated old man didn’t seem to pose a threat, and Leo’s assessment was accurate. The king merely held the hands of the prince and princess, his face contorted with sorrow.
“Forgive me. I fell ill and brought you into hardship.”
“...It’s not your fault.”
“Not at all... you’ve grown beautifully. You look just like your mother. But why does the chamberlain call you by different names? Lean and Lerialia. Did you change your names?”
[ Achievement: Bound Items 2/3 ]
[ Sword – Indestructible. ]
[ Mirror – Unusable. ]
[ Necklace – A pretty necklace. ]
No one seemed to notice, but Lean felt a burst of air. A whirlwind swept around him, and everyone, including the chamberlain, Cardinal Verke, and the nobles, forgot the names the prince and princess had been called when they were banished by Prince Eric. Even the king, who had uttered their true names, was affected.
“What do you mean? Did I misname the prince and princess?”
“No, I must be confused. I need to abdicate quickly... help me up.”
“It’s still too much for you...”
“Hurry. I can’t remain lying down in front of the heads of the families. Ah, the Border Counts. It’s been a long time. It seems Duke Tertan and Marquis Arne are not here?”
“...Duke Tertan and Marquis Arne have passed on their titles. Midian Tertan is now the duke, and Denis Arne is the marquis. Also, Duke Midian Tertan has relinquished his position as the Western Border Count.”
“...I see. I apologize.”
The king gave a weary laugh at his own display of weakness. Struggling to rise, he grasped the hands of the prince and princess and made his declaration.
“I recognize these two as my heirs. Heads of the families, please support my son and daughter well. Lean de Yeriel will lead the state affairs, and I will gradually transfer all authority to him.”
His bony hands clutched Lean and Lerialia’s hands tightly.
Though he was a father without memories or shared history, Lean could feel his father’s regretful emotions.
Lerialia seemed to think the same, as her expression was peculiar. As they descended the stairs, she fiddled with the hand that had been held by their father.
“Brother.”
“What is it?”
“...Nothing.”
Leading the murmuring nobles, Lean and Lerialia exited the royal palace. The knights of the training ground escorted the prince and princess, and soon the main gates of the castle opened. A thunderous cheer filled the square.
“It’s the prince! Long live Prince Lean de Yeriel!!”
“Long live the Conrad Kingdom! Long live Princess Lerialia too!”
The final stage of Akine, greeting the people of the kingdom, had arrived. As Prince Lean de Yeriel and Princess Lerialia de Yeriel waved, the cheers of the crowd in the square seemed to blow Rutin away.
Lean stood for a moment, absorbing the cheers with his whole body. From starting as a beggar in Orville to finally... However, he quickly turned his attention to his sister.
“Lena... no, Lerialia. We’ve made it this far. Now, this is... where we will live.”
“Where we will live...”
His sister, also deeply moved, placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. She alternated between looking at the people and the royal palace, then smiled brightly. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but her smile remained even stronger.
“Yes. This is the home where I will live. Happily, with my brother forever...”
“What did you say?”
- Clang-clang!
As the festival began in earnest, loud music played.
The prince and princess boarded a carriage drawn by eight white horses and paraded around Lutetia, and in the midst of the pleasant chaos, the ceremonial officer made a proclamation.
He declared that the two had become the official heirs. As this happened, Lean’s vision began to blur.
An ending that came somewhat late.
Wasn’t Lena becoming a princess the ending? Distracted, Lean quickly grasped his sister’s hand. He wanted to say, “You must be happy,” but his vision was lifting like a balloon.
He could see the tops of his and his sister’s heads as he looked back. Unlike usual, he didn’t feel dark but floated away lightly. He tried to reach out to his sister with all his might, but there was no hand to do so.
And by the time he had risen so high that he could no longer distinguish his sister, a message appeared over the vast square.
[ Congratulations! ]