Chapter 104
“So, Theo, you’re saying you’re going to duel?”
At the languid question, Theo bit his lip.
He answered with difficulty.
“…Yes. I’ve ended up in a duel with a 28th-rank Holy Knight.”
Beside Kierne, Ishuel and Karha, who had been each pulling on one of Hata’s ears, chimed in with their own remarks.
“It’ll be like a fight between a bear and a human.”
“Then wouldn’t the bear win?”
Kierne shot a glance at the twins, who seemed ready to tease the bear cub until he cried.
The two boys rolled their eyes innocently, pretending they hadn’t said a word.
Making full use of Hailon’s influence, the Basilian County family had been granted a standalone residence in the Holy Empire, the kind typically reserved for royalty.
The two-story villa was extraordinarily luxurious, comparable to a countryside estate.
Seemingly pleased with the assigned lodging, Kierne lounged on the wide drawing room sofa like a cat basking in the sunlight.
And in front of Kierne, who was leaning obliquely against the sofa backrest, Theo stood with his head deeply bowed.
“I’m sorry. Because of me…”
Theo’s head drooped even lower.
Having kept his gaze fixed on the floor all this time, Theo self-reproached in a gloomy voice.
“It’s all my fault.”
It certainly was.
Theo had ended up in a duel with Benji, a Holy Knight.
The problem was that Theo was officially affiliated with the Basilian County family at the moment.
Any trouble he caused would fall on the Basilian house to handle.
Because Theo had encountered an old grudge, the Basilian family had gotten dragged into it as well.
If Theo were to lose the duel, for instance.
‘That would be a defeat for Basilian too.’
Given the situation, it was no wonder Theo couldn’t lift his head.
Honestly, he was in a position where he should be on his knees, begging forgiveness.
Kierne idly stroked Chesha in his arms.
His long fingers tousled the curly golden hair.
“Well… the deed’s already done, so what can we do?”
Kierne smiled faintly.
“In that case, you’ll just have to win no matter what, Theo.”
At that, Theo jerked his head up.
“……”
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.
He couldn’t respond readily.
Unconcealed fear flickered in Theo’s eyes.
He lacked confidence in himself.
Even though others would naturally assume Theo would win.
And even though Theo himself knew he was more skilled than Benji.
Theo couldn’t give Kierne a confident answer.
As the hesitation and silence stretched on, Kierne showed signs of boredom.
“If you’re not confident, why not say so now? We could send a proxy.”
Belzeon, who had been quietly listening until then, furrowed his brow.
He disliked the idea of sending a proxy from the Basilian side.
It seemed Belzeon didn’t want to get deeply involved with Theo.
The reason for keeping his distance was understandable.
‘The Marquis of Nemeia sent Theo to monitor Basilian.’
That’s why Kierne had tried to keep Theo at arm’s length earlier, only for this mess to happen.
Belzeon glared at Kierne with an expression full of unspoken words.
Despite his eldest brother’s intense gaze, Kierne pretended not to notice and smiled.
Chesha, frustrated by Theo acting like a foolish bear, finally stepped in herself.
“Theo will win.”
It was a bold prediction of victory, as if she’d seen the future.
“I’m going to cheer for Theo.”
The one most surprised by Chesha’s declaration was, of course, Theo.
He looked at Chesha with eyes full of disbelief.
As if no one had ever said such a thing to him before.
His gaze rippled subtly.
He pressed his lips together.
Taking a deep breath as if to hold back surging emotions, he straightened his shoulders, which had been shrinking all this time.
Returning to his original imposing stature, Theo declared solemnly.
“I will win.”
He clenched his teeth before adding.
“So as not to shame Lady Chesha… I will absolutely bring victory without tarnishing Basilian’s honor.”
To the evolved bear cub, Chesha clapped her hands enthusiastically.
Seeing her clap fervently with her small hands, Theo broke into a wide smile.
It was a genuinely joyful grin.
“We’ve gotten entangled in unnecessary trouble.”
Belzeon muttered in a low voice.
“Really, it’s pointless.”
He was still dissatisfied about what happened yesterday.
He glanced at Chesha, subtly hoping she’d agree with him, but Chesha just blinked innocently, pretending not to notice.
Belzeon frowned slightly but diligently continued walking.
He was escorting Chesha to the hall where the participants of the Little Saints’ Prayer Assembly were gathering.
It was a preliminary gathering before the official start of the prayer assembly, for the children to greet each other and receive simple instructions.
Of course, the Hilderd side had said only those who wished to attend needed to come.
However, since no one knew what actions might be evaluated from now on, no participant would skip the gathering.
To prevent chaos, only one guardian per child was allowed.
The most suitable person from the Basilian family to serve as Chesha’s guardian had been decided.
It was Belzeon.
“He’s the most upright-looking in our household, after all.”
Kierne had said as much when designating Belzeon as the guardian, and the twins hadn’t objected.
In such matters, the twins were good at knowing their place.
Thus, Belzeon, dressed to the nines to give off a devout impression, was heading to the hall with Chesha.
In front of the hall, Holy Knights were checking identities.
“I’m a participant in the Little Saints’ Prayer Assembly.”
Belzeon announced on Chesha’s behalf.
“Chesha of the Basilian County, Palen Empire.”
“…!”
The Holy Knights, who had been verifying identities with somewhat bored expressions until then, startled in surprise.
They suddenly began examining Chesha with great interest.
It was thanks to Hailon having turned Chesha into a celebrity in the Holy Empire yesterday.
“Thank you for attending the Little Saints’ Prayer Assembly.”
The Holy Knights bowed politely and opened the door with utmost courtesy.
Chesha waved her hand flutteringly at them in lieu of a greeting.
Leaving the grinning knights behind, she entered the hall.
The spacious hall was teeming with numerous children.
A total of 99 children.
In Hilderd, imperfect numbers were considered sacred.
The remaining one was meant to be filled by the divine.
Thus, for this Little Saints’ Prayer Assembly, ninety-nine children had been gathered from across the continent.
‘Ugh…’
Chesha scanned the hall with weary eyes.
The thought of mixing in here and diligently playing the part of a child already felt overwhelming.
“…Hmm.”
Belzeon also looked a bit dismayed.
Watching the children actively mingling here and there, Belzeon set Chesha down on the ground for now.
Chesha, not daring to wander off, clung tightly to Belzeon’s pants and just rolled her eyes around.
Then, her gaze met with golden eyes.
The child with intense golden eyes was a tiny girl around five years old.
She had violet-tinged hair and healthy tan skin.
But her face felt strangely familiar, as if seen somewhere before.
With an oddly recognizable sensation, Chesha tilted her head.
Then, it hit her in a flash.
‘…Wait, this face.’
Chesha recalled the man she had personally framed and reported to Hailon with utmost sincerity, landing him in the heresy interrogation room.
The Crown Prince of Skaya, Itar Skaya.
He had entered the Palen Empire with his younger sibling to attend the Little Saints’ Prayer Assembly.
Then, the child before her, resembling Itar, must be…
The young princess of Skaya, Aran Skaya.
Having realized the girl’s identity, Chesha quickly averted her gaze.
But it was already too late.
She felt light footsteps approaching.
“You there. Look at me.”
At the clear, ringing voice, Chesha had no choice but to look at the girl.
The golden eyes took in Chesha.
After carefully examining the sparkling golden hair and rose-pink eyes, the girl finally spoke as if realizing.
“It’s you. The baby who sent my brother to the heresy interrogation room.”
“I don’t know anything about that.”
Faced with the crisis, Chesha denied it outright for starters.
Suddenly, the girl grabbed Chesha’s hand.
Then, smiling brightly, she said.
“Thank you.”
…What?
