Chapter 220. The Beggar Siblings – Balloon
There was a commotion outside the castle. Inside, however, the royal palace was enveloped in a serene silence, as if by prior agreement. Amidst the tension and anticipation, the prince, after a simple breakfast, returned to his room to change his clothes.
He donned a shrine gothic tapestry, the finest fabric for gentlemen of this era.
The blue velvet gleamed smoothly, adorned with intricate embroidery. While Leo fastened the densely embroidered cuffs with golden threads, maids draped a short cape over his shoulders.
It was shoulder roving. The prince naturally straightened his back and expanded his chest. It was the attire and the day that required such a posture.
– Akine.
It was the day Leo would be declared the official heir of the Yeriel royal family. As he confidently stepped out of his room on the third floor, the princess on the second floor was also getting ready.
The maids were in awe, knowing she was beautiful.
The sheer veil-like dress made of chiffon fluttered lightly. Over the transparent, matte fabric, lace in the shape of leaves spread densely like snowflakes in the heart of winter. The princess’s slender waist was enveloped by branch-like patterns, and the leaves flourished along the gentle curve of her chest.
A V-neck, deeply cut dress.
Between the scattered white leaves, her cleavage was softly revealed.
Following the pale and tender flesh upwards, her beautifully hollowed collarbone and the elegant curve of her long jawline made one swallow hard.
A noble princess.
If one was blinded by her white, firm skin, falling in love was inevitable when their eyes landed on her crimson lips.
Her neat white teeth and cheeks as white as a winter morning’s snowfield made the red in between them irresistible. Even the intense emotion called love would wither away when confronted with her eyes.
Gleaming gold. The maids dared not look directly at Lena. Her eyes, shining like the brilliant autumn sunset, defined her.
She was not just a mere pretty princess. The dignity of royalty, who ruled over everyone, surrounded her.
If you dared to glance at the princess’s cleavage and jawline, or if you were captivated by her red lips, it was now time to bow your head. Her golden hair, cascading down to her waist, was the only part you might dare to steal a glimpse of.
Click. And then, step.
In the silent hall on the second floor, the prince and princess met. Leo de Yeriel gazed at his sister for a moment.
You’ve grown up so much. My little sister, who used to be like a tiny bundle, has now become a lady.
He couldn’t bring himself to pat his sister’s head as she confidently led the ten-odd maids behind her. Seeing his grown-up sister standing alone somehow made him feel sad.
Feeling a sharp pain in his chest, Leo reached out his hand. Lena smiled faintly and placed her hand on his.
For the ceremony of bestowing the heir title, Akine differs from Akinen in sequence. Leo led Lena toward the lowest part of the royal palace.
Today, even the neatly dressed kitchen staff greeted the noble prince and princess. In the stables, where hundreds of horses were freshly washed, the stable hands clasped their hands in reverence, and in the garden, where green leaves sprouted, the gardeners bowed deeply. The princess and the prince bowed their heads in return.
Greeting those who worked in the royal palace.
This was the first task set by the imperial family of the Archean Empire for the heir to the throne. They wished for their descendants to meet the lowest of the low at eye level before ascending.
After wandering around the royal palace, Lena and Leo next arrived at the parade ground.
The guards of the palace.
The royal guards were lined up, and the Commander of the Royal Guard and the First Knight Commander stood at the front, waiting for the prince and princess. In front of the solemn ranks, Lena and Leo performed their salutations.
“Everyone—draw your swords!”
“Honor! The Castle!”
When the prince and princess turned around, the knights and soldiers drew their swords and raised them high to the sky. The morning sunlight sparkled off the blades, and their eyes shone with anticipation.
This was a formality that was not strictly necessary.
However, as they climbed the stairs, Leo felt a gentle nudge from his sister’s elbow and turned around. As they wished, he drew his sword and held it high.
Aura Blade.
This was what they had been hoping to see. Leo gathered his dwindling mana, and the soldiers and knights cheered.
They were so earnest in their reverence for martial prowess. On the other hand, at the top of the stairs, in front of the main gate stood the bureaucrats who symbolized the kingdom’s governance. The ceremonial official stepped forward to represent all the bureaucrats and declared:
“On the 21st year of the reign of Kaderic de Yeriel, we, the officials of the Kingdom of Conrad, salute the heir. May you, under the continued rule of the king, oversee the people’s hardships with wisdom and uphold justice as a virtuous ruler!”
It was a formal procedure, but without receiving the recognition of the officials here, the gates would not open. Lena and Leo had to express their aspirations in this place. They answered in their clear, resolute voices.
“I will ensure that the people do not suffer from hunger and can lead harmonious lives.”
“I will create a kingdom where the people do not suffer from hunger and receive education.”
Only then did the gates open. The hall before them was adorned with gold and silver, covered in luxurious carpets, and illuminated by chandeliers that draped the ceiling. Here, the nobles awaited them.
On the right side, the faction of the Tartan family, led by Duke Midian Tartan, was seated, and on the left side, the new royalists, led by Marquis Dennis Arne, were arranged according to their ranks. As the prince and princess entered, musicians played music, and Lena and Leo greeted the heads of each family.
The Yeriel royal family was one of the families that made up the Kingdom of Conrad. As representatives of the kingdom, they were honored, and since Leo and Lena were heirs rather than heads of families, they were treated as equals to those present (theoretically speaking).
Thus, this place was different from the previous process where only loyalty was offered.
The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat relaxed, with discussions about who would propose a toast and a subtle power struggle between Marquis Arne and Duke Tertan while the maids served food and drinks. When crystal goblets were handed to everyone, the marquis raised his glass.
“To the two heirs of the Yeriel royal family. May you illuminate the glory of the long-reigning royal house and dream of great achievements in harmony with the noble families! May honor and glory and blessings be with you on your path forward!”
“May there be honor!”
“May there be glory!”
The nobles chanted their respective wishes as a chorus. Amidst the merriment and bustle, while subtle negotiations and transactions took place, the prince and princess moved through the crowd.
At that moment, Xenia Monarch stepped forward to block their way as they headed up the stairs for the next part of the ceremony.
“Prince, you haven’t forgotten about me, have you?”
“Hahaha. How could I?”
It was customary for the successor to declare their partner at this event. If there was none, a proposal might occur on the spot. The fact that the prince and Baroness Monarch were rumored to be in a relationship was already widely known.
Leo briefly released Lena’s hand and embraced Xenia. “This person will be my companion,” he declared, greeting the nobles while Lena watched silently, observing his actions.
Several young nobles approached Lena and asked her to dance, but she politely smiled and turned them away.
After parting with Xenia, Leo rejoined his sister’s hand on the second-floor staircase. After introducing Xenia to the Yeriel royal family, Leo and Lena ascended higher, toward their mother’s chambers on the third floor. They paid respects to the departed queen and proceeded with the nobles following closely behind, heading towards the king’s chambers.
This was also a process that should not have been necessary originally. After greeting the nobles, the king and queen were supposed to lead the successor, but with the queen deceased and the king bedridden, this additional step was added.
“May the gods bless you.”
Bishop Berg awaited them on the fourth floor, in front of the king’s chambers. He briefly made the sign of the cross and offered a prayer of blessing for the prince and princess. Those who had ascended to the fourth floor could finally rest their weary legs. After a moment, the bishop spoke again.
“The king awaits you.”
Surprise rippled through them.
The king was awake? What would happen now? As Bishop Berg silenced hasty whispers and opened the door, a message appeared.
[ Achievement: King 4/7 ]
“Prince Leo de Yeriel and Princess Lena de Yeriel request an audience.”
The king, who had awakened not long ago, with his tousled blue hair and a face marred by over a decade of suffering, was Kaderic de Yeriel. He looked up with his navy blue eyes and greeted his grown children.
“My son, my daughter… come closer.”
Though he had regained some color, he was still thin and frail. With eyes tinged with regret, he sighed as he looked at his grown children.
“Akine… I heard you both suffered greatly. Come closer… will you?”
Leo had no memories of his father.
Filled with suspicion and a profound sense of caution, Leo scrutinized his father. He couldn’t even trust that nothing untoward would happen until now.
But this frail old man didn’t seem threatening, and Leo’s expectations were confirmed. The king simply held the hands of the prince and princess and expressed his regret.
“Forgive me. You suffered in terrible illness.”
“…No.”
“No… You’ve grown so beautifully. You resemble your mother so much. But why does the archbishop call you by different names? Leanne, Leriana. Have your names been changed?”
[ Achievement: Relic Item 2/3 ]
[ Sword – Undamaged ]
[ Mirror – Unusable ]
[ Necklace – A beautiful necklace ]
No one may have noticed, but Lena felt the air explode around her. A whirlwind erupted around him, driving away the Archbishop, Bishop Berg, the nobles, and everyone else in the world, forgetting the names of the prince and princess who had chased after Prince Eric. The king, who had uttered the true names of his children, was no exception.
“What do you mean? Did I misstate the names of the prince and princess?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m just so disoriented. I must pass on the throne quickly… Help me up.”
“But you’re still too weak to…”
“Hurry. I can’t be lying here while the heads of the noble houses watch. Ah, Dukes of the Marches. It’s been a long time since we last met. I see that Duke Tertan and Marquis Arne have not come?”
“…Duke Tertan and Marquis Arne have passed on their titles. Lord Midian Tartan is now the Duke, and Lord Dennis Arne is the Marquis. Also, Duke Midian Tartan has stepped down from the position of Western Marcher Lord.”
“…Oh, I apologize for the oversight.”
The king, who had been a pitiful sight, forced a weak smile. Struggling to rise, he took the hands of the prince and princess and declared,
“I hereby recognize these two as my successors. Noble lords, please serve my son and daughter well. The governance of the kingdom… will be led by Leanne de Yeriel from now on, and I will gradually transfer all authority to him.”
With his skeletal hands, he grasped the hands of Leriana and Leanne tightly.
Though he was a father without memories or shared past, Leanne could still sense the king’s regretful feelings.
Leriana seemed to share this sentiment, her expression a mix of emotions. On the way down the stairs, she gently touched the hand that had been held by their father.
“Brother.”
“What is it?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Leading the murmuring nobles, Leanne and Leriana exited the palace. The knights at the parade ground escorted the prince and princess, and soon the main gate of the palace opened. Thunderous cheers filled the plaza.
“It’s the prince! Long live Prince Leanne de Yeriel!!”
“Long live the Kingdom of Conrad! Long live Princess Leriana!!”
The final moment of Akine, the time to greet the citizens of the kingdom, had arrived. As Prince Leanne de Yeriel and Princess Leriana de Yeriel waved to the crowd, the roar of the gathered masses seemed to lift Rutina off the ground.
Leanne momentarily absorbed the cheers with his whole being. From the beggar of Orville to finally… But he quickly turned his attention back to his sister.
“Lena… I mean, Leriana. We’ve come this far. Now, this is… the place where we will live.”
“This is where we will live…”
His sister seemed deeply moved as she placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. Looking between the people and the palace, she smiled brightly. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but her smile was even brighter.
“Yes. This is the home where I will live. With you for the rest of my life, happily…”
“What was that?”
– Bang, bang!
As the festival truly began, the lively music resounded.
The prince and princess mounted a carriage drawn by eight white horses and paraded around Rutina. Amidst the pleasant chaos, the ceremonial officer made the announcement.
The declaration that the two had become the official heirs. Along with this, Leanne’s vision began to blur.
It was the ending that had come a bit late.
Leanne, having been careless about the possibility that Lena becoming a princess might not be the end, urgently gripped his sister’s hand. “You must be happy.” He tried to say, but his vision was drifting upward like a balloon.
He saw their heads from below. Unlike usual, he could not stretch his hand towards the distant, floating image of his sister, who was receding away from him.
As he could no longer distinguish his sister, a message floated across the open plaza.
[ Congratulations! ]
