Chapter 107
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Chapter 107
Shortly after, a knock sounded at the door, and the Priest returned.
"Your Majesty, I have brought the young lady of Rowswide."
"Let her in."
The moment permission was granted, the door opened and Vivian entered.
"You called for me, Your Majesty."
Lahedis, whose expression had grown rigid since Allen mentioned Vivian, began to display unmistakable signs of agitation the instant she appeared—like a beast bereft of its young.
Allen's lips curved into a crooked smile at the sight.
'Father compared me to this man, who trembles over a mere girl?'
The Father Emperor had raised me with an iron hand since childhood.
[Strive harder. The world remembers only first place. No matter how hard you try, second place has no value whatsoever.]
The Father Emperor resented Hildegard for her natural magical talent despite being a daughter, and disapproved of Allen for lacking magical aptitude despite being a son.
Yet no amount of effort could cultivate the innate "vessel of mana" one was born with.
Ultimately, I devoted myself to swordsmanship instead of magic, something beyond my control.
After grueling effort, I believed I had reached a level in swordsmanship that none could easily surpass.
But the Father Emperor remained unsatisfied, and I was relegated to second place when Dain emerged as a war hero.
Then, when Lahedis returned, the Father Emperor's comparisons and verbal abuse reached paroxysmal levels.
In my naive childhood, it all seemed like my own shortcomings, but now that I was an adult, it did not.
Now both the Father Emperor's comparisons and Lahedis—the source of that torment—filled me with unbearable disdain.
'Once he realizes this fellow is worthless, those tiresome comparisons will finally cease.'
I summoned Vivian intending to expose Lahedis's weaknesses, and the plan had proceeded smoothly thus far.
The mere fact that Vivian stood before him caused Lahedis to become so visibly flustered.
I parted my lips with a satisfied smile at his reaction.
"As you've likely heard, Daemon's condition has suddenly deteriorated."
"Yes, the Priest informed me."
"Then we can dispense with lengthy explanations. A replacement is needed, and I believe Rowswide is most suited for the position."
"I am grateful for the kind proposal with our house in mind, but I worry whether my participation in such an important ceremony marking the year's beginning might bring dishonor."
"Well, you needn't overthink it. If you've grasped the basic protocols, you can simply follow along naturally enough."
Lahedis swallowed a hollow laugh at Allen's casual tone.
While the movements were not particularly complicated as Allen suggested, the Temple typically sent a Priest several days prior to teach the procedures for such an important ceremony.
'But to explain it on the day itself and expect her to simply wing it?'
It was a proposal with unmistakable intent to humiliate Vivian and diminish Rowswide's prestige.
Finally, Lahedis, who had been listening in silence, interjected.
"One moment, Your Majesty. Even simple movements are difficult to master on the day itself. As this is an important ceremony, I would respectfully request you reconsider your decision."
A glint of interest flickered in Allen's eyes.
As if he had been waiting for Lahedis to intervene.
"It seems the Young Duke underestimates the young lady considerably?"
Allen, ridiculing Lahedis for his protective stance toward Vivian as expected, turned to regard her.
"Though the young lady has lived as a commoner for many years, Rowswide surely taught its heir proper etiquette. Surely she is capable of that much."
Is that not so?
At Allen's question directed toward Vivian, Lahedis's brow furrowed.
'He deliberately mentioned Rowswide.'
If Vivian fled from here, it wouldn't be merely her problem alone—it would tarnish the Lowswide Marquess Residence's name.
Thus, she couldn't refuse his proposal.
[Who would dare insult you for dancing poorly? The Lowswide Marquess Residence stands behind you.]
[That's why I want to do well. So I won't shame that name.]
Lahedis, knowing how deeply Vivian felt responsibility toward her family's honor, found this situation unsettling.
And as he'd anticipated.
"Your Highness has considered our family's prestige, so it would be improper to refuse."
Vivian accepted Allen's proposal rather than reject it.
"I will do my utmost to not disgrace it."
Yet contrary to Lahedis's expectations, her voice carried a solemn resolve.
Lahedis tried to dissuade Vivian from accepting such a reckless proposal, but a knock at the door cut off his words.
"Your Highness, it's time to depart for the Main Hall."
At that announcement, both Vivian's and Lahedis's eyes wavered simultaneously.
At this rate, Vivian would have to perform the ceremony without a single rehearsal.
And unfortunately, this was precisely the situation Allen had desired.
"Oh, what a shame. If the Young Noble hadn't objected, we could have coordinated the movements at least once."
Allen observed the rigid expressions of Lahedis and Vivian, then handed a note to Vivian.
"It's the lines the Young Lady must recite during the ceremony. It's not long, but having it as a cheat sheet should give you peace of mind."
The lines weren't particularly lengthy, but since they were words offered to the divine, they were written in complex ancient language.
It was a language Vivian, who had lived as a commoner, had never encountered.
"And unfortunately, there won't be time to rehearse. Still, I trust the Young Lady will do splendidly."
Watching Vivian accept the note with evident tension etched across her face, Allen smiled with satisfaction.
The cheat sheet, of course, had not been created to help her.
'Rather, it's meant to confuse her.'
Unfamiliar with the movements, Vivian would have to follow others' cues while simultaneously reading lines in ancient language.
The more she failed to memorize the lines, the more scattered her focus would become, raising the probability of mistakes.
'If this commoner girl makes a mistake....'
Lahedis, equally focused on Vivian, would likely panic and make errors as well.
'I'll show Father that the man he fears so greatly is nothing special.'
Allen spoke, observing the visibly tense Vivian and Lahedis.
"Then let's depart at once."
* * *
The six protagonists of today's ceremony changed into formal attire and proceeded directly to the Main Hall where people awaited.
The Emperor's brief congratulatory address marking the beginning of the second part of the New Year Ceremony had just concluded.
"Finally, we shall commence the sacred flame ignition ceremony."
Under the Pope's guidance, Allen and five nobles entered.
It was at that moment that Dain's brow, which had been observing the proceedings with an indifferent expression, narrowed sharply.
'Vivian...?'
Igraine had made her refusal to the Emperor abundantly clear, so how had this come to pass?
The confusion in the Emperor's eyes suggested this was not his doing.
'Then who on earth...'
Among the five young nobles, Vivian stood out with unmistakable prominence.
As if to prove it, every gaze within the Temple converged upon her.
I didn't know who had placed Vivian in that position, but the intention was crystal clear.
'...They mean to humiliate both Vivian and Rowswide before everyone's eyes.'
Dain clenched his teeth.
Yet he could not withdraw Vivian now that she stood before the assembled crowd.
All he could do was watch and pray she would acquit herself well.
Soon, the sacred flame ignition ceremony commenced.
The first to proceed was the Young Noble of the Marquis's Residence.
He washed his hands with holy water, traced the sacred sign, then knelt as he held the small brazier the Priest offered toward Allen.
[Divine God who watches over Hildeon, grant our King the radiance to illuminate even the darkest corners.]
The other Young Nobles followed in turn with identical movements, though each spoke different words.
After two Young Nobles completed their turns without incident, it was Vivian's moment.
Allen swelled with anticipation as he observed Vivian's heavy composure and Lahedis watching her with anxious eyes.
'Come now, live up to my expectations.'
Vivian rose from her place and passed Allen, moving toward the basin of holy water.
But then...
'...She's smiling?'
As Vivian passed Allen, a confident smile played at the corners of her lips.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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