“Excuse me, I’m sorry, but…”
Luna approached them, pulling her robe down a bit more.
“I’ve been trying to find this video sphere myself. Where did you get it?”
“Oh, my dear, don’t even bother. They must have all sold out by now.”
“Ah… I see. What should I do?” Her voice trembled slightly, attracting the attention of those around her.
“Why do you ask, my dear?”
“That, I’ve been looking for my older brother, who I separated from when I was young…” Luna bowed her head so low that her face couldn’t be seen. “I heard rumors that the knights from the Duchy of Felicite were Norma, so…”
“Norma?”
“Norma as in Felicite’s murderous weapons?”
“Actually, my older brother was also driven from home for being cursed…” Her cloaked figure made her seem even more pitiable. “People started dying in my family ever since he was born…”
“Oh my goodness.”
With each word Luna spoke, the crowd buzzed.
“Mo–most of those boys were reportedly selected to become Norma at the Duchy of Felicite…”
A girl wandering the streets, shoulders slumped, voice quivering. Moreover, the words she cautiously spoke were enough to draw people’s attention.
“Ever since those Norma from the underground were brought up to the duchy for training… there’s been a weird skin disease going around.”
“What’s she talking about?”
“Yeah, there was a rumor about a skin disease at the duchy. I heard that major servants were dismissed.”
Even passersby stopped to listen.
“I’m scared because something like that happened at this hunting competition… No, rather than being scared, I was wondering if I could find my brother.”
Luna knew better than anyone how people loved ‘conspiracy theories’ and how her tearful voice could stir emotions.
“Don’t cry, my dear.”
“Sniff.”
A single tear dropped perfectly sealed the act.
The evidence older sister has against me isn’t much anyway.
Memories of encounters in the garden and traces of the burdock on clothes. Such things could easily be buried by a bigger public outcry.
“My older brother, those Norma coming into the world… it might have brought a curse. We need to stop it.”
The curse. The skin disease at the Duchy Felicite, the monsters evolving, the magician’s death—all of it! It’s all because of them.
Hearing the murmurs around her, Luna thought. This incident could be a good opportunity to separate those lowly beings from her sister’s side. Then, just like in old times, Siani would be alone again.
* * *
“Princess.”
“Aeron.”
As I was heading to the duke’s office, Aeron approached me.
“As you ordered, I’ve had someone keep an eye on things for the past few days.” He whispered quietly after looking around. “…is what they said.”
Hearing his words, my eyes gradually narrowed.
“Oh, is that so?”
My mind went cold. I had been prepared since she ran out sobbing, but this is what she decided to do…
“So stupid it’s infuriating.”
Hearing my mutter, Aeron flinched.
“I understand, Aeron. I have to see my father since he called for me.”
As I was about to turn away, I looked back at Aeron. “Also… there’s something I need to discuss about Luna. Tell Irik to meet me in the parlor.”
“Understood, Princess.”
Whether the original story was twisted or not, it couldn’t be helped now.
* * *
“Siani, I mentioned that I might need to go down to Rivelros soon.”
“Yes, Father. That’s why you briefed me on several urgent internal affairs matters.” I set down my teacup and looked at the duke.
“Yes. The schedule has been set. I’ll be leaving within the next week.”
“Next week? Ah… yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
The duke’s plan to visit the estate was something I was already aware of.
“But why are you going all of a sudden, if I may ask?”
However, I hadn’t been fully briefed on ‘why’ the duke was going.
“Um, it seems a bit sooner than I expected, but with Norma out in the world now…” The duke’s expression became very serious. “It’s about time to bring it out.”
“Bring it out?”
I couldn’t understand half of what he said. What does his going to the estate have to do with the Norma? And what is he planning to bring out?
“Siani, I once told you that the Norma and even that underground castle were related to your mother’s last wishes.”
“Ah, yes… I remember.”
I vaguely knew the story. The duke had gathered the Norma in the underground castle because of Claude Felicite’s last wishes.
“That was Claude’s first wish. The second was to open ‘that’ vault when it was time to release those boys into the world.”
It was clear ‘that’ vault had been kept a secret until now.
“So, something related to Norma is in the vault my mother left behind?”
“Yes. Interestingly, all of Claude’s wishes were related to Norma, except for you.” The duke’s expression briefly soured. “Even on her deathbed, she was so desperate about those damn boys.”
Why was Claude so obsessed with Norma and the underground castle? Even the Duke seemed unsure.
What is it? Why did the duchess gather Norma? And what did she leave in the vault that had to be opened when it was time to release them?
“Do you not know what was left in the vault?”
“No, I don’t. She was worried about leaving the ‘former royal princess’ alone till her last breath. Tsk.” The duke murmured as if sighing deeply.
But then, ‘royal princess’ struck a chord with me. Wait, the ‘former royal princess’ is Redian’s mother… I knew that Siani’s mother, Claude Felicite, was a close maid and friend to the former royal princess, Izel.
“Well, I’ll know more once I go there.”
The duke’s gaze turned heavy as he looked out the window. Rivelros, one of the many estates of the Felicite, held special memories for him. It was where he and Claude enjoyed their honeymoon before he inherited the dukedom. Thinking of returning there, even for a moment, seemed to stir something within him.
“It’s smaller than the other estates but quiet and has a beautiful sea. I’ll send word, so come down sometime.”
“That wouldn’t be hard.” I nodded naturally, then added. “If I move, my Norma, I mean, my knights should go too, right?”
“Hmm…”
The duke’s face stiffened. Since I referred to them as my knights, he seemed to have no grounds to object.
“Still, I don’t like it. After achieving such a remarkable record, to delay the award ceremony.” He muttered about the competition ending on an unsatisfactory note.
“Isn’t it noisier with that magician’s death?”
“It’s almost like we couldn’t even hold the awards ceremony.”
“What? Why?”
“The emperor said so. There are rumors among the nobility that our knights were cursed, and that’s why those incidents happened.” Hearing this, the duke’s expression turned icy. “Crazy talk. What outrageous rumors! How dare they view our Felicite family like this!”
“Don’t worry. Once we put the kids on the award stage, such rumors will naturally die down.”
My knights, our kids, would one day rule the world. Seeing them under the sun, let’s see if anyone dares to spread such rumors again. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll forgive those who spread the rumors. I’ll show them I have this up my sleeve.
“Ah, but Father. While you’re away, are you leaving the internal affairs to me?”
“It’ll be split between you and Irik. Naturally, you’ll take the lead, and Irik will assist.”
“Having Aeron as my aide is enough. Once you leave, Obelo will be more proactive in assisting me.”
The duke’s absence was a crucial turning point. It would determine whether I would seize control of all internal affairs or lose some to Irik.
“But they are loyal and intelligent subjects, not family.” The duke slowly stroked his chin and replied. “Irik is part of our family.”
…Our family? Who’s us, and who’s family?
“No, Father.” I firmly contradicted the duke.
Even in the early days of possession, I couldn’t have imagined opposing the duke or father like this. But, after all, I’ve lived longer than the duke.
“I told you before. Irik might be your adopted son, but he’s not my brother.”
Especially not Irik.
“…Well.”
“Don’t trust Irik and Luna too much. At least if those kids were in their right minds…”
I gave Luna exactly three days. If she confessed within those three days, I was willing to let it slide. Now, two days have passed, leaving only one day left.
“Such reckless behavior won’t do.”
But now, my patience for waiting another day has vanished.
“Luna.”
The decision was made. Luna would soon leave the duchy.
“Excuse me, I’m sorry, but…”
Luna approached them, pulling her robe down a bit more.
“I’ve been trying to find this video sphere myself. Where did you get it?”
“Oh, my dear, don’t even bother. They must have all sold out by now.”
“Ah… I see. What should I do?” Her voice trembled slightly, attracting the attention of those around her.
“Why do you ask, my dear?”
“That, I’ve been looking for my older brother, who I separated from when I was young…” Luna bowed her head so low that her face couldn’t be seen. “I heard rumors that the knights from the Duchy of Felicite were Norma, so…”
“Norma?”
“Norma as in Felicite’s murderous weapons?”
“Actually, my older brother was also driven from home for being cursed…” Her cloaked figure made her seem even more pitiable. “People started dying in my family ever since he was born…”
“Oh my goodness.”
With each word Luna spoke, the crowd buzzed.
“Mo–most of those boys were reportedly selected to become Norma at the Duchy of Felicite…”
A girl wandering the streets, shoulders slumped, voice quivering. Moreover, the words she cautiously spoke were enough to draw people’s attention.
“Ever since those Norma from the underground were brought up to the duchy for training… there’s been a weird skin disease going around.”
“What’s she talking about?”
“Yeah, there was a rumor about a skin disease at the duchy. I heard that major servants were dismissed.”
Even passersby stopped to listen.
“I’m scared because something like that happened at this hunting competition… No, rather than being scared, I was wondering if I could find my brother.”
Luna knew better than anyone how people loved ‘conspiracy theories’ and how her tearful voice could stir emotions.
“Don’t cry, my dear.”
“Sniff.”
A single tear dropped perfectly sealed the act.
The evidence older sister has against me isn’t much anyway.
Memories of encounters in the garden and traces of the burdock on clothes. Such things could easily be buried by a bigger public outcry.
“My older brother, those Norma coming into the world… it might have brought a curse. We need to stop it.”
The curse. The skin disease at the Duchy Felicite, the monsters evolving, the magician’s death—all of it! It’s all because of them.
Hearing the murmurs around her, Luna thought. This incident could be a good opportunity to separate those lowly beings from her sister’s side. Then, just like in old times, Siani would be alone again.
* * *
“Princess.”
“Aeron.”
As I was heading to the duke’s office, Aeron approached me.
“As you ordered, I’ve had someone keep an eye on things for the past few days.” He whispered quietly after looking around. “…is what they said.”
Hearing his words, my eyes gradually narrowed.
“Oh, is that so?”
My mind went cold. I had been prepared since she ran out sobbing, but this is what she decided to do…
“So stupid it’s infuriating.”
Hearing my mutter, Aeron flinched.
“I understand, Aeron. I have to see my father since he called for me.”
As I was about to turn away, I looked back at Aeron. “Also… there’s something I need to discuss about Luna. Tell Irik to meet me in the parlor.”
“Understood, Princess.”
Whether the original story was twisted or not, it couldn’t be helped now.
* * *
“Siani, I mentioned that I might need to go down to Rivelros soon.”
“Yes, Father. That’s why you briefed me on several urgent internal affairs matters.” I set down my teacup and looked at the duke.
“Yes. The schedule has been set. I’ll be leaving within the next week.”
“Next week? Ah… yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
The duke’s plan to visit the estate was something I was already aware of.
“But why are you going all of a sudden, if I may ask?”
However, I hadn’t been fully briefed on ‘why’ the duke was going.
“Um, it seems a bit sooner than I expected, but with Norma out in the world now…” The duke’s expression became very serious. “It’s about time to bring it out.”
“Bring it out?”
I couldn’t understand half of what he said. What does his going to the estate have to do with the Norma? And what is he planning to bring out?
“Siani, I once told you that the Norma and even that underground castle were related to your mother’s last wishes.”
“Ah, yes… I remember.”
I vaguely knew the story. The duke had gathered the Norma in the underground castle because of Claude Felicite’s last wishes.
“That was Claude’s first wish. The second was to open ‘that’ vault when it was time to release those boys into the world.”
It was clear ‘that’ vault had been kept a secret until now.
“So, something related to Norma is in the vault my mother left behind?”
“Yes. Interestingly, all of Claude’s wishes were related to Norma, except for you.” The duke’s expression briefly soured. “Even on her deathbed, she was so desperate about those damn boys.”
Why was Claude so obsessed with Norma and the underground castle? Even the Duke seemed unsure.
What is it? Why did the duchess gather Norma? And what did she leave in the vault that had to be opened when it was time to release them?
“Do you not know what was left in the vault?”
“No, I don’t. She was worried about leaving the ‘former royal princess’ alone till her last breath. Tsk.” The duke murmured as if sighing deeply.
But then, ‘royal princess’ struck a chord with me. Wait, the ‘former royal princess’ is Redian’s mother… I knew that Siani’s mother, Claude Felicite, was a close maid and friend to the former royal princess, Izel.
“Well, I’ll know more once I go there.”
The duke’s gaze turned heavy as he looked out the window. Rivelros, one of the many estates of the Felicite, held special memories for him. It was where he and Claude enjoyed their honeymoon before he inherited the dukedom. Thinking of returning there, even for a moment, seemed to stir something within him.
“It’s smaller than the other estates but quiet and has a beautiful sea. I’ll send word, so come down sometime.”
“That wouldn’t be hard.” I nodded naturally, then added. “If I move, my Norma, I mean, my knights should go too, right?”
“Hmm…”
The duke’s face stiffened. Since I referred to them as my knights, he seemed to have no grounds to object.
“Still, I don’t like it. After achieving such a remarkable record, to delay the award ceremony.” He muttered about the competition ending on an unsatisfactory note.
“Isn’t it noisier with that magician’s death?”
“It’s almost like we couldn’t even hold the awards ceremony.”
“What? Why?”
“The emperor said so. There are rumors among the nobility that our knights were cursed, and that’s why those incidents happened.” Hearing this, the duke’s expression turned icy. “Crazy talk. What outrageous rumors! How dare they view our Felicite family like this!”
“Don’t worry. Once we put the kids on the award stage, such rumors will naturally die down.”
My knights, our kids, would one day rule the world. Seeing them under the sun, let’s see if anyone dares to spread such rumors again. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll forgive those who spread the rumors. I’ll show them I have this up my sleeve.
“Ah, but Father. While you’re away, are you leaving the internal affairs to me?”
“It’ll be split between you and Irik. Naturally, you’ll take the lead, and Irik will assist.”
“Having Aeron as my aide is enough. Once you leave, Obelo will be more proactive in assisting me.”
The duke’s absence was a crucial turning point. It would determine whether I would seize control of all internal affairs or lose some to Irik.
“But they are loyal and intelligent subjects, not family.” The duke slowly stroked his chin and replied. “Irik is part of our family.”
…Our family? Who’s us, and who’s family?
“No, Father.” I firmly contradicted the duke.
Even in the early days of possession, I couldn’t have imagined opposing the duke or father like this. But, after all, I’ve lived longer than the duke.
“I told you before. Irik might be your adopted son, but he’s not my brother.”
Especially not Irik.
“…Well.”
“Don’t trust Irik and Luna too much. At least if those kids were in their right minds…”
I gave Luna exactly three days. If she confessed within those three days, I was willing to let it slide. Now, two days have passed, leaving only one day left.
“Such reckless behavior won’t do.”
But now, my patience for waiting another day has vanished.
“Luna.”
The decision was made. Luna would soon leave the duchy.
