Chapter 19

It makes me happy that you are reading this. Thank you.

This is the second part of today's story.

Tomorrow, I will post the conclusion of the main story and an epilogue. It will be around the same time.

---

"Miss Noel Michelle.

She was unfortunately born into the Vionne family, but was protected by Gill Michelle.

The Vionne family is a viscount family whose head was fined for violating the domain laws.

Moreover, they were also sued for neglecting the upbringing of their second daughter, Noel.

It is known from the healer's testimony that Noel was a victim of an assault, with records showing multiple burn marks on her back.

Her older sister, Zeraphi, was the perpetrator."

Luka announced this in a deep voice, and the gaze of the Fourth Prince, Sariel, who was in the conference room, focused on the last words.

It was known that his fiancée was Zeraphi Vionne.

The fact that Zeraphi had coerced a lower noble's daughter into doing her homework had already spread among the students of the Royal Academy.

"Noel possesses a rare magical ability.

It is the ability to bestow magic.

She is a bestowal mage.

This year, in the Western Galdar Forest, the increase in the number of monsters caused the knights to struggle.

However, weapons enchanted with bestowal magic helped the knights.

Our country has few mages, so instead, the knights have repeatedly undergone rigorous training to improve their sword skills.

When enchanted rapiers with fire were provided, the death and injury rate of the knights significantly decreased.

For the front-line knights, enchanted leather armor was distributed.

Enchanted throwing knives with lightning were highly lethal. When used by a skilled knight, they were like a golden club to a demon.

Noel was a savior.

Her birth family, the Vionne family, was a bunch of scoundrels, though."

Luka's harsh words made Sariel lower his gaze even more.

Noel, feeling out of place when spoken about so openly, was unsure if she was being praised or just reported on.

"Noel has a fiancé, so don't think about marrying her."

Luka firmly stated this, and several lords clearly looked disappointed.

Luka continued.

"Her fiancé is Prince Sirius Alnol Roche Anzela."

The grand conference room buzzed with whispers.

"Moving on to the next topic.

The king's confession. I was asked to expose it, so I will speak.

About 24 years ago.

Two concubines in the harem were said to be pregnant. However, that was not the truth.

Only one was pregnant.

She was carrying twins.

The king ordered that the fact that they were twins be hidden."

The grand conference room buzzed again at Luka's words.

"The king also revealed the reason.

He no longer wanted to share a bed with the concubine.

After that, he had no interest in the concubine or the children she bore.

He let the twins be born to two different concubines, regardless of the consequences."

A deeply unpleasant silence fell.

Noel, feeling angry, frowned.

"Upon receiving the report that the first prince born had brown hair, the king ordered the brothers to be switched."

There was no more buzzing. A deep silence fell.

"When the two princes were five years old, their magical power was assessed.

The result was that Prince Jules was slightly closer to 'Great.'

Prince Sirius was 'Extraordinary.'

To my knowledge, Prince Sirius is the only one in the world with an 'Extraordinary' rank.

The king began to realize his mistake, but it was too late to turn back.

The king's illness is gradually progressing.

He is still alive because his magical power was as high as Prince Jules'.

Shall we choose the crown prince now?"

"My magical power should also be announced, Lord Luka.

It is 'Medium.' Slightly closer to 'Great.'

Moreover, my grandfather and mother are against me becoming king.

I want to live a long life.

Understood?"

Robert looked around at the lords with a smile.

At that moment, the door to the conference room was knocked on, and a clerk whispered something to Luka.

Until then, Prince Jules, who had been silent, stood up.

"They have arrived."

He murmured.

--- Who?

Everyone wondered.

Noel already knew from the faint magical aura she could sense.

The door was roughly opened.

Sirius, looking angry, appeared in the conference room.

No one said anything... no one could.

"Why did you bring Noel here without permission!"

Sirius demanded in a low, angry voice.

"Of course.

If she ran away, it would be troublesome.

I can't allow her to live permanently in the Republic of Condrea, let alone with her husband."

Jules' words made the lords open their eyes wide.

"I said I would leave the country if my brother doesn't become king!"

"I am offering to sell the enchanted items at a low price!"

Jules' bombshell made the lords' gazes shift.

"What are you saying!

You are the first prince recognized by the king."

"Would I be happy to be recognized by that king?

It's a terrible insult.

Do you think this country can function without divine protection?

Six years ago, while my brother was abroad due to the queen's harassment, how many monsters and natural disasters do you think increased?

How difficult it was."

The lords realized the truth.

No lord had escaped the severe disasters six years ago.

The disasters increased the most six years ago, but the country continued to face difficulties before and after.

The lords clenched their fists, realizing it was the queen's fault.

"I know.

You are the ones who created the cause."

"Are you going to burden the innocent citizens and knights with the mistakes of a foolish king and queen?"

"The core of the country chose that king and queen.

They should take responsibility.

They are always pardoned without any suffering, so nothing changes.

The national deity has already made a decision."

"No, not yet."

Jules suddenly threw the royal scepter he was holding to Sirius.

Sirius caught the scepter instinctively.

Instantly, the scepter shone brightly, like it was gathering sunlight.

It was like a small sun had appeared.

The light was not hot and did not burn the eyes, but it was clearly a light of divine protection and blessing.

All the mages performed the traditional mage's salute, and the other lords prostrated themselves.

Despite Sirius' wishes, the lords unanimously chose him as the crown prince.

◇◇◇◇◇

The day after Sirius was decided as the crown prince.

An extra edition of the newspaper was distributed in the capital.

The headlines read "Crown Prince Decided" and "The King Chosen by the National Deity."

The content of the lords' meeting, which was supposed to be highly confidential,

"Since Prince Sirius' ascension to the crown prince went well, it will be announced nationwide."

At the chancellor's word, it was published on the front page of the newspaper.

Parts that seemed to involve state secrets were blurred, but the king's foolish actions were fully exposed.

Noel's bestowal magic, which was related to the country's military strength, was a blurred issue.

A few days after the extra edition was distributed,

A fatal incident occurred at the Royal Academy.

Zeraphi, enraged upon learning that Sariel would not become the crown prince, unleashed a fire attack on her classmates.

Prince Sariel was present at the scene.

Zeraphi, enraged by the taunts about not becoming the crown princess, went on a rampage.

Prince Sariel stood in front of the young ladies to protect them and cast a barrier.

He was apparently strong in earth magic and was quite skilled at barriers.

However, Zeraphi's fire attack was even more powerful.

A young lady who was slightly away from the barrier was burned to death instantly.

Sariel suffered severe burns and was in critical condition. A guard knight who tried to stop her was seriously injured.

He was on the verge of death but was healed by a skilled healer and eventually recovered. It was a secret that the skilled healer was Sirius.

The other young ladies were only lightly injured because Sariel protected them at the cost of his own life.

Zeraphi and her parents were sent to the mines.

They were supposed to be executed, but the parents of the victims refused, saying, "We don't want a quick and easy execution. We want them to work in the mines for life."

They would work for the rest of their lives to pay the compensation.

The Vionne family was temporarily dissolved.

"Temporarily dissolved" means that Prince Sariel took over and immediately revived it.

◇◇◇◇◇

--- This is so different from what was planned...

Noel, being dressed, felt a complex mix of emotions. Honestly, she felt like hanging her head.

A pure white silk outfit with rose embroidery was prepared, and Noel's curly hair was beautifully styled into an updo by skilled maids.

The technique used to lift the chest made it appear about 10% fuller.

A month had passed since the shocking lords' meeting.

Today was the wedding.

Usually, royal weddings take place a year after the engagement, but it was happening now because Sirius declared, "The wedding will proceed according to our plans."

The issue was that the king was seriously ill.

Sirius said, "I don't care about the king's condition," but traditionally, celebrations are not held while the king is ill.

However, since the king's illness was long-term and the healers said, "We don't know how long this state will last," it was decided to "proceed as the crown prince wishes."

Still, no grand events were held, only the religious ceremony.

The parade and banquet were postponed.

The wedding was held on the day they had planned for their honeymoon.

They became a married couple on the day they had hoped to travel.

It couldn't be helped.

The carefree and enjoyable honeymoon was canceled.

Noel reminisced.

They had planned the trip together.

They were going to travel to the Alres Empire where Sirius had studied.

They talked about renting a house in the Republic of Condrea and living there for a while.

Noel told Sirius she wanted a house with a green roof, white plaster, and red bricks.

Their plans were erased.

--- But I don't want the knights to face brutal monster hunts or the citizens to suffer from disasters and epidemics.

She was used to enduring.

Sirius had no intention of becoming king, but he couldn't escape after being chosen by the royal scepter and unanimously decided by the lords.

Noel didn't understand it well, but it seemed Sirius was forced into the situation of becoming the crown prince.

After the ceremony, Sirius and Noel greeted the gathered crowd from the palace balcony.

Thanks to the front-page coverage, people from all over the country had gathered.

As far as the eye could see, the area was filled with people.

Sirius appeared with a dignified presence, while Noel stood beside him in a daze.

Prince Jules handed the royal insignia to Sirius.

The king had