Chapter 75

A moment of slight relief.

Alber, as always, is troubled in heart.

In the audience chamber, a battle is being waged.

Maintaining a distance, he uses a shield-shaped barrier to protect the nobles and servants who cannot fight.

If he were to encircle each one, it would be endless, and immobilizing them would be too dangerous.

He wants to encircle that monsterized Cain with a barrier, but capturing its shape, which has become a messy, semi-liquid, amorphous form, is difficult. If he captures a large area, he will inevitably involve others, and if he makes it small, it might be forcibly split. It would be dangerous to involve the people around, so he cannot decide unless the situation is dire. Moreover, that monster is quite swift.

As he grunts, Julius warns him, "Don't overdo it."

Father and Michaelis are using body-strengthening magic, so their movements are incredibly fast.

Alber, who is far from being battle-hardened, often loses sight of them.

At the entrance of the audience chamber, ugly human conflicts are taking place, showing no signs of stopping.

At the very least, can't he get the pale-faced King Lauses and the two princesses, as well as Prince Leold, out of here first?

Surely, Father and the others would have an easier time with the extermination if there weren't so many obstacles around.

The biggest obstacle is probably me.

If anyone other than Father dies, he might just say, "Bad luck," and ignore it, but if I get even a scratch, he will be deeply distressed.

Moreover, the monster, which is supposed to be surrounded by many, occasionally directs its attacks at me.

With a deep-seated grudge, it targets only me.

Julius is there to help me avoid the attacks, but if I tried to run away on my own, I would have been blown away many times. It's questionable whether the barrier magic would have been in time.

Moreover, I am using two types of barrier magic simultaneously. If you count the one for the annex, it's three?

A barrier to support the ceiling's collapse, a barrier to prevent the aftereffects of the battle, and a large barrier I unconsciously set up.

Honestly, I thought I had a talent for magic, but it's quite tough.

Moreover, the last one is not something I can consciously control.

Because I am fully focused on controlling the magic, I occasionally feel a pain as if an ice pick is tapping on my skull. It seems to be gradually getting worse.

"Miss, please release the barrier. Your complexion is...!"

"But if I stop now, it might affect the battle."

"Alber-sama!"

Julius's voice is stern, almost scolding. His face, however, is not one of anger but of deep sorrow.

But I shake my dizzy head and refuse.

"No, it's not time yet! Father, Kishtria, and Michaelis are still fighting!

Cain might be fine even if debris falls, but Father and the others, even with body-strengthening magic, might not be safe!"

"The dukes can take care of themselves!

The fatigue from magic and spells is not just physical but also a severe mental and nervous strain! Release the barrier!"

"No!"

"You might end up destroying your brain! Stop! Your eyes are red! They're bloodshot! You're about to cry blood! You must be under a lot of strain! Do you want to become a cripple!?"

"No! I won't release it!"

Suddenly, I sense an even worse collapse through the barrier.

I feel my blood drain and my body tense. The headache that I had felt faintly earlier is now a pounding pain.

Julius is right.

I have a terrible headache, and my eyes feel hot. I must look awful.

I gather my magic to brace for the impact and close my eyes tightly.

At that moment, my chin is grabbed forcefully, and my face is lifted.

"Look at me!"

"…!"

His urgent voice makes me open my eyes. Julius's face, usually calm and composed, is now tinged with anxiety. His glasses are gone, and his vivid purple eyes are even more striking. I gasp, pierced by his intense gaze.

My vision is slightly red and blurry, and my consciousness is being pulled by fatigue and pain. Something sharp and sticky clings to my mind.

I'm scared, really scared—using more magic might really kill me. Even if not, I might become a cripple.

I feel a cold sweat on my back and a sense of something missing from within me.

But this is all I can do. If I can help Father and the others, I have to do this. They are literally risking their lives.

Just then, a tremendous roar shakes the ceiling and walls, and the collapse begins.

Julius shields me, his body slender but much broader and stronger than mine.

The explosion of debris and dust continues for a while.

What happened?

In a daze from the headache, I collapse, my face pressed against Julius's chest.

After a while, Julius moves, and my vision clears.

His face, without glasses, is unfamiliar, but he looks down at me with concern, checking for injuries.

He smiles gently at me, still in shock, and gently combs my disheveled hair, even though he is in a worse state.

"Are you hurt?"

"Yes, I'm... fine..."

"...The royal palace often has powerful magic interference arrays hidden for assassination prevention.

Some can even reflect back on the user... I should have warned you. Ah, you look terrible. That's why I told you to stop."

So, Julius's strong warning had that meaning too.

His usually sharp and flawless face is terribly distorted. His eyes, like trembling amethysts, are filled with emotion. I realize I have caused him a lot of worry.

The pain returns, and my consciousness is about to slip away. I nod weakly.

"I'm sorry... But Father and Kishtria were using magic normally."

"In dungeons and real wars, such interference is not uncommon.

There are tricks to counter it. A battle novice like you would be directly affected.

...You're as stubborn as ever in strange ways."

Julius silently takes out a spare pair of glasses and puts them on. Upon closer inspection, blood is trickling down his temple.

I need a tissue, no, a handkerchief.

Julius, who is thoroughly dirty, has abrasions on his hands and feet. He probably has bruises and contusions on his back.

I notice the frill on the sleeve of my dress. It's made of silk, probably. The cuffs are dirty, but the inside should be clean. I pull hard, but it doesn't tear.

...My strength is only that much.

I searched for a handkerchief, but the audience chamber attire is for semi-formal occasions. Handkerchiefs, fans, and hats are held by attendants, so I don't have any on hand.

I'm sorry, I'm not a very ladylike young lady. I wipe Julius's temple with the sleeve, being careful not to touch the wound.

"...Miss, is it appropriate to soil your fine attire with a mere servant's blood?"

He swats my arm away, or rather, gently lowers it.

When I try to gather magic to heal the injuries on his back, the hand holding mine tightens.

"No magic."

"But you're hurt. It must be painful?"

All of this is from protecting me. If it were just Julius, he could have handled it better. The stubborn, pampered shut-in caused all this mess. I'm just a hindrance. I bite my lip, and he gently scolds me, "Don't bite."

Julius is usually a bit mean, but he's so kind at times like this, which is confusing.

Just then, nearby, rubble shifts.

I flinch and look fearfully. My body tenses at the hand reaching out to me.

"Father!"

But when I recognize it's Father, the headache, fatigue, and fear all vanish. I reach out to his hand and hug him tightly.

Father, who must have been hit by the explosion, is covered in injuries. His hair is messy, and his mantle is torn. But he's alive! I want to jump and dance! But... my legs are trembling like a newborn Bambi's. The rapid succession of events has left my mind and body in a panic.

Oh, Father, you're safe! I'm so happy... I'm so relieved.

I burst into tears, and Father strokes my cheeks, his eyes soft like blue jewels.

"I'm glad you're safe. You must have been using magic nonstop, right?"

"Because the ceiling could fall and it would be dangerous."

"It's okay, Alber. You should prioritize yourself first.

If someone dies from the collapse, it's their own fault for not being able to protect themselves.

You don't need to suffer for the sake of insignificant lives.

My Alber, live for yourself.

Choose as you like, play as you like, destroy as you like.

If something is going to break on its own, just let it be.

I've always said, you are special. You are chosen."

He tilts his head charmingly, his eyes soft.

Father, who speaks like a song, soothes me with a gentle, melting voice. His voice is so familiar that I almost swoon.

But Julius looks away, his face pale, and has already taken a step back into the servant's position.

Still, Father, you really like that phrase.

"Hehe, Father. You've always said that. I'm happy as long as I have you.

I don't need the right to succession or the kingdom. I'm content with my life in Latriche. If this time can continue, I don't need a lover or a husband."

"Is that so? You really don't have many desires. If you had said you wanted something, I could have provided it."

"I can't govern. Besides, I don't want to burden Father with extra work.

...I'm just a daughter of the bloodline and family name given to me by Father and Mother. I don't want to cause any trouble.

The Latriche ducal family, the top noble family, is too large.

I don't want to replace the royal family.

...If the royal family needs the royal eyes, I will marry. If I can be of any help to Father in governing, I will be happy."

"That's not necessary. I'd rather abandon this country than let my precious Alber be toyed with by the incompetent."

Father immediately rejects my heartfelt resolve.

I was quite determined, but... he seems a bit displeased?

"Making Alber worry like this means I'm still immature."

Saying this, Father strokes my head. Hau... he's a master.

Julius and Kishtria are also skilled at head-petting, but Father is quite adept. I feel so relaxed and warm.

The people around seem to have bad expressions, but if Father doesn't like it, I won't marry. The royal family, the council, and the royal color baby can give up.

I'm ready to die with Father's wishes.

...I'm so comfortable at home that I have no intention of marrying. Long live the shut-in.

Besides, I've heard that the previous and the one before that kings sowed their seeds everywhere, more than they could manage. One must have sprouted in the city. Yes, surely. Please search hard.

Ah, Father has a scratch on his cheek.

When I reach out to heal it, he rejects me, "No."

He takes a small bottle from his pocket and hands it to me. The liquid inside sways.

"What is this?"

"It's a magic recovery potion. Drink it. Ah, your eyes are so red. Do you have a fever?

...Julius, what were you doing?"

"I have no excuse."

"I didn't listen to Julius's advice. It was my selfishness."

"I knew you would stop her before it came to this, Julius.

You're completely useless."

"That is true. It is all due to my incompetence."

But Julius tried really hard to stop me...

He even shouted and grabbed my face to stop me.

I was the one being stubborn and unreasonable.

Julius, who is usually so flawless, was desperately trying to stop me with a tense expression.

Father's punishment will be severe. Please don't.

I look at Father pleadingly, and after a while, he relents.

"...Alber, why do you protect such a trash bug?"

Trash bug...?

I ponder the words for a while but eventually realize he's referring to Julius.

This handsome elite servant as a trash bug...?

Julius manages the Latriche ducal family's main business, the Rose Brand, and has achieved a barony in one generation. He is extremely capable.

Not only that, he is a skilled bodyguard. He is probably stronger than any knight. He avoided the monster's attacks while carrying me. Even with the surrounding interference, his potential is undeniable.

He is also handsome. An intellectual beauty. His usually well-groomed black hair is now messy, but his deep purple eyes behind the lenses are like fine amethysts. His face is sharp and slightly cold, with a fair complexion. His intelligent eyebrows, cool and slender eyes, straight nose, and flawless mouth. He is always calm and composed, moving gracefully, and exudes a sense of dignity despite being a servant.

He always handles my whims flawlessly. He has been my long-time protector, a super servant for a needy young lady.

Then what am I?

A microbe? A green algae or a volvox?

I'm a shut-in who does nothing and lives off the love of my family.

My value, being kidnapped by the bear duke and only crying, is...

My face feels like it's syncing with a cat that feels the universe.

Thank you for reading!