Chapter 91

91

Sharent Clown looked at me, a smile playing on the corners of his mouth, as he slowly turned around and scanned the crowd.

A thunderous applause erupted.

It was so loud it felt like my ears would burst.

When I subtly covered one ear, he finally turned his back to the audience.

"The Clown family is quite popular."

"Ahh, hmm..."

That would be nice.

I don’t know what I’m officially recognized as, but do they usually give such loud cheers to a bastard child?

Or was I adopted as part of some social service?

‘With all outside information completely blocked off.’

The only close maid I have is Vera, but Vera never talks about such things.

And the other well-educated servants don’t just talk freely around the mansion.

Of course, there used to be some secret bullying, but it’s completely gone now.

In any case, without Sharent Clown or Deshar Clown telling me, I was completely cut off from the world.

"I also felt the need to show you off to prevent any unnecessary rumors."

At Sharent Clown’s words, I slowly looked at the crowd.

In front of so many people, he was essentially declaring me as his child.

In front of so many people.

"Your Highness, the Clown Duke."

I was starting to feel strange when a voice came from behind me.

Isn’t it hard for someone with a title to use such an extreme form of respect to address a young duke?

But Sharent Clown and the person he was addressing both took it as a matter of course.

"Lord Deshel, it’s been a while. It seems you’ve come a long way from the north."

"Haha, if I didn’t come, His Majesty said he would personally create a seat for me in the capital..."

Although he didn’t finish his sentence, the tone suggested that Lord Deshel had no choice.

From this, it was clear that the emperor was skilled at using others’ weaknesses.

Sharent Clown nodded once with a smile that seemed to be mocking.

"You’re always so unpredictable, Your Majesty."

"I might be, but I didn’t expect the young duke to participate as well."

Sharent Clown, who had been maintaining a composed expression, let out a low sigh at Lord Deshel’s question.

It seemed to be a familiar situation for Lord Deshel, as he chuckled.

When I glanced behind me, I saw the figure of the lord with his white hair. He looked to be in his late forties. At his feet was a girl hiding behind his legs.

"Ah, a late-born child was born, so I had to come like this."

Lord Deshel seemed to be speaking to Sharent Clown, but his gaze was on me.

I stared at the child for a moment before burying my face in Sharent Clown’s shoulder.

‘Ah, princesses and princes are enough for children.’

I don’t need any more. I don’t even want to get to know them. So I should pretend I didn’t see her.

"The new member of the Clown family seems to be a shy young lady."

"Shy..."

Sharent Clown murmured, not finding it amusing.

His neck moved slightly, and it seemed he nodded.

"Upon hearing it, it seems to be true."

What are you, a complete lack of belief in those words.

‘If you’re going to lie, can’t you at least put some effort into it?’

When I glared at him, Sharent Clown shrugged.

Suddenly, Lord Deshel looked behind Sharent Clown and took a step back.

I followed his lead and straightened my slightly tilted body. Through Sharent Clown’s shoulder, I saw a familiar figure approaching, with Kaihsan by his side.

‘What’s going on?’

I didn’t expect him to come over directly.

"The next guest seems to have arrived, so I’ll take my leave. I hope it’s a good competition."

"Yes, good luck."

After the quick-witted Lord Deshel left, Sharent Clown, who was about to turn, took a deep breath and stopped.

His lips slowly parted.

"Martina...?"

"You always know when I’m here without even looking back."

"There’s a subtle scent."

"You’re not a dog, so don’t rely on your sense of smell. I brought a scarf because I thought you might not have anyone to tie it for you. Is it a waste of my concern?"

She lightly shook two silver-gray scarves in her hand.

It seemed the two of them had become closer since the last time I saw them. Had something happened between them?

When I narrowed my eyes at Martina, she smiled and approached me.

"Hi, Shirena. How have you been? I’ve told you a few times to visit the mansion on Kaihsan’s side, but you never came."

Her voice carried a hint of reproach, and I tightly closed my mouth.

I rolled my eyes and wiggled my fingers. I had quite often avoided her by saying I was busy.

‘If I go there... I feel strange.’

Even the delicious strawberry jelly tasted bland.

I felt like an awkward guest sitting uncomfortably in someone else’s home.

"Miss."

"You’ve been avoiding me for two years, even though we live in the same mansion. Please understand, Martina."

Is she supporting me or mocking me?

Sharent Clown met my flustered gaze but turned away. It seemed he still harbored some resentment.

"Be careful and don’t get hurt, Shirena."

Martina, hearing Sharent Clown’s words, laughed softly and tied a small scarf around my wrist, making sure it wasn’t too tight.

At the end of the thin scarf, my name was embroidered in small letters.

"Be careful too."

"Yes, this is just a simple game, so nothing serious will happen."

Martina nodded at Sharent Clown’s somewhat arrogant words and stepped back.

"Shirena! Good luck! I’ll be cheering for you!"

"Umm."

I gave a vague response to Kaihsan’s loud and enthusiastic cheer.

The people around us looked at Kaihsan and me with surprise.

Why? What’s so strange?

Looking ahead, I saw Kaihsan smiling and shaking my hand.

Or was it because Sharent and Martina were talking? In any case, murmurs could be heard from all around. Of course, none of us, including me, paid any attention to it.

"Thank you for coming to the long-awaited game. Let’s proceed quickly rather than giving a speech."

As the emperor stood and spoke into the amplifier, the citizens of the empire erupted in cheers.

"Since the Clown family has received all the cheers, it seems the preparations are complete. Let’s enter the teams one by one. The screens will display the images of each team."

Pfft.

Six black subspaces appeared in the center of the Colosseum.

Several magicians employed by the imperial city were stationed in each Colosseum, and a few familiar faces from Silopia were also present.

It seemed that the maze leading to these subspaces worked on a similar principle to the trials in the ruins, which were arranged by level.

Above each entrance, images were displayed on the screens.

"The game will proceed with six teams. The team that passes through the fastest and the team that solves the most difficult trial will both receive awards."

I glanced around and saw children older than me.

It seemed to be a game that children of a certain age, who participated every few years, took part in.

However, there were no children older than eight.

‘Am I the youngest?’

Sharent Clown put me down.

He extended his hand to me.

I stared at the calloused hand he offered and slowly grasped the tips of his fingers.

‘If I’m going to do this, I should aim for first place.’

After all, the honor of the Clown family is at stake.

"Such a timid one."

I was thinking positively, but this!

Sharent Clown scolded me and pulled his fingers away, then completely covered my small hand with his large one.

Looking around, I saw that the other children were all tightly holding their fathers’ hands. It seemed I was the only one who had grabbed a finger.

It felt strange.

‘But I can’t hold the hand of a paper parent, can I?’

Right, my official parents are paper parents.

Just as the subspace began to change, turning white.

I glanced up at Sharent Clown, who was about to enter, and he spoke.

"This game is for the children, so you’ll go in first to set the difficulty level. I’ll follow right behind."

"Oh."

Right, the difficulty level needs to be set. But why aren’t the other children going in?

Looking around, I saw everyone swallowing hard, their faces filled with fear.

‘Well, I was also scared the first time I entered a subspace.’

I was worried that if something went wrong, I wouldn’t be able to come out.

Sometimes, when a subspace malfunctions, objects disappear. I had spent a lot of time wondering where those objects go.

‘But that’s all in the past.’

I walked confidently toward the subspace.

Glancing to the side, I saw the other children looking at me with surprise.

I waved at them and took the final step. Sharent Clown seemed to be following me, just one step behind.

As I entered the subspace, a long, dark path stretched out. After taking a few steps, the space began to turn even whiter and change.

The maze started to transform.