Chapter 46

The king asked me,

"Are you from the Luminous family?"

I couldn't answer immediately.

I couldn't use a makeshift excuse like, "You must have the wrong person" as I might have done in the past. This was a public setting, and the nobles' attention was focused on me. If I lied to the king, the consequences would be severe. Moreover, lying to the king was difficult for me. Raised as a loyal noble from childhood, I had psychological reservations.

So, should I tell the truth? Do I have the right to speak about my family, having been exiled?

After a moment of silence, I told the king,

"…Why don’t you ask Duke Luminous himself?"

"…I see, that makes sense."

Sensing some deep background, the king did not pry further and sent someone to call Duke Luminous, who had moved to another room.

My father would soon arrive.

It had been ten years since I last saw him, since the day I was exiled.

I had thought I would never see him again—let alone in the presence of the king.

My heart swelled with a restless feeling.

Each second felt like an eternity.

Eventually—

The door creaked open. Kneeling, I couldn't see who it was.

But I could hear the voice.

"Your Majesty, what is the matter?"

It was undoubtedly my father's voice.

"I apologize, Duke Luminous, for summoning you so suddenly. Actually, the man there—do you know him?"

The king then spoke to me.

"You may stand, Albert."

At the same time, I stood up.

And I saw him.

My father.

He saw me.

After ten years, my father's face looked even older. His body was thinner, and his eyes had lost their light. It was probably due to losing Allenzia. That sad fact had taken away his strength.

My father's eyes widened in surprise.

It must have been about ten seconds.

Then—

"Al, bert… why are you… here?"

"I see. Duke Luminous, you know him. Then I will ask again. Albert, are you from the Luminous family?"

"…Yes, that's correct. My name is Albert Luminous, the son of the Duke."

The king nodded and spoke to my father.

"Duke Luminous, Albert was involved in this battle."

"…R-really!?"

"Yes. The unit he belonged to achieved significant results, and he received a medal for his contributions."

My father's eyes wavered as they saw the medal shining on my chest.

Words didn't come out of his mouth immediately.

His lips opened and closed several times as if searching for words, and he finally said, looking away from me slightly,

"…Well done, Albert…"

That was all my father said.

I didn't think he was indifferent.

Rather, it was only natural.

He knew the depth of the ten-year estrangement and the negative emotions that had built up.

I couldn't immediately decide how to respond.

—Shut up! You abandoned me ten years ago!

It would have been easy to say such words. Perhaps I had the right to say them.

The king was there, and the noble families were there. Arguing over trivial family disputes here would tarnish the Luminous family's reputation.

It would have been the perfect opportunity for revenge.

But I couldn't do it.

My father had given up on me, but he hadn't truly abandoned me. He provided me with a home and a steady allowance. Without his protection, I would have died long ago.

I owed him a debt of gratitude.

No, even without that debt, I couldn't have done it.

I couldn't say such cruel words to a father who had lost his beloved, talented son Allenzia and was now dispirited.

I simply said,

"…Thank you…"

Just that.

Saying those words made me feel a heavy fatigue.

My father probably felt the same. We looked at each other, both looking exhausted.

Silence dominated the audience chamber. How long it lasted, I don't know. My father broke the heavy silence.

"…I'll contact you later… I want to hear your story…"

Then, to the king,

"I apologize, but I am tired and will return home today."

"Understood. I apologize for summoning you so suddenly."

Duke Luminous bowed and left the audience chamber. After watching him go, the king addressed us.

"You may leave as well. It was a significant matter. Continue to serve the country, Rihlt Strum, Albert—Luminous."

"Yes."

We left the king's presence.

As we walked back on the red carpet, I felt the unreserved gazes of the nobles. They were staring at me. Who is he? An enemy or an ally? Should he be controlled or eliminated?

"Who would have thought Luminous still had an heir…"

"From the looks of it, there's something more to this…"

"…We should investigate him as soon as possible…"

I could hear the murmurs of the nobles. They wouldn't forget about me.

I had wanted to be just Albert.

But to them, I was now Albert Luminous.

I sighed softly.

It seems once things start moving, they can't go back to how they were—

The next chapter will conclude Chapter 3.

The matter with my father wasn't resolved this time, but I will address it in the next chapter. I don't intend to drag it out.

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