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220. Beggar Siblings – Balloon

Outside the castle, there was a commotion. Meanwhile, the royal palace was wrapped in silence as if it had made a promise. Tension and excitement. In the midst of it, the prince finished a simple breakfast and returned to his room to change his clothes.

Shrine Gothic Tapestry. The finest fabric for shrines in this era.

The blue velvet gleamed with a smooth sheen, and intricately woven embroidery adorned it. As Leo fastened his cuff with golden embroidery, the maidens draped a short cape over his shoulders.

It was shoulder roving. The prince naturally straightened his waist and puffed out his chest. It was the kind of outfit one should wear on a day such as this.

– Akiné.

Today was the day Leo would be declared the official heir of the Yeriel royal family. As he confidently stepped out of the third-floor room, the princess on the second floor was also preparing herself.

She was acknowledged as beautiful. The maidens were awestruck.

A chiffon high-waisted dress danced in the air. On that light, translucent fabric, lace shaped like leaves resembled snowflakes scattering in midwinter. The princess’s slender waist was embraced by branches, and the leafy lace gracefully followed the curve of her chest.

A V-neck, deeply plunging dress.

Between the sparse white leaves, her cleavage peeked out softly.

As one’s gaze moved up along her fair and tender skin, her elegantly carved collarbone caught the eye, and the graceful line of her jawline made one swallow hard.

A noble princess.

If one were blinded by her pale and firm skin, upon glancing at her red lips, adorned with flower red, one would surely fall in love.

Impeccably white teeth and cheeks as white as a winter morning’s snowy field made it impossible to resist the blooming crimson in between. Even the intense emotion of love would wane at the sight of her eyes.

Glittering golden. The maidens dared not look up at Lena. Her eyes, shining like the brilliant sunset in autumn, defined her.

It’s not just a mere beautiful princess. The dignity of royalty that rules over all enveloped her.

If you dared to lift your gaze to sneak a peek at the princess’s cleavage and jawline, and if your heart was stolen by her red lips, it was time to bow your head. Her waist-length golden hair, only the tips would be okay to sneak a peek at with courage.

Click-clack. And thud.

In the silent hall of the second floor, the prince and princess met. Leo de Yeriel glanced at his sister for a moment.

She has grown so much. My little sister, who used to be a bundle of flesh, is now a lady.

He couldn’t pat his proud sister’s head, standing tall with over a dozen maidens behind her. It felt oddly lonely seeing her grown up and standing alone.

With a pang of pain in his heart, Leo reached out his hand. Lena smiled softly and placed her hand on her brother’s.

The heir conferment ceremony, Akiné, differs from Akinin in order. Leo led Lena toward the lowest part of the royal palace.

Today, the neatly dressed kitchen staff greeted the noble prince and princess. In the stables, where hundreds of horses had been freshly bathed, the stablehands respectfully clasped their hands, and in the garden, where green leaves had sprouted, the gardeners bowed deeply. The princess and prince also lowered their heads.

Exchanging greetings with those working in the royal palace.

This was the first duty assigned to the heir set to ascend the throne by the Acaian Empire’s royal family. They hoped their descendants would look at the most humble folks at eye level before rising to power.

The next place Leo and Lena, who wandered around the palace, visited was the parade ground.

The guards protecting the palace.

The Royal Guard stood in formation, with the Knight Commander and First Knight Commander at the front, waiting for the prince and princess. The knight and soldiers saluted as Leo and Lena greeted them.

“Everyone—draw swords!”

“Honor! Castle!”

As the prince and princess turned around, the knights and soldiers drew their swords high towards the sky. The morning sunlight flickered on the blades, and their eyes sparkled with anticipation.

It wasn’t a necessary ceremony.

However, as Leo felt Lena’s elbow gently poke him while they were climbing the stairs, he turned around. As they wished, he drew his sword and raised it high.

Oblivion Blade.

They had demanded to show this. Leo gathered his scarce mana, and the soldiers and knights cheered.

Innocently respectable towards the martial. However, just up ahead, at the top of the stairs, were officials symbolizing the kingdom’s culture. The ceremonial officer representing all officials stepped forward and proclaimed.

“On the 21st year of Kaderik de Yeriel’s reign, the officials salute the heir of the Conrad Kingdom. Under the king’s remaining rule, may you watch over the people’s struggles and grow into a wise king who upholds the right path!”

Though formal, if the officials did not acknowledge them here, the gates would not open. Lena and Leo had to express their aspirations here. The two responded in their respective graceful, dignified voices.

“I will ensure the people do not go hungry and can have harmonious families.”

“I will create a kingdom where the people do not go hungry and can receive an education.”

Only then did the gates open. A grand hall adorned with gold and silver, lavish carpets, and chandeliers that covered the entire ceiling lay ahead. Nobles awaited them there.

On the right was the faction of Duke Midian Tertan led by him, and on the left was the new royal faction led by Marquis Dennis Arne seated according to their ranks. As the prince and princess entered, musicians began to play music, and Lena and Leo greeted the heads of each family.

The Yeriel royal family was one of the families that made up the Conrad Kingdom. As a family representing the kingdom, they were respected, and since Leo and Lena were heirs and not heads of households, they were treated equally with those present (in principle).

Thus, this place was different from the loyalty they had shown up until now.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat relaxed, with discussions on who would propose a toast as the Marquis Arne and Duke Tertan engaged in a battle of wits, while maidens served drinks and food. Just when everyone held crystal goblets in their hands, the marquis raised his glass.

“I raise a toast to the two heirs of the Yeriel royal family. Glorify the glory of the long-standing royal family, and dream of great deeds with the honorable families! May honor, glory, and blessings follow the paths of the heirs!”

“May there be honor!”

“May there be glory!”

The nobles echoed the wants of each. Joy and clamor filled the air, but amid the sharp transactions, the prince and princess maneuvered through.

At that moment, just as they were heading for the next round, Ksenia Monarch blocked their path.

“Prince. Surely you haven’t forgotten me, right?”

“Hahaha. There’s no way.”

It is customary to announce a partner for the heir undergoing Akiné at such gatherings. In the absence of one, proposals would be received on the spot, and it was already known that the prince and Baron Monarch were tied together.

Leo momentarily let go of Lena’s hand and wrapped his arms around Ksenia’s waist. This is someone who will be my partner, while Lena stood there watching in wonder.

Several young nobles approached Lena, asking her for a dance, but she kindly smiled and turned them away.

After parting with Ksenia, Leo held onto his sister’s hand again near the second-floor stairs. After introducing Ksenia to the Yeriel royal family, Lena and Leo headed higher, toward their mother’s room on the third floor. They went to pay their respects to the late queen and, followed by the nobles, made their way toward the king’s chambers.

This, too, was a process that should not originally have been present.

After greeting the nobles, the king and queen should have guided the royalty to welcome the heirs, but because the queen had passed, and the king was bedridden, this additional process had emerged.

“May the divine bless you.”

Cardinal Berg was waiting on the fourth floor, in front of the king’s chambers. He made the sign of the cross and offered a blessing prayer for the prince and princess, and those who had followed up to the fourth floor could rest their weary legs. Finally, the cardinal spoke.

“The king is waiting.”

Surprise swept through.

The king has awakened? What’s going to happen now? Cardinal Berg dismissed the hasty whispers, and as he opened the door, a message popped up.

[ Achievement: King 4/7 ]

“Prince Leo de Yeriel and Princess Lena de Yeriel request an audience.”

The king, listening to the chamberlain’s explanation.

Whether he had just awakened, his blue hair was disheveled, and he was Kaderik de Yeriel, who had endured a curse for over a decade. He lifted his indigo eyes and welcomed the grown prince and princess.

“My son, my daughter… come here.”

Though he had regained color, he was a gaunt king. With regret-filled eyes gazing at his grown children, he let out a sigh.

“Akiné. I’ve heard you’ve had a lot of troubles. Come… will you come closer?”

I have no memories of my father.

Suspicious. With a defense mechanism almost obsessive, Leo scanned his father. He could not even believe that nothing had happened until now.

However, this skinny old man didn’t seem like a threat, and the expectation turned out to be true. The king held the hands of the prince and princess and looked woeful.

“Forgive me. I fell ill and put you through hardship.”

“…It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay… You’ve grown beautifully. Just like your mother. But why does the chamberlain call you by different names? Lean, Reriana. Have you changed your names?”

[ Achievement: Bound Item 2/3 ]

[ Sword – Indestructible. ]

[ Mirror – Unusable. ]

[ Necklace – A pretty necklace. ]

Though no one felt it, Lean could sense the air going bang! Suddenly. A whirlwind erupted centering around him, and everyone in the world, including the chamberlain, Cardinal Berg, and the nobles, forgot the names of the prince and princess who had been ousted by Prince Eric. The same applied to the king, who spat out his children’s true names.

“What do you mean? Did I misstate the prince and princess’s names?”

“No. I’m completely out of it. I have to hand over the throne quickly… Help me get up.”

“It’s still too much for you…”

“Quickly. I can’t just lie here before the heads of households, right? Ah, your Excellencies. It’s been a long time. Has Duke Tertan and Marquis Arne not come?”

“…Duke Tertan and Marquis Arne have passed on their titles. Midian Tertan is now the duke, and Dennis Arne is the marquis. And Duke Midian Tertan has stepped down from the position of the western marquis.”

“…Oh dear. I apologize.”

The king, who had made a fool of himself, laughed awkwardly. Struggling to rise, he took the hands of the prince and princess and declared.

“I recognize these two as heirs. Heads of households, please take good care of my son and daughter. The affairs of the state… will be led by Lean de Yeriel, and I will gradually transfer all authority.”

His hands, now only bones, gripped tightly the hands of Reriana and Lean.

Though he was a father with no memories or past, Lean could feel his regret.

Reriana seemed to think the same as her expression reflected this. On their way down the stairs, the younger sibling fidgeted with the hand that had been grabbed by their father.

“Brother.”

“What?”

“…Nothing.”

Leading the bustling nobles, Lean and Reriana exited the royal palace. The knights in the parade ground escorted the prince and princess, and soon the royal castle gate opened. Thunderous cheers filled the square.

“It’s the prince! Long live Prince Lean de Yeriel!!”

“Long live the Conrad Kingdom! Long live Princess Reriana too!”

It was Akiné’s last turn, a time to greet the kingdom’s people. As Lean de Yeriel and Reriana de Yeriel waved their hands, the crowd gathered in the square cheered like a tidal wave!

For a moment, Lean absorbed that cheer with his whole body. Starting as a beggar in Oberg, finally… But he immediately turned his attention back to his sister.

“Rena… no, Reriana. We’ve come this far. Now this is… where we will live.”

“This is where we will live…”

It seemed the younger sister was quite emotional as she placed a hand on her chest and took a breath. She alternated her gaze between the people and the castle, her smile wide. Tears flowed down her cheeks, yet her smile was brighter.

“Yes. This is the house I will live in. For a lifetime, happily with you…”

“What did you say?”

– Clop clop!

As the festival officially commenced, loud festive music rang out.

The prince and princess boarded a carriage drawn by eight white horses and paraded around Lutina, and amidst the pleasant chaos, the ceremonial officer declared.

The announcement that the two had officially become heirs. Along with this, Lean’s vision began to rise.

It was an ending that arrived somewhat late.

Could it be that Rena becoming a princess was not the actual ending? Lean, caught off guard, suddenly grabbed his sister’s hand. “We have to be happy.” He wanted to greet them, but his vision was soaring like a balloon.

He could see the tops of his and his sister’s heads as he looked back. Unlike usual, Lean stretched out his hand with all his might toward his sister, who was floating away, but there was no hand capable of doing so.

And right when he could no longer distinguish his sister as he soared, a message emerged pointing toward the wide square.

[ Congratulations! ]