Volume 10 Chapter 16 The Words Of King Zeere
The grand hall is filled with many nobles.
A band is playing solemn music, and I see large chandeliers, about 5 of them, and beautiful Magic Stone lamps hanging on the walls. Tables covered with white cloth are filled with various dishes, and people dressed in dazzling outfits are chatting happily. Watching all this, I feel a bit stiff, remembering my past.
I never really had a place to belong, and there was no one to talk to or who would talk to me.
Next to Sir Stefan is FraFra, and I always found myself aimlessly lingering by the wall.
While I was standing there, I could hear whispers about me, like how I supposedly dirtied FraFra's dress even though I hadn't done anything. I was often blamed and scolded for various things.
So, I often escaped to the backyard.
Spring, summer, and autumn were okay, but winter was cold.
Most of the dresses are thin, so when my shoulders and arms are exposed, it's nice inside where the temperature is controlled by the fire Magic Stone, but outside it's really cold.
"Ah."
"...Huh? What's wrong, Lydia?"
"I used to hate being at parties, so I would sneak around in the backyard, and once, someone from Leonsroar talked to me."
I looked up at Mr. Lucian and said.
I remember once──someone spoke to me. They asked if I was okay being outside in the cold.
I was a bit surprised because I thought no one would ever talk to me kindly.
"Was that... Mr. Lucian?"
He was a beautiful person with golden hair, but I don't remember his face very well.
I don't really recall what we talked about either. I just remember feeling happy that someone spoke to me.
"Ah, ...yeah, back then, I had ulterior motives, so it wasn't exactly praiseworthy behavior. Please forget it."
"Ulterior motives?"
"My intention was to draw you over to our side... the Kirschtein side."
Mr. Lucian furrowed his brows and looked down.
I gently tugged at Mr. Lucian's hand and smiled.
"Still, I was happy."
"Lydia. ...Back then, I was living only with anger and a desire for revenge. But because I met you, I can welcome today with a peaceful heart."
Mr. Lucian takes my hand and kisses the back of it.
"My──my precious Lobelia angel. My sword and my heart are yours."
"Mr. Lucian is always so dramatic, but thank you."
"It's not dramatic at all. It's not just me. Ciel feels the same way."
Sir Ciel, who had been quietly watching us, suddenly opened his eyes wide when he was addressed. Then, with a smile on his face, he softly said, "That's right," and nodded.
"I've always been thinking──about not hurting you, about making sure you don't have to bear any suffering. I wanted to protect your quiet life in Lobelia. But..."
Sir Ciel also took one of my hands. Then, he lightly kissed my fingertips.
A kiss on the back of the hand is just a greeting, but the fingertips──I'm not sure what that means. It feels a bit embarrassing.
"You've come this far by your own will. You are kind and strong. ...I've been saved too. Without you, I would have surely lost myself. ...Thank you, Ms. Lydia."
"Sir Ciel... I feel the same way. I was able to keep going because you were there. I think I would have just kept crying alone."
"I think you look cute even when you're crying."
"Sir Ciel, lately... I'm happy you say I'm cute so much, but it's also embarrassing."
"I feel happy to express my feelings honestly."
"I've been praising Lydia as cute long before you, Ciel."
"I thought Mr. Lucian was a bit shallow... but not anymore."
I've never been praised like this before, so I feel a bit restless.
It's almost time for my turn, and with Mr. Lucian and Sir Ciel pulling my hands, I stood up from the chair.
Eir-Eir are left at home, munching on the party feast that the maids brought over, happily chowing down at the table.
Father and Mother went up on stage first.
With the support of Father and Duke Marx, King Zeere is there.
It seems he pushed himself to come here from his sickbed today. Just for this last duty.
By Sir Stefan's side are Lady Emilia and Lady Anna.
I was led to the stage by Mr. Lucian and Sir Ciel.
When I arrived, Sir Stefan saw me and smiled gently, bowing his head respectfully.
"Everyone──these are my last words. Please listen carefully."
King Zeere, deeply seated in his chair, supported by Father and Duke Marx, spoke in a hoarse, pained voice, yet it resonated like thunder in the quiet night.
The orchestra stopped playing, and the chatter faded away like water being splashed, leaving a heavy silence.
"My life is almost over. As a king, I have made many mistakes. If I had the power of Saint Lydia, my body could be healed, and I could live on. But I do not wish for that."
I clasped my hands tightly in front of my chest.
Mother gently placed her hand on my shoulder.
"My son Stefan has long been under the control of monsters, causing everyone to feel uneasy. But now, it's different. Thanks to the power of the Saint, he has regained his sanity and is now serving as king in my place. My role is no longer needed. There's no reason for me to cling to life anymore."
"...Father."
Lady Anna let tears fall softly.
Lady Emilia hugged her shoulder.
"In the past, during the suppression of Kirschtein, I killed many Kirschtein people. And knowing that the Gem's People are being hunted, I could do nothing. ...I have nothing but regret."
King Zeere took a long breath there.
It was as if he was trying to expel everything that was in his heart.
"I couldn't become a great king... but surely, Stefan will build a more peaceful and calm Kingdom than now. Together with the Kirschtein people and Gem's People──and with the Saint."
That gaze moved from Mr. Lucian to Sir Ciel, and then to me in turn.
I nodded, letting them know I was okay. There wasn't much I could do, but I at least wanted them to feel reassured. I hoped they could stay calm and at peace.
Instead of King Zeere, my father, who had stepped away from King Zeere's side, stood before Sir Stefan with the crown in hand.
It seemed that King Zeere was struggling to speak.
"Stefan. Please, take care of this country."
With those final words, the crown was placed on Sir Stefan's head.
Sir Stefan knelt to accept it, then bowed deeply to King Zeere.
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