Chapter 49: Rosalind and the Black Clan
"Welcome home, my lady."
"I'm back. While I was away, how is Mother?"
"She is unchanged."
"That’s good to hear."
After parting ways with Lionel—the boy who had been calling himself Riven and his companions—I once again used transfer magic and returned to the Kingdom of Laudinal.
The royal palace, the Black Castle. Its appearance is mainly white, but because the Black Clan resides here, that is what it is called. We live in one of its wings, a detached palace. People generally call it the Red Palace.
"My lady, how is the young master doing?"
"He was doing well. At this rate, I think he’ll be ready to leave the nest."
"Is that so? That is most reassuring."
"Thank you, for being glad about his growth."
This butler—Piscis—has served Mother since before we were born. One of the few allies we have within the palace.
When that child, already weak in standing and without any divine authority, left the nest, Piscis worried himself sick. Yet now that the child has grown, he rejoices without reservation.
I wonder if that child will ever realize it. Most likely, it would never even cross his mind.
He thinks of himself as a failure, unloved by Mother. That much is understandable. But that doesn’t mean he is unloved by everyone else.
"And now, my lady, what do you intend to do?"
"My policy has not changed. I will continue working toward Mother’s wish. I will aim for the throne."
"And the young master…?"
"I will not oppose him."
Piscis let out a sigh of relief. He must simply not want to witness conflict among kin.
Competing with my other half-siblings for the throne? Hardly. Half-siblings are no family. They are nothing but enemies—foolish enemies who oppress us. One day, I will make them understand their place. For now, though, I have other priorities.
"Mother’s only wish is for one of her children to take the throne. In that case, whether it is me or him makes no difference, does it?"
"Do you believe the young master would be content with a throne granted to him by another?"
"Of course not. The child I love is not someone so accommodating."
I couldn’t help but laugh. Piscis knew exactly what he was saying. What a delightful joke.
"First, we should deal with my foolish elder brother."
"If there is anything you need, please command this worn-out body of mine as you wish."
"Thank you. If we move Hyden, Father will know instantly. When I have something I need done, I’ll ask you."
"Yes, my lady."
Even though we live in the Red Palace, the least favored of all, we have managed this far largely thanks to Piscis’s efforts. The fact that Mother has survived this long in a palace full of traitors proves it.
As long as I’m here, things will be fine. Perhaps it was for the best that I didn’t bring that child back. Managing Mother’s tantrums, that child’s care, and dealing with the garbage around us would simply be too much.
I should be grateful. That child has grown enough to stand apart from my hand. Even if it makes me lonely.
"Heh."
The memory made me laugh. The expression that child showed in battle. To think he could make a face like that—it fills me with joy. Piscis looked at me curiously, but this is something I will not share even with him. I’ll keep it safe in my heart as my own treasure.
"Hey, Piscis. That child cut through my divine authority."
"What!? You mean he broke through the Authority of Collapse!?"
"Yes. But it was thanks to the girl who stood by his side."
Charlotte. Such a mysterious girl. I still can’t understand why she was with him.
But no—he himself didn’t seem to notice. In that case, they must have met by chance. Or perhaps this is fate. A child of the Black Clan without divine authority, and beside him, a white Priestess.
Is this a reenactment of the nation’s founding? If so… I look forward to it.
Her hair wasn’t white, but if it was dyed, it makes sense. The White Clan should be proud of their hair color, but considering her birth, it is understandable.
There are other signs too—like the instability of her divine authority. There’s no mistake.
But what matters most is the simple fact that she has become a good person for him. What she truly is hardly matters.
Ah, I can’t wait for the child she carries to be born. Surely it will be an adorable baby.
"An excellent king will always be followed by excellent subjects. That child… is blessed with friends."
"…If you say so, my lady, then it must be true."
"Truly, Tenyuu was such a wasteful loss."
Because of the meddling of the Second Prince—Rahak—our battle for succession has grown complicated. What should have been a straightforward struggle has lost its original shape, and now we’re dragged into needless political games.
If that child seeks the throne, then leaving when he did was indeed the right choice. That sharp instinct for timing is also a quality of a king.
Ah, the more I think about it, the more I want to praise him. For his sake, I would sweep away every obstacle in his path. If not for the fact that the throne itself holds nothing that he desires, I might have done so already.
"Hohoho. Were you able to deliver the sword safely?"
"Yes. It made it into his hands."
"Was that truly the best way? If you had simply handed it over, the young master would surely have been grateful…"
"No. I couldn’t. I don’t want him to hate me."
After Tenyuu died, I could hardly bear to look at that child. I managed to take back the weapon, but… I couldn’t bring myself to speak to him. I still regret it, even now. I should have said something.
"…Though at this point, it may be too late."
"What was that?"
"Nothing. I spoke out of turn."
I know I’m hard for him to like. I’ve stood in his way countless times, deliberately making myself a wall for his sake. It’s no wonder he thinks of me as an obstacle.
And yet—even so—I can’t throw away my wish to be loved by my dear younger brother. We are, after all, the Clan of Love.
Lionel… you too will come to suffer. That love of yours is one that crosses the divide between races. The chance of it withering is far greater.
But if it bears fruit… it will be a fruit so grand, so unrivaled, that none could ever compare.
"…I look forward to that child’s future."
"Yes, indeed."
Well then, enough of this pleasant chatter. It’s time to get back to work.
"Let us do our part. So that when that child returns, we’ll have a battlefield ready for him. A stage where he can fight as he should."
Someday, when he comes back—he must be able to see his true will carried out.
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