Chapter 73
“Did you say the Little Sun will appear again? Do you mean the person who will ascend as the next emperor is coming?”
“That’s correct. And this birthmark…”
Having heard the prophecy through Welpion, I asked him about it.
He nodded and pointed to the birthmark on Estelle’s shoulder.
“Sister Reina may not have known, but this mark is a birthmark that proves the heir to the royal family.”
“You mean…”
“Yes. It means that Sister Estelle is the heir to the royal family. Just as the prophecy said.”
As soon as Welpion finished speaking, Claude stepped closer to his side.
With his arms crossed, he glanced at Estelle and frowned.
“Estelle collapsing was probably because of that.”
“That’s right. Records show that throughout history, heirs of the royal family suffered from mysterious fevers before the birthmarks appeared.”
“So there’s nothing wrong with Estelle?”
I stepped forward with my right foot.
At the same time, I clasped my hands over my chest and asked them both.
“Yes. There’s no need to worry. Estelle is healthy.”
“Thank goodness…”
Though I knew Estelle’s high fever was because of the birthmark, I had been worried.
If a high fever lasts too long, it could cause health problems that weren’t there before.
But now that I was assured of her health, I felt at ease.
“The moment I heard the prophecy, I anticipated that one day I would meet the empire’s Little Sun. But I didn’t expect them to be this close.”
As my worries faded, another thought came to mind.
“A prophecy, huh…”
Maybe it’s because I came from the 21st century, a world dominated by cutting-edge science.
I’m interested in gods and prophecies, but only as far as that goes.
It’s nothing more than a means for Estelle’s future.
“Welpion is also a story character, but a priest and cardinal as well.”
But somehow…
Hearing that the prophecy coincided with the appearance of the birthmark on Estelle made me feel strangely uplifted.
I don’t necessarily believe in gods, but it felt as if Estelle’s destiny had been decided by an unknown force.
“By the way, this is a serious problem.”
It was then.
Claude clicked his tongue and murmured seriously under his breath.
“Why do you say that?”
Now that I think about it, both Claude and Welpion had looked uneasy when they saw Estelle’s birthmark.
“Is the serious problem Claude mentioned related to that?”
I tilted my head and looked up at Claude.
“When a prophecy comes that the lost legitimate heir to the royal family will return, who do you think will be most concerned about it?”
Oh… such an obvious question?
“Of course, the royal family, right?”
“No. Wrong.”
I answered confidently, but Claude shook his head.
“Not the royal family? Why?”
This is about the future of the royal family—the heir returning to continue their line.
For the sake of the empire’s future, shouldn’t the royal family care most of all?
“And at the same time, they are regaining a lost child.”
No matter how much they are emperor and empress, they are still parents.
They had spent over ten years in pain, not knowing if their child was alive or dead.
Perhaps they thought they would never see them again.
But now, God had promised that the child, the fruit of their love, would return.
Naturally, as parents, they would focus all their attention on finding their child.
And since they are also the rulers of the empire, they would stop at nothing to do so.
But Claude says it’s not the royal family.
I was utterly confused.
“Th-then who is it?”
I was too shocked by the unexpected answer to speak properly.
I blinked and asked Claude.
Claude glanced once at Estelle and then fixed his gaze on me.
He slowly began to speak.
“Those who do not rejoice at the heir’s return.”
“…….”
“The nobles.”
Hearing Claude’s words, I was shocked.
The anti-emperor faction among the nobles.
From the moment the prophecy was delivered, they reportedly acted faster than anyone else.
To find Estelle, the royal heir.
By any means necessary.
Of course, Claude did not directly tell me why they were seeking Estelle.
But instinctively, one can guess.
Why they are seeking her.
“To kill her.”
To erase any being that might obstruct their path, leaving not even the tiniest sprout alive.
To erase her from this world forever.
“How could they do that?”
What kind of power is so threatening that they would fear a child far younger and weaker than themselves?
And this child will lead a future that is not of their generation, but the next.
Sitting by Estelle’s bedside, I gently stroked her hair.
“Are those families you mentioned before related to this as well?”
The children Estelle had faced at the academy.
Claude had said their families were noble factions.
Then surely they are connected to the nobles seeking Estelle.
I didn’t know to what extent, though.
“Yes. I didn’t say it expecting it to happen like this, but…”
It seems likely.
At that time, Claude didn’t know Estelle was the heir to the royal family.
“They weren’t well-behaved families to begin with, but we’ll need to be even more careful going forward.”
“…….”
“They are essentially the central axis of the noble factions.”
Oh no.
As I thought, they were a family to watch out for.
And even bigger than I expected.
“The central axis of the noble factions.”
Can words really carry this much weight and fear?
A sigh escaped my lips.
“…….”
What should I do?
How can I ensure that Estelle safely becomes the emperor in the future?
I gazed at Estelle, still asleep, lost in thought.
Reputation: 83
“Alright. Let’s do it that way.”
Having organized my thoughts, I stood up.
Then I approached the two who were still in the room.
Estelle’s reputation score was still low.
It wasn’t a problem when dealing with ordinary people, but when facing others, a low score could easily result in being disregarded.
So…
“Could you two…”
I had intended this anyway.
“Keep it a secret that Estelle has a birthmark?”
I would need to hide the fact that Estelle is the heir to the royal family.
Until she gains the strength to protect herself.
Until she can stand tall on her own.
“Please.”
Thoroughly.
Claude and Welpion both nodded readily at my request.
It was because they shared my thoughts.
If Estelle’s existence were revealed to the world at this time, it could be poisonous to her.
Hearing their agreement, I felt relieved.
Both were highly trustworthy, both externally and internally.
With my mind completely at ease, I could now devote my full attention to caring for Estelle.
A few days passed, waiting for Estelle to open her eyes.
“Hmm… Rey…na?”
“Estelle!”
Her voice, hoarse and cracked, called my name.
It was faint and small, almost as if I had misheard.
But I knew.
It was the voice I had longed to hear.
I immediately turned toward Estelle, who was half-sitting in bed, as soon as I heard her.
I ran to her and hugged her.
“Estelle…!”
Her small body fit perfectly into my arms.
Just a few days ago, I had been worried about the fever blazing in this tiny body.
But now, miraculously, she felt warm and comfortable, her usual body temperature returning.
My chest tightened for no reason.
I hugged her tighter to calm my racing heart.
“Reina. It’s uncomfortable.”
“Ah, s-sorry.”
A small hand tapped urgently on my back, letting me know I was hugging too tightly.
Startled, I quickly let go of her.
Then, I checked her face to make sure nothing was wrong.
“I’m okay.”
Fortunately, Estelle seemed fine.
She was just feeling suffocated by the sudden tight hug.
I let out a sigh of relief and gently stroked her hair.
