The Worst Father-Daughter Reunion (2)
Rumble!
Rapiell once again unleashed blazing flames.
Kuuung!
Next, chunks of stone formed from the ruins rained down like a storm.
Kwa-ga-ga-gak!
Flashes of Rapiell’s dazzling magic streaked past before their eyes.
And just as effortlessly, the Grandel dodged them all.
In an instant, the emotional family drama Sanel had carefully planned was turning into a full-blown action battle.
“Your Majesty!”
To make matters worse, soldiers were rushing in from all sides.
They immediately raised their weapons toward Rapiell, but Grandel lifted a hand, stopping them.
“Do not interfere.”
With a simple gesture, he erected a barrier spanning a fifty-meter radius.
The soldiers were left helplessly pressed against it, unable to advance.
Grandel, having casually formed a high-grade barrier, walked over to Sanel’s side and fixed his gaze on Rapiell.
“So, it’s that one. The reason this fragile thing has managed to survive.”
“Get away from my sister!”
Rapiell growled fiercely, but because Sanel was nearby, she couldn’t unleash her magic recklessly.
Grandel, almost mockingly, flicked his finger.
Sanel’s body floated up into the air.
“Ugh!”
She felt a weightless sensation, like being suspended in zero gravity, and instinctively clutched her mouth.
“S-sister, put her down!”
“Her mana capacity is passable, but her application is pathetic.”
Sparkles of dark blue and black mana swirled in Grandel’s hand.
“If you want to save this one, then show me your resolve. Someone who cannot properly wield their mana would be better off having it returned to nature.”
Returned to nature.
That was no different from saying he would end a mage’s life.
“W-wait, Your Majesty!”
Sanel hurriedly called out, sensing danger, but he did not respond.
‘The moment Rapiell uses magic, Grandel will counterattack.’
And then Rapiell would not escape with mere injuries.
She was still far too young—at least ten years too early to face him.
“Don’t you dare touch that angel of a child!”
Sanel shouted urgently.
“Rapiell! Don’t use magic!”
“Huh? S-sister?”
Rapiell flinched at Sanel’s desperate cry, but pink mana still shimmered in her hands, ready to be unleashed at any moment.
In the end, Sanel had to take a drastic step.
“He is our father!”
Our father.
Our father.
Our father…!
Her voice echoed across the wide terrace.
Only then did Rapiell bite her lip tightly and withdraw her mana.
But she wasn’t the only one who stopped.
“……”
Grandel also halted.
For the first time, his usually unreadable expression twisted slightly as he looked at Sanel.
“…Father?”
The nobles watching from beyond the barrier collectively stirred in confusion.
“M-my goodness…”
“What did I just hear?”
“Did that Publico just say that to His Majesty…?”
“Directly… like that…?”
Chaos spread among the crowd.
And then—
“…H-hic… hic!”
Rapiell’s pink eyes welled up with tears.
“Waaaaah!”
She burst into loud sobs.
“Put sister down! Don’t hurt her, you bad guy! Waaahhh!”
She collapsed onto the ground, flailing her arms and legs in protest.
“Put her down! You idiot! Idiot!”
Her cries echoed across the terrace.
Rapiell was always an obedient child who listened to her sister.
She had tried to save Sanel from Grandel—but Sanel had told her not to use magic.
She wanted to listen to her sister… but she also needed to save her.
Unable to reconcile both thoughts, she broke down in tears.
“Sister! Sister!”
“Haah… Rapiell…”
Sanel sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead.
After a moment, Grandel clicked his tongue.
“A farce.”
He lowered his glowing hand.
At the same time, Sanel dropped from the air and landed on the ground with a thud.
“Ow!”
Grandel scoffed at her.
“One is a Publico without even a mana circuit, and the other is a being blessed by a Spirit King from birth… what a ridiculous pairing.”
With a wave of his hand, the barrier shattered with a sharp sound.
He turned and began walking back into the palace.
“I have changed my mind. We will go inside.”
His attendants hurried after him.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“Leave them. I will decide their punishment personally.”
The remaining nobles could only watch in silence, heads bowed.
Under the blazing morning sun, the only sound that echoed across the terrace was—
“Waaaaahhh! Sister!”
Rapiell’s crying as she clung to Sanel.
The Next Day
“Rapiell de Skadi.”
Around twenty people entered Dahlia Palace.
“This is an order from His Majesty the King. You are to proceed immediately to the Central Main Palace.”
So it had come.
Sanel tightened her arms around Rapiell, who still had swollen, tear-filled eyes, and hid her behind her.
“What will happen to Princess Rapiell…?”
At Kannna’s worried question, Wilbur suddenly grabbed a messenger’s leg.
“P-please, not punishment! There’s nowhere for such a small princess to be punished! Punish me instead!”
The messenger stepped back and dusted off his uniform.
“There will be no punishment.”
“…Pardon?”
“Instead.”
He looked at Rapiell.
“His Majesty has appointed her as a candidate for the throne.”
“…What?”
“Rapiell de Skadi has been officially named a royal succession candidate effective immediately.”
Wilbur blinked.
“I-I thought this was a punishment…?”
If anything, it was a promotion.
Becoming a candidate meant receiving state support and funding to develop magical abilities.
“Her role is to develop her capabilities and contribute to the kingdom. That is His Majesty’s decision in place of punishment.”
“Even after what happened…?”
“We are merely messengers. We cannot answer further.”
The servants and nanny were full of confusion—and so was Sanel.
Grandel had simply ignored Rapiell’s attack.
‘After I spent all day worrying…’
She had even seriously discussed sending Rapiell away somewhere far.
It was a relief—but also strange.
‘At least things are still following the original story… I was worried I had changed Rapiell’s fate.’
In the original novel, Rapiell also became a candidate.
The only difference was—
‘This is five years earlier.’
That was unexpected.
Still, it could be considered good fortune.
But thinking about Rapiell’s behavior toward Kedia and Grandel made Sanel dizzy again.
“Follow us.”
The messenger looked at Rapiell.
Rapiell immediately grabbed Sanel’s sleeve.
“Sister…”
“It’s okay. Nothing will happen.”
Just then—
“Lady Sanel de Skadi. You are included as well.”
“…Pardon?”
“You have also been appointed as a candidate by His Majesty.”
Central Hall of the Aster Palace
At the deepest part of the palace stood the throne room where all decisions of Skadi Kingdom were made.
“Rapiell de Skadi.”
A sacred blue light illuminated the hall as her name was called.
“Sanel de Skadi.”
Rapiell and Sanel’s names echoed across the vast chamber.
“You are the 184th and 185th royal succession candidates.”
As Sanel adjusted to the light, she saw around twenty high-ranking nobles.
And at the center—on the throne—sat Grandel.
Rapiell tugged on Sanel’s sleeve.
“Sister…”
“It’s okay. Remember what I told you.”
“Mm… I’ll behave.”
“Good girl.”
The night before, Sanel had lectured Rapiell for hours.
“I understand you’re trying to protect me, but you went too far.”
“But he was hurting you… touching your face…”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t hurt.”
“Sniff…”
After calming her down, Sanel had made her promise.
“Rapiell, I want you to get along with His Majesty.”
“Why? Why do I have to?”
“Because… he’s your father. Your only family.”
“But I’m happy with just you, Kanna, Wilbur, and Kili…”
Still, Sanel had insisted.
“You need a better environment.”
“What does that mean?”
“Just accept it. Promise me.”
In the end, Rapiell had reluctantly nodded.
It wasn’t sincere—but it was enough.
As they stepped forward, nobles whispered.
“Is that the child who stood against His Majesty?”
“Half-blood royalty… or so the rumors say.”
“Publico, they called her…”
Sanel frowned.
“Enough.”
A voice cut through the murmurs.
“Do not speak further.”
All eyes turned.
