Chapter 25
“Um, madam… thank you for supporting me, even though I said I wanted to become a Holy Knight.”
“Hm?”
At my sudden words, Learwin widened her eyes in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected such a thing.
“I feel bad that you went through all the trouble of bringing me here, and yet I’m staying at the Sanctuary instead.”
Only then did Learwin smile as if she finally understood what I meant.
“No, that’s not it at all. From the beginning, you followed me to the North because you wanted to become a Holy Knight, didn’t you?”
“…You knew?”
This time, I was the one startled.
She gave me a gentle smile.
“Of course. I noticed the day we went to the Sanctuary a few days ago. If it hadn’t been your dream, you wouldn’t have come to me in the first place. I’m already happy enough that you chose to follow me. Besides, we’ll still be able to see each other every weekend.”
“…Thank you.”
I felt a sting at the bridge of my nose. I couldn’t believe such a broad-hearted person really existed.
“Hehehe. I’m looking forward to the guests who will soon gather at our estate. I’ll finally be able to break that Countess Heirod’s pride in two!”
Learwin was already reveling in anticipation, and I couldn’t help but laugh along.
There were plenty of people who believed I could never possibly possess divine power—how flustered they must be right now.
Come to think of it, before I even went to the Sanctuary, the Pluto ducal house had planned a grand party to celebrate. It was to commemorate the appearance of a girl with divine power after one hundred and fifty years.
And because that girl happened to be a ward of the Pluto family, the household’s reputation had soared even higher.
Five hundred years ago, they had already been celebrated as heroes for defeating the Demon King. Now, once again, the empire regarded them as the only house capable of saving it.
Learwin clasped her hands to her cheek with a dreamy expression.
“Who knows? Because of this, Father may even decide to adopt you formally. You’re not an ordinary child, after all.”
“Formal… adoption?”
“Yes. Then we’d truly be family. Not that I think of us as a fake family now, but still.”
“Ha-ha… yes.”
I forced a small laugh.
Formal adoption…?
That mustn’t happen.
I was already deceiving them as it was. To let things go further would only plant an even deeper sense of betrayal in their hearts when the truth came out.
I clenched my fists, a renewed determination rising within me: I had to devote myself to training and settle matters with the Demon King as soon as possible.
A few days later, on the day of the party.
From the moment the sun reached its zenith, carriages began pouring steadily into the Pluto estate.
The ballroom was vast, large enough to easily accommodate hundreds of guests.
Yet even after the nobles had filled it to the brim, I was still not allowed to enter.
“Centie, the guest of honor always makes her entrance last!”
Learwin had declared me the star of the evening.
So, I waited for the doors to open, standing beside a boy whose arm my hand rested lightly upon, just as the attendants had instructed.
“I could go in on my own, you know.”
“My mother told me to escort you. That’s all.”
I nodded at Meteor’s words. Fair enough. I hadn’t really meant it anyway.
Just as I looked straight ahead again, his voice came quietly.
“Do you really think you can do something as dangerous as becoming a Holy Knight?”
I glanced at him, but his eyes remained fixed on the doors ahead.
He didn’t seem to expect an answer, because he continued at once.
“That’s not a place for someone like you.”
Someone like me?
A dozen thoughts rushed through my mind, but instead, I smiled teasingly.
“Are you worrying about me like a big brother?”
“What?”
At last, Meteor turned toward me.
“Brother? Absolutely not! Let me make this clear—I don’t consider you my sister. You’re not even my real sibling!”
His face flushed red from fluster. The sight was so amusing that I let out a little laugh.
The men of House Pluto seemed to place an extraordinary value on bloodlines.
They clearly hated the idea of treating me, someone with not a drop of their blood, like family. Which, to be fair, was natural.
If someone brought home a stranger and demanded I treat them as family, I’d find it hard too.
Just then, the great doors of the hall opened, spilling dazzling light into my eyes.
“Lord Meteor Pluto, Lady Crescent Dallas—entering!”
The herald’s cry barely registered in my ears. The brilliance of the ballroom, overflowing with nobles in resplendent gowns, was almost blinding.
As I walked in, I could feel every gaze fix on me.
Some looked on in awe, marveling at finally seeing me in person, while others cast wary, doubtful glances.
“That must be the girl with divine power?”
“How could someone not from a major house…?”
“Even seeing her here, it feels unbelievable. What a miracle.”
I ignored the murmurs and held my head high.
Soon, Learwin approached, leading a group of noblewomen—among them, the Countess Heirod.
“Centie, everyone has been waiting to meet you. Many of them are seeing you for the first time, so let me introduce you. This is Crescent, the girl I sponsor. She was confirmed to possess divine power at the Sanctuary not long ago.”
At her words, the noblewomen brightened as they turned to me.
“My goodness, what an honor it is to finally meet you! I’ve heard so much and longed to see you.”
“The Marchioness truly has an eye for talent—imagine sponsoring such a remarkable girl!”
“Hehehe, it feels like a miracle to me as well. What could be more meaningful than sponsoring a child with divine power? And Centie even wants to become a Holy Knight. I couldn’t be prouder.”
“What a fine young lady. A true blessing for House Pluto.”
“A blessing indeed—like fortune itself has rolled into your home.”
Learwin’s smile never wavered.
As the lively conversation continued, the Countess Heirod stepped forward, her eyes crinkled in a smile while her lips twitched stiffly.
“Indeed. Quite the remarkable connection. For the very girl you sponsor to turn out to have divine power… what are the odds?”
Though her eyes smiled, the forced twitch of her lips betrayed her true feelings.
Naturally—she could hardly be pleased that I had truly been revealed to possess divine power.
Another lady, one of those who had been abducted with us to the Demon Realm, spoke up.
“Oh, Countess Heirod, didn’t you demand that Meteor take responsibility? But I suppose that’s no longer necessary now.”
“…Yes. Ha-ha. Quite right.”
The Countess’s expression froze stiff.
After all, if I hadn’t been proven to have divine power, she had insisted Meteor take responsibility for me—and he had even agreed.
But now the truth was undeniable, leaving her in an awkward position.
Learwin raised her hand to her lips, feigning regret.
“I was so distressed when you treated our Centie like a liar. The wound remains in both her heart and mine.”
“!”
Whoa, she went straight for the jugular!
I was startled but kept my composure. Learwin clearly had her reasons.
In an instant, sympathy for me and Learwin spread through the crowd, while reproachful glances were cast toward the Countess.
A whisper carried loud enough for all to hear:
“How could she? How could anyone treat the first girl in one hundred and fifty years with divine power as a liar?”
At that, the Countess’s fists clenched. Her lips still trembled, though the faint smile at her eyes stubbornly remained.
Finally, she forced herself to speak.
“I truly… made a grave mistake. I should never have doubted Crescent. Forgive me, child. Please grow into a splendid Holy Knight and save many people. I’ll be watching to see how well you do.”
“Yes. I will repay the grace of House Pluto by becoming a great Holy Knight.”
Her face twisted under the strain of her false smile.
But I didn’t care. Whether she sneered or not, I smiled brighter than ever.
