NOVEL NEXT Chapter 171
Chapter 171. Beggar Siblings – Letter
The ball winded down early.
The ball came to an abrupt end as Prince Arnold de Klaus, who was the star of the event, stormed out, and Prince Clyaan de Tatalia, who had to clean up the mess, took Princess Chloe with him saying, “See you again,” to Leo.
Leo was dragged away by the head of the Royal Guard. People flocked around Leo hoping to fish out some juicy gossip, but the head of the guard exercised his right to remain silent and whisked Leo away from the ballroom.
Then followed a barrage of rebukes and questions. It was absurd. The questioning continued in the head of the Royal Guard’s office until sunset.
Though not in a position to ask for anything, Leo, while pleading his case, “It wasn’t me, the Princess acted recklessly,” shamelessly asked if he could go out. The administrative officer beside him was flabbergasted.
“Do you think you’re in a position to go out right now? The King has just ordered to bring Sir Noel immediately. You need to go there at once.”
“Please. It will only be for a moment. I… actually have a girlfriend. Rumors might have spread, and if I don’t go and talk to her quickly…”
Leo got down on his knees. “Please.” After a long bout of begging, the head of the Royal Guard sighed deeply.
“When will you be back?”
“Captain!”
[Achievement: Meeting Clyaan de Tatalia – Gained slight favor from all nobles serving the Tatalia royal family. Gained slight favor from Clyaan de Tatalia.]
“…I will be back before sunset. It won’t take long.”
“Alright. Go ahead. Do not say a word.”
The administrative officer reluctantly led Leo out. “You’re really something else, aren’t you?” he muttered as he issued the permission slip. Left alone in his office, the head of the Royal Guard wore a complicated expression.
“A girlfriend, huh…”
The King hadn’t set a strict deadline for bringing Noel, so the audience could be delayed slightly. However, the sight of Sir Noel on his knees pleading struck an unfortunate chord with him.
The head of the Royal Guard bitterly clamped his mouth shut and sat at his desk. He rummaged through his drawer and took out an old letter he could never send.
A very old letter. Covered in a layer of dust, the letter poured out every emotion he had and at its end was the name of his departed friend.
Ophelia.
* * *
Without even having a moment to change his clothes, Leo rushed out of the royal palace and hailed a carriage amidst whispering voices behind him.
“To Eralin Street. As quickly as possible.”
Seeing the Royal Guard uniform, the coachman whipped the horses without question.
The carriage raced through the twilight streets, and Leo remained silent. He rested his elbow on the windowsill where cold winds blew in, lost in thought with his chin in his hand.
Finally, he arrived at Count Gustav Peter’s mansion. But Leo’s desperate hope for a slim chance was rejected.
“The Count doesn’t wish to see you.”
I figured as much.
Leo turned back without hesitation, sensing that his fate was sealed, and headed to the Orange Theater.
Outside the theater stood Xenia.
On the street littered with pamphlets from the end of the play, Xenia stood with her arms crossed, waiting for Leo.
But, clearly shocked to see him, she soon responded coldly.
“So it was you after all.”
“…Xenia.”
Xenia didn’t acknowledge the uniform Leo was wearing. Biting her lip to hold back tears, she vented her anger.
“What excuse have you come with this time? I don’t want to hear it. Take your sister and get out. Never show yourself in front of me again.”
“Xenia.”
“Don’t call me by my name! No… just leave. Before I kill you.”
“…Alright. I’ll leave. But I have a request. It will probably be my last one.”
“You…!”
How could this man be so shameless? From the first meeting until this very final moment.
But Xenia couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
The initial impression of the man she believed was destined for her. Even now, despite wearing a neat uniform, despite it being revealed he shared a passionate kiss with the princess, Xenia still liked the beggar she met that time.
Xenia gave neither a positive nor negative response. Taking her non-response as a yes, Leo passed her and entered the theater.
“Leo! I heard you couldn’t make it today, but you came. Wow—you must have seen it. Guess what, Lena…”
Ober was serving drinks and snacks. On the stage, still lit with lights, actors were having a drinking party.
Today’s star, Lena, was munching on snacks, laughing with her now greatest friends, the actors.
Watching blankly, Leo asked Ober for paper and ink. Leaning on the wall, he quickly wrote.
“Xenia, please give this to Lena… Not now, but when she learns to read.”
There were two letters. One addressed to Lena, the other bearing Xenia’s name.
“And please accept this.”
A purse filled with money. A heavy purse was thrust into Xenia’s hands.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Please take care of Lena. This is my request.”
“What are you saying? Are you asking me to take care of her until you marry the princess? Do you think I’m that foolish?”
“No. I…”
Leo swallowed his emotions. He gave a faint smile to the enraged Xenia and said,
“I believe in you.”
He turned his back and left.
Xenia stood rooted to the spot for a moment. Watching his figure disappear down the dark corridor, she ripped the letter to shreds.
Shameless human!
But she couldn’t tear up the letter meant for Lena. Lena was not only the sister of that thick-skinned scoundrel but also her cherished sister and colleague.
Xenia turned around. She strode to the stage and handed the letter and a bundle of money to Lena, whose face was slightly flushed.
“Uh? What is this?”
Xenia did not say anything. Sensing something unusual from her sister’s expression, Lena hurriedly unfolded the letter.
/ Dear sister, Lena.
/ Sorry * * *. Brother is now *. read and * you too , princess* * * brother* * * .
Brother will * definitely * , listen to Xenia sister *. be happy until we meet again. /
She still wasn’t good at reading.
She only remembered a few greetings and words like ‘happiness’ and ‘princess’ that she had learned while reading fairy tales with Santian, but that was enough.
Lena’s head shot up.
“Uh, sister. What does this mean? Is brother… is he…”
He left?
Tears welled up in Lena’s eyes. Sensing her sister Xenia’s bewildered expression, she dashed out.
I can’t let brother go like this.
“Lena! Lena! Stop! It’s not like that. Mr. Ober! Catch Lena, please.”
Xenia and Mr. Ober chased after her. Thinking they’d stop her from chasing her brother, Lena sped up.
But she was quickly caught, and worse, someone blocked her way in the long corridor leading to the exit.
Santian Rauno, holding flowers, stood before her.
“Le… no… sister. Where are you going? Why, why are you crying?”
“Tian, step aside.”
“Santian! Catch Lena!”
“Please, move. I need to catch up quickly. Brother is… my brother is…”
Santian pushed the tearful Lena against the wall. Ripping a cloak hung on the corridor wall, he wrapped it around her shoulders and spread his arms to block her way.
“Go! Quickly!”
“You little brat!”
Santian was younger than Lena. Naturally, the small boy couldn’t possibly stop the burly Ober.
He was pushed aside but clung to Ober from behind with all his might. He got a nosebleed from a hit to the heel, but Ober tripped over, achieving his goal.
Damn, can’t just kick him away.
Santian was the boss’s grandson. As much as Ober wanted, he couldn’t kick him away. Grabbing onto Xenia’s skirt as she rushed past, Lena managed to escape the theater.
Chasing after her brother, she disappeared into the dusk-draped streets, her black cloak fluttering.
* * *
Leo boarded the carriage. Arriving at the castle, he told the driver, “I’m sorry, but I have no money. I’ll repay you if we meet again,” and sent him away.
Damn it.
The driver cursed softly, fearing he might be heard, while Leo loitered in front of the castle.
If I enter here… I won’t come out alive. Knowing this, Leo steeled himself as he looked at the setting sun.
The princess kissed me.
And at that moment, I saw it. Something dark red swirling beyond her golden eyes.
It wasn’t hard to guess what that meant. The princess was a bewitched person, and the one who cast the charm was most likely…
The king.
In the 16th year of his reign, King Karoman de Tatalia, who stayed concealed in the depths of the palace, was undoubtedly an apostle.
Now it made sense.
Why the princess, known for her impeccable conduct, kissed Gilbert Forte, why she also involved the son of Marquis Tatian, Totan Tatian, and why Totan Tatian defied the marquis’s order to stop seeing the princess and frequently visited the castle…
Leo reluctantly kicked a pebble on the ground.
It’s not that I haven’t considered running away.
Taking my sister and fleeing to the Kingdom of Conrad, or now that I’m strong enough to protect Lena, hiding in the mountains… If I chose to escape for my life, there were many ways.
But what meaning would that have?
Leo de Yeriel thought of Leo Dexter. Even though he had ignored all the [events] and pursued happiness, he still met his end. Even if he hadn’t died, his story would have ended with his marriage to Lena.
Then everything would have been for naught, happy or not.
I don’t disagree with Leo Dexter’s perspective, but it’s not a fundamental solution. We had to end this game to gain our freedom.
‘…But Minseo. I think you were wrong.’
Is making Lena a princess truly the ‘true ending’? Is that what ‘clear’ means? Although I had my doubts, Leo de Yeriel thought differently.
– Killing all the Asin.
This seemed to be the goal that this damn game wanted. If the one who created this game was the main God, as it surely would be, we needed to match the movement of the Holy Church to what he desired.
The crusader church that subdues barbarians who believe in evil gods. Then, could it be that the gods entrusted Minseo with the task the church couldn’t handle — such a thought occurred.
Just like Saint Azra from [Demonios].
‘Is this the right decision?’
He questioned in his mind, but no answer came. It had only been two months since this round began, and even though Leo died in the last round, Minseo had faintly faded away.
If it were Minseo… he probably would have run away.
Anyway, since he had stopped Gilbert Forte from kissing the princess and still had a plan to defeat Prince Eric without Count Peter’s help.
He could kidnap Bishop Berg and throw him in front of Prince Eric.
But…
[Achievement: King 2/7]
Opportunities to meet the king were rare. If he were to make Lena a princess, then fleeing might be the right choice, but it was something that could be done in the next round.
Leo de Yeriel went to chase after the stone he had just kicked. He kicked it again and organized his thoughts.
This time it’s my turn.
He wasn’t afraid of dying. Anyway, he was destined to die on the streets without Minseo.
He was rather grateful to Minseo, who had severed all ties to ensure his sister could live without him.
Lena would live under the protection of the theater people. Right now, she would be very sad… sad…
Leo, who tried to make an excuse, closed his mouth. Thinking of his sister who would be left alone once again, he could only feel sorry.
‘Forgive your useless brother. Next time… next time, for sure…’
Leo resolved himself. He took a deep breath with arms spread, and repeatedly stood and squatted to shake off the gloom.
Let’s go now. Go, learn everything you need to learn, and die confidently. Leave at least one thing behind.
Leo, clutching his sword scabbard tightly, walked.
But then, on his way towards the palace gates, someone ran towards him. When Leo turned around, he saw someone panting…
It was Lev.
[Achievement: Meeting another Leo, 2/3]
“Ah…”
The mist in Leo’s eyes cleared. The prince, who had been staring blankly at Lev, skipped ahead.
“What happened to Lena?”
The golden pupils of Leo de Yeriel shone brightly. He realized that his turn was over and was asking about the future, no, the past.