𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓𝟓
Slowly advancing over the stone floor, polished more beautifully than usual.
The entire white dress is densely embroidered with blue thread, and it feels quite heavy.
Being gently led by the hands of Chris and Kyle who stand on either side, I take one step at a time.
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Usually, my grandfather would stand up to greet us, but
Since he’s still recovering from illness, he remains seated on his throne.
He just returned two weeks ago, and I don’t want him to strain himself.
Even though he doesn’t stand up to greet us, the stern face of my grandfather softens as,
He warmly welcomed us.
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In front of my grandfather, who sits on the throne, an oath podium is brought in,
David places the marriage documents with reverence.
After I sign, Chris, who will become the first consort, and Kyle, who will become the second consort, sign.
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“. . .Hmm. There are no mistakes.”
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After we sign, my grandfather checks, and the royal marriage is set to be consummated.
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“Sofia. Trust the two you have chosen.
The pressure of protecting this country can become painfully overwhelming when alone.
However, you have two consorts to support you.
Do you understand?”
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“Yes, grandfather.
With Chris and Kyle, I believe that we can surely protect this country to the end.”
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“. . .I see.”
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Upon nodding firmly to my grandfather’s words,
He seems slightly troubled for some reason. Did something go wrong?
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“Chris, Kyle. I can entrust Sofia to you two.
Not for the sake of the country but for Sofia. Can you die for her?”
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“Grandfather?!”
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Die for me? Not for the country?
Surprised by his words, Chris and Kyle quietly nod to my grandfather’s statement.
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“Of course. However, we don’t intend to die.
If we leave Sofia behind, we can’t protect her anymore.
We wouldn’t hesitate to die for her, but we can’t die for her sake.”
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“Same here. If we were to be gone, the Princess would be alone again.
We won’t let that happen.
If. . .the Princess were to die first, we would go together.”
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“Hmm. That’s fine. I entrust Sofia to you.”
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“Grandfather. . .both of you. . .why.”
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Why such a thing?
When I ask, my grandfather takes my hand.
The tightly held hand is wrinkled and feels weaker than usual.
. . .My grandfather has grown old. He won’t always be by my side.
That realization frightens me.
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“Sofia. I can’t protect you forever.
That’s why I searched for someone who could protect you in my place since you were born.
The school’s Line is another shadow.
He has been sent to the academy to discern talents serving the royal family.
Finding Chris and Kyle was also for the sake of protecting you.
The day you were able to smile after meeting them made me truly happy.”
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“Line-sensei was a shadow? He found the two for me. . .”
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Thinking about it, both of them said that Line-sensei called them.
Line-sensei was also one of the shadows.
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“Sofia, you will become a queen. That is very important.
But don’t forget that you are a human being.
Don’t take on too much. You can’t protect everything.”
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“. . .Yes.”
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“When you’re sad or in pain, you can lean on the two close to you.
When you’re happy or joyful, you can laugh and frolic.
I want you to remember that being beside you makes me happy.”
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“Yes, grandfather. I am happy now.
Both of you, grandfather, everyone is by my side.”
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“That’s right. Don’t forget that.”
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“Yes.”
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The marriage is consummated, and blessings are received from everyone in the audience chamber.
Renkin-sensei, Augen, Milan, David,
Eddie, Diana, Arno, Lisa, Yuna, Ruri,
Douglas, Celine, Chloe, only people I can trust.
The hallway is also filled with people. Civil officials who worked with me in the eastern palace.
Even the head chef and shadows are sneaking in.
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“Can you hear it?”
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“Eh? Hear what?”
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Chris whispers to me as though sharing a secret. I wonder what I’ll hear?”
I strain my ears and sense something like a murmur.
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“It seems there’s a celebration happening all over the royal capital.”
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“Eh? A celebration?”
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“They seem to be celebrating the Princess’ marriage, and everyone is joining in.”
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“Really?!”
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Just because it’s the princess’ marriage, it’s unusual for there to be a celebration in the royal capital.
It’s not an official event, but they are celebrating it for us. . .
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“Everyone is grateful to Sofia.
They know Sofia has enriched the lives of the people.
So they are celebrating without anyone telling them to.”
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“Is that so. . .I’m happy.”
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“You know, Sofia said that Lilia only had magic,
But I don’t think that’s the case.”
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“Eh?”
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“At that time, many lives were saved thanks to Lilia being there.
Their descendants are in this country.”
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“That’s right. If the country had fallen at that time,
The royal family and nobles with royal blood would have been the first to die.
In other words, if Lilia hadn’t been there, neither Kyle nor I would exist.”
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“Even the people who are now celebrating might not have been born.
Lilia kept protecting this country.”
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“Lilia saved. . .the lives of this country?”
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“Yes. This country is full of people because of Lilia.
It’s what Lilia accomplished.”
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“. . .It wasn’t just her knowledge of magic.”
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“Lilia saved lives, and now Sofia will protect them too.
I know it’s tough, so let us support you without hesitation.”
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“We’re here to support the Princess.
If you don’t rely on us, our existence will lose its meaning, right?”
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“Yes. . .thank you.”
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I’m so happy that tears spill out, and they wipe them away and pat my head.
These two have always been by my side like this.
And they will be with me always, until the end.
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I feel the weight of the dress every time I move slightly.
The ancient words embroidered into the design say
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𝕷𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖙𝖜𝖔 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖘, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖈𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖗𝖞
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On Chris’ knight’s uniform,
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𝕭𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖍𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖈𝖎𝖆𝖓 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖐𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖈𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖘𝖘, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖇𝖊 𝖇𝖞 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖑 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖊𝖓𝖉
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On Kyle’s knight’s uniform,
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𝕭𝖊 𝕾𝖔𝖋𝖎𝖆’𝖘 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖔𝖗𝖙, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖇𝖊 𝖇𝖞 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖑 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖊𝖓𝖉
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