“My Lady, please give Ian to me.”
As Amelia slowly ascended the stairs, just before the last one, Rodan reached out and blocked her path, as if to prevent her from approaching Ivan.
“...”
Everyone was watching. It was better to hand Ian over to Rodan than to force him. Amelia had reached that conclusion and was about to hand Ian over to Rodan.
“Isn’t the priestess the child’s godmother?”
“...”
“If you’re going to bestow blessings on the Crown Prince, wouldn’t it be better to leave it as is?”
Ivan interjected calmly. He was going to leave a blessing for Ian, who had become the Crown Prince anyway, so why bother going down and then up again?
“Come on up.”
That wasn't entirely wrong, so Rodan obediently stepped aside. Amelia was the last to climb the stairs, facing Ivan. But it was only for a moment. Soon, Amelia bent her knees and lowered herself below Ivan.
“I, Ivan Wade Escliffe, in the name of Emperor Escliffe...”
Ivan, rising from his throne, stared blankly down at his child, who blinked, seemingly clueless. He was a remarkably docile boy, but even when the surroundings suddenly became quiet and all eyes turned to him, he didn't burst into tears, which was quite impressive.
“Following the command of God.”
Ivan's large hand touched Ian's forehead. He was wearing formal gloves, so he probably couldn't feel the warmth, but Ian smiled bashfully, as if he recognized his father. In fact, Ian always did. He'd hug Ivan and act cute, as if he'd quickly realized he was his lifeline. Even though Ivan wasn't a gentle or affectionate person. Even though he didn't show his face often.
“I grant Ian the surname of Escliffe and acknowledge him as Crown Prince.”
“...”
“Therefore, from today onwards, the child’s name will be Ian Escliffe, and he will enjoy the authority of the true Crown Prince of Escliffe.”
But perhaps because his father's face was so expressionless, the smile slowly vanished from Ian's face. His eyes, now filled with tension, began to roll and scan his surroundings.
“Eeeek...”
Ian whined. Amelia, as if trying to calm him down, quietly kissed his forehead. Then, as if by magic, Ian's whining subsided.
“If anyone forgets today’s declaration and disregards or disrespects Ian as the Crown Prince, he will be severely punished regardless of the gravity of the incident. Please be advised of this.”
Ivan granted Ian the authority of the Crown Prince and threatened to punish anyone who dared to defy him. Even though they were not related by blood, he acknowledged Ian as his son, so no one would dare look down on him.
Ivan kept his promise. Amelia smiled quietly. Now it was time for her to do what she had to do.
“Take the child and hold him.”
Ivan ordered Rodan. Rodan handed the paper he was holding to a servant and, somewhat awkwardly, embraced Ian.
“Hand.”
Meanwhile, Ivan extended his hand to Amelia. Amelia, grateful for the kindness of the Emperor, calmly sat up.
“I hope the Priestess will bless the new Crown Prince.”
Ivan spoke as if commanding. Amelia nodded and moved toward Ian, who was in Rodan's arms. As always, he gazed up at his calm and beautiful mother, his gaze harmless and bright. Amelia suppressed the urge to kiss every inch of his face, pretending to be a solemn messenger of God.
“His Highness the new Crown Prince of Escliffe is God’s second representative, and he will be the future hero who will further prosper this nation.”
“...”
“That will be a reward for the Emperor of Escliff, who boldly accepted God's will.”
Amelia's gaze turned to Ivan. Accepting Ian as Crown Prince was possible only because of Ivan's determination, so he deserved the praise. Ivan's lips lifted slightly, a look of displeasure on his face.
“May God watch over you so that you may govern the country with cool reason, but care for the people with a warm heart.”
Amelia turned her head back to Ian. Ian met her eyes, his lips pursed, as if he wanted to attract his mother's attention. Amelia smiled affectionately, not hiding it.
“So, even if there are times when your heart is hurt by the harsh wind, consider it a temporary ordeal and grow into a strong warrior.”
And she kissed Ian on the forehead. She said it as a blessing, but in truth, it was all Amelia wanted to say to Ian. They wouldn't be seeing each other again soon.
“I pray in the name of the Lord Mary.”
Amelia whispered and raised her head. Thunderous applause poured down, like a blessing for the new Crown Prince.
The first act ended. The music signaling the beginning of this act began to play. Amelia quietly turned her gaze away from her child, who seemed so young she couldn't do anything if she continued to watch.
The celebratory performance was over. The Crown Prince Investiture Ceremony was an occasion to celebrate and formally flatter the new Crown Prince, so the assembled nobles began to watch to see who would step forward first. Even if Ivan had accepted Ian as Crown Prince, they suspected he wouldn't be particularly pleased with the situation, as he wasn't truly of his blood.
“I would like to offer a gift to His Highness, the new Crown Prince.”
Then, the Duke of Russell calmly raised his hand and stepped forward. Ivan nodded absentmindedly. The Duke of Russell presented Ian with a sword, its body encrusted with precious jewels. It was so dazzling that it was almost too bright to be seen under the hall's lights.
But as if that had piqued the nobles' competitive spirit, they began to raise their hands one by one and offer gifts to Ian. It was as if they were competing to see who could offer the most expensive gift.
“We offer our family’s loyalty to His Highness the new Crown Prince.”
The last was Margrave Clark. He presented a handkerchief embroidered with his family's seal. While seemingly insignificant, it was in fact a noble gift, promising loyalty to Ian, both for Margrave Clark himself and for his descendants. Margrave Clark was a man of integrity. His gift was a promise that he would not betray Ian even if his daughter became Empress and bore him a son.
“I would like to present a gift to His Majesty the Emperor.”
Just as the gift-giving ceremony was about to conclude with the final Count Clark, Amelia stepped forward without hesitation, drawing everyone's attention. Ivan, who sat haughtily on the throne, looking down on the crowd, also turned his gaze to Amelia. Perhaps aware that the play he had prepared was about to begin, he readily accepted Amelia's gift.
“Is it wine?”
"Yes. As you know, the temple's specialty is its own wine, brewed and aged directly. To express my gratitude to Your Majesty, I personally added fruit to the wine and warmed it."
Amelia, who had climbed the stairs and stood beside the throne, explained in detail. Ivan gazed down at the color of the wine Amelia had personally presented, not much different from that of ordinary wine. The warmth of the glass in his hand was palpable.
“As I live, I also receive beauty from God.”
Ivan chuckled and replied. The nobles, knowing how strained his relationship with the temple was, smiled awkwardly. Even though they knew it was a joke, they felt there was some truth to his words.
“It’s a blessing from God, so I must accept it. The young Crown Prince can’t even drink this wine.”
Ivan responded, raising his glass in the air as if clinking with someone. He then brought the liquid-warmed glass to his lips and tilted it. Normally, he would have simply quenched his thirst, but Ivan, unlike usual, drank until the glass was empty.
“...”
And he placed the glass on the tray beside him. The sound of a "clink" echoed through the banquet hall with an unusually sharp intensity. Duke Russell's gaze, directed at Ivan, who still appeared unharmed, was as sharp as the sound.
Why are you safe? Why aren't you responding? It was clear from his face that he was thinking those things. Ivan tried to sneer at him. Until his vision began to blur strangely.
Why?
Suddenly, he felt dizzy, as if on the verge of falling asleep. The scene before his eyes began to expand and curve like a winding river. Soon, he felt his breathing slowing down.
“...Amelia.”
No way.
Ivan's low voice called out to Amelia. Amelia's gaze slowly drifted toward Ivan. Her face was clearly smiling. It seemed as if she was mocking him...
The moment he thought that, the strength drained from his arm, which was leaning against the armrest. Ivan's neck also tilted limply.
As Amelia slowly ascended the stairs, just before the last one, Rodan reached out and blocked her path, as if to prevent her from approaching Ivan.
“...”
Everyone was watching. It was better to hand Ian over to Rodan than to force him. Amelia had reached that conclusion and was about to hand Ian over to Rodan.
“Isn’t the priestess the child’s godmother?”
“...”
“If you’re going to bestow blessings on the Crown Prince, wouldn’t it be better to leave it as is?”
Ivan interjected calmly. He was going to leave a blessing for Ian, who had become the Crown Prince anyway, so why bother going down and then up again?
“Come on up.”
That wasn't entirely wrong, so Rodan obediently stepped aside. Amelia was the last to climb the stairs, facing Ivan. But it was only for a moment. Soon, Amelia bent her knees and lowered herself below Ivan.
“I, Ivan Wade Escliffe, in the name of Emperor Escliffe...”
Ivan, rising from his throne, stared blankly down at his child, who blinked, seemingly clueless. He was a remarkably docile boy, but even when the surroundings suddenly became quiet and all eyes turned to him, he didn't burst into tears, which was quite impressive.
“Following the command of God.”
Ivan's large hand touched Ian's forehead. He was wearing formal gloves, so he probably couldn't feel the warmth, but Ian smiled bashfully, as if he recognized his father. In fact, Ian always did. He'd hug Ivan and act cute, as if he'd quickly realized he was his lifeline. Even though Ivan wasn't a gentle or affectionate person. Even though he didn't show his face often.
“I grant Ian the surname of Escliffe and acknowledge him as Crown Prince.”
“...”
“Therefore, from today onwards, the child’s name will be Ian Escliffe, and he will enjoy the authority of the true Crown Prince of Escliffe.”
But perhaps because his father's face was so expressionless, the smile slowly vanished from Ian's face. His eyes, now filled with tension, began to roll and scan his surroundings.
“Eeeek...”
Ian whined. Amelia, as if trying to calm him down, quietly kissed his forehead. Then, as if by magic, Ian's whining subsided.
“If anyone forgets today’s declaration and disregards or disrespects Ian as the Crown Prince, he will be severely punished regardless of the gravity of the incident. Please be advised of this.”
Ivan granted Ian the authority of the Crown Prince and threatened to punish anyone who dared to defy him. Even though they were not related by blood, he acknowledged Ian as his son, so no one would dare look down on him.
Ivan kept his promise. Amelia smiled quietly. Now it was time for her to do what she had to do.
“Take the child and hold him.”
Ivan ordered Rodan. Rodan handed the paper he was holding to a servant and, somewhat awkwardly, embraced Ian.
“Hand.”
Meanwhile, Ivan extended his hand to Amelia. Amelia, grateful for the kindness of the Emperor, calmly sat up.
“I hope the Priestess will bless the new Crown Prince.”
Ivan spoke as if commanding. Amelia nodded and moved toward Ian, who was in Rodan's arms. As always, he gazed up at his calm and beautiful mother, his gaze harmless and bright. Amelia suppressed the urge to kiss every inch of his face, pretending to be a solemn messenger of God.
“His Highness the new Crown Prince of Escliffe is God’s second representative, and he will be the future hero who will further prosper this nation.”
“...”
“That will be a reward for the Emperor of Escliff, who boldly accepted God's will.”
Amelia's gaze turned to Ivan. Accepting Ian as Crown Prince was possible only because of Ivan's determination, so he deserved the praise. Ivan's lips lifted slightly, a look of displeasure on his face.
“May God watch over you so that you may govern the country with cool reason, but care for the people with a warm heart.”
Amelia turned her head back to Ian. Ian met her eyes, his lips pursed, as if he wanted to attract his mother's attention. Amelia smiled affectionately, not hiding it.
“So, even if there are times when your heart is hurt by the harsh wind, consider it a temporary ordeal and grow into a strong warrior.”
And she kissed Ian on the forehead. She said it as a blessing, but in truth, it was all Amelia wanted to say to Ian. They wouldn't be seeing each other again soon.
“I pray in the name of the Lord Mary.”
Amelia whispered and raised her head. Thunderous applause poured down, like a blessing for the new Crown Prince.
The first act ended. The music signaling the beginning of this act began to play. Amelia quietly turned her gaze away from her child, who seemed so young she couldn't do anything if she continued to watch.
***
The celebratory performance was over. The Crown Prince Investiture Ceremony was an occasion to celebrate and formally flatter the new Crown Prince, so the assembled nobles began to watch to see who would step forward first. Even if Ivan had accepted Ian as Crown Prince, they suspected he wouldn't be particularly pleased with the situation, as he wasn't truly of his blood.
“I would like to offer a gift to His Highness, the new Crown Prince.”
Then, the Duke of Russell calmly raised his hand and stepped forward. Ivan nodded absentmindedly. The Duke of Russell presented Ian with a sword, its body encrusted with precious jewels. It was so dazzling that it was almost too bright to be seen under the hall's lights.
But as if that had piqued the nobles' competitive spirit, they began to raise their hands one by one and offer gifts to Ian. It was as if they were competing to see who could offer the most expensive gift.
“We offer our family’s loyalty to His Highness the new Crown Prince.”
The last was Margrave Clark. He presented a handkerchief embroidered with his family's seal. While seemingly insignificant, it was in fact a noble gift, promising loyalty to Ian, both for Margrave Clark himself and for his descendants. Margrave Clark was a man of integrity. His gift was a promise that he would not betray Ian even if his daughter became Empress and bore him a son.
“I would like to present a gift to His Majesty the Emperor.”
Just as the gift-giving ceremony was about to conclude with the final Count Clark, Amelia stepped forward without hesitation, drawing everyone's attention. Ivan, who sat haughtily on the throne, looking down on the crowd, also turned his gaze to Amelia. Perhaps aware that the play he had prepared was about to begin, he readily accepted Amelia's gift.
“Is it wine?”
"Yes. As you know, the temple's specialty is its own wine, brewed and aged directly. To express my gratitude to Your Majesty, I personally added fruit to the wine and warmed it."
Amelia, who had climbed the stairs and stood beside the throne, explained in detail. Ivan gazed down at the color of the wine Amelia had personally presented, not much different from that of ordinary wine. The warmth of the glass in his hand was palpable.
“As I live, I also receive beauty from God.”
Ivan chuckled and replied. The nobles, knowing how strained his relationship with the temple was, smiled awkwardly. Even though they knew it was a joke, they felt there was some truth to his words.
“It’s a blessing from God, so I must accept it. The young Crown Prince can’t even drink this wine.”
Ivan responded, raising his glass in the air as if clinking with someone. He then brought the liquid-warmed glass to his lips and tilted it. Normally, he would have simply quenched his thirst, but Ivan, unlike usual, drank until the glass was empty.
“...”
And he placed the glass on the tray beside him. The sound of a "clink" echoed through the banquet hall with an unusually sharp intensity. Duke Russell's gaze, directed at Ivan, who still appeared unharmed, was as sharp as the sound.
Why are you safe? Why aren't you responding? It was clear from his face that he was thinking those things. Ivan tried to sneer at him. Until his vision began to blur strangely.
Why?
Suddenly, he felt dizzy, as if on the verge of falling asleep. The scene before his eyes began to expand and curve like a winding river. Soon, he felt his breathing slowing down.
“...Amelia.”
No way.
Ivan's low voice called out to Amelia. Amelia's gaze slowly drifted toward Ivan. Her face was clearly smiling. It seemed as if she was mocking him...
The moment he thought that, the strength drained from his arm, which was leaning against the armrest. Ivan's neck also tilted limply.
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