NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45 - Episode 45: The Young Lady of the Lucarim Family
Episode 45: The Young Lady of the Lucarim Family
The nobles who were talking loudly quieted down. They must be observing us closely. Two people came out: a young lady who introduced herself as Lucarim, and a man behind her. He looks about twice my age? He appears to be between 10 and 12… Considering the differences in growth at this age, let’s say between 8 and 15. After all, this isn’t Japan, so there might be racial differences. Despite her flashy dress and accessory, she naturally carries herself with elegance… Her demeanor is truly that of a genuine young lady.
“…”
“…”
We face each other in silence. While I feel curious looking at this person, I have no idea what they are thinking. I’ve heard that the main Lucarim family is in opposition to the factions… But Elstra Cause Lucarim? I never expected her to approach me. Our height difference is causing a strain on my neck.
“You claim to be a Lucarim, but do you have any evidence?”
“Evidence… I introduced myself as Frim, but I was told about my origins by King Chaltoru.”
“If you truly were a Lucarim, wouldn’t you have been given something? At your age, you should have at least one or two proofs.”
“I was found collapsed in an alley when I was young. I don’t have such evidence.”
I’ve been told it’s okay to answer honestly around here, but there are clearly people around with suspicious expressions. Could it be that they’re treating a little girl like a fraud? I’ve heard that the family has diminished due to the succession dispute, and someone from the Lucarim family not recognized by other Lucarims is clearly suspicious. She looks at me with a somewhat sad expression. It must have been a horrific incident for a young girl to be found collapsed in an alley. Or perhaps she sees me as nothing more than a pitiful scapegoat lifted up as a political enemy.
“So, you truly have no evidence?”
“…That’s right. Frim has nothing.”
With a shuffling sound, both the young lady and everyone except the king’s entourage kneel down. It seems the king has come to my aid.
“Are you okay with me speaking, King Chaltoru?”
“Go ahead.”
She seemed to be the focus of the conversation, so she performed a deep eye bow without kneeling, facing the king with her chin up. I stand tall and observe the situation. I hesitated whether to adopt a defensive stance, but I’ll stay dignified.
“If she is indeed a Lucarim, then this is a matter for the Lucarim family. Is it appropriate for even the king to meddle in family affairs?”
“No matter if it belongs to the Lucarim family, it is still rude!”
One of the knights beside the king stepped forward with a stern tone. However, she didn’t change her expression at all, nor did she even glance at her guards, continuing to face the king.
“Very well, it is certainly natural for a member of a noble family to think so… However, yes. If a Lucarim who slipped through the cracks happens to come to me, and only I can confirm it, I understand your concerns.”
“How do you plan to establish proof?”
“Like this. .”
A small girl with black hair appeared beside the king and circled around me. Suddenly, I looked down and saw that everything below my neck was wrapped in a dark haze. Will this get dirty? Can it be cleaned?
The petite woman called Rula looked into my face as if peering, then dissolved into the air.
“My most trusted aides, members of the esteemed water family of Alders Tanana Lucarim and Flana Raym, seemed to have a good relationship. After both Flana and him were poisoned and fell ill, they sought royal protection for the sake of their unborn child.”
There was now complete silence in the venue. Everyone seemed eager to know about Frim-chan. We were supposed to talk about my origins before receiving my reward, but are they going to continue like this? When I glanced at the king, he smiled warmly.
“As you all know, the protection of darkness is unpredictable compared to other attributes. It was necessary to test the protection of both Rula and me.”
The king spoke loud enough for the nobles to hear, gesturing widely with his hands.
“It seems they were in a state of uncertainty, but they wished for the child to live. It’s a parent’s love… As you know, both of them died afterward. I never imagined I would have a child left behind.”
The king, who was speaking for my safety, seemed to be in a bit of pain. I wonder if Papa and Mama were more than just subordinates to the king?
“However, with the protection of the spirits and the king, couldn’t it have been done within a few days of the assassination attempt? This doesn’t prove her connection to the Lucarim family, does it?”
…Ah, that’s right! Was it done when I was still a fetus or just a few days ago? It’s impossible to prove that part.
“That’s one way to look at it. However, Frim’s power is too extraordinary. Though her exact age is unclear, at the tender age of around five or six, she defeated six people, including the ‘Enveloping Flame Whip,’ ‘Creeping Dark Shadow,’ ‘Dance of the Wind,’ and ‘Strong Sword,’ all by herself. And she did it while protecting me, which is simply inconceivable.”
The king, who had come closer, gently patted my head. As an adult woman, I feel a bit awkward, but many people would want to pat the head of such a child, right? I understand… but don’t mess up my hair after I’ve just fixed it.
“Moreover, she did something absurd like using fire with water attributes, earning her the nickname ‘Explosive Flame.’ This might be because of Rula’s protection.”
Oh, he introduced me with a proper nickname. In the reports I received from Ael, they kept increasing every day. There were even absurd ones like Goddess of Mayonnaise Frim and derivatives like Mayonnaise Meat Frim that I didn’t understand. Especially the one about the Toilet Spirit Frim was out of the question, so I’m grateful for a more sensible introduction. The darkness clinging to my body vanished, and the king and I faced each other.
“You’ve done well to survive. I’m grateful for protecting me from those despicable assassins.”
He kneeled in front of me, met my gaze, and gently patted me again.
“With this, I declare Frim’s connection to the Lucarim family! Fleemis Tanana Raym Lucarim is granted the title of Countess and rewarded by Chaltoru Vainoa Ria Ruuna Obeiros!”
The venue murmured slightly, and the king, who had stood up, made the announcement.
――――I’m going to walk an even tougher path from here on. But with this, I won’t be killed for absolutely no reason. …Yes, I want to believe that.