Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 170 (Part 1): Side Story

– Their Vacation –

“Michael hasn’t contacted us at all… Really, what could he be doing in that hot country? I’m quite worried.”

It was a luxurious drawing-room in a mansion. A woman sat there, a look of concern on her face.

With her flowing golden hair and blue eyes, she was so beautiful and elegant that she hardly seemed of middle age, a perfect image of a noblewoman.

The girl with black hair sitting across her sipped her tea and spoke indifferently.

“Michael will come back once I leave, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Charlotte!”

“It’s true. Michael doesn’t like me. So, he must have avoided this place, especially since he could finally see me during the vacation.”

“Don’t say such things. That child went to Basor to scout talents for the martial competition, for the sake of our family.”

The woman added sternly.

“And Michael is just envious of you, that’s all. He’s been frail.”

“I know.”

“Try to understand him. You’re healthy and attending the academy. Michael still falls ill often. How lonely he must have been with you away at the academy?”

“…Yes, mother.”

Charlotte’s lips twitched into a bitter smile at the seemingly reproachful words. It was a familiar scene.

“What about you? You should be heading back soon, too. How’s academy life?”

The mother, who had shown little interest in Charlotte since she returned home for the vacation due to her preoccupation with Michael, couldn’t ignore her daughter’s achievements. Charlotte couldn’t help but feel slighted.

Even though it had been this way since the moment they were born from the same womb.

The frail Michael and the healthy Charlotte. That’s where the problem started.

Charlotte calmed her emotions and answered composedly.

“I’m doing well. You know I’m the top student in the first year of the swordsmanship department.”

The woman reacted as if she was hearing it for the first time.

“Oh my, that’s impressive. If Michael could attend the academy, he would have been a great student too.”

“…Besides, mother, there’s a senior in our swordsmanship department named Helmut.”

Charlotte glanced at her mother as she mentioned the name, but her mother seemed preoccupied with Michael’s absence.

“He’s a commoner, but his skills are exceptionally great.”

“That’s possible. As you know, many knights from our family came from commoner backgrounds.”

Her mother responded casually, showing no particular interest upon hearing the name Helmut.

‘Does she not know him?’

After a few more exchanges, Charlotte left, stating she was going to practice her swordsmanship.

Moments later, the woman alone in the room allowed her expression to change gradually.

‘Helmut.’

A heaviness settled on her face as memories from a distant past surged forth.

Bowing her head, she made the sign of a cross, a long-standing habit.

*

In a spacious training ground, a boy wiped the sweat off his forehead. Setting down his wooden sword, he looked up at the sky, beads of sweat glistening on his pale face.

“Vacation’s almost over, huh?”

As Asuka pondered returning to Baden, he furrowed his brows.

He had dedicated his vacation to swordsmanship, but whether it paid off as much as he hoped was debatable.

‘Had to be a monster like him showing up.’

Asuka kicked the ground in frustration as he thought of Helmut. They weren’t exactly friends, but he couldn’t help but think of him. Helmut probably hadn’t been slacking off over the vacation, either.

‘But next semester will be different!’

Asuka resolved.

“Asuka.”

Someone approached and spoke to him. A middle-aged man of dignified presence stood there.

With his youthful handsomeness still evident, he was unmistakably of high birth.

Though different in appearance, there was a familial resemblance between him and Asuka. Together, they unmistakably looked like kin.

“I heard you did well this semester. Don’t rest on your laurels; continue to excel.”

Facing the man’s calm words, Asuka’s expression twisted slightly. He managed a faint smile.

“Of course. Oh, did you hear about my nickname at the academy? They call me the ‘Crazy Dog’ of the swordsmanship department.”

“You think I wouldn’t know?”

“Ah, so you did know.”

Asuka smirked provocatively, his expression reminiscent of his confrontational demeanor at the academy.

But the man remained unfazed.

“I heard you’ve been pretending to be a commoner. Enjoying it?”

“Yeah, really. It suits me perfectly. I’d love to live like this forever.”

Someone called out from the distance.

“Asuka!”

A lady of pure visage approached. Asuka muttered under his breath in realization.

“Mother.”

“I’ve told you not to talk like that. Are you trying to upset me?”

Asuka awkwardly turned his head away. The man continued without care.

“It’s good you’re adapting well to the academy.”

“Yeah, well, I’m getting by. I haven’t been causing trouble, have I?”

“Constantly picking fights with the nobles isn’t good.”

“So, it’s fine to pick fights with commoners?”

“If you’ve adapted to the academy, why not make friends suited to your status?”

Asuka’s face contorted in disgust.

“Nonsense!”

His mother looked as though she might faint.

“Asuka! What way is that to speak to your father!”

“People have their rightful places. I hope you come to understand that.”

“Ah, how thoughtful of you. I’ll deeply cherish your advice!”

Asuka spat out the words irritably, grabbed his sword, and stormed off. No one could stop him.

The place he had to return to every vacation was unbearably uncomfortable for him.

“I’m sick of this. Can’t wait to leave.”

Asuka murmured. But first, he probably had to console his tender-hearted mother, who’d be crying in fear of his father’s scrutiny.

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