Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 229 (Part 2):
The arena was particularly noisy today. It was because of a rare distinguished guest.
The Grand Duchess of Renosa. Her visit had now become official.
Rumors spread through the mouths of those who glimpsed her as she got out of the carriage.
An elegant lady with impressive blonde hair. Her appearance was unmistakable.
The Grand Duchess of Renosa was highly popular among the principality’s people.
She was the ideal queen everyone thought of, the center of Ratona’s social circles.
Although she didn’t enjoy public activities, even her quiet nature was highly regarded.
The audience buzzed among themselves.
“Look up there. They say the Grand Duchess of Renosa is inside where those knights are standing.”
“The Grand Duchess of Renosa? Unexpected. I heard she’s not one to attend such events.”
“And it’s not even a senior match. Why would she come to watch the junior match?”
“Maybe because there’s relatively less audience, she decided to help with the tournament’s popularity? After all, this tournament is organized by the Grand Duchy of Renosa.”
“I heard the tickets sold like hotcakes once it was rumored she’d attend. But what’s the point? It’s not like she’ll wave to us from the railing.”
“Look at that awning. There’s no way she’d show herself outside. She’ll watch the match quietly from inside.”
“They say she showed herself yesterday. Maybe she was surprised because that girl Charlotte got hurt.”
“Really? Then we might see her today too?”
“Is there an exciting match today that would interest the Grand Duchess?”
“Well, there’s that handsome guy Helmut’s match, isn’t he rumored to be the tournament favorite?”
“He beat his opponent with just the sword sheath? Completely toyed with him?”
“That’s something. It’s worth looking forward to. Junior matches are usually dull compared to senior matches.”
“They end quickly, that’s the problem. Can’t get our money’s worth for the tickets.”
“That’s true.”
Laughter erupted among them.
It was almost time for the match to start.
The audience was abuzz to the point of being headache-inducing.
Surrounded by noise, the Grand Duchess of Renosa held her forehead.
Her elegantly styled blonde hair shone brilliantly today as well.
A maid brought out warm tea and spoke worriedly.
“Do you have a headache? People rushed to buy tickets and filled the stands upon hearing you were coming.”
“Really? If many came to see me, I should greet them.”
“You don’t have to. You should take care of yourself.”
“I’m not sick. Just a bit…”
Margret frowned. Anxiety and tension rose, making her chest feel heavy.
The closer it got to the start of the match, the more so.
The stage was more visible from here than from the stands. A chance to see that boy from yesterday more closely. Even if from quite a distance.
“Is it still far from starting?”
“Oh, it’s starting soon. Look, Your Grace, the participants are coming up.”
Margret looked down at the stage. A sturdy boy with brown hair went up first, and across from him…
She saw a boy.
Black hair like crow feathers. Deep, striking black eyes. A boy with pale skin.
Margret immediately knew. He was the boy from yesterday.
‘Helmut…’
Margret bit her lip. She knew that name all too well.
It was the name given to her first child.
A child who left his mother’s embrace to die before he could truly live in this world.
A child she had no choice but to abandon.
If her first son Helmut had grown up, he would have grown like that boy.
But he died in the Forest of Roots and could never come back.
Margret had buried that child in her heart.
But now, here was a boy the same age, with the same name, and even a similar appearance. Was this a coincidence?
Margret involuntarily sighed.
“He resembles…”
The maid cautiously responded.
“Indeed, he looks a lot like Your Grace’s family… Could he be a distant relative of the Grand Ducal family?”
Perhaps she thought Helmut resembled the Grand Duke.
Helmut’s existence was buried in darkness. Few in the Grand Duchy knew about it.
Those who knew thought Margret’s first child was stillborn.
It wasn’t entirely a lie. Her first child wasn’t born dead but died after birth.
Margret slowly closed and opened her eyes. Her lips parted.
“Before it starts, I should greet them.”