Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 235 (Part 2):
The distance from the high seat to the stage wasn’t close. But the boy’s presence was exceptional.
‘Is that Helmut?’
Michael examined him carefully.
Helmut was a boy who gave off a tense, threatening vibe. His jet-black hair and eyes enhanced that feeling.
His face was perfectly expressionless, and his relaxed posture made him seem as if he were out for a stroll.
In stark contrast to the tense Charlotte. As if he knew he would win.
Everyone who had shown such an attitude had been defeated by Charlotte in this tournament.
But Helmut exuded an air of detachment. It seemed as if the tournament was nothing to him.
‘He looks familiar somehow.’
Michael squinted. Nothing in his memory was triggered, but his face was familiar.
Michael could think of only one person he resembled.
‘The Grand Duke of Renosa. Father…’
He had heard they looked alike, but this was astonishing. Enough to truly suspect the Grand Duke’s infidelity.
Michael’s gaze captured both Helmut and Charlotte.
The pair of a boy and girl in one view looked remarkably alike.
As if they were molded into male and female versions of one being.
As if they, not Michael, were siblings.
And it wasn’t just Michael who felt this way.
“They look… just like siblings.”
Margret muttered involuntarily, then flinched in surprise.
Michael’s lips curled upwards.
“Indeed, they do look like siblings. As if he, not I, were Charlotte’s brother.”
As if he were Charlotte’s half-brother.
The hall buzzed with murmurs. Everyone was suspecting their blood relation.
Even those who knew Charlotte was the Duchess of Renosa.
The one who resembled the Grand Duke of Renosa the most, shining brightly as the representative of Greta Academy’s swordsmanship department, appeared in Ratona. Could this be a coincidence?
Hearts were drawn to that uncertainty.
Michael disliked the potential meaning of his opponent.
But now was still the time to watch.
“This should be interesting.”
Michael’s blue eyes gleamed coldly.
*
Helmut exhaled lightly. The noise surrounding him seemed to have no effect on him.
Despite his relaxed appearance, Helmut hadn’t slept a wink the previous night.
He was the type to sleep when necessary. He could fall asleep anywhere if he wanted.
But last night, that need didn’t work. His heart was strangely pounding. Beating heavily.
That throbbing lessened as he ascended the final stage.
His mind, previously overwhelmed by the beating, became clear.
This was the final stage. And his younger sister Charlotte was standing before him. In a completely tense state.
For her, she probably wanted to avoid losing miserably in front of her mother.
She wouldn’t want to be defeated in one strike like the previous opponents.
But regardless of her will, it was nearly impossible for Charlotte not to lose in one strike.
That is, unless Helmut deliberately went easy on her.
A new dilemma arose for Helmut.
‘Should I go easy on her?’
No one would want the final stage to end anticlimactically.
But if the stubborn Charlotte realizes this, wouldn’t she feel humiliated?
Helmut had to decide which was better. There wasn’t much time left to decide.
Charlotte greeted him stiffly.
“It’s an honor to face you, Senior.”
“I’ll end this without hurting you.”
Because it was in front of their mother. Not that he ever intended to hurt his sister.
Charlotte’s face wavered at Helmut’s condescending remark.
She placed her hand on the sword’s hilt, tightly pressing her lips together.
“I hope you won’t get hurt either, Senior.”
Her voice, spoken with determination, seemed to surprise even herself, but she didn’t let her expression waver. An unusually defiant look for her.
A fleeting smile appeared on Helmut’s lips.
Just like his sister.
Soon, the signal rang out.