Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 369 (Part 2):

Asuka couldn’t leave the Empire unless he repaid 5 million marks, or at least half of it. If he tried to flee, he would be tracked down and captured.

Unless Alea personally came to the Empire to extract him, there was no hope, and doing so would immediately make her a target.

Besides, Grand Duke Farnese seemed to know who Asuka had left Baden with.

“Ah, right. Asuka has been officially declared as Grand Duke Farnese’s heir.”

Despite being busy dealing with the series of events, the diligent Grand Duke Farnese steadily carried out his plans.

A small ball was held at the Grand Duke’s mansion on the estate, where Asuka had to greet nobles with an expression like he’d bitten into a bug.

His mother held his arm firmly, so he couldn’t even escape.

It was only natural that the Imperial Knights who had spent time with him were shocked to learn his true identity.

‘No wonder he was so arrogant.’

‘So he wasn’t just a noble, but a royal.’

They finally understood, treating Asuka as an arrogant young royal.

It was unfair from Asuka’s perspective, as he had always behaved that way, even before he knew about his royal status.

[Grand Duke Farnese won’t give up on Asuka, and it seems Asuka has no choice in the matter. He can’t coldly defy his parents’ wishes, it seems.]

Alea coldly assessed. Strictly speaking, Asuka could have defied Grand Duke Farnese’s wishes.

But he couldn’t abandon his mother. That was the reason.

“What would Charlotte think if she heard this news? Are you in contact with her?”

[We’re in Baden, and she’s in Baden too. Well… she seemed surprised. Would her opinion have any influence?]

“What if Charlotte told Asuka she’d marry him if he became Grand Duke Farnese’s heir? She could say that first, then when things become unavoidable, say she’ll reconsider. What could Asuka do then? Sure, I hope it works out, but given Asuka’s past behavior, he can’t really complain if she turns him down afterward, can he?”

Sian whispered like a corrupted soul. His words hardly sounded like those of a friend.

In fact, that would be the least troublesome solution for Asuka.

[I have no intention of making Charlotte do such a thing. And she wouldn’t agree to it anyway.]

A firm voice chimed in. It was Helmut, who had remained silent until now. He spoke again.

[I want to talk to Asuka.]

Sian hadn’t seen much of Asuka lately.

Grand Duke Farnese had deliberately kept him busy to prevent him from having any other thoughts.

Sian shrugged.

“It might only be possible late at night.”

[Any time that’s possible will do.]

That night, Asuka and Helmut had a conversation. Without either Sian or Alea intervening.

It wasn’t long, but it was a meaningful conversation. At the end of it, Asuka asked,

“Is it really okay for me to do this? You…”

Helmut silently nodded without a word. Asuka stared intently at his face, reflected through the magic.

“Then I’ll do it. Don’t regret it, okay?”

[Alright.]

Helmut’s expression remained unchanged. As if there wasn’t a hint of regret. After the conversation ended, Asuka spent the entire night lost in thought.

And in the morning, Asuka went straight to Grand Duke Farnese. His face was strangely somber. Asuka blurted out bluntly,

“I’ll live as a royal for the time being.”

Grand Duke Farnese’s reaction was calm.

“Isn’t that a given? You still have 4.96 million marks left.”

“…No, that’s not what I meant. You told me I had a duty to fulfill. And you also said that while I was serving in the Imperial Knights, I should see whether what I’d imagined really matched what I experienced there.”

“So?”

“So I’m planning to fulfill that duty for a while and see what more I can experience. I still don’t really know. Honestly, life in the Imperial Knights wasn’t so bad for me. It reminded me of the swordsmanship department at Greta. And I actually took to academy life pretty well.”

“I see.”

Grand Duke Farnese narrowed his eyes. His sharp gaze seemed to analyze whether there was some ulterior motive.

Asuka complained,

“Ah, I don’t really want to do escort missions, though.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince has taken a liking to you. He seems to appreciate your skills. Or perhaps he just likes you.”

If the future highest authority in the Empire showed favor, one should be pleased, but for Asuka, it was an oddly uncomfortable fact.

“But I have a request. I plan to bring it up with His Highness as well, but I’d like you to hear me out first, Father.”

More than the Crown Prince, Grand Duke Farnese held the decision-making power within the Empire.

If he said no, then no matter who Asuka asked, it wouldn’t happen.

Grand Duke Farnese understood this reality more than anyone.

“Speak.”

Asuka’s mouth opened. A long story followed.

Grand Duke Farnese listened carefully, his expression cautious.

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