Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 400 (Part 2):

One by one, the white lights dimmed, the figures vanishing—until only one remained. The one Helmut had chosen.

The light cloaking her dissolved, revealing a face sculpted from radiance.

Amethyst eyes gleamed like transparent jewels. Her voice whispered into his ear.

“Correct.”

The darkness lifted completely. On the stage, the two stood facing each other.

Alea wore an expression of slight frustration and bewilderment. Her narrowed eyes seemed to ask, *How did you know?*

Helmut pointed to his nose.

“Smell.”

He felt a surge of satisfaction at having found her. Alea grimaced.

“I see… Didn’t expect that.”

Her tone implied, *I didn’t know you had a dog’s nose.* Helmut declared triumphantly:

“I won.”

“Fine, I admit it. I never thought you’d find me so easily, though.”

Alea knit her brows, displeased, then turned away.

The tournament organizers hurried onto the stage to assess the situation. Alea raised a hand toward them.

“I lost.”

“Huh? Are you… sure?”

Neither Alea nor Helmut had a single scratch—hardly a battle by any measure. Alea nodded.

“He broke my magic. That means he wins.”

“Understood. Confirmed—Dark wins!”

A moment later, bewildered applause erupted. The match had ended without any visible action.

For a semifinal, it was neither flashy nor fierce.

“Congratulations.”

Alea, who had seemed disgruntled earlier, now smiled with surprising grace.

Despite never having lost before, she didn’t appear upset. She shook her head lightly.

“Strange. Losing to you doesn’t feel bad.”

‘That’s a relief.’

Helmut inwardly sighed in relief. If she were in a foul mood, he’d be the one suffering.

“Congratulations on advancing to the finals.”

Alea repeated. *Finals.* The word suddenly felt real.

He hadn’t expected the path here to be difficult. Helmut knew his own strength.

But now, standing at the threshold, an indescribable emotion surged—deep sentiment, regret, something hot and cold fluttering in his chest.

The finals loomed ahead. That was the summit.

Would he face radiant light, or would lightning strike him down?

Yet, he had reached it.

“I hope the skies are clear on the day of the finals.”

Helmut’s gaze lifted. The weather was dull—a hazy sky thick with clouds.

“Though a little rain wouldn’t hurt.”

Alea gave him a puzzled look, but Helmut simply stared upward.

The day he’d cast off this stifling mask wasn’t far.

***

“It’s been a while, my daughter, Charlotte.”

A voice neither stiff nor soft, yet carrying undeniable authority.

Charlotte felt the weight of power in those words. She bowed willingly. The man before her wasn’t her father—he was the Grand Duke of Renosa.

From birth until now, she had always felt the latter more keenly.

“Your Grace, I hope you’ve been well.”

A face eerily unchanged yet strangely reminiscent of someone she knew.

Helmut resembled the Grand Duke. The realization struck Charlotte painfully.

Familiar features, now weathered with time and the dignity of a ruler—this was the face of the Grand Duke of Renosa.

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Indeed, you’ve grown as beautiful as they say. Charlotte, I’ve heard of your exploits in the Empire. As a father, I’m both proud and regretful—that I couldn’t witness your growth.”

The Emperor’s personal letter had been sent to Renosa in response to the Grand Duke’s daughter’s visit.

It was filled with praise for Charlotte, deeming her a worthy match for imperial royalty.

While Grand Duke Farnese had sought a marriage alliance with his son, the Empire’s proposal lacked a specified candidate.

There was no rule that the match had to be between the Farnese heir and her.

What mattered was the union between the imperial family and the House of Renosa. The Emperor had even hinted at pairing her with his own son.

“…I’ve been remiss in neglecting my homeland due to my studies. I apologize.”

Charlotte, who had deliberately avoided facing her family, had no excuse.

Moreover, the Grand Duke had nearly lost his life and had been in prolonged recovery.

“I’ve heard of your outstanding achievements at the academy. Each time, I missed you more.”

Charlotte lowered her eyes, flustered. This was the first time her stoic father had spoken like this.

Just as their mother’s affection leaned toward Michael, the Grand Duke, without overt favoritism, had always been more pleased with Charlotte.

She had been closer to his vision of Renosa’s successor.

Until he learned of *his* existence.

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