Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 405 (Part 2):

Later, Grand Duke Farnese reprimanded Asuka and forbade him from attending the final as part of the imperial retinue.

Asuka had readily agreed.

The Crown Prince wouldn’t dare cause trouble there, and Charlotte would be too focused on the tournament anyway. He’d rather avoid the discomfort.

‘But I still need a ticket. It’s the final, after all.’

Fortunately, Alea—ever resourceful—had secured one, allowing him to tag along. Otherwise, he might have had to resort to buying a black-market ticket. A member of the Imperial family reduced to scalping—what a thought.

“It’s the day of revenge. No way I’m missing the final.”

“Not like there’s any doubt who’ll win.”

They were all certain of Helmut’s victory.

“Meow.”

Elaga, who had followed them, chimed in. The leopard demonic beast promptly leaped onto Alea’s lap.

Cats didn’t need tickets.

Alea frowned but eventually rested a hand on Elaga’s head.

A contented purr rumbled out. Elaga had claimed the best seat in the house—Alea’s lap.

“Oh my, hello there, Violet. Your cat is adorable.”

Just then, someone approached Alea from the adjacent seat.

A noble lady of striking beauty, dressed elegantly and fan in hand.

“Myaaow.”

“Oh my, does it understand speech?”

[This one has sharp eyes.]

“Hello.”

Whether Elaga was smug or not, Alea acknowledged the greeting. This was, after all, the woman who had provided their tickets.

Being a semifinalist didn’t guarantee access to the finals.

The noblewoman—who hadn’t given her family name—hailed from one of the empire’s most prominent houses.

She had appeared out of nowhere when Alea was turned away at the ticket counter, declaring herself a fan of Violet and generously offering tickets.

Thanks to her, Alea had easily secured seats for Sian and Asuka too.

“I overheard your group earlier. Do you think the iron-masked one will win?”

“Yes.”

“You faced him in the semifinals, didn’t you? I heard Violet and he are acquainted.”

Given that Violet had occasionally been seen with him before her rise to fame, rumors weren’t surprising.

Alea studied the eager noblewoman before bluntly stating:

“He’s my boyfriend.”

Sian and Asuka whipped their heads around at the sheer directness.

“Wh… What?!”

The noblewoman’s shriek was muffled as she snapped her fan over her face. Her wide eyes betrayed her shock.

“So please cheer for him.”

“Oh! O-Of course!”

Flustered, the noblewoman turned away. Soon, the news that the iron-masked man was Violet’s boyfriend would spread like wildfire.

But it didn’t matter. The tournament would soon be over, and Alea would leave this place.

“…Wow. Just wow.”

Sian’s delayed gasp was met with Asuka’s dry response.

“She’s not even hiding it anymore.”

A heavy silence fell between them, as if they’d just heard something scandalous.

Only Elaga continued purring, happily awaiting the start of the final.

—

Not long after, the imperial family and the Grand Duke’s household took their seats in the high gallery.

The crowd rose to pay their respects, though most couldn’t even see the distinguished guests properly.

“Charlotte, you seem tense.”

The Grand Duchess of Renosa addressed Charlotte, whose expression was visibly stiff.

She hadn’t slept a wink last night.

She had been the one to urge Helmut to join the tournament, and he had fought his way to this moment.

Despite all her meticulous preparations, even Charlotte couldn’t suppress her nerves now.

Margret Irene, oblivious, looked as flawless as ever, radiant in her role as the Grand Duchess.

If anything, the arena’s electrifying atmosphere seemed to have lifted her spirits.

Charlotte glanced at her mother’s face, then lowered her gaze.

Once the final ended and his identity was revealed…

She couldn’t imagine what expression her mother would wear.

In a voice barely above a whisper, Charlotte replied:

“I’m… a little nervous. This is the end, after all.”

“Yes. The end.”

Her “end” and Charlotte’s “end” held vastly different meanings—but Margret didn’t know that.

Soon, Charlotte’s opening address followed.

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