Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 418 (Part 2):

“I extend my gratitude to all the esteemed guests who have graced Latona’s banquet,” the Grand Duke began, his voice commanding the room as befitted Renosa’s ruler. “Allow me to introduce my son and the heir of Renosa, Helmut.”

Helmut stepped forward, giving a slight bow.

It was less courteous and more a cursory tilt of the head, bordering on arrogance, yet it suited the heir of Renosa perfectly.

Beside him, Charlotte, who seemed to have been bearing the tension expected of the occasion, let out a sigh of relief.

“That’s him. My goodness.”

“He truly… resembles His Grace the Grand Duke.”

Amid gasps and murmurs of awe, all eyes shifted from the Grand Duke to Helmut, the star of the banquet.

Helmut stood impassively, unfazed by the countless gazes fixed upon him.

Though the same unsavory remarks that had circulated earlier were now being repeated, his keen hearing caught them all, yet he paid them no mind.

‘It seems the story of the Grand Duchess betraying me hasn’t spread.’

It appeared no one in the banquet hall knew he had been abandoned by her not once, but twice.

Even though there might have been those who remembered him from four years ago, when he had stayed at Latona’s royal castle.

The royal castle of Latona seemed to have perfectly sealed off information from the outside.

Whatever dishonorable rumors swirled around the Grand Duchy of Renosa, Helmut was indifferent.

The Grand Duke, too, seemed unperturbed.

New winds always brought fresh gossip.

Even if the rumors were rife now, they would dissipate once Helmut solidified his position.

“And one more announcement,” the Grand Duke said after a pause.

His authoritative voice silenced the bustling hall once more.

“My heir’s betrothed, the mage, Alea.”

The moment a silver-haired woman stepped forward, the crowd collectively drew in a breath.

Alea.

Her presence was one that etched itself into the memories of all who beheld her.

Though she found it bothersome, Alea herself did not shy away from it.

Rather, she took pride in her flawless self, from head to toe.

Clad in a white dress, she seemed to radiate a halo, illuminating the banquet hall.

As she stood beside Helmut, the illusion of his darkness and her light melding into one flickered in the air.

Neither darkness nor light overwhelmed the other; they existed in perfect harmony, each in its rightful place.

A pair destined to become the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Renosa.

Having lived hidden in the shadow of Archmage Heike after losing her parents, Alea now smiled beneath the dazzling lights.

Her unrestrained magic rippled through the air, and the gazes of noblewomen grew hazy.

Whether it was admiration for her beauty or favor toward a figure of power, it mattered not.

Even the smallest spark of affection was enough for Alea’s magic to fan it into a flame, enchanting even those of the same sex.

Revealing the power she had concealed her entire life felt novel, even to her.

“Alea? A commoner?”

“The mage Alea… I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere.”

The banquet hall soon buzzed with murmurs.

Even if no one present immediately recognized her name, those familiar with Greta Academy could not be ignorant of her.

There would be no shortage of people in Renosa or the Deus Empire who knew her name.

*Wasn’t Alea a man? Why did she disguise herself as one?*

The inevitable rumors and suspicions would follow.

‘There’s no turning back now. I can only move forward.’

The faint tension that had arisen transformed into resolve.

Helmut extended his hand toward her. Alea took it.

This royal castle of Latona was the place where she would take root—by Helmut’s side.

As their eyes met, a ripple stirred in Helmut’s otherwise tranquil heart.

This moment, begun in the distant past.

Overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling, Helmut’s lips parted.

Though he was not one for eloquence, he felt compelled to say something—wanted to say something.

But at that moment, the banquet hall’s doors swung open, and a knight in black armor strode in.

Pushing through the crowd, he swiftly approached the Grand Duke.

It was Alonso, the commander of the Black Wing Knights.

“Your Grace, forgive my intrusion. An urgent message has arrived.”

Otaku_Tensei

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