Kays Translations

Chapter 82: The Heine Margraviate’s Decision

The guest-room door opened, and Father entered looking slightly weary. He had probably already heard the outline of what had happened, so another full explanation wouldn’t be necessary.

“Your Majesty, Maximilian Heine has arrived.”

“Forgive me for interrupting your meeting.”

“Not at all. I wondered why it was suddenly suspended, but I never imagined this. Please accept my apologies for the trouble my son has caused.”

Father bowed deeply.

I wasn’t the guilty one. Chloe was. She was the one who deserved her mother’s threatened punishment later.

“Kyu…”

“It isn’t your fault, Mira,” Rosalia murmured, soothing the holy dragon.

Father’s expression softened as he watched them. He had always been particularly indulgent towards his only daughter.

“I have no intention of punishing anyone,” His Majesty said. “Mars, our holy-dragon scholar, has explained that a growing holy dragon requires mana. Julius is apparently the only person here capable of supplying it efficiently.”

“I understand.”

“For that reason, I would like to welcome Julius and the holy dragon into the castle. What do you think?”

Father fell silent in thought.

Please refuse, Father. I’ll accept any punishment afterwards. Just don’t leave me here.

Everyone waited for his answer.

“I’m deeply honoured by Your Majesty’s offer. However, it’s already been decided that Julius will be raised in the Heine Margraviate. This was the final wish of my mother, Margaret. She wanted him to become a distinguished magic pharmacist in our lands.”

What?

I had never heard anything about that.

“Margaret had already acknowledged Julius as her successor?” His Majesty asked, nearly rising from his chair.

“That’s correct. I ask that this remain confidential, but the potion book compiled by my mother has already been entrusted to Julius.”

A murmur ran through the room, and every gaze turned towards me. I felt painfully conspicuous.

Only Chloe appeared unsurprised. I had told her a great deal when I gave her the Panacea, and she already knew I could compound potions.

“I see,” His Majesty said. “If Margaret chose him as her successor, I can’t simply keep him in the castle.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

“There’s no need. I knew my proposal was rather unreasonable.”

Then why make it? I had almost developed an ulcer from the anxiety.

The King nevertheless looked genuinely disappointed. If he wanted Mira so badly, perhaps they could remain at the castle after all.

“Kyu…”

“Big brother…”

Rosalia was entirely on Mira’s side. She had once said she wanted a younger sibling, and apparently she had decided Mira filled the role.

His Majesty watched them, closed his eyes, and nodded.

“Then, Maximilian, I have another request.”

“Anything, Your Majesty.”

“Will you raise the holy dragon in the Heine Margraviate? It would be cruel to separate a child from the person they regard as a parent.”

“Certainly.”

Father bowed.

It was decided. Rosalia and Mira played happily together. At this rate, Rosalia might do more of the actual care than I would.

Chloe, Caro, and Her Majesty all looked dissatisfied. Mars, however, immediately found a solution.

“Your Majesty, I would like to accompany them to the Heine Margraviate so that I may continue studying the holy dragon. May I have permission?”

“What do you say, Maximilian?”

“I have no objection. There may be unforeseen difficulties, and having an expert nearby would be reassuring.”

“Thank you!” Mars cried.

He had secured his place. The remaining three tried to invent reasons to follow but eventually gave up with matching sighs.

Did they truly like Mira that much? Perhaps I should make holy dragon stuffed toys for them.

At last, our long day at the castle ended. It had been astonishingly eventful. I had certainly never expected to leave carrying a holy dragon.

“Julius, I truly can’t take my eyes off you,” Father said with a sigh.

I could only sigh at my own talent for attracting trouble.

“I’m sorry. I should have stopped Chloe.”

“You should have. What would you’ve done if something dangerous had happened?”

“I would have protected everyone with all my strength.”

“I see.”

That satisfied him? I had expected a much harsher lecture.

Rosalia and Mira watched us anxiously, so I stroked both their heads to reassure them.

“Come to think of it, Mira spoke before, didn’t they? We heard a voice directly in our minds.”

“Kyu?”

“They said, ‘Give me.’ Perhaps they meant, ‘Give me mana.’ Mira, can you say something now?”

“Kyu?”

Apparently not. Perhaps the telepathy had been possible only while they were trapped inside the egg. Mira merely tilted their head repeatedly.

“I wonder what Amelia will say when she sees this,” Father murmured. “Once she hears how it happened, she may be angrier than I was.”

“Please don’t frighten me, Father.”

The thought made me pale.

When we returned to House Heine’s townhouse, the rest of the family greeted us with stunned silence.

“My dear, what’s that adorable creature?” Mother asked.

“A holy dragon. Julius will explain the details.”

Father had abandoned me to face her alone. Was he truly that afraid of Mother?

Yes. Of course he was. An angry Mother was terrifying.

I confessed everything as quickly as possible.

“So that’s what happened. Princess Chloe really is a handful. Her Majesty said she had finally settled down, but apparently that was only on the surface.”

I would have liked to see Chloe in her perfect-princess mode. I suspected I would laugh halfway through.

Mother looked exasperated, yet continued stroking Mira, who had settled on her lap. She clearly liked them. Alex and Cain were equally fascinated.

They were looking at a real dragon, after all. Had I not been personally entangled in the situation, I would probably have reacted exactly the same way.

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