129 – Side Story 3. Farewell (1)
Reina.
Upon receiving the graduation certificate of Ark, she, who was called the successor to Ilyan Sigurd and would eventually become a divine palace, did something that defied everyone’s expectations.
Although not explicitly mentioned, others thought she would follow Ariel, with whom she had been inseparable since her first year, to the royal knights.
‘She absorbed the archery of the apostate of the Great Forest who defeated the demon Lucifer, maintained a perfect practical score, and excelled in theory too, right?’
If there was a major flaw in her personality, it was unknown. So, if Reina wanted, it was entirely possible for her to enter the royal knights with a free pass.
Of course, if they managed to find a loophole, the fact that she was a commoner might pose an issue.
‘That shouldn’t be a big problem. After all, among the legendary achievements of the royal knights, there have been commoners.’
One year ago, the great knight Kaien, who retired after stepping down from the position of academy instructor, was a commoner.
The first sword to protect the empire, Elector Volkanov, was also not of noble birth.
It was none other than the royal knights that originated from the legends of commoners.
Naturally, they welcomed Reina with open arms. Lowering her status, they couldn’t possibly say, ‘You can’t come with us.’
‘So… Surely she could easily secure a good position. Why on earth.’
Oliver looked at the woman sitting at a small desk set up in one corner of the home office, reading through documents.
Ignoring the overwhelming calls from prestigious places like the Royal Knights, she had chosen to take over the agricultural management duties from Oliver, the head of farming at Volkanov.
“Hmm? Do you have something to say?”
“No, if there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask.”
“hehehehe. Understood.”
As if her very gaze could tell that the phrase “the backbone of the palace” was no exaggeration, Oliver eventually shifted his focus from her to the pile of documents on the desk.
“Leaving behind jobs that make you gasp just by listening to them, to learn farming. Why on earth would she make such a choice?”
Truth be told, Oliver had known for a while that Reyna wasn’t heading to the Royal Knights.
He had heard rumors that Ian Volkanov would accept her as his third wife.
At the same time, when he heard that she, who had just graduated, was heading to Volkanov, he had thought of the Northern Lion Knights.
“Compared to the Royal Knights, the name value might be a bit lacking… but once she ascends as a duchess, the Knights will be impeccable. And she’ll be able to see the master every day.”
Once you’re in, you can’t leave the Royal Knights unless you’re on vacation, even if you’re an officer.
Thinking about that, the Northern Lion Knights would actually be much better for Reyna.
There were a hundred reasons she couldn’t leave Volkanov. Where else could she be with her beloved husband?
“Just looking at Miss Ariel is enough. She graduated early a year ago and joined the Knights, but she hasn’t even taken a vacation yet.”
Thinking about it, the Northern Lion Knights certainly weren’t bad either.
Yes, Oliver was convinced that Reyna had chosen the Northern Lion Knights for Ian.
“What? Ah. What did you just say?”
“Ian said Reyna would take over, and she’s planning to come for the handover in a few days.”
Until he heard Ian’s sudden words.
Oliver felt his mind go blank as he listened to the shocking news being delivered so casually.
“Oh, are you talking about the lady? Why on earth…”
“Hm? Didn’t you ask for someone to focus on sales-related matters, leaving the farming management to someone else?”
“That’s true, but… isn’t Lady Reyna an excellent court lady? Are you saying she decided to farm with that talent?”
Being called the palace’s jewel, rejecting calls from prestigious knight orders, and choosing a job like farming?
Getting your hands dirty with soil on a fake day, worrying about the weather?
Moreover, as far as Oliver knew, Reyna’s parents were farmers.
Knowing better than anyone that farming wasn’t easy, why would someone who knew that well choose to walk on thorns?
He wanted to know the detailed reasons behind her decision.
But he couldn’t probe too deeply with the duke, the one leading the duchy.
That was the reason.
“Hmm. I don’t really know either. She said it was her dream since she was a child. Please understand. Besides, she’s a smart child, she’ll learn the job well.”
“… Understood. I’ll do my best to take over smoothly.”
The reason he, on the brink of retirement, ended up receiving the lady of the duchy he served as the successor for handover.
A situation that made you feel like the sky was about to collapse, leaving you breathless.
But was there a way out even if the sky fell?
“She’s certainly sharp. Teach her one thing, and she’ll understand ten and apply them.”
Thanks to her sharp mind, the unfortunate event of being bombarded with questions incessantly, making his heart race, didn’t happen.
“Yes, you’re doing well, Oliver. Once this is done, everything will be wrapped up. It’s the final trial! So…”
After finishing the handover as quickly as possible, let’s run away!
With that determination in mind, Oliver shifted his gaze to the remaining succession documents.
***
Born as a commoner and a poor farmer’s daughter, Reyna knew better than anyone how difficult their lives were.
“Some say it feels like their blood is drying up, while others say it’s like raising another child.”
Could it be an illness? Or maybe the weather is just too cold.
The farmer inevitably had to pay significant attention to the crops he cultivated.
Consequently, as a form of release, he would often spit out such words.
Already struggling to survive, having to constantly worry about thoughts like ‘Are the crops okay? The weather must be cold, right?’
But what was even more frustrating was the inability to be certain that all the effort put into nurturing them would yield proper growth.
“Well, maybe if it’s potatoes. But with wheat, a slight mistake and they die, right?”
It wasn’t a mistake, simply that the climate wasn’t favorable. Efforts made could turn to nothing due to natural disasters.
That was the farmer’s hardship. Sadly, no one seemed interested in it.
Instead, they would criticize, asking why the problem wasn’t identified earlier.
“Since my brother took over the family and I, the farmers’ treatment has improved significantly. But the harsh words and persecutions from before are still unforgettable.”
“Why not just raise them with passion? Isn’t it right to predict natural disasters?”
Reyna never forgot those words. Simultaneously, she believed that the reason such words were spoken was due to the lack of someone with farming knowledge among the high-ranking leaders of the family.
That was the reason.
“I can’t just keep waiting forever. Instead of hoping for a miracle, I’ll bring the miracle myself.”
The reason she decided to delegate the task of overseeing Volkanov’s farming, a position that made people gasp just by hearing its name, was her desire to contribute to resolving the issues she had seen and learned from a young age, leading the territory to a better future.
“Of course, being in Volkanov means I can come home and be with my brother… hehehehe.”
For a happy future, she had to properly receive the succession and be acknowledged for her worth in any way possible.
Fortunately, Reyna could smoothly receive the succession, as the former head, Marquis Oliver, was a capable man.
“According to Marquis Oliver, it’s almost completed, so it should be over soon, right?”
If she could endure just a little longer, she believed she could directly fulfill the wish she had dreamed of.
With that in mind, she clenched her hands tightly, determined.
Knock, knock!
“Reyna? Are you in your room?”
“Huh? Bianca, sis?”
“Oh! You’re in your room! If you’re not too busy, can I come in for a moment?”
When Bianca’s slightly trembling voice came from beyond the door.
Unless it was something serious. Her voice wouldn’t tremble like that. Was something really wrong?
With a sense of concern, Reyna hurriedly ran to open the door.
And there she saw.
“Sis? What’s wrong?”
“W-Well….”
With her hands pressed against her chest, Bianca’s hesitant and troubled appearance.
As she glanced at Reyna, who was tilting her head, Bianca cautiously opened her tightly closed mouth.
“It seems like there’s a major issue with preparing Lady Leticia’s ceremony….”
“What?”
Reyna’s pupils widened in surprise at Bianca’s unexpected words.
***
There was a problem in preparing for the ritual.
The moment she heard those words, an existence emerged in Reyna’s mind.
‘Could it be… because of Nathalian?’
Nathalian Volkhanov.
The young girl who began revealing herself since Ian and Bianca got married a year ago.
Though she looked like a mere 10-year-old child, using the power of an ancient deity made her essential to Ian’s core strength.
Except for Ian, who was the contractor, and Bianca, who could see spirits, no one else knew her true identity.
From the moment Ian married Bianca, she had given up immortality, a privilege of ancient deities, and lived as Ian’s daughter.
It might be a decision she would regret later, but she followed Bianca like a mother, enjoyed sticking with Ian, so there didn’t seem to be any issue.
However, that wasn’t the important part.
As Reyna reminisced about the past, she spoke while observing the trembling Bianca.
“Sister, did Nathalian do something wrong? Like sneaking to eat the cake made to celebrate brother’s birthday like last time. Or playing with candles and almost setting the carpet on fire.”
She had a cute appearance, but the curiosity of children was something that could never be ignored.
Nathalian was more curious and mischievous than her peers.
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If one turned a blind eye for a moment, she would often cause trouble.
Just a few days ago, during Ian’s birthday, she had been caught sneaking out at dawn, eating the cake diligently made and stored in the fridge, with cream smeared all over her mouth while sleeping at the dining table.
‘If she’s up to something like that again this time…’
She would definitely scold her sternly!
Scolding Nathalian was a heartbreaking task, but this time, she couldn’t let it pass lightly.
As she steeled herself, the moment she was preparing to speak.
“N-no! Nathalian didn’t do anything wrong. Since the scolding last time, she’s been behaving so well…”
“Then why are you like this?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Don’t be nervous, just tell me. If there’s something I can help with, I’ll help.”
She might not know what the problem was, and even if she did, she might not be able to provide a clear solution.
But wouldn’t it be better to confide rather than grumble alone?
Knowing this, Reyna created an atmosphere where Bianca could comfortably confide.
And that was crucial.
“Alright, listen carefully. It seems there’s a ghost in the mansion. And not just any ghost, a spirit with considerable power…”
“What? A spirit?”
Reyna clenched her fist, feeling at a loss about what to do with the unexpected problem Bianca had revealed.