Adventure Awaits! Huzzah! 23

“Look Lord Himmel, look! I did it!” Julia was proudly showing the fireball she had conjured.

And now Himmel was feeling just as proud. “Yeah, and that’s a pretty amazing first result…” Considering he had started with just a spark, he almost felt mad. “So far you’re progressing the fastest out of us all.” That was Major Holy Blood for you. Is what he wished he could say, but considering he had it too, Himmel had no excuse.

Julia casually fired the attack at the ocean. “You and Lady Celica are learning much more advanced spells, so I do not take this as a grand accomplishment.”

Kliff scoffed. “And what about me, damn it?” He was getting frustrated now that he had been surpassed. He shouldn’t get too mad though, not only did the no Holy Blood excuse actually apply to him, but he should be finally happy he didn’t need to rely on a tome anymore.

Although the sparks Kliff could currently conjure were inferior to the tome.

Speaking of Kliff, he had been the only brat to accept his invitation. Clair had said mingling with Celica and Julia was above her station, Alm didn’t care and was busy, and Faye apparently just didn’t have an eye for magic. Although she did occasionally watch their training. And by occasionally he meant most of the time.

“Ah, my apologies, I didn’t mean to—”

Kliff cut her off. “Forget it, sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just frustrated.” He sighed. “Which I shouldn’t be using as an excuse to get mad when I’m not the one constantly getting electrocuted. Are you okay there, Celica?” He shifted his look towards Himmel’s sort of a teacher.

Himmel said sort of a teacher because while Celica was teaching him Seraphim, most of the time she was actually on the ground in pain. The Mage Breaker lived up to his name.

Celica let out a groan. “Yes, I am fine. I’ll get up once my muscles start responding again.” The poor princess was currently on the ground. At least this time she didn’t pee herself. That was an improvement.

Still, Himmel couldn’t help but pity her. “Want me to use Recover on you?” He shouldn’t.

Not only because he wasn’t actually sure he was good enough to genuinely heal her, but because the whole point of the Mage Breaker was teaching you the pain that magic could cause and seeing if you still want it to pursue it afterwards. Who cared though? Celica was his buddy, he didn’t want her to be in pain.

Maybe he was a bad teacher for that.

Thankfully Celica was too diligent to accept that. “N-no, it’s fine. I’m fine.” He didn’t know if she even believed that. He respected her attitude though.

And so, their training continued.

It was strange to admit, but for the first time in what felt like a long while, Himmel was calm. There were still problems to solve, problems that he had to face but had no idea on how to go about it, but at least this was nice.

As he should have expected though, something like that couldn’t last long. “Hey, Alm is calling everyone.” Faye had arrived, and this time not to watch everyone practicing.

Julia was immediately worried. “Did something happen to Mother?” Himmel knew he couldn’t be that lucky.

“Yes.” He could be that lucky!?

No, he shouldn’t be thinking of messed up stuff like that. He couldn’t deny that Deirdre scared the shit out of him, but at this point he had to live with the consequences of saving her. Although he wouldn’t exactly cry if she happened to choke on her own saliva and die or something like that.

Faye continued. “She woke up.” Yeah, he couldn’t be that lucky. “But something is wrong with her head…” Was Faye attempting to become an emotional pendulum to end his life?

Julia gasped. “N-no…! But Lady Celica said she should be fine!” Indeed. 

But that was before Celica had learned about his identity as Seliph and the history behind it. He had joked about her secretly giving Deirdre cancer before, but surely she hadn’t actually done anything like that…?

Celica tried, and failed to get up. “I’ll go check on her… Can someone carry me though?” She still refused to be healed? Maybe that was her distaste for Deirdre showing it’s face.

It didn’t matter, Himmel volunteered. “I’ll carry you.” It was finally time to face the music.

He couldn’t hide forever. He couldn’t even hide for long.



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They had rushed to the room as fast as they could. Once outside the door, Celica tapped Himmel’s shoulder. “I think I’m already good enough to walk. Please let me down.”

“Sure.” Himmel did so without feeling like he was really moving his body. He felt like an automated robot.

Funnily enough however, he wasn’t scared at all. Maybe it was because he had stressed so much about this day that he simply couldn’t muster much care about it anymore. Or maybe it was due to Celica’s presence, the hidden princess knew his secret and that held a lot of power. Not to mention how he knew she was on his side.

In the end it didn’t matter. He just had to face the music, even if that music was awful.

Poor Julia was shaking like a leaf. “May we go in now, Lady Celica?”

The hidden princess nodded. “Of course. I’ll make sure your mother is as healthy as someone can be.” She sounded like she was eating a lemon while saying that.

And so, Julia, Himmel, Celica, Faye, and Kliff all entered the room. The room was already full with Alm, Clair, the Captain, and of course, Deirdre. 

It had been a long time since he saw the woman awake. The last time she had been afraid for her own life, this time… she also looked afraid for her own life. Although she also looked extremely confused, something which only further intensified once she laid eyes on Julia, and then eventually on Himmel.

For a moment, light appeared in her eyes. “Sigurd!” And at the same moment, light disappeared from Himmel’s eyes.

She called him Sigurd? That wasn’t good. He should have expected it, with her calling him a ghost once, but he had hoped it had been a fluke. Did he really resemble his father so much? Leaving that aside, why was she happy about seeing him? Something was very wrong here.

Julia ignored her mother’s words, rushing to her side and embracing her. “Mother! I am so glad you are awake!” It was a heartwarming reunion. Just looking at the face of his sister made Himmel feel immensely guilty about all the times he had wished death upon Deirdre.

Once again however, something was terribly wrong. Himmel didn’t know what, but… The fact that Deirdre didn’t hug Julia back, the fact that Deirdre seemed to get even more scared… Yes, something was wrong here. But they were supposed to already know that. Something is wrong with her head, that’s what Faye had said.

Himmel decided to confront Alm about it. “So… she seems fine. Is there really a problem here?”

Alm nodded. “Yeah, but she says she’s married to Sigurd of Chalpy of all people.” What? “And she called you Sigurd… Dude, I know you’re popular, but—”

Clair cut him off. “I am pretty sure even Himmel, as amazing as he can be, cannot seduce a comatose woman, Alm.” Yeah, that was out of his abilities. And seducing Deirdre seemed more like the type of thing he would experience in a nightmare, not in reality.

Suddenly while they talked, Deirdre pushed Julia away.

“Mother…?” Julia was shocked. Himmel doubted she had even heard them speak while she had been hugging her mother.

Deirdre however, had gone from scared to angry. “P-please stop touching me like that!” She looked around the room. “Who even are you people? Why does this young woman look so much like me? And why does that young man resemble Sigurd?” Because that young man was Sigurd’s son.

Still, her reaction could only mean one thing. Himmel shifted his gaze to Celica. “You think this is amnesia?”

Celica slowly nodded. “I suppose it must be, but I didn’t expect her to have any issues of that nature…”

“I do not have amnesia!” Deirdre glared at Celica. “And do not talk about me as if I am not here in the first place!”

Celica glared right back at her. “Of course.” Her sheer levels of hostility ended up making Deirdre flinch. “So, what do you remember?”

Deirdre narrowed. “It is as the young man named Alm has said. I am definitely not married to Arvis, I remember my husband, Sigurd!” She sounded enraged, anyone would suggest otherwise. “I even have a son with him! A child named Seliph!” This…

Himmel couldn’t help it, he let a chuckle escape him. Thankfully no one commented on how rude it was.

Deirdre continued. “I was resting in Agusti Castle, taking care of my child. My husband however, went to fight yet another battle… At first I tried staying behind, but my heart could not bear the worry.” Another chuckle. “I wished to go and aid my beloved, so I left my child in the care of a trusted friend and parted for the battlefield. On my way however, a strange mage attacked me. Next I knew I was here—” Another chuckle.

This time it was too much, Deirdre snapped at him. “What is so funny, young man!?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry, nothing about this is funny.” This was hilarious. What the hell was he hearing here? Was he supposed not to laugh? “I do believe I have come to grasp the situation however… It is indeed amnesia, wouldn’t you agree, Celica?”

Celica looked as pale as a sheet of paper. “Yes, it must be, but why?”

Himmel closed his eyes. “The why doesn’t matter. What matters is how we handle this situation from here on.” Would Arvis be willing to take this Deirdre?

“I do not have amnesia!” Once more, the empress of Jugdral snapped.

Himmel didn’t bother listening. “Or more accurately, how you handle it. I’m sorry Celica, but I reached my limit, so I’m leaving.” Yeah, this was as much as he could take. Even Himmel recognized his little bursts of laughter weren’t good. If he stayed here, something even uglier than what he had shown the night he talked to himself might happen.

At first she didn’t seem to know what to say, but slowly she nodded. “I understand, take all the time you need.” She paused for a moment. “But… that topic will inevitably be brought up. Should I talk about it?” What she was talking about was clear.

Himmel began heading to the door. “Do as you please. I… trust you.” His true identity coming out had been an inevitability as soon as Deirdre had shown up anyways.

Oh sure, he had lied to himself in an attempt to stay hopeful. That Deirdre would magically forget about her spawn that threatened the very lives of her family. That Deirdre wouldn’t recognize the brat made by her genes and the genes of Sigurd. But deep inside he always knew this moment was coming.

The fact that he could let Celica handle it instead of himself however? That was a relief he could not predict.

“Are you sure…?”

His lips quivered. “I’m sure. I’m willing to trust you with all of our futures, what is a name when compared to that?” One day Celica would be his queen. Letting her handle this type of stuff was more of a privilege than anything.

“Very well then. I’ll try my best.” That was already more than he could ask for.

But Celica wasn’t the only person in the room. Everyone must be wondering why he was making a scene. Especially Julia. “Lord Himmel, what is this all about?”

Himmel let out a long sigh. “You aren’t stupid, I’m sure you already figured it out…” Seliph, a fake name. That just made all of this even funnier. “It is as you suspect.”

Her jaw hit the floor. “Then… but… what is going on here?” Yeah, she had definitely come to the right conclusion, and that conclusion was an insane sounding one, so she didn’t blame her one bit.

Himmel snorted. “As if I know, but… Julia, should you need something… come for me, I’ll help you.” He felt as if he had to say that before leaving the metaphorical blast radius. Although he doubted his little sister would ever want to speak with him again.

“Young man, wait!” Once again, his leave was interrupted. This time by Deirdre himself.

He knew it was wrong, but he felt a lot less kind when it came to her. “What is it? Make it quick.” The longer he stayed here, the more he was sure he would throw up. So it was best to leave.

“That sword…” It was then that he noticed her eyes were focused solely on his hip. “I know it. I’m certain of it! It belongs to my husband, so how did you get it!?”

He put a hand on the hilt of the sword. “This? A gift from my foster father. As for how he obtained it? I imagine he took it from my father’s corpse. I don’t really know the details, ask your husband if you want to know more. Or maybe that friend of yours, if he hasn’t been turned to ashes, that is.” His words were incredibly cruel.

Deirdre clearly did not remember what she had done. So his words must have all come across as mad rambling. Nonetheless, he said them all with enough spite to scare even a ghost. And all due to petty revenge… Petty revenge not born from anger at how she had betrayed his father and his father’s army, but born from how she had caused him so much stress recently. This was the ugly side he did not wish to show.

And his ramblings did have an effect, even if she couldn’t truly understand what they meant. Because she could understand his anger. So she could only stand there, frozen to her very core.

Good. That was the result his sick self wished to see.



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“Why did you follow me? You don’t want to see the show?”

Faye smiled. “I think staying with you is better than any show.” Adorable. Her words were enough to make his heart go from what felt like a storm, to a calm and serenade river.

Hell, she even made him become a poet, apparently! Truly the best woman in all of Valentia. “I appreciate that, but that show will expose a big secret I carry. Are you sure you don’t want to listen to it?” She was a village girl, gossip was basically in her blood.

“If it’s your secret, I think it’s best if you yourself tell me.” Ah, she wanted the VIP Celica treatment. “Besides, you seem… really sad, Himmel… and… I haven’t been helping you recently when you’re sad. So I wanted to be by your side.”

Himmel raised an eyebrow. “Sad? I don’t really feel sad.” He felt angry, and he felt furious at himself for feeling angry, which just made him all the more angry. “And you don’t really need to help me or anything. Though I do appreciate the sentiment, of course.”

Faye tilted her head. “Of course I need to help you, I love you.” Right, it made sense.

Himmel sputtered. “What!?” Why did she suddenly hit him with that!?

Faye chuckled. “And I’m not embarrassed to say it!” She looked down, a blush covering her face. “O-okay, I’m a bit embarrassed to say it, but we both know it’s true, right?” She closed her eyes. “B-but you still haven’t made any moves on me, so I understand I need to win your heart first!”

“...” His face was definitely just as red. “No need for that. Just say the word and I’ll do whatever you want.” Before he thought his future Faye plans were off the table, thankfully supreme queen Celica the perfect had restored them. May her reign be eternal.

Faye pouted. “Well, I don’t want to ask you to do it.” Oh? Was she feeling a little shy? “I think— I think I’d rather you asked me. You haven’t done it yet, so I assume you don’t like me that way, but it’s okay.” She giggled. “It’s embarrassing to say, but the truth is that I actually prefer the stories where the prince charming has to be won over first.”

Himmel smiled. “It’s already yours, so like I said, just ask me—”

Faye got a bit angry. “Like I said, I don’t want to ask you! I want you to like me enough to ask me! Though… I guess you’re waiting for something?”

Himmel nodded. “Yeah, I’m waiting for something. Sorry. I won’t blame you if you fall for someone else.” Back in the village he had been waiting until they all turned into adults.

Marriage was a serious thing in this world… Well, in his old world too. So he didn’t want to rush anyone into it. Which was rich coming from the definitely not groomer, but even someone like him wanted to lie to himself and tell he was actually a decent person. And besides, he had actually changed his mind throughout this journey.

What he actually wanted to do right now, was wait until his life was stable.

Faye punched her open palm. “Okay, I understand!” Was she about to say something romantic, like how she was willing to wait forever for him? “I just have to steal your heart so much that you will completely forget about waiting for whatever you’re talking about!” How scary.

Before he knew it, he was chuckling, this one wasn’t the chuckles of a bastard though. “Man, what kind of romantic stories have you been listening too? I’d love to hear them too!” Considering books weren’t something she could find easily due to her station…

Maybe Mama Faye was a really good story teller.

Faye had stars in her eyes. “Oh, I love to—” She suddenly stopped herself. “This is totally not going how I planned… It’s always like this with you, you make me feel super happy, then I forget what I was supposed to be doing.” She cleared her throat. “Let’s not talk about me, let’s talk about you, Himmel.”

Himmel waved her off. “It’s fine, talking about you makes me happy too. Oh, we can talk about Epona though, if you want.” That made him happy too. Maybe he should go check on her?

Faye put her hands on her hips. “We are talking about you. End of story.”

Himmel scratched his cheek. “Why am I suddenly seeing images of a blonde noble lady?”

Faye’s lips quivered. “W-well, I heard she got through you by being assertive, so…” So she was copying it.

Himmel looked up. “Clair, Celica, and now you… Am I destined to constantly need comfort from women?” Next thing you know, Julia would show up with a therapist degree.

“Please don’t.” Faye put a hand on her right arm, embarrassed. “Competing with the two of them is already hard. I don’t need even more enemies.” Enemies? She really was trying to be super assertive.

Clair and Celica definitely weren’t competition though. With both being noble ladies way above his station. Not to mention how Clair had been way too old when they met to fall for his… unique strategies. At least he had stolen Celica’s first kiss a long time ago though. He didn’t know if he could be proud of that, however.

Faye continued. “But…! As I’ve been trying to say… you’re definitely sad. I mean, you’re crying. Or at least you were crying before…”

“I was crying?” As an instinctive reaction, he touched his face. It was wet. “You’re right, I guess. I wonder if these tears really are mine, though.” Even he didn’t know what that meant. “Even if they are, however, people cry over more emotions than sadness. I think these are pissed off tears.”

Faye frowned. “I don’t know if that’s right…” She took a deep breath. “Celica… um… she told me, told us… that you… that you felt like you tried becoming a hero and failed, and then you cried a bunch.” So she really had told them about all that. “Back then, I cried for a bit too. At first I thought it was out of sadness, but… Later on I realized it was a bunch of emotions.”

“You’re right, people do cry over more emotions than sadness, and right now I think you’re crying over multiple emotions.” Maybe…

More importantly though… “I made you cry?” That knowledge was going to make him start crying again. This time out of shame.

Faye looked down. “No… I… I shouldn’t have brought this up, sorry.” She built up her courage. “But I already did, so there’s no sense in stopping now. I… I… there’s plenty of things I want to say about it, but I think I'd rather show you overtime. So instead, for now all I will tell you, is that one day we are going to get married, and then you are never going to cry again.”

That was a sweet thing to say, but also kind of terrifying, for some reason. “I’d like to make the same promise, but…” He grinned. “You’ll be crying tears of joy here and there.”

Faye gasped. “I wish I thought of that…!” 

“You have much to learn. Like for example…” It was time to just come out and say it. “My secret, and the reason I ran.” This was the second time he told someone. It felt easier than the first one, a good surprise. “That woman over there is my mother.”

“Hm!?” A silent gasp.

He put a hand on his chin. “Yeah, I am that Seliph baby she talked about. Son of Sigurd of Chalpy… Who my mom betrayed and let her current husband kill.” He put a hand on the back of his neck. “Which means I’m technically the heir to the Jugdral Empire. My mom… Deirdre, wants me dead over it. Or at least she did, before she hit her head.”

It was strange. Before he had told Celica this, he truly had feared revealing his identity, and yet now it felt so easy. Perhaps he always wanted to tell people about it? He had jumped on the opportunity to tell Sonya, after all.

He had to admit though, that some of his original fear was there, that now the brats would see him as an outsider. No longer Himmel, just Seliph.

Faye’s eyes widened. “Oh! Then we have to kill her!”

Now it was Himmel’s turn to gasp. “W-what!? Why!?”

“Because she wants to kill you, duh!” That was a very simple way to look at things. “Then afterwards, we can go to Jugdral and fight for your birthright.” She did a mock salute. “I-I am ready to kill in your name, your Imperial Majesty Seliph!” Her voice was trembling during the whole thing.

“Don’t even joke about that.” They already had their hands full with fighting in Celica’s name soon.

“I am not joking.” She… she was not joking. “I’m just a peasant girl, so I know I can’t do much, but I promise to fight for you until I can no longer lift a spear, your Imperial Majesty Seliph.” This…

His worst fears really came true! “Don’t go promising to fight a war in foreign soil, dumbass. Besides, I… I have no interest in becoming emperor, or in being Seliph. I’m Himmel, so please don’t forget that.”

To his surprise, Faye let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank the Mother!” She clasped her hands. “I will follow you wherever, but I do like life in Ram Village a lot.” More than fighting a war? Shocker? “So you’re a prince, huh?” Faye’s eyes became hazy.

Was she fantasizing about his status as a prince? That was… it sure was something. “Yeah. Sort of. I’m a prince from my mother’s side, and a duke from my father’s side.” His bloodline sure was stacked.

“Uhum…” And then she suddenly looked terrified. “But that means Celica…!” He had a feeling she was reaching some crazy realizations. “Well, I guess that doesn’t matter right now. First things first…” And her eyes changed yet again. “I have to kill your mother.” She turned around and began marching.

“Woah, wait there!” He put a hand on her shoulder, and spun her around. It was almost comical. “I said I don’t want to become Emperor.”

“That doesn’t matter, does it?” Her voice was downright chilling. “That woman wants to kill you, so I’ll kill her before she gets the chance. It’s okay really, I have been readying myself for this for a long time now.”

“Why though!?” Seriously, where did this come from!? “And forget about that, Deirdre is… she has amnesia, so it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Faye narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure? Because as far as I see it, she is still making you scared. I think that’s part of why you cried.” Ah, so that’s how he triggered yan Faye.

“I… if she’s still making me scared, I should face her, not let my friend kill her.” Yes, it was time to go back to that room.

This time he wouldn’t run away. Especially since poor Celica was definitely freaking out right now.



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How was she supposed to go about this?

Celica had been trained in how to be a queen, she knew how to be diplomatic. All of those skills seemed to disappear as soon as she needed them however. Why did Himmel have to let all of this on her shoulders? Everyone was looking at her and waiting for an explanation!

No, she couldn’t complain. Himmel had handled her father, now, as repayment, she would handle his mother.

She cleared her throat. “So… Himmel is Seliph…” Her voice lacked any confidence whatsoever. So she tried once again. “Yes, Himmel is Seliph. Your son, which you cruelly tried taking the life off, you crusty old witch!” And in the second time, she replaced all of her lack of confidence with spite instead. Not good.

Much like Himmel, she could not be unbiased here. Not only because of her morals, but because Himmel was her first love. She could not feel sympathy for the Empress of Jugdral.

That Empress however, did not remember what she had done. “What?” She did not even seem emotionally shocked, just confused.

Julia was another story, she grasped her chest and let out a sob. “So it is true…! Lord Himmel is my brother!” Like Himmel had said, she wasn’t stupid. She had figured it out before Celica had said anything, though the priestess wondered how she had pulled off such a feat.

Alm interjected. “Wait, wait a sec, Himmel is like… an imperial prince then? Similar to Julia?” 

Celica nodded. “Yes, it is a secret he confessed to me quite recently.”

Kliff, ever the genius, was already making sense of the situation. “I guess that explains why he is such a monster at magic. He’s a hard worker no doubt, way more than me, but that type of hard work would have killed someone without Holy Blood.” He was muttering to himself.

Clair was doing the same thing. “I knew that I sensed a noble soul there…” The girl looked strangely smug. “A handsome, noble soul.” And she was also strangely blushing. Himmel had certainly made a unique friend.

The Captain was looking around in panic. “Hey, I’m not going to get killed for being here, am I?” These words were definitely not for the ears of strangers, but Celica supposed this was his ship, and their travels were happening due to his kindness.

“Worry not.” Celica reassured him. “Your life shall not be taken for this. Himmel… Seliph would never approve of such a ruthless action.” Calling him the latter felt strange. Foreign. But they were the same person. Just as she recently had to accept the name Anthiese.

Thankfully, by the grace of Mila, Himmel would not have to fight for his throne in the same way as she.

“Well, that’s a relief to hear. Mister Mage was Mister Prince, huh…” He tilted his head. “Ain’t he supposed to be a little baby then?”

“Yes! He is!” Deirdre sounded affronted by what she was hearing. “My child is an infant! A baby! Not a young teen! Do you know how insane you all currently sound!? I cannot even begin to comprehend what kind of scheme is being concocted here, but it will not work! A-and soon, my husband will come and rescue me!”

Julia interjected. “Sigurd of Chalpy will not come.” She sounded in shock.

Deirdre did not buy her words. “He will, child, and trust me, nothing will stop him! I suggest you all surrender now, I promise my husband will be kind towards children who do not know better.” So even though she saw them as enemies, their ages meant she still did not wish harm upon them.

But it was as Julia had said, Sigurd of Chalpy would not be coming for her rescue.

The reason for it was simple. “You’re wrong, Sigurd of Chalpy can’t come, because he’s dead. My father executed him for treason… a long, long time ago, and you—”

“I already told you, stop making up stories!”

“You were there too.” Julia was trembling. “Because the treason Sigurd of Chalphy committed was ending your father’s life. He was a king slayer, a traitor to his country.”

“My father? My father?” Deirdre scowled. “Oh please, girl. I was raised in a forest! My father, a king? Your tales become more outlandish by the second.”

Celica crossed her arms. “She’s telling the truth, any history book will agree with it. Because it’s something that happened years ago.”

Clair nodded. “Yes, I do not think a single child who has any form of advanced education does not know of Sigurd of Chalpy and his… gruesome end. It does beg the question though, how does… does any of this work? If this Seliph is supposed to be an infant.”

Alm hummed. “And what about Kris? That’s Himmel’s dad, right?”

Kliff rolled his eyes. “Weren’t you paying attention? Himmel called Kris his surrogate father a few moments ago. Kris is just his guardian… And Kris might not even be his real name.”

Alm’s eyes widened. “Maybe he’s Sigurd in disguise!”

Celica glared at him. “Now you’re doing this on purpose.” Was this her brother’s way of bringing levity to the situation? Or was he really making crazy theories on purpose. “Anyways, allow me to explain what happened.”

Yes, it was her responsibility. “Years ago, Deirdre betrayed Sigurd and allied herself with the now Emperor Arvis. Together, the two brought Sigurd to a trap, where his army and himself were all slain. She married Arvis, and had children with him as well, but… her first child would always be a threat to her newest children.”

“Hunts for Himmel— For Seliph, were organized, but his caretaker ran with him to Valentia. There, Himmel was trained for a long time so that he could one day reclaim his birthright… although…” She sneaked a glance at Julia. “From what he has told me, he has no intentions of doing such a thing.”

Deirdre scoffed. “You claimed I betrayed my husband, my friends, my own son, for a man I have never spoken to? Perhaps that actor was laughing for he knew you were a good comedian! I’ve saw my child not too long ago, so—”

“You have selective amnesia.” Or at least that is what Celica concluded. “Whatever happened to you must have been a traumatic event, because you forgot all that happened afterwards. But it has happened.”

Deirdre’s eye twitched. “Do you have any, and I mean, any sense of proof? Because I must say child, it takes a lot to make me angry, but you are testing my patience!”

Proof? That was actually hard to provide. “Your skin… you’re a beautiful woman, but you do feel wrinkles don’t you? They’re beginning to form, wrinkles that weren’t there before. It’s because you are old, older than you believe.” Not super old or anything, but this woman had forgotten more than a decade of her own body’s growth.

She must have felt like an alien in her own skin.

“You sound ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.” She tried calming herself down. “Child, please, I do not understand why you are doing this, but—”

No sympathy. She could not show any sympathy for this woman. “I can bring you a mirror, but it might shatter with your ugly soul.” Celica snarled. “Child murderer.” She had never succeeded, but even so… Unforgivable. What she had attempted was unforgivable.

“...I did not hurt any child. I would never. Much less my own.” Not for a lack of trying.

Poor Julia looked extremely uncomfortable. “If it will help, I’ll go grab a mirror…” It was an incredible show of will. She did not run away even in a situation like this one.

“No need for that, I got a way easier solution.” Celica had made a mistake, she forgot that other people would also become enraged at this situation. “I’ll send this bitch to the afterlife, she can ask Himmel’s dad for the truth there.” Alm drew his sword, with an expression that was fury incarnate.

Deirdre froze. “Wait, young man!” She lacked any means of defending herself, so she could only brace herself and beg.

Julia threw herself in the way of course.

And Celica did the same for Julia. “Alm, do not.”

He growled. “Why not? Wouldn’t be the first time I took the head of some royal dipshit. This time I’ll do it with my own hands.”

“You can’t.” Celica was afraid. Not of Alm, but for Julia. So she would not let him.

Alm didn’t lower his sword. “Celica, move aside. There’s only one way this is ending.”

“Yes, with you using your brain for once.” Thankfully, Kliff interjected. “Himmel has not raised a blade against his biological mother, what gives you the right to do? Besides, do you wish for Emperor Arvis to upgrade from assassins to armies? Because if so, for once I must compliment you for good planning, Alm.”

Alm gritted his teeth. “Kliff, you… Fuck…!” He threw his sword to the side. “I gotta go and clear my head. Sorry.” Without another word he marched out of the room.

Julia sent a grateful look towards Kliff. “T-thank you!” She must have been terrified.

Meanwhile, Deirdre simply remained silent. Celica supposed it made sense, from her perspective everyone here must be an insane enemy trying to break her mind, and so there was no need to thank the wolf for saving her from the bear.

Kliff waved her off. “It’s fine. Honestly, what a mess… although I can’t blame him.” He pinched his nose. “Will a mirror really convince anyone? Should we try to convince anyone? Let the woman be delusional, I say.”

Clair cleared her throat. “Clearly…” She gazed at Alm’s discarded sword. “Tempers are very high at the present time, so how about this? We'll take a rest and talk about our next move at a later date. Preferably while Himmel—- while Prince Seliph is present.” That would be wise. “For now, how about you conduct one final medical examination on… the empress, Lady Celica.”

“Sounds like a good plan, Clair.” She really had a good head on her shoulders. Once Celica became queen, she would keep her close.

Deirdre recoiled. “I— Please do not touch me.” That’s the only thing she could say.

Julia was definitely holding back tears. “Please trust her, mother. Lady Celica is a skilled healer.”

“Stop calling me that. Stop toying with me, just stop…!” And that was the final stretch.

Julia began openly crying, while Deirdre watched horrified. Celica wondered if she would show any motherly instincts towards her daughter, but soon she discarded the idea. If Deirdre had those in the first place, Himmel would have lived a very different life. One where the name Himmel would not even exist.

Celica walked by Julia’s side. “It’s going to be okay… I promise.” She held the young girl. It reminded her of when she would comfort her young siblings. Those times that would never return.

Julia didn’t hesitate to hug her back. “I don’t understand, why is this happening!? What have I done to deserve this!?”

“You haven’t done anything wrong, you’re an incredible person.” And so, Julia kept weeping on her arms.

Time passed, and Celica wasn’t sure she could say it had passed slowly or not. Throughout all of it, Deirdre would occasionally raise a hesitant hand towards Julia, eventually lowering it down. The priestess could never hope to understand what was going on inside of her head, but her personal distaste for the woman meant she could only come up with dark ideas.

Eventually, the door to the room was suddenly opened. Celica expected Alm to be the one to have done so, returning after calming down his temper, but to her surprise it was actually HImmel accompanied by Faye.

He waved at them. “Hey… I figured I should come back. I probably shouldn’t have left everything for Celica to handle.” With every word he spoke he winced, looking at the crying Julia.

That meant however, that he had not noticed how Deirdre reacted. The woman may have claimed she would not fall for what she considered to be tricks, but she had been somewhat affected. And now that HImmel was back, she began analyzing his appearance with as much care as she could.

Celica had never met Sigurd, but she imagined Seliph must have looked similar to the man. Not to mention how some of his physical traits were clearly inherited from Deirdre, such as his soft eyes.

Deirdre narrowed her eyes. “Young man, come closer, I want to take a good look at you.” She looked strangely determined. Celica guessed that determination was born from the desire to prove her a liar.

Himmel raised an eyebrow. “I—”

Faye cut in. “Absolutely not! What if you try stabbing him with a hidden knife or something!?” Celica didn’t know where Deirdre could have gotten a hidden knife from, but she understood the sentiment. That aside, it seemed Himmel had informed Faye about his secret.

Himmel sighed. “It’s fine… I’m not scared, Faye.” His voice pleaded with her, almost as if he was trying to prove something. Just as Deirdre was, she supposed.

Himmel approached Deirdre, clearing his throat. “So, what do you need?” His voice was cold, but Celica could feel how he was trying to not make it come out that way. An effort that would probably not be appreciated by anybody in the room.

Deirdre did not answer, instead she cupped his cheeks, her sudden movement almost making Celica jump into action. Afterwards, she began slowly shifting his head from side to side, and then up and down. She must have been trying to analyze his facial features. Would anyone be able to recognize their child like this, however?

Deirdre then began staring at his eyes… and let out a silent gasp. 

Himmel was avoiding her eyes as best as he could. “Okay… Um… Can I go now?” Funnily enough, his eyes were focused on Faye of all people. Had something happened between the two?

Deirdre gritted her teeth. “I need to see it. If it’s there, then… then…”

Himmel tilted his head. “You mean my Brand? Sure, it’s on my back—”

“Not the Brand!” Funnily enough, she took Himmel’s arm, and raised its sleeve. Looking for something. “It’s here…” What she was looking for was apparently just a small little black spot. A little birthmark. Nothing consequential. Even Himmel might not have put much thought on it before.

“I have yet to lose an arm, yes—” He let out a grunt of discomfort. “Hey, what are you doing!?” Holding him.

Deirdre had basically thrown herself out of bed and was now hugging Himmel with as much strength as her weakened body could muster up. “Ahhh…. So…. sorry…! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” If she was being honest, Celica couldn’t understand a word of what she was saying due to the woman’s crying.

One thing was for sure though, Deirdre had finally accepted the truth.

It did make Celica wonder though… Would a woman capable of crying like this really betray her lover and her closest friends? Her first child? Something was definitely strange here.

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AN: Poor Deirdre is living some fucked up horror story when you think about it. Meanwhile, Faye is trying her best to live out a romance story! And she will keep it that way by any means necessary.

Anyways, next chapter the crew should arrive on Archanea. Maybe. We'll see.