C161: The Lumos Family (1)
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It was no wonder that there was a separate place for the nobles in Theon. As the Magic Festival is one of the largest festivals in the empire, various people come. Naturally, commoners and nobles could not spend time smiling at each other in one place.
The barracks and academic demonstration booths on the festival streets are mainly for the common people and merchants to enjoy.
City councilors and nobles gathered at the outdoor banquet hall and chatted among themselves. It seems unequal, but this will prevent accidents, so I nodded.
‘Well, rather than putting the nobles and commoners in one place and having something happen, it would be more convenient for the people to separate the places like this.’
It is no different from the banquet hall where high-ranking people came and talked among themselves. Rather, the level of people gathered now is much higher than then but this time I thought it had nothing to do with me.
‘How did I get dragged here?’
The last banquet was a welcome party for new teachers so I had no choice but to attend but I didn’t expect to go to such a place.
‘I can’t help it because I’m the winner of the magic duel event.’
It was just an instant event, but the response was overwhelming. Even now, there were many people who glanced at me from all over the outdoor banquet hall. It’s not uncomfortable but eyes are flying everywhere even though I’m just drinking a cup of water.
“Aren’t their eyes too obvious?”
I answered by nodding to the old man who talked to me next to me. It’s okay to watch but the real battlefield will be if they come to me. In that respect, I was now benefiting from this old man.
Heibaek Kadushan, one of the three dukes of the Exilion Empire stood by my side, stopping the low-ranking people from approaching me.
‘Well, I’m grateful for what I’’
I glanced at the old man next to me but I don’t know why he came to me.
‘It’s hard to read what this person is thinking.’
Heibaek is a noble family who has been in politics for decades. No matter how much I tried to analyze such a person’s inner thoughts, it was difficult to understand him.
Whether he knew what I was thinking or not, Duke Heibaek smiled and continued to say what he had to say.
“That’s how aristocrats are. They’re busy flattering each other and being pretentious to suit their positions.”
“I see.”
I don’t know much, but I also agreed on this part because I sympathized very much. It’s just the way I see it right now.
For example, two men holding champagne glasses over there. One was a middle-class nobleman, and the other was a member of the House of Representatives of Leathervelk city. The gentleman was eagerly appealing to the aristocracy, and the aristocrat was listening with an interested expression.
At first glance, the conversation seemed to be going well, but it wasn’t. The truth behind it isn’t that simple.
“That’s Representative Pretzel, isn’t it?”
“Do you know him?”
“It was just that we met once at a banquet and heard his name. He wasn’t an interesting person.”
He remembered that he wasn’t an interesting person. Well, Duke Heibaek has attended countless banquets and he has a considerable memory even if he pretends not to.
“The nobleman listening to him is Count Rolaine, who is in charge of the bank’s finances. Do you wonder what they are talking about?”
I shook my head.
“I’m not very curious. At best, the Representative is trying to persuade him to increase the budget .”
It was obvious what the member of the House of Representatives wanted from the noble. He wanted his support.
“Huh?”
“He is probably trying to raise the welfare of Centerford, a wealthy neighborhood. The nobles that have private villas there are scattered throughout the Exilion Empire.”
Probably trying to win the hearts of the rich and win votes for the Centerford district. Parliamentarians always look at the votes. It was the same in the past and so it’s now.
“Oh, that’s pretty good. Mr. Rudger is right, he actually tried to get a budget for that purpose.”
“Congressman Pretzel must be a commoner because he doesn’t have a surname, and he, a commoner, came to this position because he appealed to the general public at first and won votes. But after becoming a lawmaker, he seemed to change his mind and pursue policies for the rich.”
“You even know that?”
“If you think a little deeply, you’ll know. But Count Lorraine, who listens, doesn’t seem to be very interested.”
Count Lorraine listened with a smile, but the feeling in his eyes was nothing but boredom. He immediately saw through Rep. Pretzel’s intention to win the budget.
“His opponent is a member of the House of Representatives from the common people. If Count Lorraine is in charge of banking, his family must have a long history, and they won’t favor the common people. I’m sure he’s looking down on him. Still, since he is a lawmaker, he pretends to listen to him for now.”
“Oh.”
“Rep. Pretzel is not a fool either. He knows that words won’t work for Count Lorraine. He knows, but he’s trying to fool him somehow. He’s going to figure out the budget somehow and put off the rest later.”
Just by looking at those two people, he realized at once what kind of place this outdoor banquet hall is, a grotesque battlefield of invisible swords.
“It’s all a cheap skit.”
“That’s correct.”
Duke Heibaek grinned and nodded.
“I can’t believe you can figure this looking at them. Did you hear anything beforehand?”
“I just watched them.”
Reasoning and analysis were skills learned when he worked as a private detective, one of his new identities, after abandoning his <James Moriarty> status.
Private detective < Eugène-François Vidocq>, the first private detective in Earth’s history, who was a criminal but later turned into a detective. It was an alias that he borrowed because it was similar to his situation at the time.
“But don’t be too harsh. Cheap skits are worth watching in their own way.”
“I know. It just doesn’t suit my taste.”
“Sometimes you have to look at things that won’t suit your taste. Especially an extraordinary person like you, you’re going to be bothered by people around you. Let’s see this, let’s see that.”
“You mean like now?”
I made a provocative remark but Duke Heibaek smiled instead of getting angry.
“No. Rather, I’m close to protecting you from a troublesome lion.”
“A lion is far scarier than a few hyenas.”
“Was teacher looking at me like that? Well, I understand. Just to be honest with you on this occasion, I don’t want anything from you.”
You don’t want anything? The words came out of the Duke of Heibaek mouth, but I didn’t believe him.
“You don’t seem to believe it but that’s true. At this age, I don’t live for greed and purpose.”
“Then what do you live for?”
“For fun.”
Duke Heibaek smiled like a villain. It was a smile full of wrinkles but paradoxically, his smile was younger and more innocent than anyone else in his position.
“When I was young, I burned myself for all kinds of passions but after I got older, I didn’t have the energy to do that anymore. I can’t get enthusiastic as easily as I used to be. That’s what aging is about.”
“It doesn’t look like it.”
“It used to be more than it is now.”
“I’m curious about that.”
“The older I get, the calmer I become in everything. I’ve already been through a lot of surprising events that’s why I naturally try to find stimulation. That’s now the joy of my life.”
I’ve heard something similar before so I won’t dismiss it as an old man’s nonsense. My teacher said that often. Was it because of interest that he took me, raised me, and taught me magic?
“I guess Duke Kadushan looked like he was having fun.”
“Call me Heibaek comfortably. Isn’t it too heartless to call me by my last name? And the answer to the question is yes. You’re a very interesting person to say this, but you’re also seen as attractive to other aristocrats. Do you know that?”
“I’m fully aware of that.”
I knew this would happen since I was tied to the Old Tower at the last banquet. I was the creator of a new magic but nevertheless, a person who is easy to touch because he doesn’t have a strong backing. That’s what they were looking at me.
“And I’m fully aware of how to act.”
“You’re pretty brutal. I’ve felt this since the first time I saw you, but you have spirit. That’s why I’m standing next to you, I also don’t want the flies to bother you and cause a dispute.”
Since he’s interested, we’ll talk and he will get rid of his boredom.
In return, he will prevent the people around from bothering me. It was a silent transaction that was made naturally even though we did not talk to each other.
“I’m staying still now because I also agreed with Duke Heibaek’s will.”
“Yes, yes. You know something.”
“However.”
“……?”
“If the duke crosses the line.”
I said, staring strongly at Heibaek.
“You’ll see something really interesting.”
Duke Heibaek’s face fell out of my words and returned to its original state.
“All right, all right. You’re too energetic, maybe because you’re young.”
“I’m glad you understood.”
That’s what he said, but I saw a momentary but fleeting smile on his face. Perhaps in a brief moment, this person must have been thinking a lot.
Will it be really fun? But in the end he broke that desire. He’s a scary person. I’ve warned Heibaek enough, so he won’t bother me anymore.
At first glance, it would seem disrespectful for me, a fallen aristocrat, to talk to the Duke in this way, but considering Heibaek’s character, he was not a person to bother about it. At least he won’t get angry about his pride being hurt like other people. That’s the dignity of the nobility.
‘I should drink a few glasses of water before I go.’
With that in mind, I was about to drink water but I saw a familiar figure, Flora Lumos. She was wearing a blue dress that suited the formalities of the banquet hall, not the Theon uniform. She had an unusually hesitant attitude.
‘What is she doing here?’
I watched Flora closely. Her gaze was directed at people on one side of the banquet hall.
‘It’s the Lumos family.’
Of the people gathered, the most prominent is the ones in the center and Duke Caiden Lumos was leading them. Is she here to see her family?
Maybe he noticed my gaze just in time, Heibaek opened his mouth.
“Huh? Are you interested in the Lumos family? You said that there is a child from their family among the students who take the class, right?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
Flora was watching her father from a distance now. At that sight, I intuitively realized what position she was in the family. It was the same with Duke Heibaek.
“That’s Flora. What a pity.”
“Why?”
“A child born with the best magic talent is ignored just because she is the child of a concubine. What’s more unfortunate than that?”
“…….”
I felt a throbbing pain in my back at his words. The old wounds I thought I had forgotten about by now.
* * *
Flora Lumos agonized. Should she leave the banquet hall like this, or should she still say hello face to face once?
‘Yes, just this once.’
For that reason, didn’t she change her clothes and come here? She has achieved so much since she came to Theon. Flora Lumos was a genius who didn’t miss the top spot in her grade with her outstanding magic talent.
‘I’m not who I was when I was in the family. I’m different now.’
Let’s tell them and show them. His daughter, a child he didn’t pay attention to, grew up so brilliantly.
She believed that her father would look at her if she did so. She was walking slowly with that determination, but her legs trembled strangely. Her heart was throbbing and aching.
‘Calm down.’
Flora took a deep breath. She kept her pace, staring straight at the front, without changing her expression.
‘Don’t be afraid.’
She was no longer the weak child of the past.
‘Don’t be scared.’
She has grown up to the name of the proud Lumos family and was well qualified as a member of the family.
‘Don’t be afraid.’
But why? Why is it so suffocating and painful?
Flora had already reached the point where her father’s voice could be heard, as disturbing emotions crossed the wriggling space. People around her recognized Flora one by one but her father didn’t even look at Flora.
“Father.”
Flora took a deep breath and tried to call her father but before that someone approached Flora, intercepting her words.
“Oh, who is this? Isn’t it a half Flora?”
She smiled scoffingly at Flora.
“Oh, that’s right. You entered Theon, right? No wonder I couldn’t see you in the family recently?”
“……Katrina.”
Katrina Lumos, was Flora Lumos’ half-sister and a woman recognized by the family.
Katrina frowned as Flora called her name.
“Will you stop calling my name? It’s disgusting hearing my name from a dirty half-blood.
“Uh, what is it? Flora?”
A man approached Katrina’s side. He was in his mid-20s with a cheesy impression and moderately long curly dark blue hair.
Flora greeted him with the courtesy of an aristocrat.
“Long time no see. Brother Kamal.”
Kamal Lumos was the next leader of the Lumos family and the heir of the Lumos family. He smiled at Flora greeting him.
“You look good. You wouldn’t have been able to talk properly in the past. Did you enjoy your academy life so much?”
“…….”
“Oh, no. You’re closing your mouth again. You always kept silent as if you were against yourself from a long time ago.”
Flora did not reply. She knew Kamal was waiting to eat her. From her experience Flora knew she had to give in here.
Kamal clapped his tongue at Flora’s calm response and told his father, who was next to him, as if on purpose.
“Father, look who’s here now.”
“Well.”
Only then did Caiden Lumos react for the first time. His inorganic and sharp eyes turned to Flora.
“…….”
Flora’s shoulders trembled because she couldn’t feel a grain of emotion from her own flesh and blood.
“What is it?”
The voice that came out of Caiden’s mouth was unbelievably cold and pierced her skin like a needle.
Flora opened and closed her lips.
‘My voice is not coming out.’
The hand clenching the hem of her skirt trembled. The blood drained from her hand held that it looked pale like a corpse.
Flora couldn’t meet her father’s eyes. She didn’t have the courage to face that gaze that seemed to see her as a separate entity, not his child. She felt like her memory was erased and she became a blank sheet.
‘I…’
Why did she come all the way here? She was about to cry because she was sad for no reason. NO, she made up her mind not to cry anymore so she wore a mask to avoid showing her weakness.
However, even such a trivial complaint was not allowed in this place. It was as if everything in the world was pointing a finger to suppress her but it was then.
A man stood between Flora and Caiden like a wall.
“What’s going on?”
Kamal frowned at the sudden interruption of the uninvited guest, and Caiden stared at him silently.
“Ah.”
Flora looked at the wide back. All she could see was the wide shoulders, a nice coat and the flowing long hair. He stood there and looked like a strong barrier that kept her safe from the world.
As if guarding Flora, Rudger opened his mouth at Caiden, who stared at him.
“Is there something wrong with our student?”