Epilogue (Part 8)

The first child born to Anthus and Yuliana was Noelis Rockbellion. Noelis means “sacred.” Noelis’s platinum blonde hair and red eyes resembled Anthus. But the soft eyes resembled Yuliana.

And…

“Mom, I fixed the bird.”

Nine-year-old Noelis proudly told Yuliana with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.

“It’s not ‘fixed,’ it’s ‘healed.'”

“Right! Healed!”

“You say ‘fixed’ only when you repair an object, Noelis.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Yuliana looked at Noelis with loving eyes.

Noelis’s divine power manifested at the age of five. It was purely by chance. Noelis saw the nanny’s injured finger and blew on it, wishing for it to heal. The nanny’s finger healed instantly.

It was divine power. Noelis had inherited the divine power of Yuliana’s mother, Rosaline. Anthus took this situation seriously rather than joyfully.

Many people targeted Yuliana, who inherited the blood of a spirit summoner and a saint. That meant if Noelis’s abilities became known, his daughter would inevitably be targeted by many.

So Anthus, Yuliana, and a minimum number of servants decided to hide their daughter’s power.

Yuliana hugged Noelis tightly.

“There must be a reason God gave you that power.”

“A reason?”

Yuliana naturally thought of Rosaline. She was telling her daughter the same words Rosaline had told her. She finally understood what Rosaline must have felt when she said it.

Honestly, Yuliana didn’t think much about why she had spirit affinity or why she had it when she was young. In hindsight, it might have been Agathaine’s grand plan to release Fidelion, who had long suffered and repented. Perhaps Noelis, with her current power, might also be in a position to help many.

“If you live sincerely, you’ll naturally discover why you have this power. That’s what happened to me too.”

“What does it mean to live sincerely? Does it mean living like Father?”

“That’s not wrong. Your father is a very sincere man. For a man, sincerity is the best.”

Yuliana nodded, thinking of Anthus, who worked sincerely.

“Why?”

“Sincerity means being sincere at work and with family.”

Noelis tilted her head but soon nodded. She looked like a living cute porcelain doll.

“Are Michael and Javelos busy?”

At the mention of Noelis’s younger brothers, she sighed with her small mouth.

“Why the sigh?”

“I don’t know why Father and my brothers are making such a fuss when I’ll be entering the academy next year.”

<Noel, I have decided to make you the next head of the Rockbellion family.>

<Do I have to do it even if I don’t want to?>

<If you don’t want to, what does our daughter want to do?>

Noelis didn’t know what she wanted to do yet, but she had one thing she wanted most.

<I want to be with Mother.>

<I feel the same way.>

<Then Father, you should stay by Mother’s side with me.>

Noelis not only resembled Anthus in appearance but also shared something else. She adored Yuliana.

“It’s because they love you very much, Noelis.”

“No. Father and my brothers don’t want me to get close to His Highness the Crown Prince. That’s why they’re saying they’ll pass the headship to me.”

If she becomes the head of a family, she can’t marry into the royal family.

“Even though I have two younger brothers, it doesn’t seem right for the eldest daughter to become the head.”

“Do you really think that your father, I mean Anthus, wants to pass the headship to you just to prevent you from getting close to His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“If not, I can’t think of anything else.”

Yuliana smiled at Noelis’s sigh.

“Noelis, what do you want to do in the future?”

“I’m not sure what I should do yet. I’m not interested in being the flower of society.”

“That’s possible.”

Noelis preferred spending time in the garden, watching trees and flowers, and healing injured animals that approached her over having grand ambitions like other girls her age to become the flower of society.

“When you enter the academy next year, you might find a direction for your life.”

“Yes, Mother.”

It was a leisurely and warm day for Noelis and Yuliana.

But at the same time…

“I don’t find swordsmanship fun. I’ll just learn enough for self-defense.”

“I like swordsmanship!”

“Then you do a lot of it.”

“Why don’t you like swordsmanship, brother?”

Eight-year-old Michael looked down at his younger brother Javelos and spoke.

“There’s something more important than swordsmanship right now.”

“What is it? Brother! Tell me the important thing too!”

“You can’t. Your mouth is too loose.”

“I won’t tell anyone this time! Please tell me.”

Recalling what happened recently, Michael crumpled a piece of paper.

“Brother… Are you still angry? Aren’t you over it yet?”

“Wasn’t it because you leaked information about Sister Noel to His Highness Crown Prince Ian that this happened?”

“I don’t know why I said it either. But whenever I stand in front of His Highness Crown Prince Ian, words just keep coming out.”

Michael took a deep breath to suppress his anger.

“Brother, I’m sorry. I’m reflecting on it. I won’t play with His Highness anymore.”

“Javelos.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t forget that Father told us repeatedly that as brothers, we should protect our sister well. Just try telling His Highness again.”

“Okay… Will you forgive me?”

“Just this once.”

“Yes.”

Michael was worrying about Noelis, who would enter the academy next year, and was fasting with Anthus.

Above all, Crown Prince Ian will also enter the academy next year. Ian is three years older than Noelis, but he deliberately delayed his entrance to the academy with various excuses.

<Michael, you also have to enter the academy in a year, so let’s plan to delay your sister’s entrance by a year.>

<Yes, Father.>

Crown Prince Ian was obsessively attached to Noelis. For reasons unknown, Anthus said it was all because of Cloud, the current Emperor of the Sirius Empire.

“Our mission as brothers is to protect our sister.”

“I know, but how? She’s entering the academy next year. We can’t protect her.”

“We have to stop it.”

Michael clenched his fist with determination.

“What are you trying to stop, Young Lord Michael?”

Michael turned around, feeling a chill down his spine. It was Crown Prince Ian, whom he really didn’t want to see.

“Your Highness Crown Prince Ian, didn’t I ask you not to approach quietly?”

“I just approached quietly because you two were having such a serious conversation.”

Ian’s mother, Empress Monica of the Sirius Empire, was said to be from an elite assassin family in her youth. Maybe that’s why Ian also learned various assassination techniques from Monica, according to what Anthus heard.

“Wow! Your Highness, you’re so cool! Please teach me how to hide my presence too.”

Oblivious Javelos began to look up at Ian with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.

“I’ll teach you when the time is right, Young Lord Javelos.”

“Wow! Thank you, Your Highness!”

Watching Ian skillfully handle Javelos, Michael clicked his tongue inwardly. He resolved not to be deceived by that smile and kindness!

“I don’t see Noel today.”

“Your Highness, I’d appreciate it if you refrained from using my sister’s nickname.”

“Noel allowed me to call her by her nickname, Young Lord Michael.”

Michael frowned. Noelis, who was as gentle and kind-hearted as her mother Yuliana, would inevitably give in when Ian coaxed her, something he’d witnessed several times.

“My sister Noel doesn’t like being called by her nickname by anyone other than family.”

“Noel said it was okay.”

Every time Michael saw Ian trying to coax his innocent sister, he ground his teeth with Anthus.

“But what brings you to our ducal residence?”

“I bought some things for Noel, who’s entering the academy next year. So I came to give her a present.”

“She might not need any gifts. Father has already given her plenty.”

Not only Anthus, but also her maternal grandfather, uncle, grandmother, and grandfather sent many gifts.

“The more gifts, the better, Young Lord Michael.”

“Too much isn’t good.”

“If it’s too much, you can share or donate.”

Watching Ian counter every word, Michael couldn’t contain his anger and turned his head with a snort.

His father said it’s best not to engage in conversation with difficult opponents.

“Where is my fiancée?”

Michael turned his head back to glare at Ian.

“She’s not your fiancée. If Father finds out, he’ll foam at the mouth and chase you.”

“Thank you for your concern, Young Lord Michael. Even if Duke Rockbellion chases me down foaming at the mouth, I’m the Crown Prince, so he can’t kill me. So, Young Lord Javelos…”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Where is Lady Noel?”

“I’m sorry, but Father told me not to say anything.”

Michael’s lips curled into a wide smile. He felt the reward of training Javelos with Anthus.

“Is that so? Understood.”

Ian gave a gentle smile.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Taking a step back, Ian waved to Michael and Javelos. Watching Ian retreat so easily, Michael couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.

“Your Highness, I’ll guide you to your carriage.”

“Carriage?”

“Aren’t you returning to the palace? That’s why you said you’d be going…”

“I have something to deliver to Duchess Rockbellion.”

Michael’s eyes wavered.

Right now, Noelis was with Yuliana. His father taught him that it’s crucial to stay calm in such situations.

“Right now, Mother is with Sister Noelis, Your Highness!”

“Oh…”

“Javelos…”

Michael smacked his forehead.

“What’s wrong, brother?”

“Nothing.”

Come to think of it, he only taught Javelos not to reveal Noelis’s location, not their mother’s.

‘Stay calm. Stay calm, Michael Rockbellion.’

“I’ll deliver it to Sister Noelis on your behalf, Your Highness.”

Ian forced a smile and said,

“My Mother, the Empress, instructed me, so I must deliver it personally, Young Lord Michael.”

Michael inwardly sought Anthus. But today was the day Anthus was forced to attend a palace meeting. Ian must have known and come.

‘Father, I’ve done my best.’

Michael let out a deep sigh, glanced at Ian with weary eyes, and closed his eyes.