Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 561

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 13.
The Princess and the Detective (13)
The Orleans Grand Duchy Family had ruled these lands for nearly a thousand years. No single family in any nation across the Continent had maintained sovereign authority for so long. Even Sansruria, renowned for its theocratic unity, had failed to achieve such longevity. Some attributed this to the relative absence of invaders in these northern territories. Others credited the shrewd wisdom of the family’s early choice to serve the great power of Anomarad and accept the title of Grand Duke rather than King.
Yet others whispered that a mysterious power descended from the first queen herself, a force that protected the Grand Duchy Family across the ages. Orlanne was a land steeped in darker legends than anywhere else on the Continent. Sorcery and folk traditions distinct from the formalized study of magic, bizarre fairies and monsters—all still lingered in scattered corners, revered as sources of tales or as entities worthy of respect. This was precisely why Charlotte had not been greatly startled upon first hearing of Psyche. Such stories were commonplace here.
Yet many folk sorcerers claimed that the strongest sorcery of all remained within the Grand Duchy Family—that curses and rebellions alike could not touch them. It was less a blessing than a terror. No one dared to challenge or stand against the Grand Duchy Family, for an ancient and fearsome power protected them across the ages.
But Charlotte no longer believed in such things. If she did, Father and Elder Brother would never have suffered as they had. When she became Grand Duke, she would defend her position through her own strength alone. She could not afford the complacency of relying on legends.
Charlotte surveyed those assembled and spoke.
“The Grand Duke has commanded our return, but I shall determine the date. We will remain here for four days to gather intelligence. Captain Crupard, prepare a formal inspection at noon. We must announce the change in status.”
Crupard answered without hesitation.
“Yes, understood.”
Once Crupard and the two Trainee Soldiers had departed, Charlotte turned her gaze to Nay.
“Are you the only interpreter in this place?”
Nay answered, still wearing that faint smile.
“There was another, but he died of his own accord not long ago.”
“Then it cannot be helped. I would like you to find someone who can recount information related to Bernard and have them record it. Can you manage that?”
Nay raised her eyebrows as if puzzled.
“Why do you not command me directly?”
“You are merely someone who served Elder Brother personally—neither of Etoile nor of Orlanne. You have no obligation to obey me.”
A subtle smile played at the corners of Nay’s mouth.
“The Prince did not wish to become my lord. He disliked the very concept of lordship. But you, it seems, possess the will to be one. And I prefer that. A human without a lord is no different from a wandering beast.”
Yet Charlotte’s response was unexpected.
“Whether I wish to be your lord is irrelevant. You are someone Elder Brother left behind, so I bear some obligation to shelter you as well. But whether you deserve my loyalty remains unknown to me. I do not grant such a privilege to just anyone.”
Nay’s laughter faded, and she gazed intently at Charlotte. Then she spoke.
“The tales of the Princess’s boldness were true. I thought them biased, coming from her brother’s lips. Very well. Then I shall strive to earn the Princess’s favor. Though I have only four days to do so.”
Nay turned and spoke something to the Island Elders. Only then did they rise from their places. When the first Old Woman Spirit spoke again, Nay turned back to Charlotte and said:
“Frozen flowers gather around you.”
Nay and the Island Elders departed. Now only Lorang remained at Charlotte’s side. Charlotte opened her palm and gazed at it for a moment. What were these “frozen flowers”? How was one supposed to summon them?
As Lorang watched Charlotte, she unexpectedly let out a soft laugh and said:
“This is difficult.”
Lorang said nothing, briefly lowering his gaze. An unexpected turmoil stirred within him. He had become part of Etoile to escape the obligations imposed upon his family. Etoile, with its near-absence of hierarchical structure, suited him perfectly, and because of this, he had not found the harsh training, the trials, or the missions he undertook after joining Etoile particularly difficult. There was a certain pleasure in enduring hardship alongside people worthy of admiration. He was still young, yet he believed this was his calling—that he would spend his entire life in this way.
Yet every phenomenon has its shadow. Though he had sought to escape the fate of serving a terrible tyrant and performing sordid tasks, by leaving his homeland, Lorang had condemned his father to bear the burden that his son should have inherited for even longer in his declining years. When he became conscious of this, a corner of his heart would sting with the guilt of one who had abandoned his duty. His father remained strong, but he would not remain so forever. And Jacob Dupois, approaching thirty, showed no sign of abandoning his dissolute ways.
Baron Dupois, upon hearing rumors that Lorang excelled among Etoile and would one day become Brillante before returning to serve his son, had shamelessly spread such talk as though he himself had sponsored the arrangement. As a retainer, Father had not contradicted such words, but in his letters to his son, he would write that there was no need to think of returning at all. On days when such letters arrived, Lorang could easily imagine what nonsense Father must have heard, and his appetite would vanish entirely.
Very rarely, he had wondered whether he should one day return to the family, but until now, he lacked the resolve. He had believed it was because he despised authority and, above all, could not bear the very act of serving someone. Yet as he listened to Charlotte tell Nay just moments ago that she did not grant the privilege of loyalty to just anyone, a thought suddenly arose: “Do I have it?” And it felt like a privilege—something he even wished to possess.
Even to his own mind, it seemed rather absurd. He had never entertained such a thought in his entire life. Whenever duty was imposed, he had always wanted to flee. What was this?
Because Lorang was not of a sinister nature, he did not keep such thoughts confined to his heart alone. He took a step forward, turned toward Charlotte, and bowed his head briefly before speaking.
“Princess, might I ask you something?”
Charlotte nodded. Though their positions had reversed merely ten minutes prior, both appeared outwardly unaffected by the awkwardness.
“Do you not ask me such things?”
“What things?”
Lorang tried to appear indifferent, but found he could not. Without realizing it, he pressed his lips inward, furrowed his brow, and spoke with an expression that had grown strangely earnest.
“Well, how do I put it… whether you have the qualifications for it.”
Charlotte didn’t ask what he meant. She simply gazed at Lorang’s face with those clear, unreadable eyes.
It had only been two days since we met, yet we’d nearly died together and fought to save each other’s lives. Perhaps that was why I could sense more than one layer of thought in her gaze. Charlotte was only fifteen years old, and yet she was an exceptional trainee soldier. She had suddenly lost her older brother. She’d nearly died yesterday. As a result, she’d discovered she possessed inexplicable abilities. And today she’d been informed she would be appointed as Grand Duchess. So many things had happened all at once. How could one person accept it all? How could she stand there so calmly despite it all?
After a moment of contemplation, her answer emerged, surprisingly light in tone.
“Because I’m Etoile.”
“Etoile or whatever, aren’t you trusting that a bit too much? There are all sorts of characters in Etoile, you know?”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Lorang, who spoke as if he himself weren’t part of Etoile, and smiled as she replied.
“I’m one of those all sorts of characters myself. If I don’t trust Etoile, who would I trust?”
The wind blew again. The sun was drawing near the zenith. With a frown from the harsh sunlight that made it difficult to open her eyes fully, holding her cloak closed with one hand against the fierce wind, Charlotte stood there in her dusty trainee soldier uniform and boots, and she laughed. After today, she would likely never wear such an appearance again. Perhaps that was why it seemed unforgettable.
“In that sense, I’m counting on you to take care of this apple crate. And thank you for yesterday. I won’t forget it.”
Charlotte left that place. Lorang watched her small figure descending the slope for a moment, then shrugged and muttered to himself.
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever forget those ‘damn bastards’ even until the day I die.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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