Youngest on Top - Chapter 224

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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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Chapter 224

At that sound, Admiral Ekellan snapped back to awareness.
The surrounding noise he had forgotten suddenly crashed against his senses with crystalline clarity.

“Look there! That’s Arbor!”
“My goodness—! The day I’d witness that treasure with my own eyes has finally come!!”

A crowd of people gathered like clouds.
Sacred Maiden Saelika stood at their center.

Admiral Ekellan urgently seized Perardin Noishurael Duke’s arm.
Perardin Noishurael Duke, uncharacteristically, laid bare every emotion across his face.

‘For this man to wear such a desperate, anxious expression…’

Yet I knew my own heart mirrored his.
Admiral Ekellan forced his trembling lips to move.

“…You might be mistaken about what you’re seeing.”

When desire burns too fiercely, when longing becomes too desperate, that yearning transforms into poison that blinds the eyes.
When I first lost that child.
Every blonde girl I saw on the streets became her in my mind.
If I suffered such delusion, Perardin Noishurael Duke, her true father, would surely suffer far worse.

“Wooooow—!!”

Unlike the two men frozen as if time itself had stopped, the surrounding crowd erupted in gasps of wonder.
The Arbor, which had been small enough to fit in a clutch, now bloomed to magnificent size in Saelika’s hand.

“Oh, so this is the true Arbor!”
“They say it reveals its genuine form only when held by its master…!”
“For Arbor to accept and acknowledge Sacred Maiden Saelika as its master—isn’t this unprecedented among humans!!”

The Divine Tree 【Arbor】.
Unlike the World Tree, it is a sacred relic passed down only among the Elves.
A noble and mysterious holy artifact of the Elves that had never once fallen into human hands!
Saelika had become the one and only human to possess this precious treasure.

“If it’s a divine tree, it should be wood, but it doesn’t look like wood.”
“Yes, it’s more like coral….”
“Look at this clear, transparent crimson light. How can it be so beautiful—”

The foreign diplomat who had drawn out his words grinned widely at Saelika.

“—it suits Sacred Maiden Saelika perfectly!!”
“…!”
“…!”

Everyone’s gaze turned toward that diplomat.
And soon they began to cry out as if unable to contain themselves.

“It’s truly like a painting!!”
“When she was with the Elves, it was so hard to tell who was an Elf and who was human!”
“Our Princess has been praising Sacred Maiden Saelika’s beauty endlessly since long ago!!!”

It had become a war of flattery!

“To bind someone so capable and beautiful to just one man is a crime.”
“Polygamy is indeed wonderful. Our princes have been waiting for Sacred Maiden Saelika day and night!”
“Hehe, what good are many men anyway? A man must prove his worth properly.”
“In that sense, how about a bride abduction! We’ll treat her safely and passionately!!”
“Ha! You haven’t even met those princes in person. How can you speak of fate when there is none….”
“Sacred Maiden Saelika and our two princes of Bennaizer have a very special bond. The connection has continued since childhood!”

The flattery war soon escalated into a marriage war.
People’s eyes gleamed with fervent desire.

‘It’s too early to give up!’
‘Sacred Maiden Saelika obtained the right to exchange with the Elves, not the Empire!’
‘The nation that wins Sacred Maiden Saelika’s hand will monopolize trade with the Elves!!’
‘Is it just Elf trade? If Sacred Maiden Saelika becomes the High Priestess….’
‘We must absolutely bring her to our nation!!!’

The Emperor’s teeth ground together as he watched the foreigners approaching Saelika.

‘No, these bastards! I’m the one who set this table…!’

How dare they try to eat from it themselves!
The Emperor was about to lose his temper.

“Marriage~? Our Protagonist? Our Protagonist said she’d marry Serge’s father, didn’t she?”

Admiral Ekellan openly threw down a challenge.
That wasn’t all.

“Speaking of marriage to a child who hasn’t even reached adulthood yet—how improper.”

Even Perardin Noishurael Duke, who rarely stepped forward, was joining in.

The nobles’ expressions became subtle.
Everyone knew that Perardin Noishurael Duke supported Saelika in various ways.
But to interfere even in matters of marriage like this—
And his words were nothing but sophistry.

‘She’ll be of age next year—what’s the problem?’
‘And why is speaking of marriage improper? They pair people off while they’re still in the womb.’

Yet no one dared to utter a word.
Because their opponent was Perardin Noishurael Duke.

The Emperor cleared his throat with a “Hmph.”
It was good that the Admiral and Duke blocked these foreign rabble.
But—

“Is it so improper for marriage discussions to take place? I don’t see how.”

He absolutely could not agree that marriage talk was premature!

“Our child has such remarkable abilities—shouldn’t she meet a dependable father-in-law soon and soar even higher?”
“This child has no need for a dependable father-in-law.”
“Why wouldn’t she need one! If she became my daughter-in-law even a day sooner, I could handle everything for her, and no one would dare say a word!!”
“She has no need.”
“Why not!”
“Because I will provide for her.”
“…!”

The Emperor’s eyes widened at the audacious declaration from Perardin Noishurael Duke.

‘What could you possibly do? More than I, the Emperor, could provide!’

—He wanted to protest.
But to actually do so would be….

‘…That man has indeed done much for the child.’

The rice carriage plastered with photographs of Sacred Maiden Saelika was something the Emperor himself had never conceived of.

“Therefore, Your Majesty, refrain from pestering an underage child with talk of marriage.”
“…When did I pester her like that.”

The Emperor grumbled under his breath.
Perardin Noishurael Duke turned to address the foreign nobles.

“The same applies to all of you.”
“Those bastards pestered her completely. It wasn’t just pestering—they were absolutely shameless about it!”
“….”

The foreign nobles regarded the Emperor with bewildered expressions.
But what was even more astounding was the attitude of Perardin Noishurael Duke.

It was common knowledge, even among commoners in distant lands, how cold and merciless the Northern Warlord was.

Yet here he was, stubbornly insisting on matters of marriage.
As if he were protecting his own daughter from wolves.

‘Is he the father of Sacred Maiden Saelika? What business is this of his!’

I wanted to argue the point desperately, but I held it back.
Honestly, he was too frightening to confront.

“Now that you’ve seen enough, won’t you step aside? Our Sguwa is going to dance with me.”

Admiral Ekellan said with a subtle wink.
The atmosphere naturally shifted to make room.

“The first dance is already promised to someone else.”
“What? Sguwa made a prior commitment to dance with someone before me…! How shocking!”

Admiral Ekellan clutched his chest dramatically and let out an exaggerated groan.
Saelika laughed softly and opened her clutch.
Just as she was about to place Arbor inside, someone called out.

“Oh my, what is that? How unusual.”

Saelika, who had been closing her clutch, paused.

“Ah, this?”

A pale, delicate hand withdrew something from within the clutch.
The movement was neither hurried nor slow.
Yet Admiral Ekellan felt his throat burn with anxiety.
Time seemed to flow in slow motion.

After what felt like an eternity, Saelika finally opened her palm.
It was a small bracelet.
Woven together from seashells, conch shells, and glimmering pebbles in an intricate pattern.

The moment that bracelet—crude by some standards—reflected in Perardin Noishurael Duke’s blue eyes.

“…!”

His hand seized Saelika’s arm firmly.
Startled by the force in his grip, Saelika looked up at him.

“Your Grace…?”

His trembling gaze shifted toward Saelika’s face, then back to the bracelet.
And once more, his eyes returned to Saelika.

“…Hah!”

Whoosh!
Saelika gasped as he pulled her into an embrace so forceful it nearly stole her breath.
Yet his hands wrapped around her back showed no sign of loosening.
As though he would never let her go.

“Your Grace, wait—.”

Saelika, who had been attempting to pull away, froze.
The Duke’s body was trembling uncontrollably.
That formidable man, so arrogant and fearless before the world, was shaking pitifully.

“….”

Saelika relaxed her body.
How much time had passed?
Gradually, the tension drained from the Duke’s frame.

He lifted his head to meet Saelika’s gaze.
The Duke’s eyes twisted painfully as he beheld those blue irises—the same shade as his own.

“Saelika.”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
“Saelika.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“It was you.”

Even with her this close, I failed to recognize her.
After watching over this child from the shadows for years.
I could not bear my own foolishness.

“Do you know how desperately your family searched for you…!”
“Your Grace.”
“No, it is not your fault to bear. It is my own inadequacy. You gave me everything. And now you have appeared before me once more.”

Perardin Noishurael Duke grasped Saelika’s hands firmly.
The bracelet resting in Saelika’s palm clinked softly as he held her.

“Rayarsha Arkia Noishurael.”
“…!”
“My daughter.”

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

“W-what did the Duke just say….”
“A daughter?! Could it be…!”
“Sacred Maiden Saelika was the youngest countess of House Noishurael?!”
“That bracelet must have been proof of her identity.”
“Now that I think about it, Sacred Maiden Saelika has golden blonde hair and blue eyes—exactly like the young countess’s appearance from years ago.”

Everyone began whispering among themselves.

“That explains it. The Duke, who cast out even his own son, was always particularly kind to Sacred Maiden Saelika.”
“It must have been bloodline calling to bloodline unconsciously.”
“Indeed, the Duke has spent decades searching for his youngest daughter with such dedication….”

The nobles nodded in agreement, then glanced toward one side.
It was where Agnes Countess stood.

“What will happen to those who called Sacred Maiden Saelika lowborn?”
“With the blood of both House Ekellan and House Noishurael flowing through her, Sacred Maiden Saelika carries truly mythic bloodlines.”
“They disparaged her without knowing she carried nobler blood than their own….”

Agnes’s face flushed crimson at the blatant remarks.

“Doesn’t this completely change the dynamics of the Grand Sacred Maiden selection?”
“Thanks to her recent missions, Sacred Maiden Saelika has emerged as a strong contender for victory.”
“One of the main objections from opponents was always her bloodline….”
“Beyond that, we now have a countess of House Noishurael who is a Sacred Maiden. Will only the Duke’s house support her? Of course—.”

Murmurs rose like mist from every corner.
Among them, a particularly trembling voice called out to Perardin Noishurael Duke.

“Y-your, your Grace, the Duke.”

It was Shuellina.
Yet the Perardin Noishurael Duke did not even glance in her direction.
His gaze remained fixed solely upon Saelika.

Saelika exhaled deeply.

“Your Grace, the Duke.”
“Call me father.”

A bitter smile crossed Saelika’s lips.
The rejection contained within that expression tore at the Perardin Noishurael Duke’s heart.
To be refused by this child—by one he failed to recognize despite standing before him—what a wretched father he was.

‘Still, I… I love you.’

“That title is not permitted for me, I’m afraid.”
“What do you mean? If not you, then who—”
“This bracelet does not belong to me.”
“…!”

The Perardin Noishurael Duke’s pupils constricted sharply.

“What do you—”
“It would be best to hear the rest from the person involved. Not from me.”

The Perardin Noishurael Duke’s gaze followed Saelika’s direction.
Shuellina looked at him hesitantly before speaking.

“Well, um… that bracelet is actually mine…”

Her words, wrung out with effort, made the Duke’s eyes waver.
The hall, which had been so tumultuous moments before, fell silent in an instant.

“What… did you say?”

The Duke’s gaze fixed blankly upon Shuellina.

* * *

The atmosphere shifted rapidly.

“Please be sure to invite me to the Perpidian Temple.”
“I heard there are gatherings besides worship days? Ones that Sacred Maiden Shuellina personally oversees.”
“I would love to receive an invitation as well.”

Saelika was the guest of honor at tonight’s banquet.
After all, the Emperor had opened this party to celebrate Saelika’s victory.

Yet now, the center of attention was undoubtedly Shuellina.

“What? Me… would it be alright if I invited them? I’m not particularly famous…”
“What are you saying, Countess? You are the most noble person aside from the direct imperial family.”
“Having received God’s selection, you are practically more remarkable than the Princesses themselves.”
“Watch your tongue! …Though I suppose even the Princesses wouldn’t dare treat the Countess carelessly.”

The noble young ladies who had flocked around me chirped beautifully like birds.
Shuellina’s face flushed crimson as she stammered, “Ah, well, I, I am…”
Her bashful expression was adorably tinged with joy.

Perardin Noishurael Duke stood beside her, his gaze never leaving Shuellina.
Shuellina glanced at the Duke with a flushed face, then looked ahead.
She could see Saelika speaking with Kaiser and Randel.

Following Shuellina’s gaze, Admiral Ekellan spoke with a sudden realization.

“Right, I should apologize to the Protagonist separately later.”
“Yes?”
“She must have been startled by the misunderstanding.”
“Ah…”

Perardin Noishurael Duke’s gaze turned toward Saelika.
For the first time, his eyes—which had never left Shuellina—shifted away.
Seeing this, Shuellina hesitated, her voice uncertain.

“I wonder if it would have been better if Sacred Maiden Saelika were your daughter instead?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Well, Sacred Maiden Saelika is such an extraordinary Sacred Maiden, after all.”
“…”
“Unlike me.”

Perardin Noishurael Duke’s face hardened visibly.

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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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