Chapter 308: Lindelheit (4)
Chapter 308: Lindelheit (4)
We arrived back at the Audience Hall.
Though only a few days had passed, the hall had already regained its original, magnificent splendor.
The walls that had crumbled under the clash of magic and Authority, and the sword scars left by Havel, were nowhere to be seen. It looked exactly as it had the first time I saw it.
To say the Imperial Palace workers were simply good at their jobs wouldn't explain the lingering scent of mana in the air. It was too thick.
They had likely used some kind of restoration magic.
While I stood there staring blankly at the floor, wondering what kind of spell had been applied—
“…Therefore, acknowledging the innocence of Theodore Lindelheit and the folly of the Imperial Family.”
The opening remarks of the ceremony—held to reward our party, reinstate Carla, and grant me my title all at once—came to an end.
Rodrigo sat alone, the Empress’s seat beside him empty. The Emperor looked noticeably more haggard than when I first met him as he continued.
“I hereby decree the restoration of the Lindelheit Ducal House and pledge thirty years of support. I also revoke the slave sentence of Carla Lindelheit, who shall become the new head of the house. Furthermore, as a sign that such a mistake shall never be repeated, I bestow upon her the Staff of Pardon.”
At Rodrigo’s slight nod, the Chief Attendant, who had been waiting behind him, brought forward a long box and opened it.
Inside was a luxurious red cloth. When unfurled, a brilliant golden staff revealed itself.
The staff I had first bought for Carla—the one she still used—was also gold, but…
Aside from the color and the fact that it was long, they shared no similarities.
The one she had was a mass-produced item, decent enough for something bought with money, but it was so excessively shiny and gaudily ostentatious that it was nicknamed the ‘Bling-bling Gold Staff.’
In contrast, the Staff of Pardon possessed a natural, subtle nobility, as if one were looking at a true work of art.
To think he’d bring out a masterpiece staff made of real gold just because he saw Carla using that Bling-bling Gold Staff.
I didn't know its performance as a staff yet, but it was certain to be immensely valuable even if used only for decoration.
Well, it did have a specific real use, though.
“This staff represents the right of immunity. With the exception of treason, no matter what crime you may commit… even if it be a suspicion of heresy, the Imperial Family promises to pardon that sin in its name. Please, do not refuse it.”
“Ah…”
Carla’s eyes widened as she stared at the Staff of Pardon.
Countless emotions surfaced and vanished across those ruby-colored pools, over and over again.
Well, it made sense.
The restoration of the Lindelheit Ducal House and Carla’s liberation from slavery—these two things were expected.
But thirty years of support? Immunity for any crime except treason? Even if he was trying to be generous, I hadn't expected him to go this far.
And it wasn't just Carla; everyone in the party was bound to receive something. These rewards were already incredible.
Between making Fiona’s identity public and trying to prop me up as a hero, it seemed the Emperor was going all-in on supporting us.
There were likely several reasons. Managing his public image, winning over Nana or Carla, flaunting the Empire’s stability, and so on.
Well… whatever his ulterior motives, the fact remained that this benefited us. There was no need to overthink it.
We just had to take what was given and make good use of it.
However, for some reason, Carla didn't reach out to take the Staff of Pardon. Instead, she just stared at it with a troubled expression.
…Why?
With thirty years of support, the revival of the Lindelheit family wouldn't be difficult, and even if something went wrong, the immunity would cover it.
There was no way Carla didn't realize that everything she wanted would be fulfilled just by accepting that staff…
As the surrounding crowd began to murmur at her long hesitation, Carla bowed her head deeply, her expression filled with resolve.
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s grace. …However, I must be so bold as to make a single request.”
“If it will ease your grievances, I shall grant whatever I can. Speak.”
Rodrigo agreed readily, clearly intent on establishing a good relationship with us.
But the words that came out of Carla’s mouth were something no one in the room could have predicted.
“I thank Your Majesty once more for your generosity, and I ask… would you please reconsider the reward regarding my status?”
“…Huh?”
A sudden silence fell over the entire Audience Hall.
No one could have imagined that Carla would ask not to be liberated from her slave status.
…Not even me!
I thought she would cast off the status of a slave, if nothing else. After all, she couldn't achieve her lifelong dream of reviving the Lindelheit family while remaining a slave.
She had said that since she inherited everything of Lindelheit, she was Lindelheit, but this was a different matter.
Wouldn't this mean she couldn't succeed the history built under the Lindelheit name?
The achievements, honor, property, and bloodline passed down from her ancestors…
Wait, the bloodline wouldn't be cut off. Anyway, it was essentially like saying she would give up all of those things.
Even if the Lindelheit family cleared its name and regained its dukedom, and even if they received all sorts of support for thirty years, it would mean nothing if the head of the house was a slave.
In effect, she was refusing every reward except for the immunity.
Actually, since slaves don't have property rights, that Staff of Pardon would eventually belong to me anyway. So she was basically refusing everything.
To flatly reject a gift given as an apology for the past and a gesture of future friendship?
In other words, this could be interpreted as Carla saying she still couldn't forgive the Levantine Empire and had no intention of being friendly…
Indeed, as everyone began to glance nervously at Rodrigo, the Emperor’s expression hardened.
“This was a decision made after much deliberation… What is the reason for your refusal?”
Exactly. Why on earth are you refusing? I was curious too.
Amidst the bated breath of the crowd, Carla’s lips slowly parted, and her pleasant, melodic voice flowed out.
“I am unworthy of your grace, but I have already dedicated my everything to my current master. While restoring the glory of my family is certainly important… I cannot forsake my loyalty.”
“Loyalty… Loyalty, is it…”
Rodrigo muttered the word to himself with a bitter smile.
The Imperial Family had received unwavering loyalty, yet they had ultimately fallen for a scheme and abandoned the Lindelheit family.
On the other hand, the Empress, whom he had wanted to trust until the very end, had betrayed him.
He must have been feeling a complex mix of emotions.
For the record, the person with the most shocked expression in the room was Havel… he was probably wondering if Fiona’s theory about me brainwashing Carla was actually true.
I told him it wasn't, but he wouldn't believe me…
Anyway, Rodrigo couldn't stay lost in sentiment forever, and before long, he nodded.
“As the master of the Empire, how could I deny such a heart? Especially when it belongs to a daughter of Lindelheit. Very well. I shall allow you to maintain your status, and I shall bestow the Staff of Pardon upon your master instead. Will this suffice?”
“I am grateful. Truly grateful.”
Carla bowed deeply.
The attendant standing beside her walked over to me and held out the box containing the Staff of Pardon. I accepted it with a polite gesture.
The awarding of honors continued. Iona and Helena received various rewards, and Elisha was granted innocence and the status of a quasi-noble within the Levantine Empire.
As I felt the luxurious texture of the box in my hands, I kept thinking. Over and over. Again and again.
Finally, Rodrigo, having finished commending the others, spoke up for the main event of the ceremony: the granting of my title.
“Yandel. You have defeated numerous cultists and monsters, cleared dungeons, and returned their power to their rightful owners. Furthermore, in the Kingdom of Crassius, you and Iona Francesca defeated high-ranking officials of the Evil God Sects and an army of the undead. You saved Solaris when it was besieged by the Greenskin army, cleared the shadows of conspiracy looming over this Empire to reveal the truth, and struck down the minion of the Evil God who had hidden in the highest of places, crushing their wicked plans. In recognition of these great deeds, I hereby confer upon you the title of Count.”
And then, I made my decision.
“Furthermore, as the Empire has received immeasurable help from you, I recognize your right to declare your own name according to custom. Speak your new name.”
I raised my head slightly and clearly spoke the words I had been thinking of until just a moment ago.
“Yandel Lindelheit. That shall be my new name, Your Majesty.”
“What…?”
Rodrigo looked even more bewildered than when Carla had refused her liberation. The reactions of the others present weren't much different.
Even Carla was gaping at me, as if she couldn't understand what she had just heard, much like I had been earlier.
It was the expected reaction. Even if one could choose their own surname, it didn't mean they could just pick anything.
Names that insulted existing families or the Imperial Family were obviously forbidden.
And usually, those receiving a title wanted to establish their own family name, not take someone else’s.
But I had claimed the name of the already fallen Lindelheit. And hadn't Carla just given up on reclaiming the Lindelheit name moments ago?
Of course they were baffled. They might even think I was mocking them.
Nevertheless, I wasn't going to change my mind. I had already decided.
Rodrigo was stunned for a moment, but he soon let out a hollow laugh and asked.
“Surely you don't mean you're simply going to use the name Lindelheit. Do I understand correctly?”
“You likely do. I want everything the Lindelheit Ducal House once possessed. For that, I am willing to give up all other rewards.”
“I see. May I ask the reason this time as well?”
“Of course.”
Why did Carla want to remain a slave?
Part of it might be that her way of thinking had been twisted during her slave training, but the things she had said and done since becoming my slave had been weighing on my mind.
She had made somewhat pathetic pleas, like asking me not to sell her even if I got married and took a wife, or saying she wanted to stay by my side even if she was just a plaything.
She followed my opinions unconditionally and put every effort into satisfying my tastes.
Thinking back, Carla had been discarded by the Empire she served with total loyalty, abandoned by the lords under her who had acted like they’d give her their very souls, shunned by a friend she thought would be hers forever, and ignored by the academy professors who had once praised her talent and tried to get on her good side.
In an instant, she had experienced losing everything she relied on.
Perhaps, at her core, there was a deep-seated fear that she might be abandoned again at any moment.
But if she cast off her slave status, the distance between us would inevitably grow.
Maybe she thought I would dislike it if the woman who used to be my slave suddenly stood above me as a Duchess.
That was why Carla had given up on the revival of the Lindelheit family and chosen to maintain the status quo.
It wasn't that she truly wanted it; she gave it up simply because she was afraid.
It was just my thought and speculation… but as someone who had spent a long time by her side, I was certain I was right.
And with that certainty, I looked at Carla.
Etiquette and such had long since flown out of my head. The only thing that mattered was fully conveying what I was feeling right now.
Hair that looked like threads spun from melted gold, and ruby eyes that were beautiful yet reminiscent of a rabbit standing before a predator.
I gave a small smile toward Carla, who, just like when we first met, exuded an atmosphere as beautiful and fragile as a delicate piece of craftsmanship.
“Carla gave her everything to me as my slave. ……Therefore, I simply felt I should respond to that heart by giving her everything she ever wanted and hoped for.”
Only then did a happy smile bloom on Carla’s bewildered face.
They say that relationships between people take many different forms.
If so, then this must be the way Carla and I love each other.
Of that, I had no doubt.