Those Who Wear the Crown Must Bear Its Weight

In the meantime.

Things escalated in just three days.

What started inside the Bernatore mansion spread throughout the capital and the academy.

Many people were hearing the names of Luna, of course, and Scarl Bernatore, the protagonist of the rumors, and his family for the first time.

However, Aida Simmons was different.

Even if they didn’t know her name, the other protagonist, who didn’t know the Simmons family?

Aren’t they the owners of the Simmons County, the center of the empire’s logistics?

The Count’s daughter, known to everyone from the capital’s children to the elderly in the outskirts, was the protagonist of shameless rumors. And Scarl Bernatore would be the shameless fiancé who questions the virginity of such a woman from a prestigious family.

Naturally, public opinion was on Aida’s side.

Old Man A: As a man, how dare he doubt the virginity of the woman who will be his wife?

Young Man A: Isn’t he unqualified to be a husband?

Noble A: Although Lady Aida has experience in breaking off an engagement, wasn’t that due to the other party’s unilateral demands (Simmons gave them hush money behind the scenes)?

Noble B: There’s a reason why Lady Aida rejected the temptations of many men when she appeared at the ball… as expected.

Thus, this sensational article appeared on the front page of the Imperial Newspaper this morning.

The media’s headline didn’t explicitly mention Scarl’s name, but anyone who read the article could infer enough information, along with the rumors circulating.

[Professor A, a honorary professor of swordsmanship who was appointed to the academy around May of this year, was actually someone who questions the virginity of his fiancée of over 10 years. However, it’s not like he has led a pious and devout life. According to sources from this paper, he is the lord of a small territory who sexually harasses the territory residents and exercises the right of the first night, which is now obsolete, making him a person who seems to have come out of old texts…]

Naturally, the contents of the newspaper spread in an instant.

Sophia and Kasha couldn’t stop it.

Everything was according to Simmons’ plan.

This incident was named the event ‘Trial of Purity’ and grew in strength.

Sophia, who came to the office in the mansion, crumpled the newspaper and was furious.

“Can you believe these bad guys! Brother! Are you going to just stand by like this? Should I turn everything upside down?!”

Sophia seemed displeased with Simmons’ rude behavior.

There’s no noble who doesn’t know that the Second Princess Sophia, who is raising her stock, is behind Scarl Bernatore.

‘That must mean they’re that confident.’

And I know.

The reason why the rumors that spread across the continent are spreading so widely and quickly is because the Hero Luna is included in the subject, rather than the newspaper article published by Simmons.

‘Regret, exhaustion, obsession.’

As these three conditions make the Hero even stronger, the world mentally drives the Heroes endlessly until they kill the Demon King.

Fortunately, Luna doesn’t seem that anxious?

Her subtle smile had the usual composure and consistency, like the taste of the sandwiches she makes for me.

“Luna. Are you okay?”

Luna was confident.

“Yes. Of course.”

Due to the matter becoming too big, the Holy Sword of Purity found in Aiden is temporarily being kept in the Imperial Palace.

Tomorrow, in the capital’s main square, in front of the citizens, Simmons and Luna must prove their purity to the world.

‘…Just how big is this scale going to get?’

At this point, I really wonder if Aida is pure.

Or if there’s something that can make her appear pure.

That night.

Scarl was trying to calm his troubled mind while working when Kasha came to find him.

Her panting voice, flushed cheeks, and urgent gestures revealed an emotional turmoil that she usually didn’t show.

“M, Master.”

On the other hand, Scarl had calmed down to some extent.

“What’s going on at this hour?”

As if that calmness was contagious, Kasha also regained her usual composure.

“I’ve discovered a suspicious group in the Simmons County.”

I knew it. She must have had something to rely on.

As expected, now that the Hero’s event has started, there’s no way she’d just get involved.

“Is that so? Are they demons?”

Kasha was surprised by Scarl’s accurate deduction, and then she got goosebumps at the fact that he had predicted this situation.

Just how much is Master seeing?

Admiring his unfathomable insight, she adds to her faith in Scarl.

“…Yes. That’s right. Tomorrow. Luna may be in danger.”

‘The demon who would do something like this is obvious.’

Scarl finally learned the identity of the enemy and rubbed his eyelids to relieve his fatigue.

He smiled at Kasha, who was staring at him, wondering what that meant, and then opened his mouth.

“I see. There are things we need to prepare right away. A golden crown, and a large square sapphire to put in it, a square emerald, and a triangular ruby.”

It’s a somewhat absurd thing to say.

“…Are you saying this suddenly?”

That’s how taken aback Kasha was that she asked back.

But I’m sure. If we just have that crown.

“Yes. Prepare it by the time Luna holds the event tomorrow. Go quickly. If you search all the jewelers in the capital, you’ll be able to find them tonight. Keep in mind. The jewels must be the largest of their respective shapes in the capital.”

“Understood.”

Kasha quickly left the office.

The day dawned. Scarl left the house first, preparing for the event, or rather, preparing for something else.

Luna, wearing the most familiar and comfortable maid outfit, which Scarl had first given her as a gift, sat in front of the dressing table.

In the reflection in the mirror, she could see the worn and stained parts here and there.

It wasn’t a magically enchanted outfit like the heroic attire, so it couldn’t be helped, and these were natural traces that occurred while doing housework, so it couldn’t be helped, but she felt sorry that the protagonist of the event with the absurd name of ‘Trial of Purity’ would wear it. So she tries on the ring, necklace, and jewels that Scarl had given her as gifts on top of it.

‘It doesn’t suit me. And this is the precious outfit that Scarl-nim gave me for the first time.’

It’s nothing now, but at first, she was embarrassed because the skirt was short.

She even thought it was just Scarl’s bad taste. That was about 5 years and 6 months ago.

But it was also with this outfit that she first started cooking for him.

It’s also this outfit that she wears every morning when she goes in and out of the bedroom to greet him for the first time every day.

That long time and memories are embedded in this outfit.

‘These decorations, aren’t they really no different from that fake?’

She takes off the jewels that Scarl had given her as gifts.

What need is there for accessories?

Scarl-nim has been interested in her since before she had any of these decorations.

Then, it’s a shameless statement, but… wouldn’t it be best as it is?

“Maid Queen Luna.”

She quietly calls out the past title that is no longer used.

Behind the stage in the main square, she counts the citizens who have already come.

‘How much is this all worth? 20,000? 30,000?’

More people gathered than expected.

This isn’t some century-defining event like the imperial coronation.

How many people are gathering for an event to confirm the virginity of two women?

Reading my expression, Kasha, who was next to me, speaks without being asked.

“It is estimated that about 100,000 people will come.”

I made a stunned expression for a moment.

“Make sure the anti-terrorism measures are solid.”

“Of course.”

Since demons are involved, a terrible tragedy could occur.

I give Kasha some simple instructions and head to Luna’s waiting room.

I call Luna from outside the makeshift tent labeled as the waiting room.

“It’s me.”

“Come in, Scarl-nim.”

Luna, whom I met inside, was in a familiar state.

Wearing a maid outfit, she was neat and modest as always.

Normally, it would have been fine.

But now, there’s the pressure of having to stand in front of a crowd of 100,000 people.

Someone will surely laugh.

I only saw her for a moment, but Aida was not only wearing luxury clothes and carrying luxury bags, but she was also covered in jewels and accessories.

I don’t want to allow even a hint of ridicule from the public towards Luna.

“…Didn’t you have any other clothes? I’ll have them prepared even now. It’ll take 5 minutes. No, it’ll take 10 minutes.”

‘Am I the only one who’s anxious?’

But Luna’s expression was calm.

At first glance, she seemed detached, or she seemed dazed because she had no sense of reality, so I was worried.

“It’s okay. This is my true self, isn’t it? Scarl-nim’s maid Luna.”

Is it because I didn’t tell Luna that demons have appeared?

“Luna. Demons will appear. This is Simmons’ scheme and trap.”

“Demons? Ah… so that’s why they’re so confident?”

She’s too calm.

“So. That means the other side has something to believe in, right, Scarl-nim?”

“Yes. But―”

I can feel something from each word that Luna utters.

“It’s okay. I am. Always. Like this.”

A simple dignity and nobility like the firmness felt from a solid rock, the grace felt from a giant tree, and the steadfastness felt from a huge mountain range.

“…”

Is this Luna’s inherent charm?

I was staring at her as if possessed, and Luna smiled slightly.

“Kasha-unni said that Flare and Princess Sophia will be arriving soon, so Scarl-nim, please go out for a moment.”

“Okay. I understand.”

The Hero party must have their own plans.