Chapter 9: Puberty
by fnovelpia
The Hessen Empire had a history spanning a thousand years.
In those thousand years, it endured many ups and downs.
Barbarians once descended upon the homeland and even killed the emperor.
The emperor’s son-in-law once led a rebellion and ruled the country for three years.
The empire came close to collapse, but what mattered was that it survived.
At the heart of it all was the bloodline of the royal family.
The founding emperor of the empire had been the first mage.
He possessed a unique body, blessed with the so-called “Blessing of the Pentagram.”
A being close to a god—no, a god himself—who ended the chaos of the world and became legend.
His bloodline continued through the generations, endowing his descendants with magical talent.
Even if not all inherited the full blessing, they were guaranteed at least some talent.
Anyone born into the royal family would, at minimum, achieve the sixth circle before death.
Emperor Marcus, who loved to study, had reached the eighth circle.
He personally led wars as well.
However, he focused more on applying magic to daily life than to combat.
He was the one who created the train.
In any case, the royal family was exceptionally gifted in magic.
Fwoosh!
“Aaaaagh!!”
One of the royal guards was engulfed in flames.
The enchanted armor of the guards was resistant to magic, but it couldn’t withstand that fire.
The flames consumed the guard entirely, leaving no trace behind.
“Useless fools.”
Joshua, seated on the throne, waved his hand.
A gust of wind blew the ashes away.
He rested his chin on his hand and glared down at the tense ministers lined up in the Grand Hall.
“He’s only 14 years old. Blonde hair and blue eyes. He should look somewhat like me. So why haven’t you found him yet?”
‘Blonde-haired, blue-eyed 14-year-olds weren’t exactly rare.’
That thought crossed the ministers’ minds, but none dared to speak it aloud.
Four years.
More than enough time to push Joshua’s patience to the edge.
To be honest, he didn’t care much for his youngest sibling on a personal level.
They had only met a few times.
What mattered was his value.
The empire’s only legitimate princess.
Born of the reigning emperor and empress—a bearer of the “Violet Bloodline.”
That bloodline’s worth was beyond measure.
“Please, Your Majesty, have just a little more patience. We will surely find the princess!”
The ministers scrambled to placate the emperor.
“Your Majesty, the Duke of Arnonian has arrived at the palace.”
One minister carefully announced the duke’s arrival, watching the emperor’s mood.
Joshua pressed his fingers to his temple and moved to the audience chamber.
‘Great, here comes another headache.’
Inside the chamber sat a very obese middle-aged man.
The Duke of Arnonian.
A nobleman with power second only to Joshua himself.
“You’ve arrived, Your Majesty.”
The duke smiled and nodded, remaining seated.
‘How dare he… greet the emperor while sitting?’
Joshua was furious but kept it in.
He despised the man, but the duke’s political support was essential.
Most of the nobility followed the duke.
“What brings you here, Duke?”
Joshua sat across from him and crossed his legs.
“Haha, aren’t we about to become family? ‘Brother.’ Please, feel free to call me brother-in-law.”
‘Fuck.’ Joshua had to use all his willpower to hide his disgust.
Being called ‘brother’ by this orc of a man was unbearable.
The remark was a subtle pressure.
“So, when are you giving me the princess? We are getting married, right?”
“…It still feels too awkward to call you brother-in-law. Please wait a little longer.”
“As long as needed. Oh, by the way, Your Majesty—I heard you’re planning to build a new theater.”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
Bored with his duties, Joshua had decided to build the biggest, most extravagant theater in the world.
He had already chosen the land and was preparing for construction.
“The land you chose for that theater… it belongs to me.”
The duke spoke in a seemingly casual tone.
His smug smile was irritating.
“And what of it?”
“Well, I received an offer from the Kingdom of Britten to build a hotel on that land. To be honest, there’s already a theater nearby, and from an economic standpoint, a hotel would be more secure, don’t you think?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Oh, nothing at all. Just the humble grumblings of an old man who wishes to become true family with Your Majesty soon. Please don’t worry about it.”
Nothing at all, my ass.
He was just going in circles, demanding the princess.
‘That fucking bastard.’
Joshua forced a smile as his body trembled with rage.
“Haha! I want that too. Trust me and wait a bit longer.”
“I believe I’ve heard the same thing for four years now, but I’ll trust you and wait, Your Majesty.”
The duke rose with the help of his cane and waddled out.
Creak. Clack.
The commander of the royal guard, who had been observing quietly, did his best to avoid making noise and angering the emperor further.
Joshua’s face turned red with fury.
A cross-shaped vein bulged visibly on his forehead.
He looked ready to erupt like a volcano.
“Raaaagh!!”
And erupt he did.
***
Crash! Smash! Shatter!
A table flew across the room and shattered, fine porcelain cups scattering and breaking.
Still fuming, Joshua made a gesture without even looking toward the guard commander.
The commander understood immediately and moved swiftly.
“He’s here, Your Majesty.”
A death row inmate who had been on standby was brought forward.
“Y-Your Majesty!?”
The trembling prisoner was met with the sight of an enraged emperor, breathing heavily.
Joshua stormed over and began to beat the man.
Thud! Thud! Thud!!
The guard commander stood silently by.
On days when Joshua’s rage reached its peak, he would relieve his stress by beating death row inmates to death.
And those days usually coincided with the Duke of Arnonian’s visits.
That’s why the guard commander made sure a prisoner was always ready whenever the duke came.
A special prison had even been built next to the palace to keep a steady supply of inmates.
They ranged from murderers to rapists to frauds.
“Huff… huff….”
Joshua finally caught his breath after reducing the bound prisoner to a bloody pulp.
He brushed back his disheveled platinum hair and left the audience chamber.
Flap.
His purple cape fluttered behind him.
He wore a golden crown on his head, and rings symbolizing wisdom and courage on his fingers.
A magnificent longsword made of adamantium hung at his waist.
Suddenly, Joshua caught sight of his reflection in the window.
The emperor.
The Emperor of Hessen.
Ruler of the world.
No one should dare look down on him.
No one should be able to resist respecting him.
…That’s what he had believed.
But reality was different.
Just look at the Duke of Arnonian.
A mere duke acting like Joshua’s equal—or worse, like he was toying with him.
‘I am the emperor. Everyone should revere me!’
Even after killing the prisoner, the anger wouldn’t subside.
Joshua abandoned his duties and summoned a group of prostitutes to his chambers.
***
Chirp chirp.
Leo opened his eyes.
Warm morning sunlight streamed in.
He turned his head.
Elizabeth was fast asleep, clinging tightly to him.
Her leg was draped over him, and her arms wrapped around his neck.
She had said she was scared to sleep alone, so they had shared the bed.
Leo gently removed her limbs and sat up.
He brushed away strands of golden hair stuck to his eyes, nose, and lips.
He stroked her forehead and neck.
Elizabeth’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
I spoke.
“Wake up.”
“How did you know?”
Blue eyes fluttered open.
Soon, a bright smile spread across her face.
“You can just tell by looking.”
“Sometimes I wonder how a person can be as sharp as a beast.”
“Go wash up. I’ll make breakfast.”
“Yes, sir.”
While Elizabeth was washing up, Leo grilled sausages and eggs and chopped vegetables for a salad.
He poured a glass of milk and a glass of water, then checked the mailbox.
There was one letter.
Elegant handwriting on expensive paper caught his eye.
- Lenz Academy.
“Dad, did we get mail?”
I hurriedly hid the letter.
I had caught a glimpse of the word “Congratulations.”
“There’s… a letter, yes.”
“Is it something good? Why are you smiling like that?”
I touched the corner of my lips.
They were curling up on their own.
“Ahem. Elizabeth.”
I lightly placed the letter on the table.
Dressed in her new clothes, Elizabeth curiously picked up the letter—then let out a delighted squeal.
“This is…”
Her translucent skin flushed like a rose.
She looked back and forth between the letter and Leo, unsure what to do.
“Open it.”
Leo smiled.
Elizabeth swallowed hard and opened the letter.
There was a letter opener, but she didn’t want to use it.
The golden letter shimmered as it emerged.
Her hands trembled as she held it.
“…We sincerely congratulate you on your acceptance, Lady Elizabeth Valentine. Oh my gosh. I really got in.”
Time passed quickly.
***
Elizabeth decided she would commute to school.
Leo had suggested she stay in the dormitory, but she said she preferred home.
It was about an hour’s ride by tram from the house to the school.
It was a reasonable commuting distance.
As a gift for her admission, Leo gave her a dagger he had once used.
“This is…”
Elizabeth gazed at it with wide, sparkling eyes, turning it over in her hands.
It was a decent blade.
Back then, it was the best he could get with his skills.
Over the years, the blade had been sharpened so much it had become the size of a dagger.
Thanks to constant care, it was still razor-sharp.
More importantly—
“If something happens, lightly cut your palm with it.”
“Why?”
“Because I enchanted it to help me find you. Use it when you’re in danger.”
Leo had cast a spell on the blade.
If Elizabeth were ever in danger, it would react and alert him.
Leo took the day off work to accompany her on her first day of school.
It was a historic moment—his daughter entering a prestigious academy—and he wanted to be there.
“Don’t shrink back. Be confident. Ask questions if you don’t know something.”
“Got it.”
“If someone bullies you, speak up. And if it feels like it’s not working out, just come home.”
“I said I got it.”
Elizabeth sighed, clearly tired of the lecture.
He had said it at least ten times already.
After walking for a while, they arrived at the school.
“Dad, how do I look?”
She spun around lightly in front of the school gate.
Her golden hair and the hem of her skirt twirled a beat behind her.
She radiated energy.
Her blue eyes sparkled.
The Lenz Academy uniform was a pristine white, accented with gold.
It suited Elizabeth perfectly.
“Beautiful.”
“Just beautiful?”
“Absolutely stunning.”
“I’m off!”
Elizabeth hugged him tightly before heading into the school.
“Do your best.”
Leo waved.
Elizabeth kept glancing back at Leo as she entered the building.
***
How many seasons had passed since then?
Spring returned once more, blooming flowers along the way.
Thirty years old.
An age where responsibilities naturally increase.
Though his appearance hadn’t changed much, Leo’s mindset had grown heavier.
Now, he often stood in front of the familiar gates of Lenz Academy, waiting for his daughter.
‘How long had it been?’
In the distance, a radiant girl emerged, surrounded by friends.
Her shining golden hair stood out no matter where she went.
There were many blondes, but none like Elizabeth.
“Elizabeth!”
I waved and called out.
Elizabeth and her friends looked my way.
She glanced at me with a blank expression and whispered something to her friends.
Then she walked quickly.
Whoosh!
Elizabeth walked right past me.
Her friends looked at me awkwardly before hurrying after her.
Leo slowly lowered his hand.
Her friends each took a carriage or a horse and went their separate ways.
Elizabeth boarded the tram alone.
I got on the same tram.
She sat at the end.
I sat a seat away.
On the ride home, I wanted to talk to her, but her expression made me stay quiet.
We rode home in silence.
As soon as she got home, Elizabeth shut her bedroom door.
Clunk.
The door locked.
Knock knock.
Leo gathered the courage to knock.
But—
“I’m resting.”
“Ah… Okay. Rest well.”
‘How can someone change so much in just a year?’
‘Where had the daughter gone—the one who said she wanted to live with him, who had cried about not wanting him to remarry?’
Leo was sad, but he had to accept it.
Elizabeth had entered that cursed phase: adolescence.
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