Chapter 22.1

A long time ago, there were twins, Prima and Ultima.

When the sins of mankind overflowed and a great flood occurred, Ultima disappeared. The tree of life grew from Prima’s body as she searched for her lost sister.

Four angels came to her in her sorrow.

The raging sea is encroaching on human land day by day. The tree you grow will save people who are devastated in the future.

The angel biting the olive branch told her how to grow the tree into the world tree.

The guardian angel of the pure moon gave eternal sleep to Prima who was engulfed in the world tree.

The tree of life rescued the continent from being submerged in the sea and led it above the clouds.

The monsters remaining on the continent were purified by the black flame created by the angel of destruction.

Humanity rejoiced in the ground they gained at Prima’s sacrifice, but the tree of life only withered day by day as Prima longed for her missing sister.

At this time, the sun-bright blonde angel broke the silence it had always adhered to and said.

You who support the world. Just as you were destined to build a new world, your sister is destined to take on new lives. In the future, you will meet and part countless times, so take away your sorrow.

Hearing this, the world tree abandoned its lingering feelings and sent a messenger with a flower to inspect Noah’s empire built in the sky.

That person is Ursula, the first princess born by the World Tree.

Born from the flower of the World Tree, Ursula, who was always silent, opened her mouth when she was 10 years old.

“On the day blood flows from the angels’ eyes, my mother will wake up again. Until then, never take her sacrifice for granted.”

She told the prophecy of the World Tree.

Since then, the World Tree has blossomed whenever a crisis strikes the Sky Continent and sends her own messenger, and people have followed that will and served the World Tree as the emperor and main god of Noah’s empire.

And her children, whom she blossomed with her flowers, were highly regarded as the imperial family and saviors.

The four angels took care of the people on behalf of the emperor who became the World Tree.

***

The crests of the four Ducal families were engraved with large illustrations.

A sword engulfed in black flame, Gladio.

The sun behind the scales symbolizing fairness, Sol.

A dove with an olive branch in its mouth, Mattia.

And the lily and moon symbolizing purity and fidelity were used as the crest.

“Is it fun?”

…… Janus, the least innocent and most unfaithful in the world.

“Yes.”

At the same time as I answered, I slightly raised the book I was holding and roughly covered my eyes. Perhaps dissatisfied with that, the Duke asked.

“Are you going to read a book later in the banquet hall?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Then people will think I don’t like to talk.”

“But why do you read books when you are with me?”

Yes, I don’t want to talk to you.

But I calmly raised my eyebrows and made up a frightened expression.

“Can’t I read a book when I’m with the Duke?”

“…… Who said no?”

Lately I’ve been learning more and more of how the Duke works.

He would respond with all sorts of mischief when I challenged him, but when I lay down flat and put on a frightened look, he would stop.

I opened the book I was reading again, keeping a sad face. I studied writing diligently, and now I have no problem with reading and writing.

I was about to read and contemplate again, but the Duke’s hand, who had been watching me with his eyes narrowed, suddenly came up and forcibly closed the book.

“You’ve been doing more and more nasty things lately.”

“Me?”

I was caught, but I didn’t panic and asked back with eyes that looked like they would shed tears any moment.

Sad thoughts, sad thoughts, sad and unfair thoughts…… I tried to recall it, but I didn’t shed tears often.

He looked at me and said dumbfoundedly.

“Yes, you. Squeeze your tears, squeeze them.”

Ack, I failed

It must have been really annoying, he put his hand inside my bonnet and messed with my hair.

“My hair will be ruined!”

“Cecile, fix her hair.”

After I was barely freed from the Duke’s hands, Lucy straightened my hair and fixed the ribbon that held my bonnet.

After a heavy snowfall once, the day suddenly got colder and the snow continued to fall calmly, so we rode the carriage again to the imperial palace. I was on my way to attend the Flower Fairy Ball, which is always held on New Year’s Eve.

This day, when the flower fairy awakened by the innocent child’s heart grants children’s wishes, was kind of like Children’s Day in this world.

It was a very old tradition to hold a ball at the imperial palace for children who had not made their debut. It was also famous as the first informal social stage for children entering the guide training school next semester.

The Duke, who was trying to build up my luxury network, starting with Christine, the S-class guide, changed his strategy to an offensive after knocking out Count Mceuena.

It wasn’t a bad idea. It was because rumors circulated widely in the capital about what happened to Count Mceuena, and that the Duke was putting great effort into the child he was sponsoring.

Perhaps the sons of nobles I will meet at the ball will not be so cold to me.