Chapter 513

Curious Bel

“Um, Prince Sion, do you frequently take strolls around town like this?”

“I do. Whenever I’m in Sunkland, I make a conscious effort to traverse the streets regularly. As someone in a position of power, it’s my duty to gain a firsthand understanding of the lives and circumstances of my people.”

“While that is a noble aspiration, milord, I must once again remind you that you are working me to the bone here. Please start arranging for a proper escort of guards on your excursions before I collapse from exhaustion.”

Keithwood gave a weary shrug, to which Sion grinned.

“Thanks to the much-appreciated dedication of a highly capable attendant, I have the luxury of strolling through my kingdom at will. I must say, I’m not particularly inclined to give up such a convenience.”

“Well, I am. For the sake of my own well-being.”

For a considerable duration, Bel relished their banter until a thought crossed her mind. She tilted her head curiously.

“Prince Sion, is it just me, or... are you more cheerful than usual today?”

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by the question, Sion blinked a few times.

“If I had to describe it, it feels sort of like... a weight has been lifted off your shoulders,” Bel added.

“Huh. How surprising. You’re more perceptive than I thought.” Sion leaned in and studied her face. “That reminds me, you’re related to Mia, aren’t you? Hm...”

He crossed his arms in thought. After a while, he asked, “I’m not sure if I should be asking this, so I’ll first apologize for any possible offense, but... I heard that you share her blood. Is that true? Are you imperial kin?”

Upon hearing the question, Bel immediately straightened, for it was no simple query; it concerned the very essence of her person and pride.

“Yes, Prince Sion. I am Miabel Luna Tearmoon. The blood that flows through my veins, I share with the princess of the empire, Mia Luna Tearmoon.”

The dignified gravity with which she answered left Sion momentarily dumbstruck. He widened his eyes, regarding anew the girl before him. Gone was the carefree aura she so frequently gave off, replaced by what could only be described as an air of regality.

“I see...” he said, recognizing the truth of her words. “In that case, it’s probably in your interest to tell you...” With a sigh, Sion proceeded to explain. “About what transpired last night. I assume you’ve already heard about it from Mia, but my brother, Echard, committed a grave error, and the one who’d caused him to do so... is me. For far too long, he has struggled with the fact that he couldn’t become a second Sion. From his swordsmanship to his deportment and much more... In all those facets, he has been trying to catch up to me, convinced that he must do so or else be deemed a failure.”

“That’s... That’s just not right. He can’t become you. He shouldn’t.” Bel recalled the teachings of her former mentor, Ludwig.

“Miss Bel... For what will undoubtedly be the rest of your life, you will find that time and again, you will be compared to the Great Wisdom of the Empire. People will wish for you—expect you—to become her. Even your foster parents, Anne and Elise, might eventually push you to do so. In fact, even I myself might succumb to the inclination.”

The future Ludwig described was, in a way, a hopeful one. With the triumphant return of Princess Miabel to the throne, the empire would be rebuilt under her leadership. Of all the challenges one could face, that was probably the most promising one, lying far down a very narrow path of possibility.

That lines up with what Grandmother Mia said after coming back from Perujin. A lot of people have done a lot for me, and she told me that if I want to pay them back, I should pursue the best life possible and live up to their kindness by living for myself.

To Bel, it felt like Mia was telling her to endure and survive, no matter the circumstances. To cling to life with dogged determination, and in doing so, repay the services of compassion she’d received. Suddenly, she was reminded of where she’d come from.

That world of despair... What if one day, the time came for her to return to that desperate, desolate life? How would she act then?

I don’t know, but even if I have to go back to that place, there’s one thing I should make sure I don’t do... and that’s giving up and letting myself go.

Life, its weight, its value, and how it should be used, as well as the stubborn resolve to never give up on living... These were the things she learned from her idol, the Libra King.

While Bel was absorbing valuable life lessons, Mia found herself... being rescued from the gap between the beds.

“Huh... Bel’s nowhere to be found, you say?” she inquired after her liberation, which Anne kindly waited for before delivering the news.

Mia felt a sudden pang of concern. What if Bel had experienced the same fate as her? Just as she was about to conduct a frantic search of the remaining gaps...

“I heard from the innkeeper that she is apparently out on a walk with Prince Sion.”

Rafina provided the answer she sought.

“Ah. With Sion. I see...”

That was all the information Mia needed to deduce the sequence of events leading to Bel’s absence.

I bet she walked out of the inn, ran into Sion, and just followed him around from there on...

“I can’t believe she went off on her own,” protested a pouting Citrina. “She could have asked Rina to go with her.”

Mia gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m sure she’ll be back by breakfast. I know that girl, and she’s just like me in that she won’t miss a meal for the world.”

Hearing that Bel was with Sion, Mia relaxed. Tension flowed out from the muscles in her shoulders. And the ones around her gut. As a result, her stomach gurgled.

Hm, maybe I can start eating breakfast while I wait— The thought was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Excuse me, Miss Rafina. A guest has arrived.”

“A guest? Who is it?”

A roomful of puzzled gazes focused on the door, which swung open to reveal...

“Hey, Mia. Good morning. And greetings to all you fine ladies too.”

Abel Remno, who strode in with a charming smile.