Chapter 119: Hugo’s Proposal
When did he start to realize his body wasnt what it used to be?
Was it when he barely dodged a monsters attack?
Was it when his swords force wasnt as strong as before?
Was it when he felt his mana dwindling during a battle?
None of the above.
It was when moving his arm a little made his shoulder stiff.
It was when his groin throbbed each time he urinated.
It was when his night vision wasnt as clear as it used to be.
That was the moment.
In the mansions bathroom.
Hugo gazed at the middle-aged man in the mirror with complex feelings.
The wrinkles on his face had deepened over time, and his forehead had broadened to the point where it no longer held hair. His hair was patchy and whitening, to the extent that his wife, Eldrina, suggested dyeing it.
Certainly
Things werent the same anymore.
He didnt say it out loud, but Hugo had to slowly accept this fact.
The routine of waking up at dawn to train his inner method was gone. Now, his days began with the morning suns glare.
However,
As a father, the pillar of the house, Hugo didnt want to show weakness to his children who were returning from their coming-of-age ceremony. He wanted to remain a reliable support, at least until they could stand on their own.
Holding a razor, Hugo carefully shaved his rough beard. The scratchy feeling continued, and as the foam cleared, a neat chin was revealed.
Then, everything was swift. Led by Eldrina, he entered the dressing room where his personal tailor had prepared his uniform. His hair, like his necktie, shone black, tied neatly by Eldrinas graceful hands.
Finally, after applying hair oil, Hugo, looking his best, gazed down at his still lovely wife.
How do I look?
What kind of answer do you expect when you already know?
Instead of replying, Eldrina kissed her husband on the lips. There was a significant age gap between Hugo and her, but she wasnt young either. Yet, Eldrinas beauty hadnt faded, still reminiscent of their days of tender whispers.
Handsome, reliable, and the most adorable in the world.
Ahem. Thats good.
He shivered at the embarrassing whisper.
Hugo, his thinning hair covered by a hat, left the mansion. He required no escorts or companions. Eldrina had said the airship was due around noon. If he caught a carriage now, he would reach the platform in time.
Its been almost six years since I last saw Shiron.
Gooo-
At the platform, Hugo looked up at the moored airship. His nephews face, reminiscent of his fathers and tinged with mischief, sprang to mind.
He had heard that after completing his studies in Lucerne, Shiron had earned his priestly ordination To accomplish such feats alone in a foreign land filled Hugo with pride, aside from his role as a family elder.
Oh
He spotted a young man with black hair in the distance. They exchanged smiles as their eyes met. Hugo was certain the young man crossing the boarding bridge was Shiron.
Hm?
But Hugos smile soon vanished. What he hadnt seen clearly from afar was now obvious.
Next to Shiron was his daughter, Siriel, fully grown yet still dear to him.
The problem wasnt their close brother-sister relationship. Hugo, though technically landless, was a noble and could be understanding.
The issue was
Its strange. How can you still be dizzy after taking the motion sickness medicine?
I dont know.
That quack doctor, wasnt he suspicious? Charging 5,000 shillings for two days of medicine seems odd.
The problem was that Shirons attention was fixed on Lucia.
Of course, Hugo couldnt voice his disapproval. His nieces complexion was pale as she leaned on Shiron, and Siriel, almost clinging to his arm, didnt seem to mind Shirons focus.
But human hearts werent rational, which was why they had the word subjective. Hugo clenched his fist and faced the approaching young man, who showed no signs of his former youth.
Ah, why did you come to meet us? You could have just waited at the mansion,
Shiron said with a bright smile and a bow.
Shiron.
Yes, Uncle. Its me, Shiron. Didnt you recognize me?
Yes, I almost didnt. Youve grown up so much.
It surprises me every morning when I wake up. Im not even twenty yet, and I look so aged.
Youre telling me. I almost attacked a young rascal loitering around with my daughters.
Excuse me?
Shiron was momentarily confused. Attack someone? Him?
Father, really. Why are you making a fuss over my brother first?
Siriel rushed forward and hugged Hugo.
Arent you neglecting your only daughter too much?
Siriel too youve grown a lot since I last saw you. And Lucia as well
Good day, Uncle.
Lucia, cradling her stomach as though she felt unwell, bowed. Then, Hugos gaze shifted to an object strapped to Lucias back.
Whats that?
Although most of it was concealed in its sheath, preventing its full shape from being seen, Hugos sharp eye could tell that the sword Lucia carried was no ordinary weapon.
Lucia, whats that on your back? Its not the black iron sword you usually have.
Ah, this.
As Hugos focus moved to the holy sword, Lucias face lit up. She was eager to share the details of her newly acquired sword with someone, and she presented the sword, named Sirius, to Hugo.
Its called a holy sword.
A holy sword?
Yes. They say only those who are qualified can wield it, but it truly is a fine sword. Would you like to hold it?
Lucia offered the hilt to Hugo, inviting him to take the sword.
Although it was generally frowned upon for a warrior to hand their sword to another, Lucia trusted Hugo Prients integrity and secretly hoped he would admire her magnificent weapon.
How is it?
Its an excellent sword.
That wasnt a lie.
A holy sword was something only the head of a family, which was what Hugo had always aspired to become, could possess. He never dreamed he would get to hold one, especially not at over fifty years old.
Naturally, Hugo wondered.
Why does Lucia have this sword?
As Hugos gaze shifted between Lucias shining eyes and the holy sword, he suddenly felt suffocated.
Just as two suns cannot exist in the sky, two heads of a family cannot coexist. The fact that his niece had a sword only the head could possess naturally led him to a certain possibility: Glens death. His fathers words echoed in his mind, those stating that members of the Prient family bore a heavy fate.
Hugo lifted his head to the sky.
Uncle?
Lets lets head home.
Wasnt he the detestable younger brother? As soon as Hugo considered the possibility that his brother might actually be dead, an uncontrollable wave of sadness overwhelmed him.
It didnt take long for Hugos misunderstanding to be corrected.
Glen didnt die?
Why are you killing off a healthy man? Father is alive.
Ahem. I see.
We had meals together, took baths Anyway, father is alive and well. We even shared a warm hug when parting.
No, I mean Shiron. The reason I called you. That, uh
Embarrassed, he hurried to change the subject, but it wasnt going smoothly. Hugos face, inexperienced in lying, was transparent.
Shiron brought tea to his clearly unsettled uncle.
Thank you.
Hugo drained the contents of the cup in one gulp and sighed deeply.
Shiron.
Yes, what is it?
I called you here to make you a few proposals.
Hugo took out a blue envelope from his pocket.
What is this?
Its an invitation to a court banquet that will take place soon.
A court banquet? Was there such a thing here? More importantly, why would they send an invitation to him, who was not even a noble?
May I open this?
Of course. Its an invitation addressed to you.
Who sent it?
The Third Prince, Victor.
Shiron felt a chill run down his spine. Hugo continued speaking to the stunned Shiron.
Why so surprised? I heard you used to hang out here a lot when you were young. Have you already forgotten?
How could I forget? I was just a little startled.
Shiron rubbed his arm under his clothes where goosebumps had formed.
Was Victor really gay?
Shiron swallowed and lowered his head.
It was not difficult to speculate that Victor was homosexual. The fact that he sent letters once a month and often visited Shirons house, despite him having been so mean to Victor as a child, supported this notion.
Shiron had slapped Victor when they were both 11 years old. At that age, personal feelings often take precedence over political understanding. It was an impossible start for a friendship, especially after such public humiliation. In hindsight, Victors continued visits to the mansion seemed insane.
-I, I already have a fiance promised in marriage! Such a horrible!
Is that really his fiance?
Shiron suspected that Victors desperate excuses were just a royal measure to produce an heir.
Suddenly, a memory from his past life flashed in his mind.
Staying at school for night self-study, Yura, as usual, struck up a conversation.
-Hyeonjun, look at this.
-What is it?
-This statistic shows that homosexuals and heterosexuals have slightly different ideal types. Isnt that interesting?
-Youre distracting me from solving this problem.
-Huh? Just look at this? Instead of a delicate pretty-boy look, its more about overflowing with male hormones
-Ah, leave me alone!
I might not be as handsome as a pretty boy, but Im somewhat good-looking.
Do I have to go?
Why not?
Well, its a bit creepy.
Thats a pity. Going to the banquet alone, I dont really know anyone there
Ill go.
Thank you.
A gentle smile formed on Hugos lips. He felt as though he had gained a dependable son. Hugos fondness for Shiron grew even more.
Theres another matter I want to propose to you personally.
What is it?
Shiron inquired, and Hugo pulled another piece of paper from his pocket, stamped with his seal.
How about accompanying me on the next expedition?
Hugo cautiously extended his offer.
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