章 99: Ascension [3]
As the Duke, Marquis, and Marchioness arrived the ceremony immediately started.
An opening speech was given by the chancellor.
"Esteemed courtiers, loyal subjects, and honored guests, today marks a momentous occasion in the annals of our empire. As we gather in the embrace of tradition and the sanctity of transition, we bear witness to the passage of a noble house's title from one revered hand to another..."
Eugene keeps his sight straight.
He is staring at his father, Arkiton.
It didn't take long for him to receive a message through telepathy.
"Son. Can we at least talk to you for the last time?"
Eugene heard the desperation in his father's tone and couldn't help but feel incredible how his father, after everything still had the audacity to call him son when he had never been called like that for many years. He couldn't even feel angry, he just had enough of everything.
"Don't call me your son. I've never had a father like you."
Arkiton's expression twisted in pain upon hearing his son's response. Nonetheless, he continued, "I understand if you can't accept me. You're entitled to hate me, but can you spare Aison from your hatred? I manipulated your father; it's my fault for selfishly doing nothing. I just wanted to say everything so that you'd always remember your right to resent me."
Eugene's eyes turn sharp.
"I'll meet you, but I'll never comply with any of your requests."
He wanted to know what more his father had to say. It saves him time to know his birth in the mouth of the man who made his existence. After all, he can't enter the Fatum Realm to read his book of records as he can feel heaven's presence. It might not take long for those gods to detect them in this world.
So exhausting.
Just when will his life be at peace? So many problems.
He feels so tired of dealing with everything but he can't just ignore the safety of those people who are important to him.
He wanted an end.
"Arkiton Rioel Del Viltaria, Aison Rienzo Shradinza, and his excellency, Grand Duke Katnier Resvielle De la Vallier Karsten, please proceed forward and read the oath of ascension."
"The heirs, please pay your respect."
Kaizer, Casimin, and Euric stepped forward into the weighty atmosphere, their expressions composed as they positioned themselves before their parents, bowing their heads and genuflecting.
Observing Kaizer's back, Eugene found it somewhat unbelievable that Kaizer had never lived his entire lifetime in Artha. Now, as Kaizer decided to embrace his identity and pursue him, the images of Kaizer and Khalil, who had in the past used Kaizer's body, began to merge. Eugene couldn't help but feel a sense of complexity and entanglement in his emotions.
The way Khalil in Kaizer's identity knelt in the same position...
Eugene purses his lips.
All along, he was dealing with Khalil.
And in those lifetimes, it was Khalil who was his enemy.
Eugene had no idea about novels and Chantall, who was familiar with them, couldn't recall many details. However, she who is in the church to observe Eullian already found out that Kaizer has a little brother which is not mentioned in the book.
Chantall is in dilemma wondering what's currently happening in this timeline that makes it seem harder for her to make a clearance.
The male lead is secretly in love with the villain.
The novel only mentions that there is only one Karsten.
How come there are two now?
"Are you sure that person is really the grand duke's illegitimate son?"
One of the church volunteers looked at Chantall confusedly but still said, "Some did say that but others didn't think so because the grand duchess already come back, why would the grand duke who loved his male wife dearly bring an illegitimate son?"
Chantall's heart started to beat fast and started to think that it was too messy.
Just what is going on?
Why is it diverting from the original novel?
Even Eugene, the protagonist shou, underwent a sudden transformation! Could her mere presence have once again turned the plot upside down? It seemed implausible. Chantall had already verified that her heartthrob physique no longer existed. While changes were certainly possible, the magnitude of the current upheaval suggested that this already unpredictable world might become even more chaotic with the unfolding events.
"Also, today is the ascension of the four pillar families heirs. It's an eventful day."
Chantall almost collapses.
At this rate, she really wanted to meet Eugene and talk about something.
He suspects that Eugene is possessed by someone!
Because if not, then why is the plot diverting? And all causes are related to Eugene?! From his participation in war and his marriage with the little duke. Isn't that strange?!
"What are you doing swarming in one place?"
Chantall and others stiffen and immediately bow when Eullian suddenly appeared.
"We apologize, Your Holiness!"
Eullian cast a cold glance at the girls, but his gaze lingered on Chantall for a moment before retracting and proceeding to walk past them.
Chantall couldn't help but shiver. Not only had Eugene undergone a sudden change, but now Eullian seemed to have changed as well, and for the worse. If she were in the second book, then Eullian must be the villain now. A villain, by definition, would stop at nothing to harm the protagonist. In other words, Eullian, currently portrayed as the saint, had become the greatest adversary to the protagonist.
This is why he wanted to meet Eugene to warn the other party.
Eugene right now is probably unaware of his little brother's changes.
He might not be suspicious of Eullian which is dangerous.
In the second book, Eullian had become formidable. Not only did he successfully imprison Eugene, a powerful dualist, but he also inflicted injuries upon the male lead. Chantall couldn't let things progress unchecked, as the male lead had the potential to bring about the destruction of the world. Any consequences that ensued would inevitably affect her as well.
She knows because she can feel it.
Whenever something happened she could hardly breathe.
Though she's not afraid to die.
She must die while ensuring a happy ending for her favorite characters!
"His holiness seems to be in a foul mood."
"Right? He is always like that when the church receives news about the four pillar families."
"Yes, I heard that his holiness intended to attend the ascension ceremony, but the pope is present and cautioned the saint to remain within the church walls, as his holiness has yet to be canonized."
"My goodness, why would the saint want to go there?"
One of the girls leaned in and whispered, "Haven't you heard about the persecution of the saint's parents? It seems they're being exiled after today's ceremony. He likely wanted to meet them for the last time."
Chantall glances at them and turns around to leave.
"Lady Chantall do you have a moment?"
Chantal was about to leave the church when Priest Cerocio approached her.
"Priest Cerocio, is there something?"
Priest Cerocio smiled and said, "It's like this, one of the messengers from the Catharis family is here to talk about the upcoming wedding of His Excellency Grand Duke Kaizer and Young Master Eugene of Shradinza household. They wanted..."
Chantall feels like having a heart attack.
The news comes and goes, hitting her countless times.
A wedding?!
A wedding will actually be held soon?!
Chantall unconsciously turned her head to gaze in the direction where Saint Eullian had departed. A foreboding sensation gripped her, and she couldn't remain passive any longer. She felt the urgency to meet Eugene, to ensure the safety of her favorite character this time, so that she could leave this world without any lingering regrets.
"Priest Cerocio, I may need to go back to the academy."
Priest Cerocio looked surprised and suddenly fell into a deep thought.
Chantall is only a volunteer, they can't hold her within the church wall despite being satisfied with the lady's performance these past few days.
"Then, will you still volunteer in the future?"
"I will." After all, she still needs to watch over Eullian.
"Then that's great, the church will welcome you. Besides the marriage between the two families of Karsten and Shradinza might take time. So I hope when you come back you can stand beside the saint and become his attendant."
Chantall bowed her head, "It will be my pleasure to serve the saint."
On the other side, the palace is full of applause as the heirs are granted a title.
Kaizer, Euric, and Casimin walk towards the emperor to pay respect.
The emperor glances at the three young men without expression while secretly clenching his fist. He knew the empire would be in chaos so he wished he could stay in his position to prevent what he feared from happening. It's fine for him to live in atonement but he doesn't want Maxmilian to live with hatred, blinded by what he believes truth.
He also wanted to protect Lincoln, his youngest whom he knew would suffer the most.
He made the decision, he must face the consequences.
The empire will survive but it will be under Maxmilian's rule.
"Raised your head."
The empress should be disposed.
"May the three of you carry forth the honor and duties of each esteemed house with grace, wisdom, and unwavering dedication, ensuring the continuity of its noble legacy in our empire's tapestry."
"We thank you, your majesty."
Kaizer, Euric, and Casimin stepped back and faced the pope who walked towards them.
"Esteemed members of our royal and noble realm, today is a day of profound significance as we witness the ascension of new patriarchs to guide the empire's four pillar noble houses. In the spirit of unity and divine providence, I, as the pope of the Almighty, bestow upon Karsten, Del Viltaria, and Shradinza the blessings of wisdom, compassion, and steadfast leadership."
"May the Divine Light illuminate your path as you take up the mantle of..."
Kaizer looked at his cousin's holy facade and couldn't help but feel disgusted so he turned his head to look at his lover, raising his chin proudly.
Euric who saw Kaizer's movement feels helpless.
Casimin on the other wanted to beat his friend.
Witnessing Kaizer's childish behavior, Eugene remained silent, his gaze steady. There was a subtle warning in his eyes, signaling to Kaizer to exercise restraint and not act impulsively.
Meanwhile, Eunice clutched her brother Eugene's clothes, a smile gracing her face as she observed her elder brother Euric, who had ascended to the position of Marquis. This time, she paid no heed to her father and mother, finally accepting whatever was transpiring. She held the belief that their parents must have committed a crime, leading to their imprisonment.
Soon, the ceremony was done and after signing the documents, Kaizer walked towards Eugene and hugged his beloved tightly.
"Already a grand duke, my beloved future grand duchess."
Eugene's lip twitched.
"So happy?"
"Of course. After all, you'll finally have a high position. Even if you have no place for the two households, you still have the grand dukedom as your home."
"Hmmm"
Eugene raised his gaze and saw his parents being escorted away.
"You go first, I have something to do."
Kaizer frowns, "Where are you going?"
Eugene offered a brief explanation to Kaizer before releasing himself from the embrace. Kaizer could only watch with a somber expression as Eugene walked away. In response, Kaizer summoned his shadow to keep a vigilant eye on his lover.
Kaizer left the palace and encountered his cousin Yitiach, who strolled over to greet him.
"What's with that face? Got rejected?" Yitiach teased.
Kaizer's icy gaze flickered towards his cousin, causing Bishop Veroncio to shiver. He leaned in to whisper to the pope, urging him not to anger the grand duke. Despite sensing a familiarity between the two, Kaizer's overwhelming aura, akin to facing an enemy, left him nervous and fearful that the pope might incur the grand duke's wrath.
"Don't look at me like that. You're my favorite cousin, I'm just concerned."
Bishop Veroncio's eyes widen.
Cousin?
The pope and the grand duke are actually cousins?!
"I'm not in the mood to play words with you."
Yitiach smiled softly, "What's wrong? Come, tell your cousin, I'll help you."
Kaizer, unfazed, let out a disdainful "Tsk" before walking past.
Yitiach, witnessing his grumpy cousin's reaction, simply shrugged, feeling resigned to Kaizer's inability to tolerate words.
"Y-Your eminence, the g-grand duke is your c-cousin?!" Bishop Veroncio stammered, his panic evident as he glanced around nervously.
"What's the matter?" Yitiach inquired.
"Isn't the Dela Vallier family wiped out by the former grand duke? How can you be cousins? N-No, wait, are you a Dela Vallier?!" the bishop questioned, his tone fraught with anxiety.
Yitiach chuckled, "You seem quite horrified."
"Do you realize, your eminence, how detrimental it is if the people discover that the pope and the grand duke are cousins?! The grand dukedom is considered an enemy of the church!"
"Who declared that?" Yitiach responded with a cold edge. "My uncle's infamous actions were judged by the church, but that doesn't mean I will face the same judgment as the pope."
Bishop Veroncio's eyes widened as realization struck him.
The pope is not pure, yet he dares to judge the saint for being impure. He feels so helpless, doubting the heavens. A sense of helplessness and doubt filled his heart, and he found himself questioning the true purpose of the church.
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