TMKWPL CH 23

Chapter 23

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Chaotic Entrance Ceremony (1)

It was finally the day of the entrance ceremony for the Eldarion Academy’s affiliated kindergarten.

Sitting in the moving carriage, Lucia felt a headache coming on. The nagging of her knights, who had followed her around all morning chattering nonstop, still rang in her ears.

“Commander. It’s not that we’re ashamed of the Black Knights. It’s just that our public image and a kindergarten are complete opposites, you know?”

“Captain! Nia needs to have a normal school life. Not long ago, the civilian newsletters were in an uproar because the Black Knights supposedly swept through a poor slum alley...!”

“Why can't she say it?”

“Heath!!”

“Heath!!”

“...”

In short, they were telling her not to reveal that she was the Commander of the Black Knights.

Setting aside the fact that she couldn't deny the truth, Lucia knew all too well that she was  terrible at lying. She wondered why those who weren't this fussy in her previous life had changed so much after her regression.

Even though quite some time had passed since she got into the carriage, their shouts still seemed to echo in her ears. She rubbed her throbbing temple with her fingers. Nia looked at her mother worriedly.

“Does it hurt? Here, here... is it not all better yet? Hm?”

“I’m fine. But Nia, let me tell you one more time. You must never use cotton candy.”

“Yeees~!”

Cotton candy was the code word they had agreed upon for divine power. After being discovered by Mia, Lucia’s wariness grew, and she decided not to even teach the child the word divine power. Nia was still just a child, if she learned about being a saintess now, she might react unintentionally if the topic ever came up.

Once the control stone was finished and made into jewellery, Nia wouldn't be able to use her power physically anyway.

“We have arrived.”

When the coachman opened the door, the view of the plaza came into sight. A crisp autumn day under a blue sky. As expected of a large-scale entrance ceremony, the plaza was filled with countless colourful balloons fluttering in the wind like a festival.

Stepping inside the building, the animal-shaped stained glass windows cast colourful reflections on the floor. Many children, held by their parents' hands, were looking at it with curious expressions. When she had come for the interview, she had been too focused on Nia to notice, but the interior was indeed decorated with enough whimsy to pique a child’s interest.

As she walked with Nia, Lucia caught a glimpse of their reflection in the marble.

Is it just my imagination, or is there more lace every time…?

She had good instincts, but she lacked social awareness. It wasn't her imagination, she was being thoroughly trained by her subordinates.

She wore a soft, light-blue fluffy blouse with a skirt full of inner lace and a pink ribbon decorating her neck. Nia wore a light-blue dress of the same material with pink shoes, an undeniably coordinated, lovely mother-and-daughter set. The outfit had originally been plain, but the increasing puff of lace made it seem as if the clothes were evolving.

At this rate, will we finally evolve into a fat bird and a fat baby chick?

Arriving at a small hall. The space decorated with autumn cosmos flowers and light purple ribbons. In the centre, various colourful desserts from Gilliana’s family were neatly lined up.

Interestingly, as they had been informed, the children were not wearing uniforms. It felt more like a banquet hall, where people held drinks and moved around freely to chat. It was unlike a typical entrance ceremony, but since this kindergarten existed to connect newly risen nobles, the atmosphere felt natural.

However, in social parties, no one truly comes just to socialize. Lucia could not escape the gazes that poured in every time someone entered. A group of ladies, already gathered somewhere, began to whisper toward Lucia for some reason.

But Lucia, who had received such looks almost her entire life, didn't pay them any mind. Holding Nia’s hand, she headed toward the table marked with her child’s name. On the small chair where Nia would sit, there was a small gift basket. It contained chick-themed stationery, a notebook, a handkerchief, a memo pad, and a cup—all cute items designed to catch a child's interest.

As expected, Nia gazed at it an ecstatic expression, but she was waving her hands in the air as if the items were too precious to even touch.

“Just to be clear, that’s yours. What did I say about your things?”

“...It’s Nia’s. So I have to take good care of it...!”

“That’s right. Don’t forget. Ever.”

Lucia was very satisfied. She had made Nia memorise this because she couldn't risk another disastrous incident like the one at the boutique where she was mistaken for an abusive parent. She had learned that simple methods worked best.

“I wish Big Sister Mia could have come too...”

“Mia will feel more comfortable where she is. Let’s go see her after she get used to things here.”

Nia nodded. A few days ago, Mia had started living at the Imperial Palace as a trainee maid. Given that Mia accepted the job, Lucia figured she intended to keep her secret. Lucia was relieved that Mia was satisfied with the recommended position.

“Oh, hello. I am Mera from the Barony of Literin. If you don't mind, may we sit at your table?”

“I am Serdin from the Barony of Poppin. May I sit as well?”

Two women approached the table and introduced themselves. They seemed different from the old nobility who wouldn't greet someone without knowing their family name; these were clearly New Nobles.

But, Lucia felt awkward. She was only here for her child's entrance ceremony. She hadn't been to a party since her coming-of-age ceremony, and she had no memory of exchanging polite greetings with noble ladies. Moreover, she had to hide the fact that she was the Black Knight Commander. She felt more comfortable infiltrating a venue and eavesdropping on gossip from the shadows.

Still, she had a way to avoid all of this.

“Nice to meet you. I am Lucia. You may sit.”

She simply doesn’t have to say her last name. Since severing ties with the Count’s family, she had never attached a surname to her introduction. Unless someone was intentionally trying to investigate her, none of these New Nobles, who had only recently become imperial citizens, would recognize the face of the “Black Monster” who had been away for five years of training and war.

And the ladies who focused on domestic affairs certainly wouldn't know the name of that terrifying Commander.

So, to them, her introduction sounded like: I'm a commoner without a surname, do you still want to sit?

She expected them to excuse themselves and leave, so she didn’t even look at them. But then…

“Oh my, you haven't received a surname yet! We were like that until just recently. I’m so glad ours was decided before the entrance ceremony!”

“Hoho, same for us. They said our first choice was a duplicate, but my husband insisted! He was so stubborn about using our hometown's name. Oh, don't even get me started.”

“But Miss Lucia, where did you move from? The North? I knew it, I knew it! Your calm aura is exactly like people from that region!”

“Oh, my husband is from the North too, I guess that aura is a real thing. He’s over there, take a look.”

Their non-stop chatter made Lucia’s head spin. Thinking back, since they were New Nobles recently absorbed into the Empire, this was the time they were applying for and receiving new titles and names. Thanks to them, the atmosphere was lively rather than uncomfortable, but their self-contained Q&A session was constructing a profile for Lucia that she hadn't even agreed to.

“Oh, but actually, I saw you in the waiting room. I remembered because a child with black hair is rare, and she was so brave. Hoho.”

“That’s right. I was there too. But I don't think I saw your husband then either. Is he very busy? Hohoho.”

Indeed, these were the very women who had unknowingly given timid Nia courage and motivation. They looked at Nia with curious faces and smiled brightly.

“I don't have a husband.”

“Pardon?”

“What?”

The two ladies were startled simultaneously, covering their mouths and blinking. Finally, their chatter stopped, and as Lucia expected, they began to glance at each other. Eventually, they slowly began to stand up.

“...”

In noble society, a woman without a husband is rarely welcomed. Furthermore, since these women had sent their children here, they were undoubtedly looking to expand their high-level social network. Lucia, who seemingly didn't even have a recognized surname, offered no connection by any standard.

Lucia had anticipated they would leave from the start, but seeing their stiffened expressions, she couldn't help but feel a bit worried about how her child might be treated in the future.

Suddenly, Lucia was startled by a warm sensation on her shoulders. Someone had placed their hands on both of her shoulders.

“I knew it. I had a hunch the moment you walked in... You must have lost him to war. It must have been so difficult for you.”

“We would like to comfort you, at least since we survived thanks to sacrifices like his. But we don’t know what kind of comfort would suit you, Madam.”

Lucia was speechless at the melancholy energy radiating from both sides. It was true she went to war, and it was true it was difficult. And the fact that these immigrants were alive was likely due to Lucia’s contribution in clearing the path.

So, she could only say one thing.

“...Yes.”

Lucia found herself in a situation that kept drifting further from her expectations. She was strangely guilty, but when their children came over to greet Nia, the situation escalated beyond her control.

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Lucia was at a loss. Women were stealing glances at her and wiping away tears. Men were sending her looks of profound respect. Thanks to the two talkative ladies from earlier, the stories about her was inflating rapidly throughout the party hall.

To put it simply: she was being framed as a courageous mother who, while mourning her war-hero husband, did not give in to her circumstances and sent her daughter to a prestigious kindergarten at a young age.

Completely regardless of her will, the Black Monster was becoming the Empire’s greatest Virtuous Mother and Wise Wife. If the truth behind this gap were ever revealed, she couldn't imagine what would happen...

Should I tell them it’s not like that now?

But no one was asking. And she couldn't exactly shout into the air, that she was an unwed mother who conceived her child in a stable.

She desperately hoped someone would appear to break the momentum of this rumour.

“Mommy, are you okay?”

“...No. I’m not okay...”

She was so desperate to leave that she was honest even with her child.

But then, as if heaven had finally sided with her. The buzzing stopped, and the air suddenly cleared. Someone had arrived and just like everyone else, she turned her head toward that light.

The people who recognized him began to let out gasps of admiration and flocked toward him as if entranced.

...Wait, did he have a kid?

No matter how closely she looked, it was Leon Luwins. And he was holding a child’s hand.

That child is definitely...

She couldn't fail to recognize him. It was Berl’s nephew, Cézar. The boy she had seen at the boutique not long ago. Cézar, holding Leon’s hand, looked like he might explode at any moment, his face turning bright red under the gaze of the crowded hall.

The unicorn of high society. Flustered by the appearance of such a high-tier figure, noble couples moved to get closer to him.

“Cézar!!”

A familiar, boisterous voice rang out from behind them.

“Huh? Who is this big brother?”

The direct and fearless Ivonne arrived and immediately pointed at Leon. The couple following Ivonne, likely her parents, tried to scold her but fell silent upon seeing Leon.

“Well... uncle couldn't come, so Lord Leon Lewins came instead.”

Cézar answered after bowing politely to Ivonne’s parents.

“Leon? The White Mage that Cézar always pretends to be when we play Knights?”

“Y-Yeah.”

Cézar turned red again, looking embarrassed.

“I am Ivonne Berna of the Barony of Berna. Nice to meet you!”

“Nice to meet you, little lady. I am Leon Lewins, Commander of the White Mage Corps. Please take good care of Cézar.”

When he patted Cézar’s head with his trademark dazzling smile, both Cézar and Ivonne  brightened, seemingly basking in his warmth.

“...Wow. Big Brother, you're an angel.”

Ivonne cupped her face with her hands and stared up at Leon endlessly. Looking at Ivonne’s unfamiliar behaviour, Lucia had no doubt she was witnessing the exact moment someone falls in love.

On the other hand, she breathed a sigh of relief that his appearance had stopped her own misunderstanding from spreading further.

...I guess Commander Leon is useful for something after all.

Chapter 22

Chapter List

Chapter 24