I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 135

Chapter 15: The Heir Ceremony

As the hour and minute hands pointed precisely at the center of the clock, a grand echo resonated within Morpheo Hall.

Guests began to gather one by one, guided to their seats through the side doors, eager to witness the succession ceremony.

The small railing surrounding the area distinguished it from the shrouded central space, almost as if to say, “You shall not cross here.”

“It truly is a heavy place.”

In this solemn atmosphere where even a breath seemed excessive, an elderly voice quietly spoke.

Those nearby, realizing it wasn’t his first visit, turned their attention and began firing questions.

“Have you been to Morpheo Hall before, Lord Bospen?”

“Indeed. I witnessed the current head, His Majesty, inherit the position here, but it hasn’t changed much since then.”

While a succession ceremony is always solemn, the Robeheim family is known for its particularly thorough and grave process.

“That just goes to show how significant that seat is. If there’s a throne worthy of comparison, it’s probably that one.”

“I agree.”

Even though they dared to compare it to the position of the emperor, no one stepped forward to deny or challenge that statement.

Some looked slightly pale, but even they nodded in agreement.

Indeed, the Robeheim family was renowned for being esteemed nobles, known for their weighty presence.

Usually, the mightier a family, the more they wield power, but regarding the Robeheim family, they remained quite meticulous.

In other words, they excelled at distinguishing when to wield their influence and when to refrain, thus minimizing the number of enemies they made.

Of course, they couldn’t be a family without any enemies.

“Oh dear. It seems it’s about to begin. We should start to quiet down.”

“It’s a pity. I wanted to hear more of the past stories.”

As Bospen shared tales from the previous head’s time, a dim light in the center brightened, signaling the start of the heir ceremony.

Whoosh.

As the light spread rapidly, a woman emerged onto the red carpet laid in the center.

On either side of her path stood ten yellow, blue, and red candles, each shimmering.

The meanings behind each flame were as follows:

Yellow flame represented birth.

Blue flame signified life’s journey.

Red flame marked the end of life reached at last.

Walking this path, she would reflect on her own footprints thus far and transform into a new being through the succession ceremony.

Clip-clop. Clip-clop.

Not too fast, nor too slow.

Ariel took steady steps, contemplating each meaning embodied in the candles.

At the end awaited Yulken, seated in a decorative red chair, ready to pass the position to her.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hmm.”

As Ariel approached closely, Yulken rose from his seat.

At that moment, a woman nearby called to him in a soft voice, revealing a small item she had clasped in both hands.

After confirming it, Yulken turned back to Ariel, taking a step closer and extending his hand.

Though it was an unexpected gesture during the heir ceremony, it was a small courtesy to encourage his daughter who would soon take on heavy responsibilities as the head.

“Ah….”

Ariel gasped softly, reaching out her delicate hand to grasp her father’s roughened one, and then bowed her waist in respect.

With a satisfied smile and a nod, Yulken returned to his serious demeanor and addressed her.

“Ariel Robeheim, you will now transform into the master of the Grand Duchy from this moment forth.”

“Yes.”

“However, let me ask you one thing. Do you truly have the courage to accept the responsibilities of the Grand Duchy and carry on the achievements of your predecessors?”

While the position of master of the Grand Duchy might seem like a dazzling seat surrounded by jewels and silks, it was far from simple.

Especially for a long-established family, the responsibilities inherited by the next generation were incredibly burdensome.

It wasn’t merely a matter of carrying on duties.

It was crucial to ensure that the legacy of their ancestors remained intact and that what had been built up was not dismantled.

Yet perhaps even harder was the acceptance of burdens placed upon them—sometimes even crimes they did not commit.

The Robeheim family was no peaceful lineage in the long history of the empire.

They had lived through wars in every era, occasionally facing hostility from surrounding nobles, and sometimes needing to eliminate them. With many allies came many enemies as well.

Thus, carrying all their history meant bearing their sins and burdens too.

There were times when they could be stabbed in the back by unknown enemies, or find themselves exposed to a barrage of arrows without warning.

It was an incredibly tough path for a girl who had just come of age.

Still, Ariel nodded confidently, her gaze steadfast.

“Of course.”

“…Is that so? You have good eyes.”

It was not merely because she was his daughter; Yulken genuinely acknowledged the resolute will reflected in Ariel’s eyes and praised her.

He signaled to the woman standing beside him, who then retrieved something from her somewhat worn box.

It appeared to be a glass-like object or perhaps a shallow dish; the lid was closed, hiding its contents.

However, Ariel recognized that object immediately.

She was aware of how the succession ceremony was supposed to unfold.

‘They said it’s just a nameless wine.’

It was intriguing that something used in the heir ceremony of the Grand Duchy had no name, but this was a remark made by the first head, Elgrun.

Initially, he intended to give this drink a name to convey its meaning to future generations but then had a thought.

Names are a precious process of attributing meaning to objects, but conversely, it also means that deeper meanings are often hard to articulate.

That’s why he left it unnamed.

Simply to entrust its meaning to those who would taste it during the ceremony.

Someone might be reminded of blood and wounds from war upon seeing the red wine, reflecting on their ancestors’ achievements, while another might hope that the spirits of their forebears would dwell within it.

Just contemplating such things bestowed value, he thought, and thus he never named the wine.

“Drink in three portions.”

“Yes, Father.”

As the lid opened, a fragrant aroma of red wine wafted up to Ariel’s nose.

She humbly accepted it with both hands, gently closed her eyes, and took three separate sips as instructed by Yulken.

‘Three times.’

Ariel felt as though that number held even a slight significance.

After all, there were three types of candles lining the path she had just walked on.

Just as each represented a meaning of life, perhaps this too was similar.

‘Could it mean to empty her cup and refill it with something new?’

Of course, the true meaning of the wine remained a mystery known only to Elgrun himself.

Even though he left the interpretation to the heir, surely he had his own expected answer.

However, Ariel refused to delve into her thoughts any further.

If this was indeed what Elgrun desired, then interpreting the wine in her own way and acting upon it would also be the correct course of action.

Thus, with each sip, she drank as if emptying her soul.

Having lived as an ignorant girl until now, she would now fill it anew with responsibilities as the head.

Once she emptied the wine glass, she set it down and stepped back.

Swish.

At the same time, Yulken drew a sword from his waist, catching the light and gleaming sharply.

It was not the thicker sword he usually wielded in battle but rather a sharper, more elegant blade.

This was none other than a jewel that represented her position as the master of the Grand Duchy.

“…….”

Yulken brought the sword to rest just above his solar plexus, raising it high to the sky. As he did so, Ariel knelt on one knee and bowed her head.

“From this moment, I certify that you are the master of the Robeheim family. May fortune accompany your future as you stride forward without yielding to any adversity.”

As soon as Yulken’s words ended, Ariel rose and received the sword he offered with both hands.

Then, she infused it with the governing magical power that symbolized the Robeheim family, showing everyone gathered the red aura manifesting within.

As the sword seemed to ignite with flames, guests gasped softly, and only then did Ariel reclaim the sword she had raised.

Clip-clop. Clip-clop.

Her somewhat high-heeled footsteps echoed once more, and as Ariel exchanged places with Yulken, she took her final seat upon the red throne.

The sword she held was thrust forward, almost as if aiming at Yulken.

In response, Yulken bowed and respectfully paid his due.

This final step was in essence the announcement of the birth of a new master of the Grand Duchy to the world.

After the previous master stepped down, bowing as he transferred the seat, it proclaimed that the one who sat in it now was the true master.

As applause erupted around her, Ariel maintained the calmest demeanor possible.

Even if the ceremony could end here, something yet remained.

“You truly suit that seat well.”

“Indeed.”

Since it was forbidden for those outside to speak directly to those inside, guests exchanged remarks amongst themselves, casting envious glances at Ariel sitting in the red chair.

Just like Yulken, she too emanated an aura that commanded attention.

Perhaps that was the virtue and symbol a master of the Grand Duchy ought to possess.

Clap clap clap—

With direct congratulations deemed impossible, the guests welcomed the new master of the Grand Duchy with thunderous applause.

As the commotion began to swell and the applause gradually faded, Yulken quietly rose and vacated his seat.

A new guest stood waiting behind.

Whoosh.

The lighting around brightened further, and as the candles lining the carpet were extinguished simultaneously, the guests’ gazes shifted instantly.

They realized.

The succession ceremony was done, and a new phase would soon follow.

This was something the guests had anticipated even more than the ceremony itself.

“Finally, he will emerge.”

“Indeed. I wonder who it will be…”

Even though they hadn’t heard the name of the individual, they knew it was a tradition of the Robeheim family that a vow of subservience would be performed today.

Moreover, it essentially served as the event to designate the second in command among those who weren’t members of the Robeheim family.

Of course, not everyone, but those who had entered into a vow of loyalty with the previous heads had mostly served as the heads’ advisors or right hands.

“Do you have any expected candidates?”

“If I did, I wouldn’t be waiting so eagerly. I’m just curious.”

Compared to their predecessors, Ariel Robeheim was known for having less external connection, famously portraying a reserved demeanor.

As such, it raised questions as to whether she had a trusted aide to whom she would grant this vow of subservience, causing quite the stir when news broke out.

When this fact circulated through noble society, all sorts of speculation arose, yet no one could pinpoint an individual with certainty.

In other words, unless one was a member of the Robeheim family or closely associated with Ariel, they remained in the dark until it was revealed at this event.

As guests squirmed, unable to contain their curiosity, a figure appeared from the end of the dimly lit red carpet.

In that instant, the guests’ expressions turned to astonishment, and the fiery desire within Ariel’s crimson eyes burned bright.

‘Finally, this moment has come.’

Ariel felt a surge of joy and wanted nothing more than to leap up and greet him.

However, understanding the formality of the occasion, she restrained herself, awaiting his arrival with a composed posture while forcing a smile.

From this moment forth, everyone present would come to know.

That the man before her was someone untouchable, belonging solely to her.