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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Covenant
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Even in the dimly lit room, Lucius stood out, wearing a pair of black sunglasses.
It was strange, considering he was dressed in black from head to toe, an attire that should have made him inconspicuous.
His towering height was likely one reason.
“You’re right on time.”
“Yes. I woke up early. But, Your Grace.”
“What is it?”
“...Is that human blood?”
“Human blood?”
Lumina gestured with her eyes toward the symbol that looked as if it had been drawn in blood.
It was the kind of thing that could instantly turn one’s life into a horror story, making it impossible to ignore.
“It’s paint.”
“But it’s so red.”
Was he saying it was dye because he thought she would run away if she knew it was blood?
I found myself asking again, my eyes filled with suspicion.
“Red stands out. I chose it so it would be visible in the dark.”
“What in the world is that?”
“A magic circle based on ancient magic.”
“Ancient magic? Wow.”
Wasn’t ancient magic supposed to be extinct? Besides, it was illegal.
In an empire where magitech had flourished, ancient magic was treated as a wicked power. Some scholars even claimed it was primitive.
And in the modern era, the magic that carried on the legacy of ancient magic was called black magic.
That, too, was illegal.
On the surface, Lumina gazed at Lucius with sparkling eyes, like a child who knew nothing.
But inwardly, her thoughts were far from pure.
*Are we all going to end up holding hands on our way to prison?*
“The previous Duke Heart was quite interested in that area. Thanks to him, the ceremony should proceed smoothly.”
A subtle hint of displeasure tinged his voice when he mentioned the previous duke.
It was just like when Karayan mentioned Lucius.
But since he only mentioned the previous duke briefly, I couldn't be certain.
Today, Lumina was scheduled to form a covenant with Karayan.
While a covenant ceremony might sound like a simplified wedding to most, Lumina’s case was a little different.
For one, this wasn't a marriage for the benefit of their families, nor was it born of love between a man and a woman.
Therefore, while they would be a married couple on paper after today, the reality was quite different.
“Given your unique nature, we will conduct the covenant ceremony in a rather unusual way.”
“A covenant ceremony…”
“It’s a vow made through words. A contract that binds soul to soul. And in the process, we will need your blood.”
“My… my blood?”
It sounded like he was about to drain every last drop of blood from her body.
“Don’t worry. You won’t die.”
*I might not die, but I’ll probably come close!*
Recalling her conversation with Lucius, Lumina glanced at the magic circle.
This lighting, this temperature, this humidity.
All of it felt like a warning that the next magic circle would be drawn with her blood.
As I tried to shake off the ominous feeling, I sensed a presence.
Turning her head, Lumina saw a boy who had just opened the door and entered.
It was Karayan.
*I thought he might not even show up.*
Karayan disliked Princess Arabelle, but he hated his father, Lucius, even more.
Furthermore, since he considered Lumina a mere pawn of his father, it was obvious that his personality would compel him to run away.
But Karayan hadn't run. He merely wore a displeased expression.
“Your Grace, please perform a final check on the chalice.”
“Very well.”
Lucius and Olivia moved away for a moment to handle the final preparations.
Just then, Karayan came to stand beside Lumina.
“Do you like me?”
“...Pardon?”
It was only human nature to want to say ‘no’ when someone abruptly asked if you liked them.
But they were going to be seeing a lot of each other. The generous Lumina decided to be magnanimous.
“Yes, I do!”
Lumina said with a bright smile.
Instantly, Karayan’s face flushed red.
*Whoosh—*
He quickly turned his head away.
But it was pointless, as his neck and ears had turned completely red.
“How can you so casually say you like me after we’ve only met a few times?”
Karayan muttered, half-covering his face with his hand.
“I heard you went to him on your own because you like me. That you begged to be of help to me as soon as your power awakened as a Legion.”
“...?”
“I get that you like me, but how could you just agree to a marriage proposal out of the blue? I’m satisfied since I don’t have to face the princess anymore, but it’s different for you.”
Aha.
Lumina understood how Lucius had coaxed his son.
Lucius hadn't introduced Lumina as his cunning partner, but had instead framed her as an innocent little lamb being used.
“Are you okay with this? It’s worse than a political marriage, and we’ll just get divorced when we become adults.”
“Yes!”
*Because I’ll be getting a huge alimony payment!*
“You’re going to get scammed if you meet the wrong guy.”
“You’re not the wrong guy, Young Master. I know you won’t scam me.”
In reality, it was Lumina and Lucius who were deceiving Karayan.
He seemed to believe this situation was just a slightly unusual wedding.
“Didn’t you rush over just now because you were worried about me?”
“W-Worried? What are you talking about?!”
As Lumina stealthily closed the distance between them, Karayan looked as if he was about to jump out of his skin.
“I told you, didn’t I? Don’t get involved. Aren’t you scared of him?”
“Hmm. Not really?”
“You might not know because you’re fearless, but he could kill you with just a little bit of force. The same goes for me.”
Karayan lowered his voice menacingly, as if to issue a warning.
But Lumina replied as if she didn't care.
“People who truly intend to kill you don’t say things like that. They hide a knife behind their back and pretend to be a good person.”
“...”
“So, I don’t believe it when someone openly says they’re a scary person.”
Karayan stared at Lumina, his expression unable to hide his bewilderment.
“Young Lady, Young Master. Please come this way.”
The preparations for the ceremony were complete.
Lumina and Karayan stood on the ancient magic circle.
On the altar before them rested a golden cup called the ‘Holy Grail.’
“This will sting a little.”
Lucius pricked Lumina’s finger with a needle, while Olivia did the same to Karayan.
Small beads of blood formed, and as instructed, Lumina and Karayan each let a drop fall into the grail.
Then, they spoke.
“I, Lumina Lanshuss, swear to become a mirror reflecting soul to soul, and to gaze upon you and only you.”
“I, Karayan von Heart, swear from this moment our hearts are bound, to follow you and only you.”
As they recited the memorized lines in order, a faint light emanated from the grail.
A moment later, Lucius reached into the grail and pulled out two red jewels.
“Olivia.”
“Yes.”
Olivia took one of the jewels and attached it to a chain she had prepared. Then, she placed it around Lumina’s neck.
“We’ve prepared a custom accessory for the Young Master.”
Karayan’s jewel looked identical to Lumina’s. However, the accessory for him was a piercing.
“Why do I have to wear this?”
“The marriage is only official if you wear this. Surely you don’t intend to cast off your bride right after the ceremony?!”
Olivia exclaimed in exaggerated shock.
“If the Young Master doesn’t wear this, a rumor will spread through high society that the Young Lady has been cast aside…”
“Give it here.”
Karayan snatched the piercing away as if seizing it.
Then, he carelessly pierced his unpierced ear cartilage.
Even for a Legion, having his flesh pierced without any preparation seemed to hurt.
He winced slightly.
Now, the contract between Lumina and Lucius was no longer just words.
It had gained a certain coercive power.
Lumina recalled the conversation she’d had with Lucius after being swayed by the large sum of money.
“By the way, what’s the reason for holding a covenant ceremony?”
“Karayan often goes out, you see. It’s always a chore to find him. There was even a time he went berserk and devastated an entire area.”
“That must have been a huge problem.”
“Fortunately, there were no people nearby. But I can’t guarantee such luck will last forever.”
Lucius’s voice had dropped low as he said this, though he quickly erased the dark expression from his face.
“From now on, you will be the first one he can find whenever he needs you.”
Mulling over that conversation, Lumina fiddled with her necklace.
Karayan was the one with the pierced ear, but Lumina felt as though she was the one who had been completely ensnared.
***
Lumina became the daughter-in-law of the Ducal House of Heart overnight. However, she decided to return home that same day.
She planned to stay at her house until Endymion left for the academy.
*Knowing the Duke, he’ll probably handle all the paperwork and bring me back within a week at most.*
So, once she returned after this visit, she wouldn't be going to the Lanshuss estate for a while.
“I’ll assign you an escort, as I’m concerned the princess might try to seek you out on her own.”
Lucius gestured with his head.
Contrary to his mountain-like build, Ash approached Lumina hesitantly.
“Ash Munez.”
“Yes! It’s nice to meet you!”
Ash Munez.
The moment she heard the name, Lumina’s eyes sparkled.
“I am merely an escort, so please speak comfortably.”
“Okay, I will.”
Ash kept glancing at Olivia, who was standing behind him. Each time he did, Olivia would glare at him.
Pretending not to notice, Lumina said her goodbyes to Lucius. Karayan did not come to see her off.
Not particularly disappointed, Lumina scanned her surroundings before pretending to have just noticed Olivia.
She then trotted over to her and gave her a tight hug.
“I’ll miss you the most when I go home, Olivia. So you can’t forget me. Okay?”
“You’ll be back soon, Young Lady. How could I possibly forget you?”
“But you’re a busy person, Olivia. I feel like you’ll forget a girl like me in no time.”
Lumina muttered in a tearful voice.
“You can’t pretend you don’t know me when I come back. Promise?”
“Yes, of course.”
The corners of Olivia’s mouth kept twitching upwards.
It seemed she was trying her best to maintain a poker face, but her emotions were showing through.
“I could never forget someone as lovely as you, Young Lady, even if I only saw you in passing.”
Although it had been a short time, they had grown close as Olivia had been supporting and attending to her.
They had also chatted frequently.
So, it wasn't particularly strange for Lumina to hold a special affection for Olivia.
“Don’t skip your meals, and make sure to eat your snacks. And since I’m still worried, absolutely no running!”
Olivia urged her earnestly.
Lumina nodded and boarded the waiting carriage.
Soon, the carriage departed.
As if she had never been on the verge of tears, Lumina’s expression was calm.
*Why didn’t I recognize her right away?*
Olivia.
After observing her carefully because she seemed suspicious, I finally realized who she was.
The reason I hadn’t realized it just from her name wasn't only because she had introduced herself as an ordinary maid.
By the time Lumina reached adulthood, she was already dead.
*And in the future, she was a figure people were reluctant to mention.*
Her full name, Olivia Munez.
An ordinary human, not a Legion, and Lucius’s trusted right hand, his capable adjutant.
The mother of Ash Munez, the youngest Sword Master among ordinary humans.
And…
“A traitor.”
She was the infamous traitor who betrayed Lucius.
