120.
The only option left was to take action directly. However, Ahmed wasn’t prepared to face the consequences of committing such an act himself. The moment he failed, he would be blamed for the crime and meet a miserable end.
“It’s over now.”
Ahmed squeezed his eyes shut. His mother had suggested waiting for a later opportunity, but he knew that was nearly impossible. So now, all that remained was to wither away slowly.
While Lucid’s mansion was enormous, the imperial palace was even more so. As the residence of the emperor of a powerful empire, its scale and splendor were impressive. It was almost dizzying to look at, but Yu Jin couldn’t show such a reaction. He followed the imperial knight with the most composed expression he could manage. The knight guided Yu Jin to a large door.
“From here on, you must go alone.”
Along the long, wide corridor, knights stood at regular intervals, vigilantly guarding the surroundings. They wouldn’t normally guard so intensively, so this must have been a special arrangement for today. This was the emperor’s consideration for Yu Jin.
Yu Jin walked alone down the corridor and stood before another door. This second door was larger and more ornate than the first. It seemed too heavy for one person to open, but that worry was unnecessary. The knights standing by the door opened it for him.
As he entered through the open door, Yu Jin saw the emperor sitting on a high platform at the end of a red velvet path. On either side were several people, most with familiar faces. They were those holding the rank of viscount or higher in the empire, who would also serve as witnesses for Yu Jin’s upcoming title certification ceremony.
“Welcome.”
The emperor came down from the platform to greet Yu Jin. Yu Jin had heard that Ruhan maintained a close relationship with the emperor, but even considering that, the favor shown to Yu Jin was remarkable.
“Was your journey comfortable?”
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration, it was comfortable.”
“Is that so? I’m glad then. Well, since it’s time, let’s begin the ceremony right away.”
As soon as the emperor’s words fell, the attitude of those waiting changed. Everyone put on solemn expressions and fixed their gazes on Yu Jin. The emperor was no exception. The casual demeanor he had shown until now was nowhere to be seen.
“Today, in this place, we shall confirm the qualification of the head of Lucid.”
Yu Jin naturally knelt down and bowed his head.
“Yu Jin El Lucid. Will you be loyal to the empire?”
“I will be loyal.”
Then a cold metal touched his left shoulder and lifted. It was Morden, the sword said to have been used by the first emperor.
“Will you not shy away from difficult tasks for the prosperity of the empire?”
“I will not shy away from anything for the empire.”
“Lastly, will you strive to protect the empire?”
“I will strive.”
“I understand your intention. Yu Jin El Lucid. From this moment on, you are the head of the Lucid family. I acknowledge this in the name of the emperor, and will not accept any objections.”
“I am grateful for your grace.”
“You’re welcome.”
The certification process didn’t take as long as expected, which also reflected the emperor’s consideration. Yu Jin had heard that if the person conferring the title disliked the recipient or didn’t want to give the title, they would make them sit all day or ask malicious questions. As the emperor’s acknowledgment fell, the witnesses applauded lightly and offered words of congratulation.
“Congratulations on becoming the head of Lucid.”
“We look forward to your future accomplishments.”
Most offered words close to goodwill, but not all. Due to the emperor’s presence, they couldn’t openly express dissatisfaction, but their gazes were not friendly. Among them was the duke, Lyunne’s father.
‘How unpleasant.’
Originally, it should have been Yu Jin, not him, sending such gazes. Lyunne had allied with Leviathan for her own greed and had brainwashed Jinhyeon. How much had Yu Jin suffered because of that? Yet knowing this, the duke was still harboring hatred towards Yu Jin. As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water. It seemed he wanted to deflect blame for his daughter’s wrongdoing onto others.
Yu Jin smiled brightly at the duke and gracefully bowed to the emperor.
“Then I shall take my leave now.”
“It must be a busy time for you. Still, do come visit the imperial palace occasionally.”
“Of course.”
Leaving behind the emperor who showed favor until the end, Yu Jin stepped outside. As he retraced his steps back to the first door, he saw someone waiting for him.
“Was there any trouble?”
Yu Jin nodded at Jinhyeon’s question.
“None at all.”
As he said this and stepped forward, something suddenly dropped from the air. It turned out to be several people wrapped in dark-colored clothes. They bowed deeply to Yu Jin and then vanished again. They were Lucid’s shadows.
Now that Yu Jin had officially become the family head, they had attached themselves to him. The shadows weren’t the only allies that had increased. Upon returning to the mansion, all the knights gathered, bowed respectfully, and struck the ground with their swords.
Thud!
The strike was so powerful that the vibration could be felt through the ground. Then, a resounding voice filled the space and spread out.
“We greet the family head!”
Back in his wayward days, Yu Jin had once heard someone chattering at a banquet.
‘Who has the strongest knight order in the empire?’
‘Of course, it’s the imperial palace’s knight order. Their selection criteria are exceptional.’
‘No, I think the Lucid family’s knights are the strongest. They only recruit the best. Though fewer in number than the imperial knights, I heard they receive more support.’
‘What about the duke’s family with that beautiful youngest daughter?’
‘They’re strong too, but can’t surpass the imperial palace or Lucid.’
‘Is that so?’
‘That’s right.’
What had Yu Jin, nodding off drunk at the time, thought then? He seemed to have felt miserable hearing people praise his family. Although it was praise for the family he belonged to, he couldn’t be purely happy about it. He had been driven out of the mansion and was in the process of falling apart. Back then, he couldn’t have imagined a day like this would come.
‘But now…’
Yu Jin’s body trembled slightly at the sound of the knights striking the ground again in unison. It wasn’t out of fear. The only emotion he felt now was joy. The boy who had been hated by his family and fled the mansion had returned as an adult and taken control of the family. Now the family’s sword would strike down enemies at Yu Jin’s command.
“Congratulations on becoming the family head.”
The knight commander came forward and knelt before Yu Jin. Then the head butler approached and handed Yu Jin a sword. Like the imperial palace, Lucid also had a ceremonial sword. Yu Jin grasped it and lifted it. Holding the weighty sword, he lightly touched it to the commander’s shoulder and then removed it. The commanders then placed their clenched fists on their chests.
“We swear loyalty to the family head.”
“We swear loyalty!”
With this, Yu Jin became the full-fledged head of Lucid. Having gained control of the shadows and the knight order, those who would recklessly challenge him would now disappear.
“Congratulations on becoming the family head.”
Maina, who had been standing aside, approached and offered her congratulations to Yu Jin. Then Roena, standing beside her, also spoke.
“Prosperity to the family. Congratulations on becoming the family head.”
The two had already changed their stance earlier. They sought to somehow be forgiven for their past actions against Yu Jin and live peacefully. For this reason, Maina and Roena had come out early and waited for Yu Jin along with the knights who were already on standby. In contrast, Azeth and Ahmed were not present.
‘But that doesn’t matter.’
Yu Jin had learned belatedly that Ruhan was in the process of divorcing Azeth before his death. It had almost reached its conclusion, and the divorce would be finalized with just the permission of Yu Jin, the new family head.
Once the divorce was confirmed, Azeth would have to return to her original family. Since Ruhan had transferred custody of the children to Azeth, Ahmed would also no longer be a member of the Lucid family. Although Azeth’s original family was also a fairly large noble house, it couldn’t compare to Lucid.
‘Moreover, the current head of that family is someone who would do anything for profit.’
Azeth’s older brother, who was also the family head, had chosen the family over his sister. This meant he had agreed to suppress Azeth in exchange for compensation from Lucid. In a way, Azeth also had a tragic fate, but Yu Jin felt no sympathy. He had endured too much at her hands.
“Don’t you need to take revenge?”
Later, when Jinhyeon learned about this, he asked Yu Jin that question. How had Yu Jin answered then?
“This is revenge.”
Azeth was a greedy woman who would constantly blame herself for what she had lost. Ahmed, who took after his mother, would not easily escape his torment either. So, taking Lucid away from them was Yu Jin’s revenge.
“You’re unnecessarily kind.”
Although Jinhyeon grumbled, he supported Yu Jin’s decision.
“But if they try any foolish moves, I won’t let it slide.”
“Do as you wish.”
If they tried any more foolish moves here, Yu Jin wouldn’t mind even if Jinhyeon split the two into star shapes. Yu Jin had now adapted quite well to this world.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
