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The Imperial Sanford Academy has a three─year curriculum.
Until just recently I was a first─year student, but next month I will become a second─year.
And then, one more year.
After spending that time in this place overflowing with the tedious and the incompetent, I will graduate.
Everyone will go on their own paths.
In my case, it will be to succeed the Aster Ducal House──
Yet I was troubled.
Compared to Mother, could someone as unrefined as I truly be worthy of becoming the head?
Of course, I have the aptitude.
After all, I am the son of that great Mother.
I have inherited her talent.
If I study well and train well, then surely one day I will become a worthy successor. To put it modestly… let’s say, worthy enough to make my name resound to the ends of the astral seas.
That confidence has never wavered.
As for what Mother will be doing at that time—naturally, she will only rise further in her quest for dominion over the world.
She will seize control of the Guynes Empire.
Or perhaps, remake the empire itself into the Aster Empire.
In any case, Mother is destined to stand at the very pinnacle of the world.
Both she and I are now laying the groundwork for that brilliant future—yet.
If I myself falter, then it is meaningless.
I, who should be supporting Mother’s path to supremacy, cannot afford to be weighed down by my own immaturity.
Still, my unease remains.
Not that I could ever cling to her and confess such weakness.
Mother surely wishes for my growth.
I must grow by my own strength.
Unless I overcome this wall, I will never gain the right to stand at her side.
Yet, even so.
It seems that even I sometimes long for someone who understands me.
──I am still weak.
It was when I was thinking this that—
「You seem rather troubled, Hein─sama」
The voice came suddenly. Unlike the rabble, when one of substance speaks, it carries clearly.
I turned my gaze, and sure enough, it was Esmeralda Ira Sarion.
「Oh? You can tell?」
Esmeralda’s eyes widened slightly, then immediately softened into a smile full of certainty.
「Yes. Because I am always watching you」
Her words carried a different weight than before.
It was not mere observation.
Something deeper, akin to empathy.
I considered for a moment.
This woman, too, bore the weight of a great house, the Sarion Ducal House.
Like me, she was a future heir.
And more than anything, this woman knows.
The sight of the star world I showed her that night.
The dream I carry within me.
If so, then perhaps.
Perhaps she might truly understand the weight pressing upon my chest.
「I have something I want to ask」
I kept my gaze fixed on the window as I spoke.
「Esmeralda, one day you will inherit the Sarion Dukedom. Do you ever feel burdened by that?」
For me, it was quite a bold question.
To show weakness to another is something I would never normally allow.
But I wanted to know.
The true nature of this pressure.
And the means to overcome it.
Esmeralda looked slightly startled at my question.
It was only natural.
Yet she soon steadied her gaze, her eyes turning serious as she slowly began to speak.
「Burdened, you ask…」
She paused for a breath, then chose her words carefully.
「Of course, I do. But it is different from before」
I see. How so?
「The old me thought only of protecting the name of Sarion. As the shield of the imperial capital, I believed it was my duty to preserve my house’s honor and peace」
Esmeralda straightened her back, her expression noble as she fixed her eyes on me.
In her gaze, it was as though I could see the same stars I had shown her that night.
「But when you revealed to me the vision of the star world, Hein─sama, I understood」
She placed her hand upon her chest and declared firmly.
「What we must protect is not merely the imperial capital, nor even the empire itself. It is this singular, irreplaceable, beautiful planet」
I see… not bad. But…
「Hein─sama’s future. A grand ideal of ending conflict and delaying this star’s destruction. To achieve it, you are prepared to wield immeasurable power」
Esmeralda’s voice carried a faint heat.
「That path will never be smooth. You may well find the entire world turned against you. That is why I feel the weight of it」
Esmeralda took a step closer to me.
「When you, the sharpest blade of all, are swung to pierce through that ideal, then I must become the strongest shield to protect you. To stand at your side, guarding you and the future of this star from every obstacle. That is now both my pride and my duty」
The instant I heard her words, something within me burst open.
──I see, so that is it!
My eyes widened.
This woman, Esmeralda Ira Sarion.
She, too, sees the same thing I see.
Esmeralda’s words.
On the surface, they sound like a declaration of solidarity, an offer to join my ideal.
But that’s not it.
Beneath those words lies something deeper, far more fervent.
『To protect the future of the stars. 』
『To become the strongest shield. 』
What does that truly mean?
One day, Mother will rule this star.
She will become empress and bring peace to this world.
The future I strive for is one where Mother reigns.
And at that time, she means to guard Mother against all who would oppose her.
That is the meaning of the “shield” she speaks of.
How admirably devoted….and how audaciously ambitious.
This woman has resolved to dedicate her entire being to Mother’s path of supremacy.
She intends to use her position as the daughter of House Sarion to serve Mother.
Through that incident in the astral realm, she has awakened to the truth.
That the most revered existence in this star is Mother, and that living for her sake is the purpose of all who dwell here.
Just like me.
I, too, am using my position as the heir of House Aster to serve Mother.
This woman is my comrade—
──and my rival.
But I am Mother’s foremost retainer.
The one standing by her side will be me.
That position is not one I will yield to anyone.
Not even to this Esmeralda.
A smile inadvertently escaped me.
How delightful.
Truly, how delightful.
To think someone so capable of rivaling my devotion existed so close by.
「Esmeralda.」
I rose to my feet. Remaining seated would have been discourteous.
「That resolve of yours is magnificent.」
I spoke those words with genuine praise.
「You are indeed worthy of being my fiancée.」
Esmeralda’s eyes widened.
No wonder.
This is the first time I have ever praised another so highly.
「But do not forget.」
I took a step forward, standing directly before her.
「As the next head of House Aster, I will not allow myself to be outdone.」
I declared it plainly.
「My resolve to dedicate myself to Mother surpasses even yours.」
「Eh…? Mother…? You mean Helga-sama?」
Esmeralda looked bewildered as she echoed my words.
Why act surprised now?
You understood it too, that day.
To protect this star is to protect Mother.
「Of course. There is only one person in this world to whom we should pledge our loyalty. Our Mother, Helga Ira Aster─sama」
At my words, Esmeralda’s expression grew even more bewildered.
「H─huh…? Well, yes, I suppose… For Hein─sama, that may be true, but… as for me, I simply… your ideal…」
Do not feign modesty.
I can clearly see the burning loyalty that dwells in your eyes.
To share in my ideal is the same as swearing fealty to Mother.
It is no different.
「Hmph, very well. See that you devote yourself to that loyalty」
Leaving those words behind, I sat back down.
Esmeralda still seemed as though she wanted to say more, but at length she let out a small breath, and then──
For some reason, she smiled with a terribly joyful expression.
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Hein Sera Aster is a man who interprets all things through the filter of “Mother”.
For him, the world revolves around her, and everything that happens exists for her sake.
His conversation with Esmeralda was no exception.
What Esmeralda had spoken of was her own resolve and determination in response to the grand vision Hein had set forth, the immense undertaking of protecting the star.
She had sympathized with his ideals and vowed to support him.
But to Hein’s ears, those words carried an entirely different meaning.
When Esmeralda spoke of the “future of the star”, it became, in his mind, “the future of the star Mother would one day rule”.
When she said she would “fulfill her duty”, it became “serve for Mother’s sake”.
He truly believed she had awakened, through her experience in the astral realm, to the same level of reverence for Helga that he himself held.
And so he recognized her as a rival, one with whom he would compete in the depth of loyalty.
Esmeralda, on the other hand, though confused by Hein’s words, did not feel displeased.
To her, Hein had always seemed like an insurmountable wall, even if they could understand each other a little.
So when he spoke to her with such fervor, she felt nothing but happiness.
Though parts of his words were incomprehensible (such as the talk of loyalty to Helga─sama), at the very least Hein had acknowledged her and even declared her “worthy of being his fiancée”.
To her, that was a great step forward.
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