Chapter 05

Beloved Child of the Spirits Arc
. Interference

(This part will get a little heavy, but things will settle down in about ten chapters.)

But those peaceful days were shattered with just one word from my older brother when he returned from the castle.

“They told me to send Ryuka to the Belaga Ducal House.”

“What do you mean? Ryuka is our child, recognized even by His Majesty.”

“The next duke said that since she injured his daughter, she’s more than we can handle. He insisted that the ducal house will raise her as Lady Caerula’s successor. I have to take her there tomorrow.”

“That can’t be… Father, Mother, isn’t there anything we can do? That child—Ryuka—is ours!”

“I’m sorry. We cannot oppose the ducal house.”

My sister-in-law collapsed onto the floor in shock.
So that’s it—they just want to keep the Fire Child as their tool. How outrageous.

But hey, that captain’s brother is underestimating me way too much, isn’t he? I’m here in this house. And what is this “ducal house” supposed to be? Who do they think they are? I’m a divine beast, you know.

“We’ll just wipe out the ducal house, so you don’t have to send the Fire Child.”

“Ruže-kun, by ‘wipe out,’ you mean…”

“They’re basically saying ‘hand over’ the one I protect. It feels like they’re mocking me.”

“Ruže, wait.”

Wiio tried to stop me, but this wasn’t just the Fire Child’s problem anymore.

“Wiio, why stop me? Being treated with this much contempt—I can’t forgive that.”

“Ryuka would be hurt. I know it’s wrong to force human affairs onto you, but please… wait until Ryuka has a place where she belongs.”

…Yeah, he’s right. That’s not what I really want either. I’m not as stubborn as the spirits. Until the Fire Child has a safe place to live, I’ll wait.
Everyone sighed in relief when they realized I’d held myself back. But the pressing issue now was whether or not to hand the Fire Child over to the ducal house.

After Father, Mother, my brother, and my sister-in-law discussed it, they decided to take the Fire Child to Turebol.
I could step forward and block the ducal house’s demand—but my parents have always been careful not to let me be used in political matters. They don’t want that for me.
We could also ask the king to intervene, but that might look like they’re just trying to use their connection to me to get their way.
And even if Ryuka stayed here, the moment someone else got burned, people would say “see, we told you so,” and she would lose her place in this house and in this country.

Until she can control her magic on her own, it’s better for her to live in Turebol with children in the same situation. That was the conclusion they came to—though my sister-in-law opposed it to the very end.
Wiio was there in the discussion too, but he said nothing. Maybe he couldn’t say anything at all.

Since the departure was tomorrow, they called the Fire Child early to tell her. Her sister and little brother came along too.
Maybe they sensed something bad was coming—the two of them clutched her hands tightly.
My sister-in-law tried to send them back to their rooms, but Wiio asked to let them stay. He wanted Ryuka to know she had people trying to protect her. His words made the adults look pained.
It’s all right. Wiio still remembers how his older brothers protected him. Today’s memory will, in the same way, protect Ryuka’s heart.

“At the church in Turebol, there are children like Ryuka—children with great magic—who live together. Ryuka will go there. It’s sudden, but she’ll leave tomorrow. I’m sorry we can’t protect you.”

“Why?! Ryuka didn’t do anything wrong!”

“I know. Ryuka isn’t at fault. The ones at fault… are us. Forgive us.”

Her sister pleaded desperately, “Don’t take Ryuka, don’t take her away!” Her little brother still held her hand, head bowed, holding back tears. Ryuka herself just stared silently at the adults with a blank expression.
Thanks to a little divine pressure from me, the spirits around Ryuka were quiet for now.

No matter how much she begged, her brother wouldn’t change his decision. Realizing she couldn’t persuade him, Ryuka’s sister turned on Wiio.

“Uncle, you liar! You said you’d do something! You said Ryuka wouldn’t go anywhere!”

“I’m sorry. The ducal house is trying to take her away. The only way to stop them is to send her to Turebol.”

“Liar! Do something!” she screamed, bursting into tears.

Wiio froze, not knowing what to do for the crying child. Seeing this, Mother said gently, “When a lady cries, you hand her a handkerchief,” as she carefully embraced the girl, avoiding her burns. That embrace broke the dam—her sobs grew louder, filling the room. And at that sound, my sister-in-law too crumbled into tears.

My brother hugged the Fire Child tightly, saying, “Mother opposed this until the very end. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you,” while stroking her red hair again and again.
Through it all, the Fire Child shed no tears—she only remained silent.