Raising the Princess to Overcome Death-Chapter 334: Beggar Siblings - Worthy Rival
333. Beggar Siblings - Worthy Rival
---
“So, Lerialia wants to claim the throne? And you want me to stop her?”
In the Monarch Barony, Rev interjected.
He hadn’t realized his friend had such a long tongue. The sun had already set, and with the candles lit, a reddish glow filled Lena’s room.
The handsome, golden-haired prince nodded softly.
“...Yes.”
“Why? Why not just let her become the queen?”
Lean shook his head.
“It’s because of Astroth. If my sister gets too ambitious and ends up meeting that guy, it’s over. Besides—”
“Besides what?”
Hesitation. Lean continued after a moment.
“...I want Lerialia to live happily even after everything ends. My sister wants to reach the throne by her own strength, so I’ll let her try, but I don’t want her to succeed completely. That’s why I’m asking you for this favor. Things will get complicated for me if I don’t.”
“What’s so complicated?”
“Rev, you idiot. Cardinal Verke has taken control of the government.”
“What does that... Oh.”
Rea intervened. Only then did Rev grasp Lean Peter’s predicament.
It had been the same in the 12th ending.
After defeating Oriax and seizing power, Cardinal Verke had renamed the Conrad Kingdom to the “Grania Holy Kingdom” and began his reforms.
And now, it is happening again.
As the cardinal played a decisive (and very visible) role in defeating the Evil God, the nobles followed his lead. Lean, having played no part in ousting Eric de Yeriel, had little ground to claim any rights now, even if he tried.
Of course, Lean had no such intentions, so that was moot. The real problem was Lerialia.
With her aiming for the throne, conflict with Cardinal Verke was inevitable. The cardinal was Jenia’s paternal grandfather, and Lean didn’t want his sister clashing with her future in-law.
“Aha... so that’s why he’s not interested in the throne. He planned this from the moment he handed things over to me. He’ll marry Jenia, and if Oriax gets caught without Lean in the picture, Cardinal Verke takes over.”
Rev nodded to himself.
Lean had planned to lead a life completely detached from the Conrad Kingdom. He hadn’t intended to return but was dragged back by his sister’s ambition.
Lean spoke again.
“So, I made a deal with Lerialia. She agreed to give up the Yeriel name. In exchange, I said I’d let her take the Monarch Barony and do as she pleased.”
“...”
Rev fell silent for a moment.
To be honest, he wanted to be done with this. Hunting down Oriax had been grueling enough, and now he just wanted to return to his hometown with Lena and get married.
But... What choice did he have? It was his friend’s sister. Sighing, Rev asked:
“What do you want me to do?”
“I’ll talk to Cardinal Verke. I’ll ask him to grant you a neighboring territory. That way, whatever political maneuvers or military uprisings my sister attempts, she’ll have to go through you. Meanwhile, I’ll stay up there, in Peter County.”
“So, we’re boxing her in. You and me, surrounding the Monarch Barony from above and below, so Lerialia can’t move.”
“Exactly. All you have to do is obstruct everything my sister does. You’ll be Lerialia’s... rival.”
This was Lean’s request.
For his sister, who would live long after the ending, he wanted Rev to act as her worthy rival. To support her by standing against her, ensuring her life didn’t spiral out of control.
But Rev retorted:
“Are you trying to get me killed?”
Bluntly.
“How am I supposed to stop your sister? Sure, I might outmatch her in raw power for now, but once she starts politicking, I won’t stand a chance. Maybe if it were Lena instead of me.”
“Fair enough.”
“If we end up fighting over territories and I manage to capture her, I’d have to release her eventually. I can’t stop her forever. One day, I’d lose. I might even get assassinated before that. Don’t you think you’re asking too much? I have my own life to live.”
“I’m sorry. But...”
Lean glanced at Lena.
When their eyes met, she pulled the blanket over herself, feigning ignorance.
“You’ve got Lena. You two came into something good, didn’t you? I don’t know how you got it, but—”
“What?”
“That item or whatever it’s called. It’s bound to Lena.”
---
[Congratulations. The item is now bound to ‘Lena.’]
[Quest: Guardian, 3/4 – Barbatos Malhas Oriax.]
---
It happened on the day of Lean’s wedding to Jenia.
It had been a sunny, auspicious day when the messages popped up one after another.
That’s when Lean realized.
That Rev had done a good job. And that entrusting tasks to Rev and Lena had been the right decision all along.
Like Rera Ainar before her, Lena had now acquired a bound item.
And that...
“Bound item? I knew it! This is it, isn’t it?”
...was a wooden staff Lena had picked up from somewhere. Its ancient, weathered appearance was anything but ordinary.
“I don’t know for sure, but it seems so. How did you find it?”
Rev shrugged.
“We don’t know. Lena just said she found it lying around. Right?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“With it, Lena pulled off some incredible feats. She even became a priestess. Without it, we might not have been able to catch Oriax... whoops.”
“Exactly. With that staff and you two together, I’m sure you can handle my sister. Don’t worry too muChapter Besides, Cardinal Verke will quietly help out from behind. And most importantly—”
“...”
“You and Lena have always lived in poverty. You’ve never even come close to noble life, let alone luxury. You barely managed a one-room home back in your village.”
“...”
“This time, you can live as nobles. As the top contributors to capturing Oriax, you’ll have prestige. Rev, a Viscount, and Lena, the Viscountess. How does that sound?”
Mixing in a bit of mockery, Lean bowed theatrically to Lena. Rev was lost in thought.
Rev knew it, but still, he couldn’t help but admire Lean’s persuasive way with words.
Surprisingly, he didn’t entirely mind the idea of a prince elevating Lena, a mere commoner, to a lady of noble standing.
Even if he was fully aware it was all part of Lean’s sweet talk.
“A noble life, living in luxury...”
Crossing his arms, Rev let his imagination wander.
He didn’t care much about becoming a noble himself. But picturing Lena, who had worked tirelessly since childhood, dressed in fine silk—just imagining it made him smile.
Her calloused hands from picking wild berries would be gloved in soft fabric. Her tightly bound hair would be loosened and decorated with a long red ribbon.
Beautiful.
Lena’s comfort and happiness were all it took to ignite Rev’s resolve.
“...Let me think about it.”
“Good. Let me know when you decide.”
Lean patted Rev’s shoulder and left the room. Convincing Rev was one thing; next, he sought out his sister.
---
“Your Highness, Lord Lean is here to see you.”
As Lean approached her chambers, Sir Hazen ed. He no longer called Lean “Your Highness.”
Hazen had lost all respect for the prince after he renounced the throne.
Now firmly aligned with Lerialia, Hazen served as her right-hand man. In her repurposed office—formerly a bedroom—a large carpet patterned like a chessboard covered the floor.
It depicted the Conrad Kingdom.
Lerialia stood at the northernmost edge of the chessboard, atop the Monarch Barony’s spot. Surveying her surroundings, she eventually raised her head, a bright smile lighting her face as she spotted her brother.
“What took you so long to get here?”
But her eyes gleamed with sharpness.
Now fully a young woman, Lerialia wore a striking uniform of alternating red and white. Despite her cheerful greeting, an air of chilly authority radiated from her.
Lean shrugged casually.
“Just wandering.”
In truth, he had been preparing chess pieces to counter her queen.
A bishop and a knight would block her path.
Lerialia narrowed her eyes knowingly. She was fully aware of where her brother had been.
“I heard we had a guest arrive before you. Anyone you know?”
“No. I was curious, so I struck up a conversation. They turned out to be some of Cardinal Verke’s people who helped oust Eric.”
“Really? I should meet them myself. But first, take a look at this. Do you think Marquis Arne would support me?”
“Hard to say. He would’ve helped for sure during his feud with Eric, but now? Not so certain.”
“Right? Then... I’ll draft a letter anyway. The whaling season must be in full swing; I’ll start with that. Also, Duke Tertan seemed rather disgruntled—I’ll have to look into that as well.”
As Lerialia jotted notes swiftly, Lean stepped in to stop her.
“You’re moving too fast. You haven’t even been officially granted the Monarch Barony yet. We’ve toured the area like you wanted, so let’s head back. By now, Count Gustav Peter should be arriving at the estate. And it’s late. Get some rest.”
“Fine. Sir Hazen, good work today. On your way out, could you summon Tian for me?”
“Yes, Princess. Have a good night.”
After Hazen departed, Tian soon arrived with the maids. As her attendant, he directed them to help Lerialia change. With a cheeky wink at her, Tian disappeared.
Once Lerialia was settled into bed, Lean stayed by her side for a moment, sitting next to her and watching over her.
His sister, who had declared her intent to forge her own path, was maturing into an independent adult with each passing day. While Lean felt a pang of regret, he silently blessed the life she had ahead of her.
In what would be their final lifetime as the “beggar siblings,” he prayed she would find happiness.
If it meant sacrificing himself, Rev, or Lena to make it happen, he would do so without hesitation.
So, just this once, may you dream of something sweet, my beloved sister.
Lean gently brushed her round forehead before leaving the room. And a few months later, an unexpected ending unfolded.
---
[Lena is married! Congratulations!]
The groom was none other than Santian Rauno.
Circumstances had forced them into a hasty marriage, leading Lerialia to take a step back from her ambitions for a time.
“I never thought I’d have a child before Jenia did.”
“...Me neither.”
Lerialia wore an expression of acceptance, as if to say, ‘It’s busy, but what can you do?’ Her wedding was held in grand fashion at the Peter County estate, and for the first time, Lean watched his sister wed.
“Oh my. You’re full of surprises.”
At the ceremony, Jenia, seated beside him, remarked.
“I thought you’d be so attached to your sister you’d end up crying. But you almost look... happy? I can’t quite read your expression.”
Lean nodded faintly.
As the ceremony proceeded, Lean clasped Jenia’s hand in silence. Lerialia made a stunning bride, smiling radiantly.
Still, it wasn’t a marriage that could be celebrated without reservations. Their union defied societal norms far too boldly, and even though Lerialia had relinquished the Yeriel name, salacious rumors were bound to spread.
“The fallen princess who narrowly survived, only to meet her downfall through marriage.”
Yet Lerialia seemed unconcerned, and Lean had no energy to fret over such things. As the ceremony reached its climax, he found himself sinking into his chair, his body heavy with weariness.
Enduring it.
---
“...We present the union of this couple to the heavens.”
“My dear?”
Jenia felt his grip tighten on her hand. She turned to him, puzzled, while his sister beamed, her cheeks flushed, and Santian stood by her side with an equally vibrant expression. The priest, the guests—
And then—everything blurred.
[Congratulations!]
[Lena’s dream has come true.]
An ending he knew all too well, yet it struck him every time. As the world split away from him, the wedding venue, his wife, his sister, and the people below receded into the distance.
Leaving only him, Lean Peter, gazing upwards in bewilderment.
Now, they will live in my stead. I, torn away with Minseo’s spirit, will soon disappear.
As Lean’s thoughts faded, the ending credits began to scroll, indifferent to his turmoil.
Chapter 334: Beggar Siblings - Worthy Rival
Comments