Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1023: Section 6056: Love from the Past (Part Three)_2

Chapter 1023: Section 6056: Love from the Past (Part Three)_2

Who might that be?

Constantine pondered, while noticing the young girl turning around, hearing the noise of carriage wheels pressing into the road from the large gate behind. Constantine turned and saw the Queen’s carriage, saw the handmaid opening the door, and saw the Queen carrying her child as she walked out.

Are you... waiting for the young prince?

No, it shouldn’t be. After all, Malin has shattered the so-called touchstone of Fate time and again through war, and the changes he wrought... might very well drive the Goddess mad.

Constantine was first astonished, then relieved—as you can see, losing someone’s attention can sometimes be a good thing, for it guarantees safety. Divine attention isn’t always favorable; the Julius family can hardly shoulder such burdens.

"Master Constantine, according to Farol Principality’s traditions, I wish to have this child of mine undergo a divination." The young Queen of Farole approached Constantine while holding her child.

She could have easily let her handmaid carry the child, but because he was the duchy’s firstborn, bearing him personally emphasized his importance.

Constantine did not reply but glanced at the young girl beside him.

· Will you do it, Madam?

Constantine used spiritual energy to tap into the goddess’s mind.

· No, you should be the one. You’re the master of divination, while I’m merely a weaver.

Surprisingly, the young girl showed no intention of taking over. She simply watched as Constantine solemnly extended his hands to receive the child: "Please follow me, Your Majesty."

Having waited too long, Constantine feared anything might change.

"Alright, thank you for your trouble." The Queen deferred to the master’s authority and prowess, despite clearly surpassing Constantine in power herself. This fueled the old man’s pride while also deepening his humility.

This respect from the Queen was granted on account of Malin. One must understand one’s identity, just as one must understand the role they play in this cruel world.

Indeed, Constantine was a legendary diviner and a powerful wizard. But... against the world-shattering power of Malin, who could tear apart Great Demons with his bare hands, Constantine’s abilities paled in comparison. Thus, he was extra cautious holding the child—a scion of legends, destined to be an exceptional king.

Black hair inherited from his father; a straight nose reminiscent of his father’s; heterochromatic blue and brown eyes denoting a conflict between paternal and maternal lineage; delicate lips resembling the country’s Queen. And his fate line... Constantine halted abruptly as he stared at the severed thread of destiny within the child.

The Queen did not display displeasure at Constantine’s sudden pause, but her handmaid spoke on her behalf, clearing her throat crisply to wake Constantine from his trance. He turned with a slight apologetic smile: "Apologies, Madam. I just realized the divination room needs some tidying."

It was true. The divination room had been used the night before, as Constantine had performed readings for his new friends. When two handmaids offered their help, claiming to be professionals at cleaning, Constantine gladly accepted their assistance.

Their tense expressions relaxed as the two handmaids pushed open the divination room door. A third guard stood by the entrance, observing her companions at work and shaking her head: "Mr. Constantine, I once heard from our Prince that smoking is harmful to health."

"Indeed, which is why I thought the room should be cleaned first. Last night, my new friends enjoyed the entertainment of divinations here."

"Yes, it’s an intriguing pastime, but you should still smoke less." With these words, she turned toward the young lady who approached Constantine: "Madam, you are...?"

"An old friend of Constantine’s." The girl smiled and snapped her fingers, summoning a complete set of tarot cards before her: "You see, like Constantine, I was born for this profession."

"Madam, your skills command my utmost respect." The nation’s Queen lifted the hem of her dress in polite admiration.

"Your child is truly adorable. What a pity—I’m not suited to divining for children." The young girl extended her hand, gently stroking the prince held by Constantine.

The Queen maintained her smile, feeling no apprehension about the unfamiliar diviner, fully confident her child was safe.

The handmaid furrowed her brow slightly, but the goodwill expressed by a legendary figure allowed her to ignore the brief touch—especially since her master did not express concern.

Only Constantine noticed that the girl had connected the severed thread of destiny using her weaving hands.

The fate line was whole once more, and the child, oblivious to his altered destiny, continued to laugh.

This made Constantine hold him even more cautiously—this was a child blessed by the Goddess of Fate, destined to lead a smooth life.

Constantine suddenly felt eager to witness this nation’s enemies expose their intentions. If they were despicable enough to curse this child, Constantine could watch as their curse turned back upon them, leaving those who sought to assassinate the future king without burial.

· Your benevolence surprises me, Madam.

Curious, Constantine sighed, wondering aloud. In his view, it was rare for the Goddess of Fate to repair a child’s troubled destiny. More often than not, such trials or curses were deliberate tests from her. A child’s fate line so short might suggest they wouldn’t even survive to adulthood.

To Constantine, this was irreparable—no matter how skilled a weaver, it seemed impossible to craft an entirely new thread of destiny for the child.

· Because this is Malin’s child.

The girl smiled as she answered and walked into the hall, where a tea table with refreshments and cushy sofas awaited.

Constantine watched as she sat on the sofa, picking up a glutinous rice dessert like a small pet. She took a bite and revealed an immensely pleased smile.

Everything about it seemed normal; even legendary figures had their worldly indulgences. The guards’ watchfulness dissipated, and the Queen’s smile grew broader.

Only Constantine trembled.

Yes, trembled; for Constantine realized he had heard words that could decide his own fate in an instant.

My heavens, did I hear that right? Am I about to die—why did I hear such terrifying revelations from this goddess?

This is Malin’s child... So, after being favored by the Lord of Justice and the War God, is Malin now graced by her as well?

No, wait. Constantine instinctively looked toward the child in his arms—this child... could it truly be the offspring of Malin and the Queen? Could the thread of destiny just restored be a deceitful God’s Child usurping the innocent shell of this child?

The Goddess of Fate is no virtuous soul.

As Constantine indulged in his wild imaginings, a cold gaze from the sofa froze him upright.

Did I just... Did I just blaspheme a deity in my thoughts?

I’m still alive?

This realization closed Constantine’s mouth tightly.

Perhaps this child was merely tribute—to silence certain aged seers with unpleasant words.

With this thought, Constantine bowed his head.

Speak less, err less; say nothing, err not. Constantine, remember—knowledge can be a bitter remedy, or it can become sweet poison. For the sake of your descendants, do not spill everything you oversee. Knowledge and calamity flow like rivers, and you’d best ensure your mouth is never their fountainhead.

Otherwise, illness springs from the tongue, calamity flows from the mouth—man’s greatest enemy is none other than himself.

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