Reincarnated as Twins: And Then, I Was the Only One Abandoned - ☆65 And Then, ④

☆65 And Then, ④ 

At the summons of the Duke of Celestia, Leonard Eldora, a large-scale conference was set to be held at the royal castle of the Valhalion Kingdom. This meeting would bring together the kingdom’s most influential nobles and the leaders of various knight orders to determine the future course of the nation. 

It had been barely two weeks since the royal army’s military action against  the Elysia Autonomous Territory. However, given the urgency of the situation, preparations had taken priority over everything else. And the conference was arranged with unprecedented speed. 

—Well, yeah, that makes sense. 

The central government had been running everything until now. But with the administration at a standstill, chaos was inevitable. 

On top of that, ever since Alexis took the throne, he had rapidly pushed for centralization. It reduced the autonomy once granted to the regional lords. 

I sat in the carriage, swaying along the road. I felt the weight of the situation pressing down on me. 

Our destination was, of course, the royal castle of Valhalion. 

Elysia had boldly declared that I would become king at this conference. But seriously, give me a break. 

She’s a princess from another country—she doesn’t even have the authority to decide the next king of this nation. 

Sure, I do owe Duke Leonard a huge favor. He might be willing to move things in my favor… 

But one ally alone isn’t nearly enough. 

Please, I beg you—just don’t make me play the role of a fool in front of a room full of nobles… 

◆◆◆

The first thing that struck me upon entering Valhalion’s royal capital was its deep sense of history. 

The cobblestone streets had been worn smooth over the ages. And towering stone buildings stood in perfect order. Though old, every structure was meticulously maintained. It exuded an air of dignity and prestige. 

Street lamps were adorned with intricate metalwork, and rows of bronze candelabras lined the streets. It was where merchants and travelers bustled about in lively conversation. 

“Sigh………” 

Before I realized it, I had let out a long sigh. 

Even though this was my first time in this city, I didn’t feel a shred of excitement. 

All I could think about was the impending conference. And it was nothing but exhausting. 

“What’s wrong? It’s nice to visit other cities every now and then. Look, that food stall over there is selling exactly the kind of meat dishes you like.” 

Elysia was oblivious to my distress. She spoke cheerfully, as if we were just sightseeing. 

“No, like… hold on. Am I actually supposed to participate in this conference? What am I even supposed to do?” 

There’s no way I could hold my own in a room full of pompous noblemen. 

“Don’t worry. Everything will go smoothly.” 

—She’s quoting Kan Ki now… 

Lady, you’ve never even read *Kingdom*, have you? 

“Before the meeting, there’s someone I want you to meet.” 

“Huh? Who?” 

“I’ve asked Duke Leonard to arrange an introduction. Please wait a moment.” 

◆◆◆

The moment I stepped into the luxurious hotel suite… 

The man inside suddenly dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the floor. 

A grown man—dressed in expensive noble attire—was groveling before me. He was apologizing as if his life depended on it. 

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I truly regret everything! I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but please… please, at least spare my life!” 

…Uh. 

What the hell is going on? 

“I have no idea what’s happening, but could you please lift your head?” 

At my words, the man hesitated before slowly raising his face. His expression was still full of fear. 

What, do I look like some kind of murderer to him? That’s kinda offensive. 

Looking at him closely… I felt a strange sense of familiarity. 

No, I’ve definitely never met this guy before. 

But something about him was… unsettlingly familiar. 

“So… who exactly *are* you?” 

I asked directly. 

“Ah, yes… of course, you wouldn’t remember me………… 

My name is Vince Valford. 

I am your father.” 

“!!!” 

—Oh. 

—Ohhhhhhh.

—SO THAT’S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT!?!? 

This face—I remember it now! 

This is the same bastard who abandoned me in a cave when I was a baby!

The hazy, unsettling feeling—like I was on the verge of remembering something but couldn’t—finally cleared up. 

“Ah, I see… Haa…” 

…Sh1t. 

How the hell am I supposed to respond to this? 

Should I just throw my arms around him and say, “Dad! It’s been so long!” or something? 

“The hardships you’ve endured up until now… must have been unimaginable. I truly… truly regret everything.” 

Saying this, he bowed his head to the floor once again. 

“No, please, lift your head.” 

He looked so utterly pathetic that I gently helped him up. 

“Honestly, when I was first abandoned, I hated you more than anything. But now… I’m actually glad you left me there.” 

At my words, the man looked at me with a puzzled expression. 

“Because of what you did that day—because you abandoned me in that place—I was able to meet Elysia and so many other irreplaceable companions. If I had grown up as a noble, I probably never would have met them.” 

—Yeah, this is the truth. 

Looking back on my life since reincarnating, all I can remember are good memories. 

“I-I see… Hearing you say that is a relief to me as well…” 

A strange silence settled between us. It was neither warm nor cold—just an unspoken understanding. 

And then, Elysia, who had been quietly observing the conversation, suddenly cut in. 

“Vince-san. While Souta may have said all that, if you truly regret what you’ve done, then there’s something I’d like you to help us with in the upcoming meeting.” 

—Huh? 

I’ve got a bad feeling about this… 

“O-Of course!! If there’s anything I can do, just say the word!!”