Chapter 196: The Knight Rides the Autumn Breeze (2)
“-Originally, the Marquess allowed me to use the Tristan family name, but it just didn’t feel right. Even though I’ve been adopted as his foster daughter, I don’t share any blood ties with the Tristans. No matter how much they provide me with a place to stay and ensure my comfort, using their family name felt like taking too much. So, I decided to accept a different surname. Normally, I’d have to earn it through knighthood, but the Marquess pulled some strings for me. Oh, there’s a condition, though—if I fail to be knighted, the name will be revoked, and I’ll have to use the Tristan name. It’s such a favorable condition that it almost feels too good, you know? Haha.”
Levi chirped like a sparrow at dawn, unusually talkative and clearly in high spirits.
Well, it made sense. For the first time in her life, she had her own unique surname to prove herself. For a girl who had always been a victim of others’ whims, receiving a family name was undoubtedly a source of joy.
Ihan silently listened to her, nodding in agreement. It truly was a joyful occasion.
However...
“Th-that’s great and all, but why Jeanne d’Arc of all names?”
“...Is it a bit too unusual? Does it not suit me?” Levi asked, her expression showing a hint of unease.
“No! Absolutely not! It’s a fantastic name!”
Seeing her reaction, Ihan quickly shook his head, doing his best to reassure her that there was nothing strange about it. He put his all into praising her new name.
“Oh, good. I thought it might be weird or something...”
Reassured by his heartfelt compliments, Levi smiled brightly once more.
“And you know, the name just came to me! I was trying to snuff out a candle, and I accidentally burned myself a little. At that moment, a spark of inspiration hit me. It was like I received a ‘divine revelation’ or something....”