Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 189

Chapter 189: Amelia: The Breaveheart’s Duty
Amelia’s POV:

It’s been over a month since Naoki began his Hero’s Trial within the hallowed Hall of Ascension.

Every single day, I’ve stayed by his side—never once leaving him alone. My sister Arsene is here too, always watching over him with her piercing eyes and powerful magic. And with us stands our uncle, the ever-reliable Sir Godfrey.

We were sent here under the direct order of my father—King Aslan von Braveheart.

A few days before Naoki began his trial, Father was plagued by a foreboding omen. He couldn’t sleep. He said he felt something… wrong, something dark stirring just beyond the veil of fate.

With our kingdom already locked in a brutal war on two fronts—against the demonic legions and the hostile Gildorian Empire—any new threat could be the beginning of our end.

But that wasn’t all.

Father had received a telepathic transmission from Saintess, the Oracle Priestess. Her words chilled us to the bone.

She spoke of a vision—one filled with fire, blood, and shadows. She foresaw demons breaching the sacred Hall of Ascension, attempting to sabotage Naoki’s trial… and kill him before he could complete it.

It would be nothing less than a catastrophic disaster.

Saintess possesses a divine skill—[Prophecy]—an ability known only to her bloodline, enabling her to peer into fragments of the future shaped by destiny itself. And yet… for over a decade, her power lay dormant. That is, until now.

Father knew what this meant.

The seal of fate was cracking.

His face turned pale when he heard the vision. Despite the powerful magical barriers protecting Braveheart, he feared that a Overlord rank demon — a power we could scarcely imagine—might strike when we were most vulnerable.

So he made a decision.

He entrusted Naoki’s safety to his most loyal and capable blood—his own brother, Sir Godfrey, his daughter Arsene, and me.

“This is the responsibility of Braveheart’s royal bloodline,” I told myself.

It’s our duty to guard the hope of this kingdom—the Future Hero, Naoki von Blackmore.

….

Now, in the third week of the second month, no sign of the demon attack has come.

But I remain. Faithful.

I refuse to leave Naoki’s side, not even for a moment.

Arsene and Uncle Godfrey have both told me I should rest, that we can take turns watching over him. But I can’t bring myself to walk away. Even for a second.

I do everything in the Hall of Ascension now—eating, praying, even bathing in the cathedral’s facilities nearby. I sleep here too, next to Naoki, using a foldable mattress I brought myself.

Watching him as he meditates through the trials… it brings me peace. His face—so handsome—shines like a statue carved by the gods. It eases my heart, helps me sleep even amid the tension.

But sometimes…

Sometimes I see pain flash across his face. His brows furrow, his lips tremble, and tears trickle down as if he’s enduring a torment beyond mortal comprehension.

Uncle Godfrey told me that’s normal. That it means Naoki is being tested by the divine pantheon itself. Fighting through pain, fear, sorrow… even his past.

Whenever that happens, I hold his hand. Wipe the sweat from his brow. Whisper encouragement.

Once, I tried to lift his shirt to wipe away the sweat on his chest—but I was immediately scolded.

“Amelia, have you gone mad?!” Arsene snapped at me.”Don’t do anything reckless! You’re treating him like he’s your husband already!”

Her magical cleansing spell took care of it anyway. She always keeps Naoki’s body clean using magic. Not once in all these months has he needed a real bath.

I just wanted to care for him. To pamper him. Is that so wrong?

I stuck my tongue out at her and teased, “Maybe it’s time for you to find someone of your own, Sis. Then you’ll understand how I feel about Naoki~.”

Arsene rolled her eyes. “Hah?! As if! Love? Please. My life is dedicated to the pursuit of magic. Teaching and training the next generation of mages in the academy is far more important than silly romance.”

She pointed at me dramatically.

“You and Aria-nee already have fiancés. You two can worry about heirs and legacies. I’ll build a magical dynasty with knowledge, not kisses.”

I smirked.

“Oh really~? But didn’t I meet someone just as obsessed with magic as you? What was his name again… hmm… oh right! Xerion von Solara. Headmaster of the Solara Magic Academy, heir to the Solara royal bloodline, a son of the legendary Magic King.”

Her face turned red.

“What did you say?! Are you suggesting I would fall for a man like that?!! Don’t insult me!”

Then…

Her eyes sparkled. She took my hands.

“…Please introduce me to him. We could research magic together for the rest of our lives… Muehehe~!”

She ruffled my hair and chuckled.

“Ara-ara..Amelia, my beautiful little sister… perhaps it’s time your big sis explores a bit of romance after all. Help me, won’t you?”

“Leave it to me,” I said with a wink.

Ahh… that’s Arsene. My brilliant, eccentric sister who’s hopelessly in love with magic. Of course she’d be drawn to a man who breathes mana instead of air.

It was such a warm moment.

But warm moments rarely last in times of war…

…

As the final day of the month arrived, Naoki had officially spent two full months in the Hall of Ascension. And still… there was no sign of the trial ending.

No hint of when—or if—he would emerge victorious.

But we waited. We watched.

And then…

The sky split open.

A deafening explosion thundered across the land, shaking the ground beneath our feet. The Hall of Ascension trembled. A shockwave of mana surged through the cathedral windows.

Our hearts stopped.

Arsene and I immediately moved to rush outside—to see what had happened, to confirm if the prophecy was finally coming true.

Were the demons here?! Had the invasion begun?!

But Uncle Godfrey blocked our path with a steely gaze.

“No. You two stay here. Protect Naoki at all costs. That is your duty.”

We hesitated. Our instincts screamed to join the fight. But Uncle’s words struck deep. They echoed Father’s own command.

So we nodded.

He ran off, cloak billowing behind him like a war banner. To defend the kingdom. To stand beside Father.

As for us?

We stayed.

I clutched Naoki’s hand tighter than ever before.

Whatever was coming… we’d protect him.

No matter what.

…

…