Chapter 23
In front of the closed parlor doors, Reikal glanced down at Yuren, who was sticking closely by his side, and tried his best to keep a dignified expression.
Of course, the corners of his lips, pressed tight to stifle the cheers and laughter threatening to burst out, looked a little strange.
Thanks to his naturally sharp eyes, though, his true feelings were hardly visible.
‘At last, I’ll meet Uncle…!’
Their proud and impressive uncle.
How dazzling he was when he wielded his sword, and how even more mysterious when he used the shadow ability…!
Reikal felt like bouncing up and down with excitement and shouting for joy.
What should he say once he saw Uncle?
UncleIhavelongedforyousomuch!WhileIwasattheimperialpalaceIwaitedsoearnestlyforthisday…ButUncle, why have you never once—
His chest was so full of words that if someone so much as poked him, they’d all come spilling out in a flood.
As they followed their guide toward the parlor, his heart pounded loudly in his chest.
And at last, the parlor doors opened…!
‘Huh.’
But Reikal couldn’t say a word.
“Uncle!”
Instead, it was Yuren—who had been half hiding timidly behind his older brother—who greeted warmly first.
Because…
‘Uncle… is holding a child…?’
The unexpected sight left Reikal momentarily dazed.
Alkaid was holding a little girl.
A girl with golden hair tied up on both sides.
Her hair gleamed softly in the sunlight, fluffy like a neatly spun ball of yarn, with a tiny pearl pin glittering where it was fastened.
The child pressed her cheek against Alkaid’s shoulder. When she giggled, her missing front tooth showed.
Her small hand clutched tightly at his collar, and her plump little feet swung back and forth.
Seeing that, it felt to Reikal as if a great fire flared up inside him.
He had never once been held in his uncle’s arms. Not once. He hadn’t even dared to grab onto his uncle’s sleeve carelessly.
And yet this child was nestled there so comfortably and naturally…!
‘Her name was… Lorvantes, wasn’t it?’
The only Grand Duke’s daughter of House Atelleon had appeared. The sudden news had thrown high society into uproar.
Even if she had come from a minor state within the Empire, she was still the Grand Duke’s wife, a lady of high status in the imperial social circles—yet she had disappeared without a trace.
Rumors and speculation swirled endlessly, but the Grand Duke made no move, which only stoked curiosity further.
And now, with no duchess, the young girl had returned alone.
She had not even debuted in society yet, but already every eye was fixed on the Grand Duke’s household.
Still, almost nothing was known about the girl—only her name and her age.
That lack of information made curiosity burn hotter.
What kind of person was she? Did the Grand Duchess return with her? What was the Grand Duke’s reaction?
Reikal and Yuren had come to the mansion under the pretense of greeting their cousin for the first time.
In truth, Reikal had thought Alkaid would be cold toward the girl.
She was only five years old—the same age as Yuren. And five was the age when children endlessly pestered adults.
So he’d planned to take on the grown-up role, entertaining the Grand Duke’s daughter to lighten Uncle’s burden.
But…
‘Uncle himself…’
He was holding her.
Of course, she was his daughter—so in a way it was natural. But still, the head and the heart did not move together.
He himself had never even held Uncle’s hand, much less been embraced.
A wave of sorrow washed over him, leaving him frozen and unable to greet anyone.
It felt as though someone had raked claws across his heart. Before the scab could even form, mud was thrown on the wound, leaving his heart dirtied again and again.
Reikal bit down hard on his lip. Otherwise, he feared the mess of feelings would spill right out.
“Wow!”
Just then, a bright cheer rang out.
“Cousins!”
The little girl leapt from Alkaid’s arms and ran toward the door, her steps light and quick.
Beaming at the two boys, she gave a small, polite curtsy as she held her skirt.
“Hello! Crown Prince Your Highness, Prince Your Highness! My name is Lorvantes! I’m five years old! Hehe, please take care of me!”
The way she held her skirt was skillful. According to the documents sent to the palace, she had grown up as a commoner, so Reikal had assumed she wouldn’t know any manners.
He was briefly surprised—but soon after, a sharp feeling twisted in his chest, and he frowned.
Even if she was their cousin, even if she was the Grand Duke’s daughter—how could she greet royalty so casually?
“Lor.”
Just then, Alkaid walked up beside the girl and called her softly.
“Yes?”
Lor tilted her head with innocent eyes.
Reikal’s breath caught. He already knew what his uncle would say. Surely, he’d scold her for her rudeness.
‘She’s going to be scolded terribly…’
For a moment, Reikal even pitied her. Alkaid was a strict man. Surely she would be made to cry.
“If you jump down like that so suddenly, you might get hurt.”
“Uncle, please don’t scold her too harshly… Huh?”
Reikal, who had tried to step in for the girl, froze. He wasn’t… scolding her?
His eyes widened as he looked between uncle and daughter.
Perhaps he was going to warn her about safety first, then point out her manners? But no—Alkaid merely picked her back up, gazing at her tenderly.
“Mm! Lor will be careful next time!”
“Good girl. And remember, since they are the Crown Prince and the Prince, you should greet them as, ‘I greet the Crown Prince Your Highness and the Prince Your Highness.’”
The affectionate tone only made the situation more surreal. He wasn’t sternly reprimanding her—he was just gently explaining?
“Oh! I see!”
Lor smacked her forehead with her palm, making a little “chop!” sound.
Then she turned back toward the two boys and greeted them again.
“I greet the Crown Prince Your Highness and the Prince Your Highness!”
“…I am Reikal Atelleon.”
“M-my name is Yuren Atelleon. I’m five years old too…!”
Reikal barely managed to hide his displeasure as he gave a curt reply. But Yuren, shyly lowering his head beside him, gave a small smile as he introduced himself. Though timid, he seemed happy to meet someone his own age.
Lor didn’t miss Yuren’s soft voice. The moment he finished speaking, she clapped both hands over her mouth.
“We’re the same age!”
“Mhm…! That’s right…!”
“Wow!”
“This is the first time I’ve met a friend the same age as me here!” Lor clapped and laughed in delight.
Yuren, too, seemed pleased with his cousin and quietly smiled.
Even Uncle was watching the little ones with a look of fondness.
‘…What is this.’
It was such a warm scene.
Except for him.
Feeling as though thorns had sprouted inside his chest, Reikal bit the inside of his lip hard.
“Then, like this~!”
“Uh-huh!”
Lor and Yuren chattered on endlessly.
The sound of their innocent laughter made the room’s atmosphere softer still.
And Alkaid, watching them—no, watching Lor—couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.
The sight of his uncle smiling so openly left Reikal once again stunned, his mouth hanging open before he hurriedly shut it.
‘How… why would our uncle…’
Why did his lips curl upward every time that child laughed?
And why did the people of the mansion always suppress their smiles when she giggled?
Why… why?
If not for the dignity required of a Crown Prince, Reikal might have clutched his head in confusion.
At that moment—
“Here is the tea set. Today’s dessert is cream-filled choux and fondant au chocolat. And the tea is…”
A maid entered, pushing a trolley. She set down a tray laden with teapots, cups, and tea treats on the table, explaining politely.
Lor’s gaze instantly went to the tray.
“Wow!”
Her green eyes widened, and without hesitation, she reached out and grabbed a cream puff.
The maid went on explaining the rare tea leaves prepared for the Crown Prince and Prince’s visit, but none of it reached Reikal’s ears.
‘What the…!’
To pick up food with her hands? And even before the royals touched it?
Reikal’s eyes flew wide in shock at such table manners he had never before witnessed.
