Chapter 10….
Since I was the only one here who knew the cause of the nosebleed.
The more the physician panicked, and the more ferocious Jeusia’s expression grew,
Instead of subsiding, as if by divine decree to “double down,” my face turned bright red, like a perfectly ripened apple.
The moment I realized I was suddenly having a nosebleed from both nostrils, I desperately wanted to die.
Of course, the merciless god once again refused to grant my poor wish.
At the same time.
The atmosphere in the Lipchik Duchy—the only ducal family in the Eastern Empire—was in utter disarray.
All because of a rumor that had surfaced a week earlier.
“The Emperor has summoned the illegitimate child she once cast aside into her bedchamber!”
The Emperor’s sudden whim was enough to shake the entire ducal household.
And for good reason…
“The first in line to the throne is our Saphran! Why hasn’t the Lipchik family stopped that vulgar girl from ascending to the throne? At this rate, all our plans will come to nothing!”
The only reason Lipchik Saphran was first in line for succession was because Jeusia had no children.
For the Emperor to summon the illegitimate daughter she had once thrown away in plain sight could mean only one thing—that she was considering the child as a potential successor to the throne.
“I heard His Majesty hasn’t left the bedchamber for a full week now, correct? It seems she suddenly feels like playing mother. It’s absurd.”
Though Duchess Lipchik spat out her annoyance, she never forgot the grace of setting down her teacup without a sound.
Truly, the dignity befitting the mistress of a family called the noblest among nobles.
The Duke, watching her with an uneasy smile, cautiously spoke.
“No matter how cold His Majesty’s nature, could she truly have no maternal affection at all? To have not left the bedchamber this whole time… that means the child has not woken up for over a week.”
She wanted to snap that such an illegitimate brat could stay unconscious for life for all she cared, but when her gaze met her husband’s kind blue eyes, the words stuck in her throat.
“Don’t you recall how worried we were when Saphi fell ill with a fever at the same age? His Majesty must be equally distressed.”
Her lips twisted at her husband’s genuinely worried tone.
What’s there to worry about in a bastard girl who will only be a stumbling block to Saphran’s future? Honestly, he’s far too softhearted.
Lifting her teacup to conceal her curling lips, the duchess replied coldly.
“Then she should have kept her by her side and raised her properly in the first place. To act like a mother now, six years after abandoning her—utterly laughable.”
“Abandoned… don’t you think that’s too harsh, my dear?”
“Then what would you call locking up a newborn in a side annex with only two maids?”
“Well…”
“If I were that child, even if I miraculously woke, I would never see Her Majesty as my parent. At six, a child knows well enough when their mother has thrown them away!”
“That may be… but resentment is only possible if one regains consciousness in the first place. To think that young one wandered alone by the lake in the dead of night… If I imagined Saphi in her place, my heart would break.”
Casting a sidelong glance at her visibly downcast husband, she snorted dismissively.
Her husband’s weakness was his undoing.
Instead of worrying about how to overcome this crisis, how to secure their son’s ascension without mishap, he wasted time fretting over a child who could become their rival.
The best outcome would be if she never wakes… But if she does? Should I get rid of her behind my husband’s back? No… she’s just a child, no need to go that far. Better to win her over. She couldn’t possibly harbor fond feelings for the mother who abandoned her.
As she was deeply pondering how to deal with the long-forgotten nuisance, the head butler hurried toward the ducal couple.
A bad feeling surged within her.
“Your Gr—no, the young lady… has just regained consciousness!”
“Truly?!”
Unlike the duke, whose face lit with joy, the duchess’s expression twisted instantly.
“Prepare at once. We must greet His Majesty and pay our respects to the child formally.”
That softhearted fool…
Since her husband was so easily swayed, she would have to be all the more thorough.
Her purpose was only one.
To rid the throne of the lowborn emperor as quickly as possible, and seat the one most deserving—her own son.
Well, if she’s woken, then it can’t be helped. I’ll think about what to do with her while my husband visits. Meeting that bastard child born of His Majesty and “that man” would only foul my mood anyway.
“I don’t feel well, so I’ll stay back…”
“Your Majesty has a child?”
Just as she was about to rise, the most lovable voice in the world—one that should never have been heard here—rang out from behind.
“…Saphi.”
Why is it that ominous feelings, especially sad ones, are never wrong?
Turning back, she saw a boy with golden hair and clear lake-blue eyes, the spitting image of the duke.
“How old are they? Are they my age? A boy, or a girl? What’s their name? Why didn’t I know His Majesty had a child?”
His eyes sparkled with curiosity about the Emperor’s child.
“Are you going to meet them now?”
She knew exactly what he would say next. The only proper response was to cut him off first with a firm no.
For once her son voiced a request, she would be unable to refuse.
Duchess Lipchik’s only weakness was her beloved son, Saphran Lipchik.
“Abso—”
But unfortunately, the little duke’s sweet demand came just a beat earlier.
“I want to go too!”
“Achoo.”
Someone talking about me?
But I didn’t have the luxury of dwelling on such carefree thoughts.
No sooner had my nosebleed stopped than I coughed, and the physician’s face—only just restored to its natural color—drained pale once more.
Needless to say, Jeusia’s face had already twisted into a deadly scowl.
“Hey.”
“Y-your Majesty, please kill me!”
“Nooo! I’m not sick, I just coughed! I’m really fine now, not sick at all!”
I even waved my arms about to show how healthy I was, but Jeusia still didn’t seem convinced.
“It’s true. The princess is so well now it’s hard to believe she was unconscious for a whole week.”
“And how do you explain the nosebleed just now?”
Oh, Mother, can we please just let that one slide…
“Not just a nosebleed, but from both nostrils at once.”
Must you confirm the kill like that to be satisfied?
While I secretly trembled, the physician hastily explained.
“T-that was not due to illness!”
“Then what?”
“There are many reasons children might get nosebleeds. Their bodies are more delicate than adults’, so even slight dryness can cause bleeding, and…”
“Strange. I’ve never had a nosebleed in my life.”
At that invincible-sounding remark, the physician awkwardly mumbled, “Well, Your Majesty is exceptionally healthy, after all.”
Jeusia grilled the poor man on the subject for quite some time before finally letting go, only after confirming that I no longer coughed.
Looking noticeably more haggard after his repeated brushes with death, the physician gave his diagnosis in a trembling voice.
“Forgive me, but the young lady’s condition had long passed the point where I could offer treatment. And yet, as I said earlier, aside from an occasional cough, there are no concerning symptoms now.”
“It’s thanks to the physician’s good care. Thank you very much!”
When I replied with a beaming smile, his eyes widened. His gaze clearly said: What is this adorable creature?!
Of course, Jeusia’s icy stare quickly made him lower his eyes again.
“With all humility, I did nothing. The fact that she recovered so completely is surely…”
Swallowing dryly, the physician cast a furtive glance at Jeusia, half reclining with me still on her lap.
“…thanks to Your Majesty sharing your magic with her.”
Thanks