Chapter 86
“Daaad! What are you doing?”
Bang! As I flung open the office door, my father looked up at me in surprise.
Huh. How odd — no Sir Ain today?
Half the nonsense I usually have to deal with would be gone then — good news indeed. Grinning, I skipped toward him.
“Tia? Tia! What good fortune! To see my daughter’s face first thing in the morning — come here, my Tia.”
Dad bustled up from his chair and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Urk!”
He squeezed me so hard it was almost suffocating, but I endured it without pushing him away.
I debated hugging him back — but decided against it. If I did, this day would immediately become a national holiday.
“Tia’s Hug Day”… just thinking about it made my face burn.
He loosened his arms and tilted his head, studying my expression.
“My lovely Tia, you’re not sick, are you? Why are you being so cooperative…? Wait! They say people act strange when they’re ill. Oh no! Should I summon the imperial physician?”
“Ugh… you scold me even when I do nothing! I’m never hugging you again!”
“So you’re not sick. Good, good. My upright, headstrong daughter hasn’t changed a bit. What a relief. Ahem.”
He gave my nose a gentle pinch, then sat me down on the sofa. Settling into the seat across from me, he gazed at me again — with that same soft, misty-eyed look.
He even sighed wistfully while rubbing his knees with both hands — that utterly unnecessary sentimental expression!
“Nope. I don’t like it.”
“Hm… what a pity. Failed again today. I’ll try again next time!”
It had been years since Dad’s “knee bounce rides” were retired, yet from time to time he still made an attempt like that.
I’m fifteen, Dad… seriously.
He began unwrapping chocolates on the table, and I watched his deft fingers as we began to talk naturally.
Since my debutante ball, both of us had been too busy to chat properly — it had been a while since we’d had time like this.
“Dad, nothing special happening these days, right?”
I still remembered his expression when he saw the Empress at my debutante ball.
Hard to describe… a deep, simmering rage, maybe?
It wasn’t just simple animosity — it looked like there was some hidden plot behind it.
Anyway, I thought it might be best to spend more time with Dad, to keep an eye on things and protect him.
“Anything special? Me? No, nothing.”
“I see. That’s good.”
I nodded, accepting the chocolate he peeled for me.
“How about you, Tia? Everything fine?”
“Me? I’m…”
So much going on.
I needed to gradually distance myself from Killian and Adele, and also come up with a plan to keep Dad safe.
But of course, I couldn’t say any of that aloud.
“Oh! I might attend two social gatherings this week!”
“Social gatherings?”
Dad’s eyes went round. Apparently, Oz hadn’t told him yet.
As expected of my loyal servant, Oz — fufufu.
“I thought about it and realized that since I’ve already had my debut, it’s important to start managing my social network. After all, I am the Crown Princess of the Saliante Empire.”
Killian and Adele — my two protagonists — shared a secret I wasn’t part of, and I hated that childish sense of being left out.
But also, since Dad might be in danger, attending these gatherings could help me build more allies for his sake.
The more people friendly to the Emperor, the better.
Meeting people wasn’t really my thing — it’s tiring — but since I’d decided, I might as well give it my all.
“Tia, you’re doing networking? Is that really necessary? Why?”
Ah, here comes Question Bot mode.
The crease between his brows deepened — he was already worrying again.
“As Crown Princess, it’s my duty to know and observe the nobles of the Empire. Whether or not they agree with me, we’ll have to work together eventually.”
“Ah… so that’s why you’re attending the gatherings?”
He still didn’t sound convinced.
I shrugged.
“Just think of it as… field practice. I heard society parties have their own unique atmosphere that you can’t experience in formal councils.”
“Hm… well, if my daughter says so, then it must be true. There isn’t another reason, is there?”
“Huh? What reason? Tia dunnooo.”
Feigning innocence, I tilted my head. He sighed — I think he muttered something about letting it slide because I was cute.
“By the way, Dad.”
“Yes, Tia?”
While he was busy unwrapping another chocolate, I asked the question I’d been saving — the real reason I came today.
“Um… the Empress, I mean… uh… should I call her ‘Your Majesty the Empress’? Or should I say ‘Mother’ instead?”
I tried to sound casual so he wouldn’t suspect anything, but his face went rigid.
“W-what are you talking about, Tia?”
“I just didn’t know what I’m supposed to call… her.”
He popped a chocolate into my mouth and said quietly,
“There’s no reason for you to call her anything. And certainly not ‘Mother.’”
His cold tone made me snap to attention.
I already knew — from the original story — that neither the Empress nor I were related to Dad by blood.
But hearing it directly from him made it hit differently. My heart dropped like a stone.
“R-right. I knew that.”
I’d hoped, even just a little, that there might be some hidden secret about my birth.
But clearly, there wasn’t.
“Tia, you don’t need to concern yourself with the Empress. As always, she’ll live as if she doesn’t exist.”
His eyes glinted with quiet determination. In moments like this, I could see how he might become a true tyrant someday.
Still, I couldn’t give up yet. I needed to know how much Dad already understood.
“I just thought it was strange — she was supposed to be sick, but then suddenly recovered. That’s why I asked.”
“Well… I’m not sure how that happened either. More chocolate, Tia?”
He forced a small smile, clearly not wanting to continue the topic.
A pity, but fine.
That’s enough for today.
Before he could suspect anything, I hurried to wrap things up.
“Oh no, look at the time! Dad, I should get going.”
“Already? Stay a bit longer, Tia. I just finished unwrapping the chocolates.”
“I’m going dress shopping.”
“Dress shopping? You’re going yourself?”
I nodded quickly.
“Of course! It’s only fun if I pick them myself. I’ll be careful with Jeron, so don’t worry too much!”
I popped another chocolate into my mouth and stood up before he could grab me.
“Tia?”
I heard him call after me, but nope — time to flee!
*
“Your Highness, aren’t we going to look at dresses?”
As we passed Madame Casta’s salon, Jeron lightly stopped me.
“Huh? Jeron, you actually thought I was really going dress shopping?”
“Uh… weren’t you?”
I laughed airily.
“Of course not. I’ve got over a hundred dresses in my closet that I haven’t even worn yet — why would I buy more? Today’s the day I’m meeting Count Tolkié. The ‘dress shopping’ thing was just an excuse to get out.”
“Ah, it’s already that date…”
Jeron lowered his head deeply.
“My apologies, Your Highness. I completely forgot.”
“It’s fine, Jeron. I know how busy you’ve been lately.”
I patted his back as we slipped into a familiar alley — my usual route when I needed to disguise myself, just in case someone recognized me.
Jeron followed closely behind, whispering,
“You can just go straight in today, Your Highness. I’ll keep watch.”
“Thanks, Jeron.”
With him covering me, I entered Achilles without issue.
“Should I add another rear entrance to the place, Your Highness?”
“No, that’s fine. I don’t come here often anyway. Oooh, it’s still as neat as ever!”
“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring the Count.”
“Thanks, Jeron.”
I sat alone in the office at the back of Achilles, waiting for Count Tolkié.
Soon after, Jeron returned with him.
“Your Highness!”
“Count! It’s been a while! Welcome!”
I actually felt happy to see him. I stood and gave him a light hug before sitting back down.
Jeron served us tea swiftly, then bowed.
“I’ll be outside, Your Highness. Please call if you need anything.”
“Alright.”
Once the door closed, I finally relaxed.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been well, hahaha.”
The Count toyed with his teacup before glancing up at me.
“How was your debutante ball?”
“Nothing special. The Empr— …Never mind. Not important.”
I stopped myself — the Empress wasn’t worth discussing.
“And your first dance? I heard you entered with the young duke?”
The dance with Killian wasn’t something I needed to elaborate on, so I just shrugged.
“Let’s get to business. We don’t have much time.”
Looking a bit disappointed but understanding, Count Tolkié nodded and handed over some documents.
“Then, let’s start with the progress report on Pierne.”
