chapter 4
“I, Fleur, the Key of the Western Lands, have arrived upon answering the call of the Light.”
The woman who entered with three children bowed politely. It had been a long time since I had heard such an ornate greeting, so it felt rather novel. At the same time, her flawless and elegant movements made it obvious—she was truly a noble.
“Your Majesty, have you been well?”
With a faint smile, the woman looked at me and Jeff. Thanks to that, I was able to observe her appearance.
Cream-colored hair and red eyes.
She seemed to be a descendant of the one who had handled supplies back when I was emperor in my previous life. Red eyes were rare in this empire, so it wasn’t difficult to deduce.
“Welcome, Marquis Fleur. You must have had a long journey.”
More than that, I was slightly surprised that Jeff addressed her as a marquis.
Because when I had been emperor, that family had merely been a nominal noble house known for producing many knights.
Of course, it had been about 20 years since I abdicated and died, and in ten years even land and mountains could change—but even so, it was rare in a class-based society to rise beyond one’s birth status.
So I couldn’t help but admire the Fleur family for reaching marquis rank in such a short time. Of course, I didn’t show it.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s care, we were able to arrive without difficulty.”
After finishing her greeting, Marquis Fleur stepped back. That made the children who had arrived with her more visible.
One child was being held by a maid and was noticeably smaller than the two standing beside the marquis. Unlike her, the child had pure silver hair—but the red eyes clearly marked them as part of the Fleur family.
“They all look bright. Are these the children under your care?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After examining the children one by one, Jeff adjusted his hold on me—as if telling me to observe them properly. As if I wasn’t already doing that just fine.
“Children, you should greet His Majesty.”
At Marquis Fleur’s gentle prompting, the child in the maid’s arms flinched, buried their face into her chest, and turned away. It seemed they were shy.
“Hello, Your Majesty!”
On the other hand, the girl with twin pigtails greeted properly, lifting the hem of her dress and bowing politely. It seemed she had received proper etiquette training.
As expected of a noble child.
I thought she was quite impressive for her age.
“My name is Ronowe Masha Fleur!”
When the name “Ronowe”—a demon of ancient knowledge—came out of her mouth, I instinctively wondered if she might actually be a disguised demon.
But her red eyes held none of the sinful aura demons possessed. Instead, they looked clear and pure.
“Please take care of me!”
Ronowe bowed again and stood upright. When our eyes met, she smiled brightly. Far too kind to be a demon.
Well, it’s not like demons still exist in this world anyway.
And if she were one, she would have snapped my neck the moment she saw me.
After all, long ago, because I had troubled the gods, my wings were broken, and I had a particularly bad relationship with demons—plus, I had been favored by the gods.
“My name is Carlisle Pasinelli Bergamot.”
While I was lost in thought, the boy beside her spoke.
He looked about two or three years older than the others and carried a maturity beyond his age. His black hair and calm blue-green eyes were striking.
From his name and appearance—so unlike the Fleur family—I realized he wasn’t from their house. But it puzzled me why someone from the ducal Bergamot family was being educated under the Fleurs.
“Young master, you should greet His Majesty.”
The maid spoke to the boy in her arms, but he only clung to her, still shy.
“Veris.”
Marquis Fleur called his name with a slightly stern expression—though her voice remained gentle. Still, for some reason, she reminded me of a soaring eagle.
“The child seems shy. Let him be.”
Jeff raised a hand as if to reassure her.
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.”
“No, it’s only natural.”
Jeff glanced at me. I unconsciously frowned, but he didn’t seem to care.
“Please take good care of our princess from now on.”
What does he mean by that?
Before I could even question it, I was transferred from Jeff’s arms into the maid’s.
A few minutes later, I arrived at the playroom Jeff had prepared for me.
What exactly am I doing right now? This feels less like having companions and more like being a babysitter.
And now, I was stacking blocks with the Fleur children. I had no idea why, but since Jeff insisted I get along with them, I complied without complaint.
“Kyaa! Whoosh!”
Veris, who had been shy earlier, was now running wildly around the playroom with a toy sword.
“Bad big sister! Take my sword!”
“Veris! You can’t hit people!”
“I didn’t hit you!”
He seemed quite fond of the wooden sword.
What’s so fun about pretending to be a knight with such a dull toy sword?
I stared blankly at them playing, then checked the clock.
Damn it… damn!
Not even ten minutes had passed.
It felt like I had been there for ten hours.
So I passed time stacking and knocking down blocks. Veris occasionally invited me to sword fight, but I ignored him.
“Princess, let’s build a pretty castle!”
Ronowe came over and started stacking blocks beside me.
Soon, she began constructing something like a tower.
After a few minutes, it actually resembled a building.
“Oh, Ronowe. You’re quite good.”
I clapped without thinking.
“Hehe, thank you, Princess!”
She looked proud.
“You’re done now?”
“No! Now we need to put the roof on!”
She held up a cone-shaped block with sparkling eyes.
Right, a castle needs a pointed roof.
“Princess, if we put the roof on like this—whoosh!”
Crash!
The carefully built castle collapsed instantly.
Turning my head, I saw Veris had knocked it down with his toy sword.
He looked startled, so it didn’t seem intentional—but Ronowe burst into tears.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay. Be good.”
“Waaah! My castle! Princess!”
Sigh…
I picked up a doll.
“Here, take this and play.”
“A… doll?”
“Yes. It’s yours.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
I patted her back. Instantly, she stopped crying and ran off to play with Veris.
Kids really are kids.
They made up so quickly.
But why is Carlisle so quiet?
He stood by the window, staring outside.
More mature than the others, I guess.
Looking at him felt calming.
I like that one.
No matter how you look at it, he has the makings of a general.
I’ll call him ‘future general’.
He’d make a loyal subordinate.
Then I thought of Jeff.
What made you turn into such a doting fool of a father?
I sat on the sofa. Playing with kids didn’t suit me.
“Kyahaha!”
My peace didn’t last long. Ronowe and Veris ran around screaming.
I’m not doing this because I like you.
If they got hurt, it’d be my responsibility.
So I cleaned up the blocks.
“I got it first!”
“No, it’s mine!”
They started fighting again—this time over crayons and paper.
“Both of you, stop!”
I shouted.
“Give them here.”
I took both away.
“…Uuuh…”
Now they were about to cry.
“Wait! I’ll tell you something fun!”
“Really?”
Uh oh.
I couldn’t think of anything.
Ah!
Then I remembered my past.
“My story should be interesting enough.*
“Long ago…”
I drew pictures as I told my story—from when I first stepped onto the earth to when I was punished and exiled by the gods.
“What was the answer to the god’s question?”
“Anyone know?”
“…Hmm…”
No response.
“I know!”
Finally!
“What is it?!”
“Cake!”
…At that moment, a maid entered with strawberry cake.
“…Of course.”
I’m the idiot for expecting anything.
“Princess.”
Carlisle approached.
“Would you like some cake?”
Definitely future general material.
Hours later, I was finally free from the two little demons.
At this rate, I’ll grow old before finding my answer.
I was exhausted.
“What’s wrong, Princess?”
The maid shook a rattle.
Even that’s annoying…
I snatched it away.
I should just meditate tomorrow.
I pretended to sleep.
Companions, my foot…
I wished never to see them again.
The next day—
“Princess!”
“We’re back!”
…I froze on the spot.
