Chapter 3
The current emperor did not yet have any children.
The empress would give birth to a princess two years later, when I turned twelve.
So for now, among children my age—
The one with the highest status was clearly Emil Calixt.
The only legitimate son of the Duke of Calixt.
And more importantly—
A child born from Princess Robellin Castone, carrying royal blood.
But despite that, people paid more attention to Rastain of Lucretius or Hildred Raymon.
‘As always… they keep avoiding him.’
The reason was simple.
It was because of what Robellin had done.
‘Everyone is avoiding Emil.’
Even though this was a ten-year-old girl’s birthday party, adults still influenced everything.
After receiving all the gifts in the grand hall, I led the children to a playroom prepared from a guest salon.
And now—
Children around nine to ten years old formed small groups.
But only one person—
Emil stood alone near the window.
Our eyes met for a moment.
Golden eyes.
I tried to smile—
But we missed each other.
‘It’s better if I go to him directly.’
I started walking toward him—
But before I could take a few steps, someone stopped me.
“L-Lancaster young lady… happy tenth birthday.”
It was Blensia En Rivière Bute.
Behind her stood Hildred Raymon, watching calmly.
‘So he sent her.’
I smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Lady Bute. I’m happy you came.”
“I-I’ve always wanted to meet you… My parents said your mother and father are amazing… and that you are too…”
I had heard this many times before.
Belcia Lancaster.
Daughter of Ismeralda Efrish and Genewart Lancaster.
They stopped the villainess.
They earned the emperor’s trust.
They helped execute Robellin.
Because of that—
Everyone respected them.
And that expectation…
Was passed down to me.
‘Emil was the same.’
In some ways, we were different.
But also similar.
“I’m not as amazing as them. If I were just normal… would you be disappointed?”
“W-what? No! Of course not!”
“Thank you! I wanted to become close friends with you.”
Blensia blushed deeply.
“I-I wanted to be your friend too…”
Good.
That was the first step.
Other children who were watching slowly came closer.
‘Did you see that, Hildred Raymon?’
Hildred was smart and calculating.
He knew that if Emil stood out, attention would shift away from him and Rastain.
So—
He isolated Emil.
Like a child bullying a sibling to get attention.
But I had a plan.
‘I’ll bring Emil into the group.’
“Shall we go eat cake together?”
“Cake?!”
Instantly, all attention shifted.
The large doors opened.
A huge five-tier cake was brought in.
The children’s eyes sparkled.
While they were distracted—
I walked toward Emil.
“Hello, Young Master Calixt.”
He turned.
Golden eyes reflecting light like metal.
When I met his gaze—
My heart pounded.
Memories overlapped.
The Emil I knew.
The Emil who apologized to me.
And then—
Another feeling rose.
‘Why… did you kill them?’
Even though he was just an eleven-year-old child now—
That question almost came out.
Emil looked at me, surprised.
‘Why are you here?’
He didn’t say it out loud.
But I could feel it.
At this age, Emil was always alone.
Weak.
Unable to join others.
Just like I once was.
So I wanted to comfort him.
But—
Maybe my feelings weren’t pure.
‘Was I just trying to feel satisfied by helping him?’
He was important to me.
But not family.
And even now—
‘I’m approaching him to save my family…’
It felt cruel.
But I couldn’t hesitate.
‘If I don’t… he might kill them again.’
I reached out my hand.
“Shall we go eat cake together?”
Emil hesitated.
Not rejecting—
Just confused.
“Together…?”
“Don’t you want to?”
“No… it’s not that…”
So—
I grabbed his hand first.
“Let’s go.”
And he followed.
* * *
The children went quiet when I returned with Emil.
Because—
To them, Emil was like a monster.
There were many rumors.
That Robellin’s ghost followed him.
That he hurt children.
Even ate people.
All because of her reputation.
One child hiccupped in fear.
“…Hic…”
The happy atmosphere disappeared instantly.
Emil tried to pull his hand away.
“It’s okay.”
“Okay…?”
I acted like I didn’t understand.
“My mother told me to be close with you.”
It wasn’t a lie.
My mother had always taken care of Emil.
Even bringing him to stay with us.
She even made deals with Duke Calixt just to help him.
I held Emil’s hand with both of mine.
“Didn’t you already finish reading the Ivenea Bible?”
The children reacted.
Impressed.
“That’s not really—”
“I haven’t even finished it yet. You’re the only one here who has, right?”
That was true.
It was meant for older students.
Then I continued—
“What about the Northern Roban language?”
“Just a little…”
“I just started learning too! Who teaches you?”
“…I study alone.”
Of course he did.
And that made it more impressive.
I kept asking.
History.
Philosophy.
Geography.
The children listened.
And then—
I said it.
“Please be my friend.”
“W-what…?!”
Blensia suddenly stood up, blushing.
Emil was just as shocked.
“Friend…?”
He looked at the others.
Like always—
Trying to escape.
“Do you not want to?”
“….”
“Ah… I see…”
“No… it’s not that…”
As soon as he agreed—
I smiled brightly.
“Thank you!”
Then—
Blensia spoke.
“Y-you shouldn’t! He doesn’t match you!”
“Am I… not good enough?”
“That’s not it! But Young Master Calixt is…!”
“He’s amazing, isn’t he?”
That could have become dangerous.
Because—
Emil was still noble.
Still royal blood.
‘Adults are always the problem.’
I let go of his hand briefly.
Then—
I turned to Blensia.
“Blensia.”
“Y-yes…”
“You said we’re friends, right?”
“…Yes?”
“A friend of my friend is also my friend.”
“…Huh?”
“So that means you’re already friends with him too.”
Someone laughed quietly.
Probably Hildred.
I ignored it.
“This is Blensia, my first friend.”
I emphasized the word.
“F-first friend…?”
“I-I…”
Both of them looked confused.
I blinked at Blensia.
She gave in.
“…Please call me Blensia.”
“…Okay.”
Just like that—
They became friends.
I smiled and looked at the others.
“Does anyone else want to be friends?”
