Chapter 62
The Duke was concerned about Adele.
‘Annoying.’
There’s always a reason for things one doesn’t want to do. If it bothers you, just keep it close.
These two ideas were his guiding principles.
“Bring Adele to my office, with the bed.”
“Yes, Master.”
The steward obeyed without question.
Since the founding of the Alcibiades family, no child had ever entered the Duke’s office—but the Duke’s orders always outweighed aristocratic etiquette.
Soft breathing.
The Duke, immersed in his work, and the little girl, lost in dreamland.
Although it was an odd sight, no one dared comment.
‘At least the urgent matters are taken care of.’
After working through the night on documents, the Duke finally lifted his head in the middle of the day.
Adele was still asleep.
The awakening caused by the war had not yet subsided. The lives that had slipped away under his hands were still vividly present.
Exhausting his body was almost easier.
“……I’ll do it myself.”
Hearing this, Sarina, who had been tending to Adele, rose from her seat.
She looked at the Duke in surprise but lowered her head again.
“Everyone, leave.”
At a single word, everyone moved in unison.
The Duke sat in front of Adele’s bed.
The bed was lavishly decorated with all kinds of jewels. A wet towel rested on Adele’s forehead.
Had she been that exhausted? She had been asleep for two full days, yet his daughter had not woken.
The Duke rolled up his sleeves.
Adele’s cheeks were pale pink. Definitely redder than usual.
“…….”
He picked up the wet towel.
Dipping it into the golden basin, he soaked and wrung it out.
He wasn’t checking for life signs, but habitually touched under Adele’s ears first.
Her hair was thin and fine.
A defenseless life that could be snuffed out with a single grip.
Her fever had dropped significantly.
‘It’s the first time I’ve stared so long at someone sleeping.’
The Duke thought, changing the towel for her.
He had never personally tended to Beatrice when she was sick.
“Faa…ther…….”
“…….”
Mumbling in sleep, perhaps.
Less distinct than before, but it grated on him.
The Duke couldn’t take his eyes off Adele for quite some time.
[‘The Prophetic Child’ was able to hear the voice of ‘Goschen.’]
Yesterday, the Crown Prince had requested a private meeting and told him this.
Even the Duke had never heard of it before.
[Moreover, ‘The Prophetic Child’ asked the spirit to erase the human scents of the three of us. That’s why we were able to infiltrate without being detected by ‘Goschen.’]
Also new information.
Adele truly was ‘The Prophetic Child.’
Her abilities were incredible. The more he considered it, the more impossible it seemed. Even without planting a spy, she could secretly eavesdrop on ‘their’ top-secret strategies.
Of course, it would be too dangerous to assign such a mission to her.
Even the existence of such abilities was absurdly powerful.
[…Who else knows this?]
[Only Madeline and I.]
[Keep it secret.]
[Of course, Your Grace.]
The Crown Prince stepped back.
‘A blessing for humanity. The only hope.’
But first.
‘My daughter.’
If the time came when he had to choose between ‘The Prophetic Child’ and his daughter…
The Duke slowly closed his eyes and opened them again.
Gradually, consciousness returned.
‘Warm.’
It felt as if he had woken from an incredibly long dream.
In the dream, I probably saw my father. My brother, Khan, Michael, and Sarina too.
I slowly opened my eyes.
“…….”
At first, my head was completely blank.
As if waking from an extremely long sleep, my whole body felt drained and weak.
I barely turned my head—and was soon surprised.
‘Father?’
It was midday.
And my father was sleeping right in front of me.
‘Why?’
I recalled the last memory.
‘Right… the Black Market.’
I had asked the earth spirit for help and collapsed as if fainting.
Khan had caught me… and I thought everyone had been saved. After that…
‘I don’t remember.’
Wait—was I discovered?
[This time, don’t get caught.]
Khan had told me that.
This time, we had to deceive both the Duke and the Prince.
My heart thumped.
Father slept like a drowsy beast.
I widened my eyes and held my breath. If he woke, I would surely be scolded.
‘Scary.’
And yet, I suddenly thought my father looked handsome.
It was difficult to look at him when his eyes were open, but now they were closed.
His sleeves were rolled up, arms exposed, resting his head on one arm.
…A wet towel hung over his hand, in a golden, sparkling basin.
‘He’s been taking care of me?’
Had he been watching over me the whole time?
This was my first time here. I was on the bed, but there were bookshelves and documents everywhere.
“Hmm……”
Suddenly, Father’s eyebrows twitched.
I froze.
‘I mustn’t wake him.’
I tried to be quiet.
But it was useless. Perhaps sensing my obvious gaze, Father lifted his eyelids.
“…….”
Red eyes.
Our eyes met.
Awake now, he immediately held both my cheeks.
“Are you alright?”
“Uh…uh……”
He seemed uncomfortable with my drooling. He removed his hand, frowning.
“Does it hurt?”
I nodded.
“You’ve been sleeping almost two full days, you know.”
Two days? Could a person really sleep for two days? More importantly…
“Did… I get caught?”
“……?”
Father paused for a moment, then made a strange expression. He put the wet towel back in the basin and stood.
He pulled a rope.
After a while, the door opened. Michael and Rogue entered.
“You’re awake, Princess!”
“Do not worry, Princess.”
“Hello…….”
It had been so long, I was happy to see them, but I first worried about Father.
Seeing the Duke, he seemed restless and opened the window. Fresh, cool air came in. Sunlight warmed the room.
“I’ll put you down now.”
Rogue lifted me from the bed and set me on the floor.
It felt strange to stand on solid ground again.
Now I understood—this was Father’s office.
The bed was very high. Rogue stepped back. The water spirit appeared.
<Dirty, so I washed you while you slept, Adele!>
The spirit said cheerfully.
Normally, I would have thanked her, but I had more pressing matters.
Biting my lip and dazed, I finally made a firm decision.
I hurried to Father.
He glanced down at me strangely from the window.
“I’m sorry, Father.”
Repentance…
How does a child apologize to parents? I didn’t know, being a first-time child.
I remembered a scene from a storybook and clumsily tried to imitate it.
Hands together, rubbing fervently.
Flap, flap.
“……What are you doing?”
“I won’t do it again.”
“……What?”
“Roaming around at night.”
“…….”
“I went out without permission.”
“…….”
“Everything… was my fault.”
Father’s expression didn’t change.
What should I do?
‘He must be really mad.’
Just then, Father suddenly picked me up.
“Ugh?”
“Why do you weigh less every time I pick you up? You’re already so small. Didn’t eat for two days, maybe that’s why.”
“I brought grapes in case you got hungry suddenly.”
“About the color of the captain’s eyes, huh?”
“Rebellion, Rogue?”
“You’ve already quit being captain anyway.”
I was dizzy, having just woken.
I hugged Father’s neck tightly. I hadn’t seen him in a long time.
He had gone to the battlefield—I had worried whether he had been hurt, whether it had been hard for him.
And now he was right in front of me.
“Father… aren’t you angry?”
“Such a lovely daughter—how could I be?”
I opened my eyes wide.
His words shook my heart.
He smelled nice, and I loved the sound of his heartbeat.
Father even stroked my hair.
“You saved many people.”
“Really?”
“……Many lives.”
Though it carried multiple meanings, I didn’t fully grasp them.
I was just happy I wasn’t scolded. I was glad I was praised.
“I’m so happy.”
“First, eat something.”
Father fed me grapes brought by Michael.
It felt strange eating immediately after waking, but I chewed diligently.
‘Sweet.’
Refreshing.
“The matter is resolved. You won’t go to war now.”
“Then I can see you every day?”
As soon as I finished one grape, Father put another in my mouth.
“Hmm… maybe.”
“Princess, you should know how many times I vowed you’d never be hurt on the battlefield.”
“……He often admired my bare skin with pride.”
I was briefly surprised by Michael and Rogue’s testimony.
“When Rasitheni received the bouquet, he bragged about his daughter so much… He wasn’t married yet but already wanted a daughter.”
Now that I think about it, Rasitheni had also been saved by the earth spirit.
I decided I would always thank the earth spirit first.
“Really, Father?”
“…….”
The Duke’s black hair flowed in the wind. His red eyes were still vivid like blood, but slightly different.
Perhaps my expectant gaze was burdensome, because Father suddenly put me down.
“You’re awake now. Take her out.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“You’re obviously embarrassed.”
“Go away.”
But Michael remained completely loyal to the Duke.
I was led out of the office.
‘What a shame.’
I wanted to see Father a bit more…
Outside, Michael put another grape in my mouth. I ate eagerly, still hungry.
I remembered Rogue saying Michael had quit as captain, but now wasn’t the time.
The water spirit, looking like a fairy, hovered in front of me, tilting its head.
‘Th-thanks.’
I moved my lips to greet. Apparently, it didn’t smell on me, and my mouth didn’t feel sticky.
The spirit smiled.
Sarina appeared from the hallway, saw me, and ran over.
“Princess, you’re awake!”
“Yes!”
Though I only opened my eyes, everyone praised me. Michael offered another grape. It was delicious and made me happy.
Sarina knelt to meet my eye level.
“Everything’s fine. Tonight, His Majesty the Emperor will give a merit award. He specifically mentioned your actions at the Black Market.”
Merit award?
“That means he will reward you.”
Michael explained.
I looked at Sarina again.
“His Majesty personally said he supports the friendship between you, Madeline, and the Crown Prince.”
