Chapter 11
“Erin, was it? She must be Princess Aileen of this Empire.”
The man who had been with Aileen until just moments ago was Valdir Oppenheim.
He was the youngest Magic Tower Master in the Empire.
A few years ago, he suddenly handed over the authority to use the West Tower to the Emperor, claiming he would devote himself entirely to research, and chose to seclude himself in the tower.
Valdir knew Aileen’s identity but pretended not to.
Perhaps he wanted to observe the personality of the child who seemed to enjoy books.
“She’s four years old this year, was it?”
Even though he did not interact with people, he still had a grasp of the Empire’s general affairs.
One did not become a Magic Tower Master at such a young age without reason.
Valdir had cut off contact with others to focus solely on research and had placed illusion magic around the West Tower, living in complete seclusion.
Yet Aileen had broken through it and entered his domain.
“How did she get in here?”
From the top of the tower, Valdir looked out over the forest and watched Aileen making her way out.
Having met someone after a long time, Valdir found himself quite fond of the intelligent-looking Aileen.
She showed no discomfort or reaction even though he did not treat her as a princess.
As if she were used to it.
That, too, was one of the reasons Valdir grew curious about her.
“Is that child older than a princess?”
Valdir briefly thought about why he had chosen to live in seclusion in this West Tower.
“Since the princess seems quite sharp, it might be fun to spend time with her for a while.”
With a mischievous smile on his face at the memory of Aileen’s generous praise, Valdir vanished from the top of the tower.
Rewinding time slightly—to the moment Aileen was enjoying a pleasant snack time with Valdir.
“Princess! Where are you!”
“Please answer us!”
The maids of the princess’s palace and the prince’s palace were in a frenzy searching for Aileen.
“Your Highness, where did the princess disappear to?”
“Near the west tower over there.”
Lucas pointed toward where Aileen had vanished.
Unlike his usual foolish demeanor in front of Aileen, he now looked composed and sharp.
This was Lucas’s true nature—and also the reason why sounds of kicking blankets could be heard from the prince’s quarters at night.
In front of Aileen, he was a silly older brother who needed constant scolding, but in front of others, he carried the dignity of a four-year-old prince.
“Near the west tower?”
“Yep!”
Despite that, he still spoke with a lisp like a baby.
“But that’s not a place just anyone can go…”
“Erin and I aren’t just anyone!”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I’m going there to find Erin!”
Annoyed by Sylvia’s words, Lucas raised his voice.
“Your Highness, that area is only accessible to those who are permitted.”
Sylvia tried to explain calmly, but Lucas was already bouncing in place, ready to run off at any moment.
“I’m going to find Erin right now!”
“Your Highness, then please go with us.”
“No need. I can go by myself!”
Lucas clenched his fists and declared resolutely to Sylvia.
“Even so, it’s dangerous to go alone.”
Caw—caw.
Startled.
It almost felt like the cawing of crows flying near the West Tower was right in front of them.
“You will go with us, won’t you?”
“T-then we’ll all go together?”
Hearing Lucas soften, Lenny, who had been with Sylvia, and the maids all let out relieved sighs.
If they lost Lucas while trying to find Aileen, who would take responsibility?
“Then I’ll lead the way, so please follow slowly.”
Lenny hurried forward and said.
“I’ll go ahead first! Everyone come slowly!”
Thinking the maids were coming along, Lucas dashed toward the West Tower without hesitation.
“Erin! Someone’s coming!”
Lucas’s voice echoed loudly through the West Tower forest.
As I ran, the hem of my dress fluttering, I soon saw people searching for me.
“Lucas! Lenny!”
“Erin!”
“Your Highness!”
As soon as Lenny saw me, she ran over and carefully checked me from head to toe, making sure I wasn’t hurt.
“I’m okay.”
“Where on earth did you go without saying anything!”
Lenny scolded me with a face that looked like she might burst into tears.
“Your Highness, your nanny has been searching for you for quite some time.”
Diarlo Baumann, who was practically my personal bodyguard now, stepped in.
“Diarlo! I was just in the forest!”
Since the day I learned his full name was Diarlo Baumann, I had been calling him Diarlo instead of his family name.
Because of that, he seemed more relaxed around me, and I felt more comfortable with him as well.
‘Or maybe he’s not being relaxed… but just treating me casually?’
At times, he seemed to treat me like a younger sibling.
“Do you realize how worried your nanny gets every time you cause trouble?”
Just like now.
Diarlo’s nagging seemed to be getting worse than Lenny’s.
How old am I supposed to be to have to listen to this kind of scolding?
“Ahhh!”
To block out Diarlo’s nagging, I covered both ears with my hands and shouted.
“Well, anyway, I’m glad you returned safely. Let’s head back to the palace.”
“Okay.”
Diarlo lifted me into his arms and said. I rested my head against his chest and replied.
At that moment, Lucas quietly approached and grabbed the hem of my dress.
“Erin, don’t go around alone.”
“Lucas, don’t cry.”
It felt like removing a lump only to end up with another one.
“I’m sorry, everyone. I think I can manage on my own now. Next time, I won’t forget the way.”
“You’re saying you’ll go out alone again?!”
“No, no! That’s not what I meant. Next time, I’ll definitely go with you.”
I returned to the princess’s palace and endured endless scolding from Lenny.
“Caligo, today you shall accompany your father to the palace.”
“……”
The child said nothing, only looking at the Duke’s face.
“Do you not wish to go?”
“…Am I allowed to go to the palace?”
Duke Shrytz gently patted the head of his only son and heir.
“With me, there is nowhere in this Empire you cannot go—except the royal bedrooms.”
The perceptive child nodded without asking further questions.
“Go to your room and prepare for the palace. Then come down.”
“Yes.”
The child went up to his room on the second floor but had little to prepare.
“Shall I help you get ready?”
A maid who followed asked, but he declined.
“No. You may leave.”
“Yes.”
After the maid left, he looked around the room, changed his clothes, and went downstairs.
“You’re already ready?”
“Yes.”
At the Duke’s question, the child nodded slightly.
“Good. Then let’s go.”
The Duke carried the child into a carriage waiting outside the mansion and climbed in himself.
The carriage carrying the Shrytz father and son soon set off toward the palace.
“Caligo, do you know why you are going to the palace today?”
“……”
The child remained silent.
“Are you not curious?”
“…Did His Majesty summon me?”
“Hahaha, no.”
The Duke laughed at the child’s response.
“There are people I would like to introduce you to today.”
“What kind of people?”
“They are young, but very important individuals.”
The child seemed to understand immediately and nodded slightly.
“Do you know about the twin royals?”
“Yes… I’ve heard there is a princess and a prince.”
“Correct. You know well.”
Until just moments ago, the child’s expression had been blank and uninterested—but now it softened slightly.
It was the first time in a year that the Duke had seen any expression on his face.
Caligo, now six years old, was more intelligent than children his age and had a mature demeanor.
His appearance, resembling his father’s, was undeniably admirable—anyone would find him lovable.
However, due to a lack of proper affection during his formative years, there was a void in his emotions.
The Duke wanted to fulfill his role now, but opening the child’s heart was not easy.
Through a private audience with the Emperor, he had obtained an opportunity for Caligo to meet the twin royals. He hoped that interacting with peers might help the boy learn emotions and open his heart.
“Lenny! Today I’m going to see Lucas!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Get things ready.”
After yesterday’s chaos, I decided I should go visit him myself today.
“Yes.”
Lenny smiled and went into the dressing room to bring out a new dress.
“Do I have to change clothes too?”
“If Your Highness dresses nicely, Prince Lucas may forgive you faster.”
“Really?”
Thinking that made sense, I nodded and changed into the dress Lenny brought.
Holding Lenny’s hand, I went to Lucas’s palace.
Hearing that there was already a visitor, I was about to turn back, but a maid said it was the Emperor’s order and led me to the garden.
“I need a friend…”
“Hahaha, they will become good companions for the prince and princess.”
As we approached the garden, I heard Lucas’s voice and another unfamiliar voice.
‘A man… an adult?’
Carefully approaching, I saw two figures beside Lucas—one large and one small.
“Lucas, I’m here.”
“Erin!”
Lucas cut off his conversation and ran toward me.
“Erin, you came to see me?”
“Mm.”
I replied casually and looked at the two seated figures.
“Princess, it is an honor to meet you. I am Crimson Shrytz.”
“……”
The two who had been seated stood and bowed to greet me.
‘Crimson Shrytz… isn’t that the Empire’s duke? Why would someone like him be meeting Lucas?’
Had he been connected to Lucas in my previous life as well?
“Mm-hmm. Hello.”
I returned the greeting with a cautious look.
When I did, the two raised their heads—and for a moment, I lost my words.
“Who are you?”
