Chapter 17
“Phew.”
I let out a deep sigh instead of saying more.
No matter how much I whined or tried to persuade him, Dad wasn’t going to budge.
If I blurted out something like “That man seems really bad. You’re being fooled by him, Dad,” without any proof, then…
‘I’ll be stuck listening to a two-hour sermon!’
Don’t judge others carelessly, don’t badmouth someone precious to another person, and so on and so forth.
‘No way, I don’t want that!’
More than anything, what if I said the wrong thing and Dad ended up resenting me?
That would be worse.
I shook my head hard, then drooped my shoulders helplessly.
If only there were other dads here. At least they would have listened to me…
‘…Wait?’
That’s right. The other dads were on their way here right now.
If I told them about Bertolt’s suspicious behavior once they arrived at the Imperial Palace, maybe they could help me.
‘Good. I’ll wait for them.’
Unlike Harzen Dad, the other dads could view Bertolt with objective eyes!
Of course, I couldn’t just sit idly by until they arrived.
Their arrival meant the original plotline would reset and progress would begin again.
‘And that means we’ll be one step closer to Mother’s death.’
I had to prepare thoroughly to make sure that even after my dads arrived, the original story didn’t start!
“Dad, I’ll do my best.”
“Good. Grow strong and healthy.”
Dad tugged lightly at my cheek, thinking I was responding to his earlier comment about being too young.
But no matter. I clenched both fists tightly and made a silent vow.
I would save the person Dad loved most in this world.
Even if it meant tearing down the man he trusted more than anyone else!
That was why I had to stay on full surveillance mode with Bertolt.
‘But how do I keep an eye on him?’
It wasn’t like Mom or Dad would leave me alone to wander secretly around the palace.
And Kyle Dad’s invisible cloak had already been confiscated…
‘No, I can still do this.’
Come to think of it, Bertolt was the one Dad trusted most in this entire palace.
So if Mom and Dad had to leave me behind for any reason, who would they entrust me to?
Of course—it would be Bertolt.
That meant I could watch him closely without breaking any rules!
“I think I finally understand you, Dad.”
With sudden enlightenment, I gave him the serene smile of a saint.
Go ahead, Dad. Trust Bertolt with all your heart. I’ll handle the rest.
But life never goes as planned.
“Somehow, you don’t seem pleased.”
The Emperor’s blue eyes shimmered as he spoke.
That’s right.
From early morning, I had been summoned to his office at the Emperor’s command.
Naturally, Dad absolutely—utterly—hated the idea.
‘But Dad can’t ever win against Mom.’
Mother insisted there was no time to waste, and in the end, Dad had to give in.
“N-no…”
I forced a smile and shook my head.
It was all because I was so cute that I had piqued the Emperor’s curiosity.
At this point, there was no avoiding it.
“Did you sleep well?”
I greeted him cheerfully, pretending nothing was out of the ordinary.
The Emperor tilted his head slightly, speaking again.
“You look as though you didn’t sleep at all.”
“Gasp.”
I instinctively touched my face.
He could see that?
Well… yes, I had tossed and turned half the night, worried that Bertolt might change his mind while I slept.
“Well, it’s your first time staying in a foreign palace. Understandable.”
The Emperor smiled faintly, clearly amused by my reaction.
“If you wish, I can have a chamber made identical to your own.”
“No! That’s fine!”
I shook my head frantically, even faster than before.
I had no intention of tasting the allure of power in this place!
“The bed was sooo comfy. It felt like sleeping on clouds—stable and cozy.”
“Hmm.”
“The princess bed was the best!’’
I added an enthusiastic thumbs-up, listing off every merit of the bed.
The bed was innocent, after all—no need to change it!
“Well. That’s good to hear.”
The Emperor arched a brow, speaking casually.
“Don’t just stand there. Sit.”
“Oh—yes, sir.”
I started toward the sofa on the side of the office, but—
“Not there.”
The Emperor halted me, tapping his own knee lightly.
“Sit here.”
My eyes widened.
“Eh…?”
Since when were we that close?
“Really… here?”
Unable to stop myself, I asked again in a tiny voice.
‘Is this really okay?’
Sitting on the Emperor’s lap just seemed wrong.
What if one of the knights outside stormed in shouting, “How dare you sit on His Majesty’s lap!” and dragged me away?
“Did you think I was joking?”
The Emperor tilted his head, clearly puzzled by my hesitation.
“If you sit over there, I can’t focus on work. The chair is too low, it forces me to bend.”
“Ahh?”
Then wouldn’t it make more sense just to give me the chair?
Having me on his lap would be even more distracting!
“…Well? Are you coming or not?”
Perhaps realizing how flimsy his excuse sounded even to himself, the Emperor frowned and urged me forward.
Then his gaze narrowed slightly.
“Or… do you dislike the idea?”
“N-no, not at all.”
I didn’t dislike it.
‘Actually… I like this.’
It meant the Emperor had a strong fondness for me.
If I played along, I could use this chance to gather as much information as possible about Dad and Bertolt.
So I quickly shook my head and shuffled forward hesitantly.
The Emperor himself had ordered it, so surely no knight would dare arrest me.
Still… was it really okay?
I hesitated once more in front of him—
“Hm.”
Without warning, the Emperor scooped me up and placed me squarely on his lap.
My body stiffened instantly, and I swallowed hard.
I had actually sat down on the Emperor’s knees.
If people could be compared to chairs, then this was the most precious seat in the entire world.
‘I’m so nervous!’
I couldn’t even twitch a finger, frozen like stone.
Then suddenly, a broad, heavy hand rested gently atop my head.
I gasped and looked up at him.
“…Up close, you seem even smaller.”
His touch was as cautious as if he were holding a porcelain doll about to shatter.
So different from the way Mom or Dad would stroke my hair.
The wrinkled warmth of his hand was strange—hovering just on the edge, making my heart tickle.
The Emperor stroked my head several more times before finally speaking again.
“This is the first time I’ve ever held someone like this. I feel oddly nervous too.”
My eyes widened again.
“I’m… your first?”
“Yes.”
He nodded slowly.
“I suppose age has only made me sentimental.”
No. That wasn’t it.
‘He’s never once held his own children like this.’
How could that be?
I hug Derrick Dad first thing in the morning.
I cling to Kyle Dad at lunchtime.
At dinner, I snuggle into Harzen Dad’s arms while listening to fairy tales.
And at night, before bed, I always hug Zion Dad.
And yet, this man had three sons, and not once had he embraced any of them?
End of Chapter 17
