“I didn’t expect the Crown Prince to like Emblem so much.”
“It’s really hard not to love Emblem in this empire.”
As expected, the nobles began to murmur as they listened to my dad and the Crown Prince’s conversation.
Jade Gray’s face froze in a scary manner upon hearing the sounds, and soon everyone fell silent.
Despite knowing about it, my dad continued the conversation with the Crown Prince, feigning ignorance.
“Because it is a historical cultural property that symbolizes the long friendship between the imperial family and the emblem, we have not even shown it to our Cherry yet. So, when you ask the head of the family in the future, please let Cherry accompany you to see the sights.”
“Certainly. What does Duke Emblem like? I can’t go empty-handed when showing such a treasured place from a prestigious family.”
“The deep interest and affection that the Crown Prince shows toward Emblem will be an invaluable gift to my father.”
“Is that so?”
The Crown Prince blushed shyly, a perfect embodiment of a successful enthusiast.
If anyone looked displeased with that sight, Jade Gray, with a cough, tried to interrupt and addressed the Crown Prince.
“The conversation seems to be getting lengthy, Your Highness.”
“Oh, I apologize. I got too excited.”
The Crown Prince, seeming to regain his composure, looked flustered and uncertain about what to do.
Perhaps embarrassed that his passion for Emblem was laid bare for everyone, Jade Gray, with a forced cough, spoke to the Crown Prince.
“I’ve been living with books since I was young because I was weak, but I fell in love with the book that Sir Emblem’s gave me, it saved me because it was so fun. … The history of Emblem touched my heart.”
My dad nodded happily at those words.
It was the same for me. ‘The Emperor’s Sword’ I can’t believe you brought him that- Yeah It was my dad, after all.
I encountered that book from a young age, a heroic tale that anyone, especially a child, would adore.
I, too, fell deeply for Emblem, my family, through ‘The Emperor’s Sword.’
“Although I may not become a hero like Emblem due to my weak health, I aspire to be a ruler that Emblem can be proud of.”
The Crown Prince shyly expressed his aspiration, and my dad responded with a warm smile.
“If Your Highness wishes for that, undoubtedly it will come true.”
Delighted by my dad’s encouragement, the Crown Prince noticeably brightened. My dad raised another toast, pushing me forward towards the Crown Prince.
“Cherry, you too must appear as a proud Emblem to His Higness. Do you understand?”
With Dad’s clear intention, I smiled brightly, matching his tone.
“Yes, Father.”
“………!”
The Crown Prince covered his mouth with both hands, silently expressing his joy. Eventually, unable to contain himself, he extended his hand towards me.
“I look forward to working with you, Lady Emblem.”
“Oh, Certainly.”
I politely shook his hand with both of mine.
“Wow!”
Instantly, thunderous applause erupted around us.
Nobles were moved witnessing the scene of the Crown Prince and me, anticipating the future.
“Look at that. We might be witnessing another historic moment being written between the royal family and Emblem.”
“If Cherrya Emblem becomes the Emperor’s Sword, this moment may be recorded in books.”
“Ha, I’m already looking forward to the future!”
What nobles cherished the most was none other than honor.
If the goddess of victory was witnessing Gray and Emblem’s match for honor, she might have raised Emblem’s hand at this very moment.
“…….”
Sensing his impending defeat in this symbolic duel, Jade Gray glared at my dad with a stern face. My dad gracefully brushed off that gaze with a serene smile.
Even facial expressions were part of my dad’s triumph. Through this brief conversation with the Crown Prince, my dad neutralized Emperor’s efforts in personally attaching the Crown Prince to Gray.
All Jade Gray could do was gracefully admit defeat to my dad’s retaliation and raise both hands, acknowledging it.
“Emblem has gained a brain that truly doesn’t suit them. Incredibly irritating.”
Drowned in cheers and applause, Jade Gray muttered these words, barely audible to us, showing his frustration.
In response, my dad maintained a smiling face.
“Coming from Gray Duke himself, it’s a joy to hear such words.”
“Consistently, you never express any support.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve never had the intention to win.”
“…. Hmph.”
Jade Gray ceased wrestling words with my dad. He seemed to swiftly calculate that adding more words here would only result in more losses.
“I shall take my leave now, Your Highness. There are others I would like to introduce.”
“Ah, yes. That would be good, Duke Gray.”
The Crown Prince, as if wanting to speak with my mom too, cast a lingering look, sighed with regret, then turned his attention elsewhere.
Catching on to this, my mom bid a affectionate farewell with a smiling face.
“Next time, I will greet you as the emperor’s sword by your side, Your Majesty.”
“……Gasp!”
The Crown Prince, unable to contain his joy, clenched his heart. I resisted bursting into laughter at his expression, resembling someone who had fallen into a pit of fandom disaster.
Having completed his satisfying fan moment, the Crown Prince now turned away with a relieved and content expression.
Leading such a satisfied Crown Prince, Jade Gray glanced at my dad and muttered regretfully.
“Tsk, it’s a shame. I even had Diana in mind as a potential match for him…”
Startled, I looked at my dad. Did Jade Gray just imply that he wanted my dad to marry Aunt Diana?
This revelation hit me for the first time, and I glanced at my mom. She seemed unfazed, showing no signs of surprise, as if she already knew about Jade Gray’s muttering.
‘Oops, my dad almost got stolen away.’
I loved my parents. They were the best in the world. I couldn’t even bear to imagine them being anyone other than my mom and dad.
“Dad, I love you.”
Realizing once again how precious my dad was, I hugged him tightly, expressing my affection.
Shyly and somewhat embarrassed, I tried not to overdo my cuteness. My dad, however, smiled and pulled me into a warm embrace.
“I love you too, my lovely daughter.”
We shared a chuckle, gazing at each other with affection.
Apparently feeling left out, my mom interjected into the mother-daughter moment.
“Tell Mom that you love me too.”
“Hihi.”
I extended my arms toward my mom. In response, she embraced both my dad and me simultaneously.
Creating this familial atmosphere seemed to appeal to my mom, and she playfully joined in.
“Say that you love mom too, please.”
“I love you, mom.”
I reached out to my mom, and she pulled both my dad and me closer.
“Who do you love more, Dad or Mom?”
At my mom’s cheesy question, I playfully smiled and replied.
“Usually, I love both of you. But right now, it’s Dad.”
“Oh my.”
“Hehe.”
My dad, gracefully deflecting Jade Gray’s subtle maneuver, became my favorite today.
Watching my dad exchange a triumphant smile with my mom, I felt a little happier today.
“Alright then. Since we’ve met the Emperor and the Crown Prince and exchanged greetings, let’s go in early and rest. Cherry, you also need to prepare for the hunting competition.”
I nodded at my mom’s words. The thought of the hunting competition brought a rush of tension again.
Receiving the knight’s uniform and real sword as a birthday gift wasn’t for nothing.
Tomorrow, I would step into my first real battle as a participant in the hunting competition.
Representing Emblem.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Our Cherry will undoubtedly excel…”
My mom glanced at the Emperor, who was conversing with other nobles in the distance.
“… To expose my seven-year-old daughter to real hunting. That person is really ukh…”
“Mom, let’s go. I’m really tired.”
In a hurry to move away from my mom, who seemed on the verge of spilling blood at any moment, I had to endure beads of sweat forming on my forehead.
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