Thanks to the mansion burning down completely, we had evacuated to a temporary military tent.
When Dad walked in through the flap of the tent, he seemed to sense the awkward yet somehow warm atmosphere lingering between us and frowned slightly.
“…Should I just go back out again?”
“…No.”
As soon as our eyes met, I suddenly recalled how I had hugged Dad’s neck and bawled right after being rescued. My face immediately flushed red.
It was all because I was overwhelmed.
In that terrifying moment, when I finally saw an adult I could rely on, I just couldn’t control my emotions…
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I quietly scooted to the edge of the bed.
I heard Dad chuckle softly while looking down at me, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze again.
“How’s your body? Feeling alright?”
“I’m okay. The old lady doctor put some medicine on.”
“For now, don’t move around too much. Just follow Anna’s instructions.”
“Yes, sir.”
According to Dad, the nanny and Dietrich would return not alone but with a group of knights, even if it meant traveling at night.
They’re going to be shocked when they get back because of me again.
I promised I’d stay hidden and quiet, yet I ended up shooting an entire action movie in the middle of the flames…
Though to be fair, I really did try to stay hidden.
Getting flung through the air by the explosive force of the fire was totally unexpected—maybe the nanny will understand?
“What about Betty and Laura…?”
“They’re handling the aftermath at the mansion. I’ve ordered them to look after you once they’re done, so don’t worry.”
“And the others…?”
Dad didn’t answer, only fell silent. But that silence was already an answer in itself.
People really die so easily.
I’d known that truth even in the world I came from—but never as brutally and openly as in this one.
There were magical beasts, the house collapsed, and then there was fire on top of that.
Just trying to guess how many familiar faces had died in the chaos made the nausea I’d barely suppressed start to rise again.
I closed my eyes for a moment to fight the dizziness, all the while keenly aware of Dad’s gaze resting on me.
Only after confirming that I had somewhat recovered did Dad finally turn his attention to Florian.
“Is His Highness alright?”
Florian slowly nodded in response.
I saw a few drops of blood splattered on Dad’s arm as he turned around, and I tried to blur my eyes as much as possible, so I wouldn’t see them clearly.
After handing us over to the healer, Dad had said he’d speak to the surviving servants from the main house, and he had briefly stepped out.
Those stains must be the traces left behind from the conversations he had during that absence.
Violence, after all, is one of the most effective forms of communication.
“Have you gotten the results from the interrogation?”
Florian seemed most curious about that as well.
“One of the guards from the main estate confessed who was behind it.”
“Who was it? The Empress?”
Before answering, Dad glanced over at me for a moment.
He must’ve been concerned about my age—only four years old—but considering I was nearly killed in all this, I needed to know who was behind it.
I pressed my lips together and held his gaze silently, expressing that I wanted the truth. Dad didn’t drag it out.
“The servants sent from the main house this time were all personally selected by the Young Duke of Callenberg.”
“I’ve heard of the Young Duke of Callenberg. Isn’t his son betrothed to the Empress’s niece, still in the womb, if I remember correctly…?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Young Duke? That’s my uncle.
If it’s his son, then he must be close to my age… and he’s already engaged?
Then it’s likely a political marriage.
If the Empress and my uncle have joined forces through their children, then my family and Florian share a common enemy.
“My apologies. It seems Sir Leopord and your daughter have suffered because of me.”
Florian gave a slight bow toward both Dad and me.
Hearing an apology from the very child who almost got murdered just left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“What do you plan to do now, Sir? The Empress and the Duke of Peterzen won’t give up easily. Perhaps it would be better if I simply went back?”
Wouldn’t he be killed the moment he returned, now that he’s on the Empress’s bad side?
He was still so young, yet he already seemed far too familiar with the idea of giving up his own life. I was about to say something, but Dad spoke first.
“Since His Majesty entrusted Your Highness to me, you are now under my care. I have no intention of sending you back to die.”
Dad’s words sounded very noble and touching—but Florian didn’t seem to feel the same.
His face turned cold as he stared at Dad.
“My thoughts differ from His Majesty’s. I do not acknowledge you as my teacher, Sir. Frankly, I’ve never needed a teacher in the first place.”
“Why not? Because the person entrusted with your care tried to kill you?”
“…If you know that much, then I’m sure you can understand perfectly well why I say I don’t need a teacher, Sir Leopord.”
A tense conversation was unfolding—one that I couldn’t fully grasp.
Even if I couldn’t follow all the context, I was at least sure that this wasn’t a situation I should butt into. So I tried to shrink my presence as much as possible.
“I am not like Viscount Müller.”
“My former teacher, Viscount Müller, said something similar. Then he set fire to the Prince’s Palace and tried to kill me.”
As he said this, Florian clenched and slowly opened his right hand.
Even after being rescued from a sea of flames, Florian’s wariness toward Dad hadn’t lessened in the slightest.
Well… I guess that’s understandable.
If you nearly got killed by your previous teacher, it would be hard to trust someone else—even if that person was appointed by imperial order.
Dad looked at Florian, who was bristling like a cat with its fur standing on end, and gave a bitter smile.
“This matter concerns me too, Your Highness.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that even if I gave up on Your Highness and sent you back into danger, the Young Duke of Callenberg would still try to have me killed.”
“That’s…”
“The Young Duke likely sent spies targeting either me or my children. You know that the servants from the main estate arrived here before Your Highness and your entourage did, right?”
Hearing Dad’s logically airtight explanation, Florian slowly nodded.
“Your Highness being put in danger this time is no different from you getting caught up in my own affairs.”
Ugh, I don’t want to think anymore.
Not that I’ve been doing much thinking to begin with, but I really, really don’t want to start now.
Still, it’s too late to unhear it.
According to Dad, Uncle is trying to kill Dad… and us siblings?
Why is this deep and dark abyss looking straight at me?
I really don’t want to look back into it!
“Whether or not I send Your Highness back into peril, the Young Duke’s intent to harm me won’t change. So taking on the responsibility of protecting one more person doesn’t change anything either.”
After listening to Dad’s long explanation, Florian let out a small sigh.
He didn’t show it openly, but it seemed he had been tense, worried that Dad might tell him to return to the imperial palace.
Even if he acts like he’s accepted everything in the world, he’s still just a kid.
“And Your Highness will eventually need a mentor.”
“What makes you so sure of that?”
Even as Florian looked at him with eyes full of distrust, Dad just gave a playful grin without flinching.
With a casual wave of his hand, Dad signaled to a servant standing by the entrance of the military tent. The servant stepped forward and pulled back the flap.
Visible through the opening was the corpse of a magical beast, impaled and frozen in place, its limbs rigid like a grotesque taxidermy exhibit.
Even seeing it again… it was still massive.
The magical beast’s body, which had coiled around the entire house, was revolting enough to send chills across my whole body just by looking at it.
“Being poisoned by magic poison must have prevented you from using your protective blessing properly.”
“……”
“You can’t rely solely on the power that comes from your bloodline. There are enemies out there who can prevent you from using your blessing.”
“……”
“You must learn swordsmanship, politics, and every skill you can possibly acquire. You must use every tool available and become stronger.”
Dad’s words were heavy—and a long silence settled over the tent.
“…Then what am I supposed to do now?”
Florian asked his question hesitantly, as if finally bringing himself to speak.
Dad gave a chilling smile, as though he had been waiting for that.
“First, we go hold someone accountable.”
Accountable? For what? For the attack?
“You’ll need to accompany me to the Northern Duke’s estate, Your Highness.”
The Duke’s estate… that’s Grandpa’s house, right?
From what I’ve heard, Dad doesn’t have the best relationship with Grandpa. Is it really okay to just storm in like this?
But Dad didn’t offer much of an explanation.
Outwardly, he seemed calm—but in his eyes, there was a storm of anger and emotions boiling so intensely that even I couldn’t bring myself to ask further.
~~~
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