Chapter 16
The Grand Duke, who returned without being able to reap anything, sat on the dining table with Ahin and Ariel.
Seeing this, Ahin asked in a puzzled voice.
“So you’re saying that His Majesty didn’t grant his permission to let Ariel into the family registry?”
“Yeah, he said he must have a talk with you.”
“Why is that…”
As Ahin made a puzzled expression, Martin, who was next to him, intervened.
“His Majesty must’ve been worried about you, young master. You know how special His Majesty thinks of you.”
“Hmm.”
Ahin silently cut the meat.
It wasn’t wrong, because he had always been the Emperor who cared for his nephew as much as the princes.
However, Ahin couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable.
The Grand Duke was also the same.
The Grand Duke, who has been cutting up the steak, changed the subject.
“Oh, and Ariel.”
“Yes?”
Ariel tilted her head with a whole piece of goose leg in her dainty mouth.
“……”
‘She already ate so much snacks at the imperial palace, but look at this…’
Where in the world does that much food go?
The Grand Duke, who looked at Ariel curiously, continued to speak.
“The next time we meet His Majesty, you must not act like today.”
“What?”
“That means you shouldn’t treat His Majesty carelessly. Even more so, dare to sit on the throne.”
Shaa—
The surroundings became quiet.
As the heavy silence ensued, Martin’s startled voice was heard.
“My lord, are you saying that the lady did something bad to Your Majesty? Besides, she even sat on the throne?”
“Yes.”
The Grand Duke nodded, which made Ahin touched his forehead. The servants who serves the family were also dumbfounded.
Only Ariel, who has no idea, tilted her head and asked.
“Why not?”
It was a natural way for a Goddess to treat a human being.
The same goes for getting the best seat.
However, the Grand Duke only frantically repeated the word no.
‘What, he didn’t even explain why.’
Ariel pouted in dissatisfaction, but couldn’t help it.
She’s in a situation where she couldn’t go against him now.
“Phew, what a life.”‘
This is why the life of a powerless Goddess is so sad and painful.
Ariel sighed deeply.
***
The next day.
The Grand Duke took his two children to visit the imperial palace.
Seeing them, the Emperor rushed immediately.
“Oh, my little girl is here.”
“I greet Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Ariel grabbed the hem of her skirt with both hands and bowed her head slightly.
It was the moment where Jane’s special training, which lasted for half a day yesterday, shine brightly.
Ariel’s greeting made the Emperor’s mouth arched slightly.
“How brilliant of you to learn how to say your greetings in just a day!”
“Well, that’s not surprising.”
Ariel, feeling better at the compliment, smiled and twisted her body, which made the Emperor’s mouth to open wide.
“Ah, you’re too lovely.”
The Emperor hugged Ariel.
“How much effort did you put in to come all the way here with your cute perfect legs? Come on, come on in. I prepared a lot of delicious snacks for you today.”
After that, he strode over and put Ariel down.
Where?
To the throne!
Seeing the unbelievable scene unfolds again, the Grand Duke touched his forehead and Ahin gaped his mouth.
Still, the attendants were not particularly surprised, perhaps because it was a sight they had already seen only once.
The Emperor, on the contrary, just diligently carried the silver trays.
“It’s a pie made with walnuts.”
“These are freshly baked scones.”
“This one is a tart with oranges.”
“There are also pancakes topped with whipped cream.”
“Also chocolate cake…”
“This soft and fluffy Madeleine….”
“Milk tea with plenty of sugar…”
“WOW!”
Ariel muttered after seeing the series of desserts.
The Emperor knelt in front of Ariel and smiled.
“All of them are handmade by the head patissier of the imperial palace. Try it.”
Ariel’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the Emperor.
‘I thought he was a bad person because he was sitting in a high chair arrogantly…’
To think that he would pay so much tribute.
And delicious tributes at that!
What a wonderful human being.
Ariel reached out and stroked the Emperor’s head.
“Your sins are forgiven.”
At this rate, she’s willing to forgive yesterday’s arrogance.
Ariel, who had been stroking the Emperor’s head several times, started to eat the desserts.
The Emperor laughed at Ariel’s touch and asked with his eyes sparkling.
“Does your butt hurt?”
“What?”
“This throne looks good, but the feeling while sitting on it is not too good.”
“No, very comfortable—”
The Emperor lifted Ariel up before she could finish her sentence. Then he sat on the throne and put Ariel on his lap.
“Oh my, you’re very uncomfortable right? Now, sit on my lap.”
“No, I’m really fine…”
“You don’t have to mind it too much, just think of me as a cushion.”
“What…”
When she thought about it, it seemed to be more comfortable than sitting on the chair.
“Then I will.”
Ariel, who nodded her head shyly, asked for the walnut pie.
“Good girl, eat well.”
The Emperor seemed at a loss for what to do with Ariel’s cuteness.
The Grand Duke couldn’t help but stare blankly at his older brother, acting all unfamiliar and absurd.
At the same time…
Ahin tapped him from the side.
‘What are you doing?’
When Ahin reprimanded in a voice that was barely audible, the Grand Duke, who finally came to his senses, opened his mouth.
“Your Majesty.”
“Why? I’m busy right now, so if it’s not urgent, tell me later.”
What do you mean busy?
He’s just sitting with his niece on his lap and feeding her a snack.
The Grand Duke laughed as if it was absurd.
“It’s urgent.”
“What is it?”
The Emperor exclaimed nervously. It was a look of genuine ignorance.
“Didn’t you say you had a question for Ahin?”
“Ah, yes.”
Although he nodded his head, it looks like he only remembered what he said.
“But Ahin’s not here.”
Shudder—
The air inside the room became chilly.
Ahin, who was dumbfounded for being treated as an invisible person, came to his senses after a while and stepped forward.
“I am here, Your Majesty.”
“Uh, when did you come?”
The Emperor asked with a puzzled face.
He really didn’t seem to notice Ahin’s arrival.
‘He asked for him to be brought here, yet when Ahin came, he doesn’t seem to care about it much.’
Tsk.
The Grand Duke clicked his tongue slightly and winked at Jane.
“My lady, can we go out for a while?”
“Huh? Again? Why!”
“The adults has something to talk about, we should step out for a moment.”
As Jane stretched out her arm, Ariel hurriedly reached on to it and grabbed two pieces of her chocolate cake to take with her.
Then she was dragged out just like that.
The Emperor, who looked at the dragged figure as if she’s the most lovable, belatedly greeted Ahin.
“It’s been a while, Ahin.”
“…Have you been well?”
Ahin lowered his head with a trembling expression, and the Emperor cleared his throat.
“That’s right, it’s definitely my eyes. I think I’m already aging, and haven’t noticed you because of my poor eyesight lately. I’m sorry Ahin.”
It was a ridiculous excuse, but Ahin didn’t bother to grumble about it.
“It’s okay, Your Majesty.”
“Alright, then enough about this and I’ll get straight to the point.”
The Emperor, who return his stern expression, asked Ahin.
“Ahin, do you really want to accept Ariel’s registration?”
“Of course.”
“Why? Although Ariel can take your place?”
“Your Majesty, since I was born, I have not neglected my duties as the heir even for a moment. So, even if one child comes in, my position will not be shaken.”
When Ahin spoke in confidence, the Emperor jumped up.
“You don’t know that. Have you not seen Ariel’s eyes?”
“Yes?”
“I mean Ariel’s eyes that looked just like mine! It’s not an ordinary look. I’m sure she will grow up to be a brilliant lady. Just like me!”
“……”
Since they are their father’s children, if there’s someone they would take after, it would definitely their father. So why do the Emperor claims that Ariel resembles himself?
A strange feeling of uneasiness crept in, but Ahin reluctantly nodded his head.
“What… Uh yeah, she will.”
The Emperor’s lips smiled at Ahin’s affirmation.
But that’s only for a while.
“Ahin, step out for a while. I have something to say to your father.”
The Emperor suddenly sent Ahin away with a hard expression and looked back at the Grand Duke as soon as Ahin had left.
“Badel.”
It was an ominous voice.
Just as expected.
“No matter how much you think about it, it doesn’t seem like you’re taking on Ariel. Aren’t you the one who regards honor as life? An illegitimate child, that’s simply no good.”
“It doesn’t matter since it’s not true. Shouldn’t I just be confident?”
“No, no. Even so, other people don’t know what’s going on inside. Even if you don’t show it on the outside, they will definitely point fingers at you.”
“It doesn’t matter. Besides, didn’t something happened already?”
The Emperor shook his head.
“Let’s put this matter on hold for a while. When the Empress returns from recuperation, we will discuss this.”
Why does he need discuss his own affairs with the Empress?
The Grand Duke had no choice but to keep his mouth shut at the resolute attitude of the Emperor.
***
Meanwhile, Ariel went out to the garden and was preoccupied with eating the chocolate cake she barely packed.
Jane shook her head and said.
“My lady, how can you eat it all over your face like this. Your dress is now a mess.”
Jane wiped the chocolate off Ariel’s clothes with her handkerchief, but her clothes quickly became dirty again.
She stood up as Jane sighed heavily.
“Even the handkerchief is all dirty. I will get something to wipe you, my lady.”
Ariel gobbled up her cake, whether Jane was gone or not.
And only after all of her two large pieces of cake had disappeared into her stomach, she muttered in a wistful voice.
“Did I eat it all? I came out in a hurry, so I only took two.”
It was when she was sucking the chocolate on her finger.
Rustle—
Ariel turned her head at the sudden presence.
In a flower bed full of flowers, a child was poking its head out.
It’s a child with blonde hair and light green eyes like Ariel, and his round eyes reminded her of some animal.
‘What was the name of that animal? It was a four-legged one…’
Ariel calmly recollected her memory and soon a scene came to her mind.
An animal panting and rushing into the arms of its owner.
“Hey, you! It will get tangled up!”
The child grumbled when Ariel stroked its head lovingly.
“Ah!”
Remembering the name of the animal, Ariel smiled brightly and shouted.
“What a cute dog!”
