Episode 21

Holding my forehead, I shook my head side to side, when chamberlain Tito knocked and entered.

“Your Majesty the Empress, lunch is ready.”

“Ah. What about Lothania?”

“She heard that the council meeting ended early, so she is waiting in the dining room.”

Tito replied with a kind smile on his lips.

Normally, Lothania would have lunch in her own palace, but it seemed she came to the main palace to dine with me.

“He must be waiting.”

I quickly stood up and dusted off my seat.

As I hurried to the dining room, I asked Tito, who was following me.

“Tito, about Duke Tilender, how was his relationship with His Majesty the Emperor?”

“The Duke was very devoted to His Majesty. The Emperor also cared a lot for Duke Tilender.”

“More than Duke Zernia or Duke Kidmillan?”

“Yes. It seemed so.”

“Was there a special reason the Emperor particularly cherished Duke Tilender?”

“He seemed to pity him. Perhaps he also felt guilty.”

“Because of what happened to the late Duke Tilender?”

Tito nodded quietly.

Considering the terrible things that happened to the entire dukedom because of his orders, it was understandable. Despite this, I couldn’t fathom Aiden’s heart for not resenting the Emperor. I sighed, and Tito quietly added,

“It was His Majesty the Emperor who personally went to the Duke’s manor and brought the Duke back into the world.”

The fact that the Emperor personally went to the manor was surprising enough, but the expression “brought him back into the world” was even more peculiar.

When I stopped walking and asked for more details, Tito told me the story from five years ago.

When the previous beast died and a new one took its place, the master of the pact could sense it.

Emperor Nerian, who realized the death of Aiden’s father, Ceshuf, and Aiden’s awakening, headed to the Duke’s manor, which no one could approach.

Despite the objections of those around him, Nerian entered the manor alone and emerged after a long while with the new dog, Aiden.

It took a long time for Aiden, who initially seemed like a stray mutt, to establish himself as the distinguished Duke Tilender.

Feeling responsible for Ceshuf’s tragic death, Nerian waited until Aiden found his footing.

Perhaps because of this, Aiden was more loyal to the Emperor than any other dog.

“So that’s why you believe Duke Tilender couldn’t be the culprit.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. From my humble perspective, it doesn’t seem like Duke Tilender harbors any ulterior motives.”

Lian and Tito had completely opposite impressions of the same person.

Lian, with his serpent’s tongue, must have spoken about the tragedy of the Tillender family to create a rift between Aiden and me.

I felt I could trust Tito’s words more, as he had been observing Aiden beside the Emperor for the past five years.

Feeling much lighter, I entered the dining room where Lothania was waiting.

As soon as Lothania, who was sitting at the far end of the long dining table, saw me, she jumped up from her chair and ran towards me.

“Mother! You’re here now?”

“Lottie, did you wait for me until this time? You must be hungry.”

“No, I’m not hungry at all!”

Lothania replied with a bright smile, but an unfortunate rumbling sound came from her stomach.

Hugging her stomach and rolling her eyes, Lothania looked so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Tito, please bring the meal quickly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Tito smiled kindly and urged the attendants, and Lothania and I enjoyed a delicious lunch together.

As the meal was coming to an end, I noticed a large ball-like object beside Lothania.

“Lottie, what is that? Did you bring it?”

“Yes, Mother. I brought it to show you. It’s a water play ball.”

“A water play ball?”

“Yes. Do you know my maid Anna? Anna made it for me. It’s a ball that doesn’t sink in water.”

Lothania explained, holding the ball that was almost as big as her body.

It seemed to be a toy made by inflating air inside thin leather and sealing it, so it floated on water.

Considering she brought it all the way here to show me, it must have been something she really liked.

“We can play with it in the lake, then?”

“Yes! Mother, play with me too!”

Lothania’s cheeks were already flushed with excitement at the thought of playing in the lake.

Water play. Now that I think about it, I’ve never really had a chance to play in the water.

Because of the king’s command not to behave frivolously, even dipping my feet in the water had been rare.

In the hot summer, water play is the best for children.

Seeing Lothania so happy made me look forward to the summer vacation as well.

“Anna is also making swimsuits. I’ll show them to you when they’re done.”

“Swimsuits too? I’m looking forward to it.”

“Mother, let’s swim together. The water in Lake Beryl is very clear.”

“I would love to, but I can’t swim, Lottie.”

“I’ll lend you this!”

Lothania offered the water play ball she had been holding tightly.

I was touched by her willingness to give up something she liked so much just to help me.

I returned the water play ball to Lothania and said,

“Instead, how about you teach me how to swim, Lottie?”

“I will! I’ll teach you how to swim, Mother!”

Lothania’s crimson eyes sparkled brightly.

If I had known she would be this happy, I would have suggested going on vacation sooner.

Sending Vitrain off, I thought it would have been nice to stay at the summer palace with Lottie for a few more days.

Thinking that I should make some time at the end of the month, I reached out and stroked my stepdaughter’s cheek.

“I will work hard to learn, Teacher Lottie.”

Happy to be called a teacher, the child giggled and hugged my waist.

The scent of sunlight wafted from her golden hair brushing my nose, and I once again wished for this sunshine-like child to be happy.

* * *

I had said I would travel as simply as possible, but the vacation procession of the Empress and the Crown Princess of Belpator could never be simple.

To begin with, twenty personal maids followed Lothania and me.

Chefs and secretaries joined in droves, and seeing 100 royal guards and 500 guards lined up in front of the palace was overwhelming.

To top it all off, Aiden, in an unfamiliar outfit, stood at the front.

I almost didn’t recognize him in his white uniform embroidered with gold threads.

“Duke Aiden?”

Even in this hot weather, he wore white gloves and bowed to me.

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

It finally dawned on me that one of Aiden’s official titles was the captain of the royal guard.

He always roamed around looking like a stray dog without a master, but dressed in uniform, he looked quite…

“Your Majesty the Empress?”

“Hmm?”

When I came to my senses, Aiden was extending his hand to me.

I looked at his large hand in white gloves with a renewed sense of surprise and slowly reached out, but a yellow head suddenly pushed in from below.

It was Lothania’s head.

Lothania firmly grabbed my hand, which I was extending towards Aiden, and looked up at me.

“Mother, let’s go.”

With a sunny smile, Lothania led me away, not forgetting to cast a sidelong glance at Aiden, who was left standing there with an empty hand.

Aiden chuckled and followed us.

The three of us walked side by side, crossing the threshold of the main palace, where Vitrain stood in front of a huge carriage.

His pleasant smile turned icy the moment he saw Aiden standing next to me with Lothania in between.

“Your Majesty the Empress, you look wonderful in that blue dress.”

Although he had briefly shot a frosty glare at Aiden, Vitrain quickly changed his expression and greeted me.

“How have you been, Your Highness the Crown Princess?”

He greeted Lothania kindly as well.

Although Lothania glared at him warily and held my hand tightly, Vitrain withdrew his gaze from her and asked in a soft voice that belied his sharp eyes,

“I thought there was no place for another beast?”

I answered while looking at Aiden’s profile, which failed to hide his emotions.

“That should be the case. Isn’t that right, Captain of the Guard?”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I am here to leave a word with Duke Kidmillan. If even a hair on Your Majesty’s head is harmed, the Guard and I will accuse Duke Kidmillan of treason.”

“I understand your concern, Duke Aiden, but that’s more of a threat than a request.”

“Then let’s say I came to deliver a warning.”

Even in a polished uniform, a dog is still a dog.