The emperor’s footsteps were light. As soon as his steps left the western section of the Emerald Palace, his aide followed like a shadow.
Without looking back, the emperor ordered,
“Prepare the Jasper Palace. Make it suitable for a child about 3 or 4 years old.”
Unlike when he looked around Blanche, the emperor already liked her.
However, it wasn’t because Blanche was smart. The Retail Empire was a great empire, and there were plenty of talented people. If you look around, you could probably find one or two geniuses of the century.
The emperor liked Blanche because she didn’t look like a 3-year-old.
Blanche was different from other children in that she was not just smart. Such children might be quick-witted but still had all the characteristics of a three-year-old.
They cry easily, laugh easily, and are easily deceived. They are easily scared and boast of their genius. They do not understand adult logic and believe that their own rules will apply to the world.
He didn’t want such a ‘child prodigy’. He wanted someone who would be a good match for his younger brother, someone like his younger brother.
With an indifferent face, as if a nine-tailed fox were sitting inside him, as if this were his second life, as if he had enjoyed all kinds of pleasure, luxury, wealth, and power.
His younger brother was just that kind of child. A child who was only 5 years old but looked like he had lived for 50 years.
He has an indifferent face even when given sweets or wrapped in silk. He has an eye as if he wouldn’t mind dying right now.
He wanted to make one friend who he would open up his heart to, and the perfect candidate just appeared before him.
He realized it while promising a reward for Blanche’s cooperation.
This work. If she could do the job of being the prince’s playmate, what could the emperor give the princess if she did it well?
It was something that an ordinary 3-year-old would not understand and a smart 3-year-old would be confused by. But Blanche understood his words and didn’t care.
For what reason are 3-year-olds who are not interested in sweets and chocolate, warm feather quilts, and a life where they can get whatever they want by just ringing a bell?
He still doesn’t know, but he knows one thing.
That Blanche Roa Vandaluin is like a being made for his younger brother.
So he was going to wrap Blanche, whether she was interested or not, in sweets, chocolate, silk, and jewels.
With things that befit a prince’s playmate.
“……Are you planning to bestow it upon Princess Blanche?”
It was the shadow that broke his reverie.
TL/N: “The shadow” refers to his aide…remember.
At the question of confirming the emperor’s intentions, he looked back at the shadow and grinned. It was a face of considerable satisfaction.
“Don’t you think it’s a waste to rot this talent like this?”
The shadow was not allowed to listen to their conversation. So, of course, he didn’t know why the emperor liked Blanche so much.
However, since arguing was also an action not allowed for the shadow, the shadow simply bowed his head.
“It must be a great honor for the princess.”
“Let’s hope the princess feels the same way.”
The shadow might have thought the emperor was joking, but the emperor was quite sincere. He hadn’t forgotten he was the emperor of a great empire, but he also hadn’t forgotten that Blanche was royalty from another country.
It would be nice if he could forget the foolish people who sent a mere three-year-old away as a hostage and settle here, for his sibling’s sake.
Thinking about that, the emperor continued to walk cheerfully.
* * *
The Emperor’s departure left only exhaustion in its wake. I collapsed onto the backrest of my chair, unable to even get up.
“Princess…!”
Tula, who seemed to have been waiting outside, rushed in and caught me as I was about to slip. Thank goodness. If I had fallen out of my chair in this state, I think my injuries would have been serious.
“Are you okay?! Do you not have a fever, are you not tired?”
I appreciated her concern, but there was something more important I needed to say first. I took Tula’s hand, which was stroking my cheek and forehead, and said,
“Tua (Tula).”
“Yes, Princess. Is there anything wrong?”
“You a my resposipility. (You are my responsibility.)”
The Kingdom of Lamore has a loose caste system, so I don’t know what Tula’s thoughts on this are. However, I am a person who has been responsible for others all my life in the Jin Empire, where the caste system is strict.
So, now that I am the princess and Tula is my maid, it means that this child is my person and I am responsible for her.
“So, if anising happnes, coll me. (So if anything happens, call me)”
If I hadn’t woken up in time. If I had been a little late in judging the situation. If the Emperor’s curiosity had not overcome his anger, Tula could have died. And nothing would have changed.
I had experienced that too much in my previous life. Especially at the very end.
So I didn’t want to go through that again in this life. Even if it meant I would meet my second death in this state.
“I ill protekt you. (I will protect you)”
This was something I had said in my previous life as well. To my daughter.
Unlike my daughter who trusted me, I don’t know if Tula will believe these words.
No matter how high my status is compared to hers, the idea that a three-year-old child, sent as a hostage, could protect her, might not sound serious.
But at least she knows I’m sincere. I patted the back of Tula’s hand, which had paused, and smiled quietly.
“Go west. (Go rest)”
Tula opened her mouth as if to say something, but eventually closed it and stepped back.
I was left alone again, lost in thought.
My current goal is simple: to protect the children who were brought here because of me.
To do that, there are two paths I can choose. I can either live quietly like a ghost, or I can give the impression that I’m someone you don’t want to mess with.
The former is already out of the question. So all that’s left is the latter, isn’t it? So I need to pass the Emperor’s test and build a relationship with the Archduke.
“Howefer, the koestion is how fa I shot go. (However, the question is how far I should go)”
It’s not always a good thing to show off all your talents. Just as losing a battle can lead to winning a war, succeeding in all your tasks is not the answer.
So how should I move? Is it better to succeed in the task I’m given now, or is it better to fail? Should I show all my abilities, or should I hide them a little?
I’ll have to pretend to do something, whether I succeed or fail, but in that case, what means should I choose?
I thought about this over and over again until I fell asleep, my small body unable to bear the weight of my thoughts.
* * *
After much deliberation, the invitation rolled right into my hands, as if the event itself was calling out to me.
“Tea-par-ty?”
I enunciated each syllable clearly, and Tula nodded in response.
“Yes. Apparently, the peace envoys have all arrived, and Her Majesty the Empress is opening the greenhouse to celebrate.”
Oh, so she’s setting the stage for the bugs to fight it out, while watching from the sidelines and putting pressure on them to behave themselves. Not a bad approach.
And it’s good news for me too.
“If you’re still not feeling well…”
“Tell dem I ill go. (Tell them I’ll go.)”
For me, manipulating people is not that difficult.
I used to command civil and military officials, each with the cunning of ten snakes. How could it be difficult for me to trick a few young and naive royals?
So all I needed was a place to meet the other three. Since the areas were divided, I wouldn’t be able to meet them by chance.
But how convenient it is that they’ve prepared a place for me to meet them. And what’s more, it’s an opportunity to meet the Empress, who doesn’t seem like an easy target, unlike the easily manipulated royal hostages. I had to go, even if it meant breaking my body.
“Yes, I will.”
Somehow, Tula’s eyes were filled with pity as she looked at me, but I pretended not to notice. This is all for your protection, my dear.
I received the invitation and read the contents. The date was ridiculously soon. It was today.
Even though we all live within the palace grounds and it doesn’t take long to get around, I thought it was a bit too soon to be on the same day, but there was no reason for me to come out and protest. If I stand out in a bad way, my life will only be harder in the future.
So, I’ll let other adults seek common sense while I simply ordered Tula to find suitable clothes for the tea party. A three-year-old doesn’t need to handle such things.
As Tula left to get me something decent to wear, I was left alone to sort out the purpose of today’s party.
“Fwist, infomation. (First, information.)”
After all, the biggest problem with this body is not its status, but that it is only 3 years old.
If I were 18 years old… no, even if I were 13 years old, I could have sent invitations to other royals to arrange a meeting, read many books in the library, and extract information through conversations with people.
But it’s hard to find someone who will meet with a 3-year-old who sends an invitation, or someone who can even understand what a 3-year-old is saying enough to discuss international affairs.
As a result, I am absolutely lacking in information. I haven’t even figured out how many kingdoms sent hostages.
This is something that I would have been able to figure out in 2 hours if I were 13 years old.
“Derefour, I kant mess this opportonity. (Therefore, I can’t miss this opportunity.)”
How precious is this opportunity for me to attend a gathering where people are gathered and talking. Even if I just sit there and listen, it will be a great advantage.
The royals who are staying in the Emerald Palace will also find a way to create opportunities, even if it’s difficult to arrange a meeting right now.
So my goal today is not to win over the royals who live in the Emerald Palace. I can do that slowly later.
“Gater infomation, fokas on dhe royals. (Gather information. Focus on the royals.)”
I clenched my fist, burning with determination. Having been in power for so long, starting from scratch like this was a different kind of thrill.
It wasn’t that enjoyable, but it did spark some enthusiasm.
* * * *
If you want to support the Translator, Translator’s Ko-Fi:
