PWHHF | SS4

Side Story – Chapter 4

“Sir Melville. It has been a while.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

It was rare to have a chance to converse with Rubius Melville. He glanced around Agnes and asked curiously,

“The Commander—no, the Grand Duke—is not with you?”

“Ah… Kylo had some business early this morning and had to step outside the palace for a while.”

“Is that so?”

At the mention of Kylo’s absence, Rubius’s eyes sparkled like gemstones for a brief moment.

His blatant reaction nearly made Agnes burst into laughter.

Wow… Rubius Melville, this crazy bastard… No matter how much of a lady-killer he is, does he seriously think he can pull that act on me?

Clearing his throat, Rubius swept his hair back and spoke.

“Hmm, then would you care to take a short walk with me? I can lead you to a secret spot where the most beautiful flowers bloom. It’s a hidden place within this palace that only I know about.”

“Sir, I’m sorry, but—”

Just as Agnes was about to tell him to cut the nonsense—

Swish!

The kitten, who had been drowsily napping in her arms just moments ago, suddenly leaped forward.

“Uwaaah!”

With a fierce pounce, the kitten clawed Rubius’s face, leaving deep scratch marks. Then, with another swift movement, it landed back in Agnes’s arms.

The whole incident happened so fast that Agnes stood there, stunned, her mouth slightly open.

So fast… Even in cat form, his agility hasn’t diminished. No, it might have even improved…

“Argh! What the hell?!”

Rubius hurriedly pulled a small mirror from his coat and checked his face. His expression twisted in horror.

The once-handsome face, which he used to charm married women, was now marred with scratches.

“This is… I was on my way to see Her Highness the Crown Princess… Ugh…”

At his words, Agnes clicked her tongue in disapproval.

Seriously, this guy… Not just the imperial princess, but now the crown princess too? Is every married woman fair game to him? His tastes are truly astonishing…

She honestly worried that Rubius Melville would end up being executed one day. Not that Diana would ever give him the time of day, of course.

“My precious little kitten made a mistake. My apologies, Sir.”

“Hmm… If you truly feel sorry, how about we share a cup of tea—”

Before he could finish, Agnes barely managed to restrain the kitten, who looked ready to pounce again.

“Sir. If you don’t want to become someone killed by a kitten, I suggest you look elsewhere.”

“…Hmph, I understand. You certainly have a rather ill-tempered cat.”

Rubius let out a sigh of regret before turning away.

But considering how lightly he walked away, he didn’t seem too disappointed. After all, his philosophy was, ‘There are plenty of married women in the world.’

Agnes gently stroked the still-fuming kitten in her arms.

It seemed the walk would have to end here.

Holding her precious kitten close, Agnes returned to her chambers.

That Night

After a relaxing bath, Agnes emerged, feeling refreshed. A bubble bath with the kitten had been surprisingly enjoyable.

Dressed in her nightgown, she lay on her bed and, as if a sudden thought had struck her, asked,

“He’ll be back by tomorrow, right…? Surely he wouldn’t not return?”

Feigning unease, she spoke aloud, and the kitten resting on her stomach paled instantly.

Meow! Meow!

His cry sounded almost like he was about to burst into tears.

What an adorable reaction.

Agnes couldn’t help but secretly chuckle as she enjoyed the cute sounds that she wouldn’t be able to hear anymore after tomorrow.

Fortunately, at dawn, Kylo safely returned to his original form.

“Your Highness…!”

Half-asleep, Agnes blinked open her eyes as warm hands wrapped around her.

Kylo, back in his human form, buried his face against the nape of her neck. His murmured words, filled with genuine relief, confessed that he had feared he might never return.

Even in her drowsy state, Agnes’s lips curled into a smile.

The way Kylo clung to her, as if he still thought he was a kitten, was utterly endearing.

Stretching her arms, she embraced the oversized ‘kitten’ and gently patted his back until he calmed down and drifted back into peaceful sleep.

A Rainy Spring Day

One day, as spring rain poured steadily from the sky, Agnes and Kylo had lunch with the Emperor as usual.

Unless there was a special occasion, the two of them typically dined with the Emperor for lunch.

As the attendants served warm tea, the Emperor spoke.

“Have you heard the news? The Crown Princess, Diana, is expecting a son.”

At this, Agnes nodded.

“I did. I also heard that my brother was overjoyed.”

It had been a few months since news of the Crown Prince and Princess’s pregnancy spread. And now, it was already time to learn the baby’s gender.

The Imperial Court Mage had announced the baby’s sex a few days ago. Of course, someone of his caliber could have determined it much earlier, but due to a superstition within the empire, he had waited.

According to the belief, revealing a baby’s gender before the fourth month of pregnancy could bring misfortune. Although it was an open secret that parents often received the information earlier, the Crown Prince and Princess seemed to be strict believers in the superstition.

“Hmm, I see. That’s good news… But then, when do you plan to give me news of my own grandchild?”

At the unexpected question, Agnes froze mid-sip of her tea.

“I was hoping to see a granddaughter who looks just like you…”

The Emperor muttered, sounding a little dejected.

Perhaps he had been slightly disappointed upon hearing that the Crown Prince’s child was a boy. He had shown no outward signs, but now, his words revealed a tiny hint of his feelings.

“……”

As Agnes and Kylo remained silent, the Emperor let out a small sigh and changed the subject.

Thus, the day’s tea time ended on a slightly awkward note.

On the Way Back to Their Chambers

Hand in hand, Agnes and Kylo walked back quietly.

It wasn’t as if they had never discussed the topic of children before.

In fact, they had brought it up a few months ago.

Back then, their conclusion had been—‘Let’s enjoy our newlywed life a little longer.’

Truthfully, Agnes was ready whenever.

Her body was healthy, her mind was at peace—she was in the perfect state to welcome a little angel at any time.

The reason she had suggested waiting a little longer… was Kylo.

Kylo seemed to believe that he wouldn’t be a good father.

It wasn’t something Agnes couldn’t understand. After all, there had never been anyone in Kylo’s life to teach him what parental love was.

From the moment he was born, he had been nothing more than a burden to his parents. His mother, once she realized she couldn’t use him, resorted to abuse. His father abandoned him, only to later shamelessly try to exploit him.

Agnes decided to wait until he was ready.

In fact, not too long ago, she had discovered books Kylo had secretly borrowed from the library:

How to Be a Good Parent, The Weight of Fatherhood, A Mother’s Sacrifice, and more.

Realizing that he was preparing in his own way, she had pretended not to notice. And she intended to keep doing so until he was truly ready.

A Few Days Later

“The Grand Duke came looking for me?”

Emperor Alexander was on his way back to his office after finishing a state affairs meeting when his chamberlain unexpectedly delivered the news.

Kylo had come to see him alone. The Emperor found it curious.

Agnes and Kylo were a couple so inseparable that even the palace attendants would click their tongues at how attached they were. Yet Kylo had come alone?

Intrigued, the Emperor quickened his pace.

Upon entering his office, he saw Kylo stand up abruptly as if he had been waiting.

The Emperor instructed the chamberlain to serve tea. After taking a few careful sips, he got straight to the point.

“So, is there something you need?”

“Well… I came because I wanted to ask Your Majesty something personal.”

“Hm? Me?”

The Emperor scratched his cheek.

If the Grand Duke had come to ask him something personal… it was likely about Agnes.

Was he planning a surprise gift for her? Since, as her father, he knew her best, it made sense for Kylo to seek his advice.

The more he looked at his son-in-law, the more likable he found him.

At first, he had been completely dissatisfied with Kylo. But from the moment he rescued Agnes, he had seemed nothing less than a hero.

Even after their marriage, the Emperor had continued to be pleased with him. Kylo always put Agnes first, and, in a way, he even had an unexpectedly endearing side.

“How can I become a good father, Your Majesty?”

“…What?”