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BRCPT Chapter 04

BRCPT 04

 

 

Episode 4

 

 

Etern spread her tiny fingers, making the shadow dog open and close its mouth as she spoke.

 

It was no coincidence that the shadow’s jaws seemed to clamp perfectly around the Minister of Finance’s ankle.

 

As Wintier silently watched his daughter’s antics, a chilling smile formed on his lips.

 

“That’s right.”

 

Adjusting Etern in his arms, Wintier fixed his gaze on the stiff Minister of Finance.

 

“If this issue isn’t resolved by tomorrow, the ‘big dog’ will come to see you personally. And it might just ‘bite’ you.”

 

The minister’s face, which had turned pale as a ghost, now darkened to the color of dirt.

 

“Y-Your Majesty, p-please remain calm. I’ll have this resolved, no, not by tomorrow—before the sun sets today!”

 

While the trembling minister stammered, Etern was feeling quite satisfied with herself.

 

‘Hmm, threatening to feed you to the dogs would’ve been way too tyrannical. This is much better.’

 

Of course, it wasn’t just about phrasing things nicely.

 

‘Everything starts with the basics, step by step!’

 

Etern’s ambitious plan to prevent her father from becoming a mad tyrant had only just begun.

 

“Make sure the other ministers properly manage their departments as well.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“This meeting is adjourned.”

 

As the Emperor turned to leave, the black cape flowing from his shoulders billowed behind him like a massive flag.

 

Etern peeked her face over her father’s shoulder and grinned mischievously. Once more, she formed a shadow puppet dog with her fingers, making it open and close its mouth.

 

‘Skimming off taxes? How dare they.’

 

***

 

The garden adjacent to the Emperor’s quarters was vast, filled with an abundance of flowers, trees, and all kinds of lush plants.

 

‘This brings back memories. I used to come here often when I was young. Though, the number of times I actually saw Father could be counted on one hand…’

 

Etern silently chuckled to herself as she looked at her tiny hand tightly clasped in the Emperor’s.

 

If she could gradually rebuild her relationship with her father like this, maybe she could stop him from becoming a mad tyrant in the future!

 

‘Should I check what he’s thinking now?’

 

Etern formed a small circle with her opposite hand and held it to her eye, carefully reading the thought cloud that appeared above the Emperor’s head.

 

 

— Wintier Sergel Rislumon

 

The Emperor, Age 31

 

1. He said it by sunset with his own mouth, didn’t he? If it’s a lie, I’ll have the [big dog bite him].

 

2. …..

 

3. …..

 

 

‘Ugh, all he can think about is feeding the Minister of Finance to the dogs…’

 

Just as Etern dropped her hand with a sullen expression, Wintier abruptly stopped walking and looked down at her.

 

“Why do you keep doing that?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“What you just did.”

 

Etern blinked, pretending she didn’t understand, then made an ‘ah’ sound and formed a circle with her fingers.

 

“This?”

 

“Yes, that. You did it earlier in the audience chamber too. Why do you keep doing that? Is there something wrong with your eyes?”

 

“Oh, it’s not that I can’t see…”

 

I’m just trying to figure out what you’re thinking so I can live a peaceful life.

 

To save Mom, and make sure you don’t completely lose it before I can stop you!

 

‘Of course, I can’t say that out loud…’

 

As Etern hesitated, unsure what to say, Wintier narrowed his eyes.

 

“Answer me.”

 

He was so impatient. She could already feel the grip on her hand tightening.

 

Seeing her father’s expression darken further, Etern panicked.

 

‘I’d better say it’s just a joke!’

 

If her sharp and perceptive father even slightly suspected something was amiss, her entire plan could fall apart. Quickly, Etern made a circle with her fingers and held it to her eye again.

 

 

— Wintier Sergel Rislumon

 

The Emperor, Age 31

 

1. What is the meaning of this? Is she really losing her vision?

 

2. She’s still so young. Just what kind of care is she receiving? Those attendants in the princess’ palace are [expletive].

 

3. …….

 

 

‘Wait, was he… worried about me?’

 

Dropping her fingers from her eye, Etern smiled brightly. Thank goodness he didn’t find her suspicious.

 

With this, she could easily brush things off.

 

“This is because when I do this, I can see Daddy better.”

 

“What?”

 

“Grown-ups use these kinds of things, right? To see better.”

 

Not fully understanding, Wintier furrowed his brows and spoke.

 

“… Are you talking about a monocle?”

 

“That’s right! When I make a circle like this… I can see Daddy’s face much better!”

 

So, it was just a childish game. Wintier secretly sighed in relief and relaxed his frown.

 

“I can see other people’s faces clearly too.”

 

“Nine times out of ten, they’re worthless people anyway. What’s the point of looking at them closely?”

 

Etern’s eyes widened in shock. Her surprise lasted only a moment before she sighed in resignation.

 

‘Yeah, this is just how he is.’

 

Lowering her gaze, Etern recalled the blood-soaked hallways of the palace.

 

After her mother’s death, as her father gradually lost his sanity, he couldn’t even trust the people around him and would sometimes wield his sword against them.

 

[Y-Your Majesty! Please spare me. Please, at least spare my life…!]

 

[You dare to put a scratch on the Emperor’s clothes? Was that your intent—to render me powerless? Were you trying to assassinate me?!]

 

[N-No, Your Majesty! That was never my intent! I swear, never…! Urk…!]

 

Simply for making a mistake while assisting with his attire, countless attendants were killed. For the crime of creating faulty garments, the palace tailors were executed in a single day.

 

The screams and the stench of blood had left Etern unable to eat for days.

 

“Daddy.”

 

Wintier, still frowning, looked down at his daughter with a cold and complicated expression.

 

“Do you dislike the officials and attendants?”

 

Wintier scoffed.

 

“The very idea of having any feelings—whether dislike or fondness—toward such things is absurd.”

 

“Because they’re not as good as you, Daddy?”

 

“Exactly.”

 

Etern blinked and cautiously tugged at Wintier’s jacket.

 

“Then… do you think the same about me?”

 

“What?”

 

Raising his voice, Wintier glared down at Etern’s small face.

 

Those icy, piercing eyes.

 

‘Well, of course. To Father, there’s only Mother. Whether it’s his child or anyone else…’

 

“You are my only child.”

 

Etern was momentarily stunned, staring up at him in surprise.

 

Her shocked expression appeared dazed, but to Wintier, it came across a bit differently. The innocent face of his young daughter gave him an inexplicable sense of pressure.

 

‘This tiny little thing…’

 

Wintier hesitated for a moment before letting go of Etern’s hand and turning his head away.

 

“The Emperor’s child cannot be the same as others.”

 

‘Oh?’

 

Etern’s eyes darted subtly as she grabbed his hand again, clutching it tightly.

 

“Then, Daddy, do you like me?”

 

“What…!”

 

Etern blinked slowly, her large eyes wide and innocent, as she looked up at him.

 

“I like you, Daddy…”

 

The cautious way she spoke made Wintier’s chest tighten unexpectedly.

 

Although his expression constantly shifted, Etern still couldn’t fully understand her father’s emotions.

 

Trying to read his thoughts in this situation would only make things more awkward…

 

“… You are different.”

 

Wintier, who had been silent as Etern pondered, finally spoke in a clipped tone.

 

‘I want to ask how I’m different, but I should stop here. Pushing too hard could backfire and ruin everything.’

 

In times like this, taking a step back was the wisest move.

 

At least he’d acknowledged her as his ‘only child,’ and that was something.

 

‘Even good things should be savored slowly.’

 

After mulling it over, Etern smiled brightly and gently nuzzled her cheek against the back of Wintier’s hand.

 

“Can I come to see you every day?”

 

“… Not every day. If I spend all my time with you, who will run the Empire?”

 

“Then every other day?”

 

Wintier let out a quiet groan. He glanced sideways at her slightly disappointed face and responded with a reluctant grumble.

 

“Once every three or four days is fine.”

 

Etern released his hand and threw her arms around his knees in a tight hug.

 

“Alright! Then I’ll come see you every three days.”

 

Wintier grumbled under his breath in response. Etern considered reading his thoughts again but quickly changed her mind.

 

‘It’d be a problem if the same thing as last time happened again.’

 

 

 

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