『 I can definitely feel magic in His Majesty’s blood. But why does it feel familiar?』
Theos was born with an embarrassingly small amount of magic compared to other mages. Naturally, his ability to detect magical powers had also developed to that level.
For example, he’s able to sense the flow of magic power that is so subtle that others cannot detect it.
Of course, having that ability didn’t make much difference. This is because when it came to casting magic, the most important thing was to summon a large amount of magic in an instant.
But now, for the first time, Theos thought his delicate senses might be useful.
『 I’ll have to study the regularity of the blood as soon as I can.』
He focused his magic on his fingertips, feeling a sense of foreboding as he transferred the blood to a vial. If he diligently delved into it in the laboratory, he might discover something new.
“It’s done, Your Majesty.”
Theos withdrew his outstretched hand from the Emperor’s forearm. Although he had used very little magic, he was very tired, but his heart was pounding.
“I hope you will do your best to help the Little Duke with my blood.”
“The Little Duke is also my benefactor. I will do my best.”
Theos spoke with sincerity and withdrew first with the doctors. This was because the Emperor offered Edith some tea.
“I hope you like the refreshments.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The tea and desserts recommended by the Emperor were of the finest quality.
Edith relaxed as she savored the sweet aromas. It seemed unlikely that the Emperor was spending time with her simply to feed her delicious food.
“I suppose the first order of business is to return this.”
The Emperor extended a lavishly decorated jewel box. Inside was Leah’s blue necklace, which Edith had lent him.
『 Did His Majesty create a storage box even though he only kept the necklace for a few days?』
Edith had already noticed that the Emperor had feelings for Mrs. Leah, but somehow it was strange to see those feelings expressed through actions.
In fact, after Walter visited the Emperor and confirmed that he was his biological son, a small discussion took place in the Duchy of Lexion.
Many wondered why Lady Leah, who seemed to have quite a few suitors, chose the Emperor. They also wondered if her decision was not based on a personal preference, but rather her desire to have a child of Imperial Bloodline.
The only person who knew the truth was her son, Walter, but since he had lost his memory, it was all just speculation.
Franz was the one who provided clear answers to the endless questions.
“Leah must have genuinely had feelings for His Majesty. The conflict between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince over Leah wasn’t just a coincidence.”
“Are you saying… that Unnie intentionally provoked a conflict for the sake of the powerless Fourth Prince?”
“Maybe she did. Your sister knew better than anyone how to protect her loved ones.”
Franz added with a bitter smile.
“And Leah told me that she was pregnant with the child of the person she loved before leaving.”
“…”
“As a result, thanks to the powerless Fourth Prince taking the throne, House Lexion became entangled with the Imperial Family by blood, but that doesn’t make what she told me any less true.”
Edith couldn’t help but nod slightly at Franz’s words. The Mrs. Leah she remembered would have undoubtedly been attracted to a man who strives to overcome difficult situations through his own efforts compared to others.
『 I suppose she wanted to help the man who caught her eye. She probably didn’t want to hinder him until he safely took the throne.』
Even though she used her good looks to help, it was fortunate that things worked out well, even though there was a moment when they almost couldn’t find Walter’s father.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. If you want to hear her voice again, please feel free to let me know.”
“I’ve already heard it enough to memorize, but I won’t refuse your kindness. By the way, listening to Leah, it seems like you’ve known Leah for quite some time.”
The message Leah put in the necklace began by explaining who Edith, the child who possesses this necklace, is to Franz Lexion.
Leah had met the child, Edith Lowell, in another territory and seemed to cherish her as her own daughter.
So the Emperor naturally had questions.
“M’lady, it seems you’ve known Leah for a long time. I would be grateful if you could share some memories with me as well.”
“Well…”
Edith began to rummage through her childhood memories.
It was fun to explain in detail what happened between Walter and Leah when they first entered Lowell Manor and how they slowly built up a sense of intimacy.
There were a few memories that made her laugh just thinking about them.
“I remember when Mrs. Leah ended up burning the duck meat she had learned to cook at the market. Since she always made the same dish, I begged her to try a new one.”
“She was a noblewoman her entire life, so she wouldn’t have been able to learn things like cooking.”
“My mother and I got to know that fact intuitively, so you can’t imagine how embarrassed we were.”
The Emperor listened to Edith’s stories with a gentle smile on his face.
He wondered about the life Leah lived after leaving the capital and where his son, whom he never knew existed, had stayed.
If it weren’t for the woman in front of him, these could have been memories he would never know until his last breath.
When he heard about her being practically kidnapped by Nicholas Fortrion and reuniting with Walter there, the Emperor was rendered speechless.
『 I can see why Leah trusted this child with the necklace.』
Edith cherished all the memories that he and Lexion had lost and was putting them together one by one.
If she had given up in despair at some point, he would never have come face to face with his son, or Franz with any trace of his daughter.
“Thanks to Lady Edith, my heart has become much more at ease. It has also become politically advantageous. It looks like the Little Duke is trying to do something by taking advantage of the fact that he’s my son. Aren’t you upset?”
Edith smiled broadly. She didn’t know exactly what he had proposed to the Emperor, but she never thought that he wouldn’t take advantage of his lineage.
“He’s a clever man, and he’s also resourceful.”
The Emperor didn’t miss the slight flush on her cheeks. Even though Edith wasn’t the type to enjoy jokes, her innocent reaction was too good to just let it pass.
“It seems that M’lady has been continuously in love with the Little Duke for a very long time.”
The Emperor’s sharp and direct words made Edith’s face turn as red as a tomato.
Her heart was pounding as if it had been discovered that Isaac and Walter were the only men she wanted to date.
Although her voice seemed like it might quiver like a lamb’s, the Emperor, slowly lifting his chin, seemed to be demanding some kind of response, so Edith barely opened her mouth.
“He saved my life, Your Majesty. It was tough for a very long time, but remembering the time I spent with him during our childhood helped me get through.”
“Hmm. Didn’t the Little Duke lose his memory?”
“No matter how many times he loses his memory, he’s special to me. The past doesn’t change, so he’ll always be a special person.”
The Emperor’s majestic green eyes seemed to have the power to soothe one’s heart. Edith, who felt embarrassed for some reason, hastily added.
“Of course, Mrs. Leah is the same. She’s not someone who can be easily forgotten just because she’s gone.”
“I understand now that you put it that way.”
The Emperor chuckled and shifted his gaze towards the office door.
“Well, it seems someone is waiting for you, so you may go back now. If it’s okay, I’d love to hear more stories from your childhood again next time.”
Someone waiting? Could it be…?
After paying her respects, Edith left the office and froze as soon as she saw a familiar face.
Just as expected, the one waiting for her, leaning lazily against the wall, was Walter. He even had a very satisfied smile on his face, as if he had heard the conversation.
『 Oh my god.』
The secretary, who was supposed to be guarding the front of the Emperor’s office, seemed to have already left at Walter’s command.
『 Of course. He’s one of the few people who knows that Walter is the Emperor’s son.』
Edith quickly looked away, feeling as if her entire body’s heat was rushing to her face.
Walter followed her with his long legs and spoke slyly.
“Why would M’lady inform something like that to His Majesty?”
“Walter, please… What are you going to do if someone hears you calling me M’lady?”
He is no longer the Little Duke, but the Crown Prince.
However, Walter casually shrugged his shoulders, showing no sign of reflection at all.
“Let’s just say it’s just a secret nickname between a couple.”
“… Absolutely not.”
“You must be hot, judging by the flush on your face, so why don’t we stop by the shopping street and get a refreshing drink? I’m not planning to spend money just because I’m in a good mood from eavesdropping on a conversation.”
“Don’t tease me, Walter.”
Edith wanted to hide in a rat hole. However, the carriage from Lexion, where Theos and the doctors were waiting, had already been sent away by Walter.
She was certainly grateful that he, who had gone to check on the woman who was Patricia’s lady-in-waiting, came to see her as soon as he finished.
But the thought of him teasing her in the carriage made her feel like her face was about to burst.
If I avoided eye contact, he’d sneak up beside me and kiss me on the lips.
『 That wouldn’t be bad… No, that’s not it.』
Edith cooled her face with the back of her hand and climbed into the carriage. There was only one way to get out of this embarrassing situation.
“Walter. Did you get results from Patricia’s lady-in-waiting’s side?”
Walter pondered whether to let her off the hook or tease her a little more, but he spoke anyway.
This was because Rosaline revealed two unsettling secrets.
“Claude isn’t of Imperial Blood, she said.”
“What?”
“And… Patricia seems to be somehow related to my mother’s death.”
Edith’s eyes shook greatly when she heard the unexpected words.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
