Chapter 61: The Emperor's Call (2)
Dad and Rachel meet again?
when? how? And why?
Could it be that Rachel fell from his eye because of what happened in the park?
If the other party is my father, there is nothing I can do.
Edwin's lips twitched slightly.
“...You are always terrified,” said the Emperor.
Edwin hurriedly raised his head. The Emperor was staring at him with intent eyes.
“What are you so afraid of?”
What am I afraid of?
The boy's eyes shook. The little prince was afraid of everything in this imperial palace.
This is a place where you can lose everything even if you do nothing.
One day, Edwin even lost someone who meant everything to him.
The Emperor said: “Are you afraid of the second consort?”
Edwin's shoulders trembled slightly.
“Or do you fear me, who turns a blind eye even though he knows everything?”
His lowered eyelashes trembled. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't afraid. His father was the emperor of the country, but because of his indifference, Edwin always suffered.
“As you may know,” said the Emperor, turning a gilded cup between his fingers, “I became Emperor after I killed my brothers.”
“No one acknowledged me, but I believed that I alone could lead this country.”
His eyes became deeply black and he said in an icy voice: “I still do not regret what I did that day.” My brothers were nothing but animals that depended on their imperial blood. If they bring harm to the empire, I will cut them off, even if they are of my blood. That's all I did then.”
Then he added with a firmness that suggested that he would not hesitate to bring him back: “On the contrary, if someone benefits the empire, even if I had rejected him before, I can reconsider him.”
The little prince gasped surreptitiously, and the gazes of father and son met in the air.
“That's all I have for you.” The Emperor said this after looking into his eyes for a long time, then he got up from his seat.
“Tomorrow there will be breakfast. “You have to come.”
“Breakfast table? But I...”
Iftar tables were irregular gatherings for members of the direct lineage. Just a shared breakfast, but Edwin hadn't had one in years.
The Emperor interrupted him firmly: “These are imperial orders.” It is not appropriate to always be absent from the family table. “I will not repeat myself.”
“…Yes, father.”
Edwin lowered his head deeply, then composed himself, summoned the last drop of his courage and called out:
“Dad!”
"What is there?"
“W-What about Emilia…?”
Emilia never had a proper meeting with her father once. Edwin wanted to take this opportunity to introduce his only younger sister to his father.
“Emilia?” The Emperor furrowed his eyebrows slightly, as if he was not bringing it up.
“Oh, you mean your sister.”
He doesn't say "my daughter," but "your sister." What a cold statement. Edwin bit his lip and stared at the Emperor.
The Emperor said: “Aren’t you too young to attend breakfast?”
“Uh...n-yes.”
“So we'll meet tomorrow morning.”
He left the office without hesitation. The Duke standing outside caught sight of Edwin through the opening of the door, and then followed the Emperor.
“…Huh?”
Edwin sat alone in the office, bewildered. What just happened?
So, my father himself ordered me to attend the breakfast table...
His eyes suddenly widened, and he jumped up and rushed outside.
“Your Highness, did your conversation with His Majesty—Your Highness go well?”
“Your Highness! To where? Aren't you going to finish your training?
The knights of the training ground called to him, but he left the knights' headquarters without turning around. There was indescribable emotion on his face.
“Don’t worry too much,” I said reassuringly.
Yet Edwin did not seem to grow brighter. He had returned to the palace yesterday, looking pale, and recounted his conversation with the Emperor, whose conclusion was that he should attend breakfast today.
'Yes, don't worry,' said Katherine, mending his clothes for me because I was bad at dressing him, jokingly. Surely His Majesty will not eat you alive.” But her consolation was to no avail.
“What if he asks me why I came?” Edwin said, his face wet with worry as he looked at me. Can't you come with me?
“I heard that servants are not allowed to attend the banquet,” I said. “I will be of no use.”
“But...” he muttered weakly: “I don’t understand why my father is acting like this all of a sudden.”
I had a clear intuition: since Edwin - from whom no one expected anything - had lasted a month in training, this must have aroused some interest.
"Oh, that's right, Rachel!" the boy suddenly exclaimed, startled.
“You met my father again? Why didn't you tell me?
Catherine also exclaimed: “How strange, Nanny!” Did you meet His Majesty?
Their excited gazes turned towards me. I didn't tell them because their noise bothered me.
“Yes,” I said coldly. “I met His Majesty on the first day of His Highness’s training.”
Edwin was surprised: “Was my father there?”
“I was surprised too; The emperor of a country wanders without a guard.”
“They say my father is as strong as Jerome,” said Edwin. "Maybe he doesn't need protection."
It was interesting information. If I had known, I would have taken the initiative to match him with the sword before I died.
He said nervously: “No, that’s not the point!” "Rachel, you told him I wanted to be strong."
“That's true, isn't it?”
His face turned red: “But... to say this to my father...”
“His Majesty is pleased,” I said indifferently. He said he would be happy to see you trying to change.”
It was a phrase that was close in meaning, so I didn't lie.
His eyes widened: “Really?”
"naturally. "He even said he'll keep watching you."
“Then…” he said hesitantly.
I said: “His Majesty’s request of you was not an accident.”
“So...?” He exhaled a sigh of relief.
Catherine clapped happily: “Oh, hello!” Great news, Your Highness!”
But the worry did not leave Edwin's face.
I asked him: “What’s wrong with you?”
“...I'm still afraid,” he said darkly.
"millimeter?"
“…Because the others won’t see it that way,” the boy nodded.
“The others” means the second consort—and by extension, that accursed second prince.
“Don’t worry too much, Your Highness,” I said.
“I don't worry? You don't understand...but I..."
He apparently did not want to mention how the palace treated him; He did not finish his words.
“Your Highness,” I called him.
"Yes."
“Honestly, your worry is in vain.”
“How can it be useless...”
“I mean, you shouldn't worry too much,” I smiled, baring my teeth at the confused boy. Because they probably won't even notice you at the breakfast table.”
This is the emperor's palace. Because Edwin had no bodyguard, Catherine and I had to accompany him. But from here on entry is prohibited.
Edwin followed the palace servant upstairs alone to attend breakfast.
“Why did you say that?” Catherine whispered, staring at the place where he had disappeared. "You are cruel sometimes, Nanny."
“You said no one would notice him; Didn't you look at his face?
“I didn’t look,” I said.
“You always don't care about these details! He looked like he was about to cry!”
“It's just that I told the truth.”
It was a breakfast table for all members of the imperial family.
Frankly, I wanted to sneak in and watch, but I restrained myself.
If I did it, I might bump into the Emperor again like I had before.
Caution is a must.
Catherine sighed: “How can you say this is just a ‘fact’?”
“The adults will probably exchange pleasantries and not even look at him,” I shrugged.
«Huh? Isn't this worse? His Highness is currently stressed alone...”
“Don't worry. Unlike before, he became more aggressive. "No need to worry."
If only for a moment, he came face to face with monsters—was he now afraid of only humans?
When one experiences absolute terror, all other fears disappear. This is how mercenaries emerge from the battlefield more daring.
“You're really cold sometimes, Nanny...”
A servant approached us and said: “Are you two servants of His Highness the Prince?”
I said: “Yes.”
“A meal was served to the servants on the first floor. May I accompany you?
“Come on, Catherine,” I said.
«Oh! Wait! Nanny!”
Catherine complained but eventually caught up with me: “Let's go together!”
Since we are in the Imperial Palace, what is expected is a feast. I quickly forgot about Edwin, and walked slowly towards where the food was.