Chapter: 786
For young children, social status isn’t that significant.
Of course, kids become aware of different ranks as they grow up, but luckily, the children gathered here are just three five-year-olds and one four-year-old. At this age, they make friends first and learn about status later on.
“Jenny is so cute, and Titi is really exciting!”
“Right? Our Titi can even do a handstand!”
– Woof!
Thanks to this lively conversation, I witnessed the adorable sight of the Crown Princess, the granddaughter of a marquis, the heir of an imperial count, and the heir of a knight all sitting together happily chatting away.
Frankly speaking, it’s not a typical sight. If we look at their background, it’s like the Emperor, a marquis, an imperial count, and a knight sitting together. While the first three are somewhat feasible, the last knight’s presence is so striking it’s almost off the charts.
But to these kids, none of that matters. The future Emperor and the daughter of a knight are just friends here.
“But why does Helen have to call you that?”
“My mom says I have to call the Crown Princess your highness! That’s why!”
“You don’t have to! Pedi and Anrietta don’t call her that!”
“Really?”
“Yup!”
“Then I won’t!”
Though there may be differences based on personalities or traits among friends, notions of superiority or inferiority don’t exist.
“Helen has made a good friend. Congratulations.”
I smiled as I patted Luciano on the shoulder. He looked so dazed that without some physical touch, I suspected any words would just go over his head.
“…Friend? Such a humble and undeserved compliment—”
“His Highness knows of the Crown Princess’s visit to your mansion, and is aware you have a daughter the same age as her.”
Once Luciano snapped back into reality, I waved dismissively.
The fact that the Crown Princess is making friends with a knight’s family isn’t just my whim nor the Crown Princess’s caprice. It’s something the Emperor, madly in love with his daughter, has consented to.
What’s important to the Emperor is that the Crown Princess makes friends. He hopes she can have a variety of experiences and enjoy her days, irrespective of their backgrounds.
‘Perhaps he couldn’t enjoy such things himself, and that’s why he wishes for her to have it.’
Back when the Emperor was just the First Prince. As a son born out of wedlock, he suffered countless humiliations and hardships from the Second Prince faction during his poor childhood. He had no friends, and even the servants he could trust were few.
So he wants his precious daughter to walk a different path than his. As long as the child’s character is good, he supports her making friends, regardless of their status.
It’s not a surprise the Emperor found those tales of the Crown Princess and Anrietta’s encounter at the animal exhibit moving. I’m sure he would’ve felt the same delight even if Anrietta were a commoner’s granddaughter.
“The future Emperor will look after all in the Empire. Do you think he would slight anyone from a knight’s family?”
“Um, that’s… not likely.”
“Moreover, both the marquis and the imperial count are merely loyal subjects in the eyes of the noble royal family. Do you think the Emperor and the Crown Princess would rank loyal subjects in terms of treatment?”
“That also seems… unlikely…”
With each question from me, Luciano was left speechless, shaking his head as if trying to process everything.
For a moment, I caught a glimmer of doubt in his expression: ‘Is there truly no ranking?’ But he isn’t foolish enough to vocalize such thoughts in this situation.
“Indeed. All subjects of the Empire are equal before His Majesty and Her Highness. Even if you are a knight, as long as your loyalty to the royal family is steadfast, it should not pose any issue.”
And, of course, minor doubts can be drowned in sheer confidence.
“Why does it even matter if you’re a knight? Just as you, who were once a commoner, became a knight in just a few years, so too could you become a noble in the years to come. Is it strange for the Crown Princess to play with an heir of a noble family?”
Frankly, it is indeed a bit strange. While it’s practically a fact that Luciano will receive a title, that’s not the present but the future.
However, a tiny temporal gap isn’t that significant. What’s more important is giving Luciano peace of mind.
“So don’t be afraid. Just be happy that your daughter has made a new friend, and that a bright and kind friend likes Helen.”
“I will remember that.”
“Good.”
I nodded in agreement toward Luciano’s settling expression.
Friendship isn’t solely built on children’s laughter; it requires parental understanding and support. If Luciano feels crushed under the might of the Crown Princess, then Helen and the Crown Princess won’t be able to become true friends.
Every time the Crown Princess comes, her dad trembles. Conversely, every time Helen goes to see her, her dad pales. How can Helen enjoy her time with the Crown Princess like that?
“Titi! Handstand!”
– Woof!
“Wow!”
“Can she walk like this, too?”
“Titi! Watch!”
– Woof!
“Whoa!”
To continue witnessing these heartwarming scenes, I need Luciano to cooperate actively. Luciano needs to accept that the children’s friendship is entirely natural.
…
‘She walks well.’
Amidst all this, I couldn’t help but admire Titi’s astounding tricks.
I mean, which dog can do a handstand and advance at the same time? Anyone would think Titi is from the circus.
“Jenny! You do a handstand too!”
– W-Woof?
Jenny, who had been wagging her tail endlessly, suddenly froze.
And from the looks of her back paws shaking, she was probably deliberating whether or not to attempt the impossible.
‘What a loyal dog.’
It’s both admirable and pitiful—having such profound worries despite her little master’s unreasonable demands. Truly, retrievers are a heavenly breed.
– Woof!
“Wow! Titi is so fast!”
“She’s amazing, Titi!”
Even more astonishing was that upon seeing Jenny in distress, Titi dashed toward her at almost lightning speed.
Our Titi. Just like her master, she possesses remarkable physical prowess.
“By the way, Lord?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“I haven’t yet greeted your wife. Considering the sudden visit, it would be best not to keep her waiting.”
In the servant’s house of the Niden family where the Crown Princess is visiting, the lady of the house is probably inspecting every nook and cranny of the mansion right now, so I couldn’t just walk in unannounced.
Even if I couldn’t prevent the Crown Princess from arriving, I should at least give them time to prepare.
Whenever my parents, father-in-law, or ministers come to our mansion, Marghetta would check everything passionately. As someone who understands the woes of a hostess, I wouldn’t want to disturb someone’s preparations.
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”
“It’s nothing. Just a guest’s courtesy.”
After that, we spent a long while watching as my kids raced around happily.
Seeing the kids delighting in their play put a relentless smile on my face.
“It’s a joy to see the young lady so cheerful. Back at the territory, she had no playmates and only played with her dolls…”
Even Anrietta’s nanny, who’d been silent, was now wiping her eyes, moved by the scene.
It seems children can bring a mix of tears and laughter for adults.
*
From that day onwards, the three girls began to stick together like Cerberus.
Naturally, the leader among them was the Crown Princess. It wasn’t due to her status; rather, she was simply the most lively and vocal of the three, able to adeptly lead her peers.
“I expected you to take on the role of their older sister, but it turns out you’re quite the leader,” I remarked.
“Don’t make a fuss. Playing with younger siblings or friends doesn’t require leadership,” the Emperor replied, shaking his head gently.
But I caught him grinning like a maniac.
“Our Crown Princess is just wise and kind. She’s still not at the level of being a leader.”
“Right then. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Finally, naturally adorned with praise, I turned to my daughter’s face, showering her with compliments.
More importantly, the qualities of a leader simply being wisdom and kindness really didn’t need adjusting.
“By the way, Minister, I’m curious about something.”
“Speak.”
“How is Lord Luciano faring? His child may be innocent enough to accept the Crown Princess just as she is, but Lord Luciano is different.”
I locked eyes with the Emperor, who stared at me in disbelief.
“Only now are you worried?”
“Hmph.”
The Emperor choked back an unintentional slip, embarrassed.
Thank goodness. His instinctive reaction caught me off guard, but I was relieved to find he still had a shred of social conscience.
‘Is this kind of wording acceptable?’
Even more encouraging was that I now had a clearer idea of how to express my grievances against the Emperor.
As long as he is the one in the wrong, I can speak plainly without restraint. Especially if the issue pertains to private matters rather than public.
‘Great.’
I should gradually take the intensity up a notch. One day, I’ll even have the confidence to argue firmly in official settings.
“Fortunately, Lord Luciano is quite pleased about the friendship between the Crown Princess and his daughter. Initially, he felt honored by Her Highness’s visit; however, seeing her innocence and compassion, there was no reason to hesitate any longer. He no longer fears Her Highness’s presence.”
“Hmm, that’s only natural. Once one understands the Crown Princess’s character, it’s only to be expected.”
Seeing the Emperor nodding in satisfaction raised my anxiety.
I felt an unsettling premonition that a second or third Lord Luciano might crop up, a pitiful soul fated to suffer under the burden of being merely a noble.
*
The Crown Princess brought intriguing news with her.
“Titi and Jenny! They’re super close!”
“Jenny? Who’s that?”
“Helen’s friend! Titi and Jenny are going to be together!”
She flailed her arms excitedly as she explained about this creature named Jenny.
Ah, it seems the dog that the Minister has is of the same breed as Titi.
“Titi says that she really likes Jenny. They might even marry!”
“Marriage!”
“Yup! Marry!”
What an interesting piece of news. Out of all the puppies I received from the great Lord of the imperial family, Titi is the only one that went to the Minister. That Titi got the Minister’s love and grew up strong enough to be at the stage of considering a mate is fascinating.
‘Glad to see she’s being cared for well.’
Handing over that pup to the Minister had been a rather impulsive decision at the time. It’s reassuring it hasn’t turned into a regret.
‘Jenny.’
Now, I began to wonder about the kind of person Jenny must be that captured Titi’s attention.
And what kind of person is Helen, Luciano’s daughter?
‘With time, I’ll surely find out.’
Of course, the curiosity remained just that—curiosity. If I started showing interest in Luciano to solve this query, it would just pile extra burdens on a knight serving the Empire.
That wouldn’t be right. I can’t place that heavy burden on a person dedicated to the Empire.
‘He’s a talented individual who went from commoner to knight.’
I can’t crush such a talent in my hands.
“Crown Princess.”
“Yup?”
“It’s good to make friends, but there’s no need to constantly speak with Lord Luciano.”
“Yup! My dad says that too!”
Hearing those words relieved me. The Crown Princess’s guardian, the Grand Duke, clearly holds a firm grasp on reason.
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