Chapter: 852
On the day Titi and Jenny’s puppies were born, Titi temporarily moved his residence from our house to Luciano’s mansion.
The next day, the kids who saw the little fluffballs for the first time were completely mesmerized and had no intention of leaving Luciano’s mansion.
However, they stayed like a bunch of ghosts from morning till evening, and when the sun started to set, they willingly returned home. Fortunately, it seemed that they had a strong belief in ‘home = a place we must always return to.’
“Welcome back, Carl. You must have worked hard being outside all day.”
“Work hard? I just sat and watched.”
As we rushed back to the mansion, I couldn’t help but chuckle at Marghetta’s warm welcome.
Honestly, I didn’t do anything. If I got too close, Titi would switch to guard mode, and if he got agitated, the children’s exploration of the puppies would come to a screeching halt. That would lead to a horrifying situation where I’d be on the receiving end of Titi and the kids’ resentment.
So, I watched the kids from a distance, idly twiddling my fingers. Luciano’s wife took care of all the puppy-caring duties.
‘Next time, I should bring more people along.’
I was the guest who brought a bunch of kids but did nothing to care for them. It was an atrocious thing to admit. If my status weren’t overwhelmingly higher than Luciano’s, I would have expected quite a few harsh words thrown my way.
So, next time I’ll bring Yuris and Sophia too. They’re the closest servants to the kids and are also the youngest, full of energy.
Besides, bringing the maids along would make Luciano’s wife more at ease. Having extra people to look after means the lady of the house has more on her plate to worry about.
“Now, everyone wash your hands and let’s head to the dining room. Aren’t you all super hungry?”
“No way! I ate a bunch of cookies, so I’m fine!”
“Really? But you can still eat, right?”
“Yup!”
“I can eat!”
In the chaos, Marghetta led the kids eagerly towards the bathroom.
Upon returning home, washing hands is a must. Even if they munch on snacks outside, meals are meant to be shared as a family. She was teaching the kids an invaluable habit firsthand.
Thanks to that, a smile crept onto my face. While I pride myself on playing well with the kids as a dad, I wasn’t completely confident in my teachings. Even if I aimed to share lessons based on my own experiences, what could I really teach? I was an orphan before possession and now just a 16-year-old.
So, it’s a blessing that we have Marghetta, the late-born princess. The etiquette she learned from the ducal family and the love she received as the youngest are all flowing down to the kids.
“Carl, you should join too. Don’t tell me you’re going to skip out while the kids wash?”
“Exactly! Dad should join in too!”
“Dad’s hand! Let me hold it!”
“Let’s wash together! Dad has two hands, you know!”
Starting from Marghetta’s words, all the kids chimed in, and I took a step forward.
It looked like my hands were about to be tugged at by the kids. With that enthusiasm, today surely wouldn’t end quietly.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t wash my hands for a while.’
To be precise, I shouldn’t wash them on my own. If I do it without letting the kids help, it’s guaranteed they’ll be shocked in the future.
If my hands get even a little dirty, I’ll let the kids handle it. If it’s all in the name of fun, then why not? Teaching kids cleanliness through play.
“Mom should join in too!”
“Yup! Marghetta’s mom should join!”
“Dad and mom should be clean!”
“Hehe, yeah. Let’s all do it together!”
Though Marghetta accidentally became the playmate rather than the leader, she chuckled softly in joy at the situation.
And of course, the expected result happened. The kids, having perceived handwashing as a game, drenched not just themselves but also me and Marghetta in water.
Yeah, I figured it would turn out like this. If kids are playing with water, it’d be strange if they didn’t end up soaked.
“If I had known this would happen, maybe I should have just showered instead of trying to only wash my hands?”
“Right? That would have been faster.”
With a wry smile, Marghetta dried the kids’ faces and hair with a towel.
Changing their clothes would take some time too. I wonder if the meal prepared in the kitchen is getting cold.
Just as the kids who were heading to Luciano’s mansion crossed paths with the Crown Princess who just visited our mansion.
“Eek? Where is everyone going?”
‘Oh no.’
In that moment, my heart sank. Without thinking, I planned to take the kids to Luciano’s mansion, and if things went wrong, the Crown Princess could have been left there all alone. Just me and the kids, minus Titi, wandering into Luciano’s mansion.
Honestly, even without us, the holy waters would still be fine, and the Crown Princess might enjoy herself; but still, if she was left behind alone, she’d surely throw a fit about where everyone disappeared to. I could almost picture her rolling on the floor in pure frustration.
“Your Highness, it’s a perfect time for you to arrive. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Wha? For me?”
So, I forced myself to keep the conversation going as naturally as possible.
We were waiting for the Crown Princess right from the start. I didn’t forget about her; I just intended to bring her along.
“We’re heading to Helen’s house. There’s something delightful there.”
“Delightful?”
The moment I said that, the Crown Princess’s eyes sparkled.
Fortunately, being young and seemingly oblivious to tensions, she didn’t pick up on my red flag. If she had been just a tad more mature, she might have noticed the contradiction in my words.
That I was planning to take her to a place while the mansion’s doors were already wide open. That the kids were ready to dash out at a moment’s notice.
“It’s something that our kids love. I’m sure that once you see it, Your Highness will love it too.”
“I wanna go! Let’s go now!”
“Yes, let’s head right over!”
But the truth is, if the end result is good, then who cares about the details? No matter how flimsy the excuse was, if the person didn’t catch on, then there were no problems.
I was just waiting for the Crown Princess. But anyway, that’s how it is.
*
Wow…
Wowwwwwwwwwww!
“So cute!”
As soon as we arrived at Helen’s house, I was amazed.
Something delightful! A truly delightful thing! Just as I said, this is ridiculously delightful!
“Isn’t it cute?”
“Yup!”
Pedi immediately nodded in agreement.
The tiny Titi is extremely cute! And those little ones make it even cuter! Fourteen of them? Oh my god, even cuter!
“Hey! That’s unfair! Why didn’t you show this to me first?”
“We saw them for the first time yesterday too!”
“Oh really?”
Well, that’s okay! If Pedi saw them yesterday, then I can see them now too!
“Helen! This is amazing…”
“Hehe, right! It’s super awesome!”
Looking at Helen beside them, she was also smiling brightly.
How jealous! I’m so incredibly envious! If there are these little ones at home, how wonderful would it be!
“And doesn’t Titi belong to our family?”
“Huh? Really!?”
“Yup. Titi’s at my sister’s.”
What’s that?! I’m hella jealous!
Grandpa may have plenty of Titis like these, but I’m still envious! Other kids are cute but Titi has a unique cuteness!
“Hey!”
I wanted to say, “Send a Titi to our house!”
But Pedi was nowhere to be seen.
“Pedi. Where’s Titi?”
“I don’t know. Pops didn’t see him yesterday either.”
Pedi blinked.
That’s strange. We came together, so why isn’t Titi here?
– Woof!
“Oh! Titi!”
I was searching for Titi when suddenly he came bounding in, so I gave up the search.
“Titi! Where did you just come from? Did you eat?”
– Woof woof!
Titi’s tail! It’s wagging so fast! Did he have something good to eat?!
But if it’s Titi, he probably had loads of goodies! With fourteen little Titis around, he has to protect them all!
*
Today, I watched happily as the kids played with the little fluffballs.
‘Looks nice.’
Seeing everyone smile made my lips curl up. Titi and Jenny seemed to know the kids were being good because they showed no signs of defensiveness even when touched.
It’s a little regretful that I was the only one missing. Even more regrettable that no one was looking for me, not even my kids.
‘Do those little fluffballs hold more of a special place than their dad…’
Honestly, it’s hard to blame them. It’s pretty elusively unfair. How can anyone resist those tiny scrambles?
– Count?
“Oh, yes, Your Majesty. What can I do for you?”
Startled, I turned my attention to the communication device; the Emperor’s voice broke through.
The Emperor had reached out to me, and I momentarily got distracted by the kids. It’s terrifying how kids can consume your attention.
– Oh dear. Did I call when you were busy? If it’s inconvenient to converse, I can try later.
“No, no. I just looked away for a moment; it’s definitely busier than this.”
Sure, it’s a bit too quiet for comfort, but I didn’t want to mention that.
I never imagined I’d end up standing alone, gazing at the kids and Titi’s puppies right in front of me.
– Is that so? I’m relieved to hear that.
Nodding slightly, the Emperor fell into silence before revealing,
– Well, I have a somewhat delicate request for you, so I’m glad things are calm right now.
‘Excuse me?’
The explosive statement dropped on me shocked my senses.
The corners of my eyes twitched involuntarily. How could the Emperor use the words ‘delicate’ and ‘request’ in the same sentence? What was he planning?
– I’ve heard that your pet dog, Titi, recently had puppies. Is that true?
“Yes, that’s true.”
I responded, still feeling a bit dazed.
What? The fact that Titi’s puppies were born two days ago has reached the Emperor? If the Crown Princess just learned about it today, how did it spread so quickly?
‘Could it be from the Ministry of Justice?’
Luciano serves under the director at the Ministry of Justice. If he mentioned Jenny giving birth to someone, the news might have spread across to the Minister of Justice and made its rounds from there.
Once it reaches the Imperial Household, naturally, the Emperor would find out in no time. In that case, it’s not insane that he caught wind of it within two days.
– Well, it’s actually complex.
But right now, what’s important isn’t the source of information; it’s what the Emperor is asking. What could prompt him to acknowledge it as a ‘complex request’ and use ‘request’ instead of ‘order’?
– Apparently, the sovereign is interested in Titi’s puppies. After all, they were raised under the sovereign’s care before being sent to you.
“Y-Your Majesty, you don’t mean—”
– Don’t worry; I’m not saying the sovereign is coming to visit. Do you think the sovereign would make such a light decision?
That wasn’t it, which I instinctively shook my head.
– However, it’s true that the sovereign wants to see them… so after contacting the Count, would it be possible to showcase the pups through the communication device?
“Excuse me?”
– Didn’t I say? It’s a complex request. I mean, since the sovereign didn’t deliver the message directly, you’re free to decline, but it seems they’re quite eager to have a look.
My mind went blank as I stared at the communication device.
The previous owner, wanting to see their pup again after hearing about its new offspring. Longing to see it directly but refraining due to their status. The earnest desire of a parent who wishes to show off the puppies.
It was a heartwarming and touching scenario. Yet if the protagonists are the sovereign and the Emperor, it somehow shifts to a completely different realm.
‘…But I can’t show them.’
I repressed the sigh that almost escaped from my lips.
To display Titi’s puppies through the communication device, I’d have to get close enough. And the reason I’m here is that I couldn’t approach Titi.
‘What do I do?’
If it were a straight-up ‘No way, go ask someone else,’ I’d say that in a heartbeat, but given this is related to the high-ranking officials, it’s a delicate matter to ignore.
It feels wrong to be unable to grant such a request to someone who worked hard like the Emperor, who’s now retired…
‘Should I just barge in?’
I took a quick glance at Titi, Jenny, and the puppies.
What if I just dashed in there and showed them through the communication device? If Titi saw his old owner through the device, maybe he wouldn’t hold it against me.
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