Chapter 512
Since confirming Trixie’s pregnancy, I’ve naturally been keeping my distance from the evil term called ‘work.’ My honeymoon was postponed due to being summoned as a witness at the council, so it’s only right that I enjoy my newlywed vacation now that my role as a witness is over.
Of course, I haven’t just been holed up in the mansion enjoying a peaceful hermit life. Whenever Mar and First Snow feel like eating something, I dash out at a moment’s notice, and the triplets are starting to complain about their cravings too.
“Bbyeah!”
“Your Highness, I have no beard!”
Once every three or four days, I make non-work trips to the Empress Palace to hang out with my goddaughter, the Crown Princess.
Meeting the royal family during my vacation is mentally exhausting, but I can’t argue with the reason being to bond with the Crown Princess. I’ve gotta get familiar with the baby so she feels close to me as she grows up, right? As her godfather, I can’t be awkward around her.
But I’d appreciate it if they could ease up on hitting my chin every time we meet. This unworthy godfather doesn’t have a magnificent beard like that.
‘Should I get a fake beard?’
Imagining the Crown Princess, with her bright smile, trying to grab at an imaginary beard made me seriously ponder about it.
If she’s so smitten with the idea of my beard, I guess carrying a fake one wouldn’t be such a bad idea. After all, a fake beard wouldn’t hurt if she pulls on it.
‘Not a bad idea.’
If I think of it as a toy to play with the baby, then it sounds pretty entertaining.
‘Gotta think about the Emperor too.’
If I only get the Crown Princess’s love and attention, that would be unfair. The Emperor would surely appreciate seeing the Crown Princess smile at the expense of a fake beard.
Or not.
“Bua-woo!”
After flailing her arms for a while, the Crown Princess started to squirm in frustration.
Hey, you’re the one who’s seeking out a beard that doesn’t exist, so why are you getting annoyed with me?
“I’m sorry, Minister. She’s usually a good child but throws a tantrum over the strange things.”
Despite the grumbling sounds filled with discontent, the Empress wrapped the Crown Princess in her arms with a gentle smile—
“Bbyeah!”
Only for the Crown Princess to reject her hands.
“Oh.”
“Oh my.”
Both the Empress and I were taken aback by the Crown Princess’s bold move. A baby refusing her mother? Isn’t that a bit too early for a rebellious phase?
Naturally, I instinctively looked at the Empress, who must have felt a pang in her heart when the Crown Princess swatted her hand away while being held by me. If she dismisses her mother while in my arms, it could easily be interpreted that she’s choosing me over her.
Given she’s a first-time mom, that must feel heartbreaking for her.
‘Cursed be this situation.’
And the moment I saw the Empress’s silver eyes tremble slightly, I hurriedly lowered my gaze.
“Hehe, thank goodness Charlotte seems to like you, dear godfather.”
“That’s flattery. I suspect she’s trying to scold me for not having a beard.”
It’s a ridiculous excuse, but I felt the need to make one right now. Because if I didn’t, I sensed I wouldn’t be able to leave the Empress Palace without a hitch.
‘Why is it only at times like this that I lack a beard.’
Suddenly, I recalled the Emperor tucked away in his office, working. That guy always squirmed beside the Crown Princess, making silly faces whenever I came by, but when I actually needed a serious backup, he’s nowhere to be found.
What a useless guy. Can you even call yourself a father when you neglect your own child like that?
Fortunately, the Empress’s hurt feelings mended quickly. Whether she felt an odd atmosphere or got tired of being in my embrace, the Crown Princess started reaching out for her.
Reaching out after swatting her away earlier is a bit curious, but the Empress seemed to be delighted, scooping the Crown Princess up in her arms. Thanks to that, the awkward mood faded into warmth.
“I was actually contemplating if I should crawl out on all fours until then.”
“If a thief stole your daughter, crawling wouldn’t be enough.”
After safely exiting the Empress Palace, I shared the surreal tale with Erich. He offered his candid thoughts.
It was a bit disheartening, but at the same time, I couldn’t deny his words. If Elementary Snow had rejected me and cleaved to that unfortunate fellow, my heart would’ve been crushed. I’d probably want to rip that guy apart out of sheer frustration.
“Still, I’m glad it was in front of the Empress. If it were the Emperor, I’d have been dead by now!”
Just imagining that sends chills down my spine. If the Emperor had been rejected by the Crown Princess, that guy would’ve definitely gone berserk, unleashing all sorts of bizarre traditions and rules to beat me up. It would have been torture, and I wouldn’t even be able to complain since it was technically legal.
“Well, the Empress isn’t exactly your everyday person either…”
At that, Erich shook his head, giving me a peculiar look.
Of course, as Erich said, the Empress is no ordinary woman. She’s a formidable lady, having married the Emperor during his unpredictable first prince days. If she’s ordinary, then that’s more unusual.
But given her strength, the nobility and officials consider her gentle and loving. Everyone knows she’s more forgiving and warm-hearted than the Emperor, so there shouldn’t be any reason for her to show any hostility.
‘Could she have a darker side?’
Recalling that Erich had a close relationship with the Empress back in school, it’s likely he might know her private side quite well.
Still, it’s the Empress we’re talking about here. Imagining her behaving rudely or acting bizarre is hard to fathom.
‘She must have scolded him at some point.’
After a brief consideration, I landed on a plausible conclusion. I could picture the reckless Erich getting scolded harshly by the Empress. In that case, I could totally understand Erich’s apprehension.
A kind Empress who’s strict when necessary? That’s quite nice too.
“Oh! Are you thinking something strange right now?!”
“Nope, not at all.”
Amid our conversation, noticing Erich gazing at me with pity made him puff out his cheeks and protest.
Sadly, despite my affection for Erich, my trust in him isn’t particularly high. Naturally, the assumption that Erich got scolded by the Empress aligns with the drift of my thoughts.
How unfortunate to have a lover like this.
*
After stuffing treats into the now-bigger 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th fluffballs, I headed off to the Empress Palace.
“You guys wait here.”
– Woof! Woof!
– Bark Bark!
“Whoa.”
– Squeeek…
At the Empress Palace’s main gate, I momentarily halted the furry crew following behind me. They’re sweet and cuddly, but they’ve outgrown the Crown Princess and are shedding their fur. Bringing them in front of the baby, who isn’t even a year old yet, seems a bit excessive.
“When the Crown Princess grows a bit more, I’ll take you all in.”
Upon promising that they’d enter one day, the typically droopy-tailed pooches perked up and started panting eagerly.
I know dogs are smart, but these guys continually amaze me. This feels like that next level of intelligence.
‘This will make a good gift for the Crown Princess.’
Even if their lifespans differ, they’re roughly the same age, so these guys will be around during the Crown Princess’s growth period. I hope she shows them the same side she shows me.
“Your Excellency.”
As I untangled my tail from the dogs and entered the Empress Palace, the Empress greeted me, bowing her head with her handmaids.
“There’s no need to come out to greet me, Your Ladyship. I’m just an old man who’s stepped down.”
“If my daughter neglects her father-in-law, how can the subjects be respectful toward the Imperial Family?”
I told her that I’ve laid aside my role as Emperor and feel free to relax, but the Empress countered with a smile. Even though I’m no longer the Emperor, I’m still someone above her, and if the Imperial Family does not respect their superiors, who will respect the Imperial Family?
“Truly, Your Ladyship serves as a model for the nobility and subjects alike.”
“Your flattery is unwarranted, Your Excellency.”
There was no denying the truth in my words, so I had to let it slide.
Now that I think of it, even before she became the Empress, she spoke her mind quite freely. At the point I stepped down, I couldn’t possibly outmaneuver her.
The Crown Princess, sound asleep in her bed, was clutching some mysterious object in her left hand.
“Your Ladyship.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“What’s that strange thing the Crown Princess is holding?”
I couldn’t help but ask the Empress about what appeared to be an unidentifiable black fluff ball. What in the world could that be?
“That’s the Minister of Surveillance’s beard.”
As soon as the Empress broke into a small chuckle, I was left utterly confused. I hadn’t heard that the Minister had grown a beard, and even if he did, why on earth would it be in the Crown Princess’s hands?
“Since she was held by you, Your Excellency, the Crown Princess has missed formidable, dignified figures like you. Thus, the Minister came sporting a fake beard to entertain her.”
At least the Empress’s explanation was somewhat understandable.
“I’m relieved that the Minister is faithfully fulfilling his role as a godfather.”
“Indeed, it is a blessing for the Empire.”
Turning my back on the Empress’s words, I cautiously reached out with my right hand towards the Crown Princess.
‘Hmm.’
At that moment, the Crown Princess grabbed my finger as if she’d been waiting for me. Still deep in slumber.
Each time it happens, it invokes a unique feeling. I never got to see anything like this when my own kids were born.
“She’s sleeping so well; the Minister must have entertained her splendidly.”
“Her beard got pulled, after all.”
At that, I glanced back at the Crown Princess’s left hand. If it’s so badly pulled, even while being fake, it’s proof of how passionately the Minister played with her.
“Soon, I must resume my duties as the academy’s inspector. That might explain why he played so heartily.”
“Is that so?”
Upon hearing that, I quietly closed my eyes.
Two years ago, a historic event occurred when key figures from other countries enrolled at the Imperial Academy. Due to that incident, the Minister of Surveillance was urgently dispatched.
‘In six months, he’ll return home.’
Suddenly, I felt a weight settle in my chest. Two years prior, I thought they came to enroll to legally snoop on the Empire. In fact, they stayed in the Empire during their first summer vacation instead of going back home.
But since then, they’ve returned home every single break. I thought they might be doing something during the semesters too, so I kept a watchful eye, but didn’t notice them making any peculiar moves outside of academy activities.
And now graduation is looming ahead. The window of being legally allowed to remain in the Empire is closing.
‘What could their true purpose possibly be?’
Now the chance of them having come to snoop is quite slim. Those who haven’t made any moves for two and a half years, passing up opportunities to stay in the Empire, can hardly be thinking about spying.
The thought of that just makes it more troublesome. I can’t even guess what their reason for coming to the Empire could be if it’s not espionage.
‘All I can do is hope the Minister knows something.’
With half a year until the Minister finishes his duties. After that, I intend on meeting him directly.
Although I’ve stepped down, I’m reluctant to meddle with the bureaucrats, but this matter is one I want to understand.
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