Chapter 590
Since the Crown Princess’s ritual incident, the Emperor’s mental state has surprisingly toughened up.
“Dae-bu! Dae-bu!”
“Good morning, Your Highness. How have you been?”
“Uhm!”
Given how the Crown Princess waddled over and dove into my arms without even a hint of jealousy or anger from the Emperor, you’d think everything was peachy.
“The Crown Princess really likes her Dae-bu.”
All I could do was nod with a warm gaze as I stroked her chin.
Well, actually, I had to cover my mouth with my hand to hold back the twitching corners of my lips.
‘Cursed brat.’
I could tell why I was feeling that way and ended up biting my lip. When the Crown Princess had chosen me as her item during the ritual before, the Emperor had laughed, saying she had picked something extraordinary.
With the Emperor thrilled, you could just imagine everyone else eagerly applauding, saying how clever the Crown Princess was and how she’d grasped a radiant future. Thanks to that, I ended up being seen as just another ‘item’ on par with wooden swords and quills.
Such a pathetic situation. To be reduced to a mere item to the Crown Princess, and what’s left of my human rights? It’s utterly disgraceful.
“Dae-bu! I-go!”
With a bitter heart, I gently patted the back of the Crown Princess, and she wriggled free, thrusting her little fist at me.
I was momentarily perplexed. What was this little fist implying? Was it a request for a spar?
“Your Highness? What’s this?”
“Seoan— Water!”
I sighed in relief at her next words. It wasn’t a sparring request but a gift she had hidden!
‘She knows how to give gifts already.’
Without realizing it, a smile crept onto my face. Here was a baby who had just started walking, already thinking of giving her Dae-bu a present. How adorable!
Sure, it was probably a flower she plucked while playing in the garden, but she was bringing it to her Dae-bu with that tiny hand. That’s enough reason to receive it joyfully.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Uhm! Good!”
With a smile, I placed my hand under her fist, and the Crown Princess returned a bright grin as she opened her fist.
‘Huh?’
Before I knew it, an unexpected item dropped into my hand, surprising me.
A small rectangular object wrapped in red paper. It was chocolate from a fairly famous brand, renowned in the capital.
“This! Masisseo!”
Blinking in confusion, I shifted my gaze back to the Crown Princess, who was proudly shrugging.
Now that was shocking. I couldn’t believe that the Crown Princess was already old enough to eat chocolate, and that she was willing to share some of her precious treat with me, after just discovering its sweetness.
Goodness! A baby sharing her snacks. And to give away chocolate— the epitome of sweetness.
“Thank you. I’ll eat it and think of you, Your Highness.”
“Uhm!”
Seemingly satisfied with my response, the Crown Princess energetically nodded her head.
I should keep this rather than eat it right away. I couldn’t just destroy the first gift I received as her Dae-bu by eating it.
And now that I knew she was of chocolate-eating age, I should bring some from a famous pastry shop next time—maybe chocolates or candy. It would only be right to return the favor.
‘Is candy still too much?’
But the adorable little teeth peeking from the giggling Crown Princess made me hesitate. Biting on that could break her cute little teeth.
Alright, candy can wait. No matter how childish, if she messes up her teeth with candy, that would be a disaster.
“I—I haven’t received a present yet…”
In the midst of all this, I heard the Emperor’s voice saturated with despair, but I chose to ignore it.
That guy deserves it. Who told him to treat humans like objects?
“Your Highness, would you like to take a walk with your Dae-bu?”
“Walk! Good!”
Carefully lifting the Crown Princess, I cradled her in my arms.
Her real dad was left there in despair. But I was off to have fun with my little lady.
“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
“Haboo-ji!”
Huh?
“Haboo-ji! Home! Friend Mana!”
That completely unexpected response had me looking around in confusion.
The only person the Crown Princess could be referring to as “grandpa” would be the current Emperor, and if it was “friend,” it must be the animal farm tucked away in the palace grounds. I bet she meant Bremen Musicians living there.
‘What to do…’
Conflicted. I was a bit hesitant about going there myself.
Of all people, it was him. Now an irrelevant old-timer, he used to dominate every noble in the Empire just a few years ago. Facing him directly was a little nerve-racking.
“Do I have to…?”
“Let’s just go for it.”
“Yay!”
Seeing the Crown Princess with that teary look made me take a step forward.
If I said I came to deliver my granddaughter, he probably won’t mind.
The only shield I had disappeared.
“Woof woof!”
“Your Highness!”
Upon reaching the Emperor’s hideout, the Crown Princess ditched her Dae-bu and dashed toward the little puppies.
I felt betrayed. I had come to this daunting place for the Princess’s sake, and here she was completely ignoring me.
“I didn’t expect a guest to drop by.”
While I blankly stared at the Crown Princess, who was practically smothering those little furballs, the Emperor’s voice reached me, and I immediately bowed down.
“Long live His Highness the Emperor. Head of the Krasius household—”
“Enough, get up. There’s no need to show excess respect to an old man who has already stepped down from his position.”
At those words, I carefully got back on my feet. It would be rude to remain bowing when he said that.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I intended to enjoy a walk with Crown Princess Your Highness, but she expressed a desire to come here.”
“The Crown Princess did?”
Stealing a glance at her, I noticed the slightest hint of a smile tugging at the Emperor’s lips.
It was a very minuscule movement, but definitely a smile. Even the Emperor couldn’t be stoic in front of his granddaughter.
“Then you may stay by her side. Those little rascals are usually gentle, but they have so much energy that they could easily knock over a young Princess.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll be careful.”
As someone who also raised Titi, I knew all too well that those furballs had a lot more energy than one would expect. Even a little poke could feel like a monster truck hit to the children.
That being said, as soon as the Emperor allowed it, I rushed over to the Crown Princess. The puppies were still milling around her cautiously but could explode at any moment.
– Woof? Woof woof!
– Bark bark!
‘What now?’
As I approached, the puppies who were loitering near the Crown Princess suddenly turned their attention to me. They must have remembered the scent of Titi on me.
“Dae-bu! Put me up!”
“Pardon?”
In the middle of this, the Crown Princess, shifting her gaze with the puppies, reached out her hand and shouted.
She wanted to be lifted. But where?
“Doggie! Up on the doggie!”
– Woof?
“I can’t do that!”
That was a clear and precise request, causing one of the puppies to blink and lower its body.
“Wow!”
“Whoa.”
We both let out exclamations, albeit for different reasons. The Crown Princess was surprised that the puppy listened to her, while I was stunned by the fact that those puppies weren’t just ordinary critters.
“Doggie!”
Without hesitation, the Crown Princess hopped on the lowered puppy’s back.
Do kids really have that instinct to want to ride animals? Pedie did it, and now so was the Crown Princess.
– Woof!
– Bark! Bark bark!
Despite the sudden ride, the puppies welcomed her addition. It seemed they realized that she liked them and wanted to play with them.
‘Who in the world are their parents?’
Every time I see them, my mind is blown. Typically, well-loved pets grow up smart, but these pups and Titi take it to another level.
Could it be that they have extraordinary blood in their lineage? Will Titi’s pups look like this when they grow up?
“Doggie! Let’s go!”
– Woof!
“Your Highness! It’s dangerous to go alone!”
Supporting the unexpectedly fast-moving Crown Princess, we took off running through the palace.
If any accidents happen, it’s me who’ll be in trouble, and the Empire will suffer…!
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