Chapter 593
Truly, having subordinates makes everything easier, and the more subordinates you have, the lighter the burden.
“Woof! Woof!”
– Bark! Bark!
– Woof!
Including Titi, there were five Golden Retrievers.
“Hey! Talk! So cool!”
“Don’t grab my neck!”
“I… think I’m going to die…”
The eleven divine beasts, dragged out of their sleep.
The Crown Prince’s absolute obsession with animals instantly shifted to them, and with such a large number, she stood in one spot giggling instead of gallivanting around the palace.
I sighed in relief; it was a positive scenario for me. I had been sweating bullets every time the Crown Princess rode around the palace on Titi, fearing she might topple over. Fortunately, today seemed to end with a roll in the garden.
‘Maybe I should have brought them earlier?’
Seeing Titi happy to meet his siblings, the Crown Princess cheerful with her new animal friends, and the little divine beasts brimming with morning energy—it was a joyous start to the day. My lips curled up slightly. If I’d known this would happen, I would have brought these little furballs to the palace much earlier.
“Aww?”
In that heartwarming scene, Pedi, who was perched on Titi’s back, tilted her head.
“Woo?”
The young Crown Princess, still low to the ground in her view, finally noticed Pedi and tilted her head up in response.
Now that I think about it, they didn’t even get an introduction, considering this was their first meeting. I had forgotten because the Crown Princess was enjoying herself so much.
“Your Highness, this is my son, Ferdinand.”
“Pe-rrr-di… nat?”
“You can just call him Pedi. He’s one year younger than you, Your Highness.”
“Dong-ssaeng?”
At that, the Crown Princess’s eyes sparkled.
“Brother! My brother!”
I flinched at the overjoyed reaction of the Crown Princess.
What is this? Does she even know what a sibling is? Of course, Pedi does tend to waddle over and change direction when she spots the triplets or Friedrich, so it seems she picks up on the concept of family even as just a little one.
“I! Brother! Yay!”
Exclaiming so, the Crown Princess rummaged through her pockets and pulled something out.
“Brother! Gift!”
And it was chocolate again.
I was touched—a nobleman giving chocolate to his vassal was a glorious act, and the fact that she considered my son as her brother when presenting a gift brought me immense joy.
“Sea! Gift!”
“Aww?”
As I beamed, the Crown Princess shrugged and handed over the chocolate to Pedi.
It was a heartwarming scene, but there was one small, tiny issue.
“Your Highness.”
“Yeah!”
“Pedi can’t eat chocolate.”
At that, the gleeful smile on the Crown Princess’s face turned to horror, as if she’d just heard the most dreadful thing in the world.
“Brother… can’t eat… chocolate?”
Unfortunately, yes. The baby who’s just starting to walk must be careful with what he eats. He can have something like that next year when he’s older and can handle stronger flavors.
“Yes, Your Highness. So, you can eat it—”
“But it’s delicious. Super delicious…”
The Crown Princess murmured in disbelief and slowly began to whimper before crashing down to the ground and bursting into tears.
“Waaah!”
“Y-Your Highness?!”
“Brother… so sad! Can’t eat something so delicious!”
And then, with quick motions, she unwrapped the chocolate and popped it into her own mouth.
“So delicious!”
Soon enough, she began to cry even harder, squirming about.
I was momentarily puzzled—it was a simple snack, but she was acting like someone who couldn’t give a gift to her little brother after all.
“Master, this is your fault.”
In any case, the humble beasts lamented in a rather pale shade.
“First, you should have accepted the gift, then eaten it yourself.”
“That would be deceiving the Crown Princess.”
“Isn’t it okay for you to deceive us since you’ve tricked us since morning…?”
At her resentful remark, I awkwardly turned my head. Seriously, I was left speechless.
“Waaah…”
“Oh.”
“Such a shame…”
Then, before long, Pedi, who had been wedged on Titi, made a noise that hinted something was off.
Uh-oh. Little Pedi, in an unfamiliar environment, would surely start crying if she saw someone else crying. No matter how sturdy my eldest one is, it’s enough to make anyone join in the tears.
“Waaah!”
“Oh dear, young lord! Calm down!”
“Why is our young lord suddenly acting like this? Should I bring something he likes?”
“Waaah!”
“…I suppose we should comfort the Crown Princess first?”
With the harmonious wails of the two kids, I gently closed my eyes.
What a day to be crying together. Our Pedi and the Crown Princess will surely become great friends…
*
While His Majesty handled all the affairs of the empire, I, as the Empress and head of the royal household, had my own tasks to juggle.
Especially during the end of the year like now, I had to attend or host all kinds of gatherings to strengthen relations with the high-born ladies of the empire. As an Empress, I had to maintain the balance between being approachable and appearing as an ethereal being in the sky—an appropriate distance and closeness are fundamental for smooth relationships.
Today, I met with high families from the southern region to keep those relationships intact. It was a delightful experience to see familiar faces and also a joy to escape the chilly winter wind for the warm southern atmosphere.
After a satisfying gathering, upon returning to the palace,
“Did the Crown Princess cry?”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
I was shocked to hear that unexpected report.
With the Emperor busy with work and me frequently outside the palace, it worried me to have the Crown Princess left alone without her parents. Even with maids around, it can be sad to leave a child who can look for her mom and dad to others.
But I noticed that the vassal, the Minister of the Information Department, had been visiting the palace more frequently than before, and since today he had come with his son, so I felt reassured. If he was taking care of his child with the Crown Princess, then there should be no issue, right?
However, that sense of calm and trust was about to be shattered.
‘What happened?’
I was confused. The Minister I knew wouldn’t mistreat or neglect the Crown Princess. After all, the Crown Princess even gave him chocolate, so she clearly has a bond with him.
“Fortunately, the Crown Princess only cried for a moment and soon after broke out into smiles again.”
‘Ah.’
I understood with her next words. This suggests that it wasn’t a bad thing that happened to her; rather, she must have been throwing a tantrum unexpectedly.
‘She must have had a hard time.’
I chuckled a little, imagining the Minister desperately trying to soothe the Crown Princess as she cried. If things turned around so quickly, I could see there had been a valiant effort to comfort her.
“Where are the Crown Princess and the Minister now?”
“They are in the rear garden.”
With that, I immediately walked towards the garden.
To comfort the Minister, who had to deal with the Crown Princess’s wails alone, and also to welcome his son, who came to the palace for the first time.
“My!”
And there, an unexpected scene unfolded in the garden.
The Minister lay there with a blank stare to the sky, while the Crown Princess and his son asleep on his outstretched arms. Animals wandered around, licking the Minister’s face or sniffing the Crown Princess.
“Your, Your Majesty!”
“It’s okay, you don’t have to get up.”
Seeing the Minister suddenly notice me and try to get up hastily, I shook my head.
If the Minister gets up now, those sweet little angels will awaken, and that would be disastrous.
“Ha-ha, I guess I interrupted a good time.”
Seeing the Minister strain his neck up to look at me while I should be the one encouraging him to stay down, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
At this rate, the Minister might hurt his neck, so I should…
“Oooh…”
“Oh dear.”
As soon as I touched her, the Crown Princess scrunched her face and turned away.
If I touch her more, our daughter will wake up for sure. I’m sorry, Minister, but it looks like I have to leave it this way.
“…To fall asleep like that already. It seems the Crown Princess has found herself a good friend.”
Naturally withdrawing my hand, I spoke to the Minister. It was regrettable that he was stuck like this, but seeing the two children sleeping together warmed my heart.
“His Majesty was delighted to see Pedi and said he was happy to have a little brother.”
“The Crown Princess?”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
The Minister’s report made me beam even wider.
I see. Our beloved Charlotte has been secretly wishing for a brother after all.
‘It must be lonely being an only child.’
Being the eldest and youngest myself, I understand the joy of having siblings. It’s better to have siblings to bicker and laugh with than to grow up alone.
But it seems our clever daughter has realized that joy sooner than expected.
“Thank you for sharing such important information, Minister. If I had known the Crown Princess wanted a brother, I would have made efforts long ago.”
“I’m just honored that I could contribute to the prosperity of the royal family.”
As I smiled and thanked him, the Minister returned my expression with a faint smile. He must think I was joking.
He can think that all he likes. Who would imagine someone could talk so lightly about wanting more royals?
‘But I’m dead serious.’
When His Majesty returns, I will tell him what happened today. How our beloved daughter longed for a brother and called the Minister’s son a brother upon first meeting.
If His Majesty just casually brushes it off like the Minister…
‘Then I’ll make sure the bedroom gets busy real soon.’
I need to work hard so that by next year, Charlotte can have a little brother!
*
Having tackled the morning work, I managed to sit down for dinner with the family.
“…Empress?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The table looks quite extravagant.”
The food that was served… was indeed a bit extravagant and grand.
Eel, asparagus, abalone, chives, oysters.
Just a glance revealed the chef’s intentions behind this spread, causing sweat to bead on my forehead.
“Your Majesty.”
“Speak, Empress.”
“Charlotte wants a sibling.”
At that, I nearly choked on my own spit.
“Surely, for the future of the royal family, three children would put the mind at ease, would they not?”
With the Empress’s gentle smile, a chilling premonition of the upcoming future loomed over me.
My future with no sleep until dawn.
‘Minister…!’
As I sat and ground my teeth inwardly.
It was implausible for the Empress, returning from her outing, to hear about the Crown Princess’s desire for a sibling. If that’s the case, the Minister must have hinted at it while playing with her today.
How could a mere vassal dare meddle in matters of the royal family? It’s utterly blasphemous. Before worrying about the royal family’s future…
‘…Krasius doesn’t need to worry.’
I sighed softly, recalling the commendable dedication of the Minister, who already had five children.
He had so many children of his own that he was looking out for the Emperor’s children too. There’s no loyal subject quite like him.
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