Grandfather and the emperor both extended their arms to me. I opened my mouth wide and looked back and forth between the two men.
If I chose one, it would lead to something I couldn't handle.
While frowning and gathering my sensitivity to cry, Oscar burst in through the open door.
Oscar, who was about to run towards me, stumbled back in shock upon discovering the tense atmosphere between the two men. At that moment, a better idea than crying came to mind. Without even glancing at the emperor or grandfather, I stretched out my arm towards Oscar.
Oscar, though burdened by the gazes pouring down on him, approached and picked me up.
"I was a bit late because I had a lot of work, Mabel. Did you wait long?"
It was more comforting to be held by Oscar. The two men's arrogance seemed to wane, as if they couldn't be jealous of a six-year-old.
'Sigh. It's hard to make a living...'
*** In the Holy Empire of Abelard, Montego, who had been detained in Hermanno for a long time, finally returned to his homeland. Although the punishment for attempting to kidnap a royal was light, the follow-up measures were severe. Montego would no longer be allowed to set foot in Hermanno. After crossing the border, Montego immediately headed to the temple where the new king resided.
The young man who was almost lying on the throne was the new king, Michael Abelard. The only one who could bear the name Abelard, which was reserved for the new king. He was a mysterious figure, shrouded in secrecy because he never appeared in public. Thus, countless rumors surrounded the new king. His appearance and age were unknown because he handled everything through intermediaries. Unlike the public perception of him as an old, soon-to-die grandfather, the new king was a young man in his late teens, at most early twenties. His hair was so light it almost looked silver, and his eyes were a captivating red. The young man, with an indifferent expression, was breathtakingly beautiful. Montego bowed his head to the much younger new king and swallowed hard.
'Looks can be deceiving.'
He was actually much older than Montego, to the point where no one knew his exact age. Montego knew the new king's personality. He would certainly not forgive Montego for failing his mission.
Montego bowed his head even lower.
There was no anger or reprimand, which Montego had expected. As he stared blankly at the new king, Michael tilted his head in annoyance.
"I never really expected you to bring it back, Montego. You're so incompetent."
"Got nothing to say, do you?"
Montego nodded, his head hanging. He could endure such an insult for failing to meet the new king's expectations. But the fact that there was no expectation at all...
"Let me explain kindly. I sent you to gauge Hermanno's reaction."
"To see how well they were protecting the seed of the god. To figure out how to bring it back to Abelard. It was a kind of rehearsal, you could say."
Montego nodded calmly. Everyone in the temple knew the new king's rotten personality, so it wasn't surprising. Though he felt wronged for being used as bait.
"So, what do you plan to do?"
Michael, who had been pondering with his chin in his hand, suddenly smiled brightly.
Montego thought to himself. Despite his beautiful appearance, which made him look like an angel, he knew how cruel the new king could be. But he didn't want to know that.
*** The incident happened at noon, the warmest part of the day, right after I finished my bath! Suddenly, I felt a pain in my mouth and covered it with both hands, bursting into tears.
"Oh dear. Why are you crying?"
The nanny, who had just finished dressing me, was startled and lifted my clothes again. But I hadn't done anything wrong. The pain in my mouth was unbearable. I hadn't intended to cry, but the sudden pain made me burst into tears. Hearing my cries, Larima and Xavier rushed to my bed.
"Your Highness! Why are you crying! Are you hurt somewhere?"
"Larima, don't make a fuss. You're scaring the princess."
Xavier calmed me down while scolding Larima. Thanks to him, the pain gradually subsided, but the anxiety didn't completely disappear.
"Are you feeling better now?"
In response to the nanny's question, I shook my head vigorously.
"Does it hurt a lot? Let me take a look."
The nanny gently opened my mouth. After examining it carefully, she chuckled.
How could she laugh when I was in pain? How could the nanny do this? Feeling a huge sense of betrayal, I glared at her with tears in my eyes. Even the emperor and Oscar didn't believe me, but I trusted the nanny! I had shown her everything and trusted her!
"Yes, your teeth are coming in."
The betrayal I felt towards the nanny had long vanished.
'Teeth! Teeth! Finally, my teeth are coming in! I'm starting to grow teeth too!'
"Ha ha. Your Highness, you're so cute! You're so happy even though you don't know what teeth are."
Larima, who was squatting in front of me and resting her chin, suddenly said.
"By the way, it's been a while since Your Highness cried."
"Your Highness rarely cries."
Xavier replied. I felt a pang of guilt. In fact, I rarely had a reason to cry, and when I needed help, I usually called people with baby talk. When was the last time I cried...?
"Maybe that's why it's so refreshing to see you cry. A crying princess is so cute, isn't it?"
Larima made an outrageous statement. I stared at her blankly.
What was even more absurd was that Xavier agreed with her.
"Usually, what you say is wrong, but I agree with this. Your Highness rarely cries, so it's special when you do."
Indeed, the only one I could trust was the nanny. I clung to her dress and looked up at her pleadingly. The nanny smiled at me.
"Your Highness, your smile is the prettiest."
Indeed, the only one I could trust...!
"Even though crying is cute too."
This was how I was betrayed by the three of them. They were secretly enjoying my crying, perverts. No matter how much it hurts from teething, I won't cry! I clenched my fists, determined to take revenge. Just then, the door opened.
It was the emperor, breathing heavily. I suddenly remembered the conversation the nanny and the others had just had. They said the emperor would come soon, and we needed to prepare to receive him... Was it really true, not just a joke? But only these three knew about my teething, so someone outside must have told him. Based on my deduction, the culprit was Lysandro Donovan. He always watched me, even though he usually hid his true self because he got angry whenever he saw me.
"Finally, your teeth are coming in. This is a national celebration."
The emperor started spouting nonsense again.
"Your teeth are coming in. What should I give you this time?"
The emperor was about to bestow something on me again. Various gifts flashed through my mind. The northern forest of the royal city, the Ponce Castle, personal reports, the Principality of Vistante... There were more, but I couldn't remember them all. I already had enough with what I had; I didn't want more. I quickly grabbed the emperor's hand and shouted.
I nodded vigorously. It was a decent request, considering it was a last-minute decision. Baby cookies should be fine, right? But I had underestimated the emperor.
"Cookies. Cookies, huh. Alright, I'll give you the head chef of the palace."
I asked for cookies, not a person! ...
*** Crunch. The letter from Abelard, which Esteban held, was cruelly crumpled. Unsatisfied, he tore it with a 'tear' sound, leading to its tragic demise. Gustav, who watched the scene with a pale face, cautiously spoke up.
"Your Majesty, we need to send a reply..."
Gustav's mouth was smiling, but his eyes were crying.
'Always like this, I'm the one who has to clean up the mess...'
Esteban glared at the shredded letter. The content of the letter from the Holy Kingdom of Abelard was a declaration of sorts. It stated that the new king, Michael Abelard, would attend Mabel Winter Gadenia Hermanno's first birthday celebration.
'I thought they had given up after Montego's failed kidnapping attempt, but they were planning something behind the scenes.'
Tear. Tear-. As Esteban pondered, the letter was mercilessly torn to pieces. Since he had torn everything, the once-letter was now a collection of particles.
'Maybe this is for the best.'
If it was a declaration, all he needed to do was respond. Esteban had both the reason and the ability to protect Mabel. It was better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.
Gustav, who was staring blankly at the 'once-letter, now particles' floating around, replied. His mind was filled with thoughts on how to send a polite, poetic, and graceful rejection without hurting anyone's feelings. Esteban, seeing his troubled advisor, handed him a personal letter.
It must contain the order to go away! Is this the start of a war with Abelard! Gustav, trembling, hesitated to take the letter, causing Esteban's expression to turn increasingly grim.
Before Esteban could finish, Gustav quickly took the letter. 'If he says 'cut,' it will be a disaster.' Gustav's expression turned peculiar as he read the letter. The content was a peaceful and welcoming message, expressing anticipation for the new king's visit.
"Are you sure you want to send this as is?"
Gustav hurriedly left the office, fearing Esteban might change his mind. Esteban, with his chin in his hand, watched his advisor leave. There were about two months left until Mabel's first birthday celebration.
'The new king, who is rarely seen, is coming in person. We have to prepare for the remaining months.'
"I'm already looking forward to that day."
The thought of the shocked reactions of the Abelard scoundrels made him feel naturally joyful.