The appearance of the unprecedented magic ore mine caused a stir in the empire. The nobles, who were tired of Duke Javier's grandiose speeches, were almost in a festive mood. Messengers ran busily across the island to share the news among the families. The news soon reached Emperor Esteban's ears. He immediately summoned his former advisor.
"There's suddenly a mine I've never heard of before."
"…Hehe. Congratulations."
Trying to brush it off, but the emperor was not an easy opponent.
While the outcome was good, if he knew there had been some slack in my handling of the matter before the results came in, he would surely be furious. But what could be done now that the deed was done.
"That's the thing… I found a document I had never seen before, already approved."
Esteban immediately frowned. Under his reproachful gaze, Gustav hurriedly waved his hands in defense.
"I didn't do it on purpose! Your Majesty knows that I am a perfectionist. Someone must have done it intentionally!"
Esteban's expression eased slightly, acknowledging the former advisor's competence, even if just a little. Worried that Esteban's mood might sour again, Gustav quickly added an explanation.
"The document was mixed in with the approved ones. It instructed the purchase of a large number of abandoned mines, which seemed worthless."
"How did you know it was a magic ore mine?"
Gustav hastily presented the 'document' in question to Esteban. Esteban, resting his chin, took the document with a lack of interest and skimmed through it.
"It seems to be from a left-handed person."
It couldn't be any other way.
Esteban, annoyed by the illegible writing, focused on the content again. Apart from the handwriting, it was a standard, well-formatted document.
"Look at the small text in the corner of the next page, Your Majesty."
Esteban flipped to the next page. As Gustav said, there was small text in the corner: -High probability of magic ore deposits.
"It's written as if to show off."
"Exactly. A week after starting the mining, magic ore was extracted, even though we were skeptical."
Who could have done such a reckless thing at a time when Duke Javier was so powerful?
'Viscount Gadenia? ……That old man wouldn't do anything good for me.'
No suitable person came to mind. Moreover, it was a 'magic ore mine.' It would be more logical for the person to keep the benefits for themselves rather than hand them over to the royal family, just to counter Duke Javier's mines.
"What could have been in their head to hand over a magic ore mine?"
"Indeed. Isn't it a good thing for the royal family?"
Several candidates were suggested but all were rejected.
"Let's investigate those who visited the emperor's office during that period."
"As you know, almost no one enters the office except me. Perhaps the maid who brings tea and the cleaning maid."
"Investigate them thoroughly. No one should be left out."
It seemed the matter would be brushed aside, but Gustav suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!"
"The emperor visited once."
Esteban chuckled and looked back at the document. A baby, no matter how talented, couldn't write a document. He suddenly remembered seeing Mabel in front of the office that day.
"That day. The cute Mabel with her hair in two braids gave me a rabbit doll."
Gustav was at a loss for words.
'Does he remember all that?'
Gustav swallowed his question, fearing he might have to listen to a two-day praise of the emperor's daughter. If he knew that Esteban had sealed the rabbit doll in a glass case and cast a preservation spell on it, Gustav would be shocked speechless.
"In any case, investigate the maids."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Then, what about the emperor…."
"Mabel? What nonsense. How could a child know anything?"
She was at an age where she was growing without a care. What was she doing now? Always missing her, Esteban felt a deep longing for Mabel at that moment.
"Alright then. Good work, Gustav."
Leaving Gustav, who looked like he was about to faint, Esteban headed straight for Mabel's bedroom. As he arrived at the door, Lisandro appeared.
"She's probably still sleeping."
Though it was a bit disappointing that she wasn't awake, perhaps it was for the best.
'She won't tell me to go away if she's asleep.'
The bedroom was quiet. In the silence, a tiny breath could be heard. He approached the bed silently. On the overly large bed, a small baby was sleeping soundly. She was so small that at first glance, the bed seemed empty. Mabel, with her light pink hair tousled, was on a dream journey, oblivious to the world.
Esteban sat on the edge of the bed and tidied the hair on the baby's face. Her pale cheeks were fully exposed. He couldn't help but smile.
"Gustav must be out of his mind to ask if this child should be included in the investigation."
Perhaps he was senile. Still in his 20s, though. Esteban thought he should give him a paid leave after the urgent matters were over. He touched Mabel's fingers, which were plump and curled at the touch.
After promising everyone that everything was fine, he finally managed to escape their clutches.
It's hard to entertain adults. As soon as I finished breakfast, I prepared to go out for the meeting. Dressed in a beautiful, albeit cumbersome, dress and wearing a bonnet, I was ready.
"What a big deal. You're so adorable, and you keep getting cuter…."
"Anya, that's not true…."
I left the silly nanny behind and headed out of the bedroom. Since there was still some time before the meeting, I decided to have a snack in the garden.
Lately, I've been walking a lot, so I'm not falling as often, which is quite enjoyable.
'I need to become human quickly.'
Determined, I walked briskly. Suddenly, someone popped out from behind a pillar.
Enrique Javier, Oscar's fencing partner, was there. Seeing the radiant and adorable Enrique today made me happy. However, Enrique had one flaw: his name.
'Pronunciation is so difficult. What's an Enrique, Enrique.'
Regardless, Enrique was as cheerful as ever today.
"Why are you here?" (Why are you here?)
"I came with Father today. I wanted to see Your Majesty after a long time."
"Ai. I see…." (Oh, I see…. )
The word 'Father' from Enrique's mouth stung me. I had just been rejoicing over giving Duke Javier a blow. Feeling guilty, I couldn't just let Enrique go. I pulled at his clothes.
"Do you want to eat cake with me?" (Do you want to eat cake with me?)
"I'll take it as an honor for my family."
When we arrived at the garden, snacks were already set up as if they had been waiting.
"We need to prepare more snacks."
Following the nanny's order, snacks for Enrique were quickly prepared.
The chocolate cake made by the royal pastry chef was incredibly delicious. It was a heavenly taste, incomparable to any cake I had eaten when I was Yun Gyeoul.
'But I've never eaten such an expensive cake.'
I awkwardly held the blunt-tipped baby fork and took a large bite of the cake. Swallowing it in one go…
"Delicious…." (Delicious…. )
The taste of the soft chocolate blending with the moist cake. Before I could marvel at the sweetness, it disappeared in my mouth. After a few more forkfuls, the plate was empty.
'The portion is too small for a human.'
Even for a baby, half of a half-piece is too little. Feeling the injustice, I pouted. Just then, a plate appeared in front of me, untouched.
"Please eat, Your Majesty."
"No, Enrique, you eat it." (No, Enrique, you eat it.)
"I've already eaten, so I'm full!"
Enrique exaggeratedly patted his belly. I stared at him blankly.
'He also struggles with babies….'
Impressed by his effort, I gladly accepted his cake. The portion was much larger than mine. As I ate the cake absentmindedly, I noticed Enrique's cheek was red.
"What's this?" (What's this?)
Pointing to his cheek, I asked. Enrique smiled faintly.
"Oh, I was bitten by a mosquito. You know, a bug."
My pronunciation made Enrique chuckle, but I stared at his cheek without laughing.
'It looks like he was hit….'
But after thoroughly examining the exposed parts of Enrique's body, I found nothing unusual except for the swollen cheek.
'Was it really a venomous mosquito?'
Enrique's smile was too bright to seem fake. But my gaze lingered on him for a long time. ***
The regular meeting began. Amid the ministers' various opinions, one man remained silent… Duke Javier! Others seemed to share my thoughts, glancing at Duke Javier during their speeches.
"What does Duke Javier think?"
"I agree with your opinion."
Strangely, he even agreed with others' opinions. From a spectator's perspective, it was quite entertaining. Duke Javier's reduced speaking and the relaxed expressions of the other nobles. Peace is indeed the best. I hoped it would last forever. Just as I was inwardly satisfied with the peace I had brought, my eyes met Duke Javier's.
I smiled at him, thinking a smile would help. But then—
It's not the time to smile. He should be burning with frustration over losing the monopoly on the magic ore mine, yet he's smiling? My smile faded in confusion, but Duke Javier continued to smile.
I desperately hoped the peace would last, but it was a vain hope… ***
That night, an official letter arrived from the Javier family. Gustav's eyes widened as he opened it carelessly.
He threw the letter in shock, and it fluttered to the ground. ……[To Emperor Mabel Winter Gadenia Ermano, I hereby request a royal marriage with Enrique Javier.]