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Chapter 25




Gustav trembled as he reported to Esteban. He expected a thunderous scolding, but to his surprise, Esteban remained calm.
'His Majesty is not the kind of person to let things slide.'
“Your Majesty?”
When he looked up, the usually cold Esteban was staring intently at the proposal letter in Gustav’s hand.
“Bring it here.”
“It’s here.”
As soon as he handed it over... rip. The proposal letter was torn in half. Rip. Before Gustav could react, it was torn into quarters. Rip, rip, rip, rip... Soon, the proposal letter was reduced to a pile of powder. In fact, it wasn’t that surprising. Esteban had turned countless letters into powder over the years.
“Good. I needed something to burn.”
Then, he promptly threw the powder into the stove and started a fire. The logs that had been neglected all summer quickly burst into flames. Gustav felt a wave of heat on his face and was momentarily dazed. Esteban smiled brightly and turned to look at Gustav.
“Isn’t it a beautiful sight when they fulfill their purpose?”
“Yes, it is...”
Using logs in the summer was truly ironic.
*** The rumor that the Javier family had sent a proposal to the royal family spread like wildfire. It quickly reached not only the political circles but also the social scene, informal salons, and even the provinces. It was only natural that the eyes of other nobles would be turned upside down.
‘How despicable, the Javier family!’
‘To make a move so early?!”
‘I had already marked my daughter as a suitable match for the Emperor!’
In fact, anyone with a son around Mabel’s age had dreamed of it at least once. Getting close to our lovely Emperor with her light pink hair! The son was merely a tool to get closer to the Emperor! How adorable it was to see her sitting on the throne, seemingly uninterested in worldly affairs, even at just two years old. No matter how they tried to engage her, she showed little interest, and the ministers tried all sorts of tricks to make her smile.
‘I want to get close to her. I want to make her my daughter-in-law!’
However, the ministers only exchanged glances, and no one took action. After all—
‘She’s not even two years old yet!’
But the Duke of Javier had blatantly broken this unwritten rule. It was like pouring oil on the fire for the other nobles who were already discontent with the Marjorite mine issue. -No other family, but the Javier family, would oppose it! Determined not to let the Emperor be taken by the Javier family, the ministers began their covert competition. *** Another ordinary day, just like any other. The nanny, holding an umbrella, asked me kindly.
“There’s still plenty of time before the meeting, Your Majesty. Would you like to take a walk?”
“Sure.”
Actually, I was too lazy to move, but if I didn’t, I’d fall behind in my growth, so I decided to go outside for some exercise. Holding Xavier’s hand in my left and Larima’s in my right, I was walking around the garden, doing leg strength exercises, when—
“Huh?”
A stranger blocked our path. He looked like a young boy, still with a runny nose, so neither Larima nor Xavier tried to stop him. He was about five years old, and his attire from head to toe was splendid, as if he had come to a ball.
“What’s the matter?”
I lifted my chin regally and asked the boy. He flinched when he saw me.
‘Why is he reacting like that?’
Before I could wonder, the boy opened his mouth.
“I greet the most beautiful Emperor in the empire. I am Giuseppe, the second son of the Oberit family.”
“...”
“Early in the morning, I... I... I mean...”
The boy, who had been reciting his lines like a textbook, suddenly stumbled and scratched the back of his head. He muttered, ‘What did Mom say again...’ and made a sad face.
‘Hmm.’
“Sorry!”
The boy, embarrassed, turned bright red and ran away.
“What’s with him?” (What’s with him?)
When I looked at Larima and Xavier, they were looking down at me with a fond expression.
“Our Majesty is so beautiful, no wonder you’re so popular! Oh, I wonder who will end up with our Majesty? I’m so curious!”
“Larima, be quiet. You’re the loudest and most talkative person in this palace, you know?”
“Done talking?”
I subtly let go of their hands. ‘You guys can handle your own love lives.’ They didn’t notice and started bickering with each other, their eyes sparking. I decided to give them space to fight and fall in love. Since Lisandro was surely watching from somewhere, I wasn’t in any danger. After a while, I arrived at the bench where I often play with the sheep.
“Your Majesty!”
“Huh?”
Someone called me from behind. When I turned around, I saw another boy, a year or two older than the one who had blocked my path earlier, standing there, tense. He was also dressed from head to toe in fine clothes. He took a step forward.
“The light pink hair of Your Majesty, shining in the sunlight, is as delicate as a morning dew on a cosmos leaf. May I offer this flower to Your Majesty, who is like a single rose?”
I looked at the flower he offered. It was a withered rose, probably picked a long time ago.
“Fine. I don’t need flowers.” (Fine. I don’t need flowers.)
“Yes, yes?”
I tilted my head and crossed my arms, looking at the flustered boy. ‘Your parents told you to read this, didn’t they, little one?’
‘How cute, so cute.’
I wanted to pinch his cheeks, but it would look strange for a two-year-old to pinch the cheeks of a six or seven-year-old boy. Still, I was impressed. The ministers, who I didn’t think were so ambitious, were trying to win my favor early to secure their future. Hmm. While I could understand the minds of politicians—
“Then, what does Your Majesty like?!”
“Me...?”
Surprised by the unexpected question, I fell into thought. What should I say to get a good reputation? ‘Ah!’ A brilliant idea came to me.
“Money!” (Money!)
“Money?”
“Shiny, gold!” (Shiny, gold!)
“Gold?”
“And jewels too!” (And jewels too!)
Money, gold, jewels. What wonderful words. With money, I wouldn’t have to worry about rent or monthly payments, and I could buy new clothes every season. I could eat whatever I wanted. But flowers couldn’t be eaten.
“I don’t like flowers.” (I don’t like flowers.)
I didn’t particularly dislike flowers, but I said it to convey my message directly.
‘So, little one. If you want to bring a bribe, bring something shiny, not flowers. Got it?’
Thinking about money made me feel good. I smiled, and the boy’s face turned bright red. Then, without even saying goodbye, he ran away.
“...?”
Why are kids these days like that? ***
“Really, it’s annoying...”
Esteban, upon hearing Lisandro’s report, rubbed his forehead and gritted his teeth. Esteban admitted it. Yes, there was no one as lovely and adorable as Mabel in this world. That’s why he had tolerated the other kids trying to get close to her. It was a natural reaction, after all. But a proposal was beyond the line.
‘A proposal? They must be crazy.’
He almost stormed into the Javier family’s mansion.
“No. Proposals are not allowed.”
Even if Mabel were 100 years old, he wouldn’t allow a proposal. The idea of Mabel getting married didn’t even exist in his mind. The situation seemed to be resolved by tearing up the proposal letter, but now other nobles were the problem. They were allegedly forcing boys aged four to ten into the palace to arrange “accidental” meetings with Mabel. Lisandro, who had been listening intently, smiled.
“Well, there’s no need to worry too much. Your Majesty knows, right? How cold the little Emperor is.”
“Right. Cold, my daughter is.”
Lisandro and Esteban were in a similar position with Mabel. Whenever they approached, she would tell them to go away.
“Did you see what happened just now? A young noble offered a flower, and what did she say?”
“What did she say?”
“She said, ‘I don’t like flowers.’”
Lisandro chuckled, but Esteban’s face remained serious.
“...She doesn’t like flowers? Mabel?”
Esteban was quite shocked. He thought he knew everything about Mabel, but he had no idea she didn’t like flowers.
“Hey!”
Esteban jumped up and called for the head steward. When the head steward rushed in, Esteban, with a grave expression, ordered:
“Burn all the flowers in the garden immediately.”
“...Pardon?”
Thinking it was a joke, Lisandro looked at him, but he also had a blank expression.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“But burning all the flowers is impossible...!”
The head steward, prepared to be fired, desperately pleaded with the Emperor.
“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”
In the end, they reached a dramatic compromise: all the flowers in the garden near the Emperor’s palace would be cut down. *** Oscar occasionally visited his maternal grandfather, the Duke of Donovan, and today was one of those days. But even though it was almost time to leave, Oscar was sticking to my side, reluctant to go.
“Mabel...”
“Go on.” (Go on.)
“Mabel, even if I miss you, I have to go. Understand?”
“Why endure?” (Why endure?)
I didn’t particularly miss him, so there was no need to endure, but how he interpreted it, Oscar suddenly hugged me with a teary face.
“I’ll come back as soon as I can...! Don’t cry, okay?”
“Go on.” (Go on.)
After Oscar left, I had some free time.
‘I should go see the sheep.’
If I didn’t visit often, they would pout and complain. It was quite a hassle to take Xavier and Larima with me every time I went out, so I informed the nanny first.
“I’m going out alone today.” (I’m going out alone today.)
“Really? Shouldn’t Xavier go with you—”
“I’ll be back soon.” (I’ll be back soon.)
The nanny looked worried but didn’t stop me, knowing Lisandro was watching over me. So, I went out for a walk alone.
‘The weather is nice.’
It was hot, but walking in the shade was bearable. But just yesterday, this area was full of blooming flowers. Why was it so empty now? I tilted my head.
‘Maybe they’re planting new flowers.’
Strangely, the boys who had been popping up and reciting their lines for the past few days were quiet today.
‘Did they give up?’
Just as I thought that—
“I greet Your Majesty!”
“!”
Thud! I fell on my bottom at the sudden shout from behind.
‘Ouch...’
As I winced in pain, I looked up to see a startled face of an unfamiliar boy.
“Ouch.”
I involuntarily whimpered. It wasn’t to fake an injury like an insurance scam. The boy, surprised by my sudden fall, tried to help me up by reaching out his hand.
“...How dare you.”
‘Huh?!’
I didn’t know when, but the Emperor was standing next to me, furious. He immediately picked me up and held me in his arms, glaring at the frightened boy.
“How dare you touch my daughter.”
“I didn’t touch her.” (I didn’t touch her.)
“I cannot tolerate this.”
The Emperor, with his eyes wide with anger, called the palace guards and had the unknown boy expelled from the palace. Then he declared:
“All boys aged five to fifteen are forbidden from entering the palace. No exceptions. If anyone disobeys, I will personally interrogate them.”
No one could defy the Emperor’s command when he was this enraged. I watched the scene in a daze and soon felt a sense of unease.
‘Boys aged five to fifteen?’
My face turned pale.
“Oscar...!” (Oscar...!)
Oscar would also be banned from entering the palace!