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Chapter 41




After deciding to hold the rain-summoning ritual, preparations proceeded steadily.
‘It’s written as “rain-summoning ritual preparation,” but it reads as “Gustav’s tears.”’
Gustav stayed up for several nights in a row, despite the rain-summoning ritual not being scheduled. Mabel deeply sympathized with him. On the other hand, she was determined that he must be deposed.
‘My dream is to be a wealthy layabout!’
It’s a betrayal of one’s abilities to work so hard as an emperor. She didn’t want to suffer like Gustav. Although it was Mabel’s office as the emperor, she was actually sitting on the sofa in Gustav’s office, alternately watching the diligent Emperor and Gustav.
“Well, Mabel, your dad is working hard.”
It seemed the Emperor wanted to be seen as someone who worked hard, as he recited this line every ten minutes. It was getting on her nerves. Seeing Gustav glance at the Emperor with a worried look, she could guess what usually happened. Mabel sighed deeply and muttered.
“Poor Gustav...”
“Hm? Mabel, what did you say?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Right. Your dad is working hard.”
“Sigh...”
While thinking that he should have read at least one more line of the documents instead of saying such things, Mabel nibbled on a macaron. There were six macarons on the plate. With three people in the office, each should have had two. Before she knew it, Mabel had eaten her two.
‘I want more.’
But eating too many desserts is bad for the body, and they were about to have a meal, so she could endure it. She could endure it, but...
‘They must be delicious...’
When she was Yun Gye-wol, she had never indulged in desserts like macarons. The price of one macaron could buy several packets of ramen to fill her stomach. That’s why she was particularly weak for desserts. If there were cookies in front of her, her hand would move involuntarily. Mabel tried hard not to eat anyone else’s macarons and eavesdropped on their conversation.
“The list of attendees for the rain-summoning ritual is almost finalized.”
“Why did you include Duke Javier?”
“After all, he’s in charge of the most aid. If we exclude Duke Javier, it won’t look good, and there will definitely be talk.”
Esteban scanned the list with a frown and put it down. As expected of the perfectionist Gustav, there was nothing to revise.
“There is one issue that needs Your Majesty’s direct decision.”
“What is it?”
“Whether to bring Eidan in the rain-summoning procession.”
‘Eidan?’
Mabel, who had been fixated on the macarons, subtly lifted her head. Esteban felt annoyed by the slight movement. He didn’t want Mabel to take an interest in Eidan. In fact, he didn’t even want her to talk to boys her age like Enrique. Esteban turned away from Mabel’s gaze and looked at Gustav.
“It would be difficult to leave him behind.”
“Yes, it would be difficult.”
While they were speaking indirectly, aware of Mabel’s gaze, they were actually discussing Eidan’s “certain characteristic.” The characteristic that the magic cast by Veron, the emperor of Develin, would weaken and calm down when Eidan was close to Mabel. Conversely, if Mabel left the palace for the rain-summoning ritual, Eidan might go berserk. With a significant number of troops planned for the ritual, the remaining forces wouldn’t be enough to handle a berserk Eidan. Esteban made his decision.
“He can’t stay in the palace, so he will come with us.”
It was a decision for the palace’s safety, not for Eidan’s.
“The location for the rain-summoning ritual is the altar of the Western Sanctuary. I expect it will take about three to four days to travel with a procession of this size.”
“It doesn’t matter if it takes longer. Ensure the escort troops are not neglected. Mabel’s safety must be the priority.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Esteban slid the macaron plate in front of Mabel and scanned the next document. While reviewing the budget for the rain-summoning ritual and checking for any omissions, he suddenly noticed Mabel’s unusual behavior. She was just staring at the macaron plate without touching it.
“Why, Mabel? Don’t you like macarons?”
“No, I do.”
“Then why aren’t you eating?”
“This isn’t mine.” (This isn’t mine.)
Esteban didn’t understand Mabel’s words immediately, nor did Gustav.
“What do you mean, Your Majesty? Not yours?”
“There were six, and I ate two. The rest are Gustav’s and Father’s.” (There were six, and I ate two. The rest are Gustav’s and Father’s.)
At an age when she could indulge in delicious things, Mabel was thinking of others before herself. Esteban had never taught her to consider others, yet she did. Perhaps it was her innate nature, like her birth mother, Siana. But Esteban hoped Mabel wouldn’t be too kind.
‘Siana often gave up many things for others. ...Even things that were precious to her.’
He didn’t want Mabel to make such sacrifices.
“You can eat them all. They are yours, Mabel.”
“No, I can’t. I’ll eat mine.”
“I’m fine. Go ahead.”
Esteban picked up a macaron and handed it to Mabel, who reluctantly took it and hesitated to eat it. Esteban felt a moment of despair.
‘...I never taught her to be considerate of others.’
What had happened? He wanted to show Mabel only the most precious and beautiful things in the world. After gaining some confidence, Mabel finally took a small bite of the macaron. Her cheeks turned slightly red, indicating it was delicious. Esteban felt a strong sense of crisis. Mabel was too kind. Suddenly, he worried how such a gentle and kind Mabel would survive in this harsh world. He could protect her now, but what if something happened to him? Esteban grabbed Mabel’s shoulder and gently turned her body towards him.
“Mabel, listen carefully.”
“Okay.”
“Everything you want is yours.”
“...?”
“If anyone says it’s not, hit them.”
“...?!”
“Hit them and take it.”
In this world, there was nothing Mabel couldn’t have if she wanted it. He should have taught her this obvious truth earlier. Esteban vowed to tell her every day from now on. Mabel’s feelings towards her biological father were disheartened.
‘...What are you teaching a child?’
It was already hard enough to teach her to grow up kind and right, but now he was telling her to hit and take. She was speechless with shock. Esteban, smiling affectionately, asked.
“Do you understand, Mabel?”
“A little.”
Although Mabel’s eyes were still filled with distrust, Esteban felt relieved by her slightly better answer. Mabel, who had taken a bite of the macaron, looked up at Esteban.
“Father, I have something I want to do.”
“What is it? I’ll grant anything.”
“I don’t want to be the emperor.” (I don’t want to be the emperor.)
“...”
Esteban’s eyes darted around in confusion. Seeing the Emperor in a sudden crisis, Gustav briefly mourned.
‘You’ve already made a mistake, Your Majesty. You’re bound to be hated.’
Gustav’s thoughts became a prophecy.
“What...? ...Another lie?” (What...? ...Another lie?)
Mabel glanced at Esteban and then walked proudly to the door. Esteban called out to her desperately.
“Mabel...!”
“What!”
“...At least eat the macarons before you go.”
For a moment, Mabel’s face showed a tremendous conflict. Macarons or pride? That was the question. Hesitating, Mabel slowly approached. Esteban smiled gently and patted the seat next to him. However,
“...!”
Mabel took the plate of macarons and left the room. Seeing the abandoned Esteban, Gustav clicked his tongue.
“Shouldn’t you be surprised that a two-year-old Emperor understands the concept of division? No one taught her.”
Esteban, still in shock, replied dully.
“That’s because... Mabel is a genius...”
“...”
Gustav was speechless. Esteban seemed even more overprotective than yesterday. It would probably get worse tomorrow.
‘I want to go home...’
*** The procession heading to the Western Sanctuary was unprecedentedly grand. Particularly noticeable were the escort troops.
“What... Where are you going?”
Lysandro was greatly surprised, though he had expected something. The number of people to protect was more than twice the number of people to be protected. Mabel looked around at the soldiers surrounding her and shook her head.
“Just... leave them.”
“Yeah, what... I wouldn’t dare to touch the Emperor, Your Highness.”
Lysandro smiled in resignation as Mabel looked around.
‘Where is Eidan?’
She had clearly heard that Eidan would be coming with them from the office, but he was nowhere to be seen.
‘I have a lot to ask him.’
How did he know about her abilities, and what did the last note, “Dargo Count,” mean? She had sent [ㅗ] in response to the note that just said “Dargo Count,” finding it absurd, but she hadn’t expected the notes to stop after that. She couldn’t send a messenger because the guards were too scary and made her shiver.
‘If he’s nearby, I’ll meet him at least once.’
This small hope of Mabel’s was completely unaware that Esteban had deliberately placed Eidan at the end of the procession. A bright face appeared among the busy servants preparing for departure.
“Mabel. What are you doing here?”
“Just... looking around.”
Oscar naturally patted Mabel’s head. Mabel noticed something different about Oscar.
“Knife!”
“Yeah. Knights can’t carry them inside the palace, but now we’re outside.”
Seeing the sword hanging proudly at his waist, Mabel was impressed, and Oscar felt a bit proud.
“I’ve been practicing swordsmanship, so look forward to my skills, Mabel.”
Just as Oscar was boasting, a voice suddenly interrupted.
“Wouldn’t it be better if there were no opportunity to show your skills, Your Highness?”
Oscar and Mabel turned their heads simultaneously. There was a familiar and welcome face.
“Enrique!”
“I greet the Emperor. It’s been a while since I heard that name.”
Enrique, who had grown taller by a head, smiled warmly down at Mabel.
“Are you well, Your Majesty?”
“Yeah!”
Despite all the events, she decided to let it go. Enrique had also heard that Mabel had fainted but pretended not to know.
“That’s fortunate.”
“But Enrique, why are you here? I didn’t hear that you were joining the rain-summoning ritual...”
At Oscar’s question, Mabel was startled and looked around. She had momentarily forgotten in her joy, but Enrique was Duke Javier’s son. If Enrique was here, Duke Javier was likely nearby.
‘As expected.’
Sure enough, Duke Javier was watching them from a distance. As soon as their eyes met, Mabel laughed reflexively. Oscar tilted his head.
“Mabel, why are you laughing?”
“Because it’s funny.” (Because it’s funny.)
Oscar looked around, puzzled. All he saw were busy servants and soldiers, and Duke Javier standing far away. Unbeknownst to them, everyone nearby was watching Mabel and the two handsome boys.
Mabel was undeniably adorable, and the two boys were also quite handsome, making them look like a painting just by standing together. The news soon reached the overprotective father.
“What? ...Mabel is with boys?”
A voice so low it was almost eerie.
“And she’s laughing. Adorably.”
Flames of red shot into Esteban’s eyes.
“Oh dear...”
Gustav rubbed his forehead.