Chapter 49

'My age, five. I'm still the emperor.'

At five years old, I would be six by Korean age. Up until this age, I had been desperately trying to get deposed. As part of this effort, I had tried every possible mischief. I had spilled ink on documents multiple times, as I had done once before, and even pulled off a minister’s wig. I often threw tantrums to avoid attending meetings, wreaked havoc in the palace gardens with my animal friends, and even fussed about the side dishes with my eyes closed. Besides these, I had committed countless other acts that were too shameful to witness with open eyes. The result?

'Failure. Total failure!'

I wondered what was wrong with everyone’s eyes. No matter what I did, they only clapped and praised me.

'What’s there to praise? You’re spoiling the child!'

Fortunately, this was my second life. If I had been a truly clueless baby, I would have grown up to be a reckless troublemaker, thinking I was doing well.

'This is why you shouldn’t spoil children.'

In fact, I had even thought about it once. With a warm back and a full belly, why not just be the emperor? Being an emperor wasn’t really that great. My father and Gustav handled all the work on my behalf, as I was still a child. All I did was stamp official seals on documents that had already been reviewed for an hour each day.

'Stamping seals, the most fun thing.'

But seeing Gustav and my father, who were always overworked and couldn’t leave their offices, I silently gave up on my dream.

'I will never be an emperor. My dream is to be a carefree loafer.'

The life of an emperor, who couldn’t even get proper sleep and was constantly burdened with work, didn’t suit my wonderful second life.

“Sigh.”

As I let out a small sigh, Larima, who was brushing my hair, tilted her head.

“What’s the sigh for?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Although I failed to get deposed over three years, I had achieved something.

‘Finally, I’ve overcome my lisp!’

While I couldn’t claim perfect pronunciation, at least I didn’t need interpretation anymore. It was just a slight mispronunciation. The time I spent practicing with “a, e, i, o, u” had finally paid off.

“I’m going for a walk.”

“Have fun!”

With Yang, who had grown much taller, by my side, and Larima’s farewell, I left the bedroom. As soon as I did, Eidan, who had grown more over time, followed me. I could feel Lisandro’s gaze from a distance.

‘When will this surveillance end?’

The condition that Lisandro had to watch over me in exchange for appointing Eidan as my bodyguard was still in effect.

“Eidan, have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

“Have you had dessert?”

“...”

“Silly. Our chef is the best at desserts. Next time, you must have dessert.”

Saying this, I handed Eidan a candy I had saved from my pocket.

“Here, eat this too.”

“...Yes.”

For some reason, Eidan’s reaction seemed off, but it must be my imagination. I hummed a tune as I strolled through the garden. The garden, now in spring, was lush and vibrant. The only flaw was the lack of flowers.

“Why are there no flowers?”

I would have to consult the gardener soon. The gardens of other palaces were in full bloom, but the garden in front of the imperial palace was barren, which was a problem. I thought about watching Oscar train for a while, so I headed towards the training ground. Just as I was about to, I saw my father walking towards me from the opposite direction.

“It’s Dad.”

Excited, I was about to run over when I tripped over a stone.

“Ouch!”

‘I’m falling...!’

I expected to fall flat on my bottom, but—

“-Be careful.”

Thanks to Eidan, who caught my shoulder, I didn’t fall.

“Thank you.”

As I wobbled and clung to Eidan’s sleeve, a shadow fell over us.

“...?”

Looking up, I saw my father’s face blocking the sun. His expression was so menacing that I shuddered.

‘Why is he so angry?’

I took a step back and clung to Eidan’s arm. My father’s brows furrowed even more.

“Mabel.”

“Yes...?”

I involuntarily used formal language.

“Come here.”

I didn’t know why he wanted me to come, but I hesitantly approached. My father lifted me into his arms, and my view suddenly rose. The air at a higher altitude was indeed clearer. Just as I was about to marvel at it, I heard my father’s cold voice.

“Eidan, don’t test my patience.”

‘What patience...?’

Confused, I looked back and forth between Eidan and my father. Eidan stared at my father with a blank face.

“I don’t want to.”

Crack! An invisible current seemed to spark between them. The atmosphere was so tense that I opened my mouth wide.

‘Is this... jealousy?’

I hoped not, but my father’s reaction was undoubtedly jealousy. To be jealous of a young boy for no reason. I sighed, but it was more important to calm the two down.

“Ouch.”

I suddenly winced and groaned, which startled my father.

“What’s wrong, Mabel? Did he—.”

“My leg. My leg is sprained!”

He always blamed Eidan for everything, so I couldn’t relax. My father’s face turned pale at my act.

“Quick! Call a doctor! Hurry—!”

Thinking he might really call a doctor, I quickly grabbed his sleeve.

“No, it’s just a little pain.”

“Still, there might be aftereffects, so—.”

“Eidan saved me, which is lucky!”

“What?”

My father’s expression turned cold again. I spoke before he could say anything to Eidan.

“If Eidan hadn’t caught me, I would probably have... a concussion by now?”

“What? Why would you die?”

“No, I would have died without Eidan. Eidan, thank you for saving my life! Now, thank Dad for saving me too.”

“...”

“Silly?”

I looked up at my father. He clearly disliked Eidan, and his expression didn’t soften.

“Eidan saved me, so I didn’t die. Dad, you like that, right?”

Even I thought this was a stretch, but children are often illogical. My sad eyes made my father groan.

“...Thank you.”

“...”

Eidan only nodded without a word. The atmosphere was awkward, but I was satisfied with this seemingly peaceful situation.

“Your Majesty, it’s time for the meeting.”

Gustav timely intervened. As we headed to the meeting room, I realized something.

‘What? I didn’t see Oscar.’

　 ***

“The land is drying up even though it’s raining.”

The air grew heavy at the minister’s words. Even I, who was just observing the meeting, became serious. The drought that started in the west three years ago was spreading throughout the empire. It hadn’t reached the capital yet, but it was only a matter of time. We had even held rain ceremonies, but they were ineffective. The land couldn’t absorb the rain and continued to dry out. Crops couldn’t be grown, and vegetation withered. Desertification was occurring. Even rivers and streams were drying up, making the famine severe.

“Open the national treasury to aid the refugees.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

The ministers nodded at my father’s command. Without a clear solution, they were relying on the treasury.

‘Even rain is useless, so my abilities won’t help much.’

I could do anything to help the starving people, but it wouldn’t make a difference. I thought about trying to grow crops, but my father wouldn’t allow me to go out. Even if it worked, I couldn’t cover the vast land.

‘This is difficult, very difficult.’

Deep in thought, I suddenly felt everyone’s gaze and looked up.

“Huh?”

Looking around, a document was handed to me.

“Here, Mabel. Stamp the seal.”

It was a document about the drought we had just discussed. I nodded and lifted the heavy seal with both hands. Thud! As soon as I stamped it, applause erupted.

“You did a great job stamping the seal today!”

“Yeah. I attend meetings to hear this.”

“I want to be that document.”

“Your Majesty, you’re so cute...”

I sighed at the ministers’ usual antics. After seeing this almost every day for three years, it wasn’t surprising anymore. I glanced at the ministers. Some of them, including Duke Gadania, had more gray hair.

‘Sigh. Stay healthy, everyone.’

What is this affection? The ministers, who acted like neighborhood grandfathers, made me worry. If only a few of them were gone.

‘For example, Duke Javier, and again, Duke Javier.’

I glanced at Duke Javier, who was smiling as usual, and turned away. I wanted to strip his title and banish him, but I had no reason. I tried to have animals spy on the Javier family, but their defenses were too strong.

The meeting was nearing its end. After handling the last agenda and stamping the seal, Duke Javier, who had been silent, spoke.

“Many people wish to see the Emperor.”

“Huh?”

Surprised, I looked up. I saw Duke Javier’s smiling face.