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Chapter 5




It's hot. It's so hot. It's hot, I tell you! I had only gone out for a moment, but the nursemaid, worried that I might catch a cold, raised the temperature in the room. On top of that, the coat given by the emperor made it stiflingly hot. Nursemaid, are you new to childcare? No, you’re not. I’m sure you were also a nursemaid for Oscar. There’s no point in whining; all I’ll hear is, “It’s not time to change the diaper yet,” so I just looked at the ceiling. The mobile, shining brightly as always, was slowly rotating.
‘So, who was that boy with the red eyes just now?’
The unfamiliar sensation I felt at that moment still lingered.
‘It’s worrying.’
But in reality, I can’t do anything.
“Moo...”
As I made meaningless babbling sounds, the entrance to the room suddenly became noisy.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
‘Here again.’
The footsteps quickly approached and stopped beside me. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I was lifted into the air.
“Hmm?”
The emperor’s blue eyes, which had been carefully examining me, narrowed. I was sweating profusely and avoided his gaze.
“You seem to have gained a bit of weight since last time.”
“I just finished eating.”
Isn’t that a bit too detailed? But the emperor’s interrogation didn’t end there.
“Why are you sweating so much?”
“The nursemaid was worried you might catch a cold, so she covered you with the clothes given by His Majesty.”
“I see. But what about this toy? I haven’t seen it before.”
“Oh, that’s a gift from a maid to the princess.”
“Was it tested for toxins?”
“...Yes?”
“Even the slightest risk must be eliminated.”
‘Nursemaid, hang in there.’
All I could do was cheer her on silently. The emperor continued to grill the nursemaid and the other servants for a while. Eventually, I had to step in.
“Lamb.”
“Mabel?”
“Lamb!”
If they asked why I suddenly started talking about lambs, I couldn’t explain. I decided to stick to the concept that I only knew how to say “lamb.” Fortunately, the emperor’s attention returned to me.
“Do you like kittens so much?”
“Lamb.”
‘Forget it, lamb.’
I chant “lamb” not because I like lambs, but because it’s the only word I know. I tried to hypnotize myself into thinking I was a normal baby.
‘I am a baby. I am a baby. I am a normal baby. The only word I know is “lamb”...!’
“You must have liked the kitten, Mabel.”
No, not necessarily...
“Then I will grant you the northern forest of the capital.”
“...?”
What?
‘He must be joking, right?’
I thought it was a joke, but the emperor suddenly gestured to the waiting advisor.
“Did you hear that?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Transfer the ownership of the northern forest to Mabel.”
“I will follow Your Majesty’s command.”
“!!”
No, wait! This is going too far! The advisor’s acceptance as if it were normal was also absurd.
‘Your Majesty, you’re not in your right mind! Giving a forest to a two-month-old baby!’
But the advisor responded as if it were routine. No one else seemed particularly surprised. Only I was in shock. I moved my lips but closed them again. I had a lot to say, but I couldn’t.
“Hmm? It seems Mabel doesn’t like it. What do you think, Gustav?”
“From what I can see...”
Gustav, the advisor, cautiously began, watching the emperor’s reaction. I was hopeful.
‘Finally, some advice?’
But...
“The northern forest isn’t exactly known for its beautiful landscaping. It can’t compare to the villas built around the forest.”
He wasn’t dissuading but making it worse! The emperor didn’t even snicker; he seriously considered the nonsense.
“I see. That’s a valid point.”
‘What kind of point? There’s no point! How can a baby know about landscaping? ’
But my silent protests reached no one. The emperor, with a serious expression, finally spoke.
“Alright. Then let’s do this. Gustav, record it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Mabel, I will grant you the Castle of Fonce.”
...What are you granting me? I stared at the emperor with my mouth agape, and he smiled affectionately.
“Of course, the northern forest is also yours, so don’t worry.”
Suddenly, I became ‘Mabel, the Two-Month-Old Millionaire.’
***
A precious guest visited the Empire of Hermanno. The priests of the Holy Kingdom of Abellard, who claimed to be the high representatives of the divine, were treated as honored guests wherever they went, as no one in this world disbelieved in the gods. However, to Emperor Esteban, they were unwelcome visitors, especially since they were after his beloved daughter.
‘Those temple scum.’
Esteban’s patience was stretched to the limit just by not driving them away. He agreed to an audience only under Gustav’s insistence, but he couldn’t hide his displeasure. Esteban sat on the throne, resting his chin on his hand, looking down at the priests.
“His Majesty the Emperor of Hermanno.”
Montego, a high priest of Abellard, greeted him. Esteban didn’t like Montego, with his sly smile and suspicious demeanor. They met only once every few years, and there was little friction, but two consecutive years was too much. His mood worsened.
“I assume you were surprised by our sudden visit.”
“I was. Indeed.”
While he had shredded their letters for firewood, he had predicted they would visit soon. He didn’t expect them to act so quickly.
“I heard you came to Hermanno for the study of ancient divine languages. I hope you have a good research trip.”
‘The sooner, the better.’
Esteban held back his last words. It wouldn’t be beneficial to be hostile to the priests of Abellard, but he didn’t need to be overly friendly either.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. We will strive to achieve great research results for Abellard and Hermanno.”
“Alright, then—”
He tried to dismiss them quickly, but it didn’t go as planned.
“I have something to say about Princess Mabel Winter Gadenia Hermanno.”
Montego’s eyes, filled with determination, looked as cunning as a snake. Esteban sighed and leaned back, exhausted.
“Mabel Gadenia Hermanno.”
He firmly corrected the name Montego had used. ‘Winter’ in Mabel Winter Gadenia Hermanno was a divine name given by the gods along with a prophecy. When Mabel was born, the Holy Kingdom announced that the princess had been given another name, but Esteban refused to acknowledge it. If he did, they would be even more determined to take Mabel.
“I do not recognize the divine revelation from Abellard. How can you be sure it refers to Mabel?”
Abellard claimed the revelation referred to Mabel based on Hermanno’s location at the easternmost point and the lightning that struck a clear sky when Mabel was born. But Esteban argued that it was all a coincidence.
“I expected Your Majesty to say that.”
Despite Esteban’s hostile attitude, Montego remained calm. Crack. Something broke, and Gustav flinched.
‘Your Majesty, please, no murder...!’
Though all the ministers had been relieved when Esteban’s fiery temper mellowed after marrying Queen Siana, it seemed to be back. Hoping the beloved princess would calm the emperor’s anger, it was a futile wish in this situation.
“...Mabel is just a few months old. Are you asking me to send my fragile child to the Holy Kingdom because of an ambiguous revelation?”
Esteban’s voice was filled with anger, and Gustav’s face turned pale with fear.
Montego laughed and pulled something from his robes.
“This is a gift from the Divine King to Your Majesty. He said you would understand when you see it.”
A servant placed the item on a tray for Gustav to inspect. After confirming it was safe, Gustav presented it to Esteban. The ornate pendant with a red gem was familiar to Esteban.
“The late emperor’s pendant.”
It was a pendant the late emperor always carried. This revealed why the Holy Kingdom was demanding Mabel. The late emperor had sought the Holy Kingdom’s help in the succession struggle to ascend the throne. As a token, he and the Divine King shared the pendant, with the other half stored in Esteban’s treasury.
“To have my child repay the debt of a deceased emperor. How am I supposed to accept that?”
Esteban was smiling, but it was a dangerous smile. The veins on his hand holding the pendant stood out. He handed the pendant to Gustav, who returned it to Montego.
“You know it’s not about that, Your Majesty.”
“It sounds like you’re asking me to sell my child. Am I misunderstanding?”
“The Divine King wants to protect the subject of the revelation. I know we can’t take the princess to the Holy Kingdom immediately. It’s an unreasonable request.”
Montego’s expression changed after a sigh. Esteban frowned, surprised by the sudden shift.
‘What’s his game?’
He hated the unpredictable nature of the Abellard priests. Montego, as if conceding, bowed.
“Since Your Majesty’s refusal is firm, I will withdraw this time.”
But Esteban didn’t relax. There was more to come. Sure enough, Montego didn’t disappoint.
“In return, please grant me one request.”
“Go on.”
“I request an audience with the princess.”
Esteban looked down at the bowing Montego. Despite their lengthy arguments, they never expected to take Mabel. Esteban wouldn’t agree.
‘This was their true purpose all along.’
He wanted to refuse outright, but their setup made it difficult. By mentioning the late emperor’s deal, they created a situation where he couldn’t refuse a minor request without a valid reason.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
He would be with Mabel the whole time, so he could intervene if they tried anything. Esteban nodded.
“Alright. But there are conditions.”
“What are they?”
“I will be present during the audience. You must maintain a 20-meter distance from Mabel. No contact is allowed, and the use of magic or divine powers is forbidden. If Mabel cries, the audience will end immediately.”
“...”
‘What a crazy overprotective father.’
Montego couldn’t hide his disbelief. It was the first time he showed his true feelings since arriving in Hermanno.
***
It’s been three months since I was born. Fortunately, nothing unusual has happened to me. I’ve grown steadily under the care of the nursemaid. I sucked on the pacifier she gave me and observed the room. The nursemaid was knitting. Zabian was out. Larima was folding laundry.
‘Good.’
Thanks to the nursemaid laying me on my side, it was easier to move. I struggled to flip over.
“Grrr...”
‘Please, just let me flip over today!’
But life doesn’t always go as planned.
“Phew...”
My head is too heavy.
“Huff...”
I panted, my arms weak.
‘I can’t help it. I’ll stop practicing flipping over for now.’
It was still daytime, and if I started sweating again, it might lead to another unnecessary fuss. It was strange, really. Even after three months, the biological father and the legal brother’s attitudes hadn’t changed. In fact, they had become even more affectionate. I thought they would get tired and stop, but I was wrong. They visited at all hours, which was a bit much.
“Mabel.”
...Yes. Like this. Oscar, calling my name, entered the room, took off his coat, washed his hands, and approached my crib.
“Were you waiting for me?”
Suck. I only sucked on the pacifier, not answering. It was a pointless question. Fortunately, my flipping over practice wasn’t discovered. Oscar sat next to me and opened a book.
“Mabel, I’ll read you a book.”
Sure. I’m bored, so go ahead. It’s probably a fairy tale. I promised myself not to laugh at the childish content. Clearing his throat, Oscar started reading.
“About the flaws of Bordosism as argued by Algorth Chekhov.”
“...?”
Excuse me, I’m only three months old!