Was I a third-generation chaebol? Unlike my shock, the employee nodded calmly, as if it were an everyday occurrence.
"Yes. Should I send it to the palace?"
My dress shopping ended with the purchase of an enormous amount of dresses. The tension I didn't even realize I was holding due to the presence of my companion drained out of me. I was swaying on my feet when I straightened up with a start as Duke Donovan turned around. He smiled at me and said,
"Then, Your Majesty. Let's go."
"Are we returning to the palace now?"
Finally, I can rest? I asked with high hopes, but an unexpected answer came back.
"You need to visit other dress shops as well."
I followed Duke Donovan, who was urging me on, with a dazed expression as we left the dress shop. She really did visit other dress shops. And I had to try on countless dresses there too, and Duke Donovan, as usual, delivered her iconic line.
The next stop was a jewelry store. The duke scanned the items with her eyes and immediately purchased a few. Then she clicked her tongue.
"Tsk. There's nothing that really catches my eye."
How can you buy so recklessly when nothing catches your eye? To buy precious metals worth a city as if they were cheap accessories sold on the street was something I couldn't even imagine.
'This is my first time spending so much money, and it's terrifying!'
The commoner inside me was afraid of Duke Donovan. This wasn't just buying things; it was like she was looting the stores! Just as I was getting exhausted from the relentless purchasing spree, I encountered an unexpected person at the fifth dress shop. Honey-blonde hair, and eyes that shone like amber.
At first, I thought it was Enrique, but then I realized it might not be. The Enrique I knew was a pretty boy, not a grown-up one. He couldn't have grown so much in just three years—
"Your Majesty, it's good to see you. How have you been?"
...He was there. Enrique smiled softly and greeted me. The little boy had grown into a well-mannered young man. They were the same person, but there was a clear difference. He was the same age as Oscar, so he must be eleven now. Of course, Oscar had also grown a lot compared to three years ago. But since I saw Oscar every day, his growth wasn't as noticeable. In contrast, Enrique, whom I hadn't seen in three years, had grown so much that he was almost unrecognizable.
'Really, he grew up so well without any problems...'
I was momentarily lost in admiring his beauty when Enrique's question, "Your Majesty?" snapped me back to reality.
"It's been a long time, Enrique."
I felt a great sense of accomplishment for finally pronouncing "Enrique" perfectly, not "Eunni-ge." No one would know how much I had practiced pronouncing other people's names... Enrique's gaze, which had been smiling faintly, turned to Duke Donovan standing beside me. He greeted her respectfully.
"Your Grace Donovan. I am Enrique Javier of the Javier family. I've heard a lot about you from my father."
"Enrique Javier. So you're the heir of the Javier family."
"I am Pacifica Donovan. It's a pleasure to meet you."
They exchanged natural introductions. As I watched them greet each other, I felt someone staring at me intently and tilted my head.
'It feels like my cheeks are burning.'
I slowly turned my head and met the golden eyes of a red-haired girl with a serious expression. Who is she? She had been standing next to Enrique since I first saw him. She looked about seven or eight years old. With her hair tied in two braids, she was very cute. The moment our eyes met, she smiled at me.
"Ah, this is my younger sister, Emily Javier. Emily, greet the Emperor."
Enrique, who had finished greeting Duke Donovan, introduced the girl to me. She lifted her skirt slightly and greeted me respectfully.
"Your Majesty. Your Grace Donovan. I am Emily Javier of the Javier family."
Despite her young age, Emily's formal greeting made her seem more mature than her years.
'Kids these days grow up so fast, don't they?'
How could Enrique and his sister Emily be so precocious?
"Nice to meet you, Emily."
Even though Emily is older and a noble of the Javier family, I should use informal speech since she doesn't have a title. It still feels strange, but I felt a bit embarrassed and laughed, "Hehe." Emily clasped her hands and looked as if she were deeply moved.
"I've heard a lot about you from Father and my brother. You are really a handsome and lovely person. I've always been curious, and it's true! It's an honor to meet you."
I was taken aback by Emily's rapid-fire compliments. But that wasn't the end.
"Your fluffy pink hair, your sky-blue eyes like a clear day, your fair skin, and your adorable cheeks! Just as I've heard!"
I didn't know where to put myself with such excessive praise. If she had heard this from Duke Javier or Enrique, it must be true. Enrique awkwardly laughed and pulled Emily's arm.
"Emily, that's rude to the Emperor."
"But it's not rude... I was just speaking the truth. My brother said so, didn't he? The Emperor is really a lovely person!"
Enrique, who had opened his mouth to say something, soon closed it. The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
'Enrique probably thought I was like Emily, or something.'
I remembered the time he had told me about his younger sister. I felt a strong sense of responsibility to defuse this awkward situation. So I smiled brightly at the upset Emily.
"Thank you, Emily. You're very lovely too."
Emily's cheeks turned red, and she looked genuinely delighted. She was really adorable. Suddenly, I remembered that her father was Duke Javier, and my heart sank.
Or maybe her mother is an incredible beauty.
"By the way, why did Your Majesty and Your Grace visit the dress shop?"
Emily's question was answered by Duke Donovan.
"To purchase clothes for the Emperor."
Emily, who had been thinking deeply, nodded as if she understood.
"So the rumor that Your Majesty will attend the founding ball is true."
The rumor had spread in just a few days since the decision was made. I realized once again that there were no secrets in the palace. When I first rolled over, took my first steps, and called my father "Dad," the news spread within a day. Unfortunately, there was no privacy for me.
"I'll attend this time too. Will you come, Emily?"
"Yes. I will debut at the founding ball this time."
As I nodded, an employee approached and bowed.
"Miss Javier, the clothes you requested are ready."
"Send them to the Javier family."
The employee bowed and left. Enrique, who had been watching my conversation with Emily with a slightly anxious expression, quickly interjected.
"Then we'll take our leave. It was an honor to meet you today."
As I waved, Emily also greeted me formally and followed her brother. When the surroundings became quiet, Duke Donovan asked me.
"Do you have any connections with the Javier family?"
"Yes. I met Emily for the first time today, and I've met Enrique a few times when we were young."
Duke Donovan, who had answered, added after a moment.
"Be cautious with the Javier family."
I blinked at the unexpected advice from Duke Donovan and nodded.
On my way back to the palace after spending money for the first time in my life, the carriage was already moving through the darkening evening streets. After visiting over ten stores, my body felt drained. I wanted to lean my head against the carriage wall and doze off, but I kept myself alert in front of Duke Donovan.
'Pretend to be smart. Pretend to be smart!'
I tried to chase away the drowsiness that was overwhelming my eyes and endure the long silence. Then, Duke Donovan's indifferent gaze turned to me.
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I froze. I examined Duke Donovan's expression, but it was the same as always. An indifferent face that showed no emotion. I hesitated and then bowed my head deeply.
I didn't want to lie. Duke Donovan would probably see through any flimsy lie anyway. Why did he ask me this? As I clasped my hands and felt anxious, he said,
"Raise your head. A ruler knows no fear."
I slowly lifted my head at his firm words. But I was still afraid of Duke Donovan.
'Probably because... I don't want to be hated.'
That's why I became more cautious, didn't want to be seen as a bad child, and acted like a well-behaved child. But Duke Donovan never once shunned me for it. Maybe that's why.
"Does His Grace find me unsuitable?"
The courage to ask this, which I usually wouldn't even dream of, suddenly welled up. The answer came immediately.
"I have no reason to dislike Your Majesty."
I was slightly taken aback by his cold, firm response. No reason?