Brann found Brynn carrying a bunch of scrolls and books. A letter fell from the pile of papers she was holding.
âHere.â
Before the letter could reach the ground, Brann picked it up and put it back in place.
There werenât words like âDo you need help?â.
It was because he knew from countless experiences that doing that was useless.
âWhat documents are those?â
âItâs data on how to raise an ordinary child. I will never let the princess fall ill ever again.â
A gleam was present within Brynnâs eyes.
âI asked old women or nannies that were reputed for raising children to gather and talk about childcare, and then write down the common denominator and send it over.â
Brann recalled the power of the Sol family that was mobilised.
The old women that were called into the castle probably made it rather crowded.
And what Brynn was holding was data that was prepared by screening in that manner.
âIs there a need to do this much?â
Brynn snorted at Brannâs words and replied.
âWhat if a child falls from a tree?â
âIâll keep an eye on them. If I try to catch them, Iâll break my arm. Itâs because Takar children are heavier than other children and have stronger bones. They wouldnât get hurt even if they fell.â
After he finished, Brann said, âAh,â and shut his mouth.
The Sol family serves Takar. As such, their parenting knowledge was geared towards Takar.
âWait, this is such an extreme exampleâŚâ
âTo what extent is it being extreme? I grew up listening to the same class, âWhen the imperial family is flinging things about, how do you face it without getting hurt?ââ
âOh, Iâve also used that many times.â
Avoiding it would only invoke more anger, so he would face it skillfully, but heâd used the method to face it without getting hurt on Atil several times.
âBut does this make sense? She had a stomach ache after drinking a cold drink. A cold drink.â
Brynn growled.
âThis is a disgrace to the Sol family, no, in the name of Brynn Sol, unforgivable.â
She was careless.
She bit her lip. Brann also nodded in agreement.
Heâd also heard that he had an upset stomach from consuming a cold drink.
When Atil and Pi heard about it, they were surprised, and so was he.
This wasnât to say that children of blueblood families didnât get upset stomachs.
But it only occurs when theyâre poisoned by something undetected, and not because too many cold drinks were consumed.
âI heard there are some lower-ranked aristocrats that are like that.â
âThereâs another astonishing fact. Normally, children would experience boiling fever for no reason.â
âFever?â
Once again, Brann was shocked.
Donât fevers only appear in the case of severe illness?
âYes, due to teething fever. Anyways, thereâs something like that and much more.â
âFor no reason?â
âYes.â
âThatâs⌠very scary.â
âRight?â
Brynn then glanced at Brann and said,
âBy the way, could you take half of this?â
âWith pleasure.â
A sudden gust of wind blew past, and Brann happily took half of the pile of documents away.
Then, he saw Brynn straighten her shoulders.
His glistening eyes were affixed onto the brooch that she wore around her neck.
It was a silver brooch.
It was a silver coin that sparkled with an odd allure.
The outer rim was decorated with gold and it was fixed in the middle of the ribbon.
Although they walked side by side, his eyes remained on the brooch.
So sheâd asked him to take half of her documents as she wanted to brag about this. He couldnât help but lament.
âWhere did you get that brooch?â
âThe princess gave it to me as a present.â
Brynn smiled and spoke triumphantly.
âItâs pretty, right?â
âThat doesnât seem to be ordinary silver. How did you process it?â
âItâs a secret.â
Brynn turned around with a grin.
âNow then, return my papers back to me.â
âSince Iâve made a promise, Iâll listen till the end anyways.â
âThereâs no need for that. I have two arms and so do you.â
âNoââ
âHurry up.â
Brann put the pile heâd taken onto Brynnâs pile.
âOf course.â
With a light bend of her knees, Brynn straightened up and disappeared with frequent steps. Her steps were light, perhaps because sheâd bragged about the silver to him.
âOh⌠The children of the family will turn hostile when they see it.â
Even his greed was invoked, so what of the other children?
âShould I request it from the princess?â
Princess Lilica might give him one with a smile, but then heâd have to deal with that enormous glare of Brynnâs.
Additionally, she wasnât the master he served, so it would be rather difficult to mention such a request.
He scratched his cheek and turned away to appease his regret.
* * *
These days, Lilica has only been eating food thatâs good for digestion.
Just as she was gradually getting sick of the food, she shouted hurrah at the custard pudding that her mother brought as a snack.
Ludia watched the appearance of Lilica happily mumbling while eating the pudding.
She wondered, what was in her babyâs mouth thatâs making her so happy.
âBut Mother, you look so beautiful in your outfit today.â
âHuhu,â Ludia laughed at Lilicaâs words.
âIâm going to the grand theatre in a little while.â
âA grand theatre?â
âYes, itâs a theatre for plays and operas.â
âAre you going with His Majesty?â
âNo, Mom is going alone today. It would be nice to go with Lilica next time.â
After the current one was burned down and a new grand theatre was built.
After swallowing down the last words, Ludia kissed Lilicaâs round head.
âThen Mom will get going now.â
âIâll see you off.â
Lilica put down the pudding and got up from her seat.
âIâm completely better now. Iâm really strong, so I donât have to stay in the room anymore.â
Ludia laughed at Lilicaâs eager appeal.
It seems that Brynn tends to overprotect her these days.
âOkay. Then, shall we walk to the carriage together?â
âYes!â
âChange into something comfortable.â
Ludia looked at Brynn and pushed Lilicaâs back slightly. Lilica happily followed Brynn, even leaving behind the pudding that she was eating.
Itâs been a long time since she went out.
She changed her clothes and put on new silver button boots.
The sound of her new shoesâ heels was rather airy, so she liked it. It was also good to walk in the palace holding hands with my mother.
Her mother looked really, really beautiful, after dressing to go to the theatre today.
âWhen I become an adult, Iâll wear the same clothes as Mother.â
The small, slightly slanted hat on top of gold hair was also breathtakingly pretty.
Lilica tightened her grip on her hand. She felt proud that such a beautiful person was her mother.
The carriage was already ready, and Altheos was unexpectedly waiting beside it.
Ludia asked in surprise.
âAre you going with me? No, youâre definitely not dressed like it at all. Youâre not going to the grand theatre with me in that outfit, are you?â
âOf course not. Iâm just here to see my lovely wife off despite being busy with work.â
He grinned. Ludia was also smiling.
The role of a close emperor and empress was also an important factor in her acting.
âIt makes me uneasy to send off such a beautiful wife to go outside.â
He reached out and fiddled with her emerald earrings. Ludia smiled faintly.
âIâll always come back to your side.â
âWow.â
Lilica exclaimed.
She was aware that they had a contractual relationship. So something like this was also a part of the contract.
How should she describe it?
His Majesty had only caressed her mother gently, and her cheeks turned red for some reason.
When she looked around, the surrounding servants also had the same look on their faces.
âI know, but still, you alwaysâŚâ
His Majestyâs voice became lower and smaller, and he approached her motherâs ear closely and whispered something, causing her to blush and burst into laughter.
Her motherâs hand gripped His Majestyâs arm gently.
Altheos let go of his wife with a smile and said.
âYouâll be late to the grand theatre if you delay further. Tell me if the performance was fun when you return.â
âOf course I will.â
âThen, Lily, would you like to send your mother off with me?â
Altheos reached out and Lilica quickly grabbed his hand.
A hand was held by her mother, and the other by His Majesty.
It was her first time that both of her hands were being held like this.
Her mother bent down and spoke to Lilica.
âIâll be back.â
âPlease have a pleasant journey. Take care.â
âIâll bring along the talisman that Lily has given me, so donât worry.â
With a smile, her mother was escorted into the carriage by His Majesty.
When the door of the carriage closed and sheâd seen her mother off, His Majesty lifted her up all of a sudden.
âI heard you were sick?â
Lilica nodded in response to Altheosâ question. He looked at Lilica seriously.
Lilica said quickly.
âIâm fine now. I was just having an upset stomach.â
âYes, but still.â
He smirked.
âShouldnât you make a strong talisman?â
â!â
Lilica had an epiphany. Her eyes widened.
âI saw the talisman that you gave to Ludia⌠I heard that you made it yourself, right?â
âYes.â
âHow?â
âThatâsâŚâ
Lilica hesitated for a moment. Altheos waited patiently.
She didnât know if she could tell Altheos about magic.
As she was hesitating, Altheos began to walk lightly. Startled, Lilica grabbed his shoulder.
âAll of you, donât follow me.â
With those words, all the attendants and knights that were following after them stopped. But Lauv took another step closer.
âYour Majesty.â
He called for Altheos in a low voice.
Altheos smiled ferociouslyâLilica couldnât figure out how this was possibleâ and said.
âWhy? Lauv Wolfe, do you want to run around on all fours and bark?â
Lauvâs expression hardened. Lilica shouted because she knew that things were heading south.
âLauv, wait!â
ââŚâŚâ
ââŚâŚâ
An odd silence filled the air. Lilica quick-wittedly noticed the atmosphere and spoke embarrassedly.
âNo, I only meant to tell you to wait a minuteâŚâŚ Why⌠Did I say something weird?â
âNo, but perhaps you can do âsitâ or âhandâ.â
Lilicaâs expression turned blank at Altheosâs words.
She has never kept a pet dog before, so she couldnât understand what that metaphor was referring to.
A pack of wild dogs that wandered around the slums was just an object of fear.
So she took those words as it was.
âWhy would I make Lauv do that? No, I can let him sit down.â
But whatâs with âhandâ?
As she was thinking about that, Altheos laughed and continued to walk again. Lilica looked backwards and said.
âIâll be back soon.â
She even waved her hand to reassure him. Lauv, who stood there in a daze, quickly turned into a dot.
Altheos went straight towards the Sky Palace.
After a while, Altheos arrived in a deserted garden and said.
âLook.â
He pointed towards the roses that were in the garden. Lilicaâs gaze also turned in that direction.
âWow!â
The petals that were on the floor rose into the air and fell down like snow.
It was a literal âstorm of petalsâ. Lilica asked surprisedly.
âAre you a wizard?â
Altheos laughed.
âItâs similar. Itâs the power of the dragon clan.â
âI thought that was to freeze things?â
âThatâs also possible.â
When he opened his palm, a snow crystal appeared from within and it disappeared when he waved his hand.
He asked again.
âSo, how did you make the talisman?â
âWellââ
The magical sight caused Lilicaâs heart to open widely.
She recounted how she discovered a magic book in detail.
âHmm.â
Altheos remained silent after listening to her story.
Lilica looked at the silent emperor and asked.
âErm, thatâs real magic, isnât it?â
Although the gold coins sparkled, whether they were effective as talismans was yet to be seen.
Aroused from his silence, Altheos smiled and nodded.
âThatâs right.â
âAs expected.â
Lilica nodded with conviction. Altheosâs expression turned serious. He spoke.
âBut that magic book seems to be dangerous. Itâs better to return it back to where it came from.â
âDangerous?â
âThe idea of moving peopleâs hearts with magic in itself.â
âAhâŚâ
There certainly was a lot of such content. On second thought, it was right of him to say that it was dangerous.
âI see.â
âAnd just because thereâs a magic book doesnât mean everyone can use magic. Youâre special.â
âMe?â
âYes.â
Lilicaâs eyes widened. Sheâd never thought that she had a special ability.
âAs such, from now onwards, itâs better to keep it a secret that you made a talisman. It isnât good for people to know about magic.â
âYes. Oh, but Brynn already knows I found a magic book.â
âBrynn SolâŚâŚ a Sol should be fine.â
He nodded. Altheos fell silent for a moment and let out a long sigh.
âWhy did it have to be now? Why is it you?â
âWhat do you mean?â
âThe reason for the wizardâs reappearance.â
It seemed like he was muttering to himself, but when she asked a question, a reply came back steadily. Lilica also fell into contemplation when she heard his response.
He chuckled.
âRight, Iâm also standing here like this.â
After a moment of consideration, Altheos said.
âIâll teach you magic.â
âYour Majesty will?â
âYes, letâs have classes once a week.â
âReally?â
Altheos nodded and continued.
âOriginally, Princesses would also receive a fief.â
âI see.â
While those words appeared randomly, it had nothing to do with her, so Lilica just nodded.
Since Atil had his own fief, princesses could also have fiefs.
Rather, her heart leaped at the words âmagic classâ.
âWell, about the classââ
Altheos spoke, cutting off Lilicaâs words.
âThatâs great.â
Once again, Altheos jumped towards a conclusion. He then set her down and said.
âBe careful on your way back.â
âYes, yes.â
The bewildered Lilica nodded and turned around. After checking the way, she asked.
âYour Majesty, this is the right wayâŚâŚ IâŚâ
When she turned around, there wasnât anyone around.
Flustered, Lilica realised that His Majesty must have used magic to disappear.
âI can walk the entire way back. Iâm a wizard.â
Lilica bravely began walking down the path between the rose bushes.