CH 4.12

The palace where the Emperor lives is known as ‘Sha-Polyne.’

It means ‘the one who is in charge.’

“We’ve arrived. Please hand over your weapons, Archduke.”

“Alright.”

Lacius removed the sword he was wearing around his waist and the dagger he had hidden in his jacket and handed them to the servant. I smiled vaguely as I lifted the small box in my hand.

“Do I have to unpack this and show it to you, Grand Chamberlain?”

“What’s on the inside?”

“Well, it’s just a game. It’s a brand-new game that I created.”

I lied without even blinking.

Actually, I did not create this exciting game. A game that will make your heart race every time a hand is thrown!

But because no one in this world knows about it, I can claim that I created it.

The Grand Chamberlain took the box with a solemn expression, shook it, and handed it over with a nod.

“His Majesty will be pleased.”

His Majesty, The Emperor, greeted us in a glass-walled dining room with a high ceiling.

I expected a body search, but either the security was surprisingly lax or his trust in Lacius was simply enormous.

The first thing I noticed as I approached the dining room’s entrance was a very long table. In its centre, dazzlingly pretty flowers are arranged as if for a party. And the Emperor was at the end of it.

“Come closer. Long time no see, Lacius.”

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Lacius made a deep bow. I, too, did not miss the cue and bent my knees before respectfully bowing my head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. My name is Titania Oberon, and I’ve come to bring His Majesty a little joy.”

Isn’t this a sweet and adorable greeting?

A low-pitched laughter rang out, perhaps it was a good line to catch the emperor’s attention.

“So you’re an adorable child. Come closer and take a seat. Let us all eat together.”

“It is an honour.”

“It is an honour, Your Majesty.”

I followed Lacius’ words, like a parrot once more.

One tableware is to the emperor’s right. On the left, there are two sets of tableware. Lacius sat next to the emperor, and I sat next to him.

This is an extremely close distance by itself. Some people sit so far away from this long table that their voices are barely audible.

“Dioles said these days were entertaining, so that’s your name.”

The appetiser was prepared first, before the main course was served. I shivered as I grabbed the spoon.

“That is an overstated compliment.  I’m just a childish person who enjoys fooling around.”

“How can you call yourself a child simply because you enjoy playing around? It would be more accurate to say “knowing how to enjoy life.”

“Oh, Your Majesty is thinking the same thing. I enjoy playing as a subject of His Majesty, possibly because I took after your majesty’s magnanimousness.”

My tongue rolled with a great deal of fluidity.

The emperor was far more uncle-like than I had imagined.

Like a friend who will give you father’s pocket money?

He had a white beard, so wearing red clothes would make him look like Santa Claus.

‘I like him.’

I’m not sure what to say about the Emperor, but I have a good feeling about him. I smiled faintly as I ate the lobster salad that had been served as an appetiser. The emperor gave me a close look before shifting the subject to Lacius.

“How are you feeling these days?”

“Yes.”

“You punk, your face is a little brighter now.”

I believe Your Majesty’s daughter is to blame for at least 60% of the darkness on Lacius’ face previously…

I swallowed the words I couldn’t spit out of my mouth, along with the lobster flesh, and looked up at the sky, at the magnificence of this world.

Thank you so much. Thank you for allowing me to eat this delectable salad!

“Are you eating without me already?”

At that moment, the dining room door opened wide, revealing the royal princess.

The princess was drenched in sweat, as if she had been training with her whip. She strode up and took His Majesty’s right side.

“Didn’t your training end a little late? I didn’t wait for you because I was so hungry that I almost passed out.”

“You should say that after you lose weight, Your Majesty.”

“This punk, I have natural belly fat.”

The emperor was said to adore the princess, but this was more than just concern. To be honest, I was surprised to hear such a relaxed conversation from a royal family.

‘We have a father with a daughter-complex here!*’

* (딸바보 (Talbabo) 딸(Tal) means a daughter. 바보 (Babo) refers to a fool or a stupid person. If those words are combined, it denotes a person who adores/is crazy about/will go to any length for his or her daughter.)

I opened my eyes and alternated between looking at the emperor and the princess. The princess looked me in the eyes and smiled softly.

“It’s great to see you here again.”

“It’s nice to see the Royal Princess too.”

“You speak very nicely. I’m not sure how someone can be so adorable.”

It’s because I’m standing in front of Princess Unnie.

I am very kind to beautiful women.

Even if she asks me to do aegyo, I will be able to do it without feeling self-conscious.

Nothing will be impossible for me if it can make a beautiful woman smile.

Seeing that face brings me peace, makes the world more beautiful, and fills me with joy. I’m pretty as well, but it’s always fun to be a pretty girl next to another pretty girl.

“Your Majesty, didn’t you just tell me your ankle hurt the other day?”

“Yes, I did, hoho. But I’m all better now…”

“I believe you should lose weight.”

Steamed crab legs were the main course. A cold stone bowl holds a red-cooked crab leg. Seeing this, I swallowed my saliva and ate it slowly while the other three talked.

The tender meat melts in your mouth. Was steamed crab always this sweet?

I’m not sure, but I was content.

“You said you had a gift for His Majesty, Nia.”