CH 33

Translated by TrinityVox

Edited by Schwarzel

With Sergei’s entrance, Eleonora finally decided to return home.

“Your Highness, the Purpleus carriage returned home around noon during the chaos.”

“Sergei, I’ll send her home so don’t report such unpleasant things in front of her. I don’t want anything that’ll make her sad.”

Hearing their conversation, Eleonora felt touched by Alexei’s consideration but also felt that he was being a bit overprotective.

“…Your Highness. I am not saddened.”

“Eleonora. It’s not ‘Your Highness,’ but call me Alexei.”

(What? I can’t call him so impolitely in front of the prime minister-pe!)

Eleonora glanced at Sergei and he returned it with a smile of satisfaction.

(Does this mean it’s okay to speak in front of the prime minister?)

“…Alexei-sama. I don’t care about the carriage returning home. I can go home by myself.”

“Have you gone home alone before?”

“…No.”

“Eleonora! It’s already dark outside. Do you not understand how dangerous it is? In all honesty, I want you to stay here but I know you worry about the one-horned mouse so I’m letting you go home.”

Saying this, Alexei escorted her to the carriage and got on. With the empire’s crest engraved on it, the carriage appeared quite fine.

(Is my family okay-pe? They sent an announcement, but I’m worried about whether or not the duchess and Sofia will behave properly-dabe. Father is the head of the household so it should be fine…We have a capable steward and butlers too should there’s no need to worry-pe. Probably, yeah.)

Thinking of her family, Eleonora’s stomach started hurting.

“What’s wrong Eleonora?”

Alexei, who was sitting next to her, looked over.

“Alexei-sama, you’re too close-pe. You can’t come so close, we’re not even engaged-dabe.”

Embarrassed, Eleonora turned to the window.

“No, it’s because you didn’t seem well.”

(Oh no! I thought he was gonna kiss me-pe! I’m too self-conscious-dabe!)

Eleonora suppressed the overflowing shame from her misunderstanding and began speaking.

“…Even in this life, I don’t get along with my family-pe. But that doesn’t mean I’m unhappy. Even in my last life, you were more precious than my blood-related family. The three years I spent with you were the best-pe.”

Then, she looked into his eyes.

“Ah, these are Ham-chan’s blue eyes­-dabe…A world without Ham-chan is so lonely. It’s not that I wasn’t happy being reborn as Eleonora. I was just lonely. Thanks to Ham-chan, I felt the warmth of a human for the first time. So don’t leave me. I don’t like being lonely-pe.”

Without her realizing, large teardrops had started flowing down.

Seeing her cry like this, Alexei’s chest tightened.

“I promise I’ll never leave you alone.”

Then he wiped her tears with a handkerchief. As he did so, Eleonora suddenly remembered something and laughed.

“A long time ago, I did the same thing for you-pe. Though it wasn’t a pretty handkerchief like this. Now I’m being consoled by you-pe.”

“Ah, it’s because I’m an adult now. It’s my turn to spoil you.”

“I also want to spoil you Alexei-sama.”

The two held hands and cuddled close.

After some time, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Purpleus main residence. Before they got off, Alexei whispered to Eleonora.

“I won’t let anyone disrespect you any longer.”

“It wasn’t that bad for me. Just lonely-pe.”

Alexei smiled bitterly seeing her troubled expression thinking that she hadn’t changed at all, still being good-natured and all. But he wouldn’t forgive the Purpleus family who caused her to suffer from loneliness like this.

The chamberlain announced Alexei’s arrival to the butler, and the duchess came out.

“I’ve made you wait, Your Highness! You came to see Sofia, right? She’ll be ready in just a moment. Please wait for a bit.”

(What’re you doing-pe! No-pe! Why did you speak first?! At least give a greeting! And that tone…We’re a ducal household so I understand that there aren’t many chances to speak to higher-ranking nobles but this is the emperor-pe!)

Eleonora became anxious concerning her stepmother’s attitude. On the other hand, Alexei ignored Alexei, delivering his matter to the butler through his servant.

“The parlor is this way.”

The butler spoke to Alexei’s servant and the servant relayed the message.

“What do you think you’re doing? I’m the duchess. How dare you ignore me as the butler? Your Highness, I’ll guide you!”

(I’m begging you, please shut up!)

While Eleonora was praying, her half-sister Sofia arrived. The moment she saw Eleonora, she became furious and began an outburst.

“Hold on, why is someone like you here? Moreover, you’re wearing such a high-quality dress! We told you not to come here without permission, didn’t we?!”

Before Sofia could approach Eleonora, Alexei signaled at the guard.

“Eleonora is my fiancée. Insulting her is the same as insulting me. Execute these women on account of lèse-majesté.”

Upon hearing that voice, Sofia, whose blood had rushed to her head, finally noticed Alexei’s presence.

“Impossible, why is the demon emperor here?”

Eleonora turned pale as the worst-case scenario happened.