BCOM 19

Chapter 19

It was quite a shocking experience.

Hearing sounds—well, in romance-fantasy novels, it was usually about hearing animal sounds. But hearing the voice of the wind… could it be a spirit? Were there multiple spirits?

They decided together to keep secret from Marquis Rejernen the fact that their little outing had almost turned into a disaster.

At first, both Tarin and Tamohan insisted that they had to tell him. But when Anes explained how exhausted the marquis must be from running between the mansion and the imperial palace—not because he had energy to spare, but because he was moving carefully, avoiding dangerous situations caused by the flow of mana—they faltered.

“Father!”

After finally persuading them to drop the matter, she washed up, changed clothes, and had just stepped out when she heard the news that Marquis Rejernen had returned. Unlike before, when he often came back late after drinking, today he was home earlier than expected.

Relieved, she hurried downstairs, thankful she hadn’t run into him while still covered in dirt from the forest.

“Oh? So you just bathed? My Anes smells wonderful.”

As he said, her freshly washed hair gave off a pleasant fragrance. Anes ran to him and linked arms, but felt a twinge of guilt and gave a sheepish laugh.

“I came home early today to have dinner with you, Anes. The kitchen was informed ahead of time, I hope?”

He stroked his daughter’s hair and glanced at Rosa, who had been following behind.

“Of course, my lord. Dinner is ready whenever you are.”

Satisfied with her polite answer, he ascended to the second floor with Anes still clinging to him.

Her heart thudded nervously—even though he had no way of knowing anything—yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave his side.

Blocking Rosa from entering, Anes stepped forward to attend her father personally.

“It’s heavy, why are you…?”

Though he spoke that way, Rejernen looked at her with eyes dripping with affection.

He truly was a father who adored his daughter. Sometimes his gaze was so overwhelming that she grew embarrassed and couldn’t look at him properly.

“I just want to be with you, Father. Please, give it here.”

She took his coat, tidied it away, and then sat waiting while he changed clothes.

“I heard you went outside today.”

Of course he’d want to know about her day. Anes was grateful for his attempt at conversation but reproached herself for flinching at first.

“Yes. I thought it would be nice to see the empire with my own eyes instead of just staying cooped up in the mansion. Even if that only means wandering the capital…”

He chuckled warmly, proud of her thoughtfulness.

“Where did you go?”

“To the Riedelau Forest. I’d never been, and though it’s deep and vast, I heard the edges are safe.”

She told the truth with a cheerful grin, as if to emphasize nothing had happened. Rejernen smiled too—but behind that smile, his eyes flashed sharply, though Anes didn’t notice.

“Did you enjoy your outing?”

“The lake there was so beautiful! Tarin, Tamohan, and I sat by it, drinking tea and eating cookies.”

“With those boys? Haha, just like your mother. She too befriended the servants and spent time with them.”

Whenever conversations grew lively, talk of Anes’s mother would slip out. She didn’t seem startled, so this must have happened before.

“Bielly was quite energetic as well, though noblewomen often found such things bothersome. They’d make excuses not to go out…”

He finished changing quickly—perhaps a habit from his time with the knights. With that thought, Anes walked with him to the dining hall.

“You’ve returned. Shall I bring the food at once?”

Rosa asked politely, waiting for them. Rejernen laughed heartily and agreed. Taking the head seat, he began eating steadily, his movements calm but unceasing.

He wasn’t messy, but ate in a way that made the food look delicious—enough that Anes wished he’d eat even more.

“Well, social gatherings… they are convenient for hearing news and building allies in advance, especially if one is to become crown princess and later empress.”

That was true in theory. Politics was, after all, about sides—so the more allies she had as crown princess or empress, the better.

“But since you’re already betrothed to the crown prince, and since there is no rival for his throne, everyone will try to curry favor with you anyway. As long as you don’t make enemies, all will become your allies.”

Whether sincerely or not.

If she couldn’t win genuine loyalty from everyone, wasn’t it unnecessary to exhaust herself trying to please them now? In that sense, arriving already as the crown prince’s fiancée wasn’t such a bad position.

“If you enjoy meeting girls your age, I’ll help you attend gatherings. But remember, what matters most is what you want.”

How kind he was. Not all fathers in the world were like this. Maybe that was why she had been given such a good father—to guard this empire from ruin.

Her mind drifted back to the forest. That strange incident must be tied to her rare ability… but what did those voices mean?

If she could really hear the passing wind, she would’ve noticed it long ago. Did it mean there were wicked things in that forest? Then… could she simply avoid that place?

“Father, isn’t it exhausting to train with the sword every day and still use mana?”

Rejernen blinked, surprised by the sudden change of subject. But realizing it was concern for him, he accepted it.

After mentioning Bielly earlier, it made sense she’d worry about his health. She probably even suspected his palace visits were tied to it.

“I’m getting older, so yes, it takes effort. But that only makes exercise more important. Don’t worry—no one forces me, and I have no goals to overstrain myself for.”

His gentle voice reassured her. Understanding exactly what prompted her question, he made Anes smile brightly.

“Of course. Father is strong as steel.”

Pleased by her words, he grinned and took a large bite of meat.

“By the way, His Majesty said preparations for the marriage alliance will begin in earnest. He joked that once you move into the palace, it will be easier for you to see me.”

Anes frowned at the thought. No way the emperor truly meant that seriously. Seeing Rejernen’s mischievous smile, she realized he was teasing by passing it along.

“I almost got disappointed there. Right now I can spend much more time with you.”

For a fleeting moment, Rejernen almost blurted out something absurd—like telling her not to marry and stay with him forever. But he caught himself, knowing she understood the joke and played along knowingly.

“Become a wise crown princess, and a wise empress, Anes.”

His encouragement filled her with strength. Many brides lost close contact with their fathers after marriage, but she would be luckier than most.

Whoever sent her here—author, god, or fate—she felt she owed them thanks.

Of course, there was still that unbelievable mission: to protect this empire from ruin.

“Father, may I come watch your training sometime?”

“Oh? You mean at the palace?”

He’d spoken broadly, but it wasn’t wrong, so she nodded.

After that strange event in the forest, she felt she needed to better understand powers she didn’t know. First, she wanted to see her father wield mana.

One of the last remaining magic swordsmen from an age when magic flourished—and his daughter. Could that wind-like voice be connected?

With such thoughts, ignoring her curiosity would only be foolish.

She had almost forgotten, lulled by Theo-in’s unexpected kindness. But she reminded herself now: she must not settle for a peaceful life here. The moment she grew complacent, peace would vanish.

As she dined with her father, who radiated serenity, that resolve returned—and Anes felt a solemn determination rise within her.