Chapter 8
Ellen, having stepped down from the carriage, held Gloria’s hand instead of the nurse’s, and with her other hand grasping her skirt, she walked lightly into the palace.
Though the etiquette teacher was annoying, since she was invited by her mother, the effect was good. Ellen had learned how to walk gracefully even with her short limbs.
Gloria, after being led to the reception room, paused momentarily at the door to check her and Ellen’s appearance. Then, after nodding to the servant, the servant opened the door to the reception room.
The Emperor… the Emperor…!
Until now, Ellen had thought it was her grandfather, but now that she was about to meet him, it felt more like meeting the Emperor. Her heart was racing as she gripped Gloria’s hand tighter.
Gloria squeezed Ellen’s hand and gave her a brief smile before moving toward the Emperor.
Contrary to Ellen’s expectation of meeting a kindly grandfather with a gentle demeanor, the Emperor was a handsome middle-aged man with delicate features.
Ah, the Emperor married young…
Surprised by the Emperor’s youthful appearance, Ellen had been staring at him unknowingly, only to realize her mistake and quickly lowered her head.
Gloria, standing beside her, extended her dress, bending her knees and bowing at the waist. Ellen quickly followed suit and greeted the Emperor.
Just as Gloria’s long greeting, thanking the Emperor and wishing prosperity for the empire, was about to continue, the Emperor’s voice rang out above their heads.
“That’s enough. Raise your heads.”
But for some reason, his voice was so close.
Ellen inadvertently raised her head and almost jumped. The Emperor’s face was right in front of hers.
Barely containing her shock, Ellen mentally praised herself.
Good job, me!
“Your Majesty.”
Gloria called out brightly, but the Emperor shook his head with a stern expression.
“Father.”
Instructing her to call him father with a stern face, he immediately broke into a broad grin and continued.
“When did you start calling me Your Majesty when we’re alone? If you do that, won’t this child also stop calling me Grandfather?”
Ellen stared at the Emperor in disbelief.
The… the Emperor? What’s with that grin? Of course, he’s handsome, but… what about decorum?
“Father. Are you going to act like that even in front of your granddaughter?”
Gloria, as if accustomed to this, sighed deeply.
“Ugh! This father of yours wants to be close to his granddaughter. How about it, little one? Want to be friends with your grandfather?”
At the Emperor’s cheerful words, Ellen glanced at Gloria before nodding her head slightly.
Ellen, alternating her gaze between Gloria’s exasperated sighs and the Emperor’s wide grin, called out softly.
“Grandfather?”
In response to her tiny voice, the Emperor, whose face had softened even more, scooped Ellen up into his arms.
“That’s right, I’m your grandfather!”
Ellen noticed that his eyebrows and the corners of his mouth were the same as Gloria’s. At first, she thought they didn’t resemble each other much, but now she could tell they shared more similarities than she’d noticed.
The Emperor, looking at her, seemed to recall someone as well.
“Ria. Ellen looks just like that person. More so than you look like your mother.”
Ellen, feeling the Emperor’s nostalgic gaze, cautiously placed her little hand on his face. She hoped he wouldn’t scold her for such impudence.
Sensing the warmth of her tiny hand, the Emperor gently took it and tapped his face with it.
“Your Majesty, please maintain your dignity.”
At that moment, a voice from behind them caught their attention, and Ellen turned to see a tall man, resembling the Emperor but more muscular and sharp-featured, approaching.
“Your Highness.”
Gloria called out warmly to him, but the man, just like the Emperor, changed his tone to a stern one.
“Brother.”
This man seemed to be Gloria’s older brother, Prince Arjen, the Crown Prince.
Father and son truly look alike.
Ellen couldn’t help but feel that the saying “like father, like son” was true.
“Brother.”
Though Gloria shook her head as if disapproving, she corrected herself and called him again.
The man lightly shook hands with Gloria before turning to Ellen, offering her a smile.
“You must be Ellen.”
Still in the Emperor’s arms, Ellen lowered her head as much as she could and greeted him.
“I’m Ellenora Quinter, Your Highness.”
“You can just call me your uncle.”
Ellen felt completely out of place with the relaxed atmosphere of the royal family. Wasn’t the royal family supposed to be strict about titles and manners? How could she casually call the Emperor “Grandfather” and the Crown Prince “Uncle?”
She hesitated for a moment but decided to relax and go with the flow.
Well, if it’s really a problem, my mom will give me a hint later.
The Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Gloria all moved to a tea table in the reception room.
The four of them had what could only be described as a lavish tea time, with enough food to fill a feast.
Ellen, caught between maintaining her composure and satisfying her hunger, found her internal struggle quickly dissolved. The Emperor never once let her down from his lap, constantly handing her food.
To be able to eat delicious food without losing face…
Ellen smiled brightly at the Emperor, who responded with an even more delighted grin, handing her more sweets.
Every time she accepted a treat from the Crown Prince as well, both the Emperor and the Crown Prince were in high spirits.
After some time, a servant approached to inform them that the meeting time was almost over. Ellen, feeling completely satisfied, climbed down from the Emperor’s lap and bowed gracefully.
“Your Majesty, my back is starting to hurt.”
As Ellen left the reception room, she heard the Crown Prince’s voice behind her. Turning around, she saw that both the Emperor and the Crown Prince were still watching her intently.
With a light bow, Ellen laughed silently to herself and followed the servant to the side palace.
✿ ✿ ✿
Though noble gatherings were typically held in salons or mansions, today, because the Crown Prince was attending, the gathering was taking place in the side palace.
Ellen, guided by a servant from the main palace, entered the reception room of the side palace.
“Ellen! Welcome.”
Serelle waved excitedly, as if she had seen Ellen before.
In the reception room were Serelle, Erica, Roy, and two unfamiliar boys.
“Hello, Serelle. Erica, Roy, hello too.”
Ellen dashed over to greet them while eyeing the two new boys. One had a stubborn look, while the other, with a bored expression, leaned against the sofa, watching the others.
“Hello.”
Ellen greeted them, and the stubborn-looking boy waved lightly, while the indifferent boy gave a brief nod. Feeling coldly rebuffed after her attempt at a warm greeting, Ellen’s enthusiasm quickly waned.
She turned back to Serelle, Erica, and Roy and whispered with them about what they would do that day.
Before long, a servant entered and everyone turned toward the door.
“His Highness, the Crown Prince of Landelph, is here.”
At the servant’s announcement, everyone stood and bowed.
“Raise your heads.”
A young voice spoke, more fluent than the others but still youthful, and the children straightened up.
Ellen, standing upright, saw a boy around ten years old entering. His hair looked almost identical to the Emperor’s.
As soon as he made eye contact with Ellen, he flashed a small smile before moving to his seat.
“Please, sit.”
The Crown Prince’s command caused the children to sit down in unison. There was no noisy scrambling typical of children, which made Ellen think, These really are the children of noble families.
“I’ve heard today is your first time at a social gathering, so there will probably be many unfamiliar faces. Let’s start with introductions.”
Sensing the awkwardness of no one stepping forward, the Crown Prince broke the ice. Following his lead, the others began introducing themselves, one by one, starting with the stubborn-looking boy.
The boy who had appeared stubborn, Adrian Spencer, spoke in a soft, gentle voice, which was a surprise considering his initial impression.
The boy named Santuque Dumfrey, who had been looking bored until the Crown Prince entered, immediately perked up when he saw the Crown Prince, his eyes sparkling with interest.
After hearing Erica’s introduction, Santuque’s smile grew wider, and it became impossible for it to fade.
Everyone noticed Santuque’s intense gaze on Erica, and Erica, feeling it, turned to him for a brief moment before quickly looking away, focusing on Roy and the Crown Prince instead.
Ellen shook her head inwardly.
Kids these days really are fast. Is this a love triangle? Roy is probably getting exhausted.
She briefly wondered how their relationships would play out. It would be nice if they all got along, but it could also become complicated.
After all, I’ll stick with Roy. I have to support him. I know him better than anyone.
She also realized Roy reminded her of Eunho in some way.
Sitting upright, Ellen caught Roy’s eye and gave him a small smile.
As Ellen finished her introduction, the Crown Prince smiled softly and said,
“Let’s go to Edelheim today.”
Edelheim? What is that?
Ellen glanced around. Roy, like her, seemed confused about what Edelheim was, while Serelle and Adrian appeared to be thinking something she couldn’t decipher. Santuque,
Thankyou for the translations! Though, I feel like most of the chapters are a bit cut off at the end
I’ve checked completely translate chapters