KFDP Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“It’s nice to meet you, Miss Elton. I’m Hera Ellerman Decadille.”

The princess, her bright red hair tied up cutely, rubbed her blue eyes as she spoke.

She was a child who bore quite a resemblance to the late Emperor Gririka, whose portrait I’d seen before. It seemed the late emperor’s blood ran strongly even through his granddaughter.

“I greet Your Highness. My name is Belladi Elton.”

“Please forgive me for sitting here in His Majesty’s arms. I couldn’t nap earlier today because of the ball preparations.”

Despite her crisp tone, Princess Hera’s voice was thick with drowsiness.

The Emperor, finding his daughter adorable, kept patting her head.

“You’ve already shown your face to the nobles, so you may go rest now, my dear.”

“No, Father. I want to listen to what you and Miss Elton are talking about.”

Even as she answered, Hera yawned widely. The Empress, unable to watch anymore, gently intervened.

“Hera. His Majesty has something important to discuss with Miss Elton. It’s quite late—let’s go to your room together.”

“Mmm… but still…”

The princess glanced at me, curiosity glimmering in her eyes.

I didn’t expect the princess to be interested in me.

What’s with today?

First Caspar, and now the princess. People who should have nothing to do with me keep trying to approach.

I lowered my gaze, pretending not to notice her look.

The Empress stretched out her arms toward the princess. Faced with such insistence, Hera sighed deeply, as if reluctant.

“All right.”

The Emperor kissed his daughter’s forehead and handed her over to the Empress.

The Empress rose gracefully from her seat, expertly carrying the child. The nearby nanny fidgeted nervously, offering to take her instead, but the Empress declined and patted Hera’s back herself.

It was a truly affectionate sight.

As I watched the Empress walk away, the princess resting her face on her mother’s shoulder turned her eyes toward me.

She grinned and waved her tiny hand. At that innocent gesture, I bowed my head in return.

Beside me, a deep voice spoke.

“My daughter, but isn’t she such a lovely child?”

It was the Emperor, smiling warmly.

“Yes, indeed.”

“She’s also remarkably bright and mature. In public, she even calls me ‘Your Majesty’ without fail. Can you believe it? She’s only seven.”

The Emperor laughed heartily. I smiled back and agreed.

“With such a clever princess, it is a blessing for the Empire.”

“What a pity. If only our Hera were a little older, or if you were a little younger, the two of you could’ve become good friends.”

“Perhaps so.”

That was my answer, but really, our ages didn’t need to be similar. Hera would eventually find her best friend, Nesia, in a few years anyway.

In the original story, those two same-aged girls became inseparable, willing to live and die for each other.

Still, it was unusual for the Emperor to summon me privately.

The summer hunting competition had been a rare exception; usually, he spoke only with heads of noble houses, not their children.

Surely he didn’t call me here just to show me the princess.

Of course, building ties with the princess was better than with the crown prince. In the original, she had both the character and ability to shine.

But with all these unusual encounters today…

The Emperor must have some hidden agenda too.

At that thought, a scene from the original story flickered in my mind.

「While strolling through the Elton estate gardens with Nesia, Hera sighed.

Nesia, worried, asked her, “Is this about what you told me before?”

“Mhm… I think I’m the reason Father and my brothers are drifting apart.”

“But Prince Killian supports you, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, he promised to back my wishes. But I’m not so sure… Father wants to grant me a title, yet my eldest brother is strongly against it…”

“Isn’t it because His Majesty recognizes your talent? Honestly, I also think it’d be a waste for you to just marry off as a princess! You deserve a noble title of your own!”

Hera gave a faintly sad smile.

“Thank you for saying that… Father keeps regretting things lately, saying he should’ve built me a stronger base of support.”

Her face then was filled with sorrow.」

That was the last scene I remembered reading—before the accident, before I awoke here in this world.

If Hera’s words were true, then the Emperor has been seeking her supporters for a long time… Could it be that I’m his new target?

As if to confirm my suspicion, the Emperor spoke.

“The northern houses were a firm foundation of support for the late Emperor when she was a princess.”

“We of course have always been loyal to the Imperial family, Your Majesty.”

“I mean the kind of loyalty that favors a single royal.”

I fell silent.

Even without my reply, the Emperor continued.

“The late Emperor always held affection for House Elton, the representative of the north. As do I.”

“…”

“And so does Princess Hera.”

I raised my head to meet his gaze. It was improper, but the Emperor didn’t rebuke me.

Instead, he smiled.

“The princess says she admires the northern spirit—unyielding even in bitter cold. The late Emperor said the same in her time. Fascinating, isn’t it?”

Unyielding in the cold, huh…

The truth was less romantic: we stayed in the north after the wars ended because of the endless iron deposits. Without them, who would endure such a harsh land?

A little princess might not understand that, but the Emperor surely did.

Though his smile was gentle, his eyes were sharp, weighing my reaction. He was pressing me to grow close with Hera—more than just as a friend.

Like House Elton once supported the late Emperor, he wants us to support Hera.

But why me? Shouldn’t he be telling this to my father instead?

I sighed inwardly. As expected from the ruler of an empire, his pressure was heavy.

Still… I’m no pushover in a battle of wits.

After a steadying breath, I maintained a polite smile.

“My father would be delighted to hear this. It is a great honor for our house.”

I then let a hint of concern show on my face.

“However… might not Her Highness’s fondness for the north be misinterpreted?”

A flicker crossed the Emperor’s eyes.

“Misinterpreted?”

“Yes. I fear the other nobles might see the princess’s affection for the north as favoritism.”

Having said that, I glanced back over my shoulder.

From the high seat, the entire banquet hall lay visible. The Emperor followed my gaze.

Let’s see…

Despite the crowd, it wasn’t hard to spot Mostin and Sion—especially since Sion happened to be looking this way.

“So perhaps it would be wise for Her Highness to also speak with heirs of other regions’ ducal houses.”

I tilted my head slightly.

Sion caught my signal instantly and tugged Mostin along toward us.

When they reached the staircase leading to the high table, an attendant glanced at the Emperor for permission.

He gave a silent nod.

Sion and Mostin ascended quickly, bowing low.

“I greet His Most August Majesty. I am Sion Aglah, son of House Aglah.”

“It is an honor to meet Your Majesty. I am Mostin Fredo of House Fredo.”

“I see…”

After acknowledging them, the Emperor looked back at me.

“You want me to speak with these two?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Both are truly outstanding young men. I believe you’ll find them most agreeable—and it will make it easier to share their merits with the princess.”

“Hahaha!”

The Emperor burst into laughter so loud the crown prince and his wife across the hall turned their eyes toward us.

Looking amused, he said, “So, I meant to introduce you to the princess, but instead you’ve introduced me to your friends.”

His single sentence neatly summarized everything. From their smiles, it seemed Sion and Mostin had caught on.

Both put on their most sincere, good-natured smiles as they bowed again.

“As Miss Elton said, I’m a rather entertaining fellow, Your Majesty!”

“I hope today I might bring Your Majesty a little joy.”

I stepped beside them and bowed as well.

“Would Your Majesty honor the three of us with conversation?”

At this, the Emperor smiled more warmly than before.

“I know well how close you three are. Very well—let’s see how much amusement you can provide me.”

At his signal, attendants swiftly arranged chairs beside him, along with a small table, drinks, and trays of canapés.

“I find myself curious about what the Empire’s young sprouts are thinking these days. This banquet may prove more refreshing than expected.”

Refreshing, indeed.

From then until the banquet’s end, we stayed by the Emperor’s side. He laughed without end—thanks to the master of flattery among us.

Sion and I weren’t bad conversationalists, but compared to Mostin, we were like fireflies beside the full moon.

“Would Your Majesty allow me to sing a song I’ve prepared for you?”

“Haha! Excellent! Go ahead!”

Mostin played his part splendidly.

It struck me that if he had been born in the modern world, he’d surely climb to executive rank on flattery alone.