Chapter 37
(37) Overwhelming Affection (8)
Since she hadn’t expected anything to be sent from Snow, Eleanor waited nervously.
‘Who could have come?’
She was less curious about what had been brought than about who had come to guard it. A longing she had always felt but ignored now took on a vivid form.
After the attendant left, Eleanor returned to her original seat. Heraith, watching her with arms crossed, asked,
“Shall I give you some privacy?”
“There’s nothing to hide from Your Majesty. You may stay. Ah, and thank you for allowing those from Snow into the city.”
Heraith only shrugged in response, saying nothing.
Soon, someone knocked on the dining room door.
“Your Majesty. Aster Snow, the younger brother of Count Snow, requests an audience.”
It was not the previous attendant’s voice, but Oscar’s.
Aster is here.
‘The younger brother of Count Snow.’
That phrase suddenly pierced Eleanor’s heart.
Not the Count’s son, but his brother. Those words made her truly feel the absence of her father.
She felt as though tears would spill, but she swallowed hard—pushing back her tears.
Heraith let out a short sigh as he watched her, but Eleanor, overwhelmed by sorrow, didn’t even notice.
Nor did she realize that he was giving her a moment to compose herself.
Only when a smile returned to her face did Heraith finally respond,
“Come in.”
The dining room door opened, and a tall figure stepped inside.
When she saw the messily brushed pale blond hair and vivid blue eyes, tears nearly welled up again.
Her eyes met Aster’s for a moment, and the two exchanged a faint, melancholic smile.
“I am Aster of House Snow. It’s an honor to meet Your Majesty.”
Aster bowed slightly.
Heraith looked up at the man, who was nearly twice Eleanor’s size, and remarked,
“You’re big.”
“Yes, I take after my father.”
“Indeed. Count Snow was a large man. But who does your sister take after to be so small?”
Aster glanced at Heraith, then lowered his eyes again.
He had heard affection in the emperor’s voice when he spoke of Eleanor.
“She takes after our mother. She is a petite woman.”
“I see. What brings you all the way from the distant North?”
“I’ve come to express our gratitude for sending Sir Teris to resolve the territorial conflict. Count Snow should have come in person, but due to the unrest after the war, he couldn’t leave his people. I beg your forgiveness for coming in his stead.”
“There’s no need for forgiveness. I imagine you wanted to see your sister more than me.”
“No, I came to see Your Majesty.”
“For someone who says that, you’re not looking at me.”
“May I look at you?”
“You may.”
Surprised by Heraith’s more generous demeanor than expected, Aster hesitantly looked up.
It was his first time seeing the emperor in person, and he was struck by his flawless appearance. Then he was flustered by the intense, dark gaze, and finally felt a competitive spirit stir upon seeing the emperor’s broad, muscular shoulders.
“What do you think now that you’ve seen me?”
“You’re very handsome. It seems God was especially attentive when creating Your Majesty.”
Heraith let out a soft chuckle.
“You don’t resemble your sister in appearance, but it seems your personality is somewhat similar.”
“Excuse me? In what way…?”
“You both know how to fluster me.”
“Even your flustered expression is flawless.”
Heraith chuckled again. Aster had heard many things about the emperor.
That he was a ruthless man without blood or tears, a monster who had killed three of his wives.
He had worried endlessly when his poor sister had to seek help from such a man for the sake of their lands.
‘But he laughs more than I expected.’
He was relieved that Heraith didn’t seem as cold and cruel as the rumors claimed.
What he didn’t realize was that the reason Heraith seemed so softened was because Eleanor was with him… And Heraith himself didn’t realize just how unguarded he appeared.
Only Oscar, who had entered with him, was stunned by this unfamiliar version of the emperor.
He exchanged glances with Eyo, standing by the door.
‘Is this truly His Majesty the Emperor?’
‘I’m not sure either.’
Heraith silently observed Aster, then stood up.
“I’m sure the two of you have much to talk about as family. Let us end this conversation here.”
***
Aster looked around the reception room of Tulip Palace and commented,
“Rather plain.”
“I missed you, Aster.”
At Eleanor’s words, Aster’s handsome face contorted with emotion.
His eyes reddened as he looked at Eleanor and then pulled her into a tight hug.
Though no words were exchanged, deep emotions passed between them in the quiet embrace.
Buried in her brother’s strong arms and chest, Eleanor remembered their father.
She had tried not to cry.
But the tears welled at her reddened eyes, grew heavy, and finally fell—soaking into Aster’s clothes.
“Father…”
“We saw him off well. Eldest brother too, and our cousins. Everything’s been handled.”
“…I should have been there.”
“You were there. Everything was because of you, sis. Everyone knew. We all knew why you came here. That’s why it felt like you were with us the whole time. If not for you, the Snow domain would have split in two as Owen and Osborn shared it ‘peacefully.’”
“Yeah…”
Despite trying not to, her voice trembled with tears. Aster gently patted her back.
Aster was the more emotional one of the two. But this time, he didn’t cry. And Eleanor knew he was holding back his tears for her sake.
“…Hhh.”
She couldn’t hold back her sobs in the end. Embraced by her brother, Eleanor wept for those they had lost.
Once she had composed herself again, she and Aster sat across from each other on the sofa.
Cecily brought out tea and cookies, stealing glances at Aster the entire time. Aster picked up a cookie and smiled at her.
“Thank you. Please take good care of my sister.”
Cecily blushed and bowed deeply.
“Yes, I will do my utmost.”
After Cecily left, Aster chewed a cookie and asked,
“Who’s that kid over in the corner?”
Caron, who had been curled up in the corner, flinched. Eleanor sighed.
“You saw him?”
“Yeah. He was well hidden, but I inspected your room carefully. Is he your pet? What’s his story?”
“He’s an assassin who tried to kill the emperor and failed.”
“Oh.”
Aster stood up with a grunt and walked over to Caron. Caron remained crouched, his gaze sharp and full of hostility.
But Aster remained composed, even under Caron’s murderous stare.
“Does His Majesty know?”
“He does.”
“He’s generous. And you haven’t changed.”
“What do you mean I haven’t changed?”
“You’ve always liked taking in abandoned animals. Like Milk—wasn’t she a baby bird abandoned by her mother when you decided to raise her?”
“But she turned out useful, didn’t she?”
“Some of the horses you took in aren’t useful. They eat a mountain of feed every day.”
When horses grew too old to carry riders or farm, the custom was to feed them well and then slaughter them.
But whenever Eleanor saw an old horse, she’d bring it to the stables and care for it until it died naturally.
“Are they all doing okay? You didn’t throw them out just because I left, did you?”
“They’re doing great, better than ever, everyone is thinking of you and taking care of them in your place. Dorothy used to be scared of horses, but now she goes to the stables every day to brush their coats and cry.”
Dorothy was the Wonder nanny who had raised the four Snow siblings.
“How’s Mother?”
“Crying a lot, as always—but holding strong.”
“And our younger brother?”
“At first, he tried to act stern like Father, but now he’s back to his usual self.”
Back to normal.
That brought Eleanor relief. She was glad everyone was starting to return to their routines.
Aster placed his large hand on Caron’s head and pressed down. However, Caron scowled and smacked Aster’s wrist away.
Rubbing his wrist, Aster said,
“Rude kid.”
“He listens well, though.”
“No he doesn’t. The look in his eyes says he wants to slit your throat.”
Aster crouched down in front of Caron and grabbed his chin.
Caron, annoyed, again slapped Aster’s wrist, but it didn’t faze him.
“I can’t let someone like this stay by your side. I’ll kill him.”
Caron swiftly drew a dagger, but Aster caught it with his bare hand. Despite grabbing the sharp blade, his hand didn’t bleed.
Crunch—
Aster squeezed down on the blade, and the dagger crumbled like a biscuit. Still holding the broken blade, he reached for Caron’s throat.
