Chapter 82
Chapter 82
Even though Dylan understood the emperor’s intentions, he didn’t stop talking until much later. By then, the emperor had learned everything about Dylan’s niece and nephews—their favorite foods, colors, insects, even their favorite weather.
Useless information in this situation.
“Duke Harrison. So you’re refusing my request?”
“Regrettably, yes. But Your Majesty understands, doesn’t he? When you have much to protect, it’s not easy to move freely. Isn’t that why Your Majesty has remained within the palace walls for over twenty years?”
“W-What did you say…?!”
Dylan beamed brightly at the emperor’s flustered reaction.
“Ah, did my words upset you? But Your Majesty’s love for the princess is well-known not just in the empire, but in every neighboring country…”
The emperor was so overprotective of his daughter, there was even a joke that even the dogs on the street knew about it. Dylan silently mocked the royal father-daughter dynamic as he continued.
“Anyway, I believe it would be better to send one of the competent knights of the Sylvian Empire in my place.”
“D-Duke!!”
“I also wish for the princess to recover swiftly. Only then can Your Majesty pursue greater ambitions without worry.”
The emperor clenched his jaw, unable to retort. Dylan stared at him for a moment, then turned to leave.
It was obvious the emperor would find another excuse soon to push him out of the empire. But that didn’t mean he would dance to the tune so easily.
“Lord Dylan, you’re not seriously planning on skipping out, right? It’s about time we got some action.”
“Of course not. But just thinking about the chaos that’ll erupt while I’m gone is already exhausting.”
“Hmph. Humans aren’t even that smart, so I don’t get why they act so complicated. If they’d just attack us head-on, I’d deal with it right away.”
Mitzu chuckled, saying he could hear the emperor’s brain grinding, and half-joked that the stress would make his hair fall out. Dylan shrugged in agreement.
***
Meanwhile, Erina stared at the pocket watch placed on her desk. It seemed Dylan had left it before heading to the palace.
Apparently determined to give it to her, he had just left it behind without a word.
Erina shook her head at his persistence. She then retrieved the soft fabric she had stashed deep in her wardrobe and carefully wrapped the shiny watch before hiding it away again.
No matter how she looked at it, it was too burdensome to carry around. Even though she had hidden it tightly in the closet, her eyes kept drifting back to it.
She was worried someone might come and steal it—it felt less like a gift and more like she’d received a lifelong master to serve.
With an unconscious sigh, Erina changed clothes and went downstairs.
Snack time for the kids was approaching.
“Erina! Tada~!”
“Isn’t it pretty?”
“Just like Mama’s!”
To help the injured Erina prepare snacks, the children twirled around proudly in their new aprons.
The twins, jealous of the time Erina had tied an apron around Dylan during a camping trip, had begged for aprons as soon as they returned to the estate. As a result, they’d secured matching aprons within half a day.
Wearing the yellow apron the kids gave her, Erina headed to the kitchen. This time, she planned to make tarts without using the stove.
She’d crumble cookies, mix them with butter, and top them with fruits and cream, a simple process.
Giving the children cookies to crush, she started prepping fruit. The triplets used their tiny candy-sized fists to crush the cookies with surprising force. Underestimating them because they were kids would’ve been a mistake.
Erina looked at the cookie dust with a complex expression. The children, on the other hand, beamed happily and asked if they could crush more cookies.
“That’s enough. Let’s mix them with butter now.”
Erina scooped butter into the bowl of cookie crumbs and handed each child a spoonful. Just as they pouted and accepted the butter…
“Miss Erina.”
The steward entered the kitchen briskly. He looked around as if he had something to say and called out to her.
Erina put down her fruit and approached him, unsure of what this formal man, whom she usually only exchanged greetings with, would say.
“Yes, did you call me?”
“Yes. By any chance, have you arranged to meet the princess?”
“The princess…?”
Erina tilted her head. She hadn’t scheduled a meeting, but she did need to see the princess to deliver what had been asked of her.
She wasn’t sure how to explain the situation.
Sensing her hesitation, the steward guessed that something had happened between her and the princess.
“The princess’s palace has just sent word. She would like you to visit tomorrow.”
“Ah, yes…!”
“However, as you know, the princess’s health is not well… Will you be alright?”
What he really meant was: Can you go there without stirring up trouble?
Erina understood his concern. She hadn’t expected the princess to summon her so soon either—certainly not before recovering from her collapse.
“Still, since Her Highness has requested me, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse.”
“I agree with Miss Erina.”
“Yes. I’ll be extra careful so I don’t cause any inconvenience to the Duke.”
The steward didn’t seem entirely convinced. But refusing a royal summons over such worries wasn’t an option.
“Then I’ll consider the appointment set for tomorrow. I’ll inform the Duke, so please focus on the meeting.”
“Yes, understood.”
The steward bowed and left. Erina returned to the unfinished snack preparations.
The children, mixing butter and cookie crumbs, looked at Erina with curious eyes. From the conversation with the steward, they seemed to gather that she was going to visit the princess tomorrow.
They were thrilled. Another trip to the princess’s palace?!
“Erinaaaa! You’ll take me too, right?!”
“Me too!!”
“Let’s play hide-and-seek in the garden with the princess!”
The kids crashed into her, hugging her legs. Clearly, they were recalling the fun they had last time at the palace.
Erina chuckled at their adorable enthusiasm and patted their round heads.
“But the princess is sick this time. So we won’t be in the garden—we’ll have to stay in her room. Is that okay?”
“Huh?! The princess is sick?”
“Then I’ll go ‘hoo’ to make her better!”
“Resen studied medicine with Meian last time! I’ll make her some medicine!”
When they heard the princess—who had given them a beautiful music box—was sick, the children all wanted to visit her and cheer her up.
But seeing how excited they were, Erina figured they’d probably make her worse instead of better. She tried to calm them down.
“Guys, a very smart doctor is already taking care of the princess. We just need to go and stay quiet. We’ll say, ‘Princess, get well soon!’ and that’s it.”
“Princess, get well soon?”
“Exactly. Just saying that will help her feel better in no time.”
Really? Just hearing that will make her recover? The kids couldn’t quite believe her vague promise, but they eventually nodded.
After all, anything Erina said was always right.
Their interest in visiting the princess quickly faded, replaced by curiosity about how to make their tart even tastier.
With Dylan and Mitzu away at the palace, this was their rare chance to enjoy snack time with Erina all to themselves, just like old times.
