Side Story 5 – One Year

Side Story 5

One Year

The seasons turned, and spring came again.

Lobelia was now three months old. Hadel was spending his busy days constantly smiling and grinning while looking at her.

Today too, after the nobles’ council had adjourned, Hadel came straight to see Lobelia and said while poking her cheeks:

“I’ve postponed all audience requests for today.”

There was a hint of irritation in Hadel’s voice as he held Lobelia in his arms.

About a month ago, we had begun granting audiences to nobles who were clamoring to see the imperial princess.

Since then, requests for audiences with Princess Lobelia had been coming in almost daily without end.

Because of this, for nearly a month, Hadel couldn’t properly rest even after meetings ended.

Well, to be completely honest, he could have rested. It was just that he insisted on being present whenever I received nobles who wanted to see Lobelia, leaving him no time to rest.

“Yes, I was just thinking I’d like a break too. That’s perfect.”

Hadel wasn’t the only one who was tired. I was getting exhausted too.

Though we had many attendants—Yulia, Lady Grandel, and other ladies-in-waiting—I couldn’t leave Lobelia entirely in their care.

I spent most of my days with Lobelia, and I was present whenever we granted audiences to nobles.

Naturally, stress had been building up, but there was only one reason it hadn’t exploded until now.

“Kyaa—!”

Lobelia, who had naturally settled into Hadel’s arms, flailed her tiny arms and made a peculiar sound.

Our gazes automatically turned to her at the soft yet captivating, lovable sound.

“Oh, our Loa, are you happy we’re taking a break today too?”

Hadel puckered his lips and grinned like a child. Lobelia laughed again as if finding his face amusing.

Her small white hand popped out from under the blanket, flailed in the air, and then settled squarely on Hadel’s cheek.

Seeing Hadel’s face—looking as though he might clutch his heart and collapse at any moment—I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Loa must really be in a good mood. She doesn’t give pat-pats to just anyone.”

Perhaps having learned from how I patted Hadel when praising him, Lobelia occasionally placed her hand on Hadel like this when she was happy.

Lobelia’s beauty as she lay buried in blankets with her cheeks flushed red… Well, it might sound like a doting parent, but it truly wasn’t of this world.

“Kyaa…ah?”

Perhaps because Hadel and I were just staring at her.

Lobelia seemed to tilt her head slightly before making another adorable sound.

At that moment, I felt we couldn’t just let this rare holiday pass by.

“Hadel.”

“Yes, Asha. What is it?”

Hadel’s voice was elevated, as if he were floating on air.

After a brief moment of consideration, I continued:

“Shall we go out of the palace for fun today?”

I wanted to show her.

I wanted her to hear.

I wanted her to experience directly.

The scenery outside the imperial palace, the sounds, the life.

Although Lobelia was still just a baby, I wanted to show her more and let her enjoy more experiences.

“Then I’ll have them prepare right away…”

“No, I’d prefer if it were just us.”

“Just us? So… you mean a secret outing?”

“Hmm. If you put it that way… yes?”

Well, in any case, the imperial couple going out to see the lives of their citizens could be called a secret inspection, regardless of the purpose.

As I cleared my throat unnecessarily, Hadel also thought for a moment, then nodded.

“As Asha wishes.”

Hadel answered in a gentle voice and lightly kissed my hand. His softly curved eyes captivated my gaze.

And so, we impulsively decided on an outing.

No, correction: a secret inspection.

“Aaaah, they’re gone! They’re not anywhere!”

“W-What’s wrong, Yulia!”

Yulia ran to Lady Grandel, tearing at her hair, and collapsed beside her.

Lady Grandel, who had been tending to some clothes, opened her eyes wide and patted Yulia comfortingly.

“What’s the matter? When you say they’re not there, surely not again…?”

Lady Grandel’s eyes trembled anxiously as she looked at Yulia.

There weren’t many things that would make Yulia react like this. Since she said “not there,” it couldn’t be about objects or servants, which left…

“The Empress and the Princess are nowhere to be found! Head Servant Deril also came running, saying His Majesty has disappeared!”

Lady Grandel put down the clothes she was tending to and held her head.

Things had been quiet for a while, but it seems their wanderlust has flared up again.

“I hope nothing happens to them this time…”