Chapter 22
"I greet Your Majesty the Emperor."
"Father!"
Riena tossed aside the book she had been holding and ran straight into the Emperor's arms.
"My, my. Our princess is being unusually affectionate today."
Riena's smile had a way of making anyone who saw it smile too.
Francio was no exception.
"So, what were you doing?"
"I was scolding Romi because she ate all the cookies she brought."
Romi flinched, then quickly lowered her head.
The Emperor burst into hearty laughter and stroked Riena's hair.
"Then forgive her. I came because I wanted to spend some time with my princess!"
"You've been so busy lately, Father. I barely ever get to see you...."
At her adorable complaint, Francio's thick brows rose and his eyes widened.
"Oh dear. I'm sorry. I'll come see you more often from now on! No, wait. You could simply come see me, couldn't you?"
"But I shouldn't interrupt Father's work...."
Riena deliberately let her voice trail off.
The Emperor immediately lifted her into his arms.
After all, Imperial Princess or not, she was still at an age when she should be growing up in her parents' embrace.
Perhaps the thought made him feel sorry for her.
"Riena, when that happens, you should go see your mother instead. Then you won't be lonely."
Riena slowly shook her head.
"Mother is busy too. But it's fine. Sometimes I don't even get to see her once a week, but I'm really fine!"
"You don't even see her once a week?"
"Today I at least got to see Father, but I haven't seen Mother for...."
She folded her tiny fingers one by one as though trying to remember.
Then she shook her head.
"I can't even remember anymore. But it's okay! Romi's cookies are delicious, and my lessons with the Grand Duke's heir are fun!"
The Emperor fell silent and looked out the window.
"...If that's the case, then I'm glad."
Francio set Riena down.
"Riena, today your father will read you a book. Not as Emperor, but simply as your father."
"Then can I call you Father instead of Your Majesty?"
"Of course!"
Riena put on the happiest expression in the world and wrapped herself around the Emperor's neck.
Francio looked startled for a moment.
Then he lifted her with ease, tossed her lightly into the air, and caught her again.
It was a game he used to play with her when she was very little, so his movements were practiced.
"All right. Shall we come down now?"
"Yes!"
It had actually been fairly fun.
Still, with the soul of an eighteen-year-old inside her, being tossed around like a little child dealt a certain amount of emotional damage.
Francio had already sat down on the edge of the bed.
He patted the mattress beside him.
A signal for her to bring a book.
Riena immediately ran to her desk and brought one over.
"You still read storybooks like this?"
"I can't read them during study hours, so during breaks I like to read books I enjoy...."
She didn't forget to lower her gaze toward the floor.
"I'm not scolding you, so don't worry. Ah, come to think of it, I heard you gave Lady Trinia a book as a gift. Hahaha."
His mouth was smiling.
His eyes were not.
Open suspicion filled them.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and even his voice had become a little too forceful.
He probably saw no need to hide his expression in front of a young child.
"Yes! I gave her my favorite book. It was a little hard to part with... but because it was Lady Trinia, I thought it was okay."
Riena answered brightly with a completely innocent expression.
The tension in the Emperor's face disappeared as though someone had finally scratched an itch.
"I see. But why did you give it to her?"
Now it was Riena's turn.
"Ah.... Well, because I did something wrong to her."
"Something wrong? What did you do that made you give away your favorite book?"
"Last time, Lady Trinia looked so tired and bored, so I sent some maids and ladies-in-waiting to her...."
"Yes, I remember. I personally gave permission."
"But I don't think Lady Trinia enjoyed spending time with those ladies. Or with the maids...."
Riena put on the expression of a lost baby deer.
Her ultimate move.
The eyes of a tiny deer soaked by freezing rain and harsh winds, helplessly collapsed by the roadside.
A large hand patted Riena's shoulder.
"That wasn't your fault, my princess. All right?"
"So I gave her the book I found the most fun. Hehe...."
Just look at that innocent smile!
Of course.
What kind of elaborate lie could a seven-year-old child possibly tell?
The Emperor gently stroked Riena's hair.
"As expected, our Riena's kind heart is a treasure of the Empire. Hahahaha!"
Instead of answering, Riena finished the performance by laughing as brightly as she possibly could.
The atmosphere in the conference chamber grew restless after the Emperor abruptly left.
The nobles had practically turned the matter of the Imperial Princess and the prince into a war.
Count Heyrun was the first to rise from his seat.
"Where are you going, Count Heyrun?"
Count Shilton and the nobles around him immediately turned their sharp gazes toward Heyrun.
"I have much to do today, so I'll take my leave."
"Ah, yes. I hear our dear Count Heyrun has been terribly concerned with planning for his old age lately. Is that what keeps you so busy?"
Several nobles openly snickered.
Others watching them clicked their tongues and shook their heads.
"Today is my former wife's birthday. That is why I'm busy, so put away your pointless fantasies."
A sudden chill swept through the room.
The nobles' faces stiffened.
Finally, several who had been holding back could no longer tolerate it.
"Stop behaving like snot-nosed children! Margrave Sertua is sitting right here. How can you disgrace yourselves like this?"
"Ahem."
