Chapter 10

Originally, I was planning to run straight up to the Emperor and greet him energetically.

The operation was called Cute and Adorable Attention-Stealing Strategy.

‘Though it completely failed before it even started.’

Still, I stopped the original story progression, so doesn’t that count as a success?

“…Cece?”

While staring at the scroll displaying the err?r and wiping under my nose with a finger, I heard a low voice behind me.

I turned around and smiled awkwardly.

“Hehe. Hi, Mom.”

My farewell greeting is a little late, isn’t it?

Or maybe it’s a welcome greeting now?

“How in the world did you get here…?”

Mom immediately grabbed my arm and pulled me behind her.

The Emperor was right in front of us, and she still acted without hesitation!

As expected of the hero who defeated the demon king!

“It seems she followed us here the entire way using one of Blake’s inventions.”

Daddy Harzen picked up the invisibility cloak and tilted his head.

I gasped and held my breath.

‘Daddy can’t have the invisibility cloak!’

If it were anyone else, that’d be one thing.

But if Daddy Harzen got hold of it, he’d definitely never give it back.

Who knows when I’ll need it again?

I can’t let him take it!

“Daddy, Daddy. I’ll hold onto that safely and return it to Daddy Kyle myself.”

So could you maybe give it back to me?

I promise I’ll behave and be good…

“Cecilia Miller.”

But despite my sparkling puppy-dog eyes, Daddy Harzen looked at me coldly and spoke.

“It seems you still don’t understand how reckless your actions were.”

“That’s not…”

“The first thing that comes out is an excuse. Who taught you such a bad habit?”

The moment I opened my mouth, he frowned and cut me off.

“This time, even your mother can’t defend you.”

Mom was looking down at me too, her expression equally stiff.

I instinctively shrank back.

“N-No…”

I know it was reckless.

It’s not an excuse!

“I just…”

Because I have to save Mom.

Because if I don’t do this, Mom will die, and then the dads will destroy the world.

‘Of course, they don’t know that if I don’t tell them.’

A wave of hurt suddenly rose from deep within my chest.

At the same time, my vision blurred.

‘Mom and Dad have every reason to scold me…’

Maybe it was because I had the body of a seven-year-old.

Even though I understood them logically, tears kept pouring out.

“Waaah! Sob, sob…”

In the end, I couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into tears.

Daddy is so mean.

How could he look at me with such cold eyes and say those things?

I was only trying to save Mom!

And he doesn’t even know how devoted I am!

“Cecilia. Enough.”

Perhaps startled by my sudden breakdown, Mom bent one knee to meet my gaze and spoke firmly.

Unlike before, Daddy Harzen’s eyes wavered as he parted his lips.

“Waaah…!”

Regardless, I kept crying loudly.

Ever since my birthday, I’ve spent every day worrying myself sick.

‘What am I even supposed to do?!’

They didn’t give me any special abilities, told me to protect Mom, and won’t even let me talk about it!

Do they think I wanted things to turn out like this?

“You’re all, sniff, idiots, waaah…”

Why couldn’t they tell the dads instead of me?

What is this supposed to be?!

I kept crying, complete with a runny nose, as one grievance led to another.

Then…

“…This is an unexpected situation.”

A deep, dignified voice suddenly echoed from afar.

At once, I snapped back to reality as if struck by lightning.

Right.

I’m standing in front of the Emperor.

Mom standing in front of me made me completely forget.

‘This isn’t the time for this.’

No matter how upset I was, what needed to be done wouldn’t disappear.

Whether I got scolded or not, protecting Mom came first.

“Sniff.”

I wiped around my eyes and sniffed.

Whatever. I’m done now.

Mom and Dad can keep scolding me.

I’ll do what I need to do.

“I’m sorry for causing a disturbance.”

I poked my head out from behind Mom’s shoulder and spoke.

Mom stared at me with her mouth hanging open.

Apparently she was shocked that I’d stopped crying and suddenly started acting mature.

“I don’t think that’s our daughter…”

Ignoring that, I shook free of Mom’s hand while she was distracted and stepped forward.

Then once more.

“My parents were just startled because of me. They weren’t trying to cause trouble on purpose.”

This time, I bowed deeply and spoke clearly.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Once again, the entire audience chamber fell into deep silence.

I straightened my back and sniffed.

‘Based on what I read in the main story, the Emperor seems to value etiquette.’

The novel never described it outright.

But I remembered one line of his dialogue perfectly.

[“What a disorderly rabble.”]

Mom had just transmigrated into this world and didn’t know proper court etiquette.

Kyle and Derek, meanwhile, had never cared much for manners in the first place.

Honestly, Harzen probably wasn’t making much effort either, considering his poor relationship with the Emperor.

‘Meanwhile, Daddy Shion received encouragement and even a famous sword.’

Shion had originally belonged to the imperial palace knights.

Naturally, he would’ve been thoroughly trained in etiquette.

Though considering how poorly he seemed to be treated these days, that was a bit strange.

Anyway, my conclusion.

Be polite in front of the Emperor!

…Wait.

Should I have lifted my skirt and curtsied instead of bowing?

“…This child.”

The Emperor finally broke the silence.

“Is she your daughter?”

His gaze was fixed directly on Daddy Harzen.

At once, Daddy Harzen strode forward and shielded me behind him.

“She is our daughter.”

“I asked whether the blood of Einhart flows through her veins.”

“And even if it does, what difference would that make?”

He took my hand and answered firmly.

“I abandoned the Einhart name years ago.”

Standing behind him, I tilted my head.

‘He’s being intentionally vague.’

Whatever the truth was, Harzen seemed like the type who’d simply say no if that were the answer.

Yet instead of clarifying whether I was his biological daughter or not, he immediately brought up abandoning the Einhart name.

‘Is he trying to confuse him?’

If so, why?

“Your removal from the family registry was never approved.”

The Emperor tilted his head slightly.

Daddy Harzen replied calmly.

“As I’ve always said, my resolve remains unchanged regardless of whether permission was granted.”

A tense exchange followed, so sharp that even swallowing felt inappropriate.

Then…

“She looks exactly like her mother.”

The Emperor deliberately changed the subject.

“But the way she behaves is exactly like you when you were young.”

My eyes widened.

Weren’t these two supposed to be on bad terms?

Why are we suddenly reminiscing?

‘Ah! I really should’ve read the side stories!’

Then I’d understand this confusing situation!

“…The child will be sent home immediately. We will ensure Her Majesty the Empress’s treatment isn’t affected…”

Just as Harzen ignored the Emperor’s comment and spoke again.

“That won’t be necessary.”

The Emperor raised a hand, cutting him off.

“I permit your family to remain in the imperial palace for the time being.”

For some reason, his expression looked oddly benevolent.

The moment he finished speaking, I reflexively checked the scroll.

Phew. That’s a relief.

I was worried there might be something hidden behind those words.

‘Does that mean all we need to do now is survive the next few days and return home safely?’

From the looks of it, I seem to have made a fairly good impression on the Emperor.

If we can just resolve everything peacefully…

“Oh dear. It seems I’ve arrived a step too late.”

At that moment, another voice came from behind us.

I turned around.

The owner of the voice was an arrogant-looking man with short blond hair.

“I heard that my precious younger brother had finally returned to the imperial palace after several years.”

The moment he appeared, the contents of the scroll changed.

My eyes immediately narrowed into triangles.

That’s the Second Prince.

The one who treated Harzen strangely warmly throughout the main story.

‘If the Second Prince is a key character…’

That means he’s connected to Mom’s death.

Not just connected.

Connected enough to be considered a key figure.

In other words…

‘Waaah!’

My instincts were right after all!

The real hidden mastermind has appeared!