Chapter 12

“As you said, I was the one who summoned you here. I will take responsibility for my decision.”

With a face that looked ready to kill someone at any moment, that certainly wasn’t the response I expected.

Terrifying, yet reassuring…

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Mom let out a small sigh of relief and bowed.

“Then we’ll take our leave and go examine Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Very well.”

With that, the Emperor effectively dismissed them, and Mom and Daddy Harzen offered their respects before turning to leave.

I glanced at the scroll while calming my racing heart.

‘Something feels off.’

By now, the scroll should’ve been causing another commotion about the original story being activated again or something.

Though honestly, I’d be happy if it stayed quiet.

‘Maybe everything worked out fine after all?’

I was just about to hurry after Mom and Daddy when…

“Wait.”

The Emperor spoke again.

“The child will remain here.”

I flinched instinctively.

Me? Suddenly? Why?

I’m busy trying to save Mom, you know?

“Are you telling us to leave my daughter here alone?”

Daddy stopped and asked.

A small crease had formed on his elegant face.

The Emperor answered as calmly as ever.

“Are you suggesting you bring a child into a place where a patient is being treated? What if the Empress has a contagious disease?”

“That…”

“It would also have a negative emotional impact. She may become distracted worrying about her daughter.”

“So that’s what this was really about.”

The moment the Emperor finished speaking, Daddy twisted one corner of his mouth into a smile.

My eyes widened again.

‘Why is he suddenly upset?’

The Emperor hadn’t said anything particularly wrong.

Of course, not being able to follow Mom was a huge problem for me.

Still, it didn’t seem like something that warranted that reaction.

“What, are you afraid I might harm the child?”

The Emperor’s tone sharpened.

“This is the place where you were born and raised. Do you really think I would mistreat your child?”

“That’s precisely why I find those words difficult to believe.”

Daddy replied without hesitation.

“Isn’t that exactly why we’re having this conversation?”

As I listened, I slowly shrank my neck back.

Arguments between adults were terrifying.

Arguments involving the Emperor were even worse.

‘Is it my turn to step in again?’

It was scary, but at this rate Daddy would start a fight before the original story even had a chance.

Just as I was preparing myself with thoughts of love and peace…

“Harzen.”

Mom stepped in first.

“You’re scaring the child.”

As expected, Mom was the only one who understood me!

“And His Majesty isn’t wrong. It would be better if Cece didn’t go there.”

…Mom doesn’t understand me.

Cece would be better off right next to you.

“If that’s the concern, we can bring Cece to the Empress Palace and simply keep her out of the bedroom…”

“Leave Cece alone in that enormous palace with no one she knows?”

“Yuri.”

“Think about it rationally. Where do you think Cece would be safest while we’re away?”

Mom continued in a firm voice.

Daddy Harzen bit his lip and remained silent.

He still didn’t know exactly who within the palace was an ally and who was an enemy.

Which was probably why he was wavering.

At least the Emperor seemed to value those with imperial blood.

‘Could that be why Daddy never clearly stated whose daughter I am?’

He hated being royalty.

Yet he also knew better than anyone the advantages that came with royal status.

“We don’t have time to waste arguing like this. You know that.”

“…”

“We need to get back home as soon as possible.”

That final blow made Daddy’s blue eyes waver helplessly.

That’s cheating!

You don’t understand my feelings at all!

“Can you behave yourself while you’re here, Cece?”

Mom knelt down and met my eyes.

I glanced at Mom, then at the scroll.

Her knees were already subtly angled toward the door as if she wanted to leave immediately.

Under normal circumstances, I should let her go.

‘But what if the original story starts while I’m not there?’

If I fail to protect Mom…

“Cece?”

Mom gently called my name.

And at that exact moment, the contents of the scroll changed.

Whoa.

What kind of ridiculous waiting time is that?

If character locations were still being modified…

‘Don’t tell me the other dads are already on their way to the palace?’

That must be why such an absurd number appeared.

I’d expected something like this, but still…

‘My dads move fast.’

My mouth fell open.

Then I realized Mom was staring at me, so I quickly shut it.

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

I literally just became okay.

I nodded immediately and even flashed my ultimate smile.

Whew. Thank goodness.

I was worried that if I threw myself on the floor and started throwing a tantrum, the Emperor might say something like, “This child has even less dignity than expected. Throw her out.”

‘Actually, this works out perfectly!’

If I talk with the Emperor, maybe I can learn how things became so strained between him and Daddy.

“Or perhaps I could stay while only you go…”

Still unhappy with the situation, Daddy Harzen made one last timid attempt at resistance.

I immediately shook my head.

“It’s your mommy who’s sick. What happens if you don’t go?”

“Daddy’s mommy…?”

“Daddy would be a super bad son. If I learn from you, I’ll grow up to be a bad daughter too.”

Daddy stared at me blankly with a look of complete shock.

Mom rolled her lips inward as though desperately trying not to laugh.

“Where exactly did she learn something like that… Actually, probably from me.”

“This child is certainly… unusual.”

Even the Emperor let out a low chuckle.

“Since the child herself feels this way, the two of you should go attend to the Empress.”

This time, the dismissal was unmistakable.

Mom and Daddy finally seemed to come to their senses. They cleared their throats and started walking away.

“We’ll return as soon as we’ve examined her.”

I waved both hands at Daddy Harzen, who kept looking back anxiously until the very end.

Meanwhile, Bertolt simply watched everything unfold like a spectator.

“Are you not going?”

Only then did the Emperor seem to notice Bertolt’s presence.

Bertolt answered with his usual arrogant smile.

“Didn’t I just come from there?”

“One visit and you’re done? What an unfilial son.”

“Haha. If I’m an unfilial son, then what does that make Harzen, who abandoned the Einhart name?”

Then he turned toward me and smiled.

“Come here, little one. Let’s have a chat while we wait for your parents to return.”

Oh?

Is he challenging me right now?

Challenge accepted.

“Okay.”

Without lowering my guard for even a moment, I slowly walked toward Bertolt.

Just wait, Daddy.

I’ll expose this man’s true face no matter what.