Chapter 24

I was still basking in the lingering feeling as I absentmindedly waved at Mom.

Hi, Mom.

You’re seriously the best…

“Harzen, did you bring her here?”

“I thought you said it’d be nice if Cece met Mother at least once.”

“I did say that, but I was only saying it in passing…”

At Daddy Harzen’s words, Mom replied with an embarrassed smile.

Only then did I understand what had happened and nodded.

‘Ah, I see.’

No matter what he said, Daddy ultimately couldn’t ignore Mom’s words.

What the heck.

He’s just a normal wife-loving husband.

“Cece, come here.”

Soon, Mom stretched out her arms toward me.

I climbed down from Daddy’s arms and slowly walked over to her.

“This is your grandmother.”

Mom took my hand and led me beside the bed.

I stared at the Empress, who still looked as though she were dead asleep.

‘Her face is still pale.’

If this was after her condition had improved, just how bad had it been before?

“Cece.”

While I was lost in thought, Mom continued gently.

“Wouldn’t you like to cheer Grandma on so she’ll wake up soon?”

“Me?”

Cheer her on? What am I supposed to say?

For now…

“Hello.”

After opening and closing my mouth a few times, I slowly began speaking.

“Umm… well. They said we can’t go home until Grandma wakes up.”

“…”

“So please, really do your best.”

Mom let out a faint laugh at my words.

My comment probably sounded pretty bold.

‘That was what bold little Cece would say.’

Now it’s time for slightly more mature Cece to speak.

This time, I carefully placed my hand over the Empress’s and continued.

“Thank you for being kind to Mom.”

Even when I read the novel, I could tell you were a kind person.

I do resent you a tiny bit for leaving Daddy lonely in the end, though.

“Daddy says he doesn’t hate you anymore.”

“…”

“Mom really likes you too.”

Enough to come all the way here and stay by your side, sweating and exhausted.

These two people are working so hard for your sake.

So…

“Please wake up soon.”

“…”

“When you wake up, give Daddy and Mom a hug.”

It’s okay now.

No.

It was never something that wasn’t okay.

“Okay? Promise?”

After finishing, I carefully withdrew the hand I’d been holding over hers.

And right then.

“…Huh?”

The fingertips of her motionless, frail hand trembled slightly.

Startled, I immediately looked at Mom.

“Mom, Mom.”

“Yes, Cece.”

Mom seemed to understand what was happening and immediately began checking the Empress’s condition.

A few moments passed.

Then her eyelashes started trembling.

“…!”

Soon her eyelids slowly opened, revealing unfocused eyes.

Mom immediately leaned forward and began speaking to the Empress.

“Can you understand me, Your Majesty? Do you know who I am?”

At the question, life slowly returned to her eyes.

The Empress blinked sluggishly and answered.

I turned my head toward Daddy Harzen, who was still standing by the bedroom entrance.

“Daddy.”

Daddy said he wanted Grandma to see me.

But I know.

Right now, the person Grandma wants to see most isn’t me.

It’s Daddy.

“Come here.”

At my words, Daddy Harzen hesitated briefly before slowly walking over.

I tugged on Mom’s hand and stepped back.

Mom followed without resistance, as though she knew exactly what I was trying to do.

“…Mother.”

After a long silence.

Daddy Harzen finally spoke in a faintly trembling voice.

At last, mother and son met each other’s gaze for the first time in years.

“…Ah.”

A dry, hoarse sound escaped from the Empress, who had only just awakened.

At the same time, tears began streaming endlessly down her face.

“Ah…”

Daddy Harzen bit down on his lip and took her hand.

“I’ve come a little late.”

I watched them for a moment, then met Mom’s eyes and smiled brightly.

See, Mom?

I did a good job, didn’t I?

* * *

The Empress, who had been waiting helplessly for death, had awakened, if only briefly.

That news instantly threw the entire imperial palace into an uproar.

Unfortunately, Grandpa still hadn’t come because he was busy touring my laboratory and hadn’t finished his work yet…

“Still, it’s been a long time since the atmosphere felt this lively.”

Mom smiled warmly as she watched the maids bustling around.

“Before this, I could hardly tell whether I’d come to the imperial palace or a funeral hall.”

“Hehe.”

See?

Even if it’s a little noisy, it’s better when there are people around.

I smiled along with Mom and shrugged.

This is just my personal opinion, but…

‘Grandma definitely woke up because she heard me.’

I mean, if someone as adorable as her granddaughter cheered her on, how could she not get up?

“When Grandma wakes up again, I’m going to introduce myself properly!”

I grabbed Mom’s hand and swung it up and down as I spoke.

She probably hadn’t even understood who I was earlier.

Next time, I’ll greet her properly.

And if you ask me, Grandma is probably going to adore me too.

What if I become the cutest darling in the entire imperial palace?

Then what?

‘I’d still be busy saving Mom anyway…’

But there’s a huge difference between saving Mom while everyone adores you and saving Mom while everyone bullies you.

I was grinning to myself, letting my optimism run wild, when suddenly…

“Ah-choo!”

Without warning, my nose started tickling and a sneeze burst out.

Achoo?

Achooo?

‘Was that just a normal sneeze?’

This is the empress palace.

It’s not like an assassin would suddenly appear here in plain sight…

“Pff-choo!”

But my thought was immediately proven wrong.

Once the sneezing started, it showed no signs of stopping.

“Achoo, sniff. Hah-chooo!!!”

There was no way I could mistake this.

This was the Sneeze Powder!

“Cece? Are you sick?”

Hearing my nonstop sneezing, Mom looked at me worriedly.

Before I could tell her I was fine, I hurriedly looked around.

If the Sneeze Powder’s effect had activated, that meant someone nearby had killing intent toward Mom.

‘Who is it?’

I was busy talking with Mom, so I hadn’t noticed who had entered.

Since the sneezing wasn’t stopping, it had to be someone in this room.

‘Someone’s really here…?’

Besides me, Mom, Daddy Harzen, and the Empress, only maids were inside the bedroom.

That meant one of the maids was targeting Mom.

‘There are too many people.’

Unless I separated them one by one, there was no way I’d identify the culprit in this situation.

And…

“Mom, pff-choo! Wai, achoo!”

I finally understood the serious side effect of the Sneeze Powder.

I can’t talk because I keep sneezing!

‘Did I make something wrong?’

I don’t remember people sneezing this violently in the main story.

“Why is she suddenly coughing and sneezing so much?”

Mom eventually knelt down and pressed a hand against my forehead with a frown.

Still sneezing, I shook my head.

No, I’m not sick.

“Snee, ah-choo! Ju, pff-choo!”

It’s just because of the Sneeze Powder!

More importantly, we need to find whoever’s trying to hurt Mom!

“We should get Cece out of here first.”

Daddy spoke as well, his face stiff with concern.

My face bright red, I shook my head again.

“N-no, ah-choo! Wai, ah-choo!”

Seriously, this is driving me crazy!