Chapter 4

She soon bowed her head and clasped her hands together.

"Then I will take my leave now."

"Why?"

The Emperor asked, and Lirika was surprised and lifted her head again.

"Yes?"

"Come here."

At the beckoning gesture, Lirika hesitantly took a couple of steps forward. The Emperor gestured again.

"Come here, I said."

"Why are you trying to torment the cute princess?"

The brown-haired man's words made the Emperor frown.

"When did I torment her? I just told her to come here. Come over here."

Lirika mustered her courage and stood in front of the desk. To her surprise, the Emperor picked her up and sat her on his knee, facing him.

"It's like picking up a candy wrapper. It just makes a rustling sound. You said you love your daughter so much, but you didn't starve her, did you?"

Lirika flared up at the Emperor's words. I can tolerate anything, but I can't tolerate insults to my mother!

"I didn't starve!"

"But why are you so light? It feels like you'd fall over if I pushed you with a finger?"

"I'm strong."

Lirika replied without thinking. She had to be healthy to take on work, so it was a phrase that had become second nature to her.

"But look, like this."

The Emperor grabbed her middle finger with his thumb and flicked it. A sharp sound and a jolt of shock followed.

"?!"

Lirika, sitting face-to-face in an unstable position, tumbled backward and fell to the floor with a thud.

"!!"

Lirika's face turned red.

Her forehead and head hurt, but more than that, she was embarrassed and ashamed, so she hurriedly tried to get up.

Fortunately, the plush carpet prevented any serious injury.

But the other two were shocked and exclaimed.

"Your Majesty!"

"Altears!"

The knight, who had called out the Emperor's name without thinking, approached and picked Lirika up.

"Oh, Princess. You're as light as a sugar cookie."

"Your Majesty, what is this? Princess, are you alright? Your forehead is red. How about the back of your head? Does it hurt when I touch it like this?"

Lirika held back the tears that threatened to spill at his kind words and worried expression.

"I'm, I'm fine."

But the tears welling up in her eyes were visible to everyone. The man's voice turned cold.

"Your Majesty."

"She said she's strong."

"Your Majesty."

"Atel is fine, isn't he?"

"The Crown Prince is a boy and a Takaar."

At this, the Emperor sighed deeply and said,

"I'm sorry, it's my first time with a daughter."

"Should we call the royal physician? Come, sit down, Princess."

He sat Lirika on a sofa in a corner of the office and said,

"By the way, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Lat Sindar. The big man over there is Tan Wolf, just call him Tan. It's a misfortune for the empire, but surprisingly, he's the captain of the royal guard."

At this, Tan snorted and growled,

"You being the chancellor is the empire's misfortune."

"You can only respond to someone's words with your own words, which seems pitiful."

"What—"

Tan was about to say something, but Lat ignored him and said,

"Oh, Princess. You'll have a bump on your forehead."

Lat sighed, and the Emperor—Altears—called a servant. He ordered the physician to be summoned and added,

"Bring some snacks. Something the princess will like."

The servant's eyes widened at Altears' words. He quickly retreated, and Lat, watching him, said with a smile,

"I think trying to defuse the situation with delicious food is a low-level tactic, but in this situation, it's not so bad."

Considering the recent marriage of the Empress and the uncertainty about how to treat the adopted daughter Lirika, the Emperor's calling her to the office and providing snacks would naturally change everyone's attitude.

After all, the highest backing in the palace is the Emperor.

Altears stared at his newly acquired daughter. In fact, he had completely forgotten about her existence. But now, he couldn't forget.

'What an impactful entrance.'

Her brown, slightly wavy hair and somewhat mature appearance were completely different from her mother, but her eye color was the same.

Lirika met the Emperor's gaze, which was fixed on her. Her forehead throbbed.

The Emperor was just as he had first appeared: tall, very handsome, and with an almost inhuman air.

He was said to be very frightening, and while she thought so, looking at him now, he also seemed like a good person.

A moment later, the physician entered. Carrying his medical bag, he was startled to see the people in the office.

The Emperor, the Chancellor, and the Captain of the Royal Guard. The core forces of the empire were all gathered.

The physician examined Lirika's injury and said that the ointment would make it go down quickly.

A short while later, the physician applied ointment to her forehead and placed a bandage over it. As he left, a servant entered with snacks.

A small cup contained chocolate, and a bowl held stick-shaped fried bread. The chef's effort to prepare snacks in a short time was evident.

"Please dip the bread in the chocolate in the cup."

The servant explained kindly and retreated. Hesitantly, Lirika looked at the beautiful silver platter and asked,

"Aren't you going to have some?"

"It's fine. Eat it, kid."

"It's for the princess, isn't it? Please enjoy it."

Altears and Tan took turns speaking, and Lirika carefully picked up a piece of fried bread with a silver fork, dipped it in the chocolate, and put it in her mouth.

"!!"

Her eyes widened, and her expression brightened. The three adult men couldn't help but smile.

Lirika, thinking 'There's such a thing in the world,' enthusiastically dipped the bread in the chocolate and ate it.

"Should we get you something to drink?"

"Maybe milk?"

After eating the sweet bread and rinsing her mouth with milk, Lirika sighed.

"I enjoyed it."

Holding the glass tightly to prevent it from slipping, Lirika thanked them.

After bowing and lifting her head, she was surprised to see the three of them staring at her intently.

"Um, is there something on my face?"

Did she smear something while eating? Lat shook his head.

"No, just that you're very cute, Princess."

Lirika's face turned red at Lat's words. It was the first time she had been called cute by someone.

Her mother was very beautiful, but she didn't match her, so she was embarrassed. Hearing such words made her unconsciously wiggle her fingers and toes.

"Th, thank you."

"I'm just stating the truth. By the way, Princess, was that story told by Her Majesty the Empress?"

"Huh?"

"The story about Her Majesty being tormented every night."

"No, no!"

Lirika shook her head in surprise, fearing that they might misunderstand and think her mother was using her for something.

"I came alone."

"Then who told you that?"

At Lat's words, Lirika became uncomfortable and looked down at the cup in her hand.

"Well, just..."

"I understand."

Lat nodded and continued,

"Then, this is a different question, but are you satisfied with your current life?"

At Lat's words, Lirika lifted her head and replied,

"I'm working hard."

It was an odd answer, but Lat smiled.

"I understand that too. Your Majesty, how about making Brin the princess's maid?"

Tan raised an eyebrow, and Altears, after looking at Lat for a moment, nodded.

"Sure."

"Yes, a young person would be better."

Lat said with a gentle smile and looked at Lirika. Lirika thought that despite Lat's gentle appearance, he wasn't necessarily a kind person.

'High-ranking people are rarely kind.'

Being kind doesn't mean being weak, but in Lirika's mind, they were similar.

People in high positions are resolute and sometimes cold and ruthless.

So, wouldn't the Chancellor Lat be the same?

"Well, then, I'll leave the two of you to your business. I'll escort the princess."

Tan waved his hand to defuse the situation. Lirika quickly got off the sofa and said,

"It's fine. I can go back by myself."

"No, it's not. I can't let the princess walk alone. I could assign a servant, but I'll do it today."

Tan winked and said,

"Thanks to you, I can take a break from work."

Lirika, unsure how to react, was picked up and placed on a horse by Tan.

"Kyaa?!"

Tan firmly held Lirika's legs. Thanks to the undergarments and several layers of petticoats, nothing embarrassing happened, but it was still a disconcerting position.

"Ta, Tan-sama."

"Just call me Tan. Takaars don't call each other by their full names unless they're close."

Tan grinned and, carrying Lirika on the horse, left the office. The servant waiting outside was shocked.

Of course, Lirika was too embarrassed to notice. She wasn't scared of falling from the height.

Tan's hand firmly held her, and his broad shoulders were comfortable. Besides, looking down from such a height was somewhat enjoyable.

'Alright, just ignore the embarrassment. Maybe princesses travel like this? I'm a princess, Lirika. I should act like one.'

She tried to regain her dignity in the horse-riding position.

"Please lead the way to the princess's quarters."

At Tan's words, the servant started walking. Lirika looked around and then asked,

"By the way, Tan."

It felt strange to call someone older and of higher rank by their first name.

"Yes, Princess?"

But Tan answered smoothly, as if it didn't bother him.

"If Wolf is, is he acquainted with Sir Laub...?"

The last part was said in a more casual tone. Tan nodded.

"He's one of my clan. Maybe a distant cousin."

"Sure enough. Please tell him I'm sorry for the harsh words."

Lirika whispered, and Tan asked with interest,

"Harsh words?"

"Well, I thought Laub was trying to kidnap me..."

At her additional words, Tan laughed again.

"Even if you said harsh words, it's fine. I'll pass it on."

"Okay."

Feeling lighter, Lirika turned her gaze forward. At the door of her new room, Tan set her down and said,

"It was quite enjoyable, surrounded by all those tough guys. Well, then."

He bowed politely and turned away, looking like a true knight, making Lirika exhale deeply.

Today had been exhausting from morning to night. She needed to rest until Mrs. Glendis arrived.

'But the fried bread was delicious. And the chocolate.'

How could that black liquid be so delicious?

Lirika hopped onto a high chair by the window. From here, part of the garden was visible, so they had to sit close.

Staring blankly at the garden, she opened her spelling book, but the outside became noisy.

The door opened wide, and a girl who looked about fifteen entered. She had a neat bob and a shiny headband.

She walked confidently and performed a curtsey in front of the seated Lirika.

"My name is Brin Sol. Your Highness, I will be your maid from today. Please take care of me."

Ah, right. Lat mentioned this earlier.

Lirika nodded.

"I'll take care of you too."

Brin stood up, clasped her hands, and said,

"Then, Your Highness, the Emperor has ordered you to move to a new room. We'll move now."

"Huh?"

"Come with me, don't worry. The servants will move all your belongings."

Lirika was surprised but had to follow the Emperor's order.

Stepping into the new room, Lirika gasped. Her original room was already beautifully and lavishly decorated, but this one was even more so. Upon entering, there was a lovely living room, and the windows were large, offering a clear view of the garden.

The bedroom was the same, with large windows and slender, beautiful frames.

It seemed at least three times larger than her previous room, and just walking around would be a form of exercise.

Brin asked,

"How is it, Your Highness? Do you like the new room? It's also close to the Empress's quarters."

"Really? Yes, I like it. The garden is so clearly visible from the window... Can I go out?"

Her previous room didn't have a balcony, but this one had a fairly large one.

"Of course."

Brin opened the window, and Lirika carefully stepped out onto the balcony.

"Wow!"

A joyful exclamation escaped her. Standing so high made her heart race, but it was fun. It felt similar to when the captain of the royal guard carried her on the horse.

The balcony was wide enough to have tea.

Brin smiled happily.

"I'm glad you like it, Your Highness. This room is called the 'White Dragon Room.'"

"White Dragon?"

"Yes, you know that the first Emperor of Takaar was a dragon, right? All the rooms in the Sun Palace for the royal family have 'dragon' in their names. The Crown Prince resides in the Black Dragon Room, and the Empress's room is always the Silver Dragon Room."

"I see."

She had no idea.

'What was the name of my previous room, then?'

Lirika didn't ask, thinking Brin might look uncomfortable. It probably wasn't a room with 'dragon' in its name.