Chapter 65

65

"Martina."

"......Sharent."

The voice that responded to the gentle call was quite cold.

Wow, who would speak with such open disdain for Sharent Clown? I really like it.

"Do you have business in the palace?"

"I have something urgent to discuss with His Majesty. What about you? I've heard some strange rumors lately."

"Strange rumors?"

"That you've had another child. It seems you're preparing to bring in a new wife."

Sharent Clown's expression darkened.

He couldn't easily speak, feeling the unpleasant tone in the woman's voice.

Who would make Sharent Clown so flustered?

"That's not true."

"All I hear is that the new wife is treating your son badly."

"Martina."

Sharent Clown frowned.

I turned my head slightly to look at her. Her lush red hair caught my eye first.

She was elegant and beautiful.

So beautiful that it almost blinded the eye; standing next to Sharent Clown, he seemed a bit overshadowed.

She seemed to notice my gaze and looked at me.

"Martina, this child is Valian's, not mine."

He spoke softly, as if trying to soothe her.

"Valian? You mean the youngest master?"

"Yes."

Sharent Clown's voice and demeanor were much softer than usual, even softer than when he spoke to his own son.

I alternated my gaze between Sharent Clown and her.

Her cheeks were flushed, perhaps embarrassed by her own words.

"......Is that so?"

"I don't know what misunderstanding you had, but that's the truth."

"I see. I'm sorry."

The pretty sister apologized sincerely.

"I should have explained earlier; it was my mistake."

No matter how I think about it......

‘Is this woman Sharent Clown's wife?’

But they are divorced now.

She was clearly the owner of the garden, the one Sharent Clown tended to and maintained even after she left.

A person as beautiful as her could easily be missed and longed for.

But she still didn't quite fit with Sharent Clown.

"Is Kai Shan doing well?"

"The child misses you. If you're free after your busy work, could you spare some time?"

"I'll be at home all week since my urgent work is done, so you can come to the mansion."

Sharent Clown stared at Martina for a moment before slowly nodding.

He slowly lowered his gaze to me and then spoke.

"The child has been crying a lot, saying he misses you. Please comfort him. I'll send Kai Shan to you by carriage in the next day or two."

"......You're not coming?"

Sharent Clown and Martina stared at each other for a long time.

Her fiery red hair and green eyes stood out in stark contrast.

Sharent Clown was the first to look away.

"It's better if I don't go."

"Okay......?"

Sharent Clown nodded.

"If I keep His Majesty waiting, he'll cause trouble. I'll go now. Be careful, Martina."

Sharent Clown was always so polite. It was hard to believe someone could be this polite.

It was hard to tell if this was a business conversation or a conversation between former lovers and spouses.

‘Why is he so formal and stiff with his wife?’

Martina's expression darkened slightly.

Even when she bit her lip, she was beautiful. She was beautiful no matter what.

If I were a man, I would have taken her in and given her everything.

"You haven't changed at all. When you left, you didn't even come to look for me or send a clean divorce paper."

"......"

"Since there's nothing special to send to Kai Shan, just send yourself. Tell him I miss him."

"Sure."

Martina glared at Sharent Clown, who still had a faint smile, and then turned around.

She walked forward with her shoulders and waist held straight.

She seemed to be a stubborn person, not even looking back.

She was elegant and dignified. I could understand why Sharent Clown proposed to her and married her.

After watching Martina for a moment, Sharent Clown walked forward as if nothing had happened.

"Sarent."

When I called him, he lowered his gaze to look at me.

"Do you like Martina?"

A deep crease formed between Sharent Clown's eyebrows.

He looked at me with a bewildered expression, then laughed and quickly returned to his usual indifferent look.

"Sometimes I can't tell if I'm dealing with a child or a grown adult."

Ha, if you ask about my true identity, I'll answer honestly!

I look like a child, but my soul is an adult! I am the great mage and former head of the magic tower, Hell......

Let's stop. Thinking about it makes me lose my mind.

He quickened his pace.

It seemed he didn't like talking about Martina.

I'm learning a lot of new things. Her name, Martina, might be a sore spot for him.

"Did you fight?"

He didn't respond to my question for a long time.

I lowered my head, tired of waiting for his answer.

Ouch, my neck is stiff. This guy is no fun at all.

"She just suited freedom better. It was better to let her go than to try to bend her."

Just before we reached the door that seemed to lead to the emperor's office, Sharent Clown gave a brief answer.

I was a bit surprised by his unexpectedly serious response.

When I looked up with a surprised expression, he raised his hand and lightly tapped my head with his index finger.

The sharp pain made me widen my eyes, and Sharent Clown let out a faint, deflated laugh.

"Adults have their own reasons. You're quite curious for a child."

As I rubbed my forehead, my mouth opened in surprise.

Is he laughing at me? A real laugh, not a sneer? But why did he tap me? But, he thinks like this too.

All sorts of useless thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant.

‘Martina doesn't seem to have no feelings, which is strange.’

I thought she would do anything for her own desires.

She looked at me with such desire, but I didn't expect her to be able to control her emotions so easily.

The soldier standing at the door bowed.

After knocking and informing the emperor of Sharent Clown's visit, permission was granted. The soldier opened the door and bowed.

"I was worried you wouldn't come today since you haven't been here for so long."

"Since you sent a handwritten letter with the royal seal to the chief steward, how could I not come, Your Majesty?"

The emperor laughed heartily despite the twisted tone of voice.

Fortunately, there are no other brats.

The emperor laughed, sensing that I was scanning the room.

"There are no other children here, Shalina."

I was startled, my eyes rolling.

Really, can this guy actually read emotions or something? Or is he a mind reader?

"Do you want to come to Uncle?"

The emperor extended his arms.

Wow, the emperor's embrace. It's so honorable that I don't even want to extend my hands.

I considered asking Sharent Clown for help but then scrunched my face and extended my arms.

The emperor quickly picked me up.

Listening to his hearty laughter, I couldn't shake the feeling of being used.

"Your nephew really has honest expressions. He can show such a blatant expression of not wanting to be hugged."

"Why do you keep trying to hug a child who doesn't want to be hugged?"

"It's cute when they openly show they don't like it. The prince and princesses are too fond of me to make such expressions."

He has unique tastes.

Does the emperor like it when people show they don't like him? I sighed, tired of dealing with him, and turned my head. The emperor's laughter grew louder.

"Are you really not considering an engagement with the prince? There's no guarantee the prince will ascend to the throne, but you could still become a princess."

What a terrifying thing to say so casually.

Am I crazy? Marry that brat? Even if I'm in a child's body, it would be the ultimate humiliation in my life.

I wanted to shake my head to say no, but I was a bit scared of the emperor's hand patting my back.

"Could you explain what exactly would be better?"

Sharent Clown, your voice is full of mockery and sarcasm. Are you trying to make the emperor so angry that he draws his sword?

"There are many things you can do just by being a princess."

"There are many things you can do even as a noblewoman."

"Why are you blocking it so much when you're not even on the household register? It would be good to strengthen the ties between the duke's family and the royal family at this point."

"It's a proposal that won't benefit either side much."

Sharent Clown's voice was cold. The emperor, sensing the chill in his usually soft voice, shrugged.

The emperor sat on the sofa and placed me on the wide table.

"Let's put that aside for now. We didn't meet today just for that."

"I hope you won't bring it up again."

Sharent Clown didn't back down on a single word.

Seeing the emperor laugh it off, it was clear their relationship was quite close.

Sharent Clown took a crown out of the box he brought and offered it to me.

I looked at the crown with a dubious expression.

‘What am I supposed to do with this?’

It's a power they can't even see.

"Want to attack me once?"

At that moment, the emperor spoke.