Chapter 87

87

"Shelina Clown really cherishes Sharent Clown, doesn't she?"

"Absolutely not."

What are you talking about? Why would I cherish that damn human? What's there to cherish?

I glared at the cookie, annoyed, forgetting that the person in front of me was the Empress, and then looked at the maid behind her.

The Empress, upon hearing my words, widened her eyes and then covered her mouth, letting out a small laugh.

"Haha, ha... cough, cough."

"Your Majesty! You've spoken too much."

"Here is some warm water. Please drink it carefully."

I stared at the Empress.

Every time she coughed, twisted mana burst out, scattering in all directions.

She was born with a lot of mana, but the path for it to flow smoothly was never properly formed.

'Too much mana.'

The foundation of magic is to first grasp the flow of mana.

However, when young, one cannot grasp the flow of mana. Almost no one can control mana as a baby.

In other words, the Empress, unable to grasp the flow of mana that needed to be controlled, ended up with her mana scattered, eventually blocking and losing the path.

This was due to being born with too much mana.

Even as she grew, trying to grasp the flow, it would have been difficult to find the already scattered paths of mana.

In such a case, a stronger mana would be needed to break through the paths and memorize them to move on their own.

'Too much is accumulated.'

When trying to use magic, the mana would explode or cast a different spell than intended, as the mana wouldn't listen properly.

"Hmm."

The Empress let out a low groan.

She looked at me with a slightly pale face.

I understand why the Emperor doesn't let her go outside. She's so weak.

"Perhaps it's best to rest for today..."

"I'm not as weak as you think."

Indeed, in such a situation, she should have died long ago. It wouldn't have been easy to live past twenty.

'It's impressive that she's managed to hold on.'

But if this continues, her body won't be able to withstand the mana and will burst. Literally burst.

Her blood vessels would burst, her internal organs would burst, and eventually, her skin would be affected.

"Hehe, I'm sorry. I was just thinking of Sharent Clown."

"Sharent?"

"Yes, I said the same thing to him. 'Sharent Clown seems to hold Shelina Clown in very high regard.'"

That was a really terrifying question, Your Majesty.

If a subordinate had said that, wouldn't they have been threatened with a sword right away?

"But he immediately scowled and retorted that he was just trying to educate me to prevent me from disgracing the Clown's honor."

"Hmph."

I snorted and turned my head sharply.

'Who knows what he thinks is good.'

The Empress laughed softly again, looking amused. Even laughing seemed cautious, indicating that her lungs were also affected.

"Hehe... By the way, I heard you really like pacifiers."

No, it's just irresistible. I don't want to, but I often find myself biting it when I come to my senses.

"Anyway, I'm sorry for showing you this. My body isn't well, and I often end up like this. Can you understand?"

"Of course."

"By the way, I've heard about etiquette training. Is there anything else you want to learn?"

"Everything."

The Empress seemed a bit surprised at my answer.

She smiled, a kind and benevolent expression.

Yes, it's fortunate that the teacher is the Empress. I can learn more.

"Everything?"

"To lead a country..."

I pressed my lips together to speak clearly.

I needed to see more, a wider range of things.

Not just one move ahead, but several moves ahead, to the point where I could draw the best conclusion immediately.

"I need the knowledge to lead!"

"To lead a country?"

"Yes."

The maids behind the Empress were shocked at my words. No, I'm not saying I want to be the Emperor of the Heiron Empire.

'I made a mistake.'

A bit more explanation might have been needed.

Worried that the Empress might get angry, I glanced at her, but surprisingly, she was calm.

She might have taken it as a simple joke, and I breathed a small sigh of relief.

"Shelina Clown, do you want to be the Emperor?"

"Your Majesty!"

The maids called out to her in shock.

The Empress laughed softly and waved her hand lightly. The lack of formality suggested a deep trust.

"It's fine."

"Then why?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I lost my words for a moment.

I didn't expect her to ask for a reason.

Because I regretted my past in Hella.

To make the right choice if I ever faced the same situation again.

There are many reasons.

But none of them were easy to say out loud.

I hesitated to answer.

'What was the biggest turning point that led me to think this way?'

"I want to protect."

"Protect what?"

"Things I want to protect."

"Do you have something you want to protect?"

Not now. At best, it's just Dantalian and Chaser, who forcibly took my blessing.

And there's Vera and Kai Shan.

If I have the ability, I could also prevent sparks from flying to Sharent Clown or Deshar Clown.

"Aha, Sharent Clown?"

"No way!"

Why would I want that scoundrel? I snorted and turned my head sharply.

I immediately spoke about the first person who came to mind.

"Vera!"

"Vera?"

"A maid."

The Empress nodded, saying, "I see."

Fortunately, she didn't bring up the Emperor again. After a few more conversations and questions, the Empress nodded.

"I'm very pleased to have such a cute student."

"Me too!"

"Etiquette training seems essential. Let's proceed with the studies calmly. We have plenty of time."

I might have a lot, but you don't.

I don't know how long she can last in such a precarious state, but her mana is already at its limit.

If the Empress dies, will the Emperor lose his mind? At most, she has a year, maybe two.

'By then, I'll be gone too.'

It's not my concern.

"Would it be okay to meet three times a week?"

"Yes."

"Understood. Let's do that."

The maids hurriedly moved at the Empress's words.

Maybe talking to a calm person made me feel calmer too.

"See you in two days, Shelina Clown."

"Yes, goodbye. Teacher."

Ah, should I have called her Your Majesty? But that's too hard to pronounce.

The Empress laughed again, seeming quite bright.

* * *

After a week of lessons with the Empress, I realized she was a very good teacher.

Her explanations were clear and she was neither arrogant nor unpleasant. She also didn't look down on people.

Thanks to her, I was enjoying the lessons. The only problem left was Chaser.

He hasn't come to see me since then, but leaving him in the Clown family was unsettling.

'I should ask for Chaser to be assigned as a guard.'

No matter how I think about it, it's better to have Chaser under my control. If he starts talking nonsense or tries to harm the Clown family, it would be a huge inconvenience.

'He also seemed quite hot-tempered.'

He seemed to have a strong temper.

Moreover, his words were so threatening that his actions probably matched.

Chaser is far too weak to handle Sharent Clown or Deshar Clown.

'Even if he had some ability...'

He was much stronger than us, who were still growing.

I sighed, holding my aching head.

To have Chaser assigned as a guard, I would need to go to Sharent Clown.

I don't have the authority, so there's no choice. Plus, I need to ask Sharent Clown about a few things.

'Sigh.'

I really don't want to confront him, but now that I've started moving, everything needs Sharent Clown's approval.

"Vera!"

"Yes, Miss."

"I'm going to Sharent!"

"Little Duke? Understood. I'll contact him."

"Okay."

Vera smiled slightly and turned around.