Chapter 10

"Please be careful on your way back, Father."

"…………"

My brother and I smiled and saw Father off as he returned to the mansion alone.

I decided to have Mother receive a letter from me. She will be surprised, but she will surely understand because it is my decision.

"Are you sure about this?"

My brother looked worried, but I, having escaped Father's supervision, was filled with a sense of liberation and hope for the future.

"I will fulfill this duty."

I answered with a smile, and my brother said nothing more.

We turned on our heels and headed towards the residential area for officials, which was beyond the main hall.

Since my room is not yet ready, I am borrowing a temporary room.

The clear blue sky was refreshing, and I walked with a light heart.

When we reached the side gate of the main hall, there was Lord Sōren, whom we had just met.

He leaned against a dark brown round pillar, arms crossed, watching us.

"Shūei, did you see that? The look on the Right Chancellor's face. It was as if the world had ended."

In response to Lord Sōren's cheerful comment, my brother sighed softly.

"He is still our father. It's complicated for me."

Hearing this, Lord Sōren seemed to have his own thoughts.

He uncrossed his arms, placed a hand on my brother's shoulder, and apologized with a wry smile.

"I'm sorry. I'll try to inform you in advance from now on. Please forgive me."

"Really? I'll be looking forward to it."

As the two of them exchanged words affectionately, I watched them with a puzzled look.

It seems Lord Sōren is quite approachable.

Noticing my gaze, he released my brother and turned to me.

"I'm sorry for involving you. Did it upset you?"

His words were quite different from yesterday, showing concern.

I shook my head with a smile.

"No, I felt a bit relieved myself."

The truth slipped out.

Lord Sōren laughed brightly and then explained the situation.

"The selection of the Empress this time was triggered by the five major families trying to use Emperor Shiyō as a puppet to wield their own power. I don't oppose deciding a betrothed, but it all started when the head of the Li family suggested that the Emperor should make friends. Before I knew it, it had turned into an Empress selection. I was extremely frustrated that they proceeded without my involvement."

"Really, such a thing?"

I widened my eyes. A friend selection turning into an Empress selection... it's like a sneak attack.

No wonder Lord Sōren was angry.

"I will send letters to the heads of the families tomorrow, informing them that the Empress selection is on hold. Ha, if I hint at their weaknesses, they will all fall silent."

Scary. Even with a smile, I can feel a very dark aura.

As my face contorted, Lord Sōren looked at me as if remembering something.

"But, it was fortunate that you were among the girls gathered for the Empress selection. When I heard you were 17, I thought you might be a greedy girl. But when I saw you, I was surprised by how well you handle children."

It seems they thought I wanted to become Empress.

However, he said that after observing me from the next room, he immediately realized that Father had nominated me reluctantly.

"Yesterday, I deliberately made statements to provoke you. I wanted to see if you would remain calm when dealing with unreasonable people and if you could make requests on your own. Many noble girls are quite arrogant."

Ah, I see.

If I had gotten angry there, I wouldn't have been offered the position as a caretaker.

My brother, hearing this for the first time, was so surprised that he had a distant look in his eyes.

Ignoring my brother, Lord Sōren said with a smile.

"Emperor Shiyō has lost his father, his mother has left, and even his wet nurse is ill and in recovery, which has made him very disheartened. But yesterday, when he heard your erhu, his eyes lit up. He is a quiet person who loves books and paintings, so I think it would be good if you could play the erhu and comfort him."

From his words and eyes, I could feel his genuine concern for the young emperor as an uncle.

He seems kind, unlike the rumors that he is a womanizer who brings women into his palace.

As I listened intently and stared, he tilted his head slightly.

"Is something bothering you?"

Glancing at my brother, who was still in a daze, I opened my mouth.

"Um, how to put it... You're different from the rumors."

"Rumors? Ah, that I keep women indiscriminately?"

He laughed off the bad rumors about himself without changing his expression.

Then, in the next moment, he closed the distance between us and leaned in close.

"Would you prefer this? A man who toys with women?"

With Lord Sōren's seductive smile, I can understand why some women might misunderstand.

But I don't want to be loved by this beautiful person, nor do I want to get closer to him.

I raised my hands gently in front of my face to show my refusal, preventing him from getting any closer.

"Please don't joke. I do not seek such things."

He straightened up easily and smiled.

"That's a relief. There are too many people who desire me, both men and women."

The part about both men and women made me nod in agreement.

This person's beauty must bewitch many. I imagined that the shortage of staff in the administrative office might be due to this.