890 – The Sorrow of a Crown Princess – 2

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward due to the Crown Princess’ great escape, but fortunately, it soon regained its liveliness.

“Welcome, Your Majesty the Count. Although it is late in greeting you, welcome to the Barandiga.”

Because Shati, who had gone out for a while, has returned.

If the people who had witnessed the tears and resentment of the Crown Princess had gathered together, the atmosphere would have still been gloomy, but Shati was absent at the time and did not know about the situation. With the influx of Cheongjeongsu, who did not know anything, it was natural for the atmosphere to become somewhat gloomy.

“Wow- woo-!”

Even Kran, who had been weeping over his cousin’s strange symptoms, smiled brightly at the appearance of his mother.

There is no other way to express it than to say that it is truly fortunate. If the greatly surprised Krann has calmed down, the adults can also rest easy.

“By the way, where are Your Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Crown Princess? I heard you were in the castle, so I came back in a hurry.”

Shati, who was holding Kran in her arms, smiled brightly like Kran, and then Ainter and Barandi looked back at the Marquis and tilted their heads.

It is certainly questionable. I came in a hurry after hearing the news that the Empress and the Crown Princess had descended, but the main characters of the news are nowhere to be seen. It is a situation where I wonder if I was mistaken.

“Isn’t this your first time coming to this castle, nephew? Everything seems different, so you’re wandering around here and there.”

Ainter quickly opened his mouth to answer Shati’s question.

It’s not completely wrong. As Ainter said, the Crown Princess is wandering around the Marquis’s castle. The problem is that the reason for her escape is not out of interest, but out of anger.

“Really? But, Your Majesty and Your Highness have come with such honorable steps, so it would be rude not to have anyone greet you. I will tell you both right now─”

“No, no, it’s okay. The mother and daughter said they wanted to take their time looking around, so they dismissed everyone except the maids.”

“Oh, I see.”

At the desperate persuasion, Shati’s expression changed mysteriously. Although he did not know what had happened while he was away, his expression was filled with the certainty that something unusual had happened.

It’s a natural result. If you don’t notice such blatant alienation, are you human? Besides, Shati is the heir to the title of Marquis, and before becoming an imperial citizen, he was the next chieftain. If he’s sensitive to other people’s feelings, he’s sensitive, but he’s definitely not dull.

“…Peddie, come on in. Have you already said hello to Kran?”

And being sensitive to other people’s feelings means being perceptive. Perhaps concluding that it would be awkward for both of them to approach them any further, she quickly changed the subject and smiled at Pedi.

“Since Pedi has many younger siblings, I hope he treats Kran like a younger sibling.”

“Wow! That guy is my little brother!”

Shati’s smile grew wider at Pedi’s lively answer.

“The doll that Krann has was also a gift from Pedi.”

“oh my god.”

At Ainter’s comment, Shati let out a small laugh.

I would never laugh if I knew what kind of accident happened because of that doll, but there’s a saying that ignorance is bliss.

It wouldn’t be bad for people who don’t know to continue to not know.

The Crown Princess’s reckless escape ended with the Empress’s successful suppression.

However, the Crown Princess’s mind was not completely at peace, and she locked herself in her room and did not think about coming out.

‘It’s serious.’

I smiled bitterly as I looked at the tightly closed door. The playful princess, the princess who loved her younger siblings, was spending time alone in her room.

And she’s not just any sister. She’s a sister that I finally met after months of patience, and she’s also a blood relative. If she were a normal crown princess, she’d be galloping down the Marquis’s hallway with Krann in her arms right now. And she’d have to be followed by Pedi.

“godfather.”

“Ah, Your Majesty.”

As I was fiddling with the hastily prepared box of chocolates, I heard the Empress’s voice and hurriedly hid the box.

It’s not just a few chocolates, it’s a whole box. If you give this much to the crown princess, she won’t have any teeth left. If the empress sees this, she might think you’re an evil godfather trying to terrorize the goddaughter’s teeth.

“Haha, you don’t have to hide it. It was so big that I could see it from far away.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

I see. It was that big. I thought the Crown Princess was very angry, so I prepared a big gift, but it was too big…

“Thank you for preparing such a nice gift, but please leave it with me for a moment. If I give it to the Crown Princess now, she might eat it all in a fit of anger.”

“Oh, yes. Here it is.”

That was not right, so he immediately offered the box of chocolates to the empress.

This is chocolate that was flown in on a Jiz from the Kingdom of Lucien. Since it is a product with a certain taste and quantity that Jiz can bring, if you eat it without self-control, it will have terrible consequences in various ways. The Crown Princess’s belly will get bigger, or her teeth will get damaged.

Or it could be both. In fact, it’s more likely to be both.

“Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“Your Majesty, are you feeling well?”

At those words, the empress smiled as if she was embarrassed.

“I’ve never seen Charlotte so upset before. She’s a lot better than before, but it’s hard to say she’s okay.”

“I have nothing to say.”

The words, “I’ve never seen her so upset before,” came from her own mother. I sighed involuntarily, wondering how I could appease the Crown Princess.

First, the Crown Princess has to come out of her room before Pedi can give her a gift, and if she receives the gift, the Crown Princess will fully recover. You can’t just throw Pedi in her room.

“More importantly, sir. I have something important to tell you. Could you spare some time for me?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

While he was debating whether to urgently deploy Titi and the holy beasts in the mansion, the empress asked for a private meeting, and he nodded.

If I have something to say at this time, it will most likely be about the Crown Princess and Pedi. If that’s the case, I’m willing to make time to respond.

‘There’s no point in standing in front of the door anyway.’

The Crown Princess remained silent even though she must have heard the Empress’s and my voice.

I think it would be best to let the Crown Princess have some time alone for now and then come back around dinnertime.

I don’t think it would be possible to go see the Crown Princess in the evening.

Because I’m going to lie in bed and snore in the evening.

“Your Majesty, I am sorry, but I was so worried about Her Highness the Crown Princess that I was deaf and could not fully hear Your Majesty’s words.”

Still, I opened my mouth with a faint hope.

Yeah, I must have misheard. I was so distracted by the Crown Princess that my hearing went crazy. That must be it.

“It seems Charlotte is jealous of Krann.”

‘ah.’

But the answer that came back was resolute.

“It wasn’t just jealousy over not having a doll, it was jealousy over the fact that Pedi was interested in someone other than herself.”

In addition, he added a remark that completely blocked any possibility of a moral victory.

This is truly a worthy daughter of Jeon Seung-gong. She completely blocked the enemy’s escape route. Amazing.

“Your Majesty. If you say jealousy…?”

Anyway, my fingers started shaking at the unexpected bombshell statement.

It’s a miserable situation, but there’s still hope. Jealousy isn’t necessarily an emotion between the opposite s*x. Jealousy can bloom between family members and friends. I can’t be sure that it’s the emotion I’m worried about.

“godfather.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing for a godfather to become a relative.”

At those words, I felt like my eyes turned white.

My world stopped for a moment.

***

The godfather remained silent for a long time after hearing what I said.

I was worried that maybe I had fainted with my eyes open. What I said must have been shocking to my master.

‘Because it’s a situation where I can take my goddaughter as my daughter-in-law.’

Of course, it is an understatement to say that it is premature to talk about marriage at this point. Our children are still little kids who are not even 10 years old. Even if marriages between nobles are somewhat earlier than marriages between commoners, marriage before the age of 10 is impossible.

Instead, there is no problem with getting engaged at this age. No, it is not just at a level where it is not a problem, it is recommended.

‘If you know this from a young age, your future will be easy.’

Aristocratic marriages were usually a union of families, a political arrangement based on necessity rather than love.

However, if a couple who has finally come together breaks up due to discord, it would be worse than not having a marriage at all, so it is common for couples to stick together as friends from a young age. In effect, a friendship that is essentially an engagement relationship begins.

Most nobles naturally get married as they build up a close relationship. From the children’s perspective, if they are going to get married anyway, it would be better for them to do so with someone they are close to.

‘That’s exactly the situation.’

Although it was not intentional, Charlotte and Peddie’s situation has become similar to an engaged relationship with marriage in mind. From the godfather’s perspective, it wouldn’t be strange if their marriage became a realistic possibility.

‘This is getting tricky.’

He smiled bitterly as he looked at his grandfather, who was still silent.

Actually, I would support anyone Charlotte wants. I’m not in a position to oppose someone’s marriage. Did I get married with everyone’s support and blessings?

It is even more welcome if the opponent is Peddie. How could it not be pleasant, as it would unite the royal family and the Crassius family, and strengthen the relationship between Charlotte and her godfather? Peddie’s personality itself is also excellent.

However, unlike me, the godfather cannot help but be embarrassed. He suddenly became the father-in-law of the next emperor.

‘It’s dangerous for the godfather.’

He is already a great man who has shouldered a great deal of honor and power. Considering the nature of a great man, he would not wield them carelessly, but on the contrary, because of that nature, he is likely to feel burdened by the burden on his shoulders.

But the next emperor’s godfather and father-in-law? How will the other nobles view the godfather, and how much of a burden will the godfather feel?

“Father, of course, it may be a light emotion that a child will harbor for a short time. It will take at least ten more years for it to become certain, so don’t worry too much.”

“…Yes? Oh, yes. That’s right. Her Majesty the Empress is right.”

My father, who had been staring blankly into space at my consolation, quickly nodded his head.

Wrong. It seems that Charlotte and Peddie’s wedding has already taken place in my head.

“Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“Well, how about keeping this a secret from His Majesty the Emperor?”

It seems that even His Majesty’s fierce scolding passed by following the wedding.