Chapter 10.2

From that day on, the next morning after the emperor drank too much, it became Philomel’s daily routine to take a « special sansalcho tea » and barge into the emperor’s room. Count Pollan, who wanted to break the emperor’s drinking habits, actively cooperated and provided information.

Eustis drank sansalcho tea every time, while staring at the count. Afterwards, the Emperor and the princess leave in a light walk in the garden.

« The composition teacher says I am the brightest student he has ever taught! »

« Good for you. »

« Is that a compliment to me because I’m a princess? »

« He was my teacher too, but he didn’t have an obsequious personality. »

« But I don’t think so. »

Philomel, who often walked, twisted her ankle and fell.

« Ouch, Oww….. »

It felt like my knee was skinned. The skin had come off, it hurt so much it brought tears to her eyes.

‘Oh no, you mustn’t cry’.

She had to get up quickly, otherwise the Emperor would surely abandon her. Or he would risk looking at her with a pathetic look.

« Are you okay. »

But Eustis came back to her. He even asked her if everything was okay.

« It’s fine! »

Philomel stood up quickly and walked with a slight limp, Eustis watched her do so before moving closer to her. Suddenly, Philomel’s body was lifted into the air. Eustis was holding Philomel by the waist and had pulled her up!

« Your Majesty! »

Frustrated, Philomel struggled.

« Stand still. »

« But, but…………..! »

« Only the royal family is allowed here, so no one else can move you. »

« But your majesty is having a hard time. »

« Me? You see me as a dying corpse. »

Eustis held Philomel this way and that, seeking the most comfortable position, as he continued the walk. Philomel was choked by the breathtaking awkwardness of the situation.

« Hold it if it’s uncomfortable. »

‘How can I stand this?’

Aside from the physical discomfort caused by the hardness of the Emperor’s arms, it was mentally painful.

« If you don’t like it, at least sleep. »

How could she sleep peacefully under these conditions. Though thinking so, Philomel closed her eyes anyway. And surprisingly, she fell asleep in the Emperor’s arms. When she saw the Emperor gently carrying the sleeping little child in his arms, Countess Delesse ran over in surprise.

« Well, you must have been tired. My goodness, you always wake up early to visit His Majesty. »

« …………. »

« Her Highness wants to bring you a cart when you wake up. »

« …… I see. »

Countess Delesse swallowed her saliva.  She knew how hard Philomel was used to living.It was natural that she felt like doing something for her when she saw her trying so hard with that little body. Also, the look of the emperor holding his little girl in his arms made her feel better. The countess took her courage in both hands and dared to speak.

« I heard that Empress Isabella also liked to walk in the garden. »

« ……..I liked to see flowers. »

When the answer came back, the countess said happily.

« It would seem that Her Highness the Princess resembles Her Majesty the Empress. She wakes up every morning to take a walk with Your Majesty. »

Eustis’ blue eyes filled with melancholy at the memory of the past.

« Isabella usually looked at the surrounding landscape when she walked with me. I was the one seeing the person next to me. »

Eustice looked at his daughter quietly.

« So maybe this child is more like me than Isabella. »

At that moment, a nightingale sitting on a branch began to sing. Because of the bird’s song, Countess Delesse did not hear the Emperor’s words about the princess.

However, she was certainly told the last time that she looked like him. Truth be told, she, who had been watching the Emperor from her side for months, had no sympathy for the Emperor’s appearance. But it was clear that this was a positive sign for a good father-daughter relationship.