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Chapter 5
Go Home Already!
“Damn it, these kids never get tired, do they?”
I wasn’t happy to see the trio show up again. Annoying kids were loud, screaming until my skull felt like it was ringing—it was far from enjoyable.
Honestly, the thought that I had to play the role of nanny again was stressful.
“At least this one seems like a future leader, reading books quietly.”
Meanwhile, Carlyle behaved like a child destined to be useful in the future—he didn’t whine for attention like a baby bird. I quietly sat beside him, putting on a sullen face.
“You’re weird for your age.”
Come to think of it, Carlyle was six, right? That’s the age when kids are usually rowdy, so it was suspicious that he behaved so calmly.
Of course, I didn’t bother asking—he probably had his reasons, and it didn’t really concern me. There was no immediate need to know, and my interest in it was minimal.
“Reading a storybook with such a serious face?”
I glanced at him as he was absorbed in his book and thought anyone watching might think he was reading a philosophy text.
“What a cute kid.”
Still, only kids like this can be molded later for usefulness when they grow up. A child with potential stands out from others their age, like Jeff, my loyal retainer in a past life. I felt a little pleased, having discovered someone with both intelligence and talent, and let out a small chuckle while staring ahead.
“Eh!”
“Bataaah!”
And just like that, my satisfaction vanished instantly as the scene in front of me erupted into chaos. How noisy.
“What a racket.”
Watching the Fleur siblings play haphazardly with wooden toy swords made me desperately want to escape the room.
“I should play with them just enough, then send them back quickly.”
Even if I tried to entertain them with a story, it wouldn’t help. As guests of the royal family, I knew it was impossible, but in my heart, I just wanted them to leave quickly.
“Ugh, but I can’t just throw them out either.”
Save me. I rested my chin on one hand and sighed.
“Ah!”
Just then, a wooden toy sword slipped from Berys’ hand and flew toward me, hitting my forehead with a crisp thwack!
“Your Highness!”
An accident struck without warning. I felt dizzy from the sudden incident, my head ringing for a few seconds.
“Ugh… owww…”
It hurt. Damn it, it hurt so much!
I remembered similar pain from my past life, like when I was hit in the face by a falling fruit while napping under a tree. That familiar ache made me frown.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
No. Could anyone stay calm and smile in this situation, claiming they weren’t hurt? I couldn’t even respond to Carlyle and collapsed to the floor.
“Damn, it hurts so much.”
Still, out of pride, I tried to act as if I were okay. But the younger body made the pain more intense, and the more I forced myself to endure it, the more my body shook uncontrollably.
“I-I-I’m sorry!”
The Fleur siblings didn’t know what to do. Even at three years old, they seemed aware that hurting the empire’s only royal heir was serious.
“It’s… it’s okay…”
I weakly responded, holding my forehead, wishing no bump had formed, rubbing the sore spot with my palm.
“No! Your Highness looks totally fine!”
Berys, thinking something terrible would happen because the toy had slipped from their hand, started to whimper. Sensitive as they were, tears had already begun forming in their eyes.
“Waaah!”
And… it was a disaster.
“Waaah! Waaah!”
Berys suddenly began crying bitterly along with Ronowe.
“Your Highness! Are you really okay?”
“I’m fine. You deal with them.”
The maids clamored to bring ointment, but I waved them off and told them to take care of the Fleur children first.
“No, I can’t stand it. I hate it when kids cry.”
The pain would soon pass, but the siblings didn’t stop crying despite the maids coaxing them.
“Don’t cry! I’ll tell… a fun story for you…”
It was my body that hurt, yet they were the ones throwing a fit. I wanted to get angry, but they wouldn’t understand my words, leaving me frustrated at the situation.
“A… fun story?”
Being innocent children, they quieted immediately. I breathed a sigh of relief, glad my previous tactic had worked again. If they hadn’t been interested, I might have collapsed in frustration or handed them to the maids.
Afterwards, I gathered Carlyle, Ronowe, and Berys near me and cleared my throat.
A story about a remarkable figure.
“It’s about the former emperor…”
It was about me, before becoming Dazling, when I lived as an emperor.
“The former emperor was amazing with the sword. Swinging it once could defeat ten enemies!”
I explained with gestures and enthusiasm. It felt slightly awkward to praise myself, but it wasn’t impossible—my skills as emperor had been impressive.
“And his charisma was so great, everyone would fall flat without even trying to fight him.”
I worried the kids might revolt mid-story out of boredom, but as the story went on, their interest grew.
“Wow…”
All three surprisingly paid attention, boosting my confidence and allowing me to tell the tale more boldly.
“When the former emperor returned from campaigns, the people’s cheers never stopped…”
Suddenly, I glanced at the rocking horse nearby, and old memories came rushing back.
If I made a grand entrance on a majestic horse…
I quickly mounted the rocking horse, feeling my chest swell with excitement as I moved Carlyle along with me.
“Hehe…”
“?”
Remembering the respect I once received returning as a triumphant general made me feel unexpectedly happy.
“Everyone was moved… crying and cheering~”
I was explaining from a child’s perspective, so I rode the horse, but the feeling was strange.
Ah, this sense of speed. Feels like riding Tommy again after so long. I can almost hear the sounds…
My heart seemed to urge me to move more vigorously, so I instinctively rocked back and forth.
Vroom, vroom, vroom~
But then…
Click, click, click~
My mood was interrupted by someone making sounds with their mouth.
What the… what is this…
I saw Jeff, looking at me lovingly, mimicking horse noises with his mouth.
“You’re doing so well, Your Highness!”
“Our Dazling rides so well!”
My brain instantly went cold. It felt like my head had frozen in a snowstorm.
Stop. Don’t clap!
Flushed, I wanted to get off the horse immediately.
Why won’t this stop?!
But it didn’t go my way. Panicked, I shook my body harder back and forth.
Ah!
Accidentally letting go of the horse’s handle, I was thrown backward by the recoil.
Thud!
I hit the back of my head and teared up.
This body! Nothing goes my way!
Meanwhile, Jeff scolded me for overreacting while falling. Feeling offended, I flailed my limbs and showed my displeasure.
Whoosh—
My body lifted high, and I panicked.
“Our Dazling, did you fall?”
Ugh…
What is he saying?
I glared at Jeff with a stiff expression.
“You fell? Did it hurt? Daddy will help.”
It’s okay, Jeff, it’s okay!
I thought I would die before Jeff finally let go.
Whatever.
I glared at Jeff sullenly until the personal maid approached.
“Your Majesty, this is a drawing the princess made before meeting the princes today.”
The maid smiled proudly, showing the messy artwork I had scribbled.
“She’s our daughter, indeed!”
Jeff was delighted by the drawing and lifted me toward the ceiling.
“Our daughter needs a variety of paints to expand her artistic talents!”
I decided to just let it be. I thought it better to stay dazed than stop Jeff’s praise.
Damn!
As expected, his affection became increasingly overwhelming. I became a trapped mouse, unable to resist his embrace.
“Your Majesty.”
I silently counted over 200 in my head, wondering how long this would last.
“Report.”
A subject appeared, and Jeff instantly shifted into emperor mode, speaking solemnly.
“During the war, the lords of various regions have submitted reports. There’s a large volume… it requires your immediate review.”
“Understood.”
Nodding, Jeff set me down on the floor.
“I wish we could spend more time together, but alas.”
With a sad expression, he patted my head.
“Then Daddy will go work~.”
Jeff turned, smiling, cape flowing behind him. I remembered the moment I entrusted him with the emperor’s position.
Seems like he actually works.
Finally, I felt liberated.
I’m tired…
Relaxing, my body went limp.
“Your Highness?”
Someone tapped my cheek to get my attention.
But I had no energy to respond and collapsed.
I dreamed of cookies, covered in chocolate, moving as if alive. I liked sweets, but not enough to appear in my unconscious mind—how strange.
How long did I sleep?
I was about to regain consciousness when a familiar voice pierced my ears.
“Look! Let’s race!”
“Wow~ okay!”
Berys crouched like a four-legged animal, ready to sprint.
Shining… butt?
Was I hallucinating? I rubbed my eyes.
No way, that can’t be…
I pinched my cheek and got off the sofa.
Flash!
Suddenly, intense light burst through the window.
[It’s been a long time, Immortal.]
As the light faded, someone I thought I’d never see again appeared before me.
