BVWG 15

chapter 15

There had been no problems in my conversation with Dahlia, and the words the child used were far beyond what one would expect from a five-year-old, so I had forgotten.

It was probably possible because the child retained memories from her previous life, but for now, she was still a five-year-old who needed an adult’s care.

I felt I had been too harsh, treating her as if she were on equal footing with me.

“Dahlia, come here.”

Dahlia approached. Her naturally round, deep pink rabbit-like eyes grew even wider. I held her tightly without a word.

The feelings I had held toward Yoon Jeong-hee in my previous life were never hatred.

They had merely been discomfort and a faint resentment toward her indifference, which allowed me to put the past life aside with Dahlia.

Yoon Jeong-hee was by no means a villain like Kim Young-woong.

From the moment I brought Dahlia into the Esperanza household, I had resolved to build a new relationship with her. Therefore, it was only natural to forget Yoon Jeong-hee and treat Dahlia as the five-year-old she truly was.

I didn’t really know how to care for a child, but I had heard that a child must be loved unconditionally.

Regardless of past life ties, Dahlia had been born into this world and deserved to grow up only receiving love. She must have suffered greatly without a guardian.

I held Dahlia tightly, my arms filled with apologies and comfort for not being considerate enough.

Dahlia flinched slightly, seemingly surprised, but soon wrapped her slender arms around my waist.

Her neatly kept blonde mushroom-cut hair pressed against me, and I felt her loneliness. I gently patted her back.

I held her for a while longer. Then, releasing my embrace, I reminded her to eat her meals properly. Somehow, her face brightened even more.

When I entrusted Dahlia to Mercy, I urged her to ensure the child ate well too.

Once they left, I returned to my desk.

Two letters still awaited sending. I rewrote them and asked my steward to deliver them.

The recipients were two potential suitors I hadn’t yet met: Barret Judicium and Klepta Desdemota.

Initially, I had planned to invite them to our mansion in the name of the Duke of Esperanza.

But then I realized that no matter how noble a duke I was, I couldn’t summon dukes of another house without reason.

I needed an excuse, but I didn’t know enough about either of them to fabricate one.

So I decided to send simple letters of inquiry, to make my existence known.

If they were curious about me, that would be even better.

Until that moment, I had no idea what kind of reaction these letters would trigger.

I went to the mansion’s greenhouse for my lesson with Count Cairus.

It was much better to have lessons in a place like this. The scent of fully bloomed flowers refreshed my cluttered mind.

Count Cairus arrived on time. Though male, his fairy-like features always appeared mystical.

Out of habit, I ran into his arms to greet him.

He was the only person in this world to whom I had fully opened my heart. Perhaps that was why his embrace always felt so comforting.

Count Cairus looked down at me with warm eyes, gently stroking my head.

“My lady, are you truly this happy to see me?”

“Of course.”

“It is an honor. However, I will only accept this kind of greeting until you make your debut in society.”

I looked up at him with a mock expression of disappointment, but he remained firm.

“After that, you must not throw yourself into the arms of any man like this.”

I already knew this, but hearing it from him still stung a little.

“You’re not just any man, Master.”

Count Cairus immediately understood my feelings and held my hand tightly. Still, he added with a slightly troubled expression,

“Even so, it’s not allowed. Your reputation is at stake.”

His firm stance made me surrender.

“Understood. Then only until my social debut.”

I smiled, and Count Cairus returned a gentle smile.

In that smile, I felt less like a student and teacher and more like a pair of siblings who cherished each other deeply. Judging by his gaze, I suspected he felt the same.

After a short while, seated at the tea table, I received my delayed lessons in economics and rulership.

“Economics I can understand, but do I really need to study rulership as well?”

“You are the sole heir of the Esperanza Dukedom. Rulership is a field you must master as an heir.”

I couldn’t understand why an heir of a duke’s house needed knowledge fit for an emperor.

Even though my thoughts were likely visible on my face, Count Cairus remained consistent.

“Moreover, you possess infinite potential. All the more reason to master various fields.”

Indeed, his words carried a trust and care for me.

I decided to repay him with diligent study. Besides, learning new subjects in this life, when I had missed that opportunity in the past, was an exciting new world.

Once I refocused, Count Cairus continued the lesson with a warm smile.

After roughly three hours, the lesson concluded, and Count Cairus stood.

“It’s time for me to return to the palace.”

“Already?”

“Yes. But you have returned from your royal mission and have yet to report to His Majesty, correct?”

I silently nodded.

I secretly dreaded facing the emperor again, which was why I had postponed today’s report until tomorrow.

“In that case, shall we go to the palace together?”

Count Cairus seemed to remember how nervous I had been the last time I met the emperor.

His intention to support me nearly brought me to tears.

“Thank you, Master. I’ll prepare quickly and be ready.”

Count Cairus nodded, smiling softly.

I hurried to my room, enlisting the help of Mercy and my nanny.

“We’re going straight to the palace. Master is waiting downstairs, so get me ready quickly enough to meet His Majesty.”

Their hands moved quickly, as both were skilled.

They had been chosen as attendants for the Esperanza household precisely because they were capable and meticulous.

“There’s no time for full makeup. I’ll keep it minimal. You’re beautiful without much anyway.”

I checked myself in the full-length mirror.

Despite the rushed preparation, I looked as splendid as fully bloomed hydrangeas.

My wavy lavender hair flowed freely, neatly pinned with a hairpin.

A flowing violet satin dress, matching my hair, emphasized my elegance.

“I asked for simple preparations, but this is the height of extravagance.”

My teasing tone was meant as praise. The two women understood immediately, feeling touched instead of insulted.

“Our lady compliments us!”

Their exaggerated reactions made me feel a little guilty.

‘If they’re this moved by a small comment, I must choose my words carefully from now on.’

I left them and went to the greenhouse, where Count Cairus awaited.

Count Cairus stood as I arrived, smiling warmly.

“You grow more beautiful by the day. I’ve informed His Majesty that we’ll arrive at the audience chamber together. Let’s go.”

He took my hand, and a white magic circle appeared beneath our feet.

Expecting a carriage, I looked at him in surprise.

“Master, isn’t this a teleportation circle? You can use magic too?”

“I possess the strength of the White Dragon, nearly matching any mage. Naturally, I can use magic. I simply chose the path of scholarship over magecraft.”

He revealed this incredible fact so calmly.

To think the empire’s most learned man could also wield magic freely… now I understood why the emperor insisted on keeping him close.

A flash of light, and we were transported to the palace’s audience chamber.

The emperor awaited, radiating the aura of a relaxed predator and dazzling with his appearance.

His short silver hair was slightly disheveled, and several buttons at his neck remained undone.

A rocket-shaped silver necklace gleamed across his exposed collarbone.

Despite his overall imposing presence, his delicate and intricate accessories created a striking contrast.

As usual, the emperor radiated authority and asked,

“Finally, you arrive?”

“I apologize for keeping the Light of the Empire waiting.”

Startled by the sudden change, Count Cairus spoke for me first.

I then hastily spread my dress and bowed.

“I greet the Light of the Empire.”

Meeting the emperor again made my heart race wildly, the sound of my heartbeat echoing in my ears.

Count Cairus briefly held my hand, giving reassurance, then stepped back.

I fought the urge to grab his sleeve again.

In this small audience chamber, I didn’t want to act like a child and earn the emperor’s scorn.

Why did my heart tremble so only in front of him?

Although imposing, he had never shown hostility toward me as he did to ministers or criminals.

So I didn’t feel fear, only that he was stunningly beautiful.

‘Why do I freeze up in front of him?’

There was no avoiding it; I had to begin my report.

“We have successfully delivered supplies to the southern slums. I will now begin my report.”

Fortunately, my voice remained calm. Riding that composure, I maintained a facade of confidence.

“There is no one else here, so report freely.”

Dressed in his white uniform, the emperor seemed more relaxed than before.

Yet, meeting his piercing blue eyes, I could not let my guard down.