Chapter 5

At least it had been easy in the game.

The one solving the test questions wasn’t the game character—it was me, the player.

No matter how difficult the questions were, it didn’t matter.

All I had to do was look up an online walkthrough that someone else had already posted and copy the answers.

But this wasn’t a game anymore.

This was reality.

I couldn’t have someone else take the exam for Estelle.

There was no strategy guide with all the correct answers.

And unlike in the game, where I could simply reload a save file if I failed…

Reality offered no second chances.

Once all the opportunities were gone, they were gone forever.

The only solution was for Estelle to study hard and pass through her own ability.

Even then…

There was no guarantee she would succeed.

If all else failed, I’d even considered buying a forged recommendation letter from that mysterious merchant who occasionally appeared…

Of course, it was a shady method.

If we were caught, it would lead straight to a real-life bad ending.

It was truly my absolute last resort.

“My younger sibling recently received an academy recommendation letter.”

“When I saw it, Estelle came to mind.”

And yet…

The recommendation letter I’d nearly given up on obtaining had landed in my hands so easily.

“This semester has already begun, so she’ll probably be able to enroll next semester.”

Not only that—

It was a recommendation valid for admission this very year.

I was just worrying about how I’d get her into the academy…

In the child-raising simulation game Raise Your Daughter, Estelle’s future changed depending on which stats you developed.

To unlock the Emperor Route, the required final stats were:

• Stamina: 450 or higher
• Intelligence: 430 or higher
• Elegance: 460 or higher
• Fame: 450 or higher
• Morality: 400 or higher

Considering the maximum value for each stat was 600…

Those were incredibly demanding requirements.

Fortunately, there was one exceptionally efficient way to raise multiple stats at once.

Sending her to the academy.

By attending various classes, she could increase not only Intelligence, but also Elegance and Morality.

With a bit of luck, even Fame could rise.

That was why I’d already decided to enroll Estelle in the academy.

Whether it took one year…

Or two years of preparing for the entrance exam.

But now…

She could start next semester.

If she enrolls in September, we won’t be pressed for time.

We’ll have plenty of room to raise her stats.

My determination toward reaching the Emperor Ending flared even brighter.

“Thank you very much.”

“I’ll be sure to tell Estelle.”

I bowed deeply toward Claude.

I could feel his peculiar gaze resting on me from above.

But I didn’t even have time to look up.

The recommendation letter before me had stolen all of my attention.

Perfect.

Now that we’ve secured an academy recommendation…

It’s time to begin the Emperor Project in earnest.

Just wait a little longer, Estelle.

I’ll make you Emperor.

I tightened my grip around the recommendation letter.

Silently renewing my vow.

* * *

A week had already passed since Estelle moved into our home.

Which meant…

Today was the final day of the festival.

The final day of the village school’s vacation.

And the final day of my holiday.

Sitting at the dining table, I absentmindedly stirred my cereal with lifeless eyes.

“Time…”

“…passes way too fast…”

Of course, I was excited to see the children again once vacation ended.

I loved kids.

But that…

And this…

Were two completely different issues.

The last day of a vacation…

It gives every working adult a strange kind of sadness.

Even if you genuinely loved your job.

“Sigh…”

I poked at the cereal floating in the milk and let out a mournful sigh.

Just then—

Click.

The bathroom door opened.

Estelle stepped out, having just finished washing up.

I instantly changed my gloomy expression and greeted her cheerfully.

“Good morning, Estelle!”

She looked around uncertainly before awkwardly replying,

“…Good morning.”

Tiny droplets of water clung to the ends of her bangs before rolling down her cheeks.

Watching her, I found myself thinking—

As expected.

Estelle really is destined to become Emperor.

Just look at her.

She’d only just finished bathing…

Yet she already carried an elegant, noble aura.

Like a mermaid emerging gracefully from the sea.

The Make Estelle Emperor Project was currently underway.

I still hadn’t decided exactly which stats to prioritize first…

But unlike before…

I no longer felt lost.

Trust: 13

Maybe it was because I’d continued approaching her no matter how coldly she treated me.

Ever since our trip to Julie’s boutique…

Her Trust had slowly begun to increase.

Just a little.

She’d opened her heart…

Just a tiny crack.

“It looks like you haven’t finished eating yet.”

“I’ll eat later.”

“No, I’m finished.”

“You can sit down.”

“I’m just getting up.”

…Though judging by her attitude…

She didn’t seem much different than before.

Picking up my empty bowl with both hands, I asked,

“Estelle, would you like to go out together again today?”

“…Again?”

She looked slightly burdened after hearing my invitation for yet another outing.

Naturally…

I pretended not to notice.

“Yeah.”

“Let’s visit the temple together.”

“We can pray, and afterward we can enjoy the festival.”

I couldn’t help it.

Starting tomorrow…

I’d be back at work.

Which meant today was the last day I’d be able to spend with Estelle from morning until night.

Besides…

Today’s objective was especially important.

“It’s the last day of the festival.”

“Tonight will be the most spectacular part.”

“It’ll be really fun.”

“Until then, we can visit the temple, pray, and look around.”

I made it sound as though the festival itself was my goal.

But that was merely bait.

My real objective…

…is praying at the temple.

Because that was the first hidden requirement for the Emperor Route.

In Raise Your Daughter, there was one absolutely mandatory condition for raising Estelle into the Emperor.

On New Year’s Eve, at exactly midnight…

A birthmark identical to the Imperial Family’s crest had to appear somewhere on Estelle’s body.

It sounded ridiculously cliché.

Like some “Forgotten Archangel’s Sacred Wing Mark.”

But surprisingly…

It was the most important key to the Emperor Route.

This was an era where bloodline mattered more than talent.

No matter how gifted someone was…

Without being a direct descendant of the Imperial Family, they could never become Emperor.

Someone unfamiliar with the game might think,

“Why not just claim she’s of imperial blood?”

Unfortunately…

It wasn’t that simple.

Because the Imperial Family had a way to identify their true descendants.

A birthmark bearing the Imperial Crest.

In other words…

That embarrassingly dramatic birthmark functioned as this world’s version of a genetic test.

Fortunately, making Estelle’s birthmark appear wasn’t particularly complicated.

First…

Within fifteen days, she had to receive a blessing from one specific person at the temple.

Then…

Before the end of the year, her parameters had to reach a certain level.

Back when this was just a game…

That part had been easy.

Time limits meant nothing.

As the player, I could advance time whenever I wanted.

Besides…

Game Estelle always obediently followed whatever I suggested.

If I wanted to visit the temple, she’d simply come with me.

Reality, however…

Was different.

I was an ordinary working adult.

Except on holidays like today…

I couldn’t freely take time off whenever I wanted.

On top of that…

Before her Trust increased even slightly…

Estelle barely listened to anything I suggested.

Spending time alone together had been incredibly difficult.

And now…

After all that time had passed…

Today was my only chance.

Starting tomorrow, work would consume most of my day.

I’d have almost no opportunities to spend time with her.

She… won’t refuse me again… right?

Estelle remained silent.

The longer she hesitated…

The more nervous I became.

My heart pounded loudly.

My lips had gone completely dry.

“Come with me.”

“It’ll really be fun.”

“…You won’t regret it.”

I hurriedly added, trying to persuade her.

At the same time, I looked at her with pleading eyes.

Without saying it aloud…

I was silently begging.

Please don’t reject me.

“…Alright.”

“Let’s go.”

Finally…

Estelle gave a small nod.

Her voice carried the resignation of someone who had decided to give in.

The instant I heard the answer I’d been hoping for…

I cheered inwardly.

“Great!”

“I’ll go get ready really quickly.”

“Eat breakfast and relax while you wait for me!”

Before she could change her mind, I firmly sealed the agreement.

Then I hurriedly cleaned up the dishes…

And practically fled to the bathroom.

I was so worried she’d turn me down again.

A relieved smile spread across my face as I rushed away.