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Chapter 8
Who Would’ve Thought a Potato Thief Would Become a Father
“Clever, knowing how to hide your name as well.”
I quietly looked down at the child.
His pale cream-colored hair contrasted with clear green eyes that were sharp and intelligent. Even in ragged clothes, the child’s brilliance could not be hidden.
I immediately realized he was talented—his maturity and cleverness were far beyond his age.
“Family?”
“…They died in this war.”
“…”
I was at a loss for words the moment Jeff spoke. Anyone else could offer condolences, but I had been the one to start this war. I was in no position to say comforting things. So there was really nothing I could say.
“He may be skinny, but he’s strong. Keep him with you and have him do chores.”
“Yes, understood.”
Whatever happened, it was clear he would grow into someone significant. I decided to take him in for the time being, care for him, and watch over him—not out of guilt or atonement, but simply because it felt a waste to let him go.
As a result, Jeff, now part of the household, turned out to be surprisingly capable.
When asked to clean the hallway, he scrubbed the marble floor until it shone. Other tasks he handled also yielded satisfying results.
And, naturally, he ate as much as he worked.
One morning:
“Consider your sword part of your body!”
I had received reports that Jeff had been wandering into the soldiers’ training area early in the morning. Usually, he would hide behind a tent and watch General Roy instruct the soldiers.
“What are you dawdling for? Go do some work.”
“Hey, fetch some water.”
Even busy General Roy had noticed Jeff on multiple occasions. Every time Jeff was caught, he panicked and hurried off to do chores.
Roy, impressed by the boy’s interest and effort, decided to keep an eye on him after catching him the fifth time.
“Step further in! Focus!”
“Move sideways!”
The rumors spread among the knights, and it reached the point where I, the emperor, had to personally check. Watching from a distance, I saw Jeff practicing sword techniques with a stick.
“Is this how it’s done?”
Perhaps because it was a quiet clearing, or my hearing was sharp, I could hear everything he muttered.
‘For someone self-taught, not bad at all. Awkward, but…’
I rested my chin in my hand and admired how Jeff had taught himself swordsmanship. Though not formally trained, his footwork was surprisingly decent. If properly nurtured, he could be a remarkable asset to the empire.
“Ha!”
Swish—
The sound of the stick cutting through the air caught my attention. I thought I might soon have to provide him with a wooden practice sword.
‘Go ahead first.’
When I made eye contact with General Roy, who was leaving the training grounds, I gestured for Jeff to continue, and the perceptive general gave a respectful nod and walked on.
‘I won’t even need to prepare anything myself.’
Seeing Roy carrying a wooden training sword in one hand, I folded my arms.
“Jeff.”
Roy approached Jeff, smiling at the boy who had dropped the stick in surprise at Roy’s appearance.
“Do you want to learn swordsmanship?”
“Yes.”
Roy had liked Jeff from the beginning. He laughed heartily and handed Jeff a pre-prepared wooden practice sword.
“Your eyes are good.”
Seeing the determination and passion in Jeff’s eyes, Roy was very pleased, and I couldn’t help but chuckle as well.
“From now on, come here every morning by six. But, of course, finish your chores first.”
I felt it was about time for me to step in, so I strode forward.
“Ah!”
Just then, Jeff, swinging the practice sword following Roy’s instructions, accidentally let go of the handle, and the sword flew straight to my feet.
“Sorry, Your Majesty.”
“It’s alright.”
I had come to encourage him, so I forgave the accident and picked up the practice sword to look it over.
“Cutting your hair makes you unrecognizable.”
A little later, I returned the sword and complimented Jeff on his changed appearance.
With tidy clothes, neatly trimmed hair, and a proper bath, he looked completely different from when I first met him—almost like a blossoming flower. I thought he would look quite handsome when he grew up.
“Your Majesty, you’re here?”
“Just taking a walk.”
I exchanged a few light words with General Roy, who was pretending to meet me for the first time, and Roy sent Jeff to another location.
“Practice what I just taught you.”
“Yes.”
Jeff responded energetically and ran off.
“Why are you teaching him?”
I asked, watching Jeff practice diligently from afar.
“He showed interest in swordsmanship, so I started teaching him lightly. I expected him to give up quickly, but he exceeded expectations.”
“That’s good. Worth the trouble.”
At that time, Jeff was just a promising boy. Over time, he rose to a position close to me, capable of assisting personally.
“Jeff Hedder Pickerdy, there’s a rebellion in the northwest. Go handle it. Use as many troops as needed.”
“Yes.”
Jeff immediately left the office to carry out his orders. By then, he had been granted the title of Duke and formally entered the noble society, securing a solid position in the empire with his skills.
“He’s grown so much. He must be about twenty now?”
“Twenty-three, Your Majesty.”
Seeing a talented child grow into a capable young man brought me pride and satisfaction.
“He’s grown a lot. Already twenty…”
I ignored the attendant’s correction about him being twenty-three and glanced at the piles of paperwork on my desk.
“When will I ever get through all these records? There’s so much to do.”
Glancing at the seemingly endless workload, I was lost in thought when an aide appeared pushing a tray, startling me.
“Your Majesty, they request permission to build a new temple in the southern region.”
“Give me a break.” I pursed my lips and looked at the aide.
“There are a few other urgent matters as well.”
“Why are there so many requests?!”
The paperwork kept piling up, and I buried my face in my desk, screaming. Unable to endure the spinning sensation in my head, I jumped up and shouted,
“Save me!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Get up! Your Majesty!”
When my eyes opened, I sat up suddenly. The Fleur siblings were beside me.
‘This damn paper boat caused my nightmare!’
From the sudden movement, a paper boat on my head fell without me noticing.
“There’s a lot of paper, Your Majesty!”
“Use it wisely!”
I quietly held and fiddled with it, and Ronowe and Veris smiled, asking me to play along.
“…”
I glanced at Carlisle instead of answering. The little one sat calmly, stacking several paper boats on his head while folding more, fully focused and excited.
‘I thought he was mature for his age, but here he’s just a normal kid.’
While I dreamed, I peeked at the different paper crafts the Fleur siblings had made.
‘No wonder he can play with those idiots without getting annoyed.’
Indeed, children were children.
“Your Majesty, look at this.”
Veris suddenly approached and offered me his creation, and I took it without thinking.
“Just look at it, don’t take it…”
Veris, mistaking my action for stealing, began to whimper. I was caught off guard.
“Here.”
Even when offered, he wouldn’t take it back. I suppressed a chuckle.
“Use it carefully, you little rascals…”
I added a small lecture—after all, even if it was leftover paper from the palace library, it shouldn’t be wasted.
“Your Majesty, try it too.”
“I don’t want to.”
But my refusal had no effect, and they almost burst into tears again.
“Ugh, fine.”
I reluctantly joined them and tried making the simplest paper boat.
“Ah…”
I was concentrating when Veris, watching closely, suddenly raised his voice.
“Yo… Your Majesty!! The boat…!!!”
