🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 27
At those words, reassured, I closed my eyes and hugged Brown. The sensation of holding him felt unfamiliar.
Is this a dream?
Brown’s chest, which I was nestled against, was incredibly broad and solid. Cradled in that wide embrace, I drifted deeper into sleep as if dreaming.
Throughout the dream, I felt a hand gently stroking my face.
“Brown…”
“Why is it that only that name comes out of those pretty lips?”
Killian’s voice echoed in my dream.
“Mmm, Killi—”
“Good girl. Shh, go to sleep.”
“….”
Lulled by that lullaby-like voice in my dream, I slept straight through until morning without dreaming again.
When I opened my eyes, Brown was still sleeping softly. I placed a hand on his forehead—his fever had completely gone down.
If it hadn’t, my steps returning to the imperial palace would have been heavy, so it was a relief.
Since we had to leave soon to arrive at the palace in the morning, I carefully slipped out of bed so as not to wake Brown.
When I opened the door, Killian was standing in front of the room, already dressed in his uniform.
“You’re already ready? I’ll get ready right away, Your Majesty.”
“Red, Robin and Bill arrived overnight and are waiting at the palace. It seems we’ll have to depart immediately without greetings.”
I nodded, hurried back into the room to change clothes, and came out.
Since it was early dawn, the only people awake were Head Butler Godwin and a few servants.
“Your Majesty, as you instructed, the carriage is ready.”
“Thank you, Godwin. Red, let’s depart.”
As I walked behind Killian, Head Butler Godwin approached me and spoke in a low voice only I could hear.
“Lady Red, you are always welcome here. If His Majesty ever causes you distress, please come straight here. I will do everything I can to help.”
“Yes, thank you very much, Head Butler!”
The surroundings were still dim. It looked like the sun would rise soon.
Once we settled into the carriage, Killian spoke.
“You were sleeping soundly, even snoring last night, Red.”
“How would you know that?”
Killian didn’t answer—he just smiled faintly.
“Well, Your Majesty, yesterday’s schedule was practically murderous. From dawn until late at night, there wasn’t a moment to rest.”
“Are you still tired now?”
I shook my head.
“Like you said, Killian, I slept really well, so I’m not tired. Still, staying just one day feels too short. Next time, may I invite Mari and Brown to the imperial palace? It’s a shame to leave without even saying hello.”
“That depends on how you behave.”
How petty—adding conditions.
“I’ll do my utmost to be a hygienist worthy of Your Majesty. Yes?”
Apparently satisfied with my resolve, Killian looked at me and smiled refreshingly. Even his smile is handsome! Tch!
“…R-Red! We’ve arrived at the imperial palace. Wake up.”
At the touch stroking my chin, I startled awake. It seemed I’d drooled in my sleep—Killian was wiping my chin with a handkerchief.
I drooled while sleeping? This is so mortifying…
“You said you weren’t tired, but it seems you were very tired after all.”
Killian’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
Trying to hide my embarrassment, I wiped my mouth quickly and straightened my posture.
Rubbing my eyes, I looked out the window. The carriage was just passing through the gates of the imperial palace.
“If you’re not hungry, I plan to hear Robin and Bill’s report first. Is that all right?”
“Yeah.”
As we waited in the emperor’s office, soon two bearded men appeared. It was Uncle Robin and Uncle Bill.
“Uncle!”
I tried to run toward them, but Killian grabbed my shoulder.
“K-Killian?”
Grinning at me, Killian then spoke coldly to Robin and Bill.
“Robin, Bill. Red is my direct hygienist. The lies you told me about Red deserve punishment, but I’ll let it slide for now. Red, I know you’re happy to see them, but the report comes first.”
Ah, right! Public and private matters must be kept separate.
I stood quietly beside Killian. As he looked down at Robin and Bill from his seat, they began their report.
“Your Majesty, a drought began last month in Grikendal in the southern part of the empire. It resembles the drought that swept across the empire several years ago. Even though nighttime temperatures aren’t particularly hot, by morning the crops are said to have burned black.”
That was Uncle Bill, his thick beard and skin nicely tanned by the sun.
“What is the cause of the crops drying up?”
“We’re still investigating, but considering that a drought followed even after a rainfall, it seems the amount of rain was insufficient to begin with. We’ve dispatched people throughout the Grikendal region for now.”
At Killian’s nod, Robin continued.
“Is the amount of water sufficient?”
“The lakes and rivers haven’t dried up, but it’s difficult for farmers to fetch water directly from rivers that are quite far from their fields.”
“That’s the problem. Do you have any good ideas?”
Killian looked down at Robin and Bill.
A way to move water over long distances…
After thinking for a moment, I spoke up.
“Your Majesty, you said there are mages in the empire, right?”
“Yes. A small number of mages still remain.”
“Then I have a good idea. We can install aqueducts to transport water.”
“Aqueducts?”
Killian, Robin, and Bill all turned their eyes toward me at once.
With what I knew, it should be entirely feasible.
“Yes, aqueducts. If we send mages to install them, the water supply will flow smoothly.”
“Red, I’m curious—could you explain what aqueducts are, right now?”
I briefly explained the aqueducts I had learned about in the Principality of Fiordin.
Killian, Robin, and Bill exclaimed in admiration.
“It would certainly move water far more efficiently than carrying it by hand.”
“Your Majesty, of course the construction would take a long time, but once aqueducts are installed, we could make good use of the rivers throughout the empire. Even if it takes time, since the empire has suffered from drought for so long, it would be a great help. The issue is how to install them over such long distances—there’s no one who knows about aqueducts.”
Robin brought his hand to his mouth, his eyes thoughtful.
“What form do you envision these aqueducts taking?”
“I’ll meet with the palace mages right away and discuss aqueducts with them.”
As Killian left the office, I ran over and hugged Uncle Robin and Uncle Bill. Patting my back, they spoke proudly.
“You’ve become a proper young lady, Red.”
“Red, you’ll set the hearts of the empire’s men ablaze. You were already pretty as a child, but now you’re so beautiful you look like a fairy—I hardly recognize you. What did you eat to grow up like this?”
“And you two! Why have you gotten so dark and burly? Robin, you’ve really become a true uncle now. Are you eating properly?”
“Don’t worry. Wherever we go, we never go hungry.”
“When did you start working with His Majesty the Emperor?”
At my question, Uncle Bill stroked my head with his thick hand.
“As soon as His Majesty ascended the throne, he sent out the Imperial Guard to capture us. He ordered us to find you immediately.”
“But you said you didn’t know.”
Robin continued from beside him.
“Of course we played dumb. But honestly, it didn’t look like His Majesty believed us. We were locked up in prison for a few days. Then he summoned us, saying he had work for us. The drought was severe at the time, you see. He ordered us to investigate the drought across the empire while searching for you.”
“P-Prison?”
I was so shocked my mouth fell open.
“It’s fine. We were released after just a few days. By the way, Red, when did you come to the empire?”
I explained how I came to the empire and how I became a hygienist.
“I knew His Majesty would eventually find you. I heard him giving orders to the chief aide separately from us. Anyway, it’s a relief—you’re safe.”
“Red, while investigating with my older brother, I heard an interesting old story—”
Just then, the door opened and Killian’s hard voice rang out.
“Robin, it seems you omitted that interesting old story from your report. I believe I warned you never to deceive me again.”
Still in the office reminiscing, we met Killian’s sharp gaze as he returned.
“Red, the mages want to hear more details about aqueducts. It would be better if you explained it directly. I know you’re happy to see Robin and Bill, but you’ll have to catch up later. This matter is more urgent.”
Looking at me standing in the office, Killian continued.
“That’s right, Red. Take care of the urgent matter first. We’ll be staying at the palace for a while. We go to Tom’s restaurant every day, so let’s meet again there later.”
After saying goodbye to Uncle Robin and Uncle Bill, I followed Killian.
