~Chapter 28~
The person Ruby most wanted to see in the royal palace was this boy — the Second Prince, Theo.
So this is my future brother-in-law.
As expected of the male lead, his looks were stunning even as a child.
But his personality seemed shy. He stuck close to his older brother and didn’t seem to know what to do.
In the novel, he had been portrayed as a bold and dependable man. But of course, he was still young now — he would grow into that role in time.
“Now then, you children sit as well,” the emperor said.
After the greetings were exchanged, the emperor had Ivan and Theo seated on the sofa opposite Ruby and her siblings.
Now that they were face to face, Ivan’s gaze became even more obvious, staring straight at Ruby.
Ruby, however, kept her attention fixed only on Theo.
Calix and Sasha, unsure what to do in front of such high-ranking figures, looked back and forth between the two princes. They had studied etiquette, but meeting royalty in person was a completely different matter.
“As you may have guessed, I called your grandchildren here so they could become playmates for my sons,” the emperor said.
It was exactly as Ruby had expected. Both she and Duke Lux had known this proposal would come ever since the invitation arrived.
In the Baldur Empire, nobles served the emperor but often stuck together, forming strong factions. The clearest example was the Council of Elders, which represented the nobles’ interests and was the only power that could oppose the crown.
Sometimes the council openly resisted the emperor’s policies, making them a constant source of trouble.
Duke Lux was one of the few who did not side with the council and remained neutral.
When he had still been Duke, he had earned countless military merits and had been granted the title of Grand Duke by the late emperor. In his youth, he had even served as Captain of the Guard out of loyalty to the former ruler.
But when the current emperor ascended the throne, Duke Lux had stepped down and lived as an ordinary noble, staying out of politics as much as possible.
So he was neither on the emperor’s side nor on the nobles’ side.
Even so, the authority of “Grand Duke” carried enormous weight. The emperor wanted to draw him closer, since Duke Lux was the only one powerful enough to counter the Council of Elders.
Until now, Duke Lux had given him no opening. But now, with Ruby and the children in the picture, the emperor was trying to use them as that opening.
“These children lived almost like commoners until now. They are not suitable companions for the princes,” Duke Lux said bluntly, rejecting the idea.
“That makes them even more suitable. As royals, my sons must learn to understand ordinary subjects’ hearts,” the emperor countered smoothly.
“Impossible. I fear my grandchildren would only trouble Their Highnesses. In fact, they are notorious troublemakers.”
“No we’re not—!” Calix started to shout, but Ruby quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.
When he struggled, Sasha hugged his arms tightly to stop him.
“You see? Even here in the palace, they can’t sit still. I’m embarrassed they’ve shown such behavior before Your Majesty,” Duke Lux said.
“Freedom like that is exactly what the princes lack. They would make fine companions,” the emperor replied, intent on his plan.
He clearly wanted Ruby and her siblings to be the princes’ playmates.
Duke Lux, deflected at every turn, fell silent. Then his sharp gaze turned to the princes.
“Then why not ask the princes themselves, since they are the ones concerned?”
“What do you think? Do you want them as your friends?” the emperor asked.
But Ivan and Theo hesitated, unable to answer right away.
“It seems Their Highnesses are not interested,” Duke Lux said quickly, cutting in.
“They probably just can’t judge yet since they’ve only just met. Then why don’t you all take a walk in the garden?” the emperor suggested, gesturing toward the doors.
He clearly wanted to give the princes time to warm up and eventually say yes.
Ruby had expected the emperor to simply order the princes, so this choice surprised her.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ivan answered promptly and stood.
Theo immediately followed his brother’s lead.
Since it was effectively the emperor’s command, Ruby and the children had no reason to refuse.
“We’ll be back, Grandfather,” Ruby said, holding Maria as she rose.
Naturally, Calix and Sasha stood too.
“Do not cause trouble for the princes,” Duke Lux added.
Ruby nodded in reply.
“Follow me,” Ivan said and strode out of the reception room.
Theo and Ruby walked behind him side by side. Theo glanced at Ruby, and she gave him a gentle smile.
“Brother, wait for me!”
Theo’s face turned bright red and he quickly ran to Ivan’s side. He was shyer than Ruby had imagined.
Ivan led them swiftly out of the Rose Palace.
Ruby and the others, unfamiliar with the palace, had to hurry to keep up.
Ivan never looked back, striding ahead. He didn’t even notice how Theo was struggling to keep up with his shorter legs.
It didn’t seem like the brothers had a warm relationship.
It was understandable. Ivan was the son of the late empress, while Theo was the son of the current empress. They only shared half their blood.
With no crown prince yet officially appointed, when they grew older there would almost certainly be factional conflicts. Perhaps the nobles had already split into sides supporting one or the other.
Whether they wanted it or not, the princes’ positions guaranteed they would be caught up in politics.
Ruby could only feel pity for them — siblings by title, yet unable to have a true brotherly bond.
“This is the garden,” Ivan announced.
“Wow!”
“Big sis, it’s huge!” Calix and Sasha’s eyes sparkled as they looked over the vast royal gardens.
They looked ready to run off and play immediately.
Freed from the emperor’s presence, all the nervousness from earlier vanished.
Ruby couldn’t blame them. Sitting stiffly in uncomfortable clothes before the emperor must have felt like an eternity to them. It was impressive they had endured it without causing trouble.
Still, Ruby hesitated before asking Ivan,
“Would it be alright if my younger siblings played here for a bit?”
The garden was vast but designed so everything could be seen at a glance. The neatly trimmed trees only reached her waist, so even if the children ran around, they would remain in her sight.
Of course, she couldn’t risk offending the princes, so she asked permission first.
“Let them play as much as they like,” Ivan said readily.
The moment they heard his permission, Calix and Sasha’s faces lit up. They looked ready to dash off.
Ruby added one more instruction.
“Invite Prince Theo to play with you.”
At that, the children turned to Theo with curiosity.
Theo, uncertain, looked to Ivan for guidance.
“Play with them. That way you can decide whether they’ll make good friends,” Ivan said.
“Yes, Brother.”
“Come on, Prince Theo,” Calix said, holding out his hand in a grown-up voice.
“Play with us!” Sasha added, holding out her hand too.
Theo, looking bewildered, let them each take one of his hands.
Then the children burst into laughter and pulled him toward the center of the garden.
“Calix, Sasha! Be careful not to fall!” Ruby called out, but her voice didn’t seem to reach them as they ran off like wild foals.
They had already forgotten all about Ruby’s earlier warnings about royal etiquette.
Sighing, Ruby turned back to Ivan.
“First Prince.”
“Just call me Ivan.”
“…Ivan, what do you usually do for fun?” Ruby asked.
“I don’t play like children do,” Ivan answered, shaking his head.
He was only ten, but he already spoke like a prince burdened with duty. He didn’t allow himself simple play.
Ruby felt an odd sense of kinship. She too hadn’t played like a child, both because of her past-life memories and her responsibilities.
“In that case, could you give us a tour of the garden instead? I’d like to show it to my youngest sister, Maria.”
