ISTF 10

Chapter 10

Driven by Alber’s urging, we arrived in the capital right on schedule.

The capital of the Euredian Empire, Lexros.

The blessed land said to have been bestowed upon the first king, Arme, by the moon goddess Cornu.

In all my past life, I had never come this far.

My head spun with a mix of anxiety and excitement at being in an unfamiliar place.

“We’re almost there.”

In the distance, the silhouette of the imperial palace came into view. The place where the Emperor, who took an interest in my custody dispute, resided. Finally, we arrived before the massive gates of the palace.

From the entrance, we had to go much further in to reach Abel Palace, where the Emperor conducted his affairs.

Since the current Emperor, Frederik, had opened the imperial palace to the public, tourists in their finest clothes were strolling through the gardens.

*’I heard he was a strict perfectionist… but I suppose that’s not entirely true?’*

After all, an emperor with a rigid personality wouldn’t readily open up his palace.

Arriving at Abel Palace, we were guided inside by the Chief Chamberlain.

Passing through sparsely populated corridors, we arrived before the doors of the audience chamber.

“One slip of the tongue in front of His Majesty, and your head will fly off. Be careful.”

Alber warned Keith. Keith seemed displeased by his advice.

“I’ll take care of my own head.”

Thanks to the two of them, who were consistently at odds with each other, my tension eased a little.

The Chief Chamberlain whispered with one of the guards. The two guards opened the rear doors of the audience chamber.

“Lef Romanoff, Duke; Merlin Alber Valliere, Duke; Daphne Thessarus, Knight; and Keith Flanders.”

The names were announced in order of rank.

The Emperor’s audience chamber we entered was magnificent. The ceiling seemed to touch the sky, and soft light streamed in.

Unlike the ostentatious exterior, the interior was simple and antique—a space so sacred one could believe it was a temple for a deity rather than a place to meet the Emperor.

Marble-carved, two-headed lion statues guarded the Emperor from the walls on both sides.

And finally, we saw the highest-ranking person in the empire.

Seated stiffly on the imperial throne, looking down at us, the Emperor was a handsome man with straight eyebrows, a sharp nose, thin lips, and a masculine jaw.

Nearing middle age, his lean frame exuded vitality and an imposing dignity.

Lef and Alber knelt on one knee in practiced motions to greet him. Keith watched them and then followed suit discreetly. I stood behind the three of them.

After receiving their greetings, the Emperor spoke.

“You’ve had a long journey. You may rise.”

That man with the magnificent beard would decide my custody.

It was the question I’d been pondering throughout the carriage ride. After all, I couldn’t choose my guardian. Since I couldn’t, I had to guide the Emperor, the one with the authority, to follow my will.

I stepped forward confidently. Pulling my chin in gracefully over my straight shoulders, I bent my knees deeply.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

My curtsy was flawless, worthy of a well-bred young lady well-versed in social etiquette.

My legs were plump and short, my cheeks were round and rosy, and my knee-length children’s dress was adorable—but nevertheless, it was perfect.

The surroundings grew quiet.

I anxiously waited for the Emperor’s reaction.

“Hahaha, isn’t she a proper little lady?”

The Emperor laughed pleasantly.

“It seems this young lady knows exactly who she needs to impress and how.”

Just as I’d expected, the Emperor’s pleased reaction eased my mind a little.

There was a reason I put so much effort into simply curtsying. Because he was known for expecting perfection down to the smallest detail from his son.

It was a famous fact in my past life that he’d grown distant from the Crown Prince because he wouldn’t tolerate even a single careless mistake.

It’s hard to call him a good father, but that’s precisely why—as a regressed person—I could use my ‘un-childlike’ maturity to my advantage.

The Emperor rose from his seat and descended the velvet-covered steps.

“I find this matter quite intriguing,” the Emperor said, grasping Lef’s arms firmly as if embracing him. Lef remained silent.

“My nephew, our Black Lion! I thought he was a naive fool. Hahaha!”

“I am ashamed, Your Majesty. I will ensure no dishonor comes to the imperial dignity.”

The Emperor released Lef and moved toward Alber.

“And here we have the second son of Valliere. This will be no easy contest.”

“Thank you for your interest, Your Majesty.”

Next, the Emperor’s steps turned toward Keith.

“And you are… hmm.”

I swallowed dryly as the Emperor’s gaze scanned Keith.

I was worried he might speak informally even in front of the Emperor. Lef and Alber didn’t seem to care much about word choice, but the Emperor was a different matter… His head really might fly off.

The other two, especially Alber, seemed to share my concern, glaring at Keith with anxious expressions, like parents watching their child near a river’s edge.

“Keith Lorelai Flanders. It is an honor to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”

Keith, whom I’d expected to act recklessly, greeted with an unprecedented politeness.

“I see. So you’re the nameless wanderer.”

“I’ve lived a free-spirited life, wandering wherever my feet take me.”

The Emperor’s magnificent beard moved as he smiled, studying Keith intently.

“Three men claiming parental rights over one child—what an extraordinary affair.”

“I’m grateful for your leniency, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor came toward me.

“I intend to personally judge this case. I am very curious to see who will gain custody.”

He patted my head, but his touch was rather awkward.

“But as you know, an Emperor is a busy man. So I’ve summoned someone to assist with this matter.”

*Knock, knock.*

A knock sounded at the door.

“Right on time. Let them in!”

The guards opened the doors.

I turned my head to see who the Emperor had called.

Through the door where light poured in, a man in a splendid cloak entered. He was much younger than the face I remembered, and his hairstyle was different, but—

I had never forgotten that man for even a single moment.

Junius Iscariot Rector.

My nemesis from my past life, who sent me to the gallows.

Duke Rector, wearing that same confident smile as on that day, stood before the Emperor. I stiffened as if struck by lightning, glaring at him.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

His manner—raising his right hand to his heart and bowing his head—was natural and impeccable. But even his charming demeanor was repulsive to me.

“Now, greet the three fine prospective fathers.”

Rector looked at us and smiled, inclining his head slightly.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Junius Rector.”

The three men exchanged greetings with Rector, and then it was my turn.

It was my moment to show the perfect greeting I had displayed before the Emperor, but my body simply wouldn’t move.

*How could I possibly offer you a courteous greeting?*

“She seems a bit shy. Children are like that.”

It’s common for children of this age to freeze up around strangers. Dismissing it as nothing unusual, Rector spoke to the Emperor.

“There are more parties involved in this matter than just these three. The late Count Thessarus’s blood relative—his aunt, Juliana Patelier, and her husband, Etienne Patelier—have arrived in the capital.”

I could barely hear what he was saying.

I felt like my insides were turning over. Nausea rose in my throat, and the world spun.

Seeing me stagger, the Emperor said, “The Count seems startled by the unfamiliar surroundings. I’ve ordered rooms prepared in the palace—everyone should go and rest.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Words of gratitude came from all, no one wanting to be the last.

I don’t know how I managed to finish the greetings and get out of the audience chamber.

Outside the door, Rector spoke to me in a friendly manner.

“A child inheriting a countship and three prospective fathers—this will be Euredia’s greatest scandal.”

Rector reached out to pat my head.

*I must hold back. He hasn’t done anything yet. But—but—*

“Huff!”

I bit down on Duke Rector’s approaching hand with all my might. I’d rather have my jaw broken than let him touch me.

“Wh—!”

Rector swallowed a curse between his teeth and roughly shook me off. At my height, barely reaching his knees, I had no way to resist and fell over.

“What are you doing to a child?!”

“She bit me suddenly—I was startled and reacted without thinking.”

Rector made excuses to Keith, who was clearly displeased. As if it were such a coincidence. He made no move to help me up, just cradled his injured finger.

*I should have bitten his finger clean off!*

I gasped, glaring at him.

“Most children take a liking to me… but it seems Count Thessarus does not.”

Rector moved his stiff facial muscles into a sickly smile. Meeting his cold eyes, I felt a desolate sensation, as if no one else existed around me.

I wanted to lunge at him right now and tear out his throat.

“Well, I must go get this treated. Until next time.”

Rector strode away quickly.

Though he vanished from my sight, I couldn’t calm down.

*I never imagined Duke Rector would get involved in my case.*

Fate truly seems to have no intention of leaving me alone.

If, by some chance, Rector moves for me, it will be for his own gain.

There’s no way a ruling favorable to me will be made. He might even lie to the Emperor and throw me into a pit far worse than the Pateliers.