Chapter 07
Someone from the Imperial Palace came to pick me up, and I was riding in a carriage with Adam on the way there.
The carriage seat was huge compared to my small body, but it was so soft that it felt nice.
“If you look at the map of the Empire, the capital, Cheran, seems very far from Galnem. But there was a shortcut through the underground caves, and His Majesty came up with a brilliant plan.”
Looking out the window, Adam explained why Parmes had been living in Galnem.
“The other three princes, who kept the Fourth Prince in check, believed His Majesty had given up the succession and shut himself away. But they had no idea that His Majesty was carrying out a much greater plan.”
It had been a plan spanning ten whole years.
To seize the Imperial throne, he had lived in that little countryside village for ten years as “Uncle Zimmer.”
Whenever I remembered Uncle Zimmer’s innocent smile, I still couldn’t believe he was actually the tyrant Parmes.
“…But wasn’t the original plan supposed to take even longer?”
“Ah, so you’ve heard about that as well. Originally it was expected to take twelve or thirteen years, but for some reason His Majesty accelerated the plan. Because of that, it took an extra year after his ascension to completely eliminate his political enemies.”
The way he casually talked about wiping people out gave me chills.
“Th-Then… what happened to the other three princes who opposed His Majesty?”
“Naturally.”
Adam smiled coldly.
“They’re with the late Emperor now.”
“Eek!”
A chill ran down my spine again.
Parmes Aslet really was a terrifying tyrant.
He was… nothing like the Uncle Zimmer I knew.
Get a grip, Arinel.
The palace garden contained a massive greenhouse large enough for birds to fly through. It was just as beautiful and diverse as any botanical garden I’d seen in my previous life.
The scent of lush greenery filled the air, and clouds drifted beyond the towering glass ceiling.
But I couldn’t enjoy the fresh air created by all those plants.
Because…
“…Arinel.”
Formerly Uncle Zimmer.
Now Emperor Parmes Aslet.
A man with beautiful silver hair and blood-red eyes sat across from me, staring directly at me.
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
I answered without meeting his eyes.
Being alone with him felt exactly like the old days with Uncle Zimmer.
We used to drink tea together and watch the clouds drift by.
…
I quickly shook my head.
He wasn’t Uncle Zimmer anymore.
If I treated him the same way as before, my life might be in danger.
“…It makes me sad.”
I froze at Parmes’ voice.
“Huh?”
His crimson eyes were fixed on me.
…Were they a little watery?
“You used to visit me whenever you had the chance. But now you only come when I summon you. Whenever I looked out the window of my office and caught sight of blonde hair…”
His gaze lingered on my own blonde hair.
“I kept hoping it was Arinel. Every time I realized it wasn’t, I was disappointed. I was even thinking of banning everyone with blonde hair from entering the palace except for Arinel.”
For a moment, I could only stare at him blankly.
After a long pause, I pointed at myself.
“…M-Me? You were waiting for me?”
Parmes nodded innocently, as if nothing about that was strange.
His expression was exactly like the old Uncle Zimmer.
“B-But, Uncle… Your Majesty…”
I almost called him Uncle Zimmer without thinking and barely caught myself.
“Your Majesty is now…”
Busy.
Of course an emperor was busy.
But Parmes shook his head wistfully.
“Yesterday, I thought I saw Arinel’s silhouette outside my office window. I stood up so quickly…”
He rolled up the sleeve of his jacket.
Beneath the expensive silk sleeve was a faint cut on his arm.
I gasped.
“…I bumped into the corner of my desk.”
That pitiful look!
And… were those tears forming already?!
“I told you to be careful! Were you distracted again?”
Without thinking, I jumped to my feet and hurried over to him.
I carefully examined the wound.
He still carried the same faint mint scent that Uncle Zimmer used to have.
“Thankfully it doesn’t look like it’s split open. It would be nice if I had some ointment, but I left all of mine at home…”
Out of habit, I searched my pockets, even though I knew there was nothing there.
Still, I had to say this.
“Please be more careful. It really upsets me when you get hurt.”
As I scolded him sternly, delight gradually filled Parmes’ eyes.
He smiled faintly.
Only then did I realize what I’d done.
I immediately shut my mouth.
Parmes gently placed a large hand on top of my head.
…What was this?
Was he checking to make sure my head was still attached?
“Arinel.”
His voice became soft and serious, putting aside all the joking.
“It must have been very hard for you. Thank you for staying strong.”
Looking at me with trembling eyes, Parmes spoke sincerely.
“I’ve always missed you.”
On the way home, I repeatedly slapped both of my cheeks.
Don’t be fooled by that gentle face and innocent smile.
“If Arinel won’t come to me, then I’ll simply move the Imperial Palace next to the Marquess Mylara estate. Then I’ll get to see Arinel often.”
“D-Don’t say ridiculous things.”
“We’re family now, daughter-in-law. It’s only natural for family members to visit each other often.”
Parmes Aslet was a ruthless tyrant…
“‘Your Majesty’ sounds too formal. You may call me Father-in-law instead. And if that’s difficult to pronounce, you may simply leave out the ‘father-in’ part.”
He would consume the Empire, rule with cruelty, and drown the world in blood…
“I’ve already sent the marriage contract you signed to the bishop. Since he only has one life, I’m sure he’ll obediently announce the engagement. Somehow I’m even more nervous than when I got married. Aren’t you excited too, Arinel?”
…
“How is Uncle Zimmer the tyrant?!”
Unable to endure Parmes’ cheerful voice echoing endlessly in my mind, I clutched my head and shouted.
Silence followed.
I honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Clatter.
Clatter.
The carriage continued toward the Marquess estate.
“Ha…”
I took a deep breath.
Parmes Aslet…
really was Uncle Zimmer.
I had to accept that.
In the original novel he was a terrifying tyrant…
But now he was still the uncle who treasured me and cared about me.
Though perhaps a little too much.
People could have many different sides to them, but Uncle Zimmer’s two sides were so completely opposite that I couldn’t help feeling confused.
I needed more time to figure out how I should treat him from now on.
“…But why is Briton…”
When Parmes suggested I meet Briton before leaving the palace, I had fled as if escaping.
I could still vividly remember Briton reaching out toward me happily when he happened to pass by.
“Ah, my lady…!”
I had pretended not to hear him and run away.
I looked down at my own small hands.
The maids had bathed me yesterday, but my hands were still rough and darkened by the sun.
Briton’s face and appearance, on the other hand, looked like he had never touched bare soil in his life.
I’d never seen him in Galnem, so he must have grown up in the capital as royalty. Compared to the refined girls here, I was practically wild.
If Briton and I stood together, we’d look like Beauty and the Beast. As unfair as it is, I’d definitely be the Beast.
“…”
I sighed deeply and shook my head.
Maybe Briton doesn’t want this engagement either. Maybe he’s only obeying Parmes’ orders.
Besides, I was only eleven, and according to Imperial law, marriage wasn’t allowed until the age of eighteen.
There was still plenty of time.
Surely such a handsome prince would have a girlfriend or two before then.
And naturally…
he’d lose interest in me.
Click.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the Marquess estate.
A moment later, the door opened, and a white-gloved hand reached inside to escort me out.
