LLTEEFM 10

Chapter 10. Then, the Flowers

“Oh, come to think of it, I heard there’s a kid who’s become quite popular among the hostages. Is that Princess Blanche?”

Of course, Berken already knew it was Blanche. But he had to act uninterested — just enough to bring her up casually in conversation since Liana mentioned her.

“She’s not a hostage, she’s a peace envoy! Yeah, I think it’s probably Princess Blanche. These days, the envoys are hosting frequent social gatherings, and she’s apparently the talk of the town. They say there’s nowhere she isn’t welcomed.”

“Social gatherings?”

“Yeah. I mean, it’s only natural for lonely people from faraway lands to band together, but the speed of it all was surprising.”

“Really? That’s interesting. Do you have any idea why?”

Liana shook her head, her hair ornaments swaying gently as her hair followed the motion.

“Nope, nothing in particular. Must just be a coincidence.”

“Well, I guess that happens.”

Despite his words, Berken had a good guess. It was probably because of Blanche.

Of course, he didn’t believe this was all part of Blanche’s grand plan. Thinking a three-year-old, unaware that she’s housing the mind of a 65-year-old, intentionally created a social circle? That’s not clever — that’s delusional.

So, Berken figured the emergence of a social scene was just a side effect of Blanche running around meeting people to recruit allies. To gain control of the Emerald Palace, she needed supporters. In searching for them, she naturally met many people, which led to frequent meetings and eventually formed the current social scene.

Even so, Blanche’s accomplishments were more than Berken had expected. Taming the Emerald Palace was one thing — but becoming the central figure of a new social circle among the hostages was far more valuable.

And, above all, much harder than swaying a few royal members.

Berken knew a lot about precocious children. He’d already scoured the continent for anyone suitable to pair with Melchizedek.

From that search, one thing became clear: precocious, intelligent children weren’t particularly cute. They might be useful, but they weren’t lovable.

But Blanche had suddenly become the darling of this new social circle. From what he heard, everyone was absolutely charmed by her.

‘She must be better at buttering people up than I thought.’

That was fine with him. If she knew how to endear herself to others, she could do the same with Melchizedek.

And if she could charm his brother, maybe she could become his friend too.

Berken smiled, satisfied. Finally, it seemed like his younger brother might have a real friend.

Only the adults were pleased with this arrangement — lunch plans went forward without a hitch. The Grand Duke, though sighing heavily, attended as scheduled. As for Blanche, refusing was out of the question.

“Are you uncomfortable in any way?”

“Tank yu four yur condsern.(Thanks to your concern.)”

Blanche glanced sideways at Melchizedek while answering the Empress. Since the Grand Duke was present, she had expected the Emperor and Empress to go out of their way to link the two together during lunch. Yet the boy in question hadn’t spared her a single glance.

Then why call her here in the first place? It would’ve been more comfortable with just the Empress. Doing her best not to look toward the Emperor, Blanche inwardly grumbled.

“Well then, we must get back to our duties.”

“Sorry we have to leave early. But please, stay as long as you like.”

“Melchi, look after Princess Blanche.”

Was this the plan all along, or were they bailing because the Grand Duke was too uncooperative?

The Emperor and Empress got up the moment lunch ended, and Blanche clicked her tongue inwardly.

“See you again, Princess.”

Perhaps the Empress thought the two wouldn’t even speak if she stayed. Despite her regretful expression, she stood and left.

“See yu neks time.(See you next time.)”

Blanche smiled sweetly as she bid them goodbye — and suddenly, she felt déjà vu. She had once sat across from another awkward noble boy like this. Not just once — many, many times.

“Shall we take a walk?”

While lost in thought, the Grand Duke finally spoke for the first time since greeting her. He was only two years older, yet his speech was smooth. Envy stirred in Blanche. When will I finally grow up? she thought vaguely as she watched the boy rise from his chair.

But instead of following him, she looked up at the flowers.

Judging by his attitude — not even glancing back — it was clear he wanted to assert dominance. If he walked ahead, there was no way Blanche, with her short legs, could catch up.

When you follow someone, it’s easy to feel like a subordinate receiving orders. That must be what he was aiming for.

A smart tactic — too smart for a five-year-old. But unfortunately for him, he was dealing with Blanche. She could read the thoughts of a five-year-old like an open book.

Sure enough, after a moment, the boy returned on his own.

“Did you not hear me?”

His voice was calm. Despite likely being annoyed, he kept his composure. A promising child, Blanche thought, taking her eyes off the flowers to look at him.

“No, I herd yu.(No, I heard you.)”

“Oh? So you ignored the Grand Duke? Bold of you.”

Blanche smiled sweetly. Her lips curved so unnaturally high that her chubby cheeks puffed up from the strain.

“Ah thot yu didunt wannt tu bee bottherd.(I thought you didn’t want to be bothered.)”

In her past life, such a smile from her body would have made people tremble. But now, housed in a three-year-old’s frame, the boy wasn’t fazed.

“Why would I not? I clearly said we should walk.”

His voice was gentle, and his expression calm. Blanche adjusted her evaluation of him.

He might be more difficult than the Emperor.

“Sumtyms peeple say wun thing, but meen uh nuther.(Sometimes people say one thing, but mean another.)”

“So you ignored me because of that? What if I punished you for insubordination?”

“Evun if it cost me my lyfe, itz the duty of a frend tu not ofend a nobile’s hart.(Even if it cost me my life, it is the duty of a friend to avoid offending a noble’s heart.)”

A linguist would have fainted on the spot. That was not what friendship meant.

But the boy wasn’t a linguist — he was royalty. And he understood what Blanche truly meant. Her words precisely captured the kind of loyalty expected of a prince’s friend.

Ordinary friends were equals. Ordinary retainers followed orders.

But a friend of a royal — a ruler — must watch their lord’s mood and act accordingly. Even if it meant shouldering the blame alone.

Blanche was saying exactly that. That she hadn’t disrespected him but instead tried to read his mood and act in a way that pleased him.

The Grand Duke, if he were upset, could punish her severely for rudeness. But she had chosen to appease him — not resist.

“…Ah, you’re definitely like my brother.”

It was a bit much for a five-year-old to grasp, but the boy seemed to understand her completely.

“Alright, seems we can talk. Let’s be frank.”

Pleased with Blanche’s attitude, he climbed back into his chair.

“As you probably already know, my brother thinks I need friends my age.”

Blanche agreed wholeheartedly and said honestly:

“Goot brothur you hev.(You have a good brother.)”

“But I have no interest in playing friends.”

He propped his chin on his hand with a surprisingly mature posture, even if his arm was still childlike. His expression, though, was natural.

“So let’s do this — let’s pretend to be close. Just in front of my brother and sister-in-law.”

Blanche paused for a moment. …This is what a five-year-old says?

“Not fr real?(Not for real?)”

The boy smiled, eyes crinkling.

“It’s a win-win. You get the title of the Grand Duke’s playmate. I avoid annoying situations.”

Like brother, like brother, she thought. No denying that bloodline.

As Blanche stayed silent, momentarily stunned, the boy took it for hesitation and added in a more coaxing tone:

“Being the Grand Duke’s playmate means you’re treated like a quasi-royal. You don’t even have to do anything. Isn’t that great?”

His eyes asked, Well?

Blanche lowered her gaze modestly.

“As yu wish, Your Highness.(As you wish, Your Highness.)”

If it was just a nominal friendship, this was better. Once she got what she wanted, the Emperor would stop paying attention to her, and the Grand Duke never cared in the first place.

“Good. To celebrate the start of our agreement, I should give you something. What do you want?”

Perhaps feeling generous after getting his way, the Grand Duke spoke more kindly.

“Ahm fine.(I’m fine.)”

“The Grand Duke’s playmate should be rewarded appropriately.”

Blanche, who had no interest in material benefits, tried to decline, but the Grand Duke was insistent.

Realizing he wouldn’t back down easily, Blanche glanced around and spoke briefly:

“Then… fluwers.(Then… flowers.)”