Chapter 55. Aidan and grapefruit jam cookies2020.08.11.
Hwang Sang-je’s gaze made even a tolerable adult man tremble with fear, but Enrique did not budge. There were too many things Enrique was afraid of to be weighed down by this level of intimidation. People were buzzing and squinting at the interesting spectacle.
“I never thought His Majesty the situation would keep us in check…”
“His Majesty the Emperor and Prince Javier are likewise…”
Esteban wrinkled his face at the murmurs coming from all over the place. After leaving the place for a while, as expected, the cute Mabel caught a fly. It was also Enrique Javier, the heir to the unlucky Duke Javier.
‘It’s been like this once before.’
I know we haven’t met for 3 years since then, but I never thought we’d pretend to be close like this.
‘As expected, Mabel is a genius to remember clearly what happened three years ago.’
Even in the midst of this, Esteban was the one who never left out his daughter’s address. The murmur grew louder and louder.
“Then… His Majesty the situation…”
“He interfered between the two…”
Eudeuk. Esteban gnashed his teeth. I wanted to wipe out all those who were swept away by ridiculous rumors.
“dad?”
However, she couldn’t reveal her true nature in front of the cute Mabel who looked up at her with big eyes. Esteban covered the child with his body so that Enrique could not see Mabel. Mabel whined, perhaps feeling frustrated because her vision was blocked, but Esteban didn’t get out of the way. Because he had a duty to protect his precious daughter.
“Mabel has no intention of dancing with you.”
“The person I asked for a dance is not His Majesty Sang Hwang, but His Majesty the Emperor.”
I thought that if I said a word, he would back down immediately, but Enrique was more persistent than I thought.
‘It can’t be helped.’
I didn’t want to do it this far, but it didn’t matter that it came out like that. Esteban glared at Enrique with a stern face.
“If you want to ask Mabel to dance, you will have to beat me.”
“…”
Silence fell. Enrique, the person involved, and the other aristocrats who were watching all shut up. The act of risking one’s life to dance with the cute emperor was too reckless. It is said that he lost his temper a lot now, but Hwang Sangje Esteban was once called a killer on the battlefield. There was no one who could break it.
“…We abide by Your Majesty’s wishes.”
In the end, Enrique, who had broken his will, bowed his head and retreated. In the midst of the bloody atmosphere, Esteban scanned the crowd. People trembled and averted their gaze, afraid that their eyes would meet. At a time when everyone was afraid of the Situation System, only one person criticized the Situation System.
“Dad Babu!”
It was Mabel.
“Mabel’s dad is all for you…”
“Don’t mess with Daddy’s game and go away.”
“Mabel…!”
The little emperor defeated the killer on the battlefield that everyone feared with just two words. People gaped at the back of Hwang Sang-je as he trudged along in a sullen mood.
‘It’s so easy to get rid of Situation System!’
Duke Donovan, who had been observing the situation, said to Mabel.
“As I said, you didn’t have to learn to dance.”
“Haha….”
‘Did that mean it…’
In fact, Mabel thought that the scariest thing might be Duke Donovan, who sees through the fiery character of the Emperor.
. . . Duke Donovan’s final destination was where the ladies of Mabel’s age were gathered.
“Your Excellency Duke Donovan!”
Among them, one of the eldest young ladies was startled and bowed politely. Duke Donovan pointed out the young lady’s mistake with an expressionless face.
“I have to say hello to His Majesty the Emperor first.”
Realizing the mistake of greeting the duke in front of the emperor, the young lady’s face turned white.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. Please forgive me for my mistakes!”
Even if it was unintentional, ignoring the imperial family. Of course I thought it wouldn’t just go away. But what Mabel smiled wide at the young lady.
“Gancha or Ganchana.”
The ladies were deeply moved by the emperor’s generosity as he waved his hand as if it were not a big deal.
‘You’re cute and you’re so generous!’
Mabel gave her mother a smile.
‘Child, how cute!’
The young ladies dressed in pretty clothes were very lovely. On top of that, how can you not be cute when you look at yourself and don’t know what to do with your cheeks blushing? It didn’t matter that he said hello to the duke first without even knowing he was there. Duke Donovan was out of luck.
“Would you tell His Majesty your names?”
It was a great honor to introduce oneself to the Emperor. The girls greeted each other with blushing cheeks and gently lifting the skirts of their skirts.
“I am Sandra Salaman of Count Salaman.”
“I am Christine Oberith of the Marquess of Oberit, Your Majesty.”
“I am Louise Hildea of Viscount Hildea.”
After introducing several girls, only one was left.
“I am Emily Javier of the Xavier duchy. It’s an honor to see you again, Your Majesty.”
At the greeting of Emily, the red-haired girl, Mabel put on a welcoming expression.
“Nice to meet you again, Emily.”
The girls around him were shocked inside. This is because Emily never showed signs of meeting the Emperor. It was a curious thing. As curiosity was focused on the veiled baby emperor, it would be possible to become the center of attention if he confessed that he had met the emperor.
“Ever since I met Your Majesty then, I have been scolded for wanting to see you again. I have been waiting for the banquet day to come.”
When he said that he wanted to see him, Mabel smiled happily.
“Thank you.”
“Is the dress Your Majesty is wearing tailored to the Duke that day?”
“yes.”
“It is a really gorgeous dress. It suits you very well! As expected, His Excellency’s discernment is great.”
Emily praised Mabel and at the same time praised Duke Donovan.
“Thank you.”
Duke Donovan simply nodded in greeting. The other ladies were surprised to see Emily naturally conversing with the Emperor and Duke Donovan.
‘You look very friendly.’
It was a conversation that seemed friendly to anyone, so I couldn’t intervene. It was natural for Emily to take the lead in the conversation.
“If it’s okay, Your Majesty, could you come to my tea party later?”
At Emily’s suggestion, Mabel widened her eyes.
‘Tea party?’
The tea party itself was not a problem. But the problem was Emily’s family. I couldn’t walk voluntarily into the mansion of Duke Javier, who was smirking enough to not know how many snakes were hiding inside. Mabel secretly looked at Duke Donovan. She kept silent, as if telling Mabel to do as she wished.
“My brother Enrique will also attend.”
Enrique’s name weakened Mabel even more. So Mabel answered vaguely.
“Should I think about it for a moment?”
“sure! I will send you an invitation.”
Despite not agreeing, Emily smiled brightly. Duke Donovan’s cold eyes watched Emily indifferently.
***
The founding banquet continued until late, but the young ladies and gentlemen returned to the mansion early. Emily and Enrique also waited outside for the carriage to come.
“Emily.”
Emily smiled brightly and answered Enrique’s call.
“Yes, brother.”
“Do what you do. Because no one is watching.”
“What is it?”
Emily’s expression changed in an instant. The smile disappeared from his face, leaving only an annoyed expression. Emily Javier. On the outside, she was a beautiful girl like an angel, but the reality was different. If there was something he wanted, he eventually got it after he tricked others, even by killing his own personality. The ‘Javier-like’ child that even Duke Javier acknowledged was Emily. Only a few members of the Javier family, including Enrique, knew Emily’s original personality. Enrique warned Emily.
“No matter what my father said, don’t play nonsense with His Majesty the Emperor.”
“What is an older brother?”
“Emily.”
“Are you ordering me now?”
Emily snorted. I had no intention of treating him with the fact that he was only a few years older.
“Enrique Javier. Orabuni, set the route straight.”
“….”
“Do you want to become a government official?”
This time, too, Enrique did not open his mouth. Emily shrugged.
“Honey was dripping in His Majesty’s eyes.”
“You’d better refrain from making rude remarks.”
“How is it that His Majesty is not here? And if it were your majesty, would you forgive such rudeness?”
Emily smiled, having fully grasped Mabel’s personality after only two encounters.
“If you really want to become a government official, smile at the cute emperor and show him well. It means wagging its tail like a dog. Then you might like my older brother, right?”
“…Be careful what you say.”
“If that’s not the case, you better get your head around it. If you don’t want to usurp the position of successor.”
Emily’s gaze at Enrique was cold.
“Because he is the eldest son of the family, I am annoyed that my older brother was designated as the successor as if it were natural.”
Even though they are the same child, the place of successor went back to Enrique. She couldn’t quite comprehend it.
‘I’m more suited to the position of the head of the family than that older brother.’
He sincerely thought so, but his conservative father did not give up on Enrique until the end. Emily did not even consider herself as an heir. When my father called him a few days ago, in fact, it would be a lie if I said I didn’t expect anything.
“Emily. I have work for you to do.”
“What is that, Father?”
“Be friendly with His Majesty the Emperor. It should be the most intimate relationship with any young lady.”
But my father only gave me an unknown mission. I don’t know what the intention was to be friendly, but Emily agreed. Promisingly, he vowed to show his father his ability.
‘Becoming close to His Majesty the Emperor will be helpful in the future.’
But why do I keep thinking of His Majesty’s smiling face?
***
‘It’s fortunate that Hwangseong is home.’
It hadn’t been that long, but the whole body was drained of strength and exhausted. At the behest of my father, who was watching me from afar, Lisandro decided to take me back to my hometown.
“your majesty. Did you enjoy today’s banquet?”
“huh. But, let’s evade for a while.”
“I will do that.”
Lisandro smiled and hugged me. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and buried my face in Lisandro’s chest. Even in the midst of this, he did not let go of the pockets he was holding in both hands.
“What is that, Your Majesty?”
“Let’s cover.”
“You want me to give it to you?”
I fell asleep quickly. I shook my head vigorously and hid my pocket in my bosom. As I jumped backwards in the wind, Lisandro freaked out and supported my back.
“Oh, that’s dangerous, Your Majesty!”
“I can’t do this!”
“I won’t take it and eat it!”
Only then did I feel relieved and hug Lisandro’s neck again. Arriving in the quiet bedroom, I felt something strange. I could still hear the orchestra playing in my ears like an afterimage. After bathing in warm water and changing into pajamas, the sheep jumped onto the bed.
[Take me with you next time. I want to go to the banquet too!]
‘You’re going to be a spectacle.’
[You dare to look at me, who is great? Do not be ridiculous. I’m watching the humans!]
The sheep were furious as if they were bored guarding the bedroom alone. After playing with the feathered toy a few times, the sheep quickly got tired and fell asleep.
“Should I go to sleep soon?”
As I was fidgeting and covering myself with the blanket, I saw a glimpse of a shadow passing by outside the window. There was only one person who could break through Lisandro’s escort and hang around my bedroom. I immediately got out of bed and ran to the balcony. It wasn’t until I opened the window that I realized I was barefoot.
“Aidan!”
“your majesty.”
“If you write, come in. Why are you here?”
“I think you must be tired.”
“Sometimes it doesn’t show up.”
I’ve seen him come in a few times while sleeping, but it was funny to pretend it wasn’t. well done anyway I had something to give Aidan.
“Wait a minute bar.”
I went into the room and came out with the pocket I had packed. Aidan, who was waiting for me, asked as if he was dumbfounded.
“Didn’t you go in to get your shoes?”
“yes? It’s not?”
I hadn’t even thought about the shoes. I wiggled my bare feet and held out my pocket to Aidan.
“Badder.”
“…?”
Aidan took the pouch and opened it.
“Aidan is so condescending. Remember to bring it.”
It was. The cookies I risked my life (?) to protect from being taken away by Lisandro belonged to Aidan.
‘Because there are so many things to be thankful for.’
Acting as the head of the information guild instead of me and sneaking in and out of the imperial castle was not an easy task. It’s weak, but I guess it’s a reward for it.
“…thank you.”
“This far.”
Seeing Aidan, whom I like, made me proud. In the future, if there is a sweet dessert, I promise to bring it.
“Among them, the cookies topped with grapefruit jam are really good.”
I tried it earlier and was surprised by how delicious it was.
“…Is that so?”
“huh. Eydandu, one more time!”
I looked at Aidan with bright eyes. After hesitating for a moment, Aidan took out a cookie and took a bite.
“Do you want to drink?”
“…yes.”
“As expected.”
As I smiled happily, Aidan handed me a cookie.
“Do you want me to stay?”
Aidan nodded, but I hesitated.
“I brushed my teeth…”
But in the end, I couldn’t resist the temptation of delicious cookies. I grabbed the cookie with both hands and took a bite. The sweet taste spread all over my mouth. Slightly sour and bitter grapefruit flavor. That was the moment. Boom- Puff! Colorful fireworks exploded in the sky. I heard that there is a fireworks display at midnight, but I didn’t expect to see it like this. I looked up at the sky blankly and Aidan gave me a hug.
“huh?”
“The floor is cold.”
‘I’ll just go in and get my shoes.’
But that thought was quickly dispelled by the fireworks that exploded again. We looked up at the sky side by side until the fireworks were over. Aidan and Grapefruit Jam Cookies and even the fireworks.
“lol.”
I was really happy on a night where I only liked things.
