Chapter 4
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Leisurely Routines and Budding Affection
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The Crown Prince's daily routine was far more leisurely than he'd imagined.
Lessons in etiquette, history, and the like.
Reviewing the knowledge and practice from his regular magic tutor—that was the extent of it.
However, a few days ago, a new routine had been added.
Entertaining guests.
"What kind of food does Your Highness like?"
Ekyon, seated across from him, chattered away happily.
Ever since gaining permission to enter the Imperial Palace, she had been showing up every day.
With each visit, her complexion brightened and she grew more lively.
Her fear seemed to have faded considerably, allowing her to talk freely.
'Favorite foods, huh.'
If this were truly medieval times, he'd have given a rough answer based on availability.
Instead, with so many options at his disposal, he actually had to think about it.
"I think I like almost all kinds of meat. For vegetables, salads are good, and pickles work too."
"You like vegetables? The bitterness makes them so hard for me to eat. I can manage with dressing, but raw ones are a bit..."
Ekyon blinked in genuine surprise.
Her pure reaction to vegetables over something so simple was refreshing to watch.
"I don't eat them raw all the time, do I?"
"We steam them sometimes, but mostly raw. Mother says vegetables are best fresh."
"Ah... I see. Hang in there."
It was pitiful, but meddling in another family's table manners would be interfering in their household affairs.
All he could do was feel sorry for her.
"Thank you."
Ekyon seemed to understand his sentiment, sighing and nodding.
"Your Highness. The magic tutor has arrived."
A servant girl approached cautiously from afar.
The timing was perfect, as the mood had started to feel stifling.
"Got it? Thanks for letting me know. I'll head to the training hall with another servant, so go rest first. You've been standing a long time—good work."
"Thank you."
The servant replied in a slightly trembling voice.
Her eyes showed she was a bit moved.
"Sorry. Since the tutor's here, I need to go first. If you want to keep playing, feel free."
"No, I've stayed too long already. I should head out."
Ekyon shook her head lightly with a smile.
Her consideration made him grateful.
"Alright. Take care. See you next time."
He bid her farewell first and left.
As he walked, his mind filled with thoughts of whether he could learn his Unique Magic today.
Ekyon boarded the carriage heading home.
Her family's Claudius domain was several days away from the capital by carriage.
It was terribly inconvenient for frequent visits.
Like many noble families, she stayed at their capital villa.
It made travel much easier.
"We're off."
A young man closed the door and climbed into the driver's seat.
He was one of the coachmen employed at the Claudius capital residence.
With a sharp crack of the reins, the horses lunged forward powerfully.
The scenery outside the window shifted constantly with the carriage's motion.
Ekyon gazed out the window, lost in thought.
It had only been a few days since her first visit.
In terms of time spent together, just a few hours.
Far too short to build any real bond or special feelings.
They'd barely familiarized themselves with each other's faces.
Yet Ekyon felt a strong fondness for Crown Prince Niu.
He was handsome and kind.
Unlike the cold members of the imperial family, who relied solely on their looks.
─You must win the Crown Prince's favor. Become as close as possible.
Suddenly, her mother's words echoed in her ears.
Ekyon was only ten years old.
Her parents' teachings felt like absolute truth.
If she had Niu's reincarnated memories, she might have questioned it, but she was just a child.
Especially from a family with strong authority.
So she followed her parents' orders to the best of her ability.
Like any noble young lady, her parents were her absolute gods.
That's why she asked about and memorized what Niu liked and disliked.
She already felt drawn to him, and now her family was encouraging her to gain his favor?
Ekyon had no reason to refuse.
On the contrary, with her family's support, it was a win.
'I miss him already.'
It had only been a few minutes since they parted.
Yet in that short time, an intense longing welled up.
His lips curving softly when he smiled.
His black hair swaying in the breeze.
Clatter. While lost in longing, the carriage came to a stop after a long ride.
In front of the vast Claudius villa.
"Miss, we've arrived."
"Huh? Oh. Got it."
The coachman opened the door, and Ekyon nodded with a dazed expression.
Having arrived home while distracted was disorienting enough.
Ekyon descended with the coachman's help.
She asked a waiting maid where her mother was and headed there.
Her mother, Ella, was in her bedroom.
"Mother, I'm home."
"My dear daughter, welcome back. Did you have a pleasant time today?"
"Yes. His Highness treated me well."
The mother and daughter sat facing each other, chatting warmly.
The following servant girl bowed silently and left discreetly.
"What did you talk about today?"
"We discussed magic. He said he's already learning his Unique Magic."
Already learning Unique Magic?
It was news to her—Ella's eyes widened in shock.
Learning Unique Magic wasn't all that special in itself.
What made it remarkable was the age at which he started.
The Crown Prince was only ten.
If he trained it from now, he could become a monster surpassing even the Emperor.
Of course, might wasn't everything for an emperor...
But a powerful emperor was an impregnable fortress.
'He'll become far greater than I thought.'
A prince born after centuries, with exceptional talent to boot.
Another reason to grow close.
"Um, Mother."
As Ella pondered, she noticed her daughter's face.
Her daughter looked deeply troubled, just like her.
"Yes? What is it? Speak freely, dear."
"Well... Never mind. No, it's nothing."
She'd called out first, then gone silent for a full minute.
For such hesitation, the conclusion was anticlimactic.
'Oh my?'
Flushed cheeks and slightly wavering eyes.
Anyone could see she was a girl smitten with someone.
Young or not, a girl is a girl.
Especially from a duke's family—she had clearly recognized an outstanding male.
Ella smiled with deep satisfaction.
"Alright. You did well today. You must be tired—go rest."
"What kind of woman does Your Highness like?"
On a fine afternoon at the balcony table.
Ekyon, sitting across from him, asked out of the blue.
What kind of woman does a ten-year-old like?
Even if noble girls matured early, this was a bit much.
"Did Lady Claudius tell you to ask? I'll answer honestly."
"Mother said nothing. I know it's rude, but I'm genuinely curious."
He'd suspected her mother, but no.
She claimed it was pure curiosity.
'Ideal type, huh.'
He wasn't without thoughts on the matter.
He prided himself on thinking about it more than most.
It just wasn't something to say in front of a girl.
He liked big-breasted, strong, beautiful women.
Even a romance virgin like him knew not to voice that.
Of course, he could say it without issue.
He was the Crown Prince—no punishment for offending sensibilities here.
He could even wield the offense himself.
"I'm not sure yet... but someone like Mother would be nice."
Still, he gave a safe answer: a woman like his mother.
Childlike enough.
"H-Her Majesty the Emperor...?"
Ekyon's eyes shook violently as she repeated it.
Her voice trembled too.
He'd named the woman she feared most as his ideal.
"Yeah. She's kind, and pretty too."
"Ah. She's very kind to Your Highness, isn't she?"
"She's so kind it gets overwhelming sometimes, but I still like it."
Her affection was intense, but she never forced her own path on him.
To him, she was the ideal mother.
"The Emperor... Her Majesty..."
Ekyon lowered her head slightly, rolling her eyes.
Her muttering voice was whisper-low and grave.
Then she looked up and beamed.
"Thank you for answering. It puts my mind at ease."
"Puts your mind at ease?"
"Yes. Your answer gave me direction."
Direction.
It sounded like she'd aim to become like the current Emperor to seduce him.
Probably exactly that.
"Your Highness. If I may, could I take my leave? I need to sort out my thoughts."
Ekyon asked carefully.
She had free access, so leaving was her choice too.
"Sure. Take care."
He waved her off casually.
Noble families hungry for imperial seed.
The incestuous imperial line.
Political marriages, love matches—his mind swirled with every kind of relationship between men and women..
Incest. He'd been floored when he first heard.
Shocked to the point his eyes nearly rolled back.
But humans adapt, and it grew mundane over time.
He even looked forward to it.
The day adulthood brought full-on mating.
How much seed would he spread? Unimaginable.
A showerhead?
Sprinkler?
Or a crop duster from the sky?
Whatever it was, for a daughter-con like him, it was a frightening yet thrilling future.
His fantasies would become reality.
"Lord Niu. I'm coming in."
Alone with his delusions soaring, the Wet Nurse returned.
Office attire as usual, but her voluptuous figure stood out aggressively.
Plus her uniquely beautiful features.
No wonder the imperial family and some nobles desired her.
"Wet Nurse. Rest well?"
"Yes. Did you have fun, Lord Niu? She comes often lately—seems you've grown close."
"We can talk naturally now, yeah."
"Well done."
The Wet Nurse praised him and pulled him into a tight hug.
Her maternal embrace enveloped him in soft warmth.
After about five minutes, she finally released him.
Short, but fully healing.
"You look tired."
"This much is fine. Aren't you tired, Wet Nurse? Lots to do?"
"I just need to watch over you, Lord Niu. Nothing much."
The Wet Nurse smiled softly, downplaying it.
Yet he knew somehow she was strangely busy.
He had no idea what with, but...
Her busyness was certain.
"Thanks, Wet Nurse. I love you."
"Ah...! I love you too."
For a moment, the Wet Nurse's eyes quivered faintly.
Tears welled up—she was deeply touched.
The mood was heartwarming, his heart warm.
His body perfectly relaxed, eyelids heavy.
He debated sleeping but forced his eyes open.
Falling asleep now meant waking at dawn.
"You look sleepy. Want to nap?"
"Nah. Sleeping now means I won't at night. Gotta hold out till bedtime."
"But you seem so worn out..."
The Wet Nurse gazed worriedly for a moment.
Then her eyes lit up with an "Ah!"
"To wake you up, how about a quick trip outside the palace? Sightsee the streets, browse shops."
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