[No Title Provided]
I barely managed to help the emperor to his feet, then glanced around in a pointless wave of fear that someone might have witnessed the scene. Of course, no one was there, but these sudden outbursts of his were shortening my lifespan. I wished he'd rein it in a bit.
"I don't know who that man is or when we'll meet, but... if we cross paths, I'll boldly subjugate him as an enemy of the imperial family. So don't worry too much."
"Thank you... Even just hearing you say it means a lot..."
I couldn't promise it outright, but if that bastard Jelros showed up in front of me, I was dead serious about cutting him down. These Heaven God Cult freaks kept shattering my peace.
"By the way..."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Then, unlike before, he unleashed a terrifying pressure that nearly made me draw my sword on instinct.
"You didn't... perhaps share a bed with my daughter or anything like that, did you?"
"Pardon?"
"Pardon~?"
What the hell was this?
But the emperor wasn't joking. He glared at me with murder in his eyes, like he was ready to crush my precious parts right then and there.
"The pregnancy rumor was false, but if you two got close enough for such talk to even start..."
"What misunderstanding is this! Nothing happened! Besides, she dropped that bomb on me out of nowhere without any warning!"
Try telling your girlfriend's dad you're dating when she claims she's pregnant. I'd probably end up meeting her father again—after he bashed my head in so hard I forgot who I was.
"I see... Good... But still, did it really mean nothing to you?"
"Pardon?"
What now?
"She took after her mother and was stunningly beautiful even as a child. Comparable to an angel, even. And yet... you pretended to be her lover and felt nothing?"
Why was he looking at me with rage-filled eyes this time?
"...Your Majesty. I know my place. The princess needs a perfect partner who matches her beauty and character. Someone like me, who can only swing a sword, doesn't have that connection."
Back then, I'd helped her out of pity because she reminded me of my past life. Otherwise, I might not have cared if she was sold off to another country.
I'm not the type to be warm to others, and I know I'm not exactly a good guy myself.
"Just a sword... Other knights would cry if they heard that."
The emperor chuckled at my words, then said, "You've heard my complaints, so go see Lia now. She's indebted to you, after all—she'll listen to what you have to say."
"Ah! Sorry. I'll take my leave then!"
"Wait a moment. I'll have someone bring you something you need. And... pass this on to my daughter too. It's something she'll absolutely need."
* * *
I finally tracked down the princess, who had bolted out, by asking around the palace servants.
"...Why are you here?"
"Should I just leave you be? As if I could presume to with the princess."
"Always with the words..."
The former empress's room. Everything was still preserved as-is, and it was obvious whose orders had kept it that way.
The princess stood staring blankly at the crib in the center of the room.
"What, did that guy ask you to make me understand everything he's done because he's 'pitiful' or something?"
"Huh? No? Why would I?"
I had no intention of doing that.
He might have chosen that path to protect his daughter, but the choice was his. He had to bear the resentment and anger she felt.
I understood his circumstances, but I wasn't about to make her understand them too.
"What His Majesty did to you can't be fully justified. Even if it was to protect you from some unknown powerhouse, it doesn't erase the sadness and pain you suffered."
Obvious, right? Knowing the circumstances or getting an apology wouldn't make her loneliness and grief vanish in an instant.
She was a clear victim and had every right not to forgive her father.
"Then... what should I do...?"
"First things first."
"?"
"You're right to resent His Majesty, but you can't resent only him."
"...Ah."
Exactly. She could resent the emperor too, but at the root, she should blame that villain Jelros.
He'd ruined lives purely for his inferiority complex and amusement—he should've been prepared for his own downfall.
"He destroyed a family just for his own kicks. Who knows how many other victims there are beyond the imperial family."
"...What a... villain."
"Yes. Exactly."
A clear-cut villain. Her demeanor softened a bit at that.
"...Thanks. For reminding me. But... my feelings for Father—"
"That's for you to decide."
"...Decide?"
"Yeah. Decide. You can dwell on the past and cut ties with the former empress's memory, or look to the future and share a cup of tea now and then. It's all your choice."
This path was hers to walk.
I could help her up when she stumbled or pull her back if she strayed, but she had to reach the end on her own two feet.
"I... can choose?"
"Of course. It's your life."
"......"
"Oh, right. Here. Take this."
"Huh? What's this?"
The bracelet I handed her.
"From His Majesty. Wear it, and if you're in danger, press this part—"
Whoosh!
"S-spatial transfer?!"
"Yeah. It'll bring me to you in an instant. He gave me a weapon storage item too."
Who knew when her life might be threatened? It was the emperor's precaution.
Handing over items worth tens of billions each so readily. His love for his daughter was genuine, at least.
"Father..."
She sank back into emotional turmoil at the mention of him.
Her heart was a mess of conflicting feelings right now—unstable as hell.
Her own choice mattered most, but what she needed now wasn't self-pity or lamenting. It was a smile.
"You know, your speech has changed lately."
"Eek! Y-you didn't have to point it out!"
I deliberately changed the subject to snap her out of it.
When we first met, she'd spoken like the emperor, with "~gun" and "~guna." Maybe a habit born from craving his approval.
"Good thing. Honestly, a girl your age talking like that felt like... middle school syndrome. Y'know, like some delusional kid. It was kinda funny."
"D-delusional?! How rude!"
I chuckled at her flushed, angry face.
She protested but didn't argue much—deep down, she knew it was embarrassing.
"You must've wanted to do something besides becoming empress. You were just chasing His Majesty's approval, right?"
"W-well, yeah..."
"Exactly. So, what did you want to do if not become empress?"
Now that she knew her father loved her, she needed a new goal.
Before realizing all her efforts for approval had been pointless, redirecting that sincerity could help her.
"Uh... Mom."
"?"
"I wanted to be a mom... I have no memories of my own mom... I wanted to be one who never leaves her child's side..."
Was it longing for the mother who left first, or a wish to fill that loneliness?
It was unexpected but fit her situation perfectly.
"S-see?! That's why I didn't wanna say—!"
"It's fine."
"...Huh?"
"You'll be a great mom."
"Huh? Oh... Th-thanks..."
Yeah. I meant it.
She'd be a good mom. I didn't know why, but...
Her eyes as she spoke her dream.
Those pupils filled with aspiration.
They shone so brilliantly.
I was certain of it.
"Sure, she's stubborn, digs into people's backgrounds, and spreads dumb pregnancy rumors."
"Hey—!"
"But you'll be a good mom. You're a good person, Princess."
"...I hope so."
"But then you'll need a new husband, right? What's your type?"
"Me? Just... kind, comforting, loves kids, treats them preciously..."
"Classic ideal type from a girl who's never dated."
"Sh-shut up!"
Suddenly, it hit me—problem.
How the hell do I find her a new husband now?
"Um, one thing I'm curious about..."
"? Sure, ask away."
"Do you... like kids?"
"Hmm... Yeah?"
In my past life, even the bratty ones grew on me. I basically like kids.
They're pure, and I feel a duty to protect those sprouts for a better future.
That's why I funded a small orphanage in our territory and visited often to play with them.
"Th-that much? Impressive..."
"They're kids. It's obvious to nurture them with love and care."
"R-right..."
Why ask this, though? Planning some orphanage volunteer work?
"Anyway, I'll head out. Call if anything happens."
"W-wait! Are you... dating Lady Eos or something?"
"...Pardon? No? Why would you think that?"
"Well... You two seem close lately, so I thought..."
Ah~ Maybe because I'd been more relaxed with her after my identity got exposed.
There might've been a bit of that.
"I was the one who rescued her then. She found out who I am, so I stuck close to make sure she wouldn't spill."
"I see... Didn't feel like that, though..."
"I'll be going th—"
"One last thing."
"...Yes. Ask."
I was exhausted and wanted to go home, but rank was a bitch.
"Wh-what's your ideal type...?"
"Me?"
My ideal type. Never thought much about it.
"Hmm. Don't usually dwell on it, but if I had to say... Kind, pretty smile... and big boobs?"
"...Not something to say in front of a girl?"
"You told me to say it. Now you're mad when I'm honest."
"I see... Hmm, well, mine are the biggest, so I guess highest chance..."
"I'm leaving? For real?"
I stood to head back to the dormitory, ignoring her mumbling.
"Ah..."
"Oh, right."
I paused and turned. She stood awkwardly fidgeting.
"See you at the academy tomorrow."
"...Yeah. Tomorrow."
Figures for a heroine.
Her smile was gorgeous.