[TKOSINM] 244 – The Empress’ Daughter

Irene was looking elsewhere awkwardly, and the way she said it was close to muttering. Her quiet voice was mixed with the bustling noise around them, but Irene’s voice was heard clearly in Noel’s ears.

“...I see. As Irene said, it is a good idea.”

“...”

He expressed his consent as he grasped her hand tightly. Irene looked up at him, fluttering. Noel was looking straight ahead. His fine jawline and graceful nose bridge caught her attention.

For no special reason, a smile made its way to Irene’s lips. And so, with hand in hand, the two entered the festival together. The night was short, so Irene wanted to enjoy the most of it while it lasted. She was so eager to explore every corner of this lively street.

But behind the scenes of that buzzing nightlife, in another setting, unforeseen trouble had arisen.

♔♔♔

“Since I heard that you have urgent business with me, I permitted your request for an audience despite the odd time you have picked. So tell me, does the young Lady think it’s amusing to play a joke on me like this?”

A majestic voice resounded from the high throne above the podium. At the anger-mixed voice, the beneath small figure flinched. Even though she was not old, her weak body could not withstand the dominant and intimidating aura. Her voice was trembling, but she strained her body to keep calm and eventually gathered the courage to speak up.

“Your Majesty, did you not feel anything the first time you saw my sister?”

“I have never felt anything like that.”

He answered firmly. But in fact, there was indeed something that bothered him. Just like she said, the moment he saw Irene, he felt a strange sense of Deja vu.

It doesn’t make sense.

However, the Emperor shook his thoughts off. It was impossible, and it should not have happened either.

The truth may be something that I want to deny.

“My sister, Irene Chase….”

Who was now the Grand Duchess of Kristen?

“...is the former Empress’ daughter.”

What did she mean by his sister’s child?

“Do you…have any evidence?”

“...I have none.”

“Are you joking with me right now?”

“My aunt, Viscountess Friedan, was once the lady-in-waiting of the former Empress. My aunt returned to the Friedan Viscounty when the former Empress passed away.”

“What about it?”

“My older sister was brought up in the Friedan Viscounty until she was three years old. Do you know why Your Majesty?”

“...”

The Emperor’s lips were shut. He was visibly puzzled.

With all honesty, there was nothing special about it. It was not uncommon to entrust a newborn child to one’s relative or close acquaintance. But Riel’s words instilled suspicion within him.

“… To be honest, I cannot believe the Miss.”

The Emperor covered his eyes with his hand as he muffled.

“If the Kristen Grand Duchess really is my sister’s daughter, why would the Lady be telling me about this? And if that were true, wouldn’t Count Chase be charged with concealing a member of the Imperial bloodline?”

“That is why I have come to you first, Your Majesty.”

“...what?”

“If my sister turns out to be the former Empress’ daughter, please forgive my parents’ sin and spare my family.”

“What if the Lady is paying a trick to confuse me?”

“Then I am willing to receive my death sentence.”

“...”

At her confident words, the Emperor remained silent. There was no physical evidence, but there was certainly much doubt.

“…I got it. All right, let the Miss go back for now.”

“Yes. Thank you for granting me this chance and listening to my story, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave now.”

Once Riel had disappeared from sight, the Emperor let out a groan. His mind was complicated.

Eventually, he got up from his seat and headed to the exhibition room, where the portraits of the previous imperial family members were displayed. He suddenly had the urge to see his sister’s face after a long time.