“I didn’t expect the kids to come all of a sudden.”

“I told you it was possible. With rain like this, of course they would.”

It was nothing new for Helio to be scolded by Liliana.

From Lilith’s perspective, it always seemed like Helio did things that warranted getting scolded.

‘Does Daddy actually like getting scolded by Mommy?’

Tilting her head in curiosity, Lilith turned back to face forward.

The mature little imperial princess had long known that if she spoke up at times like this, both of her parents would jump like startled cats.

‘Sigh, I guess I’ll pretend not to notice.’

She shook her head.

They had barely taken ten steps when a bright, lively voice rang out from beyond the wall.

“Lilith? Lilith, are you here?”

The voice drew closer and closer until, at last, its owner appeared before Lilith and Carl.

A green-tinged breeze seemed to swirl visibly in the air before solidifying into a human form.

A slender beauty with flowing teal hair beamed as she stretched her arms toward the two children.

“Lilith! Oh my, Carl too!”

The woman who had arrived with the wind immediately pulled both of them into a tight embrace.

Lilith greeted her in a clear, steady voice.

“It’s been a while, Windia.”

The woman’s true identity was Windia, the Spirit King of the Wind.

“My goodness, you’re both still so tiny!”

“Well, I am four years old.”

“…I’m not small.”

Unlike Lilith, who found it natural for a four-year-old to be tiny, Carl clearly didn’t like being called small.

Windia giggled, amused by the contrast in their reactions.

Although she was a Spirit King who had lived for countless years, her laughter was pure and innocent.

Yet, just like nature itself, there was no telling when that laughter might turn cruel.

“Um, Lady Windia, could you please let Their Highnesses go now…?”

Since Windia showed no signs of releasing Carl and Lilith, Minelli spoke up cautiously. She meant that it was time to take them away, but Windia didn’t seem to catch on.

As Minelli began to look troubled, Lilith let out a long sigh.

‘She’s a Spirit King, and not just any Spirit King—she’s the one who made a contract with Mommy. No wonder Minelli finds her hard to deal with.’

Lilith decided she should help and was about to raise her head when—

A stern voice rang out from not far behind her.

“Chuchu!”

Only Liliana ever called Windia “Chuchu.”

It wasn’t exactly a fitting name for a tall, elegant woman, but considering Windia’s affectionate personality, it wasn’t entirely strange either.

And then…

The moment Liliana appeared, Windia whipped up a gust of wind and transformed into the form of a small, low-ranked spirit.

Now, she looked much more like a “Chuchu.”

Flapping her tiny wings, Windia greeted Liliana in a youthful, eager voice.

“Lily!”

Her tone was dripping with affection, but Liliana, hands on her hips, scolded her.

“Chuchu, it’s late. Don’t keep the kids. It’s time for them to change into their nightclothes and go to bed.”

“Want me to change them in an instant?”

“They shouldn’t get used to that. They need to build patience.”

“But I could do it for them forever, so why not?”

Windia replied confidently.

However, when Liliana crossed her arms and gave her a sharp look, Windia quickly deflated.

“…Fine.”

Liliana watched Windia’s sulky expression for a moment, then extended her hand. Windia, familiar with the gesture, landed gently on her palm.

As if she had never scolded her at all, Liliana whispered warmly,

“When the rain stops tomorrow, will you push the kids on the swings in the garden?”

Windia’s tiny wings fluttered excitedly as she turned toward Carl and Lilith.

Lilith was the first to raise her hand eagerly.

“I’d love that!”

“…I have sword training tomorrow…”

“Brother, come with me! Please?”

Carl had been about to refuse like a mature young prince, but Lilith shook their joined hands and pleaded.

“Haven’t you been doing sword training every day lately? What did Mommy say about that?”

“…She said I should take my time learning swordsmanship until I turn thirteen.”

“That’s right. If you want to grow into a great person, sometimes you have to take detours.”

Now even Liliana chimed in, and Carl had no choice but to give in.

In the end, he nodded, and Windia, satisfied, withdrew.

It seemed that not only her young son but even the Spirit King was completely under Liliana’s control.

“Carl, Lilith, go on and follow Minelli. It’s time to change into your pajamas.”

Liliana’s voice was gentle, and as if guided by an unspoken rule, everyone present moved according to her words.

‘Is there anyone in the world who can win against Mommy?’

Once again awed, Lilith walked beside Minelli.

As she glanced back, she saw Liliana smiling warmly and waving.

Lilith grinned and waved back, and Liliana’s smile blossomed even brighter.

Giggling, Lilith squeezed Carl’s hand.

“Brother, I wish there were thunderstorms more often.”

Carl flinched in surprise at her unexpected remark.

But soon, he understood exactly what she meant.

Carl gave a small nod.

“…Yeah. Sometimes… I think so too.”

On days when thunder and lightning struck, the four of them could sleep together as a family.

Wrapped in warmth, breathing in the familiar, comforting scent, they would surely dream happy dreams.

A smile spread across Carl’s lips as well.

***

Bright red maple leaves fluttered down from the sky.

Dressed in a cute little dress that left her knees exposed, Lilith darted around the garden.

She planned to give the prettiest leaf to her mother, the biggest leaf to her father, and the reddest leaf to Carl.

Lilith’s days were so peaceful that she had plenty of time for such frivolous activities.

‘From what I saw in my foresight, bad things were supposed to start happening when I turned four.’

There were times when she felt uneasy, wondering if her foresight had completely disappeared.

It was a good thing that the unfortunate future hadn’t come to pass, but for not a single prediction to come true—it was odd.

‘What if something bad happens because I wasn’t prepared for it?’

Lilith shook her head.

With her mother and father protecting her so firmly, there was no way anything bad could happen.

But as if mocking her thoughts, an incident occurred.

A maid came running toward her in a flurry.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

The excitable maid’s frantic behavior earned a light scolding from the head maid beside her.

“What is all this commotion in front of Her Highness?”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I just heard such wonderful news, and I wanted to deliver it quickly!”

Lilith blinked and asked,

“Wonderful news? What wonderful news?”

With a look of admiration, the maid opened her mouth.

“My goodness, Prince Carl is going to enter the Imperial Academy early! And not just by one year, but two! I always knew His Highness was exceptionally intelligent, but I’ve never heard of anyone being admitted two years early—”

The maid, caught up in excitement, suddenly froze and shut her mouth.

Lilith’s face had gone deathly pale, as if struck by lightning.

The Imperial Academy, built by the royal family, was known for accepting only the most learned and gifted students.

Even as a prince, Carl had received no special treatment—his early admission was undoubtedly an achievement to be proud of.

However, the academy was not in the capital. It was located in Richem, a city known as the city of scholars, offering a superior academic environment.

‘Richem is at least a week’s journey from the capital…’

The thought of Carl going so far away filled her not with pride, but with an overwhelming sense of anxiety.

Lilith stood frozen, her face drained of color, until the head maid knelt beside her.

“Your Highness, are you all right? Do you feel unwell? May I check your forehead?”

At the head maid’s cautious voice, Lilith shook her head.

“I… I want to go.”

“Go where, Your Highness?”

“To Mother.”

Lilith didn’t even notice that she had dropped the maple leaves in her hands as she took off running.

The maids exchanged glances before quickly following her.

Lilith hurriedly climbed into one of the carriages used within the palace grounds and called out directly to the coachman.

“Hurry! Take me to the Empress’s Palace!”

***

Unlike Aris Palace, where Lilith resided, the Empress’s Palace was always bustling with activity.

Liliana put her utmost effort into her role as Empress, which meant that the people of the Empress’s Palace had no time to be idle.

However, there were moments when even they would pause in their work—

“It’s a carriage from Aris Palace!”

“Princess Lilith must be here!”

“Is Prince Carl with her?”

“It looks like she came alone today!”

That moment was when the two angels of the royal family, Carl and Lilith, made an appearance.

As word of Lilith’s arrival spread throughout the Empress’s Palace, people lifted their heads and peeked out curiously.

Normally, Lilith would flash a bright smile at the affectionate gazes directed at her and wave her arms enthusiastically.

But today, she rushed up the stairs of the Empress’s Palace without paying them any mind.

Her face was as pale as if she had seen a ghost, and the palace attendants murmured in concern.

Unbothered by the whispers, Lilith pushed on, climbing the grand stairs with her short legs.

Upon reaching the second floor, she spotted a passing maid and asked,

“Where’s Mother—I mean, where is Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Her Majesty is on the third floor…”

The maid trailed off and suddenly lowered her head deeply. Her shoulders tensed—she seemed frightened.

Lilith was often in and out of the Empress’s Palace, so it was odd for the attendants here to be intimidated by her.

Just as she wondered about it, she suddenly found herself lifted into the air.

“Ah!”

Startled, Lilith craned her head back.

A mischievous face filled her view.

“Lilith. Where are you off to in such a hurry?”