“I want to visit the Imperial Palace.”

“I want to visit the Imperial Palace.”

Aneta gazed at her two children, standing hand in hand. The eldest, Kalia, spoke first, and then the younger, Elpis, followed suit with a bright smile.

However, the Imperial Palace was not a place one could enter just by wanting to. Aneta silently set down the teacup she had been holding and asked the children, who were waiting for permission.

“Kalia, Elpis, do you have some business at the palace?”

“We just want to see His Majesty after a long time. He said we could visit anytime.”

Kalia answered Aneta’s question without hesitation, her calm voice suggesting that she had anticipated the inquiry.

Since the owner of the palace had given permission, what else could there be? Aneta turned her gaze to Carlos, sitting beside her, to confirm the most important detail.

“Does His Majesty have any appointments today?”

“I believe he is only handling some simple state affairs in his office today.”

Carlos’s casual mention of the emperor’s schedule, probably known only by the emperor’s shadow or chamberlain, indicated he had no concerns.

“Then it’s fine.”

“You stay here and rest. I’ll take the children and go.”

Russell had always doted on his nieces and nephews, even visiting them with yearly presents for their birthdays. So, far from being upset, he would welcome the children’s visit.

Aneta made that judgment, and Carlos had no objections.

“Then I’ll need to send someone to His Majesty.”

“I’ve already sent someone and received permission.”

“Kalia, you did?”

Carlos let out a small laugh upon hearing Kalia’s words as if he had been expecting it. There was no need to ask for an explanation; he could already guess.

The servants were particularly indulgent with Kalia and Elpis. Neither the Duke’s residence nor the Marquis’s residence was an exception.

If Elpis, with her face strikingly similar to Aneta’s, smiled and charmed the servants, Kalia, who resembled Carlos in appearance and Aneta in personality, earned the trust and affection of everyone around her.

Most likely, without even confirming with Aneta and Carlos, the servants had sent someone to the Imperial Palace because they believed their intelligent young mistress would never cause any trouble.

“And Father will stay here. If we all go to the palace, Mother will be alone and lonely.”

Kalia said this, pretending not to know that Aneta would never be lonely.

It was a transparent excuse from a parent’s perspective, but Aneta didn’t outright deny it.

“Will you be okay, Elpis?”

Aneta asked the child, who was sticking close to Kalia.

“Yes. I’ll go with my sister. We promised.”

The children’s intention to go together was as clear as day, with their chirping voices like little chicks.

After a brief moment of thought, Aneta nodded.

“Alright. But I have a condition before I allow it.”

“A condition?”

“If His Majesty is busy, you must come straight back. Also, just in case, you must take Tyr with you.”

“Understood. I promise.”

The children, who had previously refused to go with Carlos, readily agreed when Tyr was mentioned.

Aneta glanced at Carlos to check his reaction. He also noticed their intention, as he barely held back a smile.

“You two seem to like Tyr more than me.”

Carlos said with a tone of mock disappointment, but it was Elpis who was more uncomfortable.
Kalia subtly avoided Carlos’s gaze.

“I like you more than Tyr, but I want to go with Tyr today. We’ll be back soon.”

Kalia bowed politely, then made sure Elpis, who also bowed, followed her out of the room.

They had left before Carlos could create a more awkward situation.

As soon as the children closed the door behind them, Carlos burst into laughter, which he had been holding back.

“Looks like you’ll have some free time today.”

Ten years old and six years old.

Carlos had played the biggest role in raising their children, who were four years apart.

Since he was the one who wanted to take care of them after they were born, he managed both work and childcare.

Looking after the children, who were growing bigger by the day, was his joy, but it seemed, that joy would be harder to experience today.

Aneta smiled mischievously at Carlos.

“No. You and I will be busier than usual today. Our children gave us some time together, so we should make the most of it.”

Contrary to what she thought would disappoint him, Carlos shook his head, smiling even more brightly than her.

As expected, Carlos, just like Aneta, could see through the children’s thoughts.

With a wry smile, Aneta watched as he pulled her closer, claiming that there were things they hadn’t done in front of the children.

“If someone hears that, they’d think you’ve been holding back all this time.”

“I have been holding back.”

“Really?”

Aneta scolded him for his lack of conscience.

“Anyway, fine. But before doing that, we must ensure the children have escorts.”

Though Tyr was by their side, providing some comfort, it was still important to be prepared for any possible situation. The children were still young, after all. Carlos seemed to share the same concern. He briefly kissed Aneta’s lips before rising from his seat.

“I’ll take care of this first. Wait for me.”

***

No matter how clever they were for their age, they were still children.

While waiting for the carriage to be prepared, Kalia and Elpis didn’t notice that guards had been assigned to them. It was only natural, as they had never been trained in such things.

Only Tyr sensed the presence, but upon recognizing it as belonging to familiar figures, he pretended not to notice and followed the children onto the carriage.

“Sister, is this really okay?”

Though Kalia readily agreed to visit the Imperial Palace, this was their first time going out without a guardian.

Elpis anxiously rolled her eyes.

“Sometimes, they need time for themselves. We’re not in the way, but there should be times when two of them can do things like this… and that…”

“Does that mean I’ll have a younger sibling?”

At Elpis’s sudden question, Kalia turned from the window to look at her younger sister.

“Do you want a sibling?”

“Yes. My friend was bragging about his younger sibling being born.”

Looking down at Elpis’s face clearly showed jealousy, and Kalia thought about how best to respond.

Rather than scolding her for such a trivial reason, Kalia decided it might be better to explain things differently.

“Then, try telling Mother.”

“Really?”

“But if you get a younger sibling, Mother will have to go through so much pain that she’ll feel like she’s going to die. Giving birth is like that. Mother went through all that to give birth to us.”

When Kalia finished speaking, Elpis’s bright expression immediately turned pale.

“Then, I don’t need a younger sibling. I don’t want Mother to be in pain.”

Elpis, excited about the idea, quickly changed her mind. The thought of her mother, who had always smiled gently while holding her, contorting in pain was enough to send a chill down her spine.

“But how do you know so well?”
“…I saw it. When you were born that’s why, at first, I hated you a lot.”

However, it didn’t take long for that hatred to turn into love for her little sister. Elpis’ bright and innocent face, always laughing whenever she saw her, erased all the negative feelings.

Kalia recalled those feelings vividly and looked at her sister’s face now.

“Do you still hate me?”

“No. Now, I love you just as much as Mother and Father.”

“Then it’s fine. I’ll grow up and protect you, so you can’t hate me anymore, okay?”

Elpis looked up at Kalia seriously, waiting for a reply. Kalia smiled at her.

“Alright. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Although it was hard to believe that the younger one would be able to protect her one day, Kalia made a new resolution at that moment. She thought to herself as she gazed at Elpis’ bright face.

“Then, I’ll protect you until you’re strong enough to protect me.”

***

The carriage arrived in front of the Imperial Palace about twenty minutes later.

The coachman had driven as slowly as possible, considering the children were the only ones in the carriage.

Kalia noticed the coachman’s consideration, thanked him, and entered the palace.

The guards at the entrance were surprised when they saw Tyr, but they didn’t stop him.

This was because the Emperor cherished his nieces and nephews like his own children, and Tyr had proven that he would never harm anyone unless provoked.

Aneta had sent Tyr with the children not only to prevent potential crimes but also for another reason. That reason was to protect the children from anyone who might approach them with ill intentions.

Tyr appeared cute only to the people of the Baltimor Ducal family. His lion-like, intimidating appearance and imposing presence made others fear him, preventing anyone from getting too close.

Kalia was quite pleased, allowing her to enjoy the palace tour more leisurely than usual.

Kalia liked the Imperial Palace as much as the Duke’s and Marquis’ estates. She wasn’t sure why, but she had felt this way since she could discern things and began remembering what she saw and heard.

“…The weather is nice, but should we take a walk before seeing His Majesty?”

Perhaps that was why Kalia unknowingly said something that wasn’t typical of her.

Elpis, who was always happy to follow her older sister’s lead, readily agreed, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Had it not been for the shadow passing over her head, she probably would have followed her suggestion.

“I didn’t expect you to take a different path midway. What a waste of my efforts to come out and greet you.”

The voice of someone who had approached them silently came from behind.

Elpis turned around with a bright smile.

There, standing with his usual authoritative demeanor, was Russell.

“Your Majesty!”

Elpis immediately opened her arms toward him, and Russell skillfully picked her up.

Unlike the other children, who might have feared him, Elpis smiled brightly, making Russell’s lips curl into a smile.

To anyone else, it would have been a scene hard to believe.

‘This must be why I or Elpis are mentioned as the next Emperor candidates.’

Kalia, now accustomed to such interactions, greeted him casually.

“I greet the Empire’s merciful Sun.”

“It’s been a while, Kalia.”

With Elpis still in one arm, Russell reached over with his other hand to pat Kalia’s head, still smiling.

His gaze soon turned toward Tyr, who was rubbing his face against his legs.

“Looks like you’re the guardian of these children today.”