“…The production process must have been complicated.”  

“It was something I wanted to do.”  

Adelia tilted her head loosely and smiled.  

The corners of her eyes curled up, producing a warm smile like the first spring.  

“The light dims when it needs to be recharged with magical power.”  

“How often is that?”  

“It depends on use. It can block a life-threatening shock twice, and special magic can be used about three times before the magic power is nearly depleted. If nothing happens, it can last for three months.”  

There wasn’t much concern since they were thorough and strong people. It was just an item she prepared for unforeseen circumstances.  

The Emperor tapped the pocket watch and said,  

“I didn’t expect you to make one for us too.”  

“Of course, I had to make it. It’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s most important not to get hurt or sick.”  

“Is that so… Thank you.”  

The Emperor wore a slightly complex expression.  

Would anyone worry about the well-being of the imperials who possessed blessed bodies? Perhaps for the princess, but not for themselves, who had reached the realm of Swordmasters.  

Thus, Adelia’s concerned words felt awkward.  

“I’m thankful that you accept it gladly. The princess’s will soon… Cough…”  

While speaking, Adelia suddenly coughed out.  

Lucian’s expression hardened at the sound of her rough cough.  

‘Something warm…’  

Looking down at her hand, Adelia’s eyes widened.  

Bright red blood stained her palm.  

The blood that flowed through her fingers fell onto the blanket covering her knees.  

A red flower bloomed on the white blanket.  

“Are you okay?”  

“Yes… It seems some poison remains. Cough!”  

“Doctor!”  

The prince called out with a prettily scrunched face.  

It was the beginning of overprotection.

* * *

“You still need rest.”  

“Right! You’re working already?”  

“Rest is important.”  

“How many times do I have to tell you? A white mage doesn’t die that easily!”  

The imperials’ overprotection extended even to Adelia.  

Ariana came and went from Adelia’s room as if it were her own, and other imperials were no exception.  

Whenever Adelia seemed to overexert herself even slightly, Ariana would rush over and drag her to bed without fail.  

Thanks to this, Adelia spent an entire week confined to bed.  

Despite the major event, life went on as usual.  

Ariana was still the center of attention, and Adelia was more of an observer from a step back.  

Yet, if there was a noticeable change, it was…  

“Oh, Father, that outfit suits you well.”  

“Does it?”  

“Not only is my taste good, but it seems anything you wear looks good on you.”  

Becoming able to call the Emperor ‘father’.  

The idea came from Ariana.

It was during a dinner held on the day Adelia fully recovered.  

“Why does sister call dad ‘Your Majesty’? In books, they call him ‘father’?”  

“Pfft- Cough cough. What?”  

Adelia coughed out loud.  

Then Ariana took out a book she had next to her with a swoosh.  

It seemed she had seen in a fairy tale book where a woman who married a prince called the king ‘father’.  

The innocent question threw everyone in the room into disarray.  

Adelia tried to gather up the spilled water.  

“In the imperial family, it’s not proper to use such terms.”  

“But… My older brother said that families don’t worry about such things….”  

Ariana clasped her hands together and showed off her adorably earnest eyes.  

Ariana was too cute for Adelia to pick up the spilled water.

Adelia looked at the Emperor with a troubled face.

When their eyes met, the Emperor looked away.  

Adelia, who had been deep in thought, spoke up.  

“Ah… Father?”  

Silence fell in the dining room.  

Adelia turned her head, wrapping her hands around her neck.  

She noticed the dagger that the Emperor always carried.  

Its purpose was obviously for killing those who would climb too high, and Adelia hoped that the dagger would not leave its sheath.  

‘Did I push too hard….’  

She thought they had gotten a bit closer, but the lack of response made her think she had crossed a line.  

Then.  

“…Yes.”  

Adelia quickly turned her head.

The Emperor had a strange expression on his face, a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness.  

He cleared his throat a few times and continued eating as if nothing had happened.  

The atmosphere in the dining room returned to normal. Small talks resumed, and Ariana was taken care of.  

Since then, Adelia often mentioned the word Father.  

The Emperor, rarely showing an embarrassed face, seemed to find it amusing.  

Without saying much, the Emperor responded, and the title Father solidified.  

And all this was the strategy of a cute little strategist.  

“Nanny! The plan worked!”  

“Oh my goodness! Did she really say it?”

“Of course! Dad and sister need to get closer so that sister can stay with me in the palace for a long time.”  

Ariana chattered as she put away her book.  

The princess, who had grown fond of Adelia, was anxious about her leaving.  

Of course, she found her cute, but that wasn’t enough.  

“Even I think our Dad has a bad personality.”  

“Princess, you shouldn’t say such things.”  

“But our Dad isn’t a good father-in-law, is he? I have to help!”  

The princess had a very objective view of her family’s personalities.  

She picked another fairy tale book with determination.  

The nanny sighed and wrapped her in a warm cloak, saying,  

“She is His Highness’s fiancée, isn’t she? Shouldn’t she get along better with His Highness than with Your Majesty?”  

“Nonsense! The love of a daughter-in-law is originally for the father-in-law. And the big brother seems to be doing fine on his own. Already something…”  

Ariana trailed off, mumbling something incomprehensible.  

At her enigmatic words, the nanny just tilted her head.

* * *

After various incidents, a banquet was imminent.  

Banquets in the palace were few and far between.  

This banquet was to celebrate the Harvest Festival, second only in scale to the Founding Festival.  

Naturally, the banquet came up in conversation after dinner and during tea time.  

“I’m thinking of unveiling artifacts and magic stones at this banquet. What do you think?”  

“Most of the nobility will be there, so it’s suitable.”  

Lucian nodded in agreement to Adelia’s words.  

As summer approached, the feast of the late spring was attended by nobles from distant territories and leaders of major guilds.  

“Who will come as the representative of the company?”  

“Of course, the vice leader. So, may I go out for a bit, Father?”  

“…There should be no problem. Do you need a carriage?”  

“No, I can go alone. Just hope no one misunderstands like last time.”  

Adelia glanced at Lucian next to her.  

Then he subtly avoided her gaze.  

The Emperor chuckled, seemingly amused.  

“Misunderstanding?”  

“When I went out briefly last time, someone thought I had run away and was waiting in my room. I’m just letting you know in advance so nothing like that happens this time, Your Highness.”  

“That time was…”  

Lucian started to speak but then closed his mouth.  

He knew there was no excuse for his actions.  

The prince sitting opposite laughed at this scene.  

“It’s the first time I’ve seen brother speechless. Sister is the best!”  

“Haha. Thank you.”  

Watching them exchange compliments with a smile, Lucian rubbed his forehead.

* * *

That night.  

Adelia pretended to be asleep until everyone around had disappeared, then quietly slipped out of bed.  

Covered in a long robe, she slightly opened the window.  

Jumping through the window with a leap, she threw herself outside.

By the time her feet touched the ground, she had already arrived at the merchantry.  

It was her room for conducting various experiments and overseeing the guild leader’s duties.  

One side of the spacious room was filled with books and newspapers, while another side featured a large drawer containing the merchantry’s ledger books.  

And opposite the door was a large desk laden with assorted knick-knacks and documents neatly organized.  

“Cleaning to this extent is almost an illness.”  

Adelia shook her head disapprovingly.  

Leaving the tidy room behind, she moved to Conrad’s office.  

As she opened the door and stepped out, she saw a familiar green-haired figure.  

“Guild leader, you’ve arrived?”  

“Yes.”  

Adelia walked towards her usual spot without hesitation.  

Since entering the palace, she hadn’t visited this place, and documents had piled up like a mountain.

Throughout this time, they’ve been exchanging tasks through communication stones, but there were documents that couldn’t be shown due to security reasons, waiting for her approval.

She flopped down in her seat.

“Did you read the documents I sent?”

“Of course. I’ve also sent a reply that I will be attending the banquet.”

“There’s more work for you there. Read this too.”

Adelia tossed the documents she took out.

Conrad, with a puzzled face, quickly read the documents.

As the pages turned, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Are we really going to do this? You’ll become the star of the banquet.”

“I’m already expected to receive a lot of attention. Might as well secure my position firmly. You know my personality.”

“I do. You make thorough use of everything you hold.”

“Doesn’t it sound fun? If you don’t want to, never mind.”

Adelia’s face was adorned with a smile as she casually mentioned the grand plan.

It was a peculiar smile, one corner of her mouth lifted, as if she was planning a new business venture.

Conrad placed a hand on his chest and bowed, as though he was used to it.

“Would there be any objection, Master?”

His lips twitched into a smile.