So if they’re not from the imperial family, silver hair and purple eyes are not common?  But… Amelia Seraphin was a young lady from a destitute viscount family. A lady of mere nominal status, not even truly considered nobility. It wasn’t for nothing that she was ridiculed for being a commoner’s daughter. It made no sense for her to have the hair and eye color exclusive to the imperial family.

If she really was from the imperial family, there’s no way she wouldn’t be accepted in the social circles.

“There’s no way…”

She definitely carried the Seraphin name. A viscount house with no ties to the imperial family. Yet, people treated her as if she were some hidden, illegitimate child of the Emperor. As if she was the first daughter the Emperor had by mistake in his youth.

“Really.”

“Yes, I know. You are the daughter of Viscount Seraphin.”

Raphael was the only one who could vouch for her innocence. She didn’t know what life the original Amelia had lived. Even her own father, Viscount Seraphin, didn’t know.

“Don’t worry. No one will bother you with unnecessary words.”

“…”

“Even if it’s the Emperor.”

Hearing his words, the anxiety churning inside her quickly settled. It was funny to think about it, but she felt he would protect her, even though there was no reason for that.

“Thank you for your words.”

It didn’t make sense for her to be of imperial descent. Raphael hated anything to do with the imperial family. And him marrying Amelia, who might be from the imperial family? That’s an impossible hypothesis from the start. Moreover… that plump Emperor didn’t share any resemblance with her as a biological father would. Only their hair and eye color matched.

“There are no absolutes. There are silver hairs outside the Khalid Empire.”

“Ah… That might be possible.”

If the wife of Viscount Seraphin was a foreigner, everything could be explained. Of course, she didn’t know… but Raphael was already tucking her stray hair behind her ear.

“So don’t worry.”

Strangely, whenever he spoke, any anxiety or nervousness she felt melted away like snow. Perhaps because she knew he was a strong person.

“Ha, this is really driving me crazy.”

“What?”

She couldn’t understand why he suddenly said that while tucking her hair. Was something wrong?

“I can’t stand people glancing at my wife.”

His tone sounded almost jealous, leaving Amelia flustered. Perhaps people were looking at her for a different reason. Should she correct his misunderstanding?

“Don’t forget about Leonel.”

Still, his nonsensical words somewhat eased her mood. It was curious how he could speak so casually in front of a child without any shame.

“Mom, I’m okay.”

“See? He’s fine.”

Better stop talking. Amelia turned her head away from him and looked down at Leonel, holding her hand tightly. It was very endearing. Today must be the first meeting between Aaron and Leonel. She hoped they wouldn’t become enemies.

Leonel never won against Aaron. It was an understatement to say it was a disaster.

“Amelia, your lips.”

“Ah…”

She must have been biting her lips while watching Aaron. Raphael’s finger approached, and Amelia obediently opened her mouth. She could feel Raphael’s thumb slowly sliding across her lips. It had become so familiar that it wasn’t strange anymore, which was the problem.

She hadn’t resisted opening her mouth now. It would be embarrassing after confidently assuring Ann and Jane that her makeup wouldn’t smear.

“Stop… This is a party.”

“I know.”

She hadn’t even greeted the Emperor yet. Amelia quickly moved away from his hand and turned her head. She had been feeling it lately, but this man had too little patience. He acted purely on instinct, like a beast.

It seemed like the foul smell that used to follow her around no longer did whenever he approached her now.

“Leonel, shall we go?”

“Yes, Mom!”

She pulled her hand away from him, fearing he might do something suspicious again on their way to greet the Emperor… It would have been awkward to hold both their hands… It definitely wasn’t because she was embarrassed.

“Oh! Raphael!”

No noble approached them until they had to exchange greetings. It was an unspoken rule that Raphael, being of the highest status, had to start. But since he kept talking to her and not coming over, it seemed the Emperor got quite heated up. Amelia tried not to frown at the Emperor calling Raphael’s name as if they were close.

“It’s been a long time indeed. I’m very grateful you attended our Founding Festival party.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor, trying hard to express his gratitude with his plump body, didn’t seem like a ruler of an empire. Was he trying too hard to impress Raphael…? It was obvious he was watching Raphael’s reactions. In contrast, Raphael seemed indifferent.

“This time is quite special, isn’t it? Being the 700th anniversary…”

The Emperor looked weaker up close. The flesh on his face and chin and his blurry purple eyes were far from robust. His behavior seemed overly dependent on his brooch.

Like someone who is afraid it might be stolen.

“The brooch.”

“…”

The Emperor flinched at the mention of the brooch, confirming he was wary of Raphael. Afraid that Raphael might snatch it away.

Could it be… He thought Siegfried participated in the auction? But in reality, she was the one who attended the auction.

“It suits you well.”

“…Thank you, Grand Duke.”

He tried not to show it, but beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Why was he so wary of Raphael while still wanting him to attend the Founding Festival party?

“Is the lady hiding next to you the Grand Duchess Siegfried?”

“I greet Your Majesty, Emperor of our Empire. I am Amelia Siegfried.”

“And next to you must be the Grand Duke’s son.”

“Leonel Siegfried greets Your Majesty.”

Leonel’s formal greeting made her proud. His polite demeanor was impressive for a 5-year-old.

“But… your eyes aren’t gold.”

Flinch. As soon as they heard the Emperor’s words, both her and Leonel’s bodies jerked simultaneously. They had not expected the Emperor to catch on to this fact from the beginning.

What should I say? Should I say that it turns golden when you become an adult?

“Sometimes, if the ability is outstanding, awakening can be delayed.”

“Oh……. does that mean this child is that exceptional?”

“It’s not like there haven’t been such cases before.”

While she hesitated, Raphael was the first to speak up. It was the first time she heard that awakening could be delayed if the ability was outstanding. And to think such cases weren’t unheard of. Was he just saying this to deceive the Emperor? It was hard to tell which.

“It must be both of your first time at the Imperial Palace. Welcome.”

“Thank you.”

Amelia wished this moment would end quickly. She wanted to meet the Emperor and verify, but upon facing him, a strange discomfort flowed through her body. The similarity in the color of their eyes and hair bothered her. She was anxious that he might pick on that point.

“How old is the young lord now?”

“Five years old, Your Majesty.”

Why is he asking about Aaron’s age again when he already knows it?

“Five years old! That’s the same age as my youngest son.”

“Are you talking about the Third Prince?”

It was to introduce Aaron to Leonel naturally. The Emperor quickly called Aaron over, and a small boy with silver hair and deep purple eyes approached, his head bowed low.

“I should introduce Aaron.”

“Ah, hello…… I’m Aaron Russell Khalid.”

The moment she saw the face of the child, who looked utterly defeated, Amelia was so surprised she couldn’t close her mouth. Silver hair with deep purple eyes. Surprisingly, he resembled her.