My Child's Father is The Emperor - Chapter 11.2
It was a sunny and pleasant day.
A gentle breeze made the silver waves of Lake Vigneron more beautiful than usual.
Adele was playing in the garden with Leo.
“Mom! You need to hit it harder!”
They were playing a game involving hitting a small, cotton-filled ball with a stick, trying to get it into the opponent’s area to score points.
The Emperor had provided nannies and maids for Leo.
Thus, with so many people to play with him, Leo was simply happy every day.
‘Is he suited for palace life?’
His skin, already fair, seemed to have become more radiant and beautiful recently.
On the other hand, the recent events in Adele’s life were a source of headache.
Between worrying about her ambiguous position and a lack of sleep at night, she felt exhausted.
‘And there was another reason for my fatigue.’
If meeting Van wasn’t a dream.
If the Emperor had been waking her up to talk every dawn, it would explain why she felt tired even after a full night’s sleep since coming to the palace.
‘Why is he doing this to me?’
She had considered asking him directly.
But no matter how much she pondered, she didn’t feel like she would get the answers she wanted from him.
If there was something worth telling her, he should have explained it.
‘It’s frustrating.’
It was a problem she couldn’t solve on her own, no matter how much she thought about it.
Adele internally sighed.
“Mom! Faster!”
At least Leo was doing well in the palace, which provided some comfort to Adele.
“I won!”
“I know. Your Highness Leopold is amazing.”
“With your skill in using the staff like this, you will surely handle the sword as well as His Majesty the Emperor.”
The maids’ flattering praises made Leo’s eyes sparkle with joy.
“Hehe.”
“Leo, come here and drink some water.”
Adele called Leo over to the shade. It was a signal for Leo to rest and, by extension, the maids serving him.
Following Adele’s direction, everyone comfortably sat in the shade, enjoying the afternoon respite.
Looking out over Lake Vigneron seemed to push the clutter of thoughts a bit further away.
Adele sighed.
As Adele sighed, Yuria laughed.
“Miss Ernst, is it hard?”
“No, it’s just playing with the child.”
“Did you have trouble sleeping again last night?”
“Yes.”
Yuria understood that Adele’s need for naps during the day was due to her insomnia.
“It must be because the palace is still unfamiliar.”
“Tonight, I’ll bring you some peppermint tea before bed.”
“Thank you, Yuria.”
Just then, a group of young ladies approached under the tree.
Recognizing the lead lady, Yuria and a few other maids quickly got up.
‘She must be a noble.’
Adele also stood up.
The ladies, stopping under the tree’s shade, were all pretty and vibrant.
But the one in the front, with her gentle, large sky-blue eyes and silver-blond hair, stood out as an especially striking beauty.
Her overall ethereal appearance made her seem almost luminous against her fair skin.
It would be an understatement to merely call her beautiful.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a pretty person.’
Even Adele found it hard to look away from her.
“Looks like everyone is having a lovely time.”
Her voice was clear and pretty.
With an elegant and refined gesture, almost everyone bowed their heads in greeting at the same time.
Unfamiliar with the proper etiquette, Adele instinctively bowed her head along with the maids.
Knowing she was of common birth and thus of lower status than anyone else present, Adele stayed respectfully silent.
“Lady Velota, what brings you here today?”
Yuria stepped forward to greet her.
The question seemed somewhat out of place, considering they were in the Emperor’s garden.
Velota covered her mouth slightly with her fan and smiled.
“Is there anywhere in the palace I shouldn’t go? The weather is so lovely, I thought I’d enjoy some tea by Lake Vigneron.”
Behind Velota were a group of noble ladies, and further back, servants carrying tables and utensils.
Suddenly, Velota’s eyes fell on Leo, who was clutching the hem of Adele’s dress and staring intently at her.
“Is this child the Prince?”
“Yes, he is.”
At Yuria’s response, Velota approached Adele and Leo.
“What is your name?”
At Velota’s question, Leo moved his little lips.
“It’s Leo. Leopold.”
“Prince Leopold.”
Velota beamed a radiant smile.
For a moment, it seemed as if her face was actually glowing.
Adele involuntarily squinted as if dazzled by the brightness.
“Noona. Noona shines like there’s light from her face.”
Children were perceptive, and Leo echoed what Adele felt.
“You speak so prettily, Your Highness.”
Pleased by the comment, Velota smiled once again.
“However, that title is not quite accurate. I must correct it.”
Velota crouched to be at eye level with Leo.
“I will be your mother, Prince Leopold.”
