My Child's Father is The Emperor - Chapter 14.2
Adele’s eyes widened as she looked up at the ceiling.
“The royal villa is truly splendid.”
The room she had been using was also a bedroom within the palace.
But the royal villa was of a different caliber.
Furniture made of heavy, solid wood, sofas and cushions, and bedding of soft, expensive fabric – these were all things Adele, a commoner, had never seen in her life.
“Not all royal villas are this beautiful.”
Yuria responded to Adele’s comment.
After suddenly moving and taking a look around, the separate palace located behind the main palace seemed like another world.
The ceilings were higher than those inside the main palace, and frescoes decorated the ceilings and the pillars that supported them.
Sculptures and beautiful paintings adorned the corridors and rooms.
The carpets laid in the corridors were thicker and softer.
“This separate palace is usually bestowed by His Majesty to his most beloved woman.”
Yuria said with a smile.
“His Majesty cherishes you, Madam Adele.”
“Me? That’s unlikely. He cherishes Leo.”
“Mom!”
Leo ran towards her, his footsteps thundering, and hugged Adele around the hem of her skirt.
“Leo. How about it? Do you like our new home?”
“Yes!”
Until now, the walk from Adele’s room to Leo’s took about ten minutes.
In the main palace, the quarters for the prince and Adele, a guest, were in different areas.
But now, in the royal villa, their bedrooms faced each other, and Leo was delighted by the fact that he could see his mother just by opening the door.
‘I thought he was adjusting well to palace life, but a child is still a child.’
“Wait a moment.”
Vanhelm called back Dawson who was about to leave.
“But did Adele really not mention me at all while talking with Alvin?”
Vanhelm wanted to believe Alvin was lying.
“Well, Your Majesty.”
Dawson felt sweat trickling down his neck.
This was his biggest crisis since he took on the role of steward.
***
Adele gazed up at the ceiling with wide eyes.
“The separate palace is truly splendid.”
Her usual room was also a bedroom within the royal palace.
But coming to the separate palace, it was on a different level.
The heavy, solid furniture made of wood, the soft and expensive fabrics used for sofas, cushions, and bedding were things peasant-born Adele had never even dreamt of seeing in her lifetime.
“Not all separate palaces are this beautiful.”
Yuria picked up on Adele’s words.
Suddenly moving and then looking around, the separate palace located behind the royal palace was indeed another world.
The ceilings were generally higher than those inside the royal palace, decorated with frescoes supported by columns.
Sculptures and beautiful paintings adorned the corridors and rooms.
The carpet laid in the corridor was thicker and softer.
“This separate palace is usually bestowed by the Emperor to his most beloved woman.”
Yuria smiled as she spoke.
“The Emperor must cherish you, Miss Adele.”
“Me? It must be because of the Prince.”
“Mommy!”
Leo ran up, his footsteps echoing, and hugged Adele’s skirt.
“Leo, how do you like the new house?”
“Yes!”
Until now, the room where Adele stayed and Leo’s room were a ten-minute walk apart.
In the royal palace’s main building, the prince’s quarters and Adele’s place as a guest were in different areas.
But now, having bedrooms facing each other within the separate palace, Leo was delighted at the fact that he could see his mother just by opening the door.
‘Kids are still kids, after all.’
It was just past his third birthday.
Leo’s chubby cheeks were still plump. Touching them, Adele too felt unusually good for a change.
“Prince. Shall we play ball in the separate palace garden?”
“Yes!”
Leo followed the nanny and maids out of sight.
Although it was called moving, Adele had nothing to take care of.
Dragged here empty-handed, she owned nothing in this royal palace.
Thus, she had no personal belongings to pack.
The only thing Adele had to care for was the watch Vanhelm left behind.
Adele sat by the large window.
The separate palace was a single-story building, so sitting on a chair, she could easily see Leo playing outside.
Watching him, Adele mulled over the conversation she had with Alvin earlier.
“Oh, there is one thing you should be careful about.”
“What is it?”
“Do not give your heart to His Majesty.”
“Excuse me?”
Adele’s eyes widened.
“Just maintain the distance you have now.”
“Why is that?”
“That’s all I can say for now.”
Why was that?
Her curiosity couldn’t be satisfied by asking every little thing.
‘Maybe it’s better not to know.’
Alvin said he would report to Vanhelm and after their discussion.
So, waiting might reveal what she could know.
‘Does Vanhelm really want me to become the Empress?’
That was more curious now.
‘And even if he tells me to remain casuall.’
Tonight, they would have to sleep in the same bed.
There must be a reason other than moving to a separate palace.
Adele sighed.
“Leopold.”
The Emperor, appearing just in time for dinner, was dressed more comfortably than usual for breakfast.
He wasn’t wearing his crown, just a white shirt with a robe over it.
Adele’s heart raced at the sight.
‘Van.’
She had never seen him so clearly illuminated.
He always came in the darkness of the night, in Adele’s dreams.
There was never a moment when she awoke and turned on the light in those dreams.
Just like when they first met, only the moonlight illuminated him.
Seeing him in a brightly lit place with candles shining brightly, Adele remembered why she had been captivated by his handsome looks at first glance.
Throughout dinner, Leo chattered excitedly with flushed cheeks.
“Emily said she’s never seen a prince as smart as me! And Beth said it’s amazing how I drank a whole cup of milk.”
“We should give everyone a reward.”
The nanny, Emily, and the maid, Beth, standing behind Leo, smiled happily.
After dinner, Adele read a book in Leo’s room, accompanied by Van.
“Step back!”
At Kyle’s command, the soldiers retreated in unison. Kyle, holding a broadsword, walked alone towards the castle gate.
While Adele read, Leo and Van lay back on the couch, listening to the story.
Adele felt a bit moved.
‘I never thought this moment would come.’
It was the time she had hoped for and waited for while raising Leo alone.
Adele felt like she might cry but held back her tears.
Leo, holding onto the doorknob of the bedroom across from Adele and Vanhelm, waved.
“Goodnight, dad, mom.”
He looked delighted to see Adele and Vanhelm standing side by side at the bedroom door, both in comfortable attire.
“Lie down.”
Vanhelm called a maid to leave only one candle burning and turned off the rest of the lights.
Lying down next to Van, Adele felt somewhat nervous.
Her heart was racing, and she felt a mix of excitement and fear, but also curiosity.
In the soft darkness, Adele called out to him.
“Van.”
