My Child's Father is The Emperor - Chapter 9.2
“Adele. Don’t change.”
Van wished for Adele to continue living as she was, the person he hoped would live.
As Van was reflecting on the morning’s events, a commotion erupted outside his office.
“Your Majesty! I must see the Emperor immediately!”
A young man barged in without proper announcement.
“Your Majesty! What is this all about?”
The young man was a striking figure.
His curly red hair seemed utterly untended, yet his clothing was impeccable, without a crease or speck of dust.
His slate-gray eyes held defiance and reproach directed at the Emperor.
“Didn’t I clearly tell you it’s not yet time?”
“That’s what you said.”
The Emperor’s nonchalant response infuriated Alvin.
“Having placed my trust in Your Majesty and served the duchy faithfully, I return to find such matters unfolding!” Alvin gesticulated into the air.
When the chair he expected didn’t fly towards him, Alvin turned around.
“Has the chief steward changed again?”
“Yes. Dawson, bring a chair for Sir Alvin.”
Dawson, newly promoted and still getting acquainted with his duties, quickly fetched a plush chair.
As soon as it arrived, Alvin slumped into it.
“What does Lady Ellipson have to say?” Alvin thought of the formidable woman who held sway over a grain-rich domain near the capital.
‘She wouldn’t have just let things slide.’
The Emperor had unexpectedly tasked him with a diplomatic mission to Jettsen. Receiving his appointment, Alvin half trusted the Emperor and half trusted the Duke of Dreyfus.
“She didn’t say anything, but her actions spoke volumes.”
“What do you mean?”
“She tried to send Adele away to escape.”
Alvin was shocked.
“Then Lady Ellipson is…”
“She’s not dead.”
“Phew.”
Alvin sighed in relief, noting the Emperor’s expression as if sparing someone’s life was a great act of mercy.
“What will Your Majesty do now?”
“In the upcoming noble assembly, I will raise Leopold to the status of a legitimate heir.”
“That cannot be.”
Alvin stood his ground.
“Even now, Lady Adele must be sent out of the castle.”
“Sir, I admire your intelligence.”
Van put down the pen he was holding and stood up.
“Do you think I would be concerned about such honors if it meant I couldn’t raise my own son to the status he deserves?”
“Are you threatening me?”
Alvin was incredulous.
“It’s not a threat; it’s an order.”
“Fine. Let’s compromise and send her to a convent or something for now.”
“Sir.”
Van glared at Alvin.
“Adele is not going anywhere.”
Alvin, utterly disgusted, sprang to his feet.
“That murderous intent! Please don’t wield it so freely anytime! This is not a battlefield.”
“When you returned to the palace, you were the one who said just because you aren’t carrying a weapon doesn’t mean the war is over.”
“I see.”
As Alvin was about to leave the office, he turned to the Emperor.
“I will take charge of Lady Adele’s education.”
“Do as you will.”
Van watched the closed door and smiled.
“You there. Your name is Dawson, right?”
“Yes.”
“I am Count Alvin Castellan, the aide-de-camp to His Majesty.”
“Yes, Count Castellan.”
“Next time I wave my hand like this, bring me a chair and some water.”
Alvin often found himself at a loss for words and his blood pressure rising during conversations with the Emperor.
“I look forward to your kind cooperation.”
After instructing Dawson about the chair and water, Alvin headed towards Adele’s room.
“I hope I can get through to that one.”
***
After breakfast, Adele slept for a long time.
‘Is it because I’m not comfortable?’
Since coming to the palace, Adele had often dreamt of Van. She would feel tired the next day, as if she hadn’t slept enough.
It wasn’t a problem since Van didn’t appear in her dreams often. But lately, perhaps because she’s been preoccupied with the Emperor, Van almost appeared in her dreams daily.
‘Will he really not appear anymore?’
Last night, Adele consciously tried to erase Van from her thoughts.
She needed to live in reality.
After that one night, she didn’t know how the real Van lived.
The Van in her dreams only listened to Adele’s stories, never sharing his own. It was natural. Adele didn’t know him.
It was impossible for the Van she didn’t know to appear in her dreams.
Chasing his lingering image and then meeting the Emperor was tormenting.
Even this morning, trying to see the Emperor was just as torturous.
‘He kissed me this morning.’
Could it be that there was a problem with being dragged to the prison as he had mentioned? And does the Emperor really have no intention of killing her?
Adele was curious.
She slid her hand under the pillow.
“I didn’t manage to return it.”
The round pocket watch was beautiful and somewhat feminine in design.
The golden cover was engraved with vine and floral patterns, indicating it was no ordinary item and quite exquisite.
“I’m just looking at it; it should be fine, right?”
Adele, who had never seen such a watch before, was fascinated and inspected it from all angles.
A knock sounded.
Adele quickly closed the watch’s lid and tucked it back under her pillow.
“Miss Ernst, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
Adele knew she was merely a guest in the palace.
Other than the Emperor or Leo, no one would come looking for her.
“Yes. Count Alvin Castellan has arrived.”
It was a name she hadn’t heard before.
“Please, show him in.”
Adele followed Yuria to the reception room attached to her chamber, entering it for the first time.
“Good day. I am Count Alvin Castellan.”
“Hello, I am Adelaide Ernst.”
Adele greeted Alvin with a bow and clasped hands.
“Are you sure you’re here to see me, Count?”
“Yes, I am.”
Yuria served tea and refreshments on the table.
‘What should I say?’
The only noble Adele had ever met in her life was the Duke of Dreyfus.
As she wondered what Alvin’s visit could be about and how to break the awkward silence,
“Miss Ernst.”
After quickly downing two cups of tea, seemingly to quench his thirst, Alvin set down his empty cup.
“Do you wish to become the Empress?”
