“Have you delivered all the gifts?”
It was before Rodan's body even entered Ivan's office.
“I sent everything you told me to send without missing a single thing.”
Rodan hurried to answer his dry question.
"Yes."
That was all Ivan had to say. Judging from his face, which didn't seem particularly curious, it didn't seem like something that needed to be checked urgently, so what was the rush? Ivan was looking at the portrait of a young woman with a calm expression, enough to make him think that way.
“Why did you suddenly ask me to send a gift?”
“I can’t just send gifts to my child.”
Ian had to accept the gift as a sign of his recognition. He had just included Amelia in the mix. She was the woman he had once loved, and she was clearly the mother of his child. She was in her prime, so she must have wanted to do pretty and good things, but he also felt a little sorry for the woman who had been forced to live frugally and didn't know what to envy.
That was all. Ivan believed that, thinking of the woman who couldn't hide her hurt feelings even when he acted like he didn't want to have a child.
“Is that really all?”
Rodan narrowed his eyes and asked. Of course, there was another reason.
“From the outside, I need something to make Amelia Escliffe want to kill me.”
“But I know that the gift you sent didn’t contain anything strange.”
“There’s nothing strange about gifts.”
Ivan replied nonchalantly, pushing one of the three portraits he had been looking at onto the tabletop. A woman with the same gorgeous blond hair as Ivan and sapphire blue eyes was smiling gently in the painting.
“Have you chosen the girl you want to send your proposal to?”
Ivan nodded to Rodan's question.
“Jane Clarke.”
Jane Clarke. She was the daughter of the Count of Clarke, who was not a powerful noble family, but had always been loyal to the royal family. Her condition was not bad enough to make you wonder why she had not married yet.
“First of all, since the father is not stupid enough to harbor vain desires, the daughter should be of that caliber as well.”
Of course, Ivan's assessment was only to that extent. In his green eyes, which were almost blue-green, he showed no interest or concern. It was natural, since it was not a love marriage in the first place. He had no particular desire to live happily with the person who would become his wife.
“Isn’t there anyone you’re even a little more attracted to?”
Rodan asked cautiously. Still, if someone was going to be his lifelong partner, wouldn’t it be better to have someone who at least caught his eye rather than someone he had no interest in? The women in the families Rodan had chosen were all girls from families loyal to the royal family. It seemed like he thought it wouldn’t be a big deal if he gave them a little bit of his heart.
"No."
Ivan looked at the portrait again and answered indifferently.
It was natural. He originally had little interest in the beauty of women. Whenever there was a banquet, they would secretly drop a glass next to him, and when he saw those who were pretending to be drunk and staggering around, he would order the escorts to take them away.
People saw Ivan like that and evaluated him as an ascetic and tidy Emperor. However, Ivan's actions were not really because he was thoughtful and ascetic. He was just annoyed by the wine stains on his clothes, and he was tired of supporting drunken women. He would never do something he didn't like. Ivan was just that kind of person. He was lucky to be born as an Emperor.
“Yes, then I will write up the proposal and deliver it to Count Clarke’s mansion as soon as you give it to me.”
So it was pointless to ask him whether there were any women who were interested in him. After all, he was the Emperor. If there were a woman he was rationally attracted to, he could have a mistress even after marriage.
No matter what kind of woman she is.
“You can sit here.”
“Ian, give it to me.”
At Amelia's words, Mrs. Howard obediently handed Ian over. Amelia sat down in the seat the servant had told her to while holding Ian in her arms.
“...You were here too?”
As she was happily watching Ian babbling, the door opened and Ivan appeared, wearing a comfortable shirt and pants, unlike his usual attire. He seemed a little surprised at Amelia's appearance and paused for a moment before speaking.
“Ian is not in a position to meet anyone alone.”
It was surprising. The woman who always wore plain white dresses was wearing bright colors. Amelia smiled and shrugged her shoulders so that he could see the blue dress she was wearing. She accepted the gift he gave her and even wore it like this.
“It suits you well.”
Ivan wiped away the faint surprise that had crossed his face and sat down opposite Amelia. The servants who were not familiar with their relationship looked nervous that Amelia and Ivan might have a fight over the child.
In fact, even though Ivan accepted God's command, it was a choice he made reluctantly. The majority of Escliffe believed in God and believed in the existence of his agents. Even most of the servants who were guarding the position were the same.
“Is the child healthy?”
Amelia nodded with a smile at Ivan's question.
“Thanks to Your Majesty, he is safe and sound without any injuries.”
Even though Ivan could not have wished for the child to be safe, Amelia smiled bashfully and thanked Ivan, pretending not to notice. The maids looked down in anxiety.
“Come to think of it, I heard that it takes time for you to build up your feelings. Would you like to hug him for a moment?”
Amelia suggested that Ivan hug Ian. If Ivan had to accept Ian anyway, it would be nice if he could get a little closer to him. Ivan raised one eyebrow in silent refusal.
“I’ve never held a child that young before.”
As Amelia stood up, pretending not to notice his rejection, Ivan openly refused the offer.
“Besides, the love that ordinary royalty or nobles have for their children is usually proven with material things.”
He meant that they didn't raise their children like Amelia, holding them in her arms and taking care of them one by one. He said that he wanted this place not because he wanted to get attached, but simply to become familiar with Ian's existence. That was also the purpose of sending the gift.
“Don’t do that. Just hug him once.”
If he had talked about it to that extent, Amelia would not have insisted. However, Amelia hugged Ian tightly and held the child in his arms. Ivan, who had been holding the child unexpectedly, flinched as if he were surprised.
“I think there’s nothing more important than getting close and familiar with each other’s body temperature.”
Did he realize that he was the one who had saved him the other day? Ian held onto Ivan's chest and continued to babble as if his mouth were open. He even stuffed Ivan's shirt, which was frozen in an awkward position, into his mouth and covered it in spit.
“...”
The servants rolled their eyes at the unexpected situation. The Emperor was a man who could not stand anything dirty. Furthermore, he had never had a child of his own, so he had no idea how a child would grow up. It seemed as if he would strike at any moment.
“Your Majesty, the baby is mine...”
While everyone was looking at each other to see who would step forward and take care of the child, a courageous maid stepped forward. Ivan, who had been staring down at the child until then, nodded briefly at the maid. If it were the real Ivan, he would have been the type of man who would have handed Ian over to the maid as if he were annoyed.
“I guess I have to adapt now.”
Ivan took the handkerchief the servant handed him and spoke leisurely. A clear question appeared on the faces of all those who were standing by. It was because they did not understand what he was talking about.
“I’m going to have my wedding soon, so I guess I need to get used to holding my child.”
Everyone was convinced by Ivan's words. Except for Amelia, who held Ian in her arms and watched them with a single expression on her face, as if she were looking at her loving husband and child.
“...Holy marriage?”
Amelia broke the silence and asked, her eyes showing a subtle agitation.
“For the sake of Escliffe’s stability, it is time to bring in a mistress.”
“...”
“Why do you look at me like that? Isn’t it strange that I don’t even have a fiancée at my age?”
Ivan answered nonchalantly and criticized Amelia for asking such a question. In fact, Amelia's question was of a strange category. He was the Emperor of a country, and since he could not manage everything alone, it was natural for him to have a concubine to rule the palace.
"Then..."
Amelia was just opening her mouth with a confused expression.
“Your Majesty, I know it’s inconvenient, but please give Ian to me.”
Louis stepped forward and cut off Amelia, as if to stop her foolish question.
"Yes."
Ivan casually handed the child over to Louis, ignoring Amelia's question. In fact, he seemed to have sensed the question Amelia was trying to ask him.
“When do you plan on welcoming the mistress of Escliffe?”
Amelia asked. The corners of Ivan's mouth began to curl upward.
It was before Rodan's body even entered Ivan's office.
“I sent everything you told me to send without missing a single thing.”
Rodan hurried to answer his dry question.
"Yes."
That was all Ivan had to say. Judging from his face, which didn't seem particularly curious, it didn't seem like something that needed to be checked urgently, so what was the rush? Ivan was looking at the portrait of a young woman with a calm expression, enough to make him think that way.
“Why did you suddenly ask me to send a gift?”
“I can’t just send gifts to my child.”
Ian had to accept the gift as a sign of his recognition. He had just included Amelia in the mix. She was the woman he had once loved, and she was clearly the mother of his child. She was in her prime, so she must have wanted to do pretty and good things, but he also felt a little sorry for the woman who had been forced to live frugally and didn't know what to envy.
That was all. Ivan believed that, thinking of the woman who couldn't hide her hurt feelings even when he acted like he didn't want to have a child.
“Is that really all?”
Rodan narrowed his eyes and asked. Of course, there was another reason.
“From the outside, I need something to make Amelia Escliffe want to kill me.”
“But I know that the gift you sent didn’t contain anything strange.”
“There’s nothing strange about gifts.”
Ivan replied nonchalantly, pushing one of the three portraits he had been looking at onto the tabletop. A woman with the same gorgeous blond hair as Ivan and sapphire blue eyes was smiling gently in the painting.
“Have you chosen the girl you want to send your proposal to?”
Ivan nodded to Rodan's question.
“Jane Clarke.”
Jane Clarke. She was the daughter of the Count of Clarke, who was not a powerful noble family, but had always been loyal to the royal family. Her condition was not bad enough to make you wonder why she had not married yet.
“First of all, since the father is not stupid enough to harbor vain desires, the daughter should be of that caliber as well.”
Of course, Ivan's assessment was only to that extent. In his green eyes, which were almost blue-green, he showed no interest or concern. It was natural, since it was not a love marriage in the first place. He had no particular desire to live happily with the person who would become his wife.
“Isn’t there anyone you’re even a little more attracted to?”
Rodan asked cautiously. Still, if someone was going to be his lifelong partner, wouldn’t it be better to have someone who at least caught his eye rather than someone he had no interest in? The women in the families Rodan had chosen were all girls from families loyal to the royal family. It seemed like he thought it wouldn’t be a big deal if he gave them a little bit of his heart.
"No."
Ivan looked at the portrait again and answered indifferently.
It was natural. He originally had little interest in the beauty of women. Whenever there was a banquet, they would secretly drop a glass next to him, and when he saw those who were pretending to be drunk and staggering around, he would order the escorts to take them away.
People saw Ivan like that and evaluated him as an ascetic and tidy Emperor. However, Ivan's actions were not really because he was thoughtful and ascetic. He was just annoyed by the wine stains on his clothes, and he was tired of supporting drunken women. He would never do something he didn't like. Ivan was just that kind of person. He was lucky to be born as an Emperor.
“Yes, then I will write up the proposal and deliver it to Count Clarke’s mansion as soon as you give it to me.”
So it was pointless to ask him whether there were any women who were interested in him. After all, he was the Emperor. If there were a woman he was rationally attracted to, he could have a mistress even after marriage.
No matter what kind of woman she is.
***
“You can sit here.”
“Ian, give it to me.”
At Amelia's words, Mrs. Howard obediently handed Ian over. Amelia sat down in the seat the servant had told her to while holding Ian in her arms.
“...You were here too?”
As she was happily watching Ian babbling, the door opened and Ivan appeared, wearing a comfortable shirt and pants, unlike his usual attire. He seemed a little surprised at Amelia's appearance and paused for a moment before speaking.
“Ian is not in a position to meet anyone alone.”
It was surprising. The woman who always wore plain white dresses was wearing bright colors. Amelia smiled and shrugged her shoulders so that he could see the blue dress she was wearing. She accepted the gift he gave her and even wore it like this.
“It suits you well.”
Ivan wiped away the faint surprise that had crossed his face and sat down opposite Amelia. The servants who were not familiar with their relationship looked nervous that Amelia and Ivan might have a fight over the child.
In fact, even though Ivan accepted God's command, it was a choice he made reluctantly. The majority of Escliffe believed in God and believed in the existence of his agents. Even most of the servants who were guarding the position were the same.
“Is the child healthy?”
Amelia nodded with a smile at Ivan's question.
“Thanks to Your Majesty, he is safe and sound without any injuries.”
Even though Ivan could not have wished for the child to be safe, Amelia smiled bashfully and thanked Ivan, pretending not to notice. The maids looked down in anxiety.
“Come to think of it, I heard that it takes time for you to build up your feelings. Would you like to hug him for a moment?”
Amelia suggested that Ivan hug Ian. If Ivan had to accept Ian anyway, it would be nice if he could get a little closer to him. Ivan raised one eyebrow in silent refusal.
“I’ve never held a child that young before.”
As Amelia stood up, pretending not to notice his rejection, Ivan openly refused the offer.
“Besides, the love that ordinary royalty or nobles have for their children is usually proven with material things.”
He meant that they didn't raise their children like Amelia, holding them in her arms and taking care of them one by one. He said that he wanted this place not because he wanted to get attached, but simply to become familiar with Ian's existence. That was also the purpose of sending the gift.
“Don’t do that. Just hug him once.”
If he had talked about it to that extent, Amelia would not have insisted. However, Amelia hugged Ian tightly and held the child in his arms. Ivan, who had been holding the child unexpectedly, flinched as if he were surprised.
“I think there’s nothing more important than getting close and familiar with each other’s body temperature.”
Did he realize that he was the one who had saved him the other day? Ian held onto Ivan's chest and continued to babble as if his mouth were open. He even stuffed Ivan's shirt, which was frozen in an awkward position, into his mouth and covered it in spit.
“...”
The servants rolled their eyes at the unexpected situation. The Emperor was a man who could not stand anything dirty. Furthermore, he had never had a child of his own, so he had no idea how a child would grow up. It seemed as if he would strike at any moment.
“Your Majesty, the baby is mine...”
While everyone was looking at each other to see who would step forward and take care of the child, a courageous maid stepped forward. Ivan, who had been staring down at the child until then, nodded briefly at the maid. If it were the real Ivan, he would have been the type of man who would have handed Ian over to the maid as if he were annoyed.
“I guess I have to adapt now.”
Ivan took the handkerchief the servant handed him and spoke leisurely. A clear question appeared on the faces of all those who were standing by. It was because they did not understand what he was talking about.
“I’m going to have my wedding soon, so I guess I need to get used to holding my child.”
Everyone was convinced by Ivan's words. Except for Amelia, who held Ian in her arms and watched them with a single expression on her face, as if she were looking at her loving husband and child.
“...Holy marriage?”
Amelia broke the silence and asked, her eyes showing a subtle agitation.
“For the sake of Escliffe’s stability, it is time to bring in a mistress.”
“...”
“Why do you look at me like that? Isn’t it strange that I don’t even have a fiancée at my age?”
Ivan answered nonchalantly and criticized Amelia for asking such a question. In fact, Amelia's question was of a strange category. He was the Emperor of a country, and since he could not manage everything alone, it was natural for him to have a concubine to rule the palace.
"Then..."
Amelia was just opening her mouth with a confused expression.
“Your Majesty, I know it’s inconvenient, but please give Ian to me.”
Louis stepped forward and cut off Amelia, as if to stop her foolish question.
"Yes."
Ivan casually handed the child over to Louis, ignoring Amelia's question. In fact, he seemed to have sensed the question Amelia was trying to ask him.
“When do you plan on welcoming the mistress of Escliffe?”
Amelia asked. The corners of Ivan's mouth began to curl upward.
Comments
Post a Comment