The morning sunlight tickled my face.
Too lazy to get up, I buried my face in the soft blanket when the door quietly opened.
“It’s time to wake up. Are you planning to enter the palace without even having breakfast?”
“Ugh… just a little longer…”
I’ve truly lived diligently since coming to this world.
To the extent that I could be called the icon of diligence.
But even someone like me sometimes wants to be lazy.
However, the gentle and polite voice wouldn’t leave me alone.
“I understand your desire to be lazy, but please wake up now, Young Master.”
“…Can’t I skip breakfast? Sebastian?”
Though I tried whining one last time, the butler who manages the Robert family mansion was resolute.
“Sophia will be sad. She prepared all morning because she wanted to see you enjoy your meal.”
“Hmph, do you really think I’m that easy to fall for such emotional manipulation?”
“I know you’re warm-hearted enough to fall for it.”
“… Tch”
You know me too well.
Indeed, someone with the wisdom of an elder is different.
There was no way I could keep complaining, so I painfully got up from bed.
“What’s on the menu today?”
“Your favorite spicy pork stir-fry.”
“Wow! Sophia, you always know how to make me happy.”
Spicy pork stir-fry is what they call the Korean dish “Jeyuk” that I recreated in this world.
With about 90% accuracy.
Just Grandpa and I can handle its spiciness; everyone else finds it too hot.
Not knowing the taste of Jeyuk is truly unfortunate.
“Besides that, we have many dishes you love. Let’s go.”
“What are you doing? Hurry up!”
Sebastian smiled kindly as he watched me rush out of the room.
“This old man can’t keep up with your speed. Go ahead. I’ll take care of other matters.”
“Did you eat already?”
“Yes, quite a while ago.”
“Then… see you later.”
Leaving behind the bowing Sebastian, I quickly headed to the dining room.
*
“Ah, I’m full.”
After cleaning the plates, I patted my stomach.
Maybe because it’s been a while, I ended up eating three bowls of rice, unusually delicious.
As I was finishing with a cup of coffee, Sebastian entered the dining room.
“Were you satisfied with your meal?”
“As you can see, it was so good I almost ate the plate.”
Pointing at the stacked dishes, Sebastian smiled warmly.
“Sophia will be thrilled. When do you plan to enter the palace?”
“Hmm, I’ll see the Patriarch first and then leave right away.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare the carriage. The Patriarch should be in his study.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to mention it.”
Leaving the dining room, I headed to the second floor where the study was located.
Standing in front of the door marked “Study,” I slowly knocked.
Knock knock-
“Come in.”
Inside, I saw a middle-aged man who looked exactly like Grandpa.
He must have looked like this in his youth.
This man was Alderbaran Robert, the only child of Grandpa and the Patriarch of the Robert family.
“Oh? I thought it was Sebastian, but what a pleasant surprise.”
His smiling face, similar to Grandpa’s, felt strangely creepy.
Since I didn’t say anything, Alderbaran put down his pen and asked.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something to say?”
“Ah, you look too much like… um, Gold Eagle Palace sir.”
I barely managed to hold back my words.
We can’t call our father “Grandpa” in front of his son, right?
“Surprisingly… if a son doesn’t resemble his father, who would he resemble?”
Alderbaran’s smile, despite his outward appearance, was completely different from Grandpa’s inside.
While Grandpa is naturally suited for fieldwork, this man fits more into office work.
Perhaps that’s why Grandpa could hand over the family without worry.
“So, did you rest well last night?”
“Yes. I didn’t expect my room to still be here after all this time.”
Even after so long, the Robert mansion had kept my room clean.
Thanks to that, I felt like I had returned home.
“Not only Grandpa, but I also consider you as my son. Even though you’ve moved out, parents want to keep their children’s rooms. Isn’t that natural?”
“Speaking of which, shouldn’t the head of the household start thinking about marriage and succession?”
I vaguely remembered that Alderbaran must be around late thirties.
In the previous life, maybe not, but in this world, he’s clearly past marriageable age.
Yet, he hasn’t even married, let alone have children.
“Haha, do you feel the same? Having Sebasitan worried about my successor is enough.”
“We never know what might happen in life. Isn’t preparing for the future part of the head’s role?”
“An appropriate match will come along eventually. If there’s any problem, you can take over the position later.”
“Don’t pass it off to me and try seeing someone. I’m already overwhelmed with current responsibilities.”
As I shook my head and groaned, Alderbaran crossed his hands and asked.
“You’ve done great again, haven’t you? To be summoned personally by His Majesty… What exactly happened?”
“It’s a long story. Honestly, I still don’t fully understand why I’m being summoned.”
I shrugged as I replied.
“There must be a reason. By the way, any news about you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you meeting anyone? Isn’t this your prime marriage age?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, I was speechless.
Trying to gather my thoughts, but…
“I am still…”
“Still working hard, aren’t you? If we go by that logic, there’d be no one left to marry in this world.”
Sharp criticism left me no choice but to shut my mouth.
Alderbaran pressed on without changing expression.
“I’ve heard you’ve formed connections with quite a few women. Just from what I’ve heard: the Helios Duke’s House, the Selene Duke’s House, the Holy Maiden of the Eos Order, and even Her Imperial Highness the Princess…? Whew, are you alright?”
“… What exactly do you mean by ‘alright’?”
“At this point, it’s less about female blessings and more like female troubles… Could there be others?”
“Haah, they’re my students. No teacher would have those feelings towards their students.”
“Hmm? What’s the problem? Aren’t you just a man and a woman before being teacher and student? When two good-looking people meet, feelings can develop. Aren’t you around the same age?”
“That may be true, but…”
Alderbaran shook his head and continued.
“I see now that you’re even more rigid than our father. You’re what they call a ‘know-it-all’.”
“Ugh”
“There are plenty of cases where teachers and students end up together. Take the Helios family for example.”
“Eh…?”
What does that mean?
Could Balkan and Leia…?!
“Didn’t you know? The Helios Duke and Duchess were once in a teacher-student relationship. She used to be his private tutor when he was young. It’s a famous story in society… judging by your expression, you didn’t know, huh?”
“I don’t socialize in those circles…”
So that’s why they wanted me as a son-in-law?
Because he married under similar circumstances, he assumed I’d follow the same path…
How cute must I have looked talking about teacher-student relationships?
I covered my face with my hands in embarrassment.
“So, who among them is most your type? Judging by your visit to the Helios family right after being discharged yesterday, perhaps you’re more inclined towards them?”
“Ah! Look at the time. His Majesty must be waiting, so I’ll go now. See you next time. Farewell!”
I hastily ran out of the study.
“Take it seriously! I think anyone would suit you perfectly!”
Aldarban’s voice shouting from behind made my face burn.
What on earth is this uncle talking about!
How could I possibly be with those girls…
“Ugh, Ah, no…! I absolutely didn’t look at them that way!”
Ignoring the pinkish aura rising in my mind, I pushed forward.
*
The distance from the study to the carriage waiting in the garden felt like a thousand miles.
Even marching through the northern snow mountains didn’t make me this breathless…
Now, cold sweat was soaking my back.
“Are you alright? What happened?”
“Ah, nothing. I’ll be going now. I can’t be late.”
“Will you head straight to Minerva after finishing your errand?”
“Probably. I’ve rested enough. It’s time to prepare for classes.”
“You came and went like the wind.”
Sebastian said with a slightly regretful tone.
Looking closely, the wrinkles around his eyes seemed deeper compared to before.
Have I been neglecting him too much?
Now that the war is over, even if I’m busy, I should develop the habit of taking care of the people around me.
“I’ll contact you often.”
“I didn’t say that to burden you.”
“No, I genuinely want to do it. I’ll visit often, so please don’t complain if I come too frequently.”
“Would I ever?”
“Of course not. I’ll always wait happily.”
Gazing at Sebastian’s brighter smile compared to earlier, I boarded the carriage.
Its seating comfort rivaled even the one Ariana had provided.
“See you next time.”
“Yes. Good luck.”
For some reason, it reminded me of the time I left for the north.
Back then, Sebastian bid farewell with the same words.
The difference from the past is that he’s smiling brightly instead of worrying.
“… My struggles weren’t in vain.”
No matter how many life-threatening situations I overcame, the reason I could fight is
because of these people supporting me from behind.
I faintly smiled as I left the house that had become my second home and headed towards the Imperial Palace.
*
The White Rose Palace located on the west side of the vast Imperial Palace.
Originally built for the Empress, it became the sanctuary for the Empire’s sole Imperial Princess after her passing.
“I said I’d come today.”
Lux stood in front of a large full-length mirror, muttering absentmindedly.
Behind her lay countless dresses.
Next to her, a maid inspecting the dresses whispered awkwardly.
“This is the last dress.”
“… Already?”
“Yes. I apologize.”
Lux, who usually enjoyed a frugal lifestyle, didn’t have many custom-made dresses.
Even these numerous dresses were created after pestering the royal tailors.
Delighted with the rare workload, the tailors worked overnight to create the dresses, but…
there was a limit to how many could be made in such a short period.
“No, it’s my fault for suddenly wanting this. I should have paid more attention to dresses earlier if I knew this would happen.”
Despite her usual expressionless face, her disappointed tone couldn’t be hidden.
Seeing Lux like this, the maid stomped her feet anxiously.
She didn’t want to disappoint the princess who was always kind to her attendants.
“Don’t worry. Your Highness looks beautiful in anything.”
“Do you think he feels the same?”
“I don’t know exactly who you’re talking about, but any man would be smitten.”
“There are quite a few rivals though…”
Who on earth could make this beautiful girl doubt herself?
Given Lux’s reputation for rarely showing interest in others, the maid’s curiosity only grew.
“Still! Without a doubt, Your Highness will win. If someone doesn’t choose you, it’s their loss.”
“… Really?”
Watching the maid vigorously nod, Lux faintly smiled.
“Exactly! Your Highness is the ultimate beauty.”
“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Upon receiving permission, the maid began bustling around.
From head to toe, a thorough preparation.
As Lux watched her gradually changing appearance, she felt her heart racing.
‘Will Allen like it?’
Lux’s mind was filled with the desire to impress Allen.
She wasn’t sure exactly what this feeling was.
Just watching Arian and Senna gaze at Allen during her hospital visit,
she somehow felt she shouldn’t fall behind.
‘I hope he likes me.’
This new emotion was utterly fascinating to Lux.
