Ru had never experienced being a parent, but she at least knew what kind of existence she was to her parents.

When you looked at her room in the Flache Count’s townhouse, it came across powerfully without saying a word.

Luxurious bedding in bright colors, curtains that matched the bedding and changed with the seasons, and the wardrobe full of unworn clothes of various kinds.

Milene filled it up whenever she thought about Ru, estimating her height and saying, “You should wear this when it’s cold, and this when you sleep.” However, there were only light indoor slippers for shoes.

This was because, according to the motto of the Genesis family, shoes should be fitted to the feet as if they were unknown.

Her parents always hoped that she would stay at home. Whether she was doing something outside or finishing her daily routine, they hoped she would come home and have dinner with them, sharing stories.

When they were together, Ru would turn her head briefly and then look back at her parents, warm at times and, occasionally, with reddened eyes. The gaze that had never wavered once always lingered on her. The eldest daughter was unfamiliar and awkward, but she worried the most and felt the most sorry.

“Drink water, water.”

Milene quickly offered water to her daughter who was suffering from a severe cough, scolding her husband who worked hard.

“You really, what kind of words, making the child embarrassed…!”

“No, well, sorry, Ru. Hey. Drink water.”

But Ethan couldn’t figure out what words he should have started ‘nicely’ with. In the end, wasn’t it necessary to talk about this issue?

Hey, do you want to become the Empress?

Then, ask Ru’s opinion, and as they exchange ideas, the conversation progresses. Of course, it was a somewhat rough way, but Ethan thought that this issue could never be brought out ‘nicely’ or ‘harmoniously.’

“Sorry for surprising you.”

Ru shook her hand, unable to answer due to coughing.

“But, hey, drink water. Well, I think you could have such a dream.”

“In a little while.”

Milene waited for Ru to drink water and cough deeply. How surprised the child must have been to hear such a severe cough. She had advised her not to even dream of getting involved privately with the Emperor. She regretted it belatedly.

Even if she scolded, young men and women couldn’t stop meeting each other. The more you try to stop, the more the fire will ignite. Cooling down was solely up to the two of them, so Mom felt deeply sorry for her harsh actions. Ru must have read her a lot.

The daughter who was lost for a while just wanted to live a comfortable life, but where children go never goes according to their parents’ hearts. She had done something almost irreparable.

“Well, um, about that talk. So, the reason you brought up that talk…”

Ru, who had finally calmed down, took another sip of water and opened her mouth.

“Because of the newspaper article?”

“No, not that!”

“Right, that’s true.”

Milene hastily denied, and because of her husband, who accepted anything, she lowered her shoulders. He seemed excessively honest.

“We want to know what you think.”

“Yeah.”

It was true, Milene also nodded in agreement and leaned back on the sofa.

“In fact, it’s a sudden talk, so Dad is also very embarrassed. I’m sorry for bringing up such a story already.” Ethan’s expression was awkward as he spoke about marriage to his daughter, who should still be held in his arms.

Other nobles would say that if a daughter is already twenty-five, the marriage should be in progress. In fact, it was a bit late. In Ru’s age, it was quite common to see noblewomen with two children. Moreover, since the Flache Count was a newborn Count, it was more appropriate to proceed with the marriage quickly to solidify the position. From the perspective of the nobles, that was the case.
But Ethan couldn’t do that. Was marriage such a big deal? Of course, he, too, had met Milene, his only love, and built a happy family, but he wanted to give his first child everything they hadn’t received as a child.

Even if he didn’t get married, his daughters had freedom.

From the perspective of years of experience as a man, most young gentlemen these days were lacking, stupid, pathetic, and not a single one was eye-catching. So, in his opinion, his smart three daughters should just live happily with the money their dad earned.

…Of course, the Emperor’s concubines were excluded from these young gentlemen.

“We always prioritize your thoughts. No matter what people say outside, I hope you do what you want, and I’ll always support you.”

“Yeah. Actually, Mom and Dad’s thoughts aren’t important.”

Milene looked at Ru and said straightforwardly. A discerning daughter would immediately understand what she was talking about.

“We can only give advice. If that’s bothering you, we’re sorry.”

“No, it’s not.”

As expected, Ru understood immediately what her mom was talking about.