Suddenly, that thought crossed my mind.

After confirming the death of the real youngest child, the Viscount brought Shansia a few days later. She was a bit older than the deceased youngest child, but still a newborn.

Her hair wasn’t properly grown yet.

Then… where did Shansia come from?

‘Could her real parents have been searching for her?’

The child became even more pitiful.

If Shasha had been abandoned, even in an orphanage, she would have received more love and care than now.

If she was kidnapped…

‘I need to find Shasha’s real parents.’

Maybe that would be better. Rather than carrying the pain of not being loved by fake parents and growing up under their care, wouldn’t it be better for Shasha to find her real parents?

‘And when that happens, I can…’

I can tell her. Even if we’re not family, I love you. I cherish you more than my own life. I’m not really your sister, but I still like you.

“I can tell you the truth… I’m foolishly fond of you. Even though I know what kind of pain you’ve been through.”

Smiling bitterly, I tightly embraced Shansia.

The self-imposed hypnosis seemed to be just that; I didn’t have another dream at night. But because of the dream I had already dreamed, my mind was restless, and I couldn’t sleep properly last night.

In the end, I, who got up with a puffy face, came out of the bedroom and stretched out on the living room sofa.

“You look tired. Mama.”

“I’m fine, probably…”

“Shall I make you a tea to help you recover from fatigue?”

“Sure, will you?”

At first, I thought he was cold and indifferent, but of all the people in Star Palace, I found myself feeling the most affection for Charity. Next to Ken. He sincerely rejoiced in my work, cared for me, and was a person who did those things.

“Yes.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Charity went outside, and as I was raising my head for a moment, I felt something being placed on the sofa table.

“I’ll bring down some food in a bit…”

But even with those words, Charity was still bringing down the tea. I heard the clattering sound, and with it, I could smell a strong floral scent.

“Charity is really…”

In the end, I opened my eyes and got up from the sofa. Then, an unexpected person was standing in front of me.

“Lian…?”

“The Emperor is bringing down tea. Won’t you eat it?”

“Oh, no. I’ll eat.”

Why are you here? Surely Charity was supposed to bring down the tea. I hesitated for a moment, then took the teacup.

“Since I happened to have something to do, Cherchie Lady brought the tea in for me. So I brought it.”

“Honorable. To receive tea brought down personally by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“When I was young, I used to get praised for pouring tea well. Empress liked to drink tea.”

Seated on the single sofa, he stood tall with his back straight and poured tea into the cup without any excess.
Watching him, I took a sip of the tea. It was said that when it comes to tea, the temperature of the water and how it’s brewed matter more than the type of tea leaves used.

Even with slightly inferior tea leaves, you could bring out enough flavor in the process of brewing.

And Leandro was truly skilled at making tea.

Not to mention the fragrance, the tea gave a sweet sensation even without sugar.

“You really know how to make tea.”

“That’s right.”

Leandro, seeming proud, turned slightly to look at me.

Lately, I’ve heard that Star Palace is quite busy.”

“Oh.”

“From Matap to the Grand Priest, it seems like they are all buzzing around you?”

“Well… yes. I’m sorry for bringing them in without reporting separately.”

“No. What’s there to be sorry about.”

Your lips saying those words seem quite awkward, like you’re telling me to keep apologizing.

“No, I should apologize. Even though it’s the imperial palace.”

“If it’s what you’re doing, I should understand. Star Palace is your space. It’s your heart whoever you invite.”

“Thank you for thinking that way.”

I swallowed the tea again. Each sip made the taste of the tea feel different.

“But, Leandro.”

“Yeah?”

“Matap and the Grand Priest’s visit… They come not to see me but as Shasha’s friends.”

“…Those old humans are Shansia’s friends? Are they perverts? It seems like they’re not in their right minds.”

In an instant, his expression stiffened.

“No. It’s not like that… They come as guardians. Each brings their own child… and…”

“They’re causing a fuss to peek at the eyes.”

“Then, naturally, I met Leduc. I said I would place Shasha next to Leduc in the bedroom… But with other kids joining in… I thought it might be okay.”

I had thought about saying this all along, but saying it now felt a bit awkward.

Having blurted it all out, it feels like confessing after everything is done.

“Bedroom…”

“If Leandro doesn’t like it, Shasha and Leduc can have their time separately, and when the kids come…”

“Do you dislike it?”

“Yes?”

“Leandro wants to spend a lot of time with you.”

Suddenly, he said something so unexpected that I could only gape.

“With me? Not Shasha?”