“Now that I think about it, everything I said seems like a lie. Was I suspicious of all the things that happened? Are you doubting everything about my only friend now that I’m with that woman?”

“It’s strange. Why didn’t you expose anything? While saying you knew about the one who killed the emperor, why didn’t you do anything?”

“Are you doubting me now?”

It’s doubt. No, it’s more like confirmation. Not saying anything seems to prove that Evan, too, is involved. If not, you wouldn’t be able to stay still, right?”

“Was it for the informant’s safety.”

“For safety? Since I started suspecting you, everything seemed suspicious. Are you the problem, or is your family the problem? What are you hiding?”
Before, there were things I didn’t know, but there are things I realize after going through them. And now, Lianne must have had doubts about what he has experienced so far.

Previously, he hadn’t realized the stories about which the only goal was to survive.

“Don’t worry, Evan. I’m not suspecting you. I just asked out of curiosity.”

“…I said that, but it feels like you’re suspecting me now.”

“We’ll gradually get the investigation results about that.”

Lianne stood up from his seat and approached us. Marquis Evan couldn’t say anything and just followed Lianne with his eyes.

Then his gaze reached me. It was the same hateful expression as before.

“Don’t stare like that. No, there’s no time to torment Lianne here like this. The investigation about you hasn’t even started yet. Recently, there have been things like vultures wandering around the palace, and it turned out they all had something to do with Marquis Evan. So… before we delve deeper, your sister must stop you from becoming the empress.”

“Now… are you trying to threaten me, the current Marquis?”

“Correct. Fortunately, you’re not a fool.”

“…After meeting that woman, you really have gone crazy. My only friend, from childhood…”

However, Lianne didn’t even glance at him. As if ignoring a mad dog barking from behind. And I, too, tried to ignore him.

“Thanks to the position of the empress, you think you’re amazing. Although there wasn’t such a tendency before, it’s not like that now. I am amazing enough on my own. Even without Lianne, even if Lianne doesn’t support me. So, be reasonable, Marquis. Rather than being a Marquis who only has the position thanks to having well-matched parents… I’m better than you, who is nothing but that. Since there’s no one here who wants to have a private conversation with you, it would be nice if you leave.”

“Uninvited guest subject!”

“You’re the uninvited guest, Marquis. Well, if you’re going to stay, stay as you please. We ‘family’ will go out.”

At those words, the Marquis’s face turned red. Whether it was more uncomfortable to be left alone in an ownerless room than to leave, he eventually grumbled and went outside.

As if waiting, Lianne slammed the door, and for a moment, silence filled the room.

“Phew.”

The one who broke the silence was Lianne. He seemed to find it quite amusing. But my legs trembled uncontrollably like a quivering bamboo.

“My legs are trembling.”

“It was really cool.”

“It’s not cool. Really… every time I meet her, nothing good comes out.”

“She probably doesn’t want to admit it. She has never opposed my will, and now she doesn’t even try to meet me. But why are we all together?”

“Oh, I made a cake. With the kids. But they wanted to share it with you, so I brought it.”
With those words, Shasha and Ruedello simultaneously offered a cake to Lianne.

“Here!”

“Oh…”

“Let’s all eat together.”

“Thank you, Ruedello, Shanshia.”

“The idea of giving it to the emperor was Ruedello’s suggestion. So, please praise him a lot.”

Perhaps concerned about the relationship between Lianne and Ruedello, Shasha added a word. A smile appeared on Lianne’s face.

“Thank you, Ruedello.”

“Dad… No, Abamama, is…”

“Even if you say Dad, that’s fine. You can treat me comfortably. Only you… won’t grow up like me.”

Hugging Ruedello tightly, Lianne took him to a nearby table and seated him. I took Shasha’s hand and approached the two.

“Growing up like me might be the path to growing up as an emperor without any weaknesses. But, listen, Ruedello. Living a life as an emperor without weaknesses is not as important as something else. So, don’t blame yourself. You’re my son. We’re a family. Got it?”

“…Yes.”

“In any case, we are behind you. So, you can grow up more freely and comfortably. Just grow up well. Be yourself. So that we won’t lose you.”

Shasha looked at the two as if envying them. When Ruedello hugged Lianne, Shasha, holding the cake, awkwardly placed it on the table.

Lianne seemed to notice their feelings and laughed.

“Shanshia.”

“Yes, yes?”

“You’re the same. Live well like now. Get along with my son, and get along in the palace. That’s my request.”

“Is… the emperor… requesting something from me?”

“Of course. It’s funny for family members to make requests, but I hope we can continue like this, just as we have been.”

So that such times can continue for a long time. So that everyone can be happy without any difficulties. Understanding what Lianne meant, I hugged Shasha and lifted her onto the table.

“Well, let’s eat.”

As we sat around the table, Lianne smiled.

“Like this… we’re like a family.”

“Even if a long time passes, to avoid unnecessarily reminiscing about this time, let’s continue to live as a family. Lianne, let’s eat.”

The bell rang, signaling the end. Naturally, tea and forks were placed on the table, and we spent our time like that.

Even in small stories and the exaggerated words of children, laughter arose. Will we be able to sit like this, laugh, and talk when everything is over?

When we completely escape from the novel, and our own world is created… at that time, will we truly be happy?

In the world I will continue to write about, I hope we can be happy, at least.

Of course, that intimacy and affection didn’t last long.