“Yes?”

“Empress Mama?”

She recognized me at once. As I stared at her in surprise, Princess Azeltrina looked at Karitos.

“I’ve been bragging so much.”

“…And the Prime Minister?”

“Yes. I have a precious friend who talked so proudly about me, saying that this friend brought me here… I’ve missed you.”

I blinked at her unexpected words.

“Well, I mean…”

“As the rumors go, you are truly a beautiful person. I haven’t had a proper conversation yet, but I feel like you’ll lead my poor brother well.”

“L-Lena! Don’t call me poor.”

“Now that you’ve become the Emperor of a nation, you’re crying because you met your little sister.”

Princess Azeltrina wiped Lianne’s tears.

“No. This is just sweat.”

“You’re cute. I understand the desire to look good in front of your favorite woman, but saying it like this is too alien, big brother.”

“Uh, well… Anyway… Thank you, Bella. Thanks to you, I met my sister. Although she looks quite different from when I last saw her… she’s still like my little sister from childhood.”

“It’s just a feeling of apology to both of you. I should have told you sooner… but the situation wasn’t favorable.”

At her words, Princess Azeltrina lowered her head.

“No. Actually, if I had seen a bit earlier… we might not have been able to meet like this. Thanks to Prime Minister Karitos’s blessings, and because of him helping me regain my sanity every day… I could meet you like this. In fact, I’m still not entirely sane.”

Her face looked sad.

“Azeltrina, you… you were created like this by that person.”

“I know. I’ve heard everything.”

“I’m sorry. If only I had known earlier…”

“No. If I had seen it at that time… I might not have been able to meet you completely. With Prime Minister Karitos’s blessings, and thanks to him helping me regain my sanity every day… I could meet you like this. Actually, I’m still not entirely sane.”

She seemed to clearly know who the person was who made her like this. That’s why she looked even sadder. It was more pitiful to see her, who couldn’t be sad because her father was like this.

“Why… why don’t you hate him? Why…”

“Even if I tried to hate and resent, those emotions would be too busy eating away at me. So I decided not to hate. Ha… You really…”

“I actually tried to hate you a lot. But it was useless.
Just a moment ago, her pleasant expression darkened as we spoke. I know all too well what she is worrying about.

“You can come back. This is the Empress’s residence.”

“But… but…”

“Ava Mama shouldn’t worry. She will never be able to leave that palace.”

“Ah…”

“Come to think of it, there’s still one person left.”

I looked at Lianne. Apparently not understanding my intention, Lianne just nodded.

“The woman who was monitoring the Empress. The woman who came here and was under protection.”

Only then did Lianne make a sound.

“Oh, that woman. The orphanage director.”

“…She is who she is, but I’m worried. Whether my presence might harm my brother… those kinds of things. I’m actually satisfied staying here. Even if it’s not here, I’m fine as long as I can be alone. So, please don’t push yourself.”

Her smiling face covering her mouth was as sad and beautiful as it was heartbreaking.

“This is a good place. Prime Minister Karitos is also a kind person…”

“Azeltrina.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“If I were the me from my childhood, I might not have been able to protect you as a child and had to let go of that hand again. I wouldn’t have even been able to properly ask for an investigation. But it’s different now. I am the Emperor, and I have the power to protect not only you but also my family. So don’t worry about such things.”

“But…”

“If something happens because of you, I’ll take care of everything. I’ve become strong enough for that. So you don’t have to worry about anything. Got it?”

Lianne looked down at his younger sister quietly. Even that gaze was melancholic.

The harsh reality where no one could be happy. The family, which we didn’t think would meet again by being alive, wa
“Wait a moment… I’ll do something out of the ordinary. Princess.”

“Yes?”

She looked pitiful. How anxious must she have been living all this time? How painful must it have been? How much did she long for this moment? Seeing her eyes turning red and almost lifeless, I embraced Princess Azeltrina with all my strength.

“You’ve been through a lot. Live happily from now on. As a family… continuously, continuously…”

“Ah… Empress Mama…”

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to hug you. To say you’ve done well. That’s all I wanted to do.”

I know all too well that mere words cannot heal the pain she endured for so long. In fact, trivial consolation might even cause more harm.

Nevertheless, I comforted her as much as I could. Princess Azeltrina, who worried that she might not like my actions, silently hugged me tightly.

There were no words of approval or disapproval, but I could clearly see that she was finding solace in my comfort.

“Thank you, Empress Mama. Honestly, I was worried that Empress Mama might dislike me… It seems I was worrying for no reason.”

“There’s no reason to dislike you.”

Her shy smile made her cheeks blush.

“Thank you… Then… let’s go now. I feel like I’ve caused trouble for everyone because of me.”

Only then did the princess release the hand that had been holding onto me.

“Sure.”

“Oh, what about that woman?”

“I’ll ask the Prime Minister. Whether that woman can be transported directly to the palace. Since my carriage must carry my brot
“Yes. That’s what my older brother said. He mentioned having two nieces.”

“Ah… Lianne.”

“We plan to formally take custody of Shasha. We’ve been investigating for that purpose all this time. Moreover, last time, we were disrespectful to the royal family due to military affairs, so it’s not suitable to raise a child with them. Shasha will have her own castle, but here, we will consider her as family and treat her as my own child. Regarding Shanshia… Oh, I have a younger brother. The child the Marquis couple has been raising with great care. He will be sent to relatives. Is that okay?”

He had already decided and was speaking with certainty, but I didn’t feel the least bit upset.

My position was always in between, unable to interfere here or there. Ironically, I was grateful for him to decide and speak so conclusively.

“Does it still feel unpleasant?”

“No.”

“Bella, I’ve decided to live for you. So, try to do what you want.”

“That’s more than enough.”

“Then let’s wrap up with the Marquis couple along with this matter.”

I held his hand tightly and nodded. No matter how much I hated them, they were still my parents—the people who gave birth to me.

Lianne’s actions showed a mixture of affection and cruelty, as if he knew that he couldn’t ask for any punishment for the people who gave birth to him, even if they hadn’t shown him any love or care.

It was a combination of affection and cruelty. He already seemed excited about what kind of punishment to impose.

“Yes. Give them a proper scolding.”

In response, I also agreed. Lianne’s expression seemed happier than ever.