“Did you bring all these rabbits while you were out?”

“Well, maybe. Just don’t mistake it for me personally bringing them here for you.”

He had a knack for sounding unpleasant, yet everything was there in his words.

It was as Tetetel, his aide, had said. The emperor had brought these orphaned rabbits here.

Watching the emperor’s awkward smile, I found myself smiling too.

“Is that so?”

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because they’re cute?”

“I am?”

“No, the rabbits.”

“Ah. Right, the rabbits.”

What’s with this man? He seemed to be expecting something, and yet, his actions spoke of his sour mood.

‘Why is he upset?’

Is it because he feels ignored, or because I am not grateful for the rabbits? I stopped pondering as I watched him.

The emperor had already left for the tea table.

“Sis… Can I play with the rabbits?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

I patted Shasha’s head and nodded. She happily went back to the rabbits, and I approached where the emperor was.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes.”

“About the rabbits…”

“They’re not mine.”

“No, I meant, is it okay to keep them here?”

After hastily drinking his tea, he nodded a beat later.

“Of course, you can.”

“Since Your Majesty brought them, we should naturally keep them here, right?”

“Indeed.”

“Mm-hm.”

The emperor, lost in natural conversation, frowned as he realized his verbal slip.

“You are…”

“Yes?”

“Never mind.”

“Yes! But, Your Majesty, about the rabbits…”

He rolled his eyes as if annoyed or perhaps trying to replace embarrassment with irritation.

How can he look so handsome even like that? Such a waste of a face.

“Why the rabbits?”

“Oh, just wondering if we can leave them as they are.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, if they’re not native to this area, they might leave for the small forest surrounding the palace, and it could be dangerous for them.”

The emperor’s eyes narrowed momentarily. A different expression from before. He wore a sinister smile.

His eyes had turned particularly red. A startling, aggressive look. Finally, the emperor spoke.

“They follow people well, so it’s fine.”

What does that have to do with not going into the forest?

I looked at him quizzically.

“Don’t people who like humans venture out more?”

“They might, but you’ll have to prevent that.”

“Me…?”

A bad premonition flashed through my mind.

“How should I…”

“Walk them on leashes every day.”

“…What?”

I looked at Shasha, startled. Fortunately, most of the rabbits were sticking close to her, but a few had stealthily moved elsewhere.

Tetetel, who was next to Shasha instead of the emperor, was gathering such rabbits one by one.

“Um… So…”

“They were baby rabbits without mothers, destined to die. So if they do end up trampled because you didn’t look after them, don’t feel guilty.”

You horrible person. How can I not feel guilty hearing you say that?

“…”

“It’s the natural order of things. Bringing them here was already an extension of their lives, so you absolutely don’t need to feel guilty.”

Should I feel guilty or not? Irritation surged, but I suppressed my anger and smiled awkwardly.

“I already feel guilty. Do I have to walk them every night, too? If they’re outside all the time, it looks like I’ll have to chase them at night as well.”
Keeping animals inside is not usually allowed. However, if you wish, I will permit it.

“Thank you very much.”

How could I be so thankful? I forced a smile and looked at the emperor.

“Thank you, indeed.”

Though the words spat out were not exactly complimentary, the emperor showed a rather pleased expression.

‘In the end, the emperor really did bring the rabbits. Did he bring them because their mother was dead? I can’t tell whether he’s surprisingly affectionate, or just has a soft spot for young creatures.’

At least in the novel, he was not a tender father.

Publicly, outwardly, the emperor might have seemed caring toward the crown prince, but it was said that he rarely showed genuine affection.

Of course, all these descriptions come from the crown prince, so the emperor’s actions might not align completely with them. After all, the speaker and the listener can perceive things differently.

‘Those who speak as eloquently as the emperor are easy to misunderstand.’

Therefore, it’s highly likely that the crown prince didn’t take the emperor’s actions kindly.

The truth is… there might be a tiny shred of warmth somewhere.

“Why are you staring?”

“Nothing, just lost in thought.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“What happened to the elephant keeper?”

I had been thinking that you seem rather kind. But saying so would only fuel the emperor’s arrogance.

“Ah, that man.”

“Yes.”

“What would you like to do? I can do anything for you. So, if you wish, I will do as you please.”

“A hamster wheel…”

“A hamster wheel?”

A giant hamster wheel. Lock him in it and let him run all day. This is justified revenge against the elephant keeper who made him climb that tall tower.

Bad guy. He deserves it, too. Not letting the children use the portal.