“Earlier, you said Her Majesty the Empress seemed frightening and dangerous.”

“That’s right.”

“But when I saw her during the meal earlier, she seemed quite harmonious.”

“That’s true.”

“Seeing that made me wonder whether Your Highness wants to keep your distance because you find Her Majesty the Empress scary, or whether you still want to be close because she’s family.”

Despite the risk of the question sounding impertinent, the Duke did not seem to take offense.

“Ah, I see how it might appear that way. However, to our enemies, she is indeed frightening and dangerous. If she can be on our side, that’s definitely preferable. So, don’t worry and just freely receive her affection.”

His answer was clear and straightforward. However, the issue wasn’t just about the Duke’s perspective. It was strange to be asking this to a 5-year-old, but trusting his demonstrated acumen, I asked.

“Do you think Her Majesty the Empress feels the same way?”

The Duke, who had been touching his chin, suddenly stopped. His brisk responses ceased, and he quietly looked at me. Had I delved too deep? Was it inappropriate, or was the logical progression too swift? As I reconsidered my statement, the Duke spoke in a lowered voice.

“…A 3-year-old couldn’t have such a thought.”

I barely managed to control my instinctive flinch. The Duke’s observation was correct. My initial question was whether the Duke saw the Empress as an enemy or an ally.

To that, the Duke responded that he wished to have the Empress as an ally, and I asked whether the Empress would consider the Duke an ally too.

As the Duke said, a 3-year-old might wonder what the Duke thinks of the Empress but wouldn’t ponder if the Empress reciprocated the sentiment.

How could a 3-year-old grasp the ambiguous nature of the relationship between the Empress and the Duke? Conversely, even a 5-year-old couldn’t fully understand it.

“Who told you to say that?”

I remained silent, my gaze fixed on my cup. Likely, the Duke was harboring the same suspicion. How could a child of that age speak such words?

The Duke, apparently not expecting an answer, played with his teacup, lost in thought.

“Right. Your nanny comes from a highly educated noble family, I recall.”

The Duke’s comment was logical but incorrect. I did not respond.

“Did your nanny tell you to ask that?”

Now was the time to answer. When the Duke was already convinced.

“There’s no mistake in what Tula said.”

My voice naturally trembled from the shock of the misunderstanding. The Duke, thinking I was protecting Tula, softened his tone.

“No, I’m not reproaching your nanny.”

Of course, he wouldn’t. The Duke I knew was quick-witted beyond his years, not the type to take offense easily or rashly make calculations against the royalty.

“It’s just that now I understand. As I said, a 3-year-old couldn’t come up with the idea that the Empress might find me troublesome.”

The Duke lifted the corners of his mouth gently, as if trying to reassure me.

“Tell your nanny not to worry. You won’t be in any danger.”

After taking a big sip of his tea, the Duke blinked slowly, as if choosing his words.

“Hmm, simply saying that might not ease the anxiety. Well, I can share some information with your nanny to an extent… While I can’t disclose details about our family matters, I am the definite next Emperor. That’s been agreed upon. Your nanny might be worried that my position will change when a Crown Prince is born, affecting you… But don’t worry about that. Whatever happens, I’ll ensure your safety.”
“It was a truly shocking statement. How can an agreement be made that even if the Emperor and Empress, who are in their early twenties, have children, they would promise to pass the throne to a younger sibling?”

But as the Duke said, the promise of something usually not done indicates complicated circumstances within the imperial family, something difficult to share with an outsider like me.

The worry is the young Duke might be under some misconception… as if he took a casual remark too seriously.

But that’s something I’ll have to observe over time. In any case, as a sure successor to the throne and not just a replaceable stand-in, I need to reconsider my role as a hostage from a small country, being by the side of the future Emperor.

If the Duke is truly the next Emperor, he won’t have thoughts of making me his Duchess.

The realization that I don’t have to be overly cautious around the Duke and the Empress already lightens my heart considerably.

“One problem solved, now let’s add another,” he said, just as I was feeling relieved.

I instinctively tensed up and straightened my back.

“You might have forgotten, so I’ll remind you…”

I swallowed loudly, feeling embarrassed by the noise. I took a sip of my tea. The Duke waited for me to finish before continuing.

“I have a mother, you know.”

It sounded so obvious that I struggled to grasp the meaning at first.

“Is the Empress Dowager concerned about me?”

I sorted it out only after voicing the thought.