“Really? That’s good news.”

I initially showed a positive reaction.

‘Vlady family has members living abroad, so finding the medicine shouldn’t be too hard.’

However, deep inside, doubt flared like eternal flames in the underworld where devils frolicked.

Was it true that Sasha’s sister had been simply and ordinarily sick due to her frail body?

Because when I visited the Vlady estate and wandered around the mansion under the pretext of using the restroom, I felt a strong presence of death from that sister’s room.

Even if my powers weren’t as immense as they were in my first life living in paradise, realizing that using them shortened my lifespan had led me to refrain from using them. My sensing abilities were nearly the same, so there’s no way I could’ve sensed it wrong.

Moreover, even without using my abilities, the scent of death was so strong that anyone created by the hand of God would feel repulsion. I was certain of it.

Additionally, when I entered the room and securely closed the door, fearing someone might look through the gap, he appeared not long after, as if he had been watching me from behind.

‘How could I not doubt?’

Back then, I was more worried about my lie being caught, so I pretended to go to the restroom and hastily escaped, breaking into a sweat. But looking back now, I want to ask why their household is like that.

‘I can’t actually ask, though.’

If I make a claim and they deny it, that’s the end of it. It would be easier if there were someone else who had witnessed it, but there wasn’t. It would seem like I’m doing something insane.

Just like a past life where I was almost killed, mistaken for a witch.

“My sister will come to greet you when she gets better.”

“Alright, I understand.”

On one hand, Sasha’s gloomy expression had brightened.

‘He only acts this way with me.’

It would be great if someone recognizes his duplicity. Everyone always sees his smiling face, thinking this good-looking kid is smart and has a good personality, so he has a promising future.

‘Whether the Duke of Vlady feigns ignorance because of his useful, yet twisted sides or genuinely doesn’t know…’

Speaking of which, why does Sasha have red hair?

Shouldn’t he resemble either his brown-haired father or blonde mother? Sasha’s sister looked like her mother, blonde.

In my previous life as an emperor, the entire Vlady family, excluding spouses, had brown hair. I saw it clearly with my own eyes.

In my case, Jeph had bright cream-colored hair with pink tips, and Hecate had bright blonde hair, so our colors mixed, but Sasha had no such reason.

Theoretically, Sasha should’ve had khaki or ash-colored hair.

‘Could there be a red-haired ancestor on his mother’s side?’

Why does each layer of you I peel reveal only questions?

‘After doubting this much, I’ll probably lose interest and become indifferent with time.’

However, I couldn’t completely ignore my intuition.

Because Sasha had contributed significantly to capturing spies seven years ago and was the child of a powerful family that has been a great help to the royal family.

To put it simply, openly confronting him would be foolish.

It’s unpredictable how this clever kid will speak to the Duke, and there’s a possibility that it could disrupt the political structure and throw the nation into chaos. Therefore, any friction should be limited to minor disputes.

‘What a nation I’ve built.’
I couldn’t allow the empire, which I’d unified by defeating neighboring countries in my previous life, to decline under my own hands.

How lamentable would it be if such a thing happened?

Even if Yurik came screaming from his grave, questioning my actions, I’d have nothing to say.

‘I need to resolve everything quickly.’

I suddenly felt tired, perhaps from worrying too much.

‘I didn’t even have time to worry back when I was the Emperor.’

I may complain about the difficulties since becoming the heir to the throne, but it’s still bearable. Therefore, there’s no need to burden myself with unnecessary thoughts.

“Your Majesty, would you like us to take over the opening?”

“I’m fine. I still have plenty of energy.”

I told the approaching maid to focus on the other children instead.

Exactly two hours later.

“I give up.”

Ronoewe fell back, flapping his arms and legs in the snow as if making a snow angel. Judging by his exhausted expression, he seemed out of energy for unwrapping more presents.

“Me too.”

Next to fall was Beris.

Initially the most enthusiastic, Beris groaned and collapsed on the carpet, whining as if he had just carried a heavy burden.

“Sis, do I look like a worm?”

But soon after, his eyes sparkled and he began to tease Ronoewe, wiggling his arms and legs as if mimicking a wriggling worm.

“Disgusting!”

Ronoewe, who had been lying on the ground, jumped up and kicked Beris as he lifted his hips high into the air.

“Why did you kick me?”

“Don’t you consider Princess’s feelings? Do you think she likes bugs?”

“Ah, right.”

I shook my head, bewildered by Beris, who quickly cooled down after the outburst.

‘No help at all.’