“It smells delicious!”

“I want to eat quickly!”

These ones are too serious about eating…

I muttered while watching the riffraff running like a herd of angry buffalo.

‘Oh my, those fellows. They lose their minds as soon food appears.’

As I watched while clicking my tongue inwardly, the maids restrained the children on their own and cleaned their dirty hands.

“Young masters, please return to your seats first.”

A moment later, a maid holding a tray of displayed snacks said with a smile to Ronowe and Berith.

“You should enjoy them deliciously with Her Highness the Princess.”

It seemed she intended to send them back with kind words, as they were reluctant to return.

“Ah…”

Only then did the riffraff realize they had been hasty, and their expressions darkened slightly.

“Right! We shouldn’t eat first!”

“Bad Berith!”

As Berith shouted loudly, Ronowe admonished her younger brother with a somewhat stern expression.

“Elder sister was going to eat first too!”

Feeling wronged by the scolding, Berith clenched his fists and retorted.

“I just came because it smelled good!”

Meanwhile, Ronowe shot back… but to me, they both looked the same.

‘They fight over the silliest things.’

Step, step-

It seems Carlyle couldn’t bear to watch the little ones fight either.

“Children.”

He calmly intervened between the squabbling siblings and skillfully mediated.

“Neither of you did anything wrong. Rather, let’s not keep the Princess waiting any longer.”

As he spoke while gently patting their backs and shoulders, Ronowe and Berith stopped making a fuss.

Still, as if not fully appeased, Ronowe crossed her arms and snorted while Berith trembled as he looked at Ronowe.

“Please enjoy, Your Highness.”

“Alright.”

As I was starting to tire of watching, I examined the snacks offered by the maid who approached first.

‘They’re so different, yet they don’t notice.’

If their eyes aren’t just for show, they must be truly innocent.

I recalled the cookies baked by the chef and the hideous dough we had made.

‘Still, it’s better than them noticing.’

Let’s quietly let it pass. I firmly decided.

Following that, as if they had never fought, I inwardly muttered how noisily the siblings ate their snacks together.

“Have this separately packaged and brought to my bedchamber.”

“Understood.”

I had some set aside in case the children might carelessly touch mine while eating frantically later.

Also, if all goes well, I might be able to show them to Jeff and Hecate before bed, right?

If possible, I wanted to keep them in perfect condition.

‘Ah!’

As I watched the maid moving the cookies, a thought suddenly struck me, and I spoke while resting my chin on one hand.

“I have something to ask. Didn’t you say you’d give watermelon cake to whoever guessed the item in the box first?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The maid answered readily, and I turned my body away from the maid who had slightly bent her knees to listen attentively.

“But Berith lost the chance to guess while defeating the monster in the box.”

Remembering how I was attacked by his snot at the time, I spoke loudly on purpose for him to hear.

“So…”

It was amusing to see him flinch and act guilty, like a thief startled by his own footsteps.

“Make the watermelon cake available for everyone to eat.”

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

Such relief at not being scolded.

“Thank you, Princess.”

“I like watermelon cake!”

Oh my, the dessert was already prepared from the moment I said I’d give it as a reward. With my usual indifferent expression, I ordered the maid to quickly bring the watermelon cake.

“Wow~!”

Finally, the cake that closely resembled a watermelon appeared, very elaborate with whipped cream and small crown decorations on top of a wide, round bread. Moreover, it came with an elegant golden display stand, impressing not only the riffraff but Carlyle as well.

‘It looks quite unique, they make all sorts of things.’

As I examined a neatly cut slice placed on a small plate, the interior was ordinary.

It was different from what I expected, thinking the inside would be red since it was called a watermelon cake.

‘Are those chocolate pieces stuck on the outside?’

They wouldn’t put real seeds on food for children, so they must have made small hardened chocolate pieces to look like seeds.

‘Chocolate is nice.’

My mood improved upon seeing the sweets I liked. As I picked out and ate them, I fell into the illusion that my fatigue was gradually disappearing.

“Oh, Princess! You’re only picking out the chocolate.”

“You shouldn’t do that!”

Ugh-

“Th-That’s not it!”

Damn. To be called out for picky eating by these little ones. I thought they’d be too busy eating to notice, but being suddenly caught made me want to hide from embarrassment.

There’s no greater shame than having someone much younger than me, who’s lived for hundreds of years, point out my flaws.

‘Of all times, to make eye contact just as I was picking out only the chocolate seeds!’

Throughout the meal, I felt the children’s gazes following me, which made me uncomfortable. In the end, using the excuse of being full and tired, I had everyone return a little while after snack time ended.

Then I collapsed into my bed for a nap, waking up in time for dinner to spend time with Jeff and Hecate.

After leisurely eating and taking a walk, time flew by and soon it was bedtime.

“Oh my, Darjeeling!”

Jeff and Hecate, who said they would read me a story before putting me to bed.

“Did you make such a wonderful thing with those small hands?”

Not knowing how to deny it, I nodded.

In fact, what I made is in the trash, and what Hecate is holding now is what the chef remade, but still.

‘It’s troublesome to explain everything.’

Thinking I should show the cookies first before reading, I changed the order, and as expected, the era of great fussing began.

“How amazing!”

As if they were truly soulmates, Jeff and Hecate stuck close together with sparkling eyes.

“How is our daughter so skilled with her hands too?”

They’re making such a fuss over one cookie. I inwardly clicked my tongue watching the two treat the cookie as carefully as if it were a fragile baby bird.

“Did you make this during the activity Mom and Dad prepared today?”

“Yes.”

When else would I have made it? Thinking it was obvious, I answered briefly.

Poppy sat quietly beside me, not joining in our conversation.

“It’s too precious to eat.”

Meanwhile, Hecate, who had been gazing at the cookie with warm eyes, declared joyfully.

“I’ll put it on the desk where Mom works and look at it every day.”

Do as you like. I didn’t say anything in particular. I didn’t have much attachment to the cookie and thought it would be nice to look at it for a while before eating. It would be a waste to throw away.

“Wait a moment, Empress!”

But a voice of opposition arose. The culprit was Jeff.

“Why are you trying to keep the cookie made by the Princess all to yourself?”

With a troubled expression, Jeff pointed at his own face with his right index finger, not knowing what to do. It was a gesture conveying his complaint about monopolizing my cookie.

“That cookie should be placed in my office.”

This is driving me crazy. Seeing Jeff and Hecate suddenly claiming the cookie for themselves, I felt a sharp pain in my head.

‘To argue over a cookie I brought without much thought.’

Above all, they came saying they would read a story before bed, but they’ve forgotten their purpose and have been fussing for over an hour.

“Your Majesty, who has spent more time with the Princess, should yield!”

“That’s too much…”

Ugh, I can’t listen anymore. After enduring and enduring, I finally took action.

Snap!

First, I snatched the cookie Hecate was holding.

Crack!

Next, without a moment’s hesitation, I broke the cookie in half and popped the pieces into the mouths of the astonished Jeff and Hecate.

“I gave you the cookie to eat.”

How pathetic. I sighed and continued speaking.

“I’ve divided it equally in half, so don’t fight.”

Do I always have to step in to settle things?

I pressed a hand to my forehead, swallowing my remaining words.

“And I’m tired, so I want to sleep now.”

The decent state I was in earlier had worsened due to Jeff and Hecate’s argument.

“Then we’ll read the story next time.”

Perhaps because my expression looked too exhausted. The two who had been making a fuss earlier retreated easily, though reluctantly.

“Sweet dreams, our daughter~”

“If you get scared while sleeping, be sure to call for Daddy.”

“Okay.”

Please leave quickly. I kept muttering the same words inwardly until the two completely disappeared.

Slam!

And finally, when the door closed, I relaxed my body, slumping down.

Just as I was about to call a maid to help me prepare for bed, the book of military tactics I had placed on the table caught my eye.

‘Come to think of it, I brought the book of military tactics Ronowe was reading.’

Maybe I’ll take a quick look before going to bed. I got down from the bed, and Poppy hurriedly followed behind me.

Soon, as I carefully examined the book…

‘I brought it just in case, but I don’t feel anything.’

What could it be? Clearly, when Ronowe was holding it, I saw a strong spiritual energy.

‘How strange. I thought something special would appear if I, who has lived so long, examined it.’

There’s not even a hint of red energy, let alone any reaction.

‘I should bring this book to the next military class just in case.’

Unable to shake off the increasingly suspicious feeling, I devised a plan.

‘Though I’m reluctant to ask the snake, if anyone knows any clues, it would have to be someone who has lived as long as I have…’

It can’t be helped. I made up my mind and called for a maid.

“Is anyone there?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Come in.”

I was holding the book of military tactics, but as the maid approached, I handed it over.

“Keep this well-preserved and prepare it for the day of the military class. It’s an imperial possession, so handle it with care.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The maid, who diligently promised to follow my instructions, only left the room after helping me prepare for bed when I said I would sleep now.

And the next day…

“Ta-da~ It’s time for fun activities again!”

Today, Sasha and the riffraff gathered at a place prepared in a corner of the garden.

“Today, we’re going to decorate pebbles in colorful ways.”

I wondered why there were pebbles, water containers, paints, and brushes all in one place, but it was for this reason.

“Everyone, please wear aprons as your clothes might get dirty.”

It seems we’re doing an art activity today, which is great.

‘I should show the children my skills.’

Of all the activities we’ve done so far, this is the one I felt most confident about. I smirked as I put on the apron handed to me by the maid.

“I’m going to draw lots of macarons!”

“Then I’ll do chocolate!”

Food again? Ronowe and Berith, seemingly not disliking the new education, chattered happily with bright smiles.

“It sounds fun.”

Meanwhile, Sasha spoke to the children, and Berith replied like this:

“Cool big bro! Let’s make lots of awesome pebbles and trade them!”

“That’s a good idea.”

It sounds like it’ll be really tiring. I shook my head and immediately grabbed a few pebbles to focus on drawing.

Eventually, after quickly completing a few, I decided to draw Hecate for the last one.

It was a simple intention to use Hecate as a model this time, since I had drawn Jeff before.

“Princess, have you drawn a lot?”

“Of course.”

This guy, when did he come? I decided to show my newly completed work to Carlyle, who had spoken to me.

“Since you’re here, take a look. It’s a work I put my heart and soul into.”

Then I proudly held it out.

‘I’m pleased with how closely it resembles Hecate.’

Eyebrows, double eyelids, distinct lips… everything was perfect, not a single detail missing.

“It’s truly a splendid potato.”

It seems he lacks understanding of art, perhaps because he’s still young. I decided to correct him immediately.

“No. It’s not a potato, it’s a drawing of Mother.”

“Ah…”

Is he flustered because he dared to call Her Majesty the Empress a potato first? Carlyle was quiet for a moment.

“What did you draw?”

I don’t like it when it gets too awkward if someone is silent for too long. I immediately asked a question.

“I… made this.”

Then Carlyle, who had been hesitating, shyly held out his pebble.

“That’s unique. What did you use as a reference?”

“My face…”

Though I thought it looked a bit ugly, I was going to exchange a few more words and send him off, as it would be troublesome if I made a soul-crushing comment and made the child cry.

Swish-

But Sasha, who I thought had been beside Ronowe and Berith all this time, suddenly appeared.

He stared intently at Carlyle’s work, then spoke to me with an indecipherable smile.

“Princess, I also drew my face.”

“Is that so? Let me see.”

As he’s such an odd fellow, I casually asked to see it quickly, not thinking much of it.

“You drew it quite well.”

Soon, Sasha’s pebble revealed a fairly good drawing.

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”

As kind words are never bad to hear, Sasha expressed his gratitude with a bright smile.

Whoosh-

Then for some reason, Carlyle took a step back and hid the pebble he had been holding out behind his back.