Despite my pride and embarrassment, I clearly wanted to eat the food right in front of me, but I pretended not to.

“You look like you’ve been through a lot.”

Your Majesty, that is, Jeff, stared at my appearance, perhaps finding it strange that I wasn’t accepting the food being offered when I looked so hungry.

“I’ll give it to you for free, so take it. It’s delicious.”

And once again, he held out the meat skewer, urging me to eat it. Jeff made it clear that he wasn’t trying to pull a cunning sales tactic, saying he absolutely wouldn’t demand money after I finished eating.

“I’m only taking it because you insist.”

Only then did I turn around and, with a huff, quickly snatched the food from Jeff’s hand.

At that time, I was a bit of a snob, so I firmly stated that I wasn’t taking it because I wanted to, and then took a bite of the meat skewer.

“It’s delicious!”

“See, I told you it was good, didn’t I?”

“S-Shut up!”

Even thinking back on it now, it was such a cute and slightly foolish time.

“Jeff, you bought a bunch of food again!”

And while I was bickering with Jeff, a clear voice rang out. It was a woman’s voice, half mixed with irritation.

“This guy, you should say something before you wander off!”

Perhaps because Jeff had spent a long time helping me and sharing food, the tall woman who was part of his group appeared looking for him. This woman was none other than the previous emperor.

“I apologize.”

Jeff immediately apologized, and at that time, not knowing exactly who the previous emperor was, I only judged by her attire that she was from a well-off household.

“Who is this?”

“He looked hungry, so I shared some skewers with him.”

“Is that so?”

When the previous emperor first showed interest in me, I felt unnecessarily intimidated and nervous, stopping my eating and lowering my head to stare at the ground.

“As long as you haven’t caused any trouble, it’s fine. The knights are waiting, so let’s head back now.”

The previous emperor, who quickly withdrew her gaze, turned her back with Jeff in tow. It seemed they had come out for an inspection tour.

‘I’m going to be alone again.’

If we parted like this, it would just be a fleeting encounter.

And I didn’t want to be separated from the previous emperor and Jeff.

Moreover, as I watched the two of them walking away for a long time, an emotion I hadn’t felt before bloomed, and something whispered to me instinctively to follow them.

Tak-!

So, I boldly threw down the skewer with a few pieces of meat still on it, and ran with all my might, following where my heart led me.

Then, turning the desperation that rose from deep in my stomach into courage, I shouted loudly.

“Let me come with you!”

Just one sentence.

That single sentence, which I, who had always been silent during my street life, shouted loudly for the first time in years, created a new family.

After that, the previous emperor took care of me well, even while finding me a nuisance.

Although I was an orphan with no education, because the previous emperor guaranteed my status, I received a high-level education no less than the children of noble families.

Of course, I didn’t study to the profound level of becoming a scholar, but to avoid being criticized for my commoner origins and not to bring shame to the previous emperor, I studied three times harder than others.

‘I want to serve His Majesty the Emperor closely.’

Naturally, I developed a desire to serve the previous emperor closely, and after realizing I had a talent for swordsmanship, I devoted myself to training like a madman.

‘But the position I wanted was already occupied by Jeff.’

However, the position I so desperately wanted was already reserved for Jeff, so inevitably, my goal naturally became to surpass him, my powerful rival.

“I’ve won this duel. As promised, prepare 4kg of beef.”

Therefore, whenever I won a match against Jeff, I would be overcome with immense joy and demand a reward, but the thrill of surpassing my opponent was only momentary.

No matter how hard I gritted my teeth and charged forward, the position of aide I truly wanted belonged to someone else.

One day, when I was depressed and agonizing over this, the previous emperor appointed me as a commander to serve on the battlefield in the future.

All the hardships and adversities that occurred during that process were with Jeff, and as we went back and forth between life and death, I unknowingly harbored various emotions.

“Retirement? Don’t you think it’s too early an age?”

“Well, I’ve come of age now, and the empire is peaceful, so it’s time for me to step down.”

It was a day several years later. I had become a full-fledged adult, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jeff, and had gained a reputation as the youngest and strongest expert in the empire.

“Still, please reconsider carefully.”

By then, having helped the previous emperor achieve numerous accomplishments, no one dared to gossip about my origins anymore, and as soon as the air of war disappeared, many marriage proposals came in, making me seriously consider retirement.

“Your abilities are too valuable to return to the life of an ordinary noble, not the sword of the empire! Do you have any plans other than marriage after retirement?”

Peace sometimes brings new winds, and I thought it wouldn’t be bad to hand over the position of commander to the next generation, take a rest, and start a family, but Jeff objected.

“I do have some thoughts. His Majesty said he would do whatever I want… I’m thinking of getting married. I’ve just received a marriage proposal from the Alloy family when I became interested.”

“What? Marriage is not child’s play!”

In the middle of our calm conversation, Jeff suddenly expressed intense emotion.

“I’m sorry for showing such an unsightly side.”

Jeff, who had raised his voice slightly, paused with an expression that seemed to say “oops,” realizing he had just spoken loudly. At that time, I didn’t know he had feelings for me, so I just thought he was upset because I was about to waste my talent.

“I suddenly have an urgent matter to attend to, so I must leave now.”

And Jeff hurriedly left the place.

“Your Excellency, a letter has arrived from the Alloy family.”

A few days later.

“They suddenly want to withdraw the marriage proposal?”

I was at a loss for words at the unexpected withdrawal of the proposal. If there was any consolation, it was that they had backed out before any formal discussions had taken place, but I couldn’t understand why they had rushed forward saying yes, only to quietly back out.

“I should consider this a good thing.”

While it could be seen as unpleasant in some ways, I decided to take it positively.

This was because I realized that rushing into marriage based solely on family status, without any romance, might not be wise.

“So you’re not retiring?”

“Yes. Somehow it turned out that way.”

Thus, the retirement plan became a thing of the past, and Jeff, upon learning this, was overjoyed and couldn’t stop smiling.

“By the way, Duke, did something good happen to you? Your smile hasn’t dropped since earlier.”

“Ah, something just happened that warranted it.”

Jeff’s blushing cheeks were cute. Although I didn’t realize it until much later, I think I started falling for Jeff without knowing it from that day when he looked so adorable.

“More importantly, never mention retirement again. As you know, we are among the few talents His Majesty trusts, and if you leave, how chaotic would the First Knight Division become?”

“Duke, I’m only postponing retirement for now. My desire to retire hasn’t disappeared.”

“Then how about taking a few days of vacation instead?”

“What for? I can rest forever when I retire.”

Since retirement had been delayed anyway, I wanted to find a definite successor.

However, that resolve couldn’t be kept as the previous emperor suddenly passed away not long after, and Jeff ascended to the throne according to the will.

And I stood by Jeff’s side as both a subject and friend of the new emperor, and naturally fell in love while assisting Jeff, who ruled the country without resorting to tyranny, unlike the previous emperor.

I opened my eyes to the desire to spend the rest of my life with this person.

“I will spend the rest of Your Majesty’s life by your side.”

Then, in a rather bold move for the times, I confessed and proposed first, and Jeff, who had thought he was in unrequited love, shed tears of joy.

“If the previous emperor were still alive…”

Having finished reminiscing about the long years that had passed, I returned to reality.

“He would scold me, saying that being swept away by personal emotions is a mistake only weak people make.”

I muttered as I approached the fireplace with the portrait.

“But don’t worry, Your Majesty!”

Finally, I stretched and tried to focus, returning to my desk with renewed vigor to concentrate on work again.

* * *

‘The cool breeze makes it better.’

For the first time in a while, I sat on a luxurious cushioned chair on the terrace outside the playroom, reading a book in a good mood.

“Princess, aren’t you cold?”

Just as I was enjoying some quiet time, having left the children with the maids as they weren’t clinging to me annoyingly, I heard Carlyle’s voice. I didn’t know when he had followed me out.

“I’m fine.”

Thinking that farmers would soon be preparing for harvest as the weather was getting cooler, I casually asked if he thought this year would be a good harvest.

“I apologize, but since the Fleur territory is known for its mines, I don’t have knowledge about crops.”

Then, like the smart child he is, Carlyle answered astutely and said he would look into it in detail. I was taken aback by the boy’s serious attitude and told him not to do that.

“But as a subject, it is my duty…”

“Oh my, such a young child already talking about being a subject?”

You’re only 6 years old now, I said, shaking my head with a blank expression.

“I know you’re more mature than your peers, but that kind of thing can wait until later.”

I added that for now, he should just focus on eating well and playing, but Carlyle hesitated.

“You silly boy, what serious work could there be at your age? Children have obvious things to do, and the rest is for adults to handle.”

What a frustrating child. I sighed and crossed my arms.