People Aren't Meant to Be Fixed! - Chapter 40

“Heart?”

“Yes.”

This child is saying more and more incomprehensible things. I raised one eyebrow and made a face showing I didn’t understand.

“Your Highness’s heart has always been in a broken state, so even living for hundreds of years, you couldn’t realize the answer.”

Then Lilith, with a gentle smile, gave an example.

“It’s like you’ve been living like a sandwich without ham all this time.”

Why is my heart broken? And living like a sandwich without ham felt like denying that my past life was all wrong. In a word, it was confusing.

“But the fact that you’ve been changing recently means there must have been an event that moved Your Highness’s heart or emotions. Am I right?”

“…It seems so.”

In this situation, I went along with it when the fellow said something right.

“Oh my, how unusually obedient you are~.”

I didn’t respond in detail due to complex thoughts, but Lilith, instead of getting angry about my impudence as expected, reached out and gently patted my head.

“You’ve really grown a lot, Your Highness.”

Is this bastard really trying to die? I felt my irritation surge and furrowed my brow.

“Don’t touch my head!”

When I finally shouted “Bwaek!”, Lilith quickly withdrew her hand and smiled.

“Our Highness is so cute even when angry~.”

What’s cute about it! I hissed and waved my arms around.

“Phew, you really have a talent for making me want to hit you.”

I’ll let it slide since it’s not good for my weak body if my blood pressure rises. I barely calmed down and grumbled.

“Enough with the jokes, tell me if you have any good methods. Even if I go around granting favors, nothing particularly changes.”

Next, I tidied my disheveled hair and asked. I was planning to tear out everything I could and use only what was useful.

“You’re being impatient, that’s why. If nothing else, your hasty temperament remains the same.”

Do you think this is the first or second time you’ve seen me like this? I shrugged my shoulders as if to say ‘what can you do?’

“Your Highness is doing well even now. It’s just that…”

As I came out confidently with nothing to be ashamed of, Lilith shook her head from side to side as if there was no helping it and trailed off.

“From now on, try setting your goals differently than before.”

“How do I do it differently?”

I folded my arms and pouted.

“When you were the previous emperor, you indulged in wars of conquest and rule by terror, so this time act in the opposite way and try to fill the empty space in your heart.”

“This is crazy. So you’re saying I should just keep going around granting favors?”

Granting favors wasn’t all that bad, but I was starting to get bored and lose interest, so I was about to quit when this came like a bolt from the blue, making me flare up.

“There are various methods. If you’re as smart as you are, Your Highness, you’ll be able to regain it even if it takes time.”

Then Lilith, who had been sweating to calm me down, added this:

“The colors that Your Highness’s diverse heart has lost, that is.”

Do I have something I’ve lost? I suddenly felt strange, as if something was choking me.

“I’ve told you quite a lot now, haven’t I? I should go see the Empress now.”

Meanwhile, Lilith said she had delayed too long, then winked and blew a hand kiss, saying she’d see me later.

‘I told you not to do such things!’

It was creepy, like watching Jeff get all excited, and I was appalled. Afterwards, when I was alone, I sighed deeply and sat down in a soft chair to rest.

* * *

After walking out of the indoor garden, I headed towards the Empress’s office, accompanied by one maid.

‘I talked too much without realizing it.’

Originally, I had planned to chat for a few words and leave soon, but somehow I stayed longer than expected.

‘Still, if I helped this much, I should be able to receive proper thanks someday, right?’

It’s regrettable that you haven’t realized it until now, and I gave advice out of sympathy for what you don’t know, so you’ll have to figure out the rest on your own.

“Your Majesty, Lord Lilith has arrived.”

“Tell her to come in.”

Some time later. After moving quietly, I finally faced the Empress after a long time.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

“Lord Lilith, I’m glad you’ve returned safely.”

It’s nice to be greeted with the usual smile. Also, I carefully observed her complexion, worried if anything had happened in the meantime, but there didn’t seem to be any major changes in her health.

“Let’s sit down first and continue our conversation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I bowed politely, then took a seat across from the Empress.

Trickle—.

“That’s enough service. Now, please go back quickly and take care of Darjeeling.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Soon after the maid finished serving tea and was sent out, Your Majesty’s face became quite serious.

“Finally, we’re alone.”

Your Majesty, showing a slightly nervous appearance, quickly added.

“Lord Lilith, please tell me how the mission went.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. First, to state the result, the mission was successful.”

I first announced what would be the best news, and then reported what I had found out while carrying out the secret mission.

“The Kingdom of Fauren has cleverly evaded our eyes and planted spies.”

“It wasn’t unexpected, but it has become a reality after all.”

It was about how the suspicious movements of the Kingdom of Fauren had led to what results.

“The Kingdom of Fauren had no direct involvement in the war, but instead, they surrendered the fastest and secretly prepared to plant spies from behind.”

Your Majesty took a sip of tea with a displeased face.

“Then surely there must be forces colluding with those within the Empire?”

“That’s right, Your Majesty. When we interrogated prisoners along with other informants, they said this.”

I barely held back a sigh and continued speaking.

“Those who were harmed by the terror politics that prevailed during the reign of the previous emperor don’t know how to give up, they say.”

How ugly and cruel are humans who have become blindly devoted to grudges and revenge. I kept talking while thinking about that.

“And the Kingdom of Fauren has somehow enticed a noble who is dissatisfied with the imperial family, and a woman dispatched from that noble family is currently working as a maid and acting as a spy.”

After hearing the full report, the Empress’s expression was complex. She quietly looked down at her teacup and seemed lost in thought for a moment, as if recalling the time when she finished off the enemy’s leader in the subjugation three years ago.

‘Don’t think this is the end!’

As I was also by Your Majesty’s side at the time, that moment was clearly remembered.

‘Although we are defeated by the Empire now, the revenge for the bloodline that died due to the greed of your ancestors will succeed!’

Having lost all his generals and been dragged in, he showed spirit and courage rather than begging for his life even in his last moment.

‘Just as we suffered, we will surely take the life of someone precious to you…’

‘The loser talks too much.’

However, as death was the only fate for losers in war, he eventually lost his life at the hands of Your Majesty.

“We must move carefully.”

Your Majesty, slowly raising her head, said while covering her mouth with one hand.

“Rather than suddenly increasing security forces, it would be better to narrow the net quietly with a small number of personnel.”

Although she had hoped there would be no more noisy incidents, Your Majesty said she would have to make a decision to look after the safety of the Imperial Princess and the well-being of the Empire as the Grand General.

“Lord Lilith.”

At last, as if she had made up her mind, Your Majesty looked at me with upright eyes.

“Please secretly investigate the families and names of the most recently entered maids and bring me a list.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As expected of the wise Your Majesty. I nodded and answered.

“I will start the investigation immediately as ordered.”

* * *

Late afternoon.

“What? Sasha came to see me?”

After dozing off sitting for a while, and then rolling around eating snacks, the maids came to inform me that a guest had arrived.

“Yes, Your Highness. Aren’t you excited to meet with Young Master Sasha?”

“The young master is waiting in the reception room, they say.”

Well, what’s this about, not even sending a letter to notify in advance. I was slightly annoyed by Sasha, but I had no excuse not to go see him, and I wasn’t sleepy, so I decided to meet him for now.

“He’ll surely be happy to see Your Highness’s healthier appearance.”

By the way, since there’s no mention of the Fleur brats coming, it seems only the Vladimir family visited the imperial palace today.

‘It’s actually better this way, since being with those rascals quickly drains my energy.’

I tried to think positively, considering it a good thing.

‘Anyway, what should I do to pass time when I meet Sasha?’

The problem is, unlike Ronowe and Berith, I can’t think of any games to play with Sasha.

“Right. Since he’s been quite worried, I should show him a healthy face. Let’s go greet the guest quickly.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

It doesn’t seem right to play with blocks with him, does it?

After pondering this, I decided to just take a short walk and then take him to the library, since Sasha is a knowledgeable fellow.

“Your Highness, Agnes said not to overexert yourself, so shall I carry you in my arms for a bit?”

“No, I’ll walk…”

As I was about to start moving, getting down from the footrest cushion chair, the maid smiled and made a suggestion.

‘When you were the previous emperor, you indulged in wars of conquest and rule by terror, so this time act in the opposite way and try to fill the empty space in your heart.’

I was about to reflexively refuse, but at that moment, damn it, Lilith’s words echoed in my head like an echo.

‘Honestly, it’s very uncomfortable, but if it helps find the answer, I can’t not try it.’

What’s with that answer!

“Alright.”

I hesitated to answer, wavering, but reluctantly agreed.

“Why, why are you smiling?”

“Because it’s been so long since I’ve held our lovely Your Highness.”

I forced myself to allow something I didn’t like, but when the maid smiled, it felt like I was being made fun of.

“Actually, Your Highness prefers to do things alone because you’re so mature, so I’ve always felt regretful that I haven’t been of much help.”

Are all the kids under Jeff infected by him? They must all be suffering from the disease of acting excessively. Children shouldn’t be pampered, but raised with a strong sense of independence so they can do everything on their own, which means no troublesome things!

“Is that so? Well, since you insist, I’ll let you carry me once a day from now on.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Oh my, it’s frustrating because I can’t speak honestly even if that’s the case. Above all, having to go this far made me get goosebumps, whether due to the rejection reaction or not.

‘Just you wait if there are no results.’

So I felt even more antipathy towards Lilith, and if the results were not satisfactory, I decided to go and confront her.

‘Lilith, I won’t let you off easy!’