The imperial palace was turned upside down. Evidence had emerged that the crown prince had attempted to assassinate the emperor.

Among the public, there was renewed scrutiny of the emperor’s qualities, calling him a satiated lion. The crown prince was compared to the emperor in how he had temporarily governed the nation, and was even labeled as a deposed crown prince who couldn’t keep up with the times.

Treason should be punishable by immediate beheading, but the emperor did not do so. The main reason was that he did not want to commit the tragedy of cutting off his child’s head with his own hands. So the emperor said.

“The crown prince will be exiled to Roded Island.”

Naturally, the crown prince was outraged, saying it was ridiculous. He had no choice but to struggle more because he knew who was on Roded Island.

Looking at the crown prince imprisoned in the underground dungeon of the imperial palace, begging to be killed instead, the emperor felt pity for his gaunt appearance.

However, if one commits a crime, one must be punished. He gestured for the crown prince to come closer. Then he whispered to him, who had his ear against the bars.

“I hear there is a saying in the Western countries about karma.”

It seemed like a fitting thing to say to a criminal. The crown prince spoke, suppressing his anger.

“The heir’s position will be left vacant. You will surely regret today’s actions!”

“There’s no need for the heir’s position to be vacant. I just received a telegram that your younger sibling has arrived at the port.”

When the emperor learned that the crown prince was plotting something, he immediately sent a telegram to the Western countries. It was possible thanks to scientific progress that shortened by two days a message that would have taken four days by mail.

“You will regret this!”

The crown prince, shouting at the departing emperor, finally couldn’t control his temper and screamed. The underground dungeon filled with monstrous echoes.

After the four-day grace period ended.

The crown prince, boarding the ship to be sent to Roded Island, was in a half-dazed state, consumed by his own venom.

Watching his son rush down the path of self-destruction, the emperor felt that life was truly futile. Slaves and commoners crying out for human rights. Nobles trapped in past glories, constantly craving power.

It was a scene that made one reconsider what the empire was and what the meaning of the imperial family was.

Whoooo.

The sound of the ship’s horn announcing departure stabbed the emperor’s heart. Princess Ohilte, standing guard beside him, gently took the emperor’s hand to comfort him.

The sound of waves crashing against rocks sounded terrible to Hegelia’s ears. It reminded her of the sound when Aron was punching.

She hated the crown prince so much she wanted to kill him for pushing her into this hell while living happily. She also hated her own weakness for not being able to kill Aron with her own hands.

As she stared blankly at the sea, lost in self-blame, a ship was approaching Roded Island in the distance. Surprised, Hegelia ran into the sea, splashing, not even noticing her skirt hem getting wet.

As expected, the ship docked at the island. Hegelia was waiting for an opportunity to board the ship with reddened eyes. That’s when it happened.

The one who disembarked from the ship was none other than the crown prince. Her bent waist straightened up. The posture training she received as the crown princess instinctively came back to her upon seeing him.

Hegelia wanted to run over and tear out the crown prince’s hair right away. She thought wielding a stone as a weapon against him might alleviate some of this anger.

But the crown prince was always surrounded by the royal guard, and if there was even the slightest threat to him, a sword would mercilessly be at one’s throat. She wanted revenge, but she didn’t want to die.

Hegelia stared intently at the crown prince who had disembarked. When their eyes met, for some reason, he quickly averted his gaze.

Whoooo.

It was strange. Why was that ship leaving after only dropping off the crown prince?

The piercing sound of the ship’s horn was clearly signaling departure. There were no royal guards or soldiers around him.

As the ship sailed too far to catch up, Hegelia cautiously moved her steps. The crown prince must have been watching her too, as he took a step back for every step she took forward.

“Ha… haha.”

Hegelia laughed without realizing it. The very person who had pushed her into this hell had come into hell himself.

“Ahaha! Ahahaha!”

She shuddered with joy. And without hesitation, she picked up a stone.

On Roded Island, where there were no trials and no laws.

Hegelia ran towards the crown prince, laughing like a demon. As if to welcome him to this hell.

The emperor announced a new heir. He declared that Princess Ohilte, who had returned after completing her studies in the Western countries, would become the crown princess.

Most of the pro-crown prince nobles were wiped out. No one except for the baron could escape the charge of treason.

Unlike the tumultuous capital, Artenbach was so peaceful. Junos was still delicious, Rublion had become much smarter than before and had grown quite tall.

Askal decided to focus on completing the mural in earnest, pushing off the now less busy government office work to Baron Tirel.

He dismissed the bitter advice that a lord shouldn’t play around like this, saying he had never taken a single vacation until now.

The people of Artenbach were enduring the long winter, watching snow fall and pile up several times.

The Cold Days, which last for a week from mid-November, were so cold that they had to stay indoors, creating unforgettable memories for Anna and Leodonio.

The last day of January was the birthday of Rublion, Artenbach’s proud heir and nicknamed the Black Snake. This year, instead of a gift box, he received a puppy as a gift, sent from Modesto territory.

Rublion was overjoyed for a long time after hearing that the mother was Naro.

Thus, winter passed, and on a day in March, just before early spring.

I, about a month away from giving birth, received Askal’s invitation saying that the waterfall was completed, and headed to the third floor of the mansion.

On the way, Rublion, who had received the same invitation, offered his arm to escort me. As I held onto it, I could feel that the child had grown quite tall.

“Welcome, madam. I will guide you.”

Butler Gaben said with a broad smile, pointing to the seats with his hand. He was as happy as I was when Askal decided to paint the waterfall mural.

He knows well what the mural means, and he’s been hoping for its completion for a long time.

We approached and sat in the seats right in front of the mural. Nothing could be seen because it was covered with a white cloth.

“I’m a bit hesitant to unveil it like this.”

Askal said with an awkward smile. I encouraged him, saying that was understandable.

“Now, I will unveil it.”

Gaben said with a big grin, grabbing the white cloth with his hand. Then he pulled it hard.

“Wow.”

“Father, you’re really amazing.”

It must not have been easy to express the sparkle of water, but it looked so natural.

The sky above the waterfall was also clear, and a spectacle that you would only see in a grand cathedral filled the wall.

“Askal, this is… wonderful.”

I felt an indescribable fullness. A true masterpiece beyond the special level.

I was genuinely happy that I could see such a work whenever I wanted.

Gaben, with his sleeves rolled up, began to enthusiastically introduce the mural.

He poured out details about what techniques were used and what was expressed, and it seemed to express how happy he was, which made me smile along.

Askal, the actual owner of the work, was looking out the window with his arms crossed, seemingly embarrassed. It was so lovely that I gently held his hand.

“Thank you for letting me see such a work with my own eyes…, huh?”

The baby’s movement, which had been active until just now, suddenly stopped. At the same time, I felt my lower abdomen becoming hard.

“Uh… huh? My stomach feels a bit strange.”

There was still a month left until the due date.

“Madam, shall I call the doctor?”

Gaben, who was also surprised, stopped his explanation and approached. I endured the pain that felt like my lower part was falling out and shouted for him to quickly bring the doctor. It was a pain I had never felt before in my life.

“She is in labor right now.”

Rublion and Askal, who had come to the national hospital, were at a loss, pacing back and forth at the doctor’s thunderbolt-like words. Knowing that no words would sink in, he continued speaking.

“The important thing is that the contractions came earlier than the expected due date, and the smaller the baby, the lower the survival rate.”

Rublion collapsed in shock.

“What about my wife? Is my wife alright?”

“Yes, she’s a strong and healthy person, so there’s no problem so far. But we’ll remain vigilant until the end.”

Rublion and Askal anxiously watched the back of the doctor returning to the delivery room.

Praying fervently that both would be safe, hoping their earnest prayers would reach the primordial god, the two men sat like earth-bound spirits on the chairs in front of the delivery room, anxiously clasping their hands.

Tightly closed eyes.

Firmly pursed lips.

Skin that looked plump yet soft, with a higher temperature than ordinary people.

This was Rublion’s first impression upon seeing his newborn sibling.

“So tiny. So cute.”

It was a baby girl with pink hair resembling mine and golden eyes resembling Askal’s, which matched so well. The baby had a lot of hair for a newborn, so Rublion endlessly stroked his sister’s hair.

“I’ve become a big brother. This is my little sister.”

“To think I’d have a daughter… Oh? She opened her eyes.”

Rublion and Askal were practically hanging over the baby’s cradle. I raised my upper body and asked the two men.

“Askal, I was thinking of naming the baby first. Do you have any names in mind?”

We hadn’t prepared a name in advance because we didn’t expect the baby to be born a month early.

“Me! I have one!”

Rublion raised his hand high. The child spoke with sparkling eyes.

“Chloe Artenbach. Chloe means ‘to bloom’ in ancient language, and since this child has blossomed our family’s happiness, I want to call her Chloe.”

It wasn’t a bad name. I looked at Askal.

“I did come up with names, but I prepared so many that it’s hard to choose just one. However…”

Askal stared intently at the baby’s face. Then he cautiously opened his mouth.

“Among the names I came up with, there’s also Chloe.”

Rublion’s lips twitched. He was on the verge of jumping for joy at having personally named his sister.

“Hmm, what should we do? Shouldn’t we ask the baby if she likes the name too?”

No sooner had the words ended than Rublion approached the baby. Then, in a voice full of adoration, he said.

“Chloe.”

The baby’s tightly pursed lips opened.

“Chloe, it’s big brother.”

Askal’s characteristic indifferent expression, which he often showed, instantly brightened. Stars poured from Rublion’s eyes.

“She smiled! Mother, Chloe smiled!”

“She seems to like it.”

“What should I do? My little sister is so lovable, it’s a big problem.”

Askal moved away from the baby’s cradle and came to me. Then he kissed my forehead and said.

“I love you, my wife. Enough to give you my all.”

Hearing those words, Rublion also scurried over and said.

“I love you, Mother. Enough to want to give you my all.”

I smiled broadly at the two men expressing their sincere emotions and replied.

“I feel the same way.”

― The End ―