“You’re really small, aren’t you? Weren’t you scared walking around with so much money at such a young age?”

“It’s fine. Thank you for your help.”

“Alright, I’ll give you your money back.”

He extended a gold coin toward Ariana. Ariana politely took the gold coin and placed it in her pocket.

A knight who had been watching spoke.

“Where are you headed? I can take you.”

“You must be busy with official duties, sir knight. I can’t take up your valuable time. Your help is already more than enough.”

Ariana’s mature response seemed to surprise him.

“You speak quite maturely for someone who looks so young. My cousin is older than you and acts like a half-wit.”

“Yes…”

“It’s good to be mature, but kids should also know when to accept help from adults. Elrus City is safe, but there’s always danger for a young child carrying a lot of money. It’s part of my duty to protect citizens, so let me escort you.”

Given his insistence, she couldn’t refuse any longer.

‘Well, I would find out eventually.’

She had some idea about the Emperor’s family relationships, so she could guess who this man might be.

“Then I would be grateful. I’m on my way to Chase Castle.”

“Chase Castle? Do you have something to report to His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Yes.”

“May I ask what it is?”

“No.”

“I’m Eibuster White, the Emperor’s nephew.”

‘As I thought…’

Eibuster White was the son of Duke Langsty White, the Emperor’s younger brother, and was a minor noble himself.

As far as Ariana knew, he detested the Empire so much that he’d never set foot on its soil. Therefore, he wouldn’t remember her.

Eibuster kindly said,

“If you or your family have been wronged, tell me. I can relay it to His Majesty.”

“I would like to tell him myself.”

“His Majesty is busy; it might not be easy to meet him.”

“That’s fine. I can wait for a month, or even a year until he has time for me.”

Eibuster stared at Ariana as if disappointed.

He seemed to think she was stubbornly refusing his help, but Ariana kept her lips tightly sealed and didn’t change his opinion.

“Alright, then. I’ll take you to Chase Castle.”

Eibuster lifted Ariana up onto the horse effortlessly.

Though his casual attitude was surprising, she didn’t show it and sat quietly as he led the horse.

Eibuster also climbed onto the horse, positioning Ariana in front of him, and slowly guided it forward.

“Such cold and ruthless people.”

Having often heard about the White family from Rachel, Ariana found Eibuster’s actions surprisingly different.

That a minor noble would extend such kindness to a child who had merely been pickpocketed was unusual.

Although nobles often flaunted their “noblesse oblige,” it was usually superficial—making donations or giving orders to their servants. It was rare to find a noble who actually put it into practice.

As they neared Chase Castle, Eibuster said,

“If you find it hard to wait for His Majesty, go to the guard post by that castle gate and tell them you want to meet me. I’ll inform the soldiers there.”

“Thank you.”

Finally, they arrived at the front gate of Chase Castle.

Eibuster dismounted first and helped Ariana down.

With a sense of awe, Ariana looked up at the castle.

‘I’ve finally made it here.’

Two months since her return, after experiencing a myriad of events, both significant and trivial, she had arrived here.

A land she had never set foot on before her death—the Emperor’s country.

‘A country of my birth, yet not truly mine.’

“Come here, kiddo.”

Eibuster’s voice snapped her out of her reverie.
Aiberster, showing no intention of turning back, headed towards the knights guarding the main gate with Ariana in tow.

The knights recognized Aiberster and saluted.

“Young Duke, have you come to see the Lord?”

“Uh, is he busy?”

“Yes, I’m sorry but he’s asked not to be disturbed for the time being.”

“What a shame.”

Aiberster turned to look at Ariana, as if to say, see?

But Ariana, instead of looking at him, stepped forward and stood before the knight, her hands respectfully clasped.

“Please inform His Imperial Majesty that I request an audience.”

Although she wore a shabby cloak, Ariana’s posture was dignified, and her voice carried authority. Despite sounding like a child, her voice had an unchildlike gravitas that made the knights instinctively cautious.

“Huh? Who are you…?”

Ariana stared at them squarely.

“I am Ariana, the daughter of His Imperial Majesty.”

+++

The knight who had rushed inside as if in despair returned shortly.

“Pl, please come in.”

Until then, Aiberster had hardly been breathing, merely staring at the small child’s back before him. But when Ariana moved, he suddenly snapped to attention.

“Me, me, me too!”

“I’m sorry, young Duke. Only this person is to enter.”

Aiberster couldn’t bear his curiosity about whether that child was really the daughter of the Emperor, or if not, what her real identity was, and what was going to happen. But he couldn’t ignore the Emperor’s order.

He could only watch Ariana’s back as she walked away with purpose, before hastily mounting his horse.

I must inform my father of this news.