After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 46

At that moment.

Leo was sitting across from Friedrich in the Emperor’s reception room.

“I thought my neck would break from waiting. Why are you only coming now?”

“But I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Does it take sending people five times to get you here?”

“That’s not much, is it? I don’t think you’re in a position to say that, considering you wouldn’t even send a single reply even after dozens of letters.”

Friedrich’s eyes darted around aimlessly at Leo’s even tone.

“Back then…”

“…”

“Back then, I was too powerless. It sounds like an excuse, but it was the best I could do for you.”

“I know. I’m sure you thought so. But the best isn’t always the answer. Though there’s nothing to be done about that either.”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I didn’t come here to receive an apology. Just tell me why you called me here.”

“Before that, have some tea. It’s the tea you used to like.”

“…”

He reluctantly took a sip of the tea.

A bitter taste and aroma lingered in his mouth.

‘Did I like this tea?’

It wasn’t exactly his taste.

But he remembered himself sitting at the white table, saying the tea tasted clean and refreshing.

His father, who was much younger, his mother, whom he missed just thinking about, and himself, who was about ten years old.

A wistful smile formed as he recalled the memory after a long time.

What could have been so good about the bitter taste of tea leaves to a child of that age?

He must have just liked the moment of drinking tea with his parents.

The realization that he could never return to that time made the bitterness double.

“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”

“I don’t know. Is it because the frost tea leaves are ripe? This one’s a bit bitter.”

“Haha, Is that so? I’ve heard stories about the famous frost tea leaves of the North.”

“It’s not so much that they’re famous, but rather that’s the only kind of tea leaves that can be grown there. They’re called frost tea leaves because they don’t die even when exposed to frost all winter.”

Friedrich’s mouth snapped shut once again at Leo’s shrug.

Only the sound of sipping tea continued uncomfortably in the awkward silence.

‘This is why I didn’t want to meet.’

He clicked his tongue inwardly and frowned.

His biological father, whom he had reunited with after more than a decade, was more uncomfortable and more friendly than he had expected.

So much so that he didn’t know how to treat him at all.

“So, what’s the reason you summoned me here?”

“I can’t exactly go out, can I?”

“I know, what a great spot you’ve got there, you can’t even leave?”

“Haha, I suppose you’re right. It’s that kind of spot, this place.”

Leo sighed once again at Friedrich’s tone, which seemed to be filled with regret.

Friedrich asked Leo, “So, while you’re staying in the Imperial Capital, come and visit often. We need to discuss the wedding, and we need to finalize the story about Eisenfelt’s independent rights that you want.”

“I plan to hold the wedding back in Eisenfelt.”

“Not here?”

“Count Hanover was so horrified that he flew all the way here. You should know his temper if you’ve experienced it.”

“Ah, I see. I heard the news that Count Hanover had crossed the Imperial Capital’s gates.”

Leo shrugged at Friedrich’s complexion, which seemed to have turned pale.

“Anyway, that’s how it is, so I’ll hold the wedding back home.”

“Have you talked to Marcus Everett about it?”

“Talk? Why would I talk to that guy about something like that?”

“You mean you didn’t talk about anything? You decided unilaterally?”

“It wasn’t a unilateral decision. I declared that I would marry her, and Your Majesty permitted it. Isn’t that the end of it?”

“No! Haa, you rascal. Even so, you should discuss the time and place of the wedding.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Does saying you don’t want to solve anything?”

“There’s no need to do something you don’t want to do. When it comes to subjugating the monsters, Your Majesty, those who don’t want to participate will drag their feet to the very end. And then those who are eager to subjugate will step forward and end the battle. There’s no need to solve it. Someone will take the lead and solve it.”

“Ugh!”

Friedrich massaged his forehead as if he had a headache.

As if threatening Friedrich, Leo pulled out his trump card.

“The Crown Prince competition, wasn’t I supposed to be done after completing the second competition that I promised Your Majesty?”

“But marriage isn’t something you do alone. Will the Princess understand your actions?”

“Don’t you know why the Princess decided to marry me yet?”

“I’ve heard some stories.”

“That’s a relief. I would have suspected why you were sitting in that seat if you didn’t even know that.”

“That seat.”

Leo raised his eyebrows at Friedrich’s sighing lament.

He had spat it out in a fit of temper, but it wasn’t something to be taken lightly, as Friedrich had said.

Ayla had things she wanted to do.

Ayla’s and Friedrich’s positions might be different from his.

“If there’s a problem, Your Majesty, please take care of it. Isn’t that what you’re there for?”

“Would that be alright? Even if I step in?”

“I think it would be better than Count Hanover stepping in.”

“Alright. Then I’ll discuss it with Count Everett and then discuss it with Count Hanover.”

“That would be good.”

He meant it sincerely.

If he left it to him, he might come out saying he would wipe out the Everett Dukedom.

He would be happy to hear that, but that would mean turning the entire Empress faction of nobles into enemies.

‘That would be troublesome.’

If he had intended to take revenge, he would have done it already.

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to at all.

So he hoped they wouldn’t bother him again.

Leo sipped the cooling tea and thought of Ayla for a moment.

‘Should I have sent a familiar with her?’

He was newly concerned that he had sent her alone.

The topic of the amicable tea time had already shifted to the story about preparing for the National Foundation Festival.

In particular, this year’s National Foundation Festival was scheduled to be held on a grand scale to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the empire by the first emperor.

The festival period, which usually ended in five days, had been extended to ten days, and visits from delegations for celebration and diplomacy were also planned.

One might be surprised by the ceremonies lined up, starting with the ceremony of paying respects to the founding emperor and ancestors, but Ayla was following the two people’s stories quite well.

And Tatiana was intrigued by Ayla.

“I’m a little surprised, Ayla. How do you know so much when you don’t usually show your face in society?”

“I’m ashamed, Your Majesty. I was just curious the more I couldn’t go. What kind of place it would be, what kind of event it would be. I think I have some short knowledge from looking through books and newspapers.”

“I see. Now that I think about it, I heard from your brother that you’re weak and can’t help but have limited outdoor activities. Are you alright now?”

“I’m perfectly fine, Your Majesty. My father is just overprotective because of what happened when I was young, so please don’t worry about it.”

“That’s how parents are. Children keep growing up, but in their parents’ eyes, they always look like children left out in the water.”

At Tatiana’s words, Ayla just gave a faint smile and changed the subject.

“But if delegations visit from foreign countries, there must be a lot to prepare. Accommodation and meals.”

“That’s right. Usually, people who can speak the Imperial language visit, but we also need to assign people who can speak their language. We need to know what kind of conversations they’re having when they come to our land.”

“That’s right. Language is definitely an important part of diplomacy.”

Tatiana added with a proud expression at Ayla’s agreement.

“That’s why our Edward is focusing on language.”

“Mother always emphasized it. I just studied according to Mother’s opinion.”

“You’re the only one who could have done it. This mother is always proud of my son.”

“I respect you too, Mother.”

Ayla silently sipped her tea, watching the mother and son who cared for each other.

Contrary to her worries, Tatiana’s attitude towards her was warm and friendly.

At least on the surface.

Whatever her real intentions were, she was being kind to her, and that kindness would actually be of great help to her.

She was thinking that she should just get what she needed without hesitation, but on the other hand, she couldn’t trust her kindness as it was, and a bitter smile appeared on her face.

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