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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: For a Child to Be a Child (3)
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Realizing the implication behind the words, the director waved his hands dismissively. Duke Adrian was asking if he had ever abused Rosette.
“No, Your Grace! We teach the children not to be picky eaters, but we never force them to eat something they can’t.”
“And you’ve never forced a child with an allergy to eat something?”
“What kind of adult in their right mind would do such a heinous thing!”
The director raised his voice, forgetting for a moment that he was speaking to *the* Duke Adrian.
“I understand your concerns, Your Grace. But I find it deeply unpleasant to be suspected in this manner. I swear to God, I have never done anything to harm these children.”
Duke Adrian had met countless people in his life. As such, he was an excellent judge of character.
The director was telling the truth.
“Then do you have any idea why the child might have acted that way?”
“Perhaps she wanted to make a good impression on you, Your Grace?”
“Then how on earth would she have known she was allergic?”
“That… I do not know.”
Again, the director seemed to be telling the truth. There was nothing more to be gained by pressing him further. Duke Adrian rose from his seat.
“I will take my leave for now. If anything else happens, I will visit again.”
Leaving the director’s office, Duke Adrian sought out the child named Jane whom he had seen earlier.
“Child.”
“Huh?”
At his signal, his aide took out the snacks he had prepared and gave them to Jane.
Jane hesitated before accepting the snacks, then handed them to a child standing behind her. That child ran off to share the treats with the others.
Just then, Jane asked.
“Is Rose doing okay?”
“You must miss Rose a great deal.”
“Yes. A lot. But I’ll be brave. I want Rose to be happy.”
“I see.”
Duke Adrian hesitated for a moment before asking.
“Is the director good to you?”
Fortunately, Jane answered with a bright, unsuspecting smile.
“Yes!”
“And no one is bullying you like before?”
“Nope!”
“Good, I understand.”
“Please tell Rose I said hello!”
“I will.”
After his brief conversation with Jane, Duke Adrian returned to his carriage. Unlike adults, children were poor liars. There was not a hint of hesitation or falsehood in Jane’s voice when she said the director was good to them.
Still, Rosette’s behavior troubled him. If not here, where could the child have been forced to eat shrimp?
“Joseph.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Keep a close watch on the orphanage from now on.”
“Is there something specific that concerns you?”
“The children’s well-being.”
That was answer enough. Beyond the carriage window, his aide, Joseph, bowed his head in understanding.
“Ah, and one more thing. For the time being, do not serve shrimp at our meals.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Having said all he needed to, the Duke closed the window. He wanted to go see Rosette and the children right away, but a backlog of work and the adoption process left him with much to do.
He pushed aside his longing and headed for the Imperial Palace.
*Longing? How strange of me.*
Even as he thought this, Duke Adrian found himself smiling.
***
“An adoption?”
The Emperor asked. He genuinely thought he must have misheard the Duke.
Duke Adrian, his face devoid of a smile, repeated the same words.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I intend to adopt a daughter.”
“What’s this all of a sudden? I’m aware that adoption has become something of a trend among the nobility as a form of charity, but I never thought you would partake.”
“It is sudden, I admit, but I am not doing this on a whim.”
“Then?”
“She just… captured my heart from the moment I saw her. She seemed so pitiful, I couldn’t look away. I felt this urge to keep her close and take care of her.”
The Emperor studied Duke Adrian’s face with a look of fascination.
Duke Adrian was famous for being so cold that he was often called a man of ice. The only people he treated with any warmth were his own three children and his disciple, Joshua.
Yet here he was, smiling while speaking of a child he planned to adopt. It was proof that he was already completely smitten with her.
“Furthermore, she is so young yet already possesses enough magical talent to use healing magic.”
The Emperor, who had been listening casually, perked up.
“Magic? She can already use healing magic?”
“Yes.”
“If what you say is true, a great talent is about to be born. How covetable. She would be a fine match for Max.”
“It is premature, Your Majesty.”
“Premature? You know as well as I that royal marriages are arranged early.”
“…”
Duke Adrian did not answer. He did not want his daughter, Isabelle, who was the apple of his eye, nor Rosette, who would soon be his daughter, to be swept up in such political tempests.
But he couldn't say that, so he changed the subject.
“In any case, I wish to proceed with the adoption. I ask for your permission, Your Majesty.”
Though the Emperor knew he was changing the subject, he played along.
“Why would I not permit it? I will see to it that the adoption process is handled as quickly as possible.”
“Thank…”
Before the Duke could finish his words of gratitude, a commotion erupted outside.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is in an audience with Duke Adrian…”
“I am aware. Step aside!”
The sounds of a scuffle were heard, and then the door burst open without permission. A boy in his early teens strode in, almost at a run.
He had moonlight-silver hair and golden eyes, the mark of the purest imperial bloodline. It was Joshua Ehrnhardt, the First Prince of the Ehrnhardt Empire.
He was dressed in a light shirt and trousers, as if he had rushed out from his chambers.
The Emperor, still seated on his throne, reprimanded him.
“Prince, what is the meaning of this insolence!”
But Joshua seemed not to hear him. He glanced around blankly until his eyes fell on Duke Adrian, and they widened.
“Master!”
He ran to the Duke and threw his arms around him. Neither the Emperor nor Duke Adrian could bring themselves to scold Joshua for his rudeness any further. For as he clung desperately to Duke Adrian, tears streamed down his face.
“You’re safe, Master.”
After a brief silence, Duke Adrian let out a loud laugh.
“Of course I am safe, Your Highness. You greet me with unusual fervor today.”
“And Daniel? How is Daniel?”
“Daniel is also well.”
Joshua let out a deep sigh and straightened his posture. He wiped the tears from his cheeks with a disciplined hand, his expression becoming controlled.
The disheveled boy from a moment ago was gone, replaced by the perfect face of a prince. He bowed to the Emperor.
“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”
“Never mind the pleasantries. What is all this about?”
“I apologize for my unsightly behavior, Father.”
“I asked what happened.”
“I had a nightmare.”
“A nightmare?”
Duke Adrian interjected to lighten the mood.
“Were Daniel and I injured in your dream, Your Highness?”
“…”
“They say dreams are the opposite of reality, don't they? We are both perfectly healthy, so please do not worry.”
“…Yes. I am relieved to see that you are.”
“Since you are here, take a seat.”
At the Emperor’s suggestion, the Prince sat down. At his gesture, an attendant who had been waiting outside brought in a formal robe. Joshua threw it on and asked.
“I was not aware you were visiting the palace today. What brings you here so suddenly?”
“Ah.”
Duke Adrian replied with a slight smile.
“I came to urgently request an adoption.”
Joshua raised an eyebrow.
“An adoption? For which family?”
The Emperor laughed as if he had heard a very amusing joke.
“The House of Adrian, of course.”
“The House of Adrian… is adopting?”
Joshua replied dubiously, prompting Duke Adrian to joke.
“What is it, Your Highness? Are you suggesting I am not qualified to adopt?”
“No, that’s not it. It’s just… a bit sudden.”
“Yes, it is sudden for me as well. It was a rather abrupt decision.”
The Emperor cut in.
“It seems the Duchy will soon have a magically gifted young lady.”
Joshua, still looking bewildered, replied.
“Isabelle has no affinity for mana, so it couldn't be that she has suddenly blossomed with magic. Don’t tell me the newly adopted child…”
“Indeed. She is a child with a talent for magic.”
After a moment of thought, Joshua turned to Duke Adrian.
“Master, what has possessed you to adopt a child all of a sudden? If you coveted her magical ability, you could have simply sponsored her.”
“There were various circumstances, but I felt a strange desire to keep her close and protect her.”
Joshua remained silent for a long while after hearing the answer. Just as the Duke was about to speak again, he finally said.
“I am curious about this child. To think she could change your heart so completely.”
Duke Adrian laughed heartily, as if the mere thought of Rosette brought him joy.
“She is a cute child. Though she still has much to learn.”
“It would be good for the Duchy to have a capable mage. To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. In any case, I have seen you, Master, so I will take my leave. I shall visit Daniel soon.”
“Very well, Your Highness.”
Joshua hugged the Duke once more before exiting the audience chamber.
The Emperor clicked his tongue as he watched him go.
“To make such a fuss over a mere nightmare. Still a child. When will he ever grow up?”
“I wonder.”
Duke Adrian murmured, recalling the look on Joshua’s face just moments before.
“Somehow, he seems much more mature than the last time I saw him.”
“Mature, you say.”
The Emperor muttered in displeasure.
“How can he inherit the throne like that?”
Joshua Ehrnhardt was the only legitimate son born to the current Emperor of Ehrnhardt and a princess from the magical kingdom of Ivern.
He showed great promise in swordsmanship, enough for the Sword Master Duke Adrian to teach him personally, and having inherited his mother’s bloodline, he also had some talent for magic.
He was also brilliant, earning praise from the most renowned scholars.
Yet the Emperor, who should have been proud of him, was always displeased with Joshua. Even though Joshua was the sole heir to the throne, the Emperor had yet to officially name him Crown Prince, despite him having turned ten.
Some speculated it was because he did not love the Empress, whom he had married for political reasons. But the Emperor had no other women. Thus, his disapproval of Joshua remained a mystery.
Duke Adrian did not voice this thought. He simply remained silent for a time before departing from the Imperial Palace.
