"It's salty."
'Then did you honestly think that it would be sweet?
He always has to add unnecessary words and get cursed for his trouble.
Honestly... I am going to let it go just this one time since you saved my life.'
"It is different for each individual baby, but I heard babies usually forget their infancy stage memories as they grow up. However, the influence from these memories may remain in their subconsciousness...'
Keitel was quiet after hearing Cerera's answer.
He said nothing and just looked directly into my eyes with a peculiar look in his eyes.
I also stared back into his eyes and quietly held my breath.
'I think I figured it out.
I think I know why there's always hostility and enmity in his eyes.
It was the culmination of the kind of life he had lived until now.'
It had been only a short moment, but I remember what kind of eyes he had when he pulled out his sword and lowered it without an ounce of hesitation. It was...
'How should I describe it?
The look in his eyes was incomprehensible.
At the very least, his eyes look nothing like the current look in his eyes.'
"Influence....."
'Influence. What about it?'
I had waited with bated breath to hear the end of that sentence but that was the end of it.
It went nowhere.
'Ugh, that bastard.
If you're going to be like that, then don't start saying any sentences that make me start anticipating anything. My heart raced for no reason!
I got all excited for nothing and wasted unnecessary energy.'
I pouted and stuck my lips out.
As I tried to lift my finger, exactly at that moment, the Royal Guards entered the room.
'Wow, it's a knight!
It's my first time looking at the Royal Guards.'
Obviously, it was also my first time seeing the Captain of the Royal Guard.
'It must be that knight walking in the front of the center of the knights in silver armor.
Ah, it's an old man.
Old man, you must be the leader of the Royal Knights.
The atmosphere that's coming off your body is on a whole different level than the other knights
Good. Let's see, my ratings for you would be...'
"Your majesty."
The Captain was trying his best to maintain a blank expression, but he looked like he was going to drop dead any moment. He went on his knee and did his best to show courtly manners befitting a knight as he waited for Keitel to speak.
I looked up at Keitel.
He had simply watched with a deadpan expression as the knight came in and bent down on one knee, then his eyes looked as if he was looking at something very funny and he gave a closed-lipped smile.
'Now, what's wrong with the guy?' I started to get scared for no reason.
"My room..."
Keitel lifted a glass and the sound of ice clinking could be heard.
*Clink Clink*
Only the soft refreshing echo of ice hitting glass could be heard in the room. It sounded quite cool to the ears.
"...had a guest."
'Ah, I think I feel thirsty because of that noise.
Of course, it could also be because I cried too much.'
I started to gently whine at my nanny.
'Water Water!
I definitely felt even more parched when I heard that cool clinking sound.'
"It was a guest I never invited."
As soon as Keitel finished speaking, his sight directly landed on the Captain. The Captain's body slightly trembled.
Keitel's eyes grew even darker as he watched his response.
The thin, close-lipped smile that was on his face made it difficult for the receiver to even breath. His appearance seemed to glow with beauty but at that moment, no one wanted to even touch the guy.
'If you weren't a moth, who would want to throw themselves into that burning black fire?'
His eyes that always glowed red to the point it made your own eye hurt, was now dark to the point that it almost looked black. It made oneself unconsciously hold their breath.
'That's right, this was my first time seeing him truly angry.'
"I committed a crime deserving of death. This was all due to my own carelessness."
'It's scary.
When I say it's scary, I mean it's scary in a different way than earlier.
Before, it was scary like I would get killed, but now the atmosphere just feels like "getting in trouble in front of the principal" kind of scary.
I know I didn't do anything bad so why am I getting so scared?'
After crying my heart out, I was much calmer and I no longer sniffled.
I did keep trying to rub my eyes because they were itchy, but each attempt was foiled by Cerera. I started whining in dissatisfaction
'My eyes are itchy!'
For a moment, Keitel's face relaxed as he heard my whining, but it went by so fast no one else noticed. He slaked his thirst with a sip of wine and put the glass on the table.
Then he walked up slowly, so slowly it gave off a terrifying vibe that made everyone hold their breath as he stood in front of the knight. Only when he was practically in front of the knight's nose did he stop.
"Four days."
An arrogant voice coldly dropped from above.
The Royal Guard's Captain lowered his head even lower.
"Find out who sent the assassin within those four days."
*Swish*
The terrifying sound of cold steel rang throughout the room.
Keitel had pulled out the Captain's sword by his side and lifted it up. The sword's blade gleamed in the light, it was so dazzling it almost blinded you if you directly stared at it. He lifted it up lightly as if it was just a toy, then looked down at the Captain.
The soft sound of slender cold metal being swung rung around reverberated in the room. It made me frown just listening to it because it sounded so sharp and thin.
*Whimper* 'No. I hate that sound.'
The good news... Only the sleeve of the guard was cut.
The bad news... The slender and gleaming white steel was now placed at the guard's neck.
"If you can't find out who is behind this then you no longer have a life."
The thin cut on his pale neck started to turn into a blood-red line on the Captain's neck. The red line had a metallic smell, making one think of the thick and rusty smell of the blood rain earlier. The Captain lowered his head one more time.
"Yes, your majesty."
Then he stood up and humbly received his sword back with both hands.
Then, Keitel seemed to have lost interest in the Captain and turned his whole body away, as if he no longer cared about whether he stayed in the room or left.
Instead, he looked in my direction and started to come closer to Cerera who was holding me in her arms. Then he spread out his two arms without any hesitation.
His moments were confident and clear.
He was commanding that I go into his waiting embrace.
'Dad, we have never been close. So why are you acting all friendly?'
I wanted to protest but my throat was so sore that I couldn't make a sound.
Cerera looked like she didn't want to hand me over but she did not want to be his opponent. After all, it wasn't like he was just any opponent, so she had to reluctantly hand me over without a fight. *Sob Sob*
'Poor pitiful Cerera! It's too much!'
As soon as he received me in his arms, his face instantly changed once again.
I simply gazed at him with swollen eyes.
His darkened eyes had already turned into his regular red gaze. I could once again see my reflection clearly in those everyday reds.
*Smirk* At that moment, that guy laughed at me.
'Huh? Why are you laughing?'
"I will sleep with Ariadna for a while."
'Oh..... Excuse me?'
I couldn't believe what I was hearing so I just stared at him in a daze until I had to blink several times.
'Huh? What did you just say?'
"Be prepared."
'Did you just say we will sleep together!?'
While I was at a complete loss of words, due to a combination of shock and fear, Cerera simply bowed her head.
"Yes, your majesty."
Keitel's bedroom was much more simple then I had thought.
Oh, okay. I had thought that this was a chance for me to see some results of him showing off money but, unexpectedly, it was quite plain. I was surprised by all the plain space spread out in front of my eyes.
'What in the world?
Weren't tyrants supposed to be the King of all wastrels? Showing off their money and using it like water? Even though he's the Emperor he seemed to have no interest in showing off his money at all.
Our Dad is... Hmm.
Well, this still doesn't change anything. Just because he doesn't go around wasting money doesn't mean the way I look at him will drastically change or anything.
Reality is cruel and this world is rotten.'
"You may place the Princess here and leave."
The voice of the servant in charge of Soleil palace could be heard.
Now that I thought about it, she had much more experience then Cerera in the palace, but due to the difference in status, she seemed to respectfully serve her.
Cerera held me close and carefully walked into the room.
'We are only walking into an unfamiliar room, why are you so tense? It's not like we are a pair of cat burglars.
Oh yeah, this unfamiliar room belongs to that stranger, the Emperor.'
Instead of feeling contempt, all I felt was a surge of annoyance.
'How did this even happen to me?! Just how?! What did I do to end up like this?! Is it not enough that you harass me all day? Are you not satisfied enough with messing me during the day, you want to mess with me at night too? Who will even guarantee that I will get some peaceful sleep?
I too have a right to sleep peacefully!
This world is rotten I tell you!
This world Is damned!
My Dad just handed me poop!'
"Here, Princess."
I started to struggle as a form of protest.
As I tussled in her arms, Cerera gently patted me on my back but I refused to be pacified.
'I hate it! *Sob Sob*
I hate this world that flows only according to the will of the adults!'
I look around the spacious room. The room had some expensive decorations scattered around to fill up the empty spaces. It seemed randomly placed so it didn't look too empty. The bed stood out the most. It was five times the size of my room and looked like at least four fully grown man could sleep on it comfortably with plenty of space.
My spot seemed to be that crib next to his bed. I had assumed that they would bring the crib from my own room but this was a kid(crib) I had never met before.
'Hello, my name is Ariadna.
Who are you?'
"Here, Princess. Today you will sleep here."
'Can I not sleep here?'
My lips started to quiver as I raised my face to look at her with teary eyes. I was almost ready to burst out in tears at any moment.
Cerera's face showed that she didn't know what to do and simply let out a sigh.
'I know, Mom... Mom has no power.
That is why you must send me off.
Why does it seem like we are a mother-daughter pair being sold off for money?'
Suddenly the legend of Chunyang popped up in my head.
"Hmph, come serve my needs!"
"This girl refuses!"
"Hmph. Shut up, Pyon. She says no!"
She tried to resist.
Then the world ended.
"..."
'I should not become an author.
Why are my endings all fucked up?'
I felt a bit disturbed at myself and frowned.
Cerera, who was laying me down, saw it and laid a kiss on my forehead. Then she whispered something softly to me. It seemed to be a type of prayer.
"Mrs. Nur-"
"It's okay. Since our Princess is mild, so she will definitely sleep well."
'How do you know if I have a sensitive or mild personality?!
This isn't just about changing the location of where I sleep!
This is an important and precious problem! Where do I get my rights to sleep?!
I'm positive that damn father will harass me all night! He definitely will!'
*Sob Sob*
"Mrs. Nurse."
"Ah, I will go."
Then Cerira followed the scary maid's command and left the room after pushing a small doll in my hand.
'How rotten! This is messed up!
To leave a delicate and lovable young baby alone.
Humans have no consideration anymore. Seriously, consideration is dead.'
"Howohhehhooh..." (T/N breathing technique?)
The room that I could see from my crib is five times bigger than usual. It was too large to the point I felt scared. Not only was this the first time I was in this room, but I could only just sit here. That was the source of my horror.
If only I could walk, run or sleep, then I could somewhat manage by myself...
'Ah, even if I did I would probably just get caught right away anyway.'
"Eyeam skuwuwed..." (E/N baby talk for "I am screwed.")
I leaned my cheek against the safety guard and looked around the room comfortably.
'Yup, a mountain is a mountain and water is water.'
Well, it's true that unlike my first impression of him, the guy wasn't showing his money off so the room wasn't covered in gold leaf, but it's not exactly a plain room that diminishes the dignity of an Emperor.
'How should I describe it? Should I just say it was adequately fancy, adequately expensive and adequately dignified?'
Especially that single sofa and tea table with delicate carvings that looked simple at first glance, but had an aura oozing out from it. Also, the look of that heater that took one side of the wall by itself and the tapestry hanging on the top, there was no place to criticize in this perfect arrangement.
'Damn.'
"Are you not sleeping?"
I hate the fact that I am so used to his voice. I leaned against the safety rail and raised my head.
"She's not sleeping..."
Keitel, who came closer, put his face right in front of my nose. For a moment I couldn't breathe.
'You scare-scared me!
No, this isn't the problem
What is up with this guy today?'
I tried to slowly sneak away from my Dad.
I know that my one and only father in the world was a man of incredible beauty. If he went out on a beauty contest he would win first place by unanimous agreement.
'So- So!'
"What's wrong?"
That low and husky voice was seductive and it raised goosebumps on my skin.
'Oh my god! What is this? Abei (Dad)~
Don't do this to me Abei (Dad)!
Dad we are not supposed to be "together"!'
Unfortunately, I couldn't block his hands coming for me.
'Oh no.'
I closed my mouth firmly and forced myself to turn my head away from Keitel's eyes which I didn't want to see anymore. All my movements were autonomous to the point that it was robotic, I almost was afraid that clanging sounds would come from my neck.
His silver hair looked like he had just taken a shower and still had drops of water at his hair ends. The wet, silky hair and the scent of his freshly washed body that tickled the end of my nose made me wish I was dead.
'Ugh!
It is a romantic fantasy of mine. Yup, it's a fantasy for both women and men!
But not like this! This is not right! This is seriously not right!
This man is my dad! Damn! Why?! There's a beauty in front of my eyes, but I can't even attempt to flirt with him!'
"Are you sick?"
'How can I be sick? Actually, I am just sick in my mind.
Dear God, why is that guy born with that kind of beauty?
Agh, I can't figure it out. Just hand over a piece of his beauty okay!'
"She looks like a monster."
'.............So it is possible to get used to this to the point I no longer get mad?'
As he stroked my swollen eyes, I wanted to tell him that the words he spoke were an art form, but I guess I finally got tired of it.
'Wow, I don't even feel hurt anymore.'
"To think that you are getting assassinated already. Should I say it was slower than expected or faster?"
'Huh? Then Abbei (Dad), are you saying you already knew an assassin was heading my way and yet you left me alone?
.....Mr. Sir do you want to die?'
"Well, whatever, it looks like Miss Daughter of mine is in trouble."
'I don't know why you simply end it with the word "trouble". This is my life... My life is on the line!
Don't say it so easily! Damn, I feel stupid for getting depressed.' *Sob Sob*
However, when I lowered my head I could feel his eyes following me that I couldn't even turn my head away.
'Ah, I can't even turn my head away when I want to?'
Then at the moment, our eyes met.
Two pairs of red eyes met midway in the air.
The sight of their gazes and their emotions were entangling together.
Then nothing was left behind.
There was nothing left.
*********************************************************************************
The poor captain is probably not an old man.
In Korea you can call older young man Oppa aka big brother and any older guy old man.
In other Asian countries he would probably just be called Uncle instead.
Wet fantasy for both sexes
예비 aebi not appa 아빠 but in english they both mean father
but it a more unpolite way i see grandma call her son aebi ~ya but never the child .
Legend of Chun Hyang
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chunhyangjeon
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