62 CHAPTER XXII EXPLOITING Success (2/2)

Really? ......

Yeah, it wasn't easy to have a baby. It was amazing how happy Ashley was when she found out she was carrying Shelly.

I see. ......

'On the contrary, Melissa's gone crazy since then . You've been so sure that your child was going to be the emperor before now ...... and you thought there was a threat to it.

It was: .......

I don't know how to react to these things: .......

'Oh, by the way, how is Mr Cliff doing now?'

I'm sure Cliff would have come to the police station to turn himself in.

Isn't he asleep?　For now, we'll just listen to the story and punish him after Shelly is found.

I see ...... so ...... what kind of punishment are you going to impose?

I hope it's as light a punishment as possible: .......

”No, I won't. This crime is all on Melissa for now. As for Cliff, he turned himself in, so I'm going to pretend it never happened.

'Really?　That's good to know: ......

'It's just . . it's not good not to punish you, so I'll just say that you're under house arrest and won't leave your room until the adult party.

Oh, well, maybe I deserve a little punishment.

And as soon as things settle down, we should give Leo a treat.

'What?　I just got it the other day, is that okay?

I just got it just a few months ago, okay?

Yeah, you have to reward people for their accomplishments. It's just that I don't think anyone's ever gotten one this often before.

I'm sure you do: ......

An upstart aristocrat like that would be a legend.

Well, good luck with that.

With that, the emperor walked out of the bath.

Well, I don't think I can say no this time either: .......

I'm tired. I'm going to bed.

I relaxed a little and got out of the bath.

Then he took me to my room where I was staying with a maid who worked in the castle and I went to bed.

It was a little bright outside when I fell asleep.

＜About eight hours later.

...... please ...... wake up.

Oh, is it morning already ...... Bell?

Hmmm?

I pried open my heavy eyelids and got up to find a place I didn't recognize.

And then I felt something heavy ......

Huh?　Sherry?

And then I found out that Sherry was sleeping on top of me.

...... What does that mean?

Oh, yeah.

I got to stay at the castle after I rescued Shelly.

But why is Sherry here?

”Good morning. Mr. Leons. Lunch is ready for you.

”Uh-huh. Okay. I'll be there in a minute.

Lunch?　Oh, right, ...... it's already noon: .......

I've got to go.

And what about Sherry?

Let's wake her up anyway: .......

Shake Shelly's shoulder.

'Hmmmmm ......'

Get up, get up, Shelly.

Hmm?　Leo?　Yes, I fell asleep: ......

Shelley sat up, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

”Why is Sherry here?

”Well, ...... he told me to go wake up Leo and I came ...... and I went straight to sleep.

I see. Okay. Thanks for coming all the way out here to wake me up. So, let's go get something to eat.

Yeah, okay.

But Sherry was cocking her head and was ready to go to sleep.

'Come on, let's go,'

I had no choice, so I headed to lunch with Shelly's hand in mine: .......