Chapter 286 (1/2)

I drew my brows together at the sound of somebody touching my dress. Somebody patted my shoulder and swept back my hair that hung down on my shoulders. I smiled at his gentle touch. When I snuggled into his arms, rubbing my face like a child, he whispered, “…Tia, wake up.”

“Um…”

“Why are you sleeping in a place like this? What if you get sick again?”

His voice was familiar to me.

I lifted my heavy eyelids and blinked at him slowly. His navy blue uniform came into my view clearly. I also noticed his shiny silver badge.

“Ah, Daddy.”

When I pulled myself from his strong arms and smiled awkwardly, he examined me, then nodded, softening his face. When I slowly lifted my body, I met the eyes of a man watching my father a few steps away from me. His navy blue eyes were full of envy of my close ties with my father.

I was startled to see him and greeted him politely, “I’m honored to see Your Majesty, the Sun of the empire.”

“You look very tired. Well, I think you have gotten very weak recently.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I took a nap… By the way, why are both of you here at the same time?”

“Well, I gave him a notice that I would like to discuss with you over dinner to discuss some matters about the breakoff of our engagement and other things.”

“Oh, I see.”

I hurriedly adjusted my dress and walked after them silently.

The place I arrived after catching up with them quickly was a simple restaurant reserved for the emperor and his close aides. When I sat before a round dining table, the servants and maids who came in briefly put down some plates and went out.

When I saw the food on the plates, I was puzzled.

‘No way, is this all?’

I know the emperor loves a simple menu, but how come there are only five plates, and that all the plates are soup?

When I knitted my brows slightly, the chief maid quickly came to me and explained in a small voice. She said she prepared the simple menu because they came here for a meal for the first time in about a week. Really? Both of them skipped meals for a whole week?

“… Let’s have food.”

When I looked at him nonchalantly, he picked up the spoon, avoiding my eyes. My father also avoided my eyes.

I sighed a bit, looking at the two who pretended not to have noticed me. I was told that they skipped meals for a week, but little did I think they actually did.

Are they trying to change the topic? They immediately started talking about my dwelling place.

According to the imperial etiquette, I couldn’t stay in the Central Palace once I regained consciousness because I was a daughter of a mere nobleman. The emperor insisted that he would let me stay at the place because it’s safer than my house. But my father insisted that he would take me home because he didn’t want me to be talked about in social circles.

I took the spoon to my mouth, listening to their argument. I broke into a smile while watching them talking about me seriously. Now I took great delight in spending time with these two men that I loved. I thought I would feel awkward, but I didn’t.

“Your Majesty, you have a report from the government.”

“What is the matter? I clearly told you not to disturb me unless it’s really urgent.”

His aide flinched at his cold voice and answered quickly, “The apprentice knight Spia is said to have died. So they are waiting for your order.”

“Really? That’s too bad. Marquis? Do you want me to give the Monique family the right to dispose of it?”

“…Well, that’s fine because my daughter had regained consciousness. Please do as you wish.”

“Got it. Aide Rankle, let me take care of that at a trial, so focus on investigating the other guys.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”