Recently, the Imperial Palace was preparing for the birthday banquet of the youngest prince. In response, I asked Axion if I could meet with the Emperor.
I let Axion's hot earlobe cool with my cold fingertips and said softly, "But if it's a difficult request, you don't have to accept it." There were other ways to get rid of the Emperor anyway. I would just have to take a slightly longer route.
But Axion shook his head vigorously. He was so strong that I was worried his neck would fall off.
"No!"
Oh, my ears. I lowered the hand that had cooled Axion's red ears and pressed and released my own ear.
"I really like it! Still, try to invite Mel to our family gathering!" He was so excited that he jumped around, his words tumbling out until the end. I thought it would be either a confused rejection or an embarrassed nod. But I didn't expect such a happy reaction.
…This kid, is there something wrong with him?
Even though I was staring at him with suspicion, Axion smiled as he met my bright eyes.
"Hey, after all, Mel… yes, I see! Come along! I'll introduce you to our cool brother and His Majesty my father! Your Majesty is sick…"
"Really?"
"Yes, we decided to have dinner together today to commemorate his birthday banquet with 100 days left!"
It seemed that the timeline in the original work was not broken at all. I nodded and tidied up Axion's messy curls. The sight of a child thinking of me was always heartwarming.
"Thank you, Axion."
"No!" Axion hugged me tightly and glanced at the morning newspaper on the table. It was a newspaper that had written about my excommunication.
"That… You know, Mel."
"Huh?"
"I don't mind if Mel isn't a nobleman. It's true!"
In an era where the distinction between nobles and commoners was strict, Axion's remarks moved me deeply.
"Thank you, Axion. I'm fine."
Axion stuck out his mouth like a small bird's beak. "Those people are bad. Don't they think of Mel as family? I can't help but feel hurt by an adulterous man!"
I gently wrapped my arm around Axion's shoulder. The child looked upset, but fortunately, I could feel the strength in his eyes.
"But it's okay, Mel. I'm going to marry you later."
He said it so naturally that I almost forgot the meaning of those words.
"…What?"
Even if it was a joke, I was about to say that he shouldn't say this, but Axion opened his eyes wide.
"Today, I will tell His Majesty my father to adopt Mel!"
"Adoption…?"
What was this all about?
"Keh, huh." The last words were the sound of Dominic's breath, as he listened to our conversation. He was laughing with his face covered as he picked up the newspaper, as if this situation was so funny. I could see everything.
Axion, who glanced at Dominic with wide, innocent eyes, shook his head again and muttered softly to himself, "If you adopt me, I will be with my brother… Phew, that's not going to work." The child shrugged his shoulders and whispered, "I, well, if I become the Grand Duke later, I will give Mel the title of nobility!" The child clenched his fists and threw them forward, shouting, "Just wait twenty years!"
I couldn't help but smile when I saw the boy looking at me with loving eyes. "Thank you, I'll be waiting. Do you have to grow up nicely?"
"Yes! Don't worry about that, I'm still pretty cool!"
I stroked Axion's head. I only wanted to ask him to go to the Imperial Palace with me, but I didn't even consider that Prince Axion would be hurt by my excommunication when he found out. To a child who was still innocent, it might be seen as if I was being kicked out.
But I can't tell Axion about the situation of adults.
"When are you going?"
"Uh, come with me! I have to bring a gift from His Majesty my father!"
I stroked Axion's head.
If it becomes known that I entered the Imperial Palace with Axion, there may be an uproar among the wealthy families.
They might say that I am making a fuss to cancel the excommunication. What do they think? They can grumble as much as they want. That will be more helpful to me in the future.
"Mel, if you're having a hard time, you can hold my hand and cry!" Axion laughed.
I couldn't see the place of the canine tooth that had fallen out belatedly.
"Cute." The lovely prince has always been helpful to me.
"I need to prepare a gift for Your Majesty." Axion, who was scratching near his chin, replied, his eyes sparkling.
"Alas, my father likes to eat healthy. Take care of everything that is good for your health."
"I see, and again?"
"Hmm… He likes sweets, but he can't eat them well because of the advice of the Imperial Palace."
I paused slightly. It was because I felt a sense of anticipation in the word for the Emperor.
Father, you are a monk. Not an emperor, but a complete… You look like your friend's father…
Suddenly, I remembered the fathers of my friends I knew before possession. They liked things like health juice and ate red ginseng all the time, but cried when they thought about their bellies sticking out… She has such a delicate sensibility that when she hears that she needs to go on a diet, she gets scratched inside.
No, I don't think so. Still, how could an emperor of a country be like that? Although there was a description of him as warm in the original work, he is still the emperor of a despotic country.
I looked at Axion and nodded earnestly. "I understand."
I stroked Axion's head and said, "Thank you."
"No, Mel, I'm more grateful!"
…What do you mean you are grateful for, this little guy?
I tried to suppress my anxiety and stroked my head. Axion grinned and clenched his fists as if jamming. I don't know, but it seems that I am nervous.
"Can you give me an hour? I think I need to prepare a gift."
"Yes, then I'll do my homework and come back later! Get ready!" Axion waved his hand cheerfully and left. Oh, and the door of the stationery store closed again.
So now, I need to create 'something' to present to the Emperor…
Something special that can keep his memories alive and that he might like. At the same time, something unique that only I can create. Others will give him something very noble and beautiful, but what is even better than that will be something he wants, something that can evoke his warm nostalgia.
I let out a sigh and pressed my bubbling head against the table. What should I give the Emperor? Healthy? Isn't it…
Ugh, I can't organize my thoughts.
I spoke seriously to Dominic with my chin down. "What are the tastes of middle-aged adults like emperors?"
"Adult hobbies?"
"Yes, people who have lived for a long time. Is there anyone like that? I want to ask…" Dominic shook his head in confusion.
I looked at him and tilted my head in the same way. I didn't really understand why.
"Why are you looking for it from afar?"
"…Huh?"
"I'm here."
I thought as I looked at the magic sword shrugging his shoulders. Oh, come to think of it… You've lived quite a long time, haven't you? I forgot about her face because she looked unusually young! I grabbed Dominic's hand.
I could feel him flinch at my tremendous momentum. But without taking his hand away, Dominic asked as he turned his gaze to the side. His ears were dyed bright red as if they were about to burst.
"…I, I take a vow of chastity."
"I did. Okay. Tell me. What do you like?" I decided to pursue Dominic.
Dominic began to purse his lips as he looked at me. "I… It's good for your health."
It's kind of strange to say that it's good for health with a young face.
"Now, tell me everything you like."
I took my notebook and began to take notes eagerly on what Dominic said. I was worried about the taste that came out of his mouth, and I immediately put down the fountain pen.
After taking notes about Dominic's tastes for more than a few tens of minutes, I now understand.
"Dominic."
"Hmm."
"You're a complete old man… Health-promoting herbs and alcohol with honey…"
Dominic's gaze faltered.
I looked at him with a grin. "This is enough. What else would middle-aged men like…"
Hearing my self-reflection, Dominic snapped his finger as if he remembered something. I looked at him with wide eyes. Dominic rarely spoke so firmly. But he was seriously talking to me now.
"Oh, there was a common wish among middle-aged people in power."
His serious expression aroused curiosity.
"Oh, what is that wish?" Although he is a novice alchemist, he may be able to fulfill the Emperor's wish. I put a hand to my chin and stared at Dominic.
Dominic, who suddenly followed me and became serious, opened his mouth.
"I asked you to improve your virility."
"I'll be there."
"Where?"
"Find something good for your virility."
Thanks to you, I had a good idea. In fact, a question mark was smeared on Dominic's face. He looked anxious, as if he was trying to get out of the water.