Episode 160

Translator: Missme

Editor: Aru

Side Story 10: Castle with a Summer Lake (3)

Oh, Yerine. And Your Majesty.

I waved at Eugene, who greeted us.

You arrived first.

Yes, I was here early because I thought it would take a long trip.

Yssius also greeted Eugene with pleasure, calling him Uncle Duke.

Aster, who has been looking at Chaerine quitely, also walked forward and greeted us.

Your Majesty the Emperor, and Her Majesty the Empress, how are you?

He was as polite a child as ever.

I looked at him, bent his knees, and smiled at his sparkling blue eyes.

Im fine, how are you, Aster?

Im fine too, Your Majesty.

Well, thats good.

While exchanging greetings with Aster, Chaerine clasped her hand, slightly clung to my leg. Keeping her golden gaze on Aster.

Is it still a little awkward for her?

It may be like that when you meet someone after a long time.

Even if you meet someone you used to be close to again, isnt it difficult to greet first if the period of time you havent met is quite long?

Its been almost a month and a half since Chaerine and Aster met again, so it makes sense for shy Chaerine to hesitate.

Still, seeing Aster flapping his lips, unlike before, he seemed to want to say hello first.

Aster also took a step back when he saw Chaerine then take a step forward.

Maybe hes afraid that Chaerine will be surprised if they get too close like last time.

I was wondering if I should help a little, but then, Chaerine pulled at the hem of my dress.

Mom.

Chaerine covered her mouth with her hands and whispered so those around her cant hear.

I, that

Oh, yeah. Ill give it to you now.

When the summoning magic was activated, a flower wreath made by Chaerine appeared in the air.

Chaerine hid the flower wreath behind her, held it in her small hand, back and walked towards Aster.

Everyones eyes were on Chaerine.

Yssius, in particular, opened his mouth and looked very surprised.

Cassius grabbed me smiling and gloatingly looking at her and whispered hastily.

Yerine, that boy staring at her again.

Oh, hes just trying to say hi. Its okay.

I hugged Cassius, who was watching Cherine, tightly so that he wouldnt do anything nonsense.

He, hello.

Asters mouth opened when he heard Chaerines greeting.

Surprised but pleased at the same time, there was a light of joy in Asters blue eyes.

Looking at the children with a nervous face from behind, Eugene smiled lightly and slightly pushed Asters back.

Aster, who understood his fathers intention to go with a nod, took out a greeting with a blush.

HelloChaerine.

Hearing her name, Chaerine matched her sparkling gold eyes to Asters.

And for a while, the two children didnt talk.

Aster, whose face turned red like a tomato, hesitated to speak.

While staring at Aster, who was unable to speak easily unlike the last time, she took out the flower wreath that she was hiding behind her back.

Asters eyes were wide open when Chaerine held out a flower wreath woven from purple flowers and grass.

Here, take it.

Aster picked up the flower wreath with a puzzled face when Chaerine told him to take it.

Maybe he didnt expect Chaerine to give him a present, either.

As she watched the smile slowly spread across Asters face, who had received the wreath, Chaerine smiled with a happy smile.

Because Aster gave Kael a pretty one, too.

Chaerine said in a placid voice.

Kael too wanted to give Aster something pretty.

I was blinded by Chaerines broad smile.

Except for my family, people in the palace, or Erica, she was a child who never showed such a bright expression.

I want to think that she was finally able to smile like that in front of others.

Tha, thank you!

Asters face was also in full bloom when he saw Chaerines smiling face

Even though his face was still dyed as red as a tomato.

Seeing the two children smiling cutely warmed my heart.

Eugene also had a kindly face, not like his usual self.

Cassius, on the other hand, quivered and gnashed his teeth.

I cant believe another boy got a flower wreath while she didnt even make one for me.

What can I do about that silly comment?

Cassius, stop it. How can I stop them when she says she likes him?

That Eugenes son, to my daughter, I raised like gold...

Really, you always go too far.

Shaking my head, I scolded Cassius.

Then Aster came up to Chaerine, and carefully grabbed her right hand with both hands.

Cassius literally hardened at the sight.

Excuse me

Aster, who had been carefully acted, took a look at Chaerines countenance.

But Chaerine didnt knock out Asters hand and showed no signs of dislike.

Rather, she listened to Asters story with her head glancing.

I want to play with you.

At that, Chaerine nodded silently.

Then she took Asters hand and started walking together in the grass.

Lets go play over there.

It was awkward when she first greeted him, but now she seems to recognize Aster as a close person to her.

I felt better at the thought that my daughter made her first friend of her age.

It was none other than Yssius who broke the warm atmosphere surrounding the grass.

No, you cant.

Yssius shouted and blocked Chaerine and Aster.

Yssius, who pulled Chaerine, who did not know the situation, glanced at Aster with a wary look on his face.

You cant play with Kael.

Aster looked embarrassed at Yssiuss harsh words.

Huh?

Kael is a princess. You cant play with her as you want.

Princess?

It is difficult for a four-year-old child to know the exact meaning of the word princess.

Aster saw me and called me Empress because Eugene answered Asters question about how to call us.

He just knows that there is an expression of Empress or Emperor, but he doesnt know exactly what it is.

Looking at Aster, who looked confused, Yssius replied with a slight frown.

Shes a princess with a very high position, so to speak, shes just not like any ordinary princess.

Aster looked very surprised at Yssiuss answer.

Such an innocent guy.

Shes a princess so she should only play with the same position, princess or prince. And because youre not a prince, you cant play with her.

Yssius was a child who usually said that people with good abilities should be hired by the Imperial Palace regardless of their status, and thats what he taught by the tutor and me as well.

And even when we went to the marketplace, he would talk freely with a commoner child.

So purely because he didnt want Aster to have a crush on Chaerine, he brought that reason.

The blood is thicker than the water.

Aster, meanwhile, looked very shocked.

I felt a little sorry for the way he opened his mouth in a slightly shaky voice.

The, then.

And since youre not a prince, you should speak respectfully to Chaerine.

Every time Yssius added a word, Aster became noticeably depressed.

In the end, Yssius also looked a little conscience-stricken, as if his soul had escaped after looking at the appearance of Aster, who seemed to have lost his soul.

Just then, Chaerine opened her mouth.

No, Oppa.

Chaerine shook her head and said.

And until then, she took out the other hand, which she had been hiding behind her back.

Yssiuss eyes grew when he saw the white clover wreath in Chaerines hand.

Chaerine lifted the wreath with her hands in silence and got it over her head.

The child then approached Aster, staring blankly at him, and put the wreath on Asters right hand to his head.

Ka, Kael, what are you doing?

Yssius cried out in surprise.

Unlike Yssius, Chaerine spoke softly with an unperturbed, placid face.

When Kael puts something on Kaels head, everyone calls Kael the Princess.

At first, I didnt really know what Chaerine said.

And it wasnt until about three seconds later that I knew the meaning of the word.

Its about the crown.

When I go out with my children to Imperial Palace events, I always put a crown on them.

Usually, they never use a crown, but only for official occasions.

At that time, I, Cassius, and other people who call her comfortably also treat her formally and as a princess, so she must have thought so.

So if I do this, Ill be a princess. And Aster is a prince.

Chaerine eagerly explained, pointing to the flower wreath slightly crooked above Asters head.

How did she come up with such an angelic idea?

Shes my daughter, but shes so cute.

So hes the same as Kael, a prince, so he can play with Kael, and he doesnt have to speak respectfully.

Aster, who had lost his hope, glowed his eyes at Chaerines words.

Chaerine nods at the brighter look on Asters face. Then she grabbed Yssiuss collar and said.

So, Oppa, we cant play with Aster?

Chaerine asked with a really desperate look.

Chaerine is not very good at asking for things.

Very occasionally, she only asks when shes so desperate for something.

No one in my family could not fall apart in those eyes, especially Yssius, who was the weakest for Chaerines gaze.

Uh.

And when Aster looked at himself with desperate eyes, Yssius couldnt stand it.

Oh, okay. All right. Lets play together.

In an instant, the faces of the two children in flower crowns on their heads brightened up.

Chaerines light began to float around the children who smiled and held each others palms.

But if you make her cry again, I wont let you!

Yssius retorted, but Aster nodded hard and answered vigorously.

Yes! Ill never do that, Hyung.

Whos your Hyung?

Yssius blushed and whined, but Aster did not give in.

Then what do I call?

Aster, who asked naively, asked carefully, covering his mouth with his hands.

Do I have to speak respectfully to you, Hyung?

Then should I call you hyung-nim?

Yssius sighed at Asters unsure comment.

Just call me Yssius Hyung.

Yssius spoke coyly and turned his head away.

And you dont have to speak respectfully.

Yssius said, covering his ashamed face with his hands.

Chaerine and Aster, hand in hand, followed behind him.

Ive gained the strength to live today.

I thought to myself when I saw children who looked like angels.