Proofreader: somnium

When they arrived at the Empress Palace, the sun had already set.

It was a slow walk for Cedric, but Leticia ran and walked. She yelled at him that she was going to go first, but in the end, in the garden of the Empress Palace, Leticia reached out her arm.

Dad, hold me.

Okay.

Cedric held Leticia up.

Some people from Evron, including Mels family, were probably staying there, but they didnt show their faces.

Cedric decided that the time he spent at the Empress Palace after sunset was completely private.

If there was an urgent matter, he had to go out after receiving the report, but if it was to receive a greeting, he decided to postpone it until tomorrow.

Dinner with Mels family was due in a few days. The Count Jordyns family would need time to adjust.

Artizea was waiting in the family dining room.

Mom!

Leticia begged to come down, and she immediately jumped into the hem of Artizeas skirt.

Artizea said, stroking the childs head,

Youre late. It has been a while since the news came that you were leaving the Main Palace.

Because Ticia walk.

Did you really walk?

Hmm.

Leticia hesitated. She didnt walk all the way, but she did walk all the way to the Empress Palace.

She wants to brag that shes done it, but that doesnt count? The little thoughts were tangled in her little head.

Cedric said, putting his hand on Leticias shoulder,

She didnt walk. She half ran.

Hehe.

Leticia smiled reassuringly.

I see. But why is her face like this? Did you make her cry?

Its because I didnt keep my promise yesterday and didnt even say hello.

You couldnt help it because you were busy.

Artizea said in a low voice. Leticia puffed up her cheeks.

But. If you break promise, you a bad person.

Then, is Dad a bad person?

Leticias eyes shook. She would have said he was bad without hesitation when she was very angry, but now she wasnt.

Cedric rescues Leticia from the chaos.

Come on, we have to eat now, so lets go wash your hands and face.

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Yes.

Leticia meekly took Cedrics hand and moved to the room next door.

A porcelain basin filled with warm water was prepared on a table made for Leticias height.

As Cedric rolled up his sleeves, Leticia closed her eyes and dipped her face into the basin, like a knight meeting his adversary.

Water overflowed from the basin and splashed in all directions. The servants had expected her to do so in the first place, so they were waiting with their mop.

Your clothes are all wet, Ticia.

Cedrics warning was to no avail, Leticia stirred the water with her arms.

Then, she raised her head sharply, closed her eyes, and buried her face in the towel Cedric was holding.

Her bangs were all wet. Cedric sighed and wiped the towel on her forehead.

From the moment Leticia was born, hes been trying to do everything he can while he can, as they couldnt be together for most of the time.

That said, it was also a pity for the servants, so they all bowed their heads.

Okay, its clean. Does your eyes hurt?

No hurt.

Then, go with Mrs. Keshore and change your clothes. Its all wet.

Dad, Ticias strawberry ice cream.

Leticia tugged at the hem of his pants.

Change your wet clothes and eat afterwards.

Hnng.

No.

Leticia tried to sulk again.

Cedric thought for a moment. He knew better than Artizea about a valid answer at this time.

He was just wondering if it could be done educationally. But today is a day he was sorry for her, he rationalized it himself.

Go and change your clothes and come back, Ill give you Dads, too.

Really?!

Leticia exclaimed excitedly. And she ran to Mrs. Keshore.

The servants were expecting this too, so Leticias new shirt was ready.

While Cedric was washing his hands, Mrs. Keshore changed her clothes. Leticia begged to go quickly, and she grabbed Cedrics hand and dragged him away.

Artizea sat at the table, staring blankly at the candle, then raised her head.

Did we take too long?

No.

Artizea motioned for them to sit down.

Dinner was already set on the table.

Cedric did not hide his joyous face as they had Northern-style ham grilled on wood.

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Haha.

Artizea let out a laugh. Cedric made a puzzled face. But he soon understood why.

Wow!

Seeing the large omelette, Leticia gave a cheer. And after poking the omelette with a spoon, she was excited to see the half-cooked egg flowing out.

Now, Cedric knew that Leticias face looked exactly like his. However,

Am I making that face?

He caressed his cheek awkwardly. Artizea smiled.

You dont show your face like that.

Cedric was relieved. Artizea said as she wiped the eggs Leticia spilled,

I thought it would be better to mix a lot of food familiar to the guests, so I told them to do it. If its your favorite food, why didnt you tell me?

Its not something you can find and eat.

Cedric replied that way, but Artizea said without answering it otherwise,

Mel brought the chef separately. For the time being, your dishes will be served here as well.

Tia.

Im sure you must have encountered quite a bit of the Central cuisine, but I plan to make use of Eastern and Southern ingredients as well. The main purpose is to broaden the horizon.

Im familiar with it.

Cedric denied it again. Artizea smiled brightly.

I see.

Ummm.

Because there are many other things that you like. But hams like this dont take a lot of effort to transport, so its good to bring them in sometimes.

When Artizea said that, Cedric was embarrassed.

I knew at first. You used to eat it often in the North.

This time Cedric shut his mouth and quietly sliced the ham. Each piece of ham was placed on Artizeas and Leticias plates.

Leticia swung the omelette in the spoon to her mouth that her cheeks got puffed.

Artizea told her not to do that.

Its just because Im observant. Even if you like it, its nothing to be ashamed of, right?

I never felt ashamed, but.

Cedric coughed.

There was no shame in having a favorite food. However, it would be a shame if he had a face like Leticia when seeing the omelette.

After the meal, strawberry ice cream was served for dessert. Artizea, who doesnt like the cold too much, had just cream on top of her strawberries.

Cedric pushed up his share, and Leticia looked at him with twinkling eyes.

Because its a promise.

You didnt mean to give it to her because you were sorry, did you?

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This time, it was Cedrics turn to lie.

As he flinched, Leticia took his side.

Dad giving it, because Dad loves me.

The lie was visible. Artizea was dumbfounded, but she closed her eyes and decided to move on.

Alright. But Ill tell Mrs. Keshore.

Ummm.

Cedric moaned. He had always read that he shouldnt reward the child with material things, but it didnt work out because there was a lot of time they couldnt spend together.

Leticia moved the spoon hard, not knowing Cedrics fate of hearing the nagging later.

Cedric only had a cup of tea. Tea with ice was as luxurious as ice cream from spring to autumn.

Because in winter nobody wastes body heat, and as the weather warms up, ice becomes more expensive.

It was the only luxury that Cedric sought after becoming emperor.

Then, he sighed and asked,

How were the guests?

It was a fruitful meeting. In fact, I thought that even if I said I was studying the words, it wouldnt really be of any use. But once I get used to it, I feel confident that I can understand everything.

Arent you too eager for something like that?

If you know even part of a word, the interpreter wont be able to trick it. And more than that, to find similarities in the pronunciation of old northern dialects and ancient languages.

Youre confident, are you?

Artizea nodded her head at Cedrics question.

Yes. Ill have to do some research to find out, but Im sure it has something to do with at least northern dialects. I have to go back hundreds of years. The pronunciation of the ancient language is now only speculative, but the Karam language can be recorded.

That was why she dared to ask the temple to make a dictionary. Most of the academic work on writings and languages before hundreds of years ago belonged to the temple.

It was also the temple that left a record for the North.

Artizea has already checked the list. But she had no intention of touching it herself.

It was not something that one person can finish in a short period of time, and it would be much easier for her to convince them to find out and study it inside the temple.

Anyway, now we are in the stage where we are learning about each others existence. I try to have simple conversations several times.

Artizeas short-term goal was to discover within the temple an academic priest who was interested in this matter.

And during the visit, Apua was going to let the Karam people experience the new culture with their body.

In fact, none of the items he asked for were important technologically. With the exception of steel wheel axles and some elaborate hardware, the rest were mostly childrens books, colored pencils, scented candles, pottery, and flower pots.

The time allowed was not long. They will leave before the day gets hot. Summer in the Capital was not a weather that Karam could tolerate.

Artizea put the strawberry topped with whipped cream in her mouth and suddenly felt nauseous from the sweetness.

Whats wrong?

I must have eaten too much.

It wasnt that the amount was small in Cedrics view, but objectively, she ate less than usual.

It must be because I am tired. And I drank too much tea during the day.

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Artizea said so to Cedric who had a worried face and put down her fork.

oho that last scene *wink wink*