The Kryfi Imperial Family have two different ways of recognizing a child as their legal descendant—those who are allowed to use the imperial family name, ‘Elaine,’ and those who are not.
First, is by being the child of a spouse who is legally married to the Emperor. Second, is as a child who is given the name meaning immortality by the Emperor—which will automatically recognize them as legitimate descendants, thus status or origin of the child’s mother can be ignored.
Why? Because an Emperor is allowed to have as many as concubines they’d like, which automatically means that they will have many children. Thus, a way was devised to limit participants—heirs, who could fight or inherit the throne. In fact, only children who have received names associated with immortality from the Emperor will have the right to inherit or fight over the throne.
Although, it is said that Kieran was a slightly different story.
Also, to reduce the bonds that will be created from marriage—to prevent imperial family blood from leaking, if an unrecognized female child marries into a family, then that family will not have ties to the imperial family but will instead be tied to the family of the mother who gave birth to the child.
While for unrecognized male children, they will be sent back to their mother’s family after they reach adulthood and will not have any relationship with the imperial family, and vice versa, the imperial family will have no responsibilities towards them anymore, which causes many children who are not recognized to be treated very differently—discrimination.
I once heard from the servants’ gossips that my mother had usurped the Emperor’s right to name me. So, no matter what the meaning behind my name is, it would not be considered valid in any way, even if the emperor paid attention to me. Regardless of how much he loves me—which is already impossible from the very beginning.
They also said that, once, a similar incident had happened, wherein the child was either exiled forever or killed.
I already knew this from the start, and I didn’t like it from the very beginning. I was fed up, but I still wanted to live; otherwise, I wouldn’t have tried so hard just to stay alive from one day to another.
But when I heard this sh*t in person; that my life was no different from trash that can be tossed here and there… all the emotions I had bottled up till now felt like they were about to explode at any time.
She’s really something, I’m mad.
If only I was in a more favorable position, I would bite her like a rabid dog. However, judging by the way I struggled while giving my all and the way she’s still holding onto me, it seemed like she was about to drop me down any time soon; I was ready to fall and feel pain, until I heard a familiar cold monotone voice coming from nearby.
“What’s this mess?”
Ch. 9: What’s This Mess? (3)
The Kryfi Imperial Family has two different ways of recognizing a child as their legal descendant—those who are allowed to use the imperial family name, ‘Elaine,’ and those who are not.
First, is by being the child of a spouse who is legally married to the emperor. Second, is as a child who is given the name meaning immortality by the emperor—which will automatically recognize them as legitimate descendants, thus status or origin of the child’s mother can be ignored.
Why? Because an Emperor is allowed to have as many concubines as they’d like, which automatically means that they will have many children. Thus, a way was devised to limit participants—heirs, who could fight or inherit the throne. In fact, only children who have received names associated with immortality from the emperor will have the right to inherit or fight over the throne.
Although, it is said that Kieran was a slightly different story.
Also, to reduce the bonds that will be created from marriage—to prevent imperial family blood from leaking, if an unrecognized female child marries into a family, then that family will not have ties to the imperial family but will instead be tied to the family of the mother who gave birth to the child.
While for unrecognized male children, they will be sent back to their mother’s family after they reach adulthood and will not have any relationship with the imperial family, and vice versa, the imperial family will have no responsibilities towards them anymore, which causes many children who are not recognized to be treated very differently—discrimination.
I once heard from the servants’ gossip that my mother had usurped the emperor’s right to name me. So, no matter what the meaning behind my name is, it would not be considered valid in any way, even if the emperor paid attention to me. Regardless of how much he loves me—which is already impossible from the very beginning.
They also said that, once, a similar incident had happened, wherein the child was either exiled forever or killed.
I already knew this from the start, and I didn’t like it from the very beginning. I was fed up, but I still wanted to live; otherwise, I wouldn’t have tried so hard just to stay alive from one day to another.
But when I heard this sh*t in person; that my life was no different from trash that can be tossed here and there… all the emotions I had bottled up till now felt like they were about to explode at any time.
She’s really something, I’m mad.
If only I was in a more favorable position, I would bite her like a rabid dog. However, judging by the way I struggled while giving my all and the way she’s still holding onto me, it seemed like she was about to drop me down any time soon; I was ready to fall and feel pain, until I heard a familiar cold monotone voice coming from nearby.
“What’s this mess?”
The body holding me grew stiff as well as me.
Unfortunately—of course for her but also myself, as I, myself did not know whether this situation would benefit me or not—when the chaos broke out, it happened right beside the hallway, where Kieran was about to walk through. With the emperor’s entrance, the air froze, it felt cold, like being dunked in cold water.
I felt so taken aback that I sealed my mouth tight. Obviously, our position should be quite far from where the hallway is located, but it wasn’t far enough for him not to see or hear anything. Especially, since I cried and screamed like crazy.
Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, damn it!
I am still filled with fear every time I meet him, I still can’t cope with my heart that always skips a beat. And just like me, Lydia Serpentes paled but still lifted her face shyly. Their eyes met.
“Greetings His Majesty the Emperor, May blessings and glory be with the Monarch of Kryfi Empire.”
They greeted him in unison.
Kieran appeared, but something’s off. Except that he still wore his simple yet elegant attire as usual—a blue navy turtleneck spandex covered him to his abdomen, combined with a golden-motive white fabric from his waist down–with the rest of the fabric draped over his right arm, while the left arm remained free.
His usual tone of voice and facial expressions that were always annoying, didn’t seem as irritating today. Kieran, who would normally only be with Nouvel, came together with another man—a man I had never seen before, standing behind him, right next to Nouvel.
Instantly, I stopped crying when I saw his face.
Do I smile too much when dealing with him, so it became a habit?
Even though I stopped crying, I was still sniffling. It was hard to calm down completely, particularly when it was this hard to breathe in and out.
The emperor came down the little stairs and walked towards us. His gaze was burdensome, but it didn’t make me feel as uncomfortable as it usual would, it was somehow… comforting?
Estelle took one step forward and explained everything in detail, leaving nothing out, a truly brave and tough woman! Even if her opponent was a Duke’s daughter.
“So that’s what happened.”
Lydia put more strength in her grip and my torso started to hurt.
Ouch, seriously?!
I wanted to cry out loud, but I was afraid that madman would kill me if I did.
But if I had to choose between a crazy woman or a crazy father…
It was just for a moment, but my thoughts really did fall into chaos.
“Papa~!” I called him, after determining the choice and which side to take on.
Ah, well, he’s better than this woman, who’s gripping my torso so tightly that felt like as if she was tearing it off.
I quickly let out my hands towards him.
He reached out to me, and I safely transitioned into his arms. He didn’t forget to cover my little body with the fabric that flowed down like a waterfall in his right arm, a warmth sensation flowed all over my body. It was his first time holding me, and his posture was awkward. I took in Kieran’s scent coming from the fabric that covered me—a fresh body scent that feels cool and refreshing, quickly covered my entire nostrils. Only he would have this kind of smell, and thanks to that I felt utterly comfortable despite his awkward posture.
Warmth…
Is it from his body temperature? Or because of the cloth?
Well, let’s pay no mind about it for now.
I was finally able to stop sniffling now that my torso was free from the pressure exerted by Lydia; it felt way better. Absolutely superb.
Ah, this was a real problem.
I got really used to you and oddly enough, my mind that would usually have thought of him as a nightmare was now gone. I got comfortable while he watched me settle into his arms. I raised my head and looked into his eyes before I giggled cheerfully at him.
Who would have thought that my future cause of death would be my savior today?
“Who are you?”
You don’t know her even though she stalks you all day long?
But she smiled instead, she is really the perfect definition of unyielding and thick-skinned.
“I’m Lydia Serpentes, Your Majesty.” She said, “Duke Serpentes’ eldest daughter.”
Contrary to her expectations, the emperor gave a deadly glare to Lydia while holding me. The smile on her face disappeared, she grew quiet and started to lower her head even more.
“You cried so vigorously.”
This kind of topic…
I looked at him, as if I was answering him with my gaze, which I really did.
So what? Will you kill me?
“Nouvel, dungeon.”
While wiping the remaining tears around the edge of my eyes with the side of his index finger, Kieran gave the order coldly—and I have to admit—in a cool manner, without a second glance to the lady.
I’m sure her expression turned bitter right away, her confidence and pride must have been crushed without a trace.
“Your Majesty! I just- I just held her for a moment, that’s-”
Her voice was already breaking due to the fear that ran down her spine. Usually, when such a delicate lady spoke in that manner, it would cause a person’s heart to be moved, and their sympathy would prevail. But Kieran was an exception, or perhaps, he’s just not a man like she had imagined; his face showed blatant ignorance, Kieran did not pity her at all.
“With whose permission?”
This time he looked her straight in the eye, his gaze was ice cold as he cut her off. Like a scared cat, she couldn’t meet Kieran’s gaze anymore; she had lost all of her courage and pride.
Instead of being dunked in cold water like before, the atmosphere was now like a snowstorm in the North. I never knew a person could look at another human being with such cold indifference.
“Drag her away, and Zanquen, inform the duke: ‘Your daughter has broken the Kryfi Imperial law, so she will be executed,’ without missing a single word.”
“Your majesty!” She called out to him, in disbelief.
From the back, I heard a short sigh. I guess they were troubled.
The man who had been standing beside Nouvel took one step forward; now I could see his face clearly, but the expression on his face is somewhat relieved rather than troubled? Anyway, he had silver hair and purple amethyst eyes—well, that’s pretty enough, but still not enough to be juxtaposed with Kieran’s cold crimson-red eyes that sparkled in a unique, ruby-like way.
“On what charge, Your Majesty?”
“Lèse-majesté.”
Lèse-majesté was a law that entailed the death penalty for hurting anyone in the imperial or royal family. I was so unbelieving, speechless, and unable to comment.
After giving orders as he pleased, he left the spot, leaving the chaos behind him as if nothing had happened, he didn’t even spare a glance at the sorrowful cries coming from the back.
“Y-Your majesty! Your majesty!” She called out over and over again, shouting in her piercing voice. It feels like she could split the ground with her voice alone.
“She’s not even a princess!”
Finally, she actually said the one thing she shouldn’t have said.
Kieran eyebrows are slightly furrowed the moment those words entered his ears, then he said something in an undertone—I tilted my head, failing to catch what he was saying. As he is feeling no need to respond to Lydia’s statement, Kieran started to walk away. I started to wonder; can I grow up safely under the protection of a man like this? And like a sandcastle that was hit by the wave, I was swept away by regret and lost in my own thoughts.
By the way, it had been quite a while since the last time I saw his face. Yeah, quite a bit of time had passed indeed. I felt a bit, only a bit, grateful towards him, so I gave him a big smile. Here, my million-dollar smile!
“You are getting chubbier.”
You b*stard!
“Your majesty, are you seriously going to kill her?”
Suddenly, Nouvel opened the conversation—in fact, the one who brought Lydia to the dungeon was not Nouvel but a low rank knight, while Zanquen had to stay to carry out his orders, it seems like the shining uncle would be busy for a while, but for some reason Nouvel and Zanquen’s faces look relieved at the end, not only them but Estelle as well.
Why?
I asked myself, feeling confused and a little bit lost. Not only had I, but Latte also showed a confused facial expression that she was unable to hide.
Was he more terrible or has he softened earlier? Isn’t the result will be the same? He will still kill that lady anyway.
After being picked up and held by him, I had no choice but to be in Kieran’s arms, our eyes met again—No, he stared at me, the red eyes glowed.
I giggled cheerfully and gave him another bright smile.
Oi, I can’t die now.
He saw my smile. It was only a moment before he looked away, almost right away, looking ahead.
“They’re becoming more and more brazen and annoying; since when did my palace can be entered as they please?” he said, “Now I have a reason to shut that old man up.”
I couldn’t believe he would really kill someone just because he was annoyed. Even though, I expected it, but I still couldn’t believe it when it actually happened in front of my eyes. Then, how about me? Should I try harder to be sweet in front of him from now on?
“Amarantha.” He blurted out of blue.
Huh?
As the result, the atmosphere was filled with confusion.
Excuse me? I asked inwardly.
“Pardon?”
Nouvel and Estelle also asked almost at the same time as me.
“Yes, let’s go with that.” He suddenly gave a sign of affirmation to himself before continued, “Keisha Amarantha Elaine, her name.”
……………
[A/N] The end of the seaweed lady *applause, and the new beginning of our Keisha, who will lived forward as Keisha Amarantha Elaine from now on. *another applause
In some situations, you’re not dealing with a bad person – you’re dealing with someone who lacks life experience and is immature, which is causing them to act out in damaging ways since they don’t understand what’s going on and simply caught up in situations beyond their comprehension.
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