Chapter 14
‘No matter that she wore a mask; her eyes and hair color were completely different from the Empress. And yet, she was living among commoners as the Empress herself. A woman with such immense ambition would have no reason to do that.’
Despite his rational thoughts, Kai’an’s emotions churned relentlessly.
As he wandered aimlessly, he found himself in front of the observatory tower, almost as if drawn there.
A tall tower, isolated from city lights, offering the best vantage point for stargazing in the entire Archipelago.
He had once come here long ago, sneaking away from both his father and mother, with Estelle.
Kai’an ascended the stairs as if in a trance.
With each step, lingering regrets clung stubbornly; with each step, memories he could not release intertwined.
Finally, reaching the last step, he encountered an unexpected figure at the top of the observatory.
“Your Majesty,” greeted a man with silver-gray hair reaching his waist and steel-blue eyes. His posture was simple yet radiated refined restraint as he bowed to Kai’an.
“Cardinal Rusten.”
Five years ago, Rusten had become the youngest cardinal in history at the age of twenty-five.
A devoted servant of the divine, he observed even the lowly with care. He was respected and admired by all citizens of the Empire.
“It is an honor to see you in such an unexpected place.”
“Likewise, I did not anticipate this encounter.”
“Observing the heavens falls within a priest’s duties, after all.”
“I thought recording and reporting the stars was usually the work of apprentice priests.”
“Your Majesty’s interest in the Temple’s affairs is an honor. As for me, I come here occasionally to recall the earnest beginnings of my days as an apprentice.”
Rusten smiled warmly.
Born with extraordinary divine power, even Kai’an could not fully read the aura surrounding him—a rare occurrence.
“You seem to enjoy stargazing as well, Your Majesty, judging by your coming here yourself.”
“Not particularly. Purely by chance.”
The word ‘enjoy’ somehow felt less about the stars and more about Estelle, and Kai’an immediately denied it.
“Still, this is the first time we’ve met privately like this. May I share an intriguing story about the stars?”
‘Since when did he talk this much?’
Kai’an, wishing for silence, hesitated but nodded, partly to shake off distracting thoughts about the mysterious woman he had seen in Aren.
“The ancient Holy Kingdom of Deutsche was not only proficient in arcane arts but also reached the highest level of astronomy across the entire continent. Surely, that is common knowledge.”
“Indeed.”
“Yet, few know that some scholars claimed that certain stars actually shone brighter and larger than the sun itself.”
Brighter than the sun? Depending on interpretation, it could imply a dangerous notion—that even the House of Austria might surpass the Emperor in some respect.
Yet Cardinal Rusten’s expression remained calm, as if such a claim were trivial.
“Of course, most did not believe them. Anyone could see the sun is far larger. But they argued that stars appear smaller simply because they are so far from us. One should not rely solely on what is visible. Fascinating, isn’t it?”
“There is no way to verify it, but it seems plausible.”
“Nevertheless, whether one believes it or not, what matters to the Empire’s people? It is not the cold stars they need, but the warm sun. It is not stars, but the sun that nurtures the trees, grass, and crops of this land.”
Though it appeared Rusten was flattering the Emperor, Kai’an could not discern his true intentions.
“Ah, our conversation has been so enjoyable that I had not noticed the time. I apologize, but I must leave. The Temple’s curfew approaches.”
“Very well, depart.”
With only enigmatic words left behind, Cardinal Rusten departed from the observatory.
Alone, Kai’an gazed silently at the heavens.
Tonight, the sky was exceptionally clear. Among the countless stars scattered across the night, one star captured Kai’an’s gaze.
A star that shone the brightest, in the same place across all seasons—the star, Estelle.
‘Of all things…’
A star known by that name for over a thousand years. Yet, if he could, Kai’an would change it.
Every night, looking up at the sky, the name alone unsettled him.
The previous night, Estelle had spent the entire night awake after encountering Kai’an.
‘Ae’r is too young to travel across the continent by ship.’
‘Besides, while I could somewhat anticipate and adapt to the future in the first life or from novel knowledge within the Empire, I cannot bring Ae’r into an unknown realm I do not understand.’
‘At the very least, he should be old enough to attend the academy…’
‘Today is too risky; maybe I should keep him home from kindergarten. But I can’t keep him confined forever. He’s too lively; he would feel frustrated.’
Countless escape plans played out and were erased repeatedly in her mind.
Yet she had prepared all her belongings so she could leave at any moment.
“Mom! Good morning!”
Dawn had come, and Ae’r cheerfully greeted her from the bed, his face bright and clear.
The boy’s voice, clear and refreshing like the chirping of morning birds, calmed Estelle’s troubled heart.
As long as she could protect this child, she could do anything—no, she must.
With determination, Estelle scooped Ae’r into her arms.
His gleeful laughter echoed, and the warmth of his presence filled her completely.
Beep!
A bird’s chirp came from the window—it was a message from Peter.
‘What could it be?’
With barely an hour until the start of the workday, urgent messages were rare. Estelle’s heart raced as she opened the letter tied to the bird’s leg.
‘…!!’
Two brief lines, encrypted on white paper, shook her eyes.
「Rodalan Guild, Sordan secured.
Visiting the trading house today.」
The news she had longed for had finally arrived.
She hurriedly took Ae’r to kindergarten.
After the previous night’s encounter with Kai’an, she felt uneasy leaving Ae’r unattended. Yet bringing him along to meet Zephion was also undesirable.
‘That man would notice immediately.’
Moreover, today was Peter’s father’s memorial day, so she could not leave Ae’r with his family as before.
In the end, Estelle had no choice but to send Ae’r to kindergarten while stationing skilled guards nearby as a precaution.
‘I must finish this as quickly as possible and bring him back early.’
“Mom! I’m off!”
“All right, listen carefully to the teacher today.”
At the kindergarten gate, Ae’r clung to her as usual.
“Oh? Mom! It’s the one who saved Ae’r!”
Excited, Ae’r called out. Estelle sensed someone stepping forward behind her.
The boy slipped from her arms toward the newcomer. She intended to follow his gaze to express her thanks.
Yet before she could even turn, a chilling voice enveloped her.
“Estelle. So it truly was you.”
A name that should never be spoken again. And Estelle recognized immediately the owner of that voice.
“I never expected… that you would have a son. One I did not know of.”
Kai’an’s aura, laced with madness, pressed down coldly on her.
‘Is he… my child?’
Estelle could not bring herself to face Kai’an.
Kai’an had come to Aren at dawn to investigate the forest cabin.
Yet today, too, his efforts had yielded nothing. He rode through the forest on horseback, seeking to soothe his complex, restless thoughts.
During this ride, his mind wandered to a boy he had encountered here not long ago—Ae’r.
A fair face lit with a morning-sun smile and bright blue eyes. Thinking of him stirred something unexpectedly deep within Kai’an’s chest.
‘I am not particularly fond of children, so why does this boy affect me so?’
Unconsciously, he found himself approaching the kindergarten where he had last delivered Ae’r.
A simple curiosity had led him forward, but seeing the woman holding Ae’r’s hand caused him to freeze in place.
