Chapter – 04
Itern spread her tiny fingers, pretending that the shadow dog opened its mouth wide and then snapped it shut.
It was no coincidence that the dog’s mouth fit perfectly around the ankles of the Minister of Finance.
Watching her daughter’s gesture quietly, Wintier’s lips curled into a grim smile.
“That’s right.”
Feigning an embrace, Wintier looked the stiff Minister of Finance directly in the eyes.
“If this issue isn’t resolved by tomorrow, the ‘big dog’ will come looking for you personally. And it might even bite the ‘king.’”
The minister’s face turned a ghastly pale, so much so that it seemed almost ashen.
“Y-Your Majesty… I will… I will resolve it today, before the sun sets, I swear!”
As the minister trembled, pale and shaking, Itern watched with quiet satisfaction.
‘Hmm, threatening to feed you to the dog seems less tyrannical than other ways.’
Of course, just saying it nicely doesn’t make it work—but still.
‘Everything must start from the basics, step by step!’
Itern’s ambitious plan to prevent her father from becoming a mad tyrant was just beginning.
“Make sure the other ministers properly manage their departments as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“This audience is concluded.”
As the emperor turned, his black cloak flowed from shoulder to ankle like a massive banner.
Itern peeked over his shoulder, grinning, and once again made the gesture with her fingers, mimicking the dog opening and closing its mouth.
‘Embezzling taxes, huh… who dares?’
The garden attached to the emperor’s residence was vast, brimming with all kinds of plants, flowers, and trees.
‘This brings back memories. I used to come here often as a child… though I barely saw Father on those days.’
Itern quietly smiled as she noticed her small hand fitting perfectly into her father’s.
If she could gradually rebuild her relationship with him, maybe she could prevent the future where he completely lost his mind.
‘Let’s see what he’s thinking now.’
She made a small circle with her other hand and held it up to her eye, reading the thoughts forming above Wintier’s head.
Wintier Sergel Risrumen
Emperor, Age 31
- Did I say it must be resolved by sunset? If they lie, the “big dog” will bite the king.
- …….
- …….
‘Hmm, all he’s thinking about is feeding the Minister of Finance to a dog…’
Itern lowered her hand, frowning, when Wintier suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked down at her.
“Why do you keep doing that?”
“Huh?”
“The gesture you just made.”
Itern blinked, pretending not to understand, then made the circle gesture with her fingers.
“This?”
“Yes. You did it in the audience room just now. Why are you doing it? Can’t you see well?”
“Oh, it’s not that I can’t see…”
‘I’m trying to see what Father is thinking so I can live a smoother life, save Mother, and beat him to it before he goes completely mad!’
She couldn’t say that out loud…
Itern paused, unsure what to say, and saw Wintier’s expression darkening. She panicked.
‘Better just pretend it’s a joke!’
Quickly, she held the circle to her eye again.
Wintier Sergel Risrumen
Emperor, Age 31
- Why is he doing this? Is his eyesight really bad?
- He’s still very young. How is he even taking care of the child? Those palace attendants [expletive].
- …….
‘Oh, he’s actually worried?’
Itern removed her hand and smiled, relieved that he didn’t suspect anything.
She could easily cover it up now.
“This is so I can see Father better.”
“What?”
“Adults wear things like this sometimes. It helps me see your face more clearly.”
Wintier furrowed his brows, confused.
“You mean a monocle?”
“Yes! Like this…”
It was just childish play. Wintier secretly relaxed, smoothing his frown.
“You can see other people’s faces too, then?”
“Most of them are useless anyway. No need to look closely at nine out of ten.”
Itern’s eyes widened in surprise, then she sighed in familiarity.
‘Yeah, that’s him.’
She remembered the palace corridors filled with blood from when her mother had died and her father’s sanity was fraying.
He had often struck those around him with a sword, unable to trust even his attendants.
[Your Majesty! Please spare me! Just let me live…!]
[How dare you soil the Emperor’s robe? Are you trying to incapacitate me? Attempting to assassinate me?]
[It’s not that! Never, never! Your Majesty… ugh…]
Even a simple mistake while helping with garments could result in executions. The screams and blood left Itern unable to eat for days.
“Father…”
Wintier looked down at his daughter, his expression cold and complex.
“You dislike ministers and attendants?”
He snorted.
“It’s absurd to feel liking or disliking toward such people.”
“Because they’re worse than you, Father?”
“Yes.”
Itern carefully grabbed his jacket.
“Then I suppose I should think the same way?”
“What?”
Wintier’s voice rose sharply, his icy eyes fixed on her small face.
‘Of course… only Mother matters to him. Children and others are irrelevant.’
“You are my only child.”
Itern froze in shock, staring up at him.
Her stunned expression appeared to Wintier as an almost tangible weight pressing on him.
‘A tiny creature…’
Wintier moved her hand off his and turned away.
“An emperor’s child is not the same as others.”
‘Huh.’
Itern subtly rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand again.
“Then, Father, do you like me?”
“What…!”
Itern blinked slowly, gazing at her father with her eyes opening and closing.
“I… like you, Father.”
Seeing her cautiously watch his reaction, Wintier’s chest sank.
His expression changed subtly, but Itern couldn’t yet fully read him.
Trying to read his thoughts now might make things awkward.
“…You’re different.”
Wintier’s brief words broke the silence.
‘What does he mean by different? Maybe I should stop here… pushing too far could backfire.’
Sometimes it was wise to take a step back. At least he called her his “only child”—that was something.
‘Even if the medicine is good, you have to take it slowly.’
Itern thought carefully, then smiled, rubbing her soft cheek against Wintier’s hand.
“Can I come see you every day?”
“…Not every day. If I focused only on you, who would run the empire?”
“Then every two days?”
Wintier swallowed quietly, then glanced at her sulking face and made a pretended disgruntled noise.
“Every three days is fine.”
Itern released her grip and hugged his knees tightly.
“Great! Then I’ll come see you every three days.”
Wintier muttered something in response, his thoughts unreadable for now. Itern decided not to probe further.
‘It would be troublesome if something like last time happened again.’
