Chapter – 12

Etern was dumbfounded and simply stared at Ziggcart.

It was a request she had never even imagined. It was so absurd that she wondered if her ears were deceiving her—but unfortunately, judging by his expression, it seemed she had heard correctly.

“Our… dad?”

Ziggcart raised one eyebrow slightly. He didn’t speak, but the message in his gaze was clear enough.

Not “father,” but “dad”—the fact that he used such a warm term suggested a rather affectionate parent-child relationship, enough to make one chuckle at the thought.

Etern, a step behind in realizing what was happening, moved her lips a few times.

“Wait a minute…”

She hadn’t considered it, caught off guard by suddenly facing an old enemy in such a tiny, childlike form. But maybe, just maybe, this was an opportunity.

“If I use Dad’s name wisely, maybe I can send him off just like this…”

She no longer cared why Ziggcart had come here alone—or whether he had come alone at all.

Etern’s main goal was to live this life in peace without encountering Ziggcart.

‘I didn’t want to even see his face, but that ship has sailed… Anyway, if I can just prevent him from being tied to the empire, that should be enough.’

Then the duchy would be at peace, Ziggcart could grow up enjoying everything he was entitled to as the young duke, and he wouldn’t grow up twisted…

To make that happen, the answer was clear: she had to get him to leave as soon as possible!

Having made up her mind, Etern clenched her small fist at her side and lifted her nose like a gang leader.

“No matter how young a duke you are, what could a child like you possibly want with Dad? If you really want to meet him, I won’t stop you—but just so you know, he’s extremely scary, so be prepared.”

Would he be intimidated?

“Who doesn’t know that?”

Damn, it didn’t work.

Etern wrinkled her nose in exasperation. She doubted this really was an eight-year-old.

‘Well, I didn’t expect him to leave quietly anyway.’

She cleared her throat softly and spoke again.

“I’ll give you credit for having the courage to want to meet Dad, but I can’t take responsibility for what happens afterward. Understand? If you want to meet him, head to the central palace. It’s right there.”

Ziggcart didn’t even glance in the direction she indicated, only blinking his eyes.

“What now?”

When Etern asked, Ziggcart blinked even more deliberately, as if to say, why are you asking me to speak for you?

“You’ll guide me.”

Then, like a proper little gentleman, he held out his small white hand in a graceful bowing gesture.

Etern was speechless. To tell her to guide him? Asking her to drag him off to prison would have been less absurd.

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t know why you want to meet Dad.”

Ziggcart’s faint mischievous expression completely vanished as if he sensed Etern’s sudden shift in tone.

Seeing that, Etern couldn’t stop the shivers running down her spine.

In that fleeting moment, the Ziggcart she had known flashed through her mind.

At that moment, soldiers guarding the central palace passed by in formation for a shift change. Etern, careful not to be seen by them—or by Ziggcart—moved slightly and adjusted her tone.

“Such a distinguished young duke braving this dangerous path—surely you must have an important reason for coming.”

“Ah, so we have to switch back to formal speech now? It was nice being casual just a moment ago—such a shame.”

“It’s not the tone that matters, young duke. Let me explain, since you seem unaware. Our… His Majesty the Emperor has been very curious to know the reason for your visit ever since he heard that you were coming.”

“Of course he would be.”

“So naturally, it would be proper for you to meet His Majesty in person and explain the reason for your journey. If it’s true that you came alone, it would mean you are representing the duchy.”

In short, “You’re responsible for what you’ve done.”

Ziggcart listened with an amused expression to Etern’s long-winded lecture before nodding.

“It seems Princess Etern is putting in a lot of effort to dangle my neck for me.”

“Yes… of course… no, young duke!”

Etern’s face flushed red as she widened her large eyes.

“Could you stop saying things that would make people misunderstand?”

“I don’t think anyone would misunderstand. Think about it—would the Emperor take seriously the words of a minor border duke? Especially when I’m…”

His red eyes scanned her up and down.

“I’m just one month older than Princess Etern. To His Majesty the Emperor of the grand Sidernel Empire, I’m still a baby, aren’t I?”

Then, what on earth is that “baby” doing here?!

‘Is this kid really okay? Was he always a bit… strange?’

Once the soldiers’ formation passed, Etern, scanning the now quiet hallway, pressed Ziggcart into a more secluded corner to avoid any servants passing by.

“I heard my mother say to be careful of people trying to take you somewhere secluded…”

“You gonna get scolded?”

Etern clenched her small fist and glared, while Ziggcart’s lips twitched. It was clear he was barely holding back a laugh.

“I never heard that the Princess of Sidernel was such a violent little girl…”

“Who said I’m little? If I’m little, then you’re little too, right?”

“I never said I wasn’t little.”

“Then let’s not argue.”

What to do? She couldn’t just leave things as they were. Yet she also couldn’t give in to Ziggcart.

Demanding to meet the Emperor out of the blue and expecting to be led there? It was nonsense.

‘I’ve only just started warming my father’s heart. I can’t pour cold water on that now.’

Until she could fully win over her father, she wanted to avoid overly provocative situations. Etern paused, then looked at Ziggcart.

“First, I need to know why you came here. I can’t decide whether to take you to Dad without knowing.”

Ziggcart tilted his small head in confusion.

Oddly enough, Etern found him a little cute in that moment. A tiny child, even if a little crazy.

“This is a bit long to explain here.”

Etern snorted softly at Ziggcart’s words.

“I’m not going to stand here listening to you. Come with me. Let’s go to my residence.”

Etern chose a path that would draw as little attention as possible and returned to the Princess Palace.

Dora, who had been nagging her maids since learning that Etern had run off somewhere, nearly fainted when she saw Etern entering with the hand of a young boy.