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FEILONG was spending yet another hectic workday in the Celestial Axe Tower. A number of problems had arisen during his regression into a child. Though Kyril had dealt with many affairs on his behalf, a plethora of issues requiring Feilong’s personal judgment had accumulated. During his absence, vassal nations had started scheming for independence, and a great many people had begun targeting the empire. Thus, Feilong had to race around the palace, putting out fires. Yes, Rachiel had quelled a small skirmish, but Feilong still needed to nip the next conflict in the bud.
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SNACK time had arrived in the Celestial Axe Tower. Angelina and Ryuho were climbing the stairs with baskets of treats in their hands. Since their return from Yule Castle, Ryuho had maintained a human form. He had neither a tail nor ears.
“Snack time!” Angelina called out as she and Ryuho opened the office door together.
Feilong stood up and spread out his arms with a wide smile. When Angelina raced over to him, he scooped her up, sat in his chair, and placed her on his knees.
“What did you bring today?” Feilong asked, peering into the basket with the expression of a kind father.
Red jelly squares placed on skewers for easy eating filled the basket.
“Hawthorn jelly squares,” Angelina replied, handing one of the skewers to Feilong.
However, Feilong opened his mouth wide rather than taking the skewer.
Seriously? Angelina thought with a bemused smile, sticking the skewer into his mouth. Father’s been acting like a spoiled baby ever since he transformed into a child.
Angelina and Feilong were now as close as father and daughter could be. That made Angelina happy despite any embarrassment. Feilong had risked his life to protect her. Moreover, he regretted the past deeply enough to believe he deserved death. After realizing those truths, Angelina finally forgave her father without reservation.
As the courtiers lined up in front of Feilong’s desk, Angelina and Ryuho distributed the snacks. Thus, everyone enjoyed their short break. The strict, unfeeling emperor kept the courtiers quite busy. This was the only time in which they felt at ease.
“By the way, I heard about the collapse of Yule Castle from Yuen,” Feilong said while showing a document to Angelina.
“The Yulan citizens were discontented even before the collapse,” Tomi added.
Angelina nodded.
“It’ll take some time, but I’m thinking about draining the lake and rebuilding Yule,” Feilong said. “As a vassal nation, of course. Still, being able to return home will serve as a small recompense for the nomadic Yulans.”
“Are you sure?” Angelina asked.
“I must correct the previous emperor’s foolish mistakes.”
Angelina slumped her shoulders. “But the castle collapsed. The Yulan Secret Arts are gone, too.”
In fact, the castle had collapsed because she’d decided not to inherit the secret arts.
“Exactly,” Feilong said. “With the secret arts gone, we can rebuild Yule as a small, remote village. There won’t be any reason to target them anymore. Likewise, there won’t be any need to submerge the lake or release monstrous fish into the water.”
Angelina’s heart felt somewhat lighter at these words.
“We would also like to name you Queen of Yule, Princess Angelina,” Tomi said. “This will provide a foundation for the newly restored nation.”
“N-No!” Angelina cried, overcome with surprise and waving her hands. “The Yulan people hate me, remember?”
A chill ran down her spine when she recalled the cold stares she’d received in the Yulan forest.
“While the castle might have collapsed, the bell signaling the birth of a new queen also rang out,” Yuen explained. “On top of that, you also formed a new contract with Lord Rachiel. The Yulans who witnessed these events up close will revere you as their queen, Your Highness.”
“Pretty convenient for them,” Ryuho scoffed.
Tomi chuckled. “The Yulans have suffered a great deal of persecution. If you announced the reconstruction of Yule as the new queen, you would become a beacon of hope for them, Princess Angelina.”
Angelina looked up at Feilong, who nodded and smiled at her. When she looked at Kyril, he was smiling as well.
“If becoming queen helps people, I’ll do it,” Angelina agreed.
By rights, her mother should have become Queen of Yule. Therefore, she wanted to help her mother’s barren nation recover. If the Yulan people gathered together again, perhaps they would decipher their lost magic someday. Understanding the workings of sorcery at a deep level could help the nation expand.
“I just want everyone to be happy,” Angelina said with a smile.
When her father embraced her, Ryuho bellowed, “That’s not fair, Feilong! Break time’s over!”
Feilong pressed his face against Angelina’s forehead to show off.
“That tickles, Fodder,” Angelina said with a laugh.
While Yuen shrugged, Tomi chuckled, his expression exasperated.
“Now then, Father, break time really is over,” Kyril chided him, picking up Angelina from his lap.
Feilong seemed reluctant to part with his daughter as he gazed at her. “Can’t we have a little more time together?”
Kyril glared at his father lightly. “Didn’t you just take a long rest from your duties?”
“S-Sorry,” Feilong mumbled, unable to find any other words.
“I’m not looking for an apology.”
“…Thank you.”
As Kyril smiled in satisfaction, the courtiers bit the insides of their cheeks to suppress their laughter. Seeing the human side of the cruel emperor put everyone at ease.
“Well then, I’ll take Lina back to the North Star Sanctuary,” Kyril said nonchalantly.
As he left the office with Angelina in his arms, Ryuho followed him, shouting, “Not fair! Not fair!”
Once the lively bunch had left the office, Tomi clapped his hands. “Shall we continue then? Our job is to create an empire where children can live happily.”
As Feilong smiled and Yuen nodded, an air of liveliness tinged the office. The light pouring through the windows sparkled like a scale of the Golden Dragon, illuminating Feilong’s silver hair.