Baby Hostage's So Cute

Chapter 7

 

The next day.

Elaine got up early and did her usual routine.

Chat with the maids, befriend the people in the palace, and have breakfast served by the servants.

Oh, and sometimes, she would smile because she found a pile of snacks lying beside her.

While she was trying to do her best to live through this four-year-old life, she suddenly remembered what happened last night.

‘Why on earth did the Emperor say that?’

She had also been asked about her father. Likewise, she subtly avoided answering the question.

It was strange no matter how much she thought about it.

‘I feel sorry about something.’

Elaine’s hand, which was playing with the toy, gradually slowed down.

Alice, who was wondering about why Elaine’s expression worsened, approached the child and asked.

“Princess. If it’s not fun, would you like to read a fairy tale book instead?”

“Huh? Sure…”

Elaine avoided Alice’s worried eyes.

No matter how disturbing the feeling in her heart was, she didn’t want the people, who have been working for her ever since she came here, to worry about her.

‘Okay. It wasn’t anything special. He must have asked just because he was curious.’

Elaine shook her head and decided to forget about what happened at that time.

She was about to get up from the soft, cushioned floor after clearing her thoughts.

Creak.

“Huh?”

“Your Majesty?”

The Emperor came through the door, walked straight up to Elaine and hugged her.

In an abrupt situation like this, Elaine’s eyes darted around confusedly. Ignoring the child’s eyes, the Emperor said, “I will take the child with me.”

“Pardon?”

Elaine and Alice both got upset by his words.

He was going to take Elaine away….

If you think about the emperor’s usual appearance, then there would be nothing unusual about what he was doing. But wasn’t today an important day?

‘Wait a moment. An important day?’

Alice’s pupils dilated when she came up with something.

She asked in an anxious, trembling voice.

“Is Your Majesty going to take the princess to the alliance conference?”

At Alice’s words, Elaine’s body wriggled.

The only ally of the Benedict Empire was the Holy Empire.

Elaine looked up at the emperor with her wandering eyes, recalling the bad things that had happened in the Astor Kingdom.

‘Why am I going to such a place?’

At the same time, an unknown anxiety washed over Elaine and her small, delicate body began to shake little by little.

However, the emperor simply nodded silently and ignored the child’s reactions.

“We’re going now.”

 

***

 

A clear white marble wall with no dust on it at all came to their sight. It was enough to compare it to a clear white paper.

The cool water flowing between the green plants that decorated the place gave off a greenish vitalizing glow everywhere.

It even had a large balcony where one can see the open sky on one side.

If one breathes in the fresh air, they will find that it fills the lungs in a calm and soothing way. No one would think this place is an ordinary one.

The word “Hall of the Gods” acted more than just a conference room.

Elaine, seated in a soft chair, briefly took her gaze away from the Emperor and darted around her anxious eyes.

‘That person must be…’

The owner of this place and ruler of the Holy Empire.

Seonghwang, who had seen the child only once from a distance before coming here, sent a curious look towards Elaine.

The emperor said with a straight face as he flicked his sharp, fern-like fingers at the excessive attention on Elaine.

“No matter how young she is, she is still a lady.”

“Oh, pardon my rudeness. I had never seen her face before.”

Seonhwang shot one last glance at the child.

Seonghwang, who sipped the tea to clear the throat, looked at the Emperor and said.

“Now that we are talking about it, are you doing well with the princess?”

“Obviously.”

“I see. That’s right. I paid attention to my son when it was too late. I guess I should have paid more attention to him when he was young like the Princess.”

An enviable sigh came after his off-topic words.

However, the words that came from the emperor’s mouth were relentless.

“Now you’re overprotective.”

“Ahah. You always stab at an open wound without fail. But I couldn’t help since it was my first…”

Elaine, who was pretending to be nonexistent, couldn’t help but overhear their conversation and her eyes wide opened.

‘So, did he mean that Seonghwang lost his first son and only has his second son now?’

Elaine heard that the overprotection for the second son was a bit severe, but it seems that the words were true.

She even heard that his powers went beyond the elders, the reason why he managed to find his place beside the emperor.

“It’s a shame. She’s young, yet she is getting involved in this kind of matter.”

“?”

Elaine opened her eyes.

‘What does that mean?’

The anxiety that had subsided for a while resurfaced when she tried to interpret those words.

Elaine shot him a sharp look as if she was asking for an explanation, but Seonghwang, who did not have his attention towards the child, continued with his words.

Thanks to this, Elaine was able to return to her original question.

‘Why on earth did he bring me here?’

Elaine’s anxiety was further amplified.

Now, she had been in the middle of an alliance meeting being held.

Why did the emperor bring a four-year-old child to such a place?

‘And why did he look at me with sad eyes?’

Countless thoughts flooded into her head all at once.

And Elaine could recall one of her most powerful memories.

The night the bright moon rose.

Obviously he had said:

– Do you want to see your Dad?

-What if your parents weren’t real?

His voice, which sank to a low whisper, seemed to be ringing in Elaine’s ears.

At the same time, the worried but serious face of the emperor and the time he avoided Elaine’s question gradually began to overlap.

Couldn’t be. There was no way…

Cold sweat began to form on her forehead.

Elaine held her trembling finger and continued to deny the fact in her head.

The moist sweat had soaked into the collar of her dress, but there was no time to worry about that.

“Well?”

Seonghwang tilted his head.

The child’s face turned pale as if she was feeling uncomfortable.

He asked Elaine.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Pardon? Oh, no…”

“Hmm. Really? If you are uncomfortable, don’t put up with it and tell someone right away, okay?”

“Yes…”

Elaine glanced at his anxious face and grabbed the hem of her skirt.

With the same ‘Why am I here?’ look from earlier, Elaine hesitated as if she had a box in front of her that should never be opened.

If that’s the case…

That’s when she thought that she would fall into irrelevant despair.

‘But why aren’t you starting the meeting yet?’

Suddenly, Elaine looked at the Emperor’s face anxiously.

As if waiting for someone, the emperor crossed his arms and made an impatient expression, while drumming his fingers on the table.

Elaine swallowed saliva at the appearance of the two, who didn’t seem to be starting the meeting.

‘No way, there are more people to come…’

Creak!

Are tigers really let into the den whenever she mentions it?

Elaine’s eyes widened at the presence of another man who opened the door.

“Have you finally come?”

Another participant of today’s meeting.

Elaine’s trembling stopped at sight of the appearance of King Astor.

 

***

 

Instantly, Elaine stopped breathing and went into a state of panic.

King Astor slowly walked in with a shocked expression.

Thump thump.

As King Astor got closer, the sound of Elaine’s heart pounded louder and louder.

Screech!

The sound of a chair being dragged could be heard as King Astor looked at Elaine.

When King Astor finally sat, the Emperor opened his mouth coldly.

“You dared to arrive late. It looks like you have finally got out of your mind.”

“…It was because I did not depart earlier since it was my first trip.”

King Astor made excuses unwittingly when he was faced with the bloody gaze of the emperor.

Seonghwang peeked at the Emperor, who still seemed to be glaring at King Astor.

“Now that everyone is in attendance, let’s talk about the reason for today’s meeting. The subject is…”

The moment Seonghwang trailed off, the air became heavier and the eyes of the three men were fixed on the child, whose body became as stiff as a rock.

Elaine hiccupped at their unwanted gazes as she trembled.

Seonghwang took his gaze away from the child and said to the two men.

“Hmm. Even if you don’t want to say it, I am sure you both know.”

The words of Seonghwang sounded like a death sentence.

Clang clang! Elaine began to hear bells ringing in her ears. She trembled and carefully tugged on the emperor’s sleeve.

“Sir…”

It was an act of desperation towards the emperor, the only support she could hold on to, with frustration because what she had suspected came true.

However, the Emperor, who had given delicious macarons to her the very day before, looked at the child with a sour face and turned away from the child.

“!?”

Oh… god.

It seemed as if he was drawing a line between them in advance. Elaine was shocked by his resolute actions.

Elaine’s hand, which was holding the Emperor’s sleeve, fell when she saw the Emperor’s cold gaze.

‘It had only been a little while ago, but I feel like he had already accumulated unpleasant feelings.’

Maybe he didn’t mean it.

Elaine didn’t want the feeling of betrayal and loss to cross her mind like water.

She thought about this for a moment as she tried to fix her shaking gaze.

‘Well. It wouldn’t matter if a kid who can’t give any more useful information gets thrown away eventually.’

To the Emperor, Elaine was nothing more than a hostage.

It didn’t really matter if he lost it right now- the child who was like a roadside stone to him.

How would he feel when he knew that a stone like this wasn’t even the real princess of the Astor Kingdom?

Maybe he felt more emotions compared to Elaine’s current feeling of betrayal.

“Hey.”

Elaine’s gaze turned to King Astor.

Looking at him staring at her with a not so good look for some reason caused Elaine’s expression also hardened.

A face that had a lot to say at first sight.

Was he mad at Elaine because the Emperor found out that she’s not the real princess?

Her face remained calm, but it was clear that she was shaking and trying to hide her fear.

‘I can hide it now, but if I go back to the Astor Kingdom…’

Elaine imagined that her face was distorted with fear, convinced that the fear would soon fade away.

The emperor will surely send the fake one back and try to capture the real princess as a hostage. Elaine’s fear was only on her now.

Moreover.

‘I have to go back to that hellish place? Will I have to go through those terrible things again?’

The delicate child’s body felt fear and began to tremble.

At the same time, her eyes became dark.

If she went back like this, she would have the same life as before.

In the head of the frightened child, she suddenly recalled a terrible memory that had been buried in the abyss of her memory.

The first thing that came to her mind was a fist raised up in the air.

-How was it? The taste of my fist.

What appeared after that was the ridicule that always followed in the back of her head that even the servants had to live with a low-level diet that would starve them.

-Tch. Dirty thing.

-How fitting for such a lowly trash.

The last thing came forward with a dull pain.

‘Death…’

Until then, something appeared out of sight.

The figure, of an adult male, lowered his his to face Elaine and said.

-Heh. Come with me. I see you’ve got a pretty face.

“Ugh.”

This was King Astor.

The starting point of all this.

The man who took her life away.

A bloody feast that hasn’t happened yet, but will happen soon.

After the figure of King Astor hitting her with a whip, a lot of shadows appeared, giggling and pointing fingers at Elaine.

There was nothing that helpless Elaine could do in such a terrible situation.

If she fell into the hands of King Astor, she would experience something like what she had in her past again.

Snap. Her dim eyes looked up at the emperor.

‘Rather, it would have been better if I had not been given hope.’

Her gaze towards the emperor fell sharply.

It was full of sadness and despair.

Her head gradually lowered.

Then, when Elaine finally concluded that all she had would be burned to the ground, the words soon to be told were what she’s been waiting to hear.

“King Astor. You have deceived the Holy Empire. That child is not your daughter, and you have talked up a lie in your mouth. Our Holy Empire will intervene in this matter.”

King Astor stared at Elaine as if he had a lot to say, then frowned like he had decided.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but that child is my daughter.”

Did he decide to continue his act?

The emperor laughed at his reaction.

“Is that all you’ve got to say?”

“….?”

King Astor’s eyes opened wide.

In fact, King Astor received a letter that was threatening which is why he couldn’t run away.

[ I know Elaine is not your daughter. If you don’t want a conflict with the Empire, come to the Benedict Empire right away and try finding an excuse. ]

Since he had received a letter saying that, he had no choice but to come to the Empire as soon as possible.

Seeing that King Astor’s pupils were shaking for no reason, the emperor waved his hand towards the information minister who was waiting behind him.

“Oh. I was waiting.”

A piece of paper was handed out to King Astor.

King Astor’s eyes widened in fear, holding the paper with trembling hands.

“I had a good look at the Astor family tree. But it’s strange. According to your words, the name Elaine should be written over there. Why is it marked with your brother’s blood?”

At the emperor’s words, King Astor had a dumb look on his face.

He didn’t know how the royal family tree got into his hands, but he had a second plan.

It was time to dig a way out.

“Honestly, the family tree didn’t matter. If she was raised like my daughter, then she is my real daughter.”

King Astor glanced at Seonghwang with an earnest request for help.

However, Seonghwan ignored his pleas.

“Unfortunately, King Astor. I know you didn’t even document that child in your home country. In other words, we’re in agreement that your claim is unfounded.”

“Seonghwang! Must you keep doing this?!”

Bang! As the desk was flipped over, the emperor’s body was filled with a deathly aura.

King Astor, who was confident, became quiet at once as he felt the cold sensation wrapping around his throat.

“Hmm. I have a personality, which makes me not very kind.”

King Astor couldn’t give away his act. Elaine’s face grew even more depressed by the appearance of King Astor.

And at that moment…

The emperor said, his deadly aura growing stronger and stronger.

“Anyways, this kid doesn’t seem to have parents right now.”

“…I admit that…”

“Currently, there isn’t a guardian to look after this child.”

“What do you want to say, Emperor Benedict?”

Just like King Astor, Elaine made a face that could not be read.

The emperor threw a sudden remark while staring at Elaine with a confused face.

“If so, it won’t be a problem for me to adopt her.”

“!!!”

“!?”

Those were the words that Elaine thought would never come out of that tyrant’s mouth.

Her blood quickly froze.

 

***

 

The emperor hugged the child in his arms and left the room with a look of elation.

King Astor, who was left alone with Seonghwang, was still confused.

“What did that child do to make Emperor Benedict act like that?”

In the eyes of King Astor, the emperor was acting a bit strange.

What did he like about that little girl who can’t even speak properly? The emperor who lacks nothing was now doing all this just to adopt her?

Seonghwang said, looking at King Astor who said he could not understand.

“Well. I think I know. Anyways, I don’t think you’re going to go anywhere without the emperor keeping his eyes on you.”

As he laughed, King Astor frowned.

Was Seonghwang kidding with him?

King Astor’s eyes widened at the smile that seemed to have given him a good impression. Suddenly, the smile disappeared.

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Seonghwang said quietly as he saw King Astor gulping at the sudden change of the atmosphere.

“By the way, isn’t it about time we liquidate?”

“…!”

King Astor realized that he had brought the resentment of two powerful empires through his lie, on himself.

His face hardened instantly.