The Reserved Daughter Of a Duke And The Cold-Headed Emperor

Translated by TrinityVox

Edited by Schwarzel

In order to ask Guri-chan more questions, Eleonora moved to a courtyard in the castle.

“…Your Highness, it’d be nice if you could clear out the area.”

“Got it. It’s fine if I stay though, right?”

“…Since you know about Pie, you won’t be surprised by my dialect.”

Alexei sent out everyone aside from Eleonora.

“Alright, this should be fine. If you don’t want to be heard even a little, then I can also use soundproofing magic.”

(What? Magic could be used this way-pe!)

“…By all means, please.”

Alexei carelessly cast a spell. At first glance, it seemed like nothing changed but Eleonora soon realized the sounds outside had been completely blocked off. Now, only the breathing of the griffons and Alexei could be heard.

The griffon’s breathing was so loud she could barely hear Alexei’s breath but, for some reason, she didn’t want to leave him out and listened for his breath too.

“There, now you can speak freely.”

“…Thank you very much.”

Eleonora then spoke to Guri-chan.

“Good Guri-chan~ You look like you’ve been doing well-pe. Even though my appearance changed, you still recognized me. Eh? I haven’t changed? Is it the color of my soul? Guri-chan, you can see amazing things huh?”

Eleonora buried her face into Guri-chan’s fluffy feathered chest.

“So you weren’t killed in the Magic Forest Guri-chan-pe. …Ah, right, you went on a faraway journey to look for a husband-dabe. I was really sad when you left. But after, I met Ham-chan, this adorable angel-like boy and became the happiest person in the world-pe. Thanks to Ham-chan, I could live my days in happiness-pe…I miss Ham-chan.”

Eleonora became teary-eyed thinking of Ham-chan, but she dried her eyes with a handkerchief and continued speaking.

“Since I’ve met you Guri-chan, I’ll probably meet Ham-chan soon too right-pe? Where are you guys living now, Guri-chan? Are you living in the forest for now? Eh? The magical beasts are slowly returning to the forest? What does this mean-dabe?”

Hearing that the magical beasts were slowly returning to the Magic Forest, Alexei questioned the griffon.

“Where did you return from?”

The griffon answered, but Alexei did not understand.

“To protect their offspring/seeds(?), the magical beasts will take turns hibernating underground-pe. After the seasons change, they’ll switch off. How could I forget such an important fact-be? They probably woke up surprised that no one was there. How pitiful.”

Alexei heard this and suddenly laughed.

“Humans are such foolish creatures. I see magical beasts are much smarter. So the Magic Forest will once again be home to the magical beasts.”

Eleonora turned her head sideways.

“…With all due respect Your Highness, it won’t be that easy for the population of magical beasts to increase. It takes a lot longer for them to reproduce than humans.”

“I see. It can’t be helped then. More importantly, Eleonora, no, Pie. It’s fine not to speak like that. You can speak freely as you do with the griffon. Talk to me like that too.”

(What is he saying-pe! I can’t speak to him like that!)

“…Please, have mercy on me.”

Hearing her reply, Alexei was saddened.

(Why is he making that face-pe? It’s like the face Ham-chan made when he accidentally brought home a poisonous mushroom-dabe.)

“…If you really want, then only when you erect the sound barrier and call me Pie.”

“Pie!”

Alexei called out her name. Hearing him call her, her eyes widened, and she let out a wide smile.

“You’re really like Ham-chan, Your Highness, it takes me back-pe.”

“Ham-chan wasn’t a bother for you?”

Eleonora shook her head.

“Not at all, Ham-chan was a good child-be. I was really happy-pe. But I thought it wasn’t good for me to raise him in the Magic Forest.”

Though it was hard for her to say, she continued.

“If they’re human then they should live with other humans-dabe. But Ham-chan was so precious to me, I-I…couldn’t let him go. I was selfish-pe. That’s why I was glad the knight killed me. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to part from Ham-chan-pe. Ham-chan should properly live with other humans.”

Alexei had never imagined that Pie was thinking such things.

“I was truly happy-pe. Ham-chan was really a cute, clever, and kind child-be.”

“Are you not happy now?”

“I think I’m happy-be. I was born as a normal human and can even eat yummy foods-pe. But, in the end, I’m still lonely. It’s lonely not being able to see Ham-chan.”

“Even if he becomes an awful villain, would you still want to meet him?”

“Ham-chan would never become that kind of evil person­-pe. Ham-chan is a good child after all-be.”

Alexei was jealous of his past self. Then he became confused concerning the difference between his feelings for Eleonora now, and his feelings for Pie back then.

Alexei wanted her everything.