It’s been a day since I brought Emil. Due to the visit of the precious guest, the chef showed off his skills more than usual since the morning.
“Is the food to your liking?”
“Yes, it is very delicious.”
Emil nodded softly, nibbling on his soft scrambled eggs. I expected him to eat like a baby bird, but instead, he bit soft bread with butter and then took another bite.
My family was overjoyed to witness such a scene.
“Growing children need to eat well to grow taller.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I hope Emil grows up to be as tall as you.”
“…There are very few people as tall as me.”
After dad said so, mom offered him another glass of milk. Emil took it and drank it quietly, and dad couldn’t help feeling jealous of the child and quietly finished the meal.
“Daddy, daddy should drink another glass of juice too.”
I took my father’s empty glass and filled it with juice. Dad’s hardened face softened.
“Oh, you should drink more.”
“Nah, I already finished it all.”
When I whispered that I was only giving it to my dad, my dad smirked and drank the juice at once.
When the meal was over, father went to work at the imperial palace as usual. I, too, received my daily schedule from Isana and my personal maid, Elena.
“I heard a bit from my mother yesterday, so I’m aware. We’re supposed to set Emil’s clothes in the morning, and in the afternoon we’re going to see ties and necessary accessories.”
“Don’t you need anything, Miss?”
“Me? But I think the people coming today are mostly men’s clothes vendors?”
“If you ask for anything, they will come back tomorrow with the catalog.”
‘What I need… I don’t need anything. I’m thinking of getting Emil a present to show off, though.’
While I was thinking, it became the scheduled time. Wagons loaded with luggage entered the mansion one at a time. The luxurious fabrics were already lined up in the drawing-room when I arrived. Mom and Emil were already inside.
“Look through the catalog and let me know if you see anything you like. You can change the parts you don’t.”
“…I’m not very knowledgeable about such matters.”
“So, do you mind if I help you? Would you mind if we took a look together?”
I looked around the fabrics while mom went through the samples with Emil. There were a couple of amazing fabrics to look at. Like thick wool that would be especially strong even in the middle of winter. Emil, on the other hand, was befuddled amid the fabric feast.
“You don’t need to do this…”
Emil attempted to refute something before closing his mouth. His expressionless face was tinged with red.
“. . .”
It was more like being embarrassed than shy. Despite growing up in oppression and contempt, he was a child who never lost his dignity. This child was now ashamed of himself for being baffled by the situation.
