When I used to live in the orphanage, a volunteer worker visited every now and then, and after theyd stroked my head one time, I wasnt able to sleep at night. Id try to rey the feeling of their fingers on my head by patting my head with my hands, heart thumping with excitement.


    When will theye again? When will theye and pat my head again?


    At the sound of cars I would run out and wait, to no avail. Even after multiple times of this same urrence, I didnt know when to stop.


    But I knew to stop when I met that person again.


    Oh my, Ive never seen a girl this friendly upon our first meeting. How wonderful.


    This isnt the first time though.


    You praised me for being a good child!


    My heart didnt pound from having my hair patted like the first time. It didnt get warm, nor did it throb.


    It was only then that I realized that I was just like any sort of random pitiful child to this person, and my already cold world became colder.


    You wouldnt understand even if I exined to you, Selene. Because your parents are here.


    Your Ladyship.


    Ill only confuse her by being nice to her for a few days. I cant be the only one in afortable position.


    But Your Ladyship isnt just being casually nice to her, you really mean it.


    Hmph.


    Im telling you, she only catches on quickly at times like this.


    I lowered my head as if I hadnt heard her.


    The children only rested for a few minutes before the lessons started again.


    Ugh. That old womans at it again.


    I covered my mouth trying to stop my tears that felt like they had been waiting toe out. At the thought that one day Haniel would wake up to the cold reality of the world like I did, I felt like I was suffocating.


    See that! Shes only like that to Haniel! She leaves the other kids alone and just goes after my Haniel!


    Your Ladyship, thats because Haniels the only one who isnt able to follow the instructions.


    Ergh. Shut your beak.


    You think this is her fault, that she cant follow instructions because she doesnt want to? Theres always ast ce if theres a first ce!


    But at times like these, I thought that it was fortunate Haniel didnt have a mother present. To have to hear the painful words of someone else scolding their own child for not doing something well enough would make anyones heart pound like it would pop out of their chest.


    Heup. But what are they doing? What did she teach them for them to be like that?


    Ah ah, shes taught them to act like that if they get wounded and form a bruise.


    At the tears that started to fill my eyes once more, Selene continued to exin as if trying to appease me.


    The children all gathered in one ce, with their heads back and tongues out. And naturally, my Haniel wasnt able to even follow that and only blinked her eyes.


    Whew. That is such a useful lesson, but it seems that whether shes really trying or not, Haniel just cant stay focused.


    Come again, you birdbrain?


    As I glowered at her, Selene instinctively lowered her head.


    At this rate, Haniel would end upbeled as a failure of a student, so I tried to wrap up the facts as much as I could.


    Its because shes still young. Shes a newborn baby. When she learns to understand peoples words, Lady Melloe will probably say she doesnt need to take lessons at her academy.


    Yes, yes. Of course. As if shes someones child.


    Shes different from us.


    I didnt have any more energy to scold Selene. It was already heartbreaking peeping at Haniel through the bushes.


    Im telling you, she already has many family members to teach her. So rather than staying at a ce like this, for sure


    It would be better for her to return.


    This was actually the reason that pricked my heart the most.


    Even if Haniels brother was a tyrant, what better people than her own blood-rted family members to take care of her.


    I couldnt help but stress the importance of family, perhaps since Id never had one.


    Of course.


    That was obvious. Whats more important than family, right?


    I quickly turned my head before my heart would soften at Haniels trembling appearance.


    If I kept being like this, I wouldnt be able to let Haniel go. Before that happened, I shifted my attention and called Selene over as I thought of the next step in my n.


    Whats the emperors usual schedule for when he stays at the Winter Pce?


    UhmUsually the highest noble families of the region are to hold a wee party for the emperor. Because one can only visit the Pces of the regions upon invitation from the emperor or empress.


    Then does that mean the dukes household usually host such an event?


    Of course. Since the House of the Duke of Evendell has the highest standing in the North.


    Despite being a worker in the household, I could hear the pride in her voice as she spoke of the dukes family.


    She fluffed up her feathers.


    We prepared so much food for the previous celebrations. We even decorated the halls with ice sculptures and covered the floors with golden silk. Everyone admired the ice flowers and jewelry.


    Really? Then when will a celebration happen again?


    Im not very sure. Since all the nobles of the Northern Lands will need to first be invited to the wee partyWh-what is it. No waydo you actually want to attend it?


    What do you mean, No way.


    Your Ladyship! You cant! You will only face humiliation if you go. You will be in front of many people and even the Emperor will be there!


    All the more reason to go.


    Ah


    She was reacting like this because she didnt know the situation properly, but Selene was utterly terrified.


    She tried to express her worries while licking at the wound shed gottenst night.


    Still, you cant. Do you not remember what Lady Rania said to you? She told you not to show your face and to not leave the estate for the moment, saying that she absolutely wouldnt allow any of that.


    How funny.


    I wasnt making fun of Rania, I actually meant what I said.


    I shrugged my shoulders and turned towards the brightly-lit pce across theke.


    Then did she curse me with my permission?


    Please forgive us, Your Majesty. Because there was no time to prepare properly for Your Excellencies arrival, many things are nowcking.


    Its fine.


    The manager of the Winter Pce trembled like an aspen tree.


    With the emperor suddenly arriving with the two princes at the Pce in the middle of the night, it was impossible to figure out their motives.


    U-uh, though Im not sure what is Your Majestys purpose-


    Do I have to get permission toe to my own house?


    No. Not at all, Your Majesty.


    As one of Rashids eyes began to narrow, the manager prostrated his body to the ground. It seemed as though daggers would fall on his head should he dare lift it.


    But the Emperors intentions really couldnt be fathomed at this point.


    Thete Empress often spoke of the beauty of this ce.


    Peyton, who had been watching the mans fidgeting body, spoke up.


    Though the chances of finding their sister here were slim, they had to put to rest any suspicions to lessen the risk of useless news of Haniels disappearance spreading.


    The Emperor has taken some time to himself for the first time since his ascension to the throne. We are just here to quietly take a look, so watch your behavior.


    Ahh I see. I will quickly prepare the bedrooms and studies for your use.


    With an oh, I get it expression, the manager straightened.


    The Winter Pce was thete Empresss favorite ce, so it made sense if her sons wanted to follow her footsteps in her memory.


    It seemed as though the rumors that they were only cold-blooded were wrong.


    A warm expression spread across the mans face for the first time.


    Then would Your Excellencies first like a tour around the estate? Thete Empress particrly enjoyed the beauty of the Padiumke. There are many ces to go and many rare animals to see-


    Do you think I came here to see some animals!


    T-then what would Your Majesty like to see


    That


    At the emperors anger, the manager hurriedly swallowed his words. But with effort, the irritated Rashid slowly shut his mouth.


    The lines on his frustrated face softened, leaving a hint of confusion.


    Enough about that. Did you announce my arrival?


    Yes, I have. There was amotion as soon as the three lit up pirs were spotted.


    So?


    ording to standard practice, Ive invited Duchess Evendell for your arrival first. Thete Empress was first weed by the Duchess in a wee party.


    The Duchess.


    Yes. But since Your Honorable Highness wanted to rest quietly, I will turn her away. Even though having the Duchess be host is the custom, Im sure she will understand since she doesnt have the Duke to ask nor does she have an empress to serve. I will inform Lady Rania inste-


    What, no. Who told you to do that.


    Rashid, who had been holding his head, suddenly stretched out his hand, and the manager began to tremble, his throat dry.


    At seeing the look on the princes faces, the manager caught on quickly and hastily brought out a letter.


    H-here it is, Your Excellency.


    This is.


    Yes. This is the Duke Households crest. Though it is the symbol of the North, rumor has it that the Dukes Household wishes to change it on the reason of it being too ominous of a sign.


    Rashid eyed the seal on top of the elegant envelope. His sharp eyes made out two ck swan feathers iid on top of crystals.


    As he smoothly tore open the wax with his thumb, Rashids red lips turned upwards into a smile.


    No. How fitting.