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Some parts of the capital city were still lively. To leave the castle under a disguise during a festival had been a good idea. If he wanted to understand what was happening in his empire, the emperor of Rudext would have to look with his own eyes.
Of course, being lively also meant noise, so he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.
The emperor stopped for a moment massaging his temple in the middle of a square, surrounded by festivities. Where to go first? What to observe? He couldn't notice any organizational logic. He needed a guide, but if he had requested that of a noble, he wouldn't see what he need see. Self-interest and fear would be their guides.
"Ahjussi, are you fine?" Came from nowhere, a youngster stood in front of him. Some blond locks escaped from the protection of the hood she held firmly. "Are you lost? Could I help?" Her impressively expressive eyes stared at him with worry that soon metamorphosed intro vivacity. "Wow! Your eyes are so pretty! Are you cosplaying? Are you also a Prince Oppa's fan?" The child was tiny yet full of presence. She had talked so fast that he found himself unable to respond to her questions.
One of the shadows that followed him stepped in their direction as if the knight feared that the little one represented a danger. That was ridiculous. She had been nothing but kind.
The emperor slipped a hand out of his cloak and discreetly signaled his shadow to stop. It had been so long since anyone had talked to him as ordinarily as she was doing.
"Little one, do you know what is happening here?"
"Ah!" She beamed, surprised, and delighted. "Are you new to the capital? Well, not long ago, I was new here too. I'm waiting for someone now, but until he shows up, I can be your guide!"
"It's a very gentle offer, but how would your companion find you then? I wouldn't like to burden you."
"Hahaha, it's fine, it's fine. My companion always finds me." There was something about that child that was almost mesmerizing. Maybe it was the easiness of her smile or the straightforwardness of her gaze. "I will show Ahjussi how fun is to be a fan!" That little one was very energetic. He felt a smile draw itself in his face and found himself unable to decline her offer.
The child guided him through the turmoil chattering excitedly. She took him to booths of popular games and encouraged him to play. The prize he got was not one of the best, a simple wooden statue that fit inside his hand, but her eyes sparkled at the sight of it. He presented her with the item, saying it was a show of his gratitude for her kind guidance.
She bought them food served on wooden sticks, first something salty and then something sweet. The emperor conducted her to a bench where she could sit and eat calmly. He was very grateful, but he didn't touch his. He regretted not taking that kindness. But as the emperor, he couldn't accept food freely. No matter how sad it made him.
It hadn't been the tour he needed, but it also hadn't been fruitless. Under the disguise of chaos, there was an organizational logic. There was entertainment and trade. Small businesses of commoners of lower standing attended the upper classes, warming the economy of the city.
When they were back to wandering, he asked the child about the stuffed dolls he had seen all around. Those appeared to be the most popular and variable items. He didn't remember seeing two with the same design as if every one of them were unique.
While the child explained to him what they were - who they represented - the emperor got distracted by a change in the crowd. At some point, on the side of the square, the festive bustle gave way to a misplaced calm.
Two tall, hooded figures were discussing. At least one of them was a shadow. As they felt the emperor's gaze over them, they turned their attention in his direction.
His oldest son faced him, stunned. Rayburn's mouth opened and closed without uttering a single word while his eyes fell over the little one's back. Even for that distance, it was possible to feel the intensity of his gaze.
The child had said her companion would find her. Rayburn was the one and only who seemed to be searching for her.
The Espelinds had hired a new scholar, a young and vibrant miss, he had heard. Maybe, that child? He looked at her again. She was adorable, gentle, and bright. To become a scholar at such a young age would be an impressive feat.
When the shadow beside his son glanced at him in search of a command, the emperor decided that he would like to have more time alone with the child. He signed so they would keep Rayburn away.
Why had nobody said anything about his oldest one being courting a Lady? Rayburn had a respectable position, was a capable young man that had conquered respect between the troops, and he was at age. Even so, there hadn't been any word related to marriage yet.
As a father, he had been worried. He didn't want his son to live a life of solitude. He wished Rayburn could find someone to hold dear.
That youngster seemed a promising option.
"Little one, you said you were new at the capital not long ago. Could I ask what brought you here? Maybe an opportunity related to your career?"
"It was something like that." She responded shyly. "And, what brought Ahjussi here?"
It would be rude to request much and offer nothing in return, wouldn't it be? "I'm supposed to pass my duty to one of my children soon, but some problems arose recently."
"And do you came to help them? Wow! Ahjussi seems to be such a reliable dad."
His stomach churned. "I fear I'm not."
"Why so?" She almost whispered. The sound of her voice was so caring that he could guess the kind of expression she was doing even without looking.
He didn't deserve her sympathy. "My children needed me when they were little, but I didn't know what to do. I couldn't help any of them." He had failed them.
"I'm sorry to hear that." A hand patted his back. The shock would have made him freeze if they hadn't already stopped walking. "Maybe you should say that to your children." The youngster advised.
"I beg your pardon?" It was all so weird.
He was the emperor of a great empire. He didn't get pats on the back or kind advice. The last time anyone had comforted him was-
Dahlia .
He glanced back at her, but the little one was examining her shoes. Her high spirits were gone. "For some reason, my parents couldn't take care of me when I was a kid. But I would be so glad to know that they thought of me, that they wanted to take care of me even if they couldn't." She then rose her head, offering him a gentle smile. "You should try to talk things out with your children. An honest conversation can be a huge help for everyone."
He was prying into the child's life dishonestly, yet she was the utmost sincere and thoughtful towards him. Was he acting like an old fool? He laughed at himself. His hand went up as if it intended to hold the laughed before it faded into the air. The sound surprised him. He hasn't laughed at anything in a long time.
"Well, maybe I acted full of myself just now?" Her antenna squirmed. "I'm so sorry! I don't know what I'm talking about!"
"I hope you forgive my impertinence, child, but I find myself quite intrigued." More than knowing if she was the new successful scholar of Espelind's household or not, he wanted to understand if she could hold any affection for his oldest son. The person in front of him was already an excellent lady in her own right. "The one you are waiting for, rather than a friend, is your companion a significant other?"
"Hahaha." Giggling shyly, she hit his arm with powerful slaps. For a moment, he thought their shadows would attack her, but when he looked at them, he realized they were even more astonished than he was. "Ahjussi, why would you think something like that?"
"The way you said he would find you," and the fact that Rayburn had found her even after their aimless stroll, "made me think you may be special existences to each other."
"Well..." She held her chin contemplatively. "He is undoubtedly special to me. But it's not like that. We just... " She babbled. "I'm just... and he is..."
Didn't the little one know Rayburn was courting her? Was he doing it appropriately? Why walk in the streets as commoners instead of staying in the castle comfortably? Wouldn't she get tired? Wouldn't her feet hurt? The thought that his son might not be taking proper care of her well-being bothered him.
"You seem to be a lovely and bright young lady. I hope you are not wasting yourself with an undeserving person or someone that doesn't treat you kindly." The child gazed up at him, dumbfounded. He had let his confused frustration of his son's behavior show unintentionally. He cleared his throat, hoping he hadn't scared her. "I have a daughter, and I wish her the same."
"Ahjussi needn't worry," she smiled confidently, "because the person I'm waiting for is always considerate. When he sees me sad, he cheers me up. When I'm scared, he comforts me. When something dangerous happens, he protects me. I hope your daughter can find someone as good as him. I'm sure a person like that would make her very happy."
He sighed. "I'm glad you see my child under such favorable light." It was time to let the two youngsters have their moment alone. "I must go now. There," he gestured at Rayburn, "your companion awaits you."
Before she said her goodbyes and ran in his son's direction, the emperor had the satisfaction to see her smile become even brighter at the sigh of Rayburn.
That outing had been truthfully fruitful.