Chapter 39. Aigoo, He Likes It

I hit the first round, but it was up to my grandfather to finish it. Marquis Gardenia finished Duke Javier very simply.

You must have lived with a big mouth.

Haha, that cant be.

Look. Only your mouth is living.

Marquis Gardenia thoroughly blocked Duke Javiers retreat, who tried to avoid it with a friendly smile and his indifferent and spiteful speech.

Thus, Duke Javier took on a massive supply of food and drinking water to ease the western famine.

It was quite a lot of manpower and money to move water from an area rich in water sources to the west.

Youll be doing good work. Congratulations.

hahaha.

As usual, Duke Javier had a nice smile, but it wasnt a refreshing one.

I was wondering how things were going well, why everything was going my way.

Im against it.

The stand-in-Emperor, who was quietly observing, suddenly voted against it. One of his subjects carefully asked.

I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, what are you against?

Mabel is still too young to make an official appearance.

I agreed with his opinion.

Thats right, thats right. I am still young.

I was pushing ahead with the genius concept, but I was just a child who recently only had her second birthday.

To be honest, there was no complaint about the rain ritual even if it failed because Duke Javier accepted to feed the west.

Naturally, Duke Javier, who had already lost something big, could not let it go.

But Your Majesty, there is nothing like rain to control the unstable public sentiment.

The official schedule was just birthday parties. But suddenly, you want to hold a rain ritual for the public?

The face of the stand-in-Emperor was hard, cold and low. It was easy to make even me flinch from just watching.

The rest of the subjects looked dark and felt the same way as me.

Duke Javier, I doubt that you put the rain ritual on the agenda for the people. I suspect you have other ideas.

What do you mean, Your Majesty? This subject is only speaking for his country. Why dont we rule over the devastated public sentiment and let the world know of her Majestys strength-.

It sounds like the Emperor didnt exist to me.

That is not what I meant. Please do not distort this subjects words and listen with sincerity.

The war of words between the two showed no sign of ending.

I secretly sighed when I saw the faces of the subjects turn blue and white.

These old men, stop it.

I couldnt stand to just watch.

I threw my pillow on the floor.

Flop!

It was an act of attracting attention, but the faces of the subjects were shocked.

My, my pillow!

Huk.

Is that the pillow he gave me!

As I went down from the throne with a whimper and hurriedly hugged his pillow, the face of the uncle relaxed.

I cant hurt anyone.

Anyway, the intention to attract attention was a success. I held the pillow and looked around at the subjects and the stand-in-Emperor.

Ahm tiwed. I want to gwo. (Im tired. I want to go.)

Yes?

I heard someones silly question. I purposely made an ugly expression.

If youwe gwoing to fite, fite tomorrow. Ahm gwoing to gwo sweep. (If youre going to fight, fight tomorrow. Im going to go sleep.)

I could see some of the subjects mouths gape. I suddenly felt better because I thought I had shown an image of an Emperor who had no intention of being a proper one.

Mweeting done! (Meeting done!)

I declared the end of the meeting.

For some reason, as I tried to leave the dumb subjects behind and leave the meeting hall with a reshreshed mind, I heard a conversation from behind.

As expected of her Majesty-!

Was it too arbitrary?

I expected that kind of back talk.

-shes very, very wise!

My steps stood out cooly. I looked back with my mouth wide open.

Why, why? Just. What. Was. Wise!

I looked back on my previous behaviour. But no matter how hard I thought about it, it was a mess.

I just cut the meeting! I was reckless!

This subject couldnt stop admiring Her Majestys desire to calm the situation down and discuss it again tomorrow!

How could you be so determined!

Hohoho. As expected of her Majesty, youre the best!

I shook my head while looking at the subjects with a tired face and hurried out of the meeting. I didnt know what else I would hear if I stayed.

Ha

A sigh burst out of me.

I became competent again.

***

As soon as the meeting ended, I found the kitty right away.

I sat down next to the guy who pretended to be calm after rolling around in the grass.

Ahve aweady saw you roll awound. (Ive already seen you roll around.)

[I wasnt rolling around.]

You were rolling around

[Its because my back was itchy! Just why are you like that to me? You dont know anything!]

Itd get difficult if the kitty got upset and didnt say anything. I put the steak that I brought in front of the kitty and comforted it with all my might.

Youwe cute and cwool today, kitty. (Youre cute and cool today, kitty.)

[Nam, namnam! Why are you saying something so obvious? Nam.]

The kitty, who wasnt a kitty and didnt eat cat food, quickly ate up all the steak.

I shouldnt be giving cats human things

The kitty was furious at my thoughtless innermost thoughts.

[Im not a normal cat! Im Gods lion!]

Yeah, thats right. The great lion of God. I have a question.

The kitty raised its head as if it felt better when I was lower.

[What is it. Ask me.]

Im curious about the limitations of my humble power. You said I can communicate with nature, but is there a chance I can make it rain?

[Huh?]

The kitty looked at me as if it were dumbfounded.

As expected, I cant do that, can I? I thought of it when I thought Id oppose the rain ritual at tomorrows meeting.

The kitty spoke, grooming its front feet.

[Of course its possible. Mabel is truly loved by nature.]

Uung?

[Do you think you can only make it rain? Water, fire, wind, and earth. Thats all within your power!]

I covered my mouth with my hands when the kitty shouted as if it were frustrated.

thath cwazy. (thats crazy.)

[You cant handle it right now though.]

The ability to communicate with animals and plants was incredible, but now I had an ability that made no sense.

Only one idea was firmly embedded in my head.

I cant ever get caught!

If caught, it would be impossible to be dethroned. I would also receive passionate love from the Holy Kingdom.

Of course, its a no for me.

***

I organized what to do at tomorrows regular meeting in my mind. There was no reason not to do a rain ritual after learning that I could make it rain.

I thought about practicing just in case, but I stopped because I was worried that it wouldnt rain during the ritual because I ran out of my sacred power.

I think its better to stock up as much as possible.

Mabel!!

It was Oscar who suddenly came in screaming. He was practicing swordsmanship and was sweating a lot.

Youwl cath a cwold. (Youll catch a cold.)

Oscar strode toward me, ignoring my light nagging.

What do you mean by doing a rain ritual all of a sudden? Youre not doing it, right?

Euuuuum

Theres no such thing as a secret in the Imperial Palace. The meeting was just hours ago, but it quickly reached Oscar. Its not a secret, so I nodded calmly.

Thath wight. (Thats right.)

If its a rain ritual itll be from the altar outside the capital, will you be okay?

Ung?

Ive never heard that before. I thought it would be held in the Imperial palace or the square in the capital at best. I was embarrassed for a moment but nodded with a smile.

Ith okway. (Its okay.)

Will you really be okay?

At Oscars question, there was a lump in my mouth. I shut my mouth tight.

There was a time when I was attacked inside the Imperial Palace, where it was proudly stated to be safe. Oscar was asking me because of what happened. Will I really be okay.

Actually, Id be lying if I said I wasnt scared.

After that day, I no longer thought of the escort as a nuisance. I couldnt be relieved if someone wasnt guarding me.

I could walk around freely because Lissandro was next to me.

I had a tremendous ability, but there was a limit to what I could use as a child. I still needed more time to protect myself.

However, I didnt intend to stay curled up for a long time.

I know whos behind it anyway.

Duke Javier. You only need to be cautious of people who are unknown on the inside.

In addition, unlike the time when I was attacked without being prepared, my escorts had been much enhanced.

Even if they sent another kill, they wont even be able to reach my toes.

Ith weally okay. Ahm not gwoing awone. (Its really okay. Im not going alone.)

Im relieved if Mabel is okay with it, but.

Oscar smiled mildly and stroked my head. I asked casually while laughing.

ith it far? (Is it far?)

As soon as I asked, I knew I shouldnt have, but Oscar was already responding.

Oscars face hardened.

you are scared, Mabel.

N-nwo. (N-no.)

You dont say its okay when youre not okay.

I looked at Oscar with discontent. It was something I wanted to tell to Oscar.

Ahm gwoing. (Im going.)

I had already made up my mind.

I was guessing that what Duke Javier was after was a decline in my authority as Emperor.

Of course it wont rain easily because rain doesnt just come down when you want it to. He intended to undermine the Imperial familys prestige.

But what if it really rains?

Hes only blowing up relief supplies as a human being.

Just the thought of it made me happy. It didnt matter if it rained just a little. If it rains, a rumor will be spread.

When I made a determined expression, Oscar suddenly kneeled on one leg in front of me. Like the greenery in midsummer, his green eyes stared at me clearly.

Then make sure to take me with you.

Ung?

I will protect you.

Oscar was definitely a child, but the way he talked was just as good as any knight. So reliable.

Okway.

But it was weird. For the first time, I thought Oscar was like an older brother.

***

On the day of the regular meeting, a rare sight unfolded.

This was because Mabel, who laid down on the throne right away, was sitting up with her eyes wide open. The subjects were flustered and forgot how to speak. In the meantime, the meeting began. While numerous agendas passed, Mabel sat still and observed the meeting without yawning.

I cant concentrate because shes too cute!

Finally, there was only one last topic left, bearing the agony that only Mabel didnt know about.

It was about the rain ritual.

First, I listened to the points prepared by Duke Javier, who presented his opinion on the rain ritual. He seemed to be fully prepared.

-so I think its the most effective way to get rid of public sentiment. Thats it.

There was cold silence after his long speech. Some agreed with Duke Javiers opinion, but they could not open their mouths. Because the baby Emperor was staring at them with wide eyes. It was time for everyone to believe that the stand-in-Emperor and Duke Javiers tedious battle would continue.

Mabel, who had been sitting still the whole time, jumped up.

I am in fabwor. (I am in favor.)

?

Everyone looked confused at my sudden cry. The stand-in-Emperor and even Duke Javier.

I agwee wit de rain ritual. Dwuke Jabie hath a point. ( I agree with the rain ritual. Duke Javier has a point.)

Your Majesty?

Mabel.

Marquis Gardenia and Esteban tried to dissuade Mabel in a hurry, but it was useless.

Duke Javier realized that this was an opportunity. He didnt know why the baby Emperor agreed with his opinion, but he thought whats good was good.

I guess she wants to go on a picnic.

Duke Javier pushed for it hard, thinking that it was the moment to do so.

Her Majesty wants to go. Who will stop her?

Thath wight. I want to gwo. (Thats right. I want to go.)

This is all for the royal family.

Thath wight, thath wight. (Thats right, thats right.)

Its a chance to consolidate Your Majestys position.

Thath wight. Pubwic announthment. (Thats right. Public announcement.)

Please permit it, Your Majesty.

Ah pemit it! (I permit it!)

Even if we suit each other, we couldnt get along this well. Esteban even felt a sense of betrayal.

Thanks to the Emperors enthusiastic approval, even the pro-rain ritual faction, which had been silent, joined in. This was because the idea of holding a rain ritual itself was not bad.

With Mabel playing, the game was already over. Duke Javier smiled at his cute little helper.

A baby who knows nothing is easy to handle.

She stared at the Duke and smiled back.

Aigoo, he likes it.