Chapter 167

“Greetings to His Majesty, the noble Emperor who is protected by the Lord Therez.”

As expected, the way he talked was always full of dignity. Feeling proud again, she glanced down at Darren. Everyone else ran away as soon as Rashid appeared, but Darren stayed by her side. Perhaps, because he was determined to look good, even that was as reassuring as a knight on a white horse.

“Is this the man you were talking about last time?” Of course, to Rashid, Darren was just the main source of the loud noise. “I don’t like him.”

“Your Majesty.”

Even if she wanted him to talk, he couldn’t be the famous tyrant if he was a great man who would listen to such a thing. Didn’t his crazy manners tell her not to mess with him the moment he lifted her and hugged her yesterday? At the same time, her heart pounded even more and it drove her insane. Anyway, she must break this illusion. After all, she also wanted to be swayed by a well-mannered gentleman like other noble ladies.

No, it had to be.

“What are you talking about? There is no such elegant and classy swan anywhere in this lake! Look at this figure. This swan is a god that any woman in the world would like!”

“Ha! Is that so?”

Rashid’s sarcasm to her sarcasm made her feel awkward. Once triggered, there is no end to this man’s attitude.

“Anyway, since your Majesty has seen him, please treat him well. If you have any questions, you can ask me.”

“How long do swans live?”

“What?”

“Just because. I wonder if these males might die suddenly one day.”

“…”

As Rashid’s eyes fixed on Darren, their eyes glittered dangerously for a moment. That murmur was inaudible but he wasn’t a man who would say anything meaningless.

“Why are you like that again? He will live 100 years for a very, very long time, so please don’t say such things!”

“What did I do? I’m just asking what I was curious about.”

It was only then that Rashid, who squinted his eyes, showed his animal instincts. Please! With a feeling of foreboding, she begged Darren to stay away from him, but the more she did, the more he growled like a ferocious beast. In the end, he grabbed her arm and pulled her away, but she didn’t back down gracefully.

“If you beg him so much.”

“Y-Your Majesty?”

She looked up at him, who was standing next to her, and swallowed dryly. She was close enough to hear his breaths so even if her body turned, there was no choice but to bump into him.

“Hey, stay over there for a while. Just one step to the side.”

“Why?”

“Why are you asking me why?”

‘What if Darren misunderstands you?’ Embarrassed, she brushed her hair out of habit. As soon as she tried shaking her head while looking at Darren, who was staring at her sadly, she heard a lion’s roar of anger in her ears again.

“Mom! Teacher Darren will fight for you.  He likes you so much.”

“Baby.”

“What are you doing? Compete for Mom.”

‘Wasn’t this a little too impulsive, princess?’ Catherine was so embarrassed that she almost burst into laughter, but Haniel was serious all throughout. Her cheeks had puffed out like a puffer fish, and her trembling body couldn’t be so sincere.

“Teacher!” Haniel said loudly.  “My mom is pretty, right? Leina’s mom, isn’t she very, very beautiful?”

“Of course, you would have thought that way but————”

Mom! Teacher Darren likes you. Think about it.”

“Oh!”

Where did she learn to interpret that? Haniel, who was conveying the message while turning her head around as she wished, soon, sniffed her nose. Then, she grabbed the hem of her skirt and dragged her to Mr. Darren.

“Mom! Emperor Brother! Please don’t fight. Teacher Darren is the best! Wha——-”

“Who says so?”

But to hand her over at will, Haniel had forgotten someone else.

Huh?

Even though she whimpered, she couldn’t go any further. When she looked back, she came face to face with a blazing mallard.

“Nanny, don’t you think so?  My mother and  Teacher Darren——”

“No! It can’t be! Over my dead body.”

Selene grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled her closer. It was good that she stopped Darren before he was pushed around, but Selene’s choice was even more impulsive. “Come on, Your Majesty. Here you go. Get this here!”

“Hmm?”

“Take her away quickly. My mistress, please clean this up. One is perfect for a tyrant while the other is for a widow. Go far away and make sure you two live together for 100 years!”

*QUACK-QUACK*

Selene, who changed the situation at will, but the hem of her skirt and dragged it to Rashid’s feet. What the hell were they doing? As she watched the tug-of-war between the baby swan and the mallard thoughtlessly grabbing her skirts, she stretched out her arms.

“T—That’s enough!” ‘You’re going to rip my clothes off, you guys.’ “Please stop, both of you.”

Why is everyone making a fuss over her?

Gritting her teeth, she looked back at the children one by one and let out a laugh. Selene let go of the hem of her skirt first. However, Haniel started shedding tears like chicken droppings.

“M-mother! My mother——” *CRIES* “Pretty mom argues with the stubborn teacher. But unlike bad brother, gentle brother doesn’t fight back. So, Mom won’t scold him as much.”