CH 189

Mia Day

Arriving at the Imperial Capital, Lunatear, Mia immediately went to greet her father. By the way, Lynsha and Bel went with Anne and stayed at her home. Since Anne is Mia’s exclusive maid, she is supposed to come to the Whitemoon Palace later, but as expected, she can’t enter the castle with Bel.

Mia changed clothes in her room and immediately headed to the audience room.

Come to think of it, he made a big fuss last time about how I have to call him “Dad”, didn’t he?

Remembering it, her steps grew slightly heavy. It seems like it was a long time ago… but that was why Mia went to St. Noel early.

I hope he is not still hung up about that.

While Mia was vaguely worried about it, her father unexpectedly greeted her calmly.

“Oh, Mia, are you back? It’s good to see you in good health.”

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty. We have just arrived safely.”

“As I have said before, call me Father if you can’t call me Dad.”

“Yes Father. I am glad to see that you are of good health as well.”

This is their usual exchange. For the time being, Mia breathed a sigh of relief for not being forced to call him Dad.

“I see… Is St. Noel’s fun?”

“Yes. Recently, I have been on friendly terms with Rafina-sama, Prince Sion, and Prince Abel. I acquaint myself with nobles from other nations to broaden my perspective. So my days with them at Saint Noel have been most enjoyable.”

Hearing about Mia’s school life, the emperor nodded happily. Then his face suddenly clouded over.

“Ludwig, the civilian officer you used a lot… It seems that I need to have a firm word with him.”

“… Huh?”

For a moment, Mia couldn’t understand what it meant.

“It is absolutely unforgivable to summon you, the Imperial Princess, and interrupt your fun school life. How dare he get in the way of your enjoyment! I’ll spare him the gallows, but I will send him to…”

“Please don’t. Father. I’m rather happy to be back in the Empire like this. Besides, I only came back because I am needed. As an Imperial Princess, it is natural for me to fulfil my duties.”

Mia said flatly that meant no further discussion. Losing Ludwig now would be a disaster. She had to quickly sever her father’s disturbing train of thoughts.

“Is that really okay? There is no need to punish him?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Seeing Mia nodding, the emperor let out a sigh.

“I see. If you say so, then I will give him the highest praise without any reserve.”

“Eh?”

“Don’t make a strange face. I’m still the emperor. I’m your father and the emperor at the same time. They are two roles that I cannot mix. So I have to put on the role that is needed for a certain occasion.”

Hearing that, Mia was a little impressed.

I thought that your father was definitely a useless emperor, but he’s actually thinking about things properly.

Mia was impressed, but…

“Therefore, as emperor, I shall reward him greatly for this decision.”

She couldn’t help but be amused by her father’s words.

“I’m missing the point, Father. You should be happy that I am back as a father, not as an emperor.”

“Hmm? How could I be wrong? When you are here in the Imperial Capital, all the people of the empire rejoice; when you depart for Belluga, all the people of the empire despair. Therefore, as one who created this opportunity for you to return, Ludwig deserves my praise as the emperor.”

“…………”

Silence ensued. Mia thought that she should have seen this coming. Mia knew that her father dotes on her, but not to this extent.

Somehow I feel like if I just asked him very nicely to put some serious thought into fixing the empire, all our problems would be solved.

Mia was about to realize the ultimate truth, but as expected, she reconsidered.

Even so, Father is still the same. He never changes.

Something in her father’s unbridled joy at her return, annoyed Mia for unknown reason.

“Okay. Mia, since you are back, so let’s make it Mia’s day today! For ten days from today, we will hold a big festival for the whole empire.”

“How about we save that for another time…”

Mia was starting to get more annoyed.

Ah, but I guess I did have involuntarily dragged his reputation in the mud with the whole Bel affair.

Thinking of her father, who was completely misunderstood by Rafina, Mia felt a little guilty. Somehow, Mia has become kinder to her father,

“Father, of course I’m happy to be celebrated by the people of the empire. But for now, I’d like to have a leisurely dinner with my father today.”

She said that with a soft smile. The emperor took one look at her expression and started to cry.

“Oh… oh!”

He burst into tears. Tears flowed down like a waterfall.

“Mia…, my cute Mia wants to eat with me…, Kuu, what are you saying… Alright, I get it. Let me prepare the supreme dish for you! Burn the forest down, grill the freshest rabbit meat…”

“No, please stop. I am fine with ambermoon tomato soup. How about that?”

Mia’s annoyance meter reached a new level.