Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 177

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story 2, Episode 4
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Alexio twirled the wooden sword half-heartedly as he stepped into the courtyard before the Main Palace. His mood was thoroughly turbulent—half joy and gladness at the arrival of Aunt Yeni, whom he hadn’t seen since he was nine years old, and half an inexplicable, delicate emotion stirred by how adorably cute “that child” she’d brought along truly was.
Decarve Belgot. The Imperial Prince. In a few more years, he would be formally invested as Crown Prince—the eldest son destined for the throne. Three years ago, he had visited Lebovni alongside Aunt Yeni. Back then, he’d been a chubby-cheeked four-year-old, but in the span of three years, he’d grown into a proper child.
To be honest, he was rather cute. With that icy aura radiating from him, the moment he opened his mouth, charm poured out endlessly. Moreover, he smiled so brightly and naturally that one couldn’t sense any coldness in his expression—he was simply impossible to hate.
Had it not been for Brizni, I might have carried him around myself. But remembering that my friend had abandoned me a month ago, waiting only for that child’s arrival with desperate longing, my spirits plummeted once more.
Yet what I hated most was feeling jealous of my own younger sister, not even eight years old yet. Alexio muttered in frustration.
“Think of me at least half as much as you think of him. You flaming-haired troublemaker.”
Alexio called out the nickname his friend despised most and kicked at a rolling stone. The stone flew with impressive momentum, grazing someone’s trouser leg before tumbling far away. It had nearly struck an innocent person’s shin. Alexio looked up in alarm.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… huh?”
The person before him was a man Alexio had never seen before. He wore a white robe with a cross embroidered at its hem, and he was so tall that Alexio had to crane his neck to look up at him. A hood covered his head, obscuring his hair and forehead. His eyes, too, were shadowed beneath the hood. Yet from the bridge of his nose, the line of his lips, and the contour of his jaw alone, one could easily discern that he was an exceptionally handsome man.
While Alexio stood dumbfounded, the man bent slightly at the waist.
“Hello?”
“Ah… hello, sir.”
“Black hair and amber eyes…. So you’re Lexie. Alexio Cardier.”
A warm smile crossed the man’s lips. He extended his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. You’re even more handsome than I heard. And quite tall too.”
Alexio, somewhat bewildered, took the offered hand.
“Thank you. …But who are you?”
If someone were walking confidently through the heart of the royal palace, they couldn’t be dangerous…. Yet I’d never seen him before. But how does he know the nickname that only family members use?
While Alexio racked his memory, Auredhian couldn’t tear his eyes away from the boy. This was the very child he’d been pestering his wife about wanting to see ever since before Decarve was even born—back when Brizni was merely three years old.
“I want to see Brizni and Alexio too, Yeni.”
“Lexie? When he was younger, he was just as charming and mischievous as Deb, but as he’s grown, he’s become increasingly mature. I hear he’s been learning swordplay lately.”
Auredhian pushed back the bothersome hood entirely. When his crimson eyes, gleaming with joy, were revealed, Alexio drew in a sharp breath. The silver hair and crimson eyes—the very symbols of the Empire—unmistakably proclaimed his identity.
The Emperor of Belgot. Even Alexio, who rarely showed great surprise, couldn’t help but be astonished by this revelation.
“Your Maj—”
“Shh.”
Auredhian glanced around with a sidelong look, pressing a finger to his lips. Making a commotion would ruin all the effort of sneaking this far. This was an unofficial visit, after all, and today he’d come not as the Emperor of Belgot but as Yeni’s husband. Alexio, being clever, understood his meaning and nodded, though tension gripped him. How impressive. Auredhian smiled and gently ruffled the boy’s hair.
“When others aren’t watching, you can call me Uncle.”
“But…”
“In exchange, may I call you Lexie?”
The nickname that was usually called out playfully as “Leeeexie” took on a soft, ticklish quality when spoken by the Emperor’s lips.
“Yes. That’s fine. …Uncle.”
Alexio tentatively pronounced the title that Brizni had used without hesitation before. He would absolutely have to keep this rudeness a secret from Father. As Alexio made this firm resolution, Auredhian’s gaze drifted down to the wooden sword in his hand.
“I thought you’d be with Brizni, but you were heading out for sword practice.”
“Yes. Brizni is with the Prince right now.”
“Ah, with Deb. Jena must be with them too.”
“Yes…”
Alexio’s face took on a subtly dejected expression. Auredhian didn’t miss that look. According to Yerenika, Brizni and Lexie were inseparable, sticking together like glue every day, but it seemed his children’s visit had completely monopolized Brizni’s attention.
Once that thought crossed his mind, Auredhian’s conclusion arrived at a rather peculiar conclusion: then, by the same logic, he would simply have to play with Alexio himself.
“Do you know where Yeni is?”
“She went to the Secondary Palace with Princess Tezebia.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief.”
With the sun blazing so intensely, I’m grateful she isn’t outside playing with the children. If she’s just reunited with her sister after all this time, they’ll have plenty to catch up on. Besides, if she discovers I’ve chased after her less than three hours after she left, she’ll scold me endlessly. Yes, waiting another hour before going to see my wife seems wisest. The difference between three hours and four hardly matters to me at all.
“Shall I guide you to the Secondary Palace?”
“No, not just yet.”
Auredhian smiled warmly at the child he had sung about wanting to see for nine long years.
“Lexie, want to practice swordplay with Uncle?”
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I’d slept far too long. Yerenika rose with a drowsy face and checked the time. Nearly two hours had passed since I closed my eyes.
My last memory was of chatting with Sister Tezebia for quite some time, until she noticed my fatigue and gently laid me down to rest, telling me to sleep. I must have drifted off the moment my head touched the pillow.
‘Where are the children?’
I’d seen Grandmother and Grandfather again after so long, and met my cousins—surely they’re having a wonderful time? I want to play with them too. I only have a week in Lebovni, and I promised myself I’d spend plenty of time with Brizni and Alexio. Yet here I am, napping away.
But after resting, my condition had certainly improved. Yerenika buried half her face in the blanket and drew a deep breath. Along with the comforting scent of soft fabric came a familiar fragrance. My lips curved into an involuntary smile.
A pleasant, sacred scent… wait? What scent? My mind snapped awake. At that same moment, I heard hushed conversation from across the room.
“So, Brizni really likes Decarve that much? Is that so…?”
“She’s been marking it on her calendar for a month, and she completely forgot about our training sessions together and just chased after Deb instead… I was a bit disappointed.”
“Hmm… but from what I know, Bri doesn’t actually like Deb…”
Was this a dream? Yerenika blinked only her eyes beneath the blanket, then carefully pulled it back. Though the sound was very faint, the other person immediately noticed I’d awakened.
“Yeni, you’re awake?”
“…?”
“Just a moment, Lexie.”
The one who had been sitting across from the dark-haired boy rose from his seat. While I blinked blankly, large hands cradled both my cheeks. A tender kiss descended upon my forehead.
“If you’re tired, sleep more. Why are you up already?”
“What is this…?”
Still half-asleep, I reached out my hand, and he understood my intention, helping me sit up. He smoothed down my tousled hair with his hand and kissed both my cheeks again. By then, my mind was clearing. It wasn’t difficult to understand the situation. Yerenika gazed at the handsome face before me and smiled broadly.
“You followed me again…?”
“No. I came because of Uni.”
“Tch. Uni saw Father this morning and said he doesn’t want to see him much right now.”
At my affectionate grumbling, Auredhian let out a light laugh. Yerenika wrapped herself in the blanket and nestled against her husband.
“What did you tell Felix?”
“I used the carrot and stick appropriately. Don’t worry. I’ll return in four days.”
“Four days… that’s too short.”
“Didn’t you say the Empire can’t be left unattended?”
“Still.”
At the way I drew out my words reluctantly, Auredhian couldn’t help himself and this time kissed my lips. He tried to pull away as plainly as possible, remembering there was still a child watching, but when my wife playfully bit his lower lip and sucked gently, he eventually shared a shallow breath with her.
“You were so cold when you left, but it seems you were lonely being alone. Wasn’t it?”
“Well, I can’t exactly deny it.”
Yerenika replied cheekily and tucked her head over his shoulder.
“When did our Lexie become so close with Uncle?”
“An hour ago. We practiced swordplay together as well.”
Auredhian’s expression was one of considerable pride as he answered.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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