I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 213

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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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* * *
Mother covered her mouth and laughed.
“Isabel, you’re certain your father won’t apologize?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I know Father far too well.”
“What kind of father does Isabel know?”
“Father is rather….”
How could I phrase this without hurting Father’s feelings?
“You mean to say he lacks social skills?”
“Um, yes.”
To be honest, Father’s social skills were…. Well, it was already infamous without my even mentioning it.
In my capacity as his daughter, if I were to make excuses, Father has wielded nothing but a sword since birth.
There was no need for human interaction—he only needed to be strong.
That has been the role and duty of the Vilotian Emperor since the empire’s founding.
It was natural, and Father grew up believing the same.
I notice my words keep growing longer, and this is all to excuse Father’s severely lacking social skills…. Yes, that’s right.
I hastily tried to comfort Father.
“Father, um, I don’t think it’s entirely about social skills.”
It wasn’t even a virtue expected of an Emperor to begin with.
Diplomacy and governance requiring social skills had traditionally been the Empress’s domain.
The Emperor is the final sword and symbol protecting Villorian.
One could say the Empress held all practical authority.
“I believe what Father said there—’What are you scheming?’—was probably just a question of pure, one-hundred-percent sincerity.”
Putting myself in Father’s position once more, he could have thought: ‘Someone collided with me, yet fell over so easily? That’s highly suspicious.’
“How could a person collide with someone and fall over…. Something like that?”
Father had never fallen in his entire life, so he couldn’t understand such a thing.
This was what Viscount Biatonn had once said—that the Emperor was too much of a genius and so on.
And there was one more thing to point out.
“Father, at that time, your age was….”
Father still couldn’t say anything, while Mother and I were delighted.
“Our adorable Prince was six years old.”
That’s right. Father was six years old back then. He looked nothing like his actual age.
The person who held the most “record-breaking” titles in the Vilotian Royal Family—in fact, most of them belonged to Father.
His growth rate was also record-breaking.
Despite being six, he was already two heads taller than Mother.
Mother was quite tall for being ten, mind you.
“A six-year-old Father would never have apologized. Logically, it was impossible. Mother at ten couldn’t have been hurt.”
Mother looked at me.
If I were to interpret the look in Mother’s eyes, it would be something like: “Anyway, my daughter is truly clever. So mathematical and logical. Remarkable, really. She’s my daughter, but I’m so proud I could burst.” That’s what it would be.
Mother’s affectionate gaze could make even whales dance.
My chest felt oddly warm.
Even if I became an Archmage, Mother’s gaze was always right.
I wasn’t letting go of this arm.
Then, my Biological Father opened his mouth.
“I did.”
“Pardon?”
“I apologize.”
“What?”
I couldn’t believe it.
My Biological Father lying?
He lacked social skills, but he always spoke the truth!
-I’m sorry.
Then my Biological Father turned his body and walked away somewhere.
My Biological Father had apologized. A six-year-old version of him.
Without even knowing what he’d done wrong.
This was shocking. Mother’s words weren’t some kind of spell or anything.
What was even more remarkable was Mother.
I couldn’t take my eyes off my Biological Father as he walked away.
For some reason, the look in ten-year-old Mother’s eyes was extraordinary.
And wasn’t she muttering to herself?
-How cute.
Of course he’s handsome, but what part of him could possibly be cute?
How would I explain this mathematically? It was utterly mysterious.
Glancing to the side, my Biological Father’s face was flushed red, and Mother was even more delighted.
“Now, shall we see Father’s first love?”
Crash!
The window shattered.
My Biological Father couldn’t hold on any longer and chose to flee.

* * *
I spoke carefully.
“I’ve already obtained Father’s consent….”
In other words, mental consent.
Before I peeked into Mother’s memories, I sought Father’s consent as well. (Of course, I didn’t ask for it verbally.)
Father, the greatest swordmaster, could have refused if he wanted to, but he didn’t refuse and instead accepted my magical power.
That should count as consent, right?
Father would think the same way.
“Should we look into it, then?”
“No.”
Mother smiled brightly.
“I don’t particularly want to open that box. I live firmly believing that I am Father’s first love.”
“That’s quite a logical approach. At that moment, Father apologized, didn’t he? He would never have apologized if it weren’t for you.”
“I think so too. I choose to believe it that way.”
I always felt it, but Mother was brilliant and wise.
That’s probably why Father is so firmly bound to her.
If I had to choose just one person in this world I most wanted to resemble, I would unhesitatingly choose Mother.
My mother is the best.
“It’s a shame, but I should be going soon.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I have a mountain of paperwork piling up.”
“If there’s anything I can help with, please let me know. I’ll assist you.”
“I see, understood. Just hearing that is reassuring.”
Mother rose from her seat.
I was reluctant to part with Mother, but I had no choice but to let her go.
As I said, she was someone for whom every second counted.
She had to handle all the affairs of the Empire.
Since I was no longer a young child, I decided not to whine.
Mother kissed my forehead briefly and spoke.
“Today was really fun, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t see me out.”
“I don’t like that. Let me escort you.”
I walked with Mother, linking my arm through hers.
The moonlight was truly beautiful.

* * *
Mother is wise and prudent. But I am not. I need to verify Father’s first love myself!
Since Father had already given his permission anyway, I burrowed into the blankets.
Already lurking beneath the covers was my soul companion, who carried the scent of honey.
“It’s nighttime. You’re going out like that?”
[Executing secret operation.]
[If we get caught looking like this, we’ll get scolded less.]
As expected.
Kim Beolkkot truly is my soul companion.
How is it that we think exactly alike?
“Let’s watch in secret.”
[Ancient history.]
“We can’t spread word of this.”
Kim Beolkkot nodded.
We abandoned the vivid quality and dynamic beam projector, instead traveling through Father’s memories on a small phone screen.
Six-year-old Father spoke.
-I’m sorry.
Then he returned to his room and collapsed with a thud.
Father’s breathing was ragged.
He clutched his right chest. It seemed like he might have had a chronic illness back then.
-What is this…?
Experiencing this emotion for the first time, Father was confused.
Just then, someone came to Father’s room.
“Oh? It’s Viscount Biatonn.”
In the video, Viscount Biatonn asked.
-Your Highness. Who hit you? Why are you breathing so heavily?
-A woman seems to have poisoned me. Something felt suspicious about her.
-Don’t worry. Vilotian bodies detoxify most poisons anyway. If you happen to pass away, I’ll bury you in a sunny place.
-…
-That’s strange. At this rate, you should be wielding your sword.
Viscount Biatonn had remarkable intuition even back then.
-Who was that woman?
-I don’t know.
-Wasn’t she the most striking young lady around ten years old at today’s banquet? The one in the white dress who walked so gracefully like a butterfly.
There weren’t just one or two young ladies in white dresses walking gracefully, but Father nodded immediately.
-I knew it would be her. I happen to know a few things about her.
-Tell me whatever you know.
-She apparently likes a flower called Lycianths.
Father tilted his head in confusion.
-What are you talking about?
—No, just keep it in mind.
I smiled warmly.
Lisianthus. What my Biological Father held in his hand the day I was born.
—Its flower language means unchanging love. Please remember that well.

* * *
The next morning, when I opened my eyes, Arun was already gone from beside me.
It seemed he had gone outside for sword training.
His stamina is impressive. He was so remarkable last night too.
I can barely move from this bed, but Arun is truly different.
“I should rest a bit longer.”
Just then, Viscount Biatonn came to find me.
“Your Highness, I’m hurt.”
“Viscount Biatonn?”
Viscount Biatonn had tears streaming down his face.
“Crocodile tears again.”
“These are genuine tears, Your Highness.”
I extended my right hand, and Viscount Biatonn gently kissed the back of it.
After finishing his greeting, Viscount Biatonn began complaining again.
“Me too! Me too! Me too!”
“What?”
“Yesterday, His Majesty was bragging so much that my eardrums nearly melted.”
“What bragging?”
“That thing. Your house doesn’t have potatoes, right? I got hit with that!”
Just as Kim Beolggwol had contracted the “digital plague,”
Viscount Biatonn had caught the “Earth literature disease.”
Apparently, it was: “You couldn’t take a nostalgic trip with Isabel, but I did.”
“I cannot live like this. I will make a greater request of you, Your Highness!”
He spoke boldly, but Viscount Biatonn’s voice soon grew smaller.
“Of course, only if Your Highness permits it….”
I smiled broadly.
“I permit it, Viscount Biatonn.”
“There is only one thing I wish to request.”
I played along with his solemn demeanor.
I lowered my voice slightly and asked softly.
“What might that be, Viscount Biatonn?”

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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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