Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 65

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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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Chapter 65
Though I arrived at the Imperial Palace somewhat earlier than expected, the Emperor granted us an audience without delay, leaving no time for sightseeing.
“Your Majesty, I offer my deepest respect and gratitude to the Emperor who governs the Empire.”
Following the etiquette lessons I’d received, I gently gathered the hem of my dress, stepped back with one foot, and bowed respectfully.
“Yes, so you’re the daughter of Viviana who recently joined us.”
As the Emperor spoke, I finally lifted my head to look at him.
The crimson hair passed down through the imperial lineage caught my eye first.
It was undeniably striking in color.
His sharp golden eyes indicated he was no easy opponent, yet the upturned corners of his mouth softened the otherwise rigid atmosphere.
So this was him…
The Emperor who clung pathetically to Duchess Papiope even after being rejected by her?
I was surprised—he looked far more composed than I’d expected.
Of course, in the future timeline, he would prove to be a reasonably well-regarded ruler.
Yet after Duchess Papiope’s dismissive remarks, I’d developed a somewhat naive image of him.
Instead, he carried an air of refinement and polish—closer to that of a philanderer.
“I heard you were brought from the Talent Cultivation Institute run by Papiope. How is it that both your eldest and you possess such exceptional beauty?”
“Well, we take after her.”
“Had I a son, I would take you as my daughter-in-law.”
Duchess Papiope stepped forward as if to shield her daughter from his interest, extending the documents toward him.
“I’ve come to have the registration papers stamped. Please do so promptly.”
“It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. At least stay for a conversation. I’m disappointed, Viviana.”
Whether their past friendship was genuine or not, the Emperor’s manner toward Duchess Papiope seemed remarkably at ease.
“I hear rumors that your daughter possesses the ability of ‘Foresight.’ Is it true?”
Duchess Papiope’s brow furrowed as if to say: why ask when you already know?
“I should mention beforehand that my daughter suffers a side effect—her lifespan decreases when she uses her ability.”
It was a clear warning not to inquire further.
“How unfortunate. Does Papiope intend to monopolize Foresight?”
“Your Majesty, I trust you are no tyrant who would sacrifice a child with a bright future to forcibly witness an uncertain destiny.”
“Hmm… but if you haven’t lived to the end, how would you know your lifespan is decreasing?”
It was a sharp observation.
However, since I’d already considered this, I answered without hesitation.
“Whenever I try to foresee when I will die, the date moves forward. That’s why I suspect my lifespan decreases each time I use Foresight.”
“I see… I apologize for doubting one so young.”
“If you truly feel sorry, then stamp the documents first.”
“Tsk, you’re far too opportunistic.”
The Emperor displayed a hint of displeasure toward Duchess Papiope, yet readily accepted the registration papers.
Then, contrary to my concerns, he stamped the documents without further comment.
Thump.
“I hereby permit Viviana Papiope Dilum’s daughter to be registered and become Tania Papiope.”
For some reason, the proceedings felt rushed, leaving me with an oddly unsettled feeling.
So I was becoming the Duchess’s daughter just like that?
As Duchess Papiope moved to take the adoption documents bearing the Emperor’s seal, he stopped her.
“Viviana, would it be alright if I asked you occasionally about futures you already know?”
“Of course. I can tell you anything within the scope of what I know.”
The Emperor smiled benevolently, as if he’d been waiting for this moment, and asked his question.
“Then, within the next five years, are there any natural disasters expected to cause significant damage to the Empire?”
“Actually, I was planning to tell you about that separately.”
“Hmm. So there is something.”
Sensing that tedious matters of state were about to unfold, I quickly sought an escape route.
“I suspect you’d be more comfortable speaking freely without me present. Would it be alright if I visited the Imperial Library?”
The Imperial Library was restricted to nobility only.
I wanted to visit it as a commemoration of having just become a formal noble.
I was curious what treasures warranted such exclusivity.
However, since I’d only just received the seal on my registration documents, the guards might still turn me away.
Looking toward the Emperor for help, he gestured reassuringly to the Servant beside him.
“This Servant will guide you.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed respectfully and backed out of the Emperor’s Office.
“I shall escort you to the Imperial Library.”
“Sure, I appreciate it.”
As I set off toward the Imperial Library, Aiden and Lena, my escort knight and companion, fell into step behind me.
Walking through the magnificent Imperial Palace, I arrived at my destination in no time.
The Servant vouched for my identity, allowing me to enter the library without issue.
Aiden and Lena, naturally, could not enter.
“We shall wait outside.”
“Sure. I’ll just take a quick look around—I’ve been curious about this place for a while.”
Leaving them behind, I stepped into the Imperial Library alone.
Unlike its exterior, the library’s interior was so vast that the word “enormous” escaped my lips unbidden.
It seemed to contain every book in the world.
“So the nobility has been enjoying this all along?”
I voiced my mild complaint quietly and wandered slowly through the surroundings, observing what books were available.
Surprisingly, despite being the Imperial Library, there were no particularly rare volumes. The collection was simply exceptionally well-maintained.
The one notable distinction was the presence of books recording the Imperial family’s history.
These were texts unavailable anywhere else.
Before long, realizing there was less to see than expected, I decided to explore the Imperial Palace further and turned to leave the library.
That was when it happened.
Someone grabbed my shoulder.
Startled, I turned to see a boy who appeared to be about fifteen years old, standing with an inscrutable expression.
He had ash-gray hair and silver-gray eyes.
His overall coloring was nearly monochromatic.
“What brings you here?”
“We haven’t met somewhere before, have we?”
It was a textbook pickup line.
No matter how cute someone might be, surely not to a seven-year-old like me…?
My thoughts must have been written all over my face, because he quickly spoke up.
“Ah, my apologies if that’s not the case. For some reason, seeing your face made me feel as though we’d met before.”
He offered an embarrassed smile and introduced himself first.
“I am Hugo of the Tempus Duchy.”
“Ah, the young lord of Tempus…?”
The Tempus Duchy.
The most enigmatic noble house in the Empire.
They rarely appeared at official gatherings, and the nature of their family ability had never been disclosed.
They showed no particular interest in politics, nor did they accumulate wealth through commerce.
Perhaps it was more accurate to say they stood out precisely because they didn’t stand out.
There was only one certainty: perhaps because of such unremarkable conduct.
The Tempus family had existed in their position since the Empire’s founding, without ever rising or falling from grace.
I grasped the hem of my dress and returned the greeting.
“I am Tania Papiope, who has recently become the adopted daughter of Duke Papiope.”
“Ah, so that’s it…. I rarely forget a face I’ve seen once, so I was puzzled not to remember you.”
As though all his questions had been answered, he smiled warmly at me.
“I apologize for taking up your precious time. I’ll treat you to tea next time we meet.”
“Of course. It was nice meeting you too.”
I exchanged pleasantries and slipped out of the library.
It was always wise to be cautious around families shrouded in mystery.
As the door opened, Aiden immediately came into view, waiting outside.
But his expression was far from ordinary. Just as I was about to ask what had happened in alarm.
Aiden spoke first.
“Tania, what were you talking about with that gray-haired young man?”
Ah.
Could this be the jealousy that overprotective fathers are known for…!
He’d seemed uncomfortable when I met Elysion at the Magic Tower before as well.
But wasn’t the age gap between me and the young lord of Tempus far too great?
I decided to first ease Aiden’s stern expression.
“We didn’t talk about much. Just exchanged names and mentioned our families… and he only said something formal about having tea together next time.”
But even my explanation didn’t soften Aiden’s expression.
He placed his hands on my shoulders and spoke with utmost seriousness.
“From now on, don’t even think about getting involved with the Tempus family. Don’t even have a casual cup of tea with them, and ignore them completely.”
“…What? Why?”
“The people of the Tempus family are like serpents. They cannot be trusted. They are creatures whose true intentions cannot be fathomed.”
While I thought his jealousy was particularly intense today, I had to agree that the Tempus family were indeed people whose schemes remained inscrutable.
Even in the future timeline, their information remained extremely limited.
I gave a light shrug.
“Understood. If that’s what you want, Old Gentleman, then so be it.”

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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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