K-Eldest Daughter Possessed a Childcare Novel

“Nice to meet you, Lady Alton. I’m Hera Allerman Deckardil.”

The princess rubbed her blue eyes, her bright red hair tied up in an adorable style.

The princess resembled Grilica, the former emperor, as I had seen in her portrait. It seemed that the bloodline had passed down strongly through her son to her granddaughter.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Belladi Elton.”

“Please excuse me for being in His Majesty’s arms. I couldn’t take my nap today because of the banquet preparations.”

Despite her clear and articulate tone, Hera’s voice was full of drowsiness.

The emperor, finding his daughter endearing, kept stroking her hair.

“You’ve shown your face to the nobles, so you can go to bed now, princess.”

“No, Your Majesty. I want to listen to the conversation between you and Lady Alton.”

Even as she said this, Hera yawned widely. The empress, unable to hold back any longer, quietly spoke up.

“Hera. His Majesty called Lady Alton here because he has something important to discuss. It’s very late, so let’s go to your room.”

“Hmmm… but…”

The princess glanced at me. Her eyes were filled with curiosity about me.

‘I didn’t expect the princess to be interested in me.’

What kind of day was this?

First Casper, and now the princess. People I had no connection with kept approaching me.

I lowered my gaze, pretending not to notice the princess’s eyes on me.

The empress opened her arms to Hera. The princess sighed deeply, as if reluctantly.

“Alright.”

The emperor kissed the princess on the forehead before passing her to the empress.

The empress expertly held the child and stood up from the head seat. The nearby nanny, fidgeting, offered to take the princess, but the empress declined and patted Hera’s back.

It was such a tender scene.

As I watched the empress’s retreating figure, the princess, resting her face on her mother’s shoulder, caught my eye.

The princess smiled bashfully and waved her small hand at me. Her innocent greeting made me bow my head in return.

A deep voice came from beside me.

“She’s my daughter, but she really is a cute child.”

The emperor said, smiling fondly.

“Yes, indeed.”

“She’s very bright and mature for her age. She always addresses me formally in public, even though she’s only seven.”

The emperor laughed warmly. I smiled back and agreed.

“With such a sharp-witted princess, it’s a blessing for the country.”

“It’s a pity, though. If our Hera were just a little older or you were a bit younger, the two of you could have been good friends.”

“That might have been possible.”

Although I said so, our ages didn’t need to match. After all, in a few years, Hera would have a close friend named Nesia.

‘In the original story, the two, who are the same age, become inseparable friends.’

However, it was the first time the emperor had called me for a private audience.

The summer hunting competition was an unusual case, and usually, he would only talk to the heads of the noble families, not their children.

‘He didn’t call me just to show me the princess.’

Of course, building a connection with the princess was better than with the crown prince. According to the original story, the princess was a person of great character and ability.

But seeing how unfamiliar people were approaching me today…

‘It feels like the emperor has something planned as well.’

Then, suddenly, a part of the original story flashed through my mind.

Hera, who was strolling in the garden of the Alton family’s mansion with Nesia, sighed.

Seeing this, Nesia asked her with a worried look.

“Is it because of what you mentioned before?”

“Yeah… it seems like the relationship between my brothers and His Majesty is getting worse because of me.”

“But didn’t Prince Kilian say he’s on your side?”

“Yes, he said he would support my wishes. But I’m not sure. His Majesty wants to bestow a title upon me, while my eldest brother is strongly opposed…”

“That’s because His Majesty highly values your abilities! Honestly, I also think it would be a waste for you to just get married as a princess. You definitely deserve a noble title!”

Hera gave a slight, sad smile at Nesia’s words.

“Thank you for saying that… but lately, His Majesty seems to regret not preparing a stronger support base for me.”

Hera’s face was filled with sorrow as she said this.

This was the last scene I read before the accident.

When I came to, I found myself reincarnated into this world.

‘According to Princess Hera, the emperor had been seeking supporters for her for some time…’

Could it be that I was his current target?

As if to confirm my thoughts, the emperor spoke up.

“The northern families were a solid foundation that supported the late emperor when she was still a princess.”

“We have always been loyal to the Imperial Family, Your Majesty.”

“I’m talking about when that loyalty was directed at a single member of the Imperial Family.”

I remained silent for a moment.

Even without my response, the emperor continued.

“The late emperor always had affection for the Duke of Alton, the representative of the North. And so do I.”

“…….”

“And so does Princess Hera.”

I lifted my head to meet the emperor’s gaze. Though it was improper to look at him so directly, the emperor did not get angry.

No, rather, he was smiling.

“The princess said she admired the northern identity that doesn’t retreat even in the face of harsh cold. The late Emperor Grilica said the same when she was alive. It’s quite amusing.”

‘The identity that doesn’t retreat even in the face of harsh cold…’

The reason we didn’t leave the North even after the war was over was because there was an abundance of profitable iron ore there. Why else would we stay in such a harsh place?

The emperor surely knew this practical reason, even if the young Princess Hera might not.

Though he was smiling kindly, the emperor’s eyes were sharply observing my reaction. He was pressuring me to get close to the princess.

More than just a simple friendship.

‘Is he telling me to support Princess Hera just as the House of Alton supported the late Emperor Grilica?’

Why was he telling me this instead of speaking to my father about such political matters?

I sighed inwardly. The emperor’s presence was more overwhelming than I had anticipated, as befitted the ruler of a great empire.

‘But I’m no pushover in a battle of wits either.’

After taking a shallow breath, I managed to maintain a composed smile without much difficulty.

“My father would be greatly pleased to hear this. It is a great honor for our family.”

I put on a deliberately worried expression.

“But… I’m concerned that Princess Hera’s affection might be misunderstood.”

The emperor’s eyes flickered slightly at my words.

“Misunderstood?”

“I’m worried that Princess Hera’s affection for the North might be seen as favoritism by the nobles from other regions…”

As I finished speaking, I glanced behind me.

The highest seat was positioned to overlook the entire grand banquet hall. I sensed that the emperor also shifted his gaze toward the hall, following my lead.

‘Now, let’s see.’

Could I find them in this crowd?

Contrary to my concerns, I easily spotted Mostin and Zion, as Zion was conveniently looking in this direction.

“So why not have a conversation with the heirs of the other ducal houses as well?”

I suggested this while giving a slight nod.

Reading my signal, Zion quickly brought Mostin along and headed toward us.

When Zion and Mostin quickly reached the stairs leading to the throne, the attendant waiting on the stairs looked at the emperor.

Without saying much, the emperor allowed them to approach. Zion and Mostin, moving with a grace that hinted at their haste, bowed and greeted the emperor.

“It is an honor to meet Your Imperial Majesty. I am Zion Agla, son of the House of Agla.”

“I am honored to meet Your Majesty the Emperor. I am Mostin Fredo of the House of Fredo.”

“Well…”

The emperor acknowledged their greetings and then shifted his gaze back to me.

“Do you want me to talk with these two? Me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Both of them are truly of excellent character. I’m sure you’ll be quite impressed if you talk with them. It would also make it easier for you to introduce their charms to the Her Highness the Princess.”

“Hahahaha!”

The emperor laughed heartily at my words.

His laughter was so loud that even the crown prince and his wife, who were conversing at a distance, couldn’t help but glance our way.

The emperor looked at me with a pleased expression.

“This is quite something. I was planning to introduce the princess myself, but instead, I’ve been introduced to your friends.”

The emperor kindly summarized our conversation in a single sentence, allowing Zion and Mostin to grasp the situation.

Both of them smiled as sweetly and sincerely as they could manage and bowed to the emperor.

“As Lady Alton said, I’m quite an interesting fellow, Your Majesty!”

“I hope I can be a source of joy for you today, Your Majesty.”

I smoothly moved to stand beside them and bowed as well.

“Would you please allow the three of us to have a conversation with you, Your Majesty?”

The emperor smiled at our display. His smile was even more relaxed than before.

“I know the three of you are quite close. Very well, let’s see how much you can entertain me.”

As soon as the emperor granted permission, the attendants quickly gathered to set up a chair beside the emperor’s seat.

A few of them also set up a small table, glasses filled with drinks, and some canapés.

“I’m curious about what the young minds of the empire think these days. This banquet is turning out to be more refreshing than I expected.”

Refreshing indeed.

For the rest of the banquet, we stayed with the emperor. The emperor couldn’t stop laughing the entire time. We had the expert in pleasing the elderly with us, after all.

Though Zion and I weren’t bad with words, we were nothing, but fireflies compared to the full moon that was Mostin.

“Would it be alright if I sang a song that I wish to dedicate to Your Majesty?!”

“Hahaha! Very well! Go ahead!”

Mostin played his part brilliantly, like a hundred men rolled into one.

I couldn’t help but think that if he had been born in modern times, he would’ve climbed the corporate ladder with his flattery skills alone.