K-Eldest Daughter Possessed a Childcare Novel

The banquet didn’t end until almost midnight.

The emperor and the Imperial Family were the first to leave, and Zion and Mostin also returned home with their families.

I waited for the coachman at the entrance steps of the building. I had told him to stay out of the snow if I was late.

The entrance, which had been bustling with nobles and carriages just a while ago, was now quiet and empty.

Winter banquets usually started in the afternoon and ended early, with guests returning home early as well. If it hadn’t been for the unexpected meeting with the emperor, I too would have gone home early like the other nobles.

‘I ended up being the last one left.’

Zion and Mostin had worried about me being left alone and told me to wait in the powder room in the banquet hall, but I politely declined. My cheeks were slightly flushed from drinking champagne while talking with the emperor.

I pulled my coat tighter as the cold wind hit me on the entrance steps. Beyond the entrance and the carriage path, the central garden of the imperial palace stretched out.

It was a dark night, with no moonlight.

As I absentmindedly watched the snow accumulate under the streetlamps, I noticed someone walking through the garden.

‘Who could that be at this hour?’

The dark figure exited the garden and crossed the carriage path, then briskly climbed the steps toward me.

The face revealed by the light of the banquet hall was unfamiliar.

“Ha, I’m glad I made it in time.”

The man, who had quietly approached my side, brushed the snow off his shoulders and hair with a cheerful smile. His low-saturation red hair and clear gray eyes left a strong impression.

I stared at him for a moment, then bowed my head slightly in greeting.

“Greetings to His Highness Prince Killian Allerman Deckardil. I am Belladi Alton.”

The red-haired man, Killian, blinked briefly before bowing his head as well.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Alton. I hadn’t introduced myself yet, but you recognized me.”

“I happened to hear today that His Highness Killian had returned to the country.”

Therefore, the name stuck in my mind.

Moreover, Killian was taller than me, even though I was wearing low heels.

Among the nobles of the capital, there were few men taller than me, including my father, and I knew all their faces.

Above all…

“Red hair is also a characteristic of the Imperial Family.”

The shade was slightly different, but the late emperor, the current emperor, the crown prince, and Princess Hera all had red hair.

A tall, red-haired man I didn’t recognize could only be Killian.

“You have a sharp eye.”

Killian said with an attractive smile.

His nose and cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps from being outside for a while.

“If I had known Lady Alton was attending today’s winter banquet, I would have attended as well. We could have talked sooner…”

Killian spoke smoothly in a pleasant voice.

I slowly closed and opened my eyes as I listened.

“Do you have any business with me?”

“Not really. I just…”

As he spoke, Killian elegantly extended his hand. I looked at it for a moment before placing my hand on his.

Killian carefully brought my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers, a gesture commonly performed by noblemen for a lady they held dear.

“I’ve wanted to get to know you since I was in the Magala Empire.”

Killian’s eyes crinkled into a pretty smile as he spoke.

“So, I’m really glad I got to meet you, even if only for a moment.”

As he said that, Killian gently brushed my fingertips with his thumb.

The ticklish sensation through my gloves made me tilt my head.

‘Today must really be something.’

Casper, the emperor, and now Killian. It seemed like strangers were approaching me all day, seeking something.

Among them, though…

‘Killian is the hardest to read.’

My specialty was reading people’s true intentions.

Even for me, Killian’s mask was thicker than others’, making it difficult to see through.

Though his true feelings might be hidden, the intention behind his actions was painfully clear.

I naturally withdrew my hand from Killian’s grasp and spoke.

“The scarf I’m wearing right now is made from the fur of a red fox.”

Killian gave a charming smile, unfazed by my off-topic response.

“It’s a color that suits Lady Alton’s eyes quite well.”

“It also matches Your Highness’s hair nicely.”

The red fox’s fur was similar in color to Killian’s hair.

As I said this, I stroked the fur on the scarf.

“Red foxes are more cautious than ordinary animals, and they’re also quite intelligent. Sometimes, they even deliberately reveal themselves to people.”

“Cautious, yet they appear in front of people… do you think there’s a reason?”

“After long observation, they become convinced that they can deceive their target, that they can drink their blood.”

Red foxes were creatures mixed with demonic energy. And demons’ favorite food was human blood.

“A red fox acts like an ordinary fox in front of people, putting on all sorts of charm, then bites their hand the moment they let their guard down. Their hidden fangs are so sharp that people who get severely injured by them appear regularly.”

“What an unfortunate story.”

“And I’m very skilled at hunting red foxes. I can finish them off in one shot without damaging a single hair, like with this scarf.”

Just like during the summer hunting competition, when I aimed at the red fox’s eyes as it hid in a tree, watching me.

Killian seemed to realize why I was telling this story.

His expression subtly changed, and I raised the corners of my mouth.

Seeing my smile, Killian, who had been silent for a moment, smiled back broadly.

“Impressive, Lady Alton. Hearing that story makes me want to get closer to you.”

“I’m honored to hear you say that; Your Highness.”

I said as I looked away from Killian and gazed down at the carriage road. Just then, my carriage arrived, cutting through the snow.

Noticing it, Killian asked in a voice full of regret.

“Are you leaving already?”

As he asked, the carriage reached the entrance of the banquet hall.

The coachman hurriedly opened the carriage door. I looked at it and said.

“It’s getting late.”

“Would you mind meeting with me separately next time? If I let you go like this, I think I would regret it too much…”

Hearing this, I turned to look at Killian. The light spilling from the building cast shadows on his features.

Seeing his handsome face, I automatically recalled what Elosha had said at the ball.

-They say His Highness Prince Killian was quite the womanizer back in the Magala Empire.

Indeed, I could see why.

If I hadn’t been aware of my past life and hadn’t grown accustomed to Zion’s extraordinarily beautiful face, I might have been a little excited by his offer.

‘Unfortunately, after tasting power, nothing else catches my eye.’

“Unfortunately, I’m going to be very busy this winter.”

I said as I descended the stairs and climbed into the carriage. Then, stopping the coachman from closing the door, I looked back at Killian standing at the top of the stairs.

I spoke to him in a clear voice.

“Did you say you wanted to get to know me?”

“… yes, Lady Alton.”

“People like us don’t get close to others without any ulterior motives.”

Killian flinched at my words. I smiled as I watched him.

“Interestingly enough, I’m also curious about you, Your Highness. So, let’s meet when the weather warms up after this winter.”

Killian just looked at me without saying anything, seeming quite flustered compared to how he was earlier when he was flirting.

“When we meet next time, you’d better be prepared to reveal some of your cards. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Wa-wait, Lady Alton.”

Killian hurriedly descended the stairs and approached the carriage.

He looked up at me with a confused expression.

“Is there… really nothing you feel when you look at me?”

“Nothing.”

I said firmly, then turned my gaze forward.

“It’s cold.”

At my words, Killian stepped back with a startle. The coachman, who had been waiting, carefully closed the carriage door.

Just before the carriage started moving, I slightly opened the window and looked at Killian.

“Your Highness should also avoid getting caught in the snow and head back to the palace.”

“Oh… thank you for your concern.”

I kept my smile as I gave him a slight nod.

And with that, the carriage set off.

Glancing back, I saw Killian standing still, just staring at my carriage.

I closed the window and leaned back against the seat.

“A womanizing second prince, Killian…”

I never expected to meet him like this.

There was something suspicious about Killian. Particularly, the rumors about his womanizing ways seemed dubious.

Although he hid his true feelings well…

‘He’s not very skilled at seducing women.’

The points where I might have felt a flutter were his looks and voice, not his words or demeanor.

‘Of course, with a face like that, he could probably gain popularity based on looks alone.’

But could that really be the only reason why the haughty nobles of the Magala Empire were enamored with Prince Killian?

Perhaps for others, but I’d heard that the twin princesses of the Magala Empire took great pride in their country.

It was hard to believe they would have liked a prince from an enemy country simply because he was handsome…

And why did Killian say that strange thing at the end?

– Is there really nothing you feel when you look at me?

As if I should naturally feel something when I looked at him…

‘What secret is Prince Killian hiding?’

Should I assign someone to keep an eye on him…

I thought about it for a moment but then shook my head.

For now, I had a lot to do. With Prince Killian having returned to the empire and approached me first, there was no need to rush.

I closed my tired eyes and let myself relax in the jolting carriage.