Daughter of the Emperor Vol 1 Chapter 16

황제의 외동딸 

Telling an eight-month-old baby to go attend a party is a pretty funny thing to do but since it's my own father's birthday party there no other choice.

'If it's Dad's birthday then I have to go. Yup. Who knows what will happen to me if I don't go?
Even if I am a Wah-Wah crying baby this is an unavoidable reality. Ugh!'

"Then we will use this outfit, so what should we do about the hairpiece?"

Not only was it a party for Keitel's birthday, but envoys all over the continent were coming to celebrate.

According to Elaine's gossip, all the countries Keitel conquered including the ones he never even touched are coming. All kinds of people with different style clothes and culture, almost literally all of them were coming together just to give a long-drawn-out speech that's mostly them just talking at length about literally nothing on this occasion.

It was literally two empires, six kingdoms, two coalitions (United Kingdoms) and one republic. They were all coming together with bribes to offer as a tribute and a woman to seduce Keitel with... Anyway, they were really wrapping all kinds of things while coming here.

It looks like Dad is gonna be busy thanks to all those people with all kinds of goals.

Of course, when I grow up, I'm going to busy too. However, for now, thanks to my youth I just have to attend the party and it's the end for me.

I don't even have to stay for a long time which is good news.

Now that I think about it, I am the only princess of the Agrigent Empire. It is a problem that I only remember at times like this, but I am Keitel's only daughter.

Not only that but I have five names.

It is Ariadna Lereg Ilestri Pre Agrigent.

Wow, it's so long it's scary.  Just memorizing it made my brain go numb.

As I marvel at the length of my own name I felt someone come from behind me. As I turned my head, Ellen, who was holding me, turned around too.

It was a maid.

When our gazes met, she bowed politely.

"His Majesty calls for the princess."

"Ah-ta." (T/N Appa for dad)

As soon as I saw Keitel, I was in his embrace in no time.

I guess he finished his work for the day because there was not a single piece of paper in his study.

Friedel must have swiped all of it.

I saw him a couple times but he's not a normal guy. However, I'm not saying he's a crazy guy either.

"Is that suppose to be 'dad'?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

'Can't you just tell by listening? I'm calling you Dad.
Now that I think about my accent... It's sad, so don't say anything.
Shh.'

As I felt his eyes focus on me, by instinct, I reached out to pull his hair while laughing. Keitel was not so petty that he'd get angry at me for playing with his hair which is a good thing.

'Hey, Papa aren't I loveable by now? Ahem!'

"She's prettier now."

It was as if he read my mind because he gave me an answer.

My face lit up as I pulled Keitel's neck towards me.

'Really? For real?'

"She was so ugly before."

'....Ah. I tried to look upon you with affection. Ugh!'

"Yew-ah-uhgwy." (Baby talk: You are ugly)

'You are ugly too! I'm not the only one ugly!'

I babbled away but, as I said before, I must have some kind of communication disability.

Keitel just looked at Cerera with a blank expression.

"What is she saying?"

"I, I don't know..."

'I hate both of you.
I want to be alone. All of you leave.'

I couldn't do anything about the rush of sadness I felt surging inwards.

'I am ruined.'

As I lamented by myself, I felt the fervent desire to one day be able to pronounce human words. I suddenly heard loud laughter coming from the side. Just as I thought, when I turned around there was Dranste cackling next to Keitel.

'Don't laugh, you jerk.'

"If only Keitel understood... It would have been a masterpiece. How regrettable."

'If you feel that way then just let him know.'

At my remark, Dranste just shrugged his shoulders. Then the words that came out of his mouth was...

"It's a lot more fun if he doesn't know."

'You're a piece of work...'

The room Keitel took me to while holding me was the bedroom. Then he placed me in the crib.

It has been two months since I slept next to him.

'You said it was only for a while. A while my ass!'

It looks like that guy's going to put me to sleep next to him for the rest of his life.

"Just wait a bit."

It seems like he's going to wash up because he put me down in the crib and placed a toy in my hand.

Then he disappeared.

'If you're going to be like that then call me after you finish washing up.'

"It's because he finds it fun to watch you these days. He says you are mysterious."

What is there to be mystified about? If you look at it from one angle, it's a form of interest but I feel like it's blatantly obvious that he's giving me the same amount of interest that you would throw to a toy, so I felt his fascination with me was unwelcome. If there ever came a day when he approached me as a human I will then consider whether I welcome it or not.

'Anyway, Dad still can't see you?'

"He can't even hear my voice."

'Yup, it really seems like that.'

We were chattering away in one room but there was no response at all. Especially from that ghost-like dad. Now that I think about it, I remember that captain of the guards.

'I had forgotten about it but I wonder if he found the people who tried to assassinate me?
Did he figure out who they were?'

I guess Elaine and Cerera wanted to forget that incident because they didn't have much to say on the subject. Even Keitel had nothing to say on the subject so there was nowhere I could go to satisfy my curiosity.

'Ah, I feel curious again today.'

As I wondered, I covered my head with both my hands then I felt a big hand pat me. Without looking up, I knew it was Dranste who somehow got closer and was now petting my head.

'Can't you just disappear from my sight?'

"Nope, I told you that you were interestingly mysterious."

'Who said anything?
Ah, I  really wonder about that bloodline of mine.'

Now that I think about it there are a lot of things I am curious about.

I plopped down and start rolling around forcing Dranste to let go without a choice.

'When is our daddy coming back?
Abei~ ya, come back.
Ah. Now that I think about it this is the most comfortable time for me.
Everything about dad is good but he's someone I don't feel comfortable with.
I miss those days when I slept alone.'

"Why? Are you afraid Keitel will kill you?"

'Isn't it even more strange if I don't feel afraid?'

I asked while burying my face in the blankets of my the crib.

Dranste just looked at me with an unreadable expression while holding his chin.

His blue eyes gleamed today too.

'Chi! I have to admit that part of him is as pretty as a jewel.'

"You don't have to worry about that ."

'Why?'

I asked lowering my blanket.

 Dranste was looking at me with a blank expression that I rarely saw on him.

Of course, everything that guy says is 90 percent jokes but he didn't lie. That's why I was so caught off guard.

'Why? Why do you say I don't have to worry?'

"He's big-hearted when it comes to what is his."

Dranste smirked as he answered. Then suddenly his eyes gleamed with a cold look.

"But he's a hundred times more merciless to others."

'Ah... Um.'

 Dranste nodded his head as if it was natural and then laughed.

'Why do I find his smile so cruel today?'

I guess birds of a feather flock together. It was one crazy guy after another.

As I shook my head back and forth Dranste's smile deepened. Once again, he reached his hand out to me.

"As long as you don't get in his way he won't kill you. As long as you keep in line, most things will be probably allowed?"

I hit his hand away and asked.

'What if I curse at his face?'

"You will be killed."

'Damn it, I guess I shouldn't do that. Chi!'

Then I must curse at him as much as I want for now. Let's call him an idiot. Later, when my pronunciation improves, I will pretend I can't speak well and do it too.

If I survive that then I will stop.

Now that I think about it from this angle my communication disability is quite good.

'Um. Yup. This is a good plan.'

In my fluffy, fluffy blanket I could smell the scent of babies.

A baby smell.

'That's right, I am a baby. Pu~'

As I let out a sigh and turned my head, I could see Dranste laughing.

'Now that I think about it...
Do you always do that?'

"What?"

'Do you normally wander around invisible?'

"Ah, sometimes."

He replied so nonchalantly that I was surprised.

'What? So you normally wander around invisible? So Dad can't see you?'

As my stare became cold, Dranste laughed and tried to give an excuse.

"Since Keitel dislikes me so much..."

Now that I think about it Dranste breaks into the bedroom when we are sleeping.

'Seriously do you...'

In the end, my stare grew even colder.

'Oh dear.
Mom, there's a pervert here!'

*************************************************************************************************************

I woke up.

It's been a while since I slept so well and it's morning already.

As soon as I opened my eyes the white sunlight pierced my eyes. It was only for a moment that it was so bright since a black shadow covered most of my sight.

'What is that?'

I just woke up and my mind was too groggy to figure out what it was at a glance. It was hard to adjust my eyes to the light...

Soon enough, I was rewarded for my patience as my eyes quickly adjusted to the light and the figure behind the mysterious silhouette was quickly revealed to be my Daddy, Keitel.

'Ah, that's right.
This bed is our Abei's. I forgot.'

For a moment, our eyes met.

The warm sunlight coming from the window brightly revealed the bed.

As soon as our eyes met, he twisted his lips slightly. It was difficult to describe it as a smile.

"Did you sleep well?"

A low voice. I don't know if it's because it's morning but it seemed even lower than usual. If I say I feel like I could just melt, it must be because that guy's voice is too good.

Hah. I recalled the words someone said where you can get pregnant just by the voice.

At that moment, I immediately gave a smile. It looked a bit stupid since I just got up but this was the greatest expression I could make to welcome him.

At that moment, he touched my cheek.

"Ah-da." (Dad)

I should have gotten used to this but the person is Keitel so I just can't.

'This feeling is quite...'

I have to say, Keitel is sexier in the morning than at night or dawn.

That's right, with the exception of when he wakes up at dawn sometimes drenched in sweat, he looks his sexiest when he just woke up in the morning all messed up.

Hah... To think that a daughter is enjoying the view of her own dad's sensual appearance, this is a problem. A big problem.

But what was seriously strange, even though we didn't sleep or do anything provocative together, when morning comes and he just wakes up...

"..."

Keitel becomes so sexy in such a state that he becomes a danger to himself.

'Abei-yah, don't meet girls in the morning. It's not good for you.
I think it's a bit dangerous for men too.
Ah, I am serious! But, seriously! Why! Really, why are you so sensual! You are a Dad with a kid!
This seems unfair. That's right. It's unfair.'

Not only was his beauty out of this world, but every morning or dawn without exception to time or place he allures and captivates people. It is a big problem.

'If only he shared his beauty with other men, how beautiful and bountiful the world would be.
Don't you agree?
Since he keeps it all to himself how can the world be bountiful? Shit! 
Hah! I feel sad you are my dad. At least if you share your beauty with other men I will stop complaining. How about it? Good?'

"Ah-da." (Dad)

'Good? What am I saying? I should just be grateful I get to see Keitel just wake up in the morning.
I feel like my eyes are getting cleansed and of course my heart too.
Ah, I can't get married.
Every day, looking at this face... How can I adjust to someone else whose face doesn't reach this level?'

*Sob sob*

'This bastard dad is blocking his own daughter's marriage with his face.'

"Pathuh." (Father)

Keitel lifted me up.

I am about 7 kilograms yet he picked me up as if I were a bird. I got used to being embraced by my dad after waking up in the morning yet I can't get used to his beauty...

'Ah. What am I supposed to do with this effulgent guy?
How does this look like a dad with a kid? The world is seriously unfair!'

"You really grow up fast."

'...Eight months have passed. 
Is this much growth fast after eight months?'

For a moment, I felt as if I was a test pig and was hit with some kind of growth shot and showed an unnatural growth spurt.

'Pig. Oink, oink.
Ah, this is not a problem, for some reason, Keitel is always on the edge in the morning.'

If I laugh he laughs too but compared to daytime or night he was quiet. It was always up to me to break the silence.

'You seriously order a kid to do all kinds of things.
 Hah~I seriously end up doing all kinds of things to live.'

"Ah-da!"

"Yes."

"Ah-da!"

"Ah."

'Send me to Cerera now. Isn't this enough at this point?
Are you still not satisfied with my entertainment?'

I am laughing brightly now but my face muscles are stiff and about to collapse from exhaustion.

'If my face gets old and wrinkled in my young age it's because of you. Okay?'

As if he understood my fervent heart, Keitel cocked his head to the side.

"Why does she keep calling me?"

"Ahda..."

'.....Please let me go. Father, your manners are a bit.....'

In Korea, it seems if you are a ghost you know hidden things.
So there's a saying to be like a ghost.

Chapter end