Chapter 53 - Meeting His Family
Chapter 53 – Meeting His Family
The emperor and I rode back to the palace. He would constantly grumble at the chaos that was happening in the capital. Even some townsfolk joined the hunt. Now, it seemed there were three parties in the cat-and-mouse game. Hugo's pack was being chased after the knights, and the citizen hunting Hugo's pack and the knights.
I didn't know Ronmin Empire was such a chaotic place.
I gazed ahead, seeing that there was still one place that was left untouched by the disaster. The palace. I glanced around, seeing wolves and knights alike tilt their heads down as we entered the gates of the palace.
'This is not what I expect to happen once I enter the Ronmin Empire,' I thought, pressing my lips into a thin line. 'Although I think the werewolves are kind, it's still a little strange.'
Was it normal for the emperor to take me with him? I had no idea. He told me it was better if I stuck with him so I wouldn't be caught in the chaos in the capital. Hugo also said he would come to me later, and I trusted he would fulfill that promise.
"Your Majesty!" as we were in the inner palace, we stopped. There were many people standing outside, looking all worried. An old man dressed in noble clothing immediately sprinted to the side of the wolf while His Majesty hopped down.
"Why would you welcome His Highness yourself?" nagged the old man, making the emperor frown in irritation. "You aren't young anymore! My goodness! You have to watch your health and –"
The old man couldn't finish the sentence as the emperor smacked his head. He instantly rubbed his head, looking at the emperor as if his eyes were telling him it was unfair.
"Are you telling me that because I am not young anymore, I will just drop dead, huh?!" the emperor harrumphed angrily, grinding his teeth as he still had his fist up.
"Haha! Father, please don't blame Bernard. He is only worried about your health so you live a very long life." Another man, who looked like a young adult, chuckled as he approached the emperor. He then raised his head to me, smiling warmly.
"So, you are the lady my little brother took home?" he said, offering me his hand. "Come, my lady. Hugo will take a while before he can come back in here."
"Thank you," came out a whisper as I smiled weakly, taking his hand, and jumped down from the wolf's back. I then raised my head at the youth and smiled. Did he say he was Hugo's big brother? But he looked so young. If I judge by appearance, Tito seemed like he was the oldest. But it seemed it was reversed in this family.
"Don't mention it." His smile remained before shifting his attention to the emperor. "Father, you should've asked me to welcome my little brother in your stead. Bernard had been rumbling when he heard you set off with your royal knights."
"Hmph! You are so lenient to that brat, Daniel!" the emperor huffed, crossing his arms. "He wouldn't learn his lessons if you keep letting his offenses slide."
"But the capital is now in chaos because you let them run wild." Daniel chuckled calmly, speaking to his grumpy father with the same warm smile. "Father, I can already imagine the complaints I will receive tomorrow."
"You better start coming up with ways to appease the public, Dan." A woman chimed in, making me shift my gaze to her. I blinked as my jaw slightly fell, seeing a gorgeous woman with dark red hair stand with the rest of the people who welcomed the emperor back.
"Alice, please don't laugh at your big brother's misfortune." Daniel frowned.
"Father! Daniel is complaining about his duty! Let me punish the crown prince!" Another man chimed in, sitting on the stairs going to the palace.
"If you want to punish big brother Dan, why not challenge him and fight for the title of the crown prince, Tom?" another man teased, hooking his arm around Tom's shoulder with a playful grin. "I will bet on you then."
"Shut the fuck up, Perci!" Tom glared at Perci, but the two of them stumbled down the stairs when a woman kicked their backs with her arms crossed.
"Language, you two!" said the woman with short black hair as she raised her brow.
"Oh, Cora, why must you kick those poor puppies?" Alice chuckled in delight, contradicting her words as she seemed to enjoy watching those two roll down the stairs. "I was looking forward to Tom challenging Dan so I can place my bets ahead of time."
"Ughh! Cora, where is that fucking husband of yours?! Why the hell did he let you out!?" Tom ground his teeth, glaring at Cora angrily as he sprung up to his feet.
"You better shut your fucking mouth before I make you eat your tongue, little pup." Cora's expression darkened as if she didn't remind them about language just moments ago.
"Oh, gosh… Percival, please take my bet. I'll put my stake on my dear little sister, Cora." Alice chuckled as she winked at Percival. The latter was still slumped on the ground, stretching his arm from the fall.
"Big sister, I think I broke my neck," Percival grunted with a frown. "Why did you kick me as well?"
"Because you're on the way!"
Suddenly, a young girl peeked behind Cora. Her doe golden eyes scanned everyone, and it brightened when it landed on the emperor.
"Papa~!" the girl called sweetly, skipping her steps towards her father. She jumped high with open arms, making the emperor turned his head in her direction.
"Papa, I miss you~!"
"Oh, my little girl!" The emperor managed to catch her as he chuckled, carrying her in his arms. "Stop jumping like that. What if Papa can't catch you?"
"That's impossible because Papa is the strongest!" she beamed a bright grin, boasting the emperor's morale as the latter grinned at Bernard.
"Did you hear what my little girl said?" the emperor boasted, invisible glitter surrounding him.
"Your Highness," Bernard helplessly gazed at the little princess.
"Sally, stop acting like a child. For god's sake, you're old enough to have grandchildren."
Sally, the little girl in the emperor's arms, glared dagger at another man. "Shut it, Leonard!"
Leonard raised his hands and shrugged. But Sally seemed a little hurt by his remarks as she turned to the emperor.
"Papa, Leon is a bully!" she teared up before bawling her eyes out. "Wahh! It's not like I wished to look like a little girl forever!!"
So, she was really old enough to have grandchildren? I wondered while watching her throw a tantrum. All this time, I kept my mouth shut, overwhelmed by the people around us.
"Kyah~! A new sister~!" I froze when a lady appeared in front of me and embraced me excitedly. Her remarks seemed to remind the people of my existence as they all turned their eyes on me. The woman who embraced me planted her hands on my shoulders as she drew her head back, staring at me with a bright grin.
"Awww~! you're so cute! No wonder Hugo abducted you! I will kidnap you myself so I can see you every day!"
"My. Is she the woman that prodigal son of yours took home, Father?" Alice cupped her jaw, simpering as she sized me up.
"What a poor thing," Tomas spat out while shaking his head.
"Please be kind to her." I gazed at Daniel as he spoke with a kind smile. "She is the hope of this empire's mating season."
Huh? My brows furrowed, studying everyone as they all nodded in agreement.
"Sister!" I flinched when the lady who embraced me suddenly clasped both my hands. "Please don't let my brother go! I really want to meet my mate this season!"
'Uhm… what is going on….?'