Matchmaking Baby Sister - Chapter 14 – Don’t Cry, Aunt
TL: Zimmings
The office was quiet as General Raphael let out a low sigh.
‘Alexander should do well.’
He was worried.
The nobles who only care about their own successes, and even neighboring countries were always aiming to take advantage of the empire.
A face popped into his mind.
“Papui!”
It was Princess Amelia.
‘Alexander was about to be promoted to captain soon. I’ll put him as an escort until then.’
General Raphael did not like gambling.
Some of the great commanders devised a strategy to make a quick move, but General Raphael was cautious and saved the most lives.
Such a tendency was also evident in his political orientation.
He didn’t move unless he was sure.
However, Princess Amelia came in without any time left for him to calculate.
‘If I had known a little earlier, I would have driven her off the stage altogether.’
He could easily kill a baby like her in a carriage accident.
However, without knowing about her beforehand, Princess Amelia entered the Imperial Palace safely. She is a surprising variable.
‘She’s a surprising variable, so it’s right for me to do something about it.’
Knock. Knock.
While he was thinking about it, the office door was knocked.
General Raphael raised his head.
“Father, it’s me.”
The person who opened the door was Alexander’s older sister, Nico. As if she had just heard what he said, she questioned General Raphael in a rather enraged tone.
“Isn’t that a hasty decision, father? I still don’t know if holding the princess’s rope is a good thing or a bad thing.”
General Raphael clicked his tongue at her question.
“It’s still too early. I don’t know if it’s good or bad. I’ll make sure it’ll be an unconditional advantage for us.”
Anyone who has relations with the Raphael family always inherits the throne.
The exception was Tessa. It was because Lloyd died too early.
“But when the emperor gives birth to a baby, the princess’ position will be pushed back. She won’t be useful at that time.”
“I won’t talk about that any more.”
“… … .”
The eldest daughter stepped away with a dissatisfied face.
General Raphael gave strength to his firm jaw.
What she said made sense.
‘Certainly, her position can change at any time.’
Although she’s the child of the former emperor, Amelia was born out of wedlock from a commoner mother. It was clear that this fact would hold her ankle for the rest of her life.
‘I don’t know if she can even get a husband from a good family.’
It was when General Raphael sighed with that thought.
“Father, how have you been?”
“Good.”
His younger daughter greeted them with a warm smile.
And in her arms was a baby with beautiful silver hair.
“Ryan, come say hello to Grandpa.”
At the youngest daughter’s words, the baby smiled softly and stretched out his cute hand toward General Raphael.
“Grandpa-.”
“Hehehe, Ryan has grown a lot.”
What kind of grandfather doesn’t like his grandchildren? Besides, Ryan was a gentle and beautiful baby. Looking at the smiling face, the blunt General Raphael’s lips also naturally went up.
“Grandpa, hewwo.”
“Now you know how to say hello.”
As he was greeting his grandchildren like that, he automatically remembered the princess he had met recently.
“Papui!”
It was like listening to an adult talk.
‘It was an unusual baby.’
It was not yet known whether she will grow up and rise to the highest position, or whether she will become a simple princess and disappear as a result of marriage.
But there’s a chance she will become a very sharp sword and aim at Raphael.
‘Alexander needs to do a good job, whether it’s to grow the bud or to trample it on it.’
With that in thought, General Raphael stroked Ryan’s head.
* * *
I’m stuck in an absured situation right now.
I looked at the blue-haired man kneeling in front of me with a puzzled expression.
“I will pay for the crime of not protecting the princess with my life.”
It was Alexander who said that.
“Bubuu!” (No,why are you like this!)
What do you mean you’ll pay with your life?!
‘It happened because of Pupu in the first place! It’s not your fault!’
However, the gloomy expression on his face did not leave. I crawled and hung on Alexander’s arm.
“Buu!”
“Princess… … .”
Tears welled up in Alexander’s eyes, knowing that I was comforting him. He nodded with a gentle face.
“I have no choice but to pay back with my life… … .”
You don’t need to!
‘Pupu! Come out quickly It’s because of you!’
[Huh!]
Pupu didn’t show it’s face, as if it didn’t want it’s tail to be pulled by me again.
‘Ugh, you annoying cat!’
Because of it, I ended up losing my escort. I shook my head and said.
“Al~ lwike!” (Alexander, I like you!)
“Pardon?”
“Al~ lwike you! lwike you!”
“Princess… … .”
Alexander’s eyes twinkled with excitement.
The maids who were watching us anxiously covered their mouths with their palms.
“Oh my!”
“I think the princess really likes Sir Alexander.”
Yes! I like him the best after Lucinda!
‘And it’s not really Alexander’s fault.’
I didn’t know that I could fly by holding on to Pupu’s tail. Had I known, I would have been a little more careful.
‘By the way, I can take advantage of flying with Pupu next time.’
It’s difficult to crawle across the Imperial Palace, but I can easily go using Pupu.
[You’re going to kill me!!]
Hearing my thoughts, Pupu came out.
It was angry, so it flutter its wings violently, scattering rays of light here and there.
“Oh my goodness!”
“I think the familiar has come out.”
Everyone saw a ray of light scattering over my head. It was for Alexander. I said to Pupu.
‘Say sorry quickly.’
Of course, Pupu didn’t do it. Pupu twitched and said.
[I hate it! A great familiar won’t say sorry to anyone!]
‘Alexander is going to die because of you!’
[You’re saying nonsense! It’s not because of me, it’s because of you!]
No, of course, I became like that by holding his tail.
‘You were the one who took my chocolate and ran away in the first place, you stray cat!’
I stared at Pupu, who was turning its head, and whispered in a low voice.
‘I’ll give you some chocolate.’
[What? … … how dare you bribe me with that.. … .]
‘Do you know how delicious chocolate is? It’s bitter and sweet, it melts just by putting it on your tongue.’
Gulp.
Pupu, who is still young, visibly drools at my words. I stretched out two fingers.
‘I’ll give you two.’
[Hmmm! This is because you humans are pitiful and this great familiar will take care of them! … … It’s not like I want to eat something!]
‘Yes, yes. There’s no way the great Pupu will be swayed by chocolates!’
As I encouraged it, Pupu puffed up its chest and groaned. Then it flew up and wags its tail.
Now, a beautiful halo made of lights were above us.
[I couldn’t control my power. Sorry.]
“Oh my goodness!”
“I think it wanted to apologize.”
“It seems so.”
The maids and Mrs. Fenrir nodded. Alexander, who was staring blankly at it, made eye contact with me.
“Are you forgiving me, Princess?”
“Buu.”
I clung to Alexander’s arm again.
‘Oh, it’s so warm.’
‘Besides, he’s kind. he’ll be a great escort.’
And that shirt pocket is like a chocolate bag that will be refilled every day.
‘So, please be my escort for a long time.’
For the first time, I brushed the fact that he’s the son of General Raphael, and rubbed my face in Alexander’s arm.
Alexander looked at me with a shocked expression and bowed his head.
“Thank you, Princess! I will do my best to protect the princess. I guess I’ll have to learn how to fly too.”
… … Hey, wouldn’t that be unreasonable?
In any case, Sir Alexander’s self-blaming were managed by Pupu.
But it wasn’t the end for me!?
“Mama.”
“… … .”
I remebered about Lucinda.
“Mama. Mama.”
“… … .”
Even when I crawled close to her and shook her, Lucinda sat blankly like a madman.
‘What do I do? She must have been very surprised.’
I bit my lip. Sucking my thumb in nervousness, I jumped into Lucinda’s arms.
“Mama! Mama!”
Lucinda! Aunt! Calm down. I’m here!
“… … .”
Even though I touched her face with my palm, the light in Lucinda’s empty eyes did not return.
As I looked into those eyes, I was terrified.
‘What if Lucinda hates me? Now, what if she say she’s tired of taking care of me?’
Did my mind become younger because my body was younger?
Once the fear washed over me, I became impatient.
I looked at Lucinda.
‘Ugh this body! Why is it that I couldn’t even control my emotions?’
I didn’t want to cry, but tears welled up. I couldn’t take it any longer and started crying.
“Huwaa!”
Lucinda’s body which had been idle, trembled softly.
‘She can hear my cry.’
Then a sense of relief came.
As I embraced my emotions, a cry came out even louder, as if a string of tension had been released.
“Huwaaa!!”
“Ariel!”
Lucinda’s dark brown eyes shone as before. Lucinda called me and hugged me tightly with both arms. And she patted my back with her soft hand.
“Don’t cry, Ariel. I’m sorry. Are you surprised? Your aunt has a headache… … .”
“Sniff.”
No. I was the one who should say sorry.
It was so fun to fly with Pupu, and it was the first time I met a kid my age, so I didn’t even think about finding my aunt. I didn’t know that Lucinda was looking for me like this.
“I thought you were really gone.”
Lucinda’s tears fell on my shoulder. Lucinda muttered in a very suppressed voice.
“Oh my God, Ariel. Your aunt is really… … .”
“Mama.”
I didn’t mean that.
Whatever happened, it seemed that Lucinda is even more miserable by coming to the palace.
After taking a few deep breaths, Lucinda put her hands on my arms and made me stand up. Then, she made eye contact with me and said.
“You can’t just leave when your aunt is gone like today. Understand?”
“Uh.”
“I was so shocked that I thought my heart would stop. Don’t do that again.”
“Ywes.”
I nodded eagerly. Only then did Lucinda’s face loosen.
“Now go to sleep.”
The clothes that were dirty from crawling on the dirt floor were replaced with new, clean clothes.
Lucinda gave me a pacifier in place of my thumb.
‘Ah, it’s peaceful.’
Maybe it was because of that pacifier, or maybe it was because I had been moving around so much that I was tired as soon as I lay down on the bed.
Lucinda, who was taking care of me, spoke in a low voice.
“I was only seven years old when my father abandoned us. My sister was ten years old.”
It was the story of Lucinda’s childhood, which I did not know. Lucinda smiled bitterly and continued the story in a low voice.
“My usually drunk father was sober that day. He gave us 100 derks. He said he was sorry for us and told me to buy some delicious food with my sister. Me and my sister were very excited.”
I laid down and looked at Lucinda with sad eyes. My vision was blurry, so I couldn’t see clearly whether she was crying or smiling.
“And when I got home, my father was gone.”
After saying that, there was no word from Lucinda for a long time. Lucinda’s voice was as soft as a lullaby. I closed my eyes.
“You must never go anywhere. All right, Ariel?”
Lucinda’s request was vague.