Goddess Kingmaker Chapter 10

From my perspective, having lived in 21st-century Korea, Parma had done wrong, but not to the extent of deserving death. If she were to die while resenting the gods, that would be a loss for me in its own way

 

I just needed her to disappear from my sight—that was enough.

 

“Your Majesty, please show a little mercy.”

 

“Count Montes.”

 

“I’ve noticed from my grandson that, at a young age, frightening experiences leave a deep impression. It wouldn’t be good for the baby, who has just regained stability, to fear Your Majesty.”

 

Fortunately, Count Montes intervened at the right time and stopped the emperor.

 

Somehow, I had a strong feeling that bringing this old man over to my side would be useful in many ways.

 

“So, you’re asking me to simply let a mere maid, who tormented the child, go free?”

 

“That wouldn’t be right. Instead, it would be best to erase her career entirely and demote her to an insignificant position.”

 

“If it were a job worse than this, it would be nothing more than cleaning up manure in the stables.”

 

“Aaang!”

 

Yes. That sounded just right to me.

 

When I stopped crying and stared at him intently, the emperor cleared his throat.

 

It wasn’t necessarily because he had read my mind, but as he spoke, his expression seemed to indicate that he was quite satisfied with that.

 

“Take her to the stables immediately!”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

 

The power of the highest authority was truly terrifying. Knights who I didn’t even know existed came out without a sound and surrounded the area.

 

As Parma was dragged away, practically being pulled by force, her desperate wails echoed through the corridor.

 

“Tsk tsk, I should have shut that damn mouth from the start.”

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Now that the situation had settled, Count Montes seemed more relaxed.

 

The emperor, too, regained his signature solemn and dissatisfied expression.

 

“Huh. It’s finally over.”

 

“Aang.”

 

No, no.

 

There’s still one left.

 

Meeting his gray eyes, I gave a delicate smile—one that I had carefully polished. Clinging to Roen as if I were shy.

 

“Hey, what’s your name?”

 

“R-Roen, Your Majesty.”

 

“…From now on, you will be responsible for this child.”

 

‘That’s exactly what I wanted!’

 

My tiny fists clenched tightly. The emperor might not have had another choice, but judging by how firmly he reinforced his command, he knew this was the best decision.

 

“To prevent this kind of unfortunate incident from happening again, stop everything you’re doing and focus only on this child. Can you do that?”

 

“Y-Yes, of course!”

 

At the emperor’s dreamlike command, Roen belatedly came to her senses and bowed her head.

 

“Yes! From now on, I will protect the baby with my life!”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The emperor sneered, as if to say I wasn’t worth such devotion yet—but for once, I found myself genuinely smiling.

 

‘Sister! It’s enough now!’

 

I giggled and patted Roen’s shoulder excitedly. Seeing her tear up like this made my heart ache.

 

It’s like she just received some prestigious royal title.

 

How hard must her life have been for her to be so moved by a simple order to care for a child? My nose stung at the thought.

 

‘The more she reacted like this… the more I wanted to give her a life of luxury!’

 

“Thank goodness. Oh my. Baby. It seems like the goddess really helped you.”

 

“Aaang!”

 

I like that too!

 

Glancing up at the sky, I wondered if the heavens could hear me, then shook my head.

 

‘Gods aren’t that free, you know.’

 

Humans often misunderstand, but gods can’t directly interfere in human affairs.

 

Good or bad, everything ultimately happens at the hands of humans. So, this time, it wasn’t a divine intervention—it was a human helping themselves.

 

‘Still, I was lucky that Grandpa arrived sooner than expected.’

 

Roen, ever the devout one, might think the emperor’s unexpected visit was fate, but that wasn’t the case.

 

There’s no such thing as coincidence in this world.

 

Since the first day I came here, I have been waiting for the day the Emperor would come, so the opportunity would have come at any time.

 

The reason I was so certain?

 

‘He definitely hesitated.’

 

In our first meeting at the Duke’s house, the Emperor’s hand, which was about to pour water over my head, visibly shook at the last moment.

 

Despite his terrifying words and expressions, his careful movement ensured that the water didn’t directly hit my head or face.

 

Looks like my grandfather isn’t quite as cold-hearted as he seems.

 

But the real reason I was sure the emperor would visit me someday was something else.

 

When Count Montes asked what should be done with me, the emperor insisted on taking me to the imperial palace.

 

If I were truly insignificant to him, the simplest choice would have been to leave me at the duke’s estate.

 

As the emperor of an empire, there was no way he wouldn’t have calculated the easiest option.

 

Whether it was to create an excuse to summon his youngest son or out of some lingering sense of guilt, my existence clearly weighed on his mind.

 

So, what was left for me to do?

 

All I had to do was prepare myself—physically and mentally—while waiting for the emperor to eventually visit.

 

At the same time, I was building up the strength to tear down the rotten cradle that would let him know the truth about my situation, and at the same time, I was prepared to cry so much that I almost collapsed.

 

“Aaang!”

 

‘Grandpa, just open your eyes and see for yourself!’

 

As I smiled in Roen’s arms, my lips curled in satisfaction.

 

If he was going to bring me here, he could’ve at least given me a better room.

 

Why was I stuck in what felt like an abandoned place?

 

“My dear baby… hikss.”

 

Still, I couldn’t complain too much—because it was thanks to this situation that I met Roen.

 

As she held me tightly, still emotional, her warmth felt even more comforting today.

 

‘Yeah. Today is a good day.’

 

Since it was a rare day for the two of us to make a fresh start with peace of mind, I decided to be generous.

 

And whether I liked it or not, the emperor was still the emperor.

 

Regardless of time or place, it is normal to bow down to the highest authority and the most powerful person.

 

For the sake of the future, I had to let go of old grudges and maintain an amicable relationship.

 

“Aang. Aaang!”

 

Hold my hand! You can try holding it!

 

Since I had already made up my mind, I reached out to the Emperor Grandfather, who was keeping silent like a barley sack.

 

Since his reaction was not bad when I held his hand last time, I thought it might work this time too.

 

‘What are you waiting for? Hold it already!’

 

I’m giving you a chance, so take it!

 

I wiggled my chubby fingers impatiently. But as expected, the emperor only stared at me blankly as if this had nothing to do with him.

 

‘Come on, really? How neglected has he been for this to feel so unfamiliar?’

 

Even though I wasn’t really in a position to say this, a part of me did feel sorry for his life.

 

‘Here!’

 

When I stretched out my hand, Count Montes, who couldn’t stand it any longer, spoke up.

 

“Ahem. Your Majesty, it seems the baby… is asking for you.”

 

“What now?”

 

‘Listen to him talking.’

 

I was very dumbfounded by his sullen expression, as if he had already done everything he could do, but I was not a narrow-minded child.

 

‘Let’s just shake hands while we’re at it!’

 

As I repeatedly opened and closed my fingers, Count Montes suppressed a pleased laugh.

 

“It seems to me that the baby wants to hold Your Majesty’s hand.”

 

“What?”

 

‘Is that really that surprising?’

 

Even if he had just heard the news of a rebellion, I doubt he would have flinched this much. His face showed pure bewilderment, as if he had never once imagined such a thing happening in his life.

 

“……”

 

He stared at me for a few moments before slowly stepping forward.

 

Count Montes, who had been standing nearby, nodded encouragingly.

 

“Your Majesty, you did well. Babies tend to try to grab anything.”

 

“Hmm. Such a small thing, yet such a bother.”

 

“Still, doesn’t the young one resemble Duke Targa quite a bit? Your Majesty, please say something.”

 

‘Yes, go ahead! Say something!’

 

Peeking over Roen’s shoulder, I widened my eyes at Grandfather.

 

It was obvious that he was not used to the presence of babies, so I didn’t expect any particularly affectionate words.

 

Just something like, “You’re cute.” or “You’re pretty.” If that was too greedy, “Not bad.” That was enough.

 

“By the way, is this a boy or a girl?”

 

“……”

 

The Emperor’s nod, with his chin resting on his hand, was even more cruel.

 

“Now that I look at it, I have no idea. The short hair makes it seem like a boy.”

 

“Y-Your Majesty.”

 

“Well, it doesn’t really matter.”

 

The Emperor raised his eyebrows and cut off the Count’s words.

 

Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he cleared his throat and subtly held out his hand.

 

The corners of his mouth, which were usually stiff, relaxed considerably, and at first glance, he seemed to be smiling.

 

“You’re a tiny thing, yet so greedy. Are you satisfied now…?”

 

“Aang!”

 

If only I hadn’t turned my head away so coldly.

 

◇ ◆ ◇

 

Roen and I, who had started a full-fledged family, were in a much better situation.

 

Roen, who no longer needed to do anything else, focused more on me, and I also opened my heart even more to Roen.

 

But that wasn’t all.

 

Thanks to the baby supplies and various food items sent directly by Count Montes, our lives became much more comfortable.

 

We no longer have to share food or save it.

 

I’ve come to realize in this life that just having better food can bring genuine smiles to people’s faces.

 

For once, this Gonjiam-like place was filled with laughter.

 

Except for the rare occasion when an uninvited guest comes.

 

“….Why does this child always sleep?”

 

“Y-Your Majesty!”

 

The moment he entered the room, the emperor frowned, and Roen lowered her head apologetically.

 

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