The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 132 - Side Story 16

 

“‘The Stone of Youth,’ or whatever they call it. At any rate, because of this stone, some have already lost thousands of kerta. If left unchecked, the number of victims will only grow.”  

 

Cedric, who had been listening carefully to Rukia, spoke with calm, composed eyes.  

 

“So, you’re seeking permission to form a special investigation team?”  

 

“Yes, that’s correct. We don’t know how many stones are still in circulation, but to confiscate the remaining ones and apprehend the distributor as quickly as possible, a regular investigation won’t suffice.”  

 

The formation of a special investigation team required the Emperor’s approval. That was why Rukia had personally requested an audience with Cedric today.  

 

“I’ll grant permission to form a special investigation team. Leave the cleanup to them, and in the meantime, have the Magic Research Department identify the distributor of the stone. If possible, it would be good to also locate their whereabouts.”  

 

“Yes, I don’t think it will take more than a month to uncover the distributor’s identity. It would be difficult for an ordinary person to pull off something like this.”  

 

“Right. Transferring a magic spell just before activation to another medium is already an advanced technique to begin with.”  

 

“However, pinpointing their exact location might take a bit longer, but we’ll do our best.”  

 

“Good. If you need anything, just say—”  

 

Cedric suddenly stopped speaking, and Paul, sensing something strange, called out to him.  

 

“Your Majesty?”  

 

“That stone—it seems to be glowing—”  

 

Before his words could even finish, the crystal sphere shattered with a *clang*.  

 

“Your Majesty!!”  

 

And in that very moment, a blinding yellow light engulfed Cedric.  

 

“Ugh, my back…”  

 

I rubbed my sore back with a light pat and barely managed to crawl out of bed.  

 

‘Spending the night together is something I can get used to, but this part—I just can’t seem to adjust.’  

 

I thought that after a certain point in the newlywed phase, I’d grow accustomed to waking up clutching my back the morning after being with Cedric.  

 

But even now, I still haven’t fully gotten used to this back pain and the lingering aftereffects.  

 

‘I wonder if Cedric left already.’  

 

This morning, I heard Cedric getting ready and barely managed to open my eyes to call his name.  

 

In response, he apologized for waking me and told me to go back to sleep.  

 

Of course, Cedric bore most of the responsibility for leaving me in this state, but since he’s my beloved husband, I still managed to wave him off half-asleep and send him off from bed.  

 

‘I only have one meeting this afternoon, so I should go see the kids before that.’  

 

Having organized my day’s tasks in my head, I called for a maid and had a simple meal. Once I finished eating, Mirian, the children’s nanny, came to my door.  

 

“Your Majesty the Empress, did you sleep well?”  

 

“Ah… yeah.”  

 

I couldn’t exactly say, ‘Actually, I didn’t sleep well at all,’ so I just mumbled vaguely.  

 

“Huh? You look a little tired… Are you really alright, Your Majesty?”  

 

“…Ah, yes. I’m really fine.”

 

💫

 

Actually, my back hurts a little.  

 

But now that I’ve gotten up and moved around, it seems a bit more bearable.  

 

“Alright, if you’re really fine, then that’s good. But if there’s anything difficult for you, you must tell the maids, okay?”  

 

“Yeah, don’t worry. I won’t force myself to endure the pain.”  

 

“Good.”  

 

Only then did Mirian give a slightly relieved smile. Having been Cedric’s nanny, she had watched over him since childhood, and she and I had also known each other for a long time.  

 

She cared deeply for Cedric, and by extension, showed great concern for me as well. 

 

Moreover, as the nanny to Caspian and Ciana, she was a kind soul who looked after them with equal devotion.  

 

“How are the kids? I heard Cedric went to see them this morning.”  

 

“Yes, both His and Her Highness finished their baby food and took a nap. They’re now in the playroom with Jane. There haven’t been any issues so far.”  

 

“Then I can see them right away.”  

 

I always felt a flutter of excitement whenever I went to see the children playing in the playroom.  

 

The sight of their eyes lighting up the moment I entered and them toddling toward me was unbearably adorable.  

 

Just the thought of seeing that cuteness again today made my heart race uncontrollably.  

 

“Great, then I’ll go right now—”  

 

Just then, someone urgently knocked on the bedroom door.  

 

“Your Majesty, the Empress! I have urgent news!”  

 

The maid knocking on the door shouted in a frantic voice.  

 

“His Majesty, the Emperor—”  

 

💫

 

“Your Majesty!”  

 

Rushing into the magic research department’s office, I found Rukia, Paul, Professor Dalton, and Marquis Lauren inside.  

 

But among those present, Cedric was nowhere to be seen. I would have recognized him even from the back, so his absence left me utterly bewildered.  

 

“Wait, what’s… going on?”  

 

Sitting on the chair, surrounded by people, was not the husband I knew—but a young boy who appeared to be around twelve years old.  

 

And one whose face was achingly familiar.  

 

“Wh… who are you…?”

 

With the same jet-black hair as now, and crimson eyes that held not a trace of malice—utterly innocent.  

 

And that somehow fragile yet unconfident demeanor.  

 

That was unmistakably Cedric at twelve years old, just as he was when I first met him.  

 

“Um…?”  

 

I couldn’t even make a sound, covering my mouth with my hand.  

 

An indescribable surge of emotion whirled inside me as the memories of that time—the most intense and precious of all the moments I’d shared with Cedric—flooded back.  

 

“Now, Your Majesty the Empress, let me explain the situation.”  

 

Rukia told me that Cedric had temporarily reverted to a childlike form and would likely return to normal within two days at most.  

 

He added that they had checked him for any physical abnormalities, but aside from his body transforming into that of a twelve-year-old boy, there was nothing unusual.  

 

“I thought it’s best to inform Your Majesty immediately, which is why I contacted you in such haste. My apologies if this has startled you.”  

 

At Dalton’s following words, I shook my head, still unable to remove my hand from my mouth.  

 

“No. If something this significant happened, even I would have reached out right away.”  

 

“At any rate, that’s the gist of it. As for why His Majesty fell under this spell—”  

 

“Big sis.”  

 

The unfamiliar word echoing through the room froze everyone in place.  

 

Even Rukia, who had been speaking, fell silent.  

 

“Hey, big sis.”  

 

The black-haired boy then climbed down from his chair, lightly tugged at my sleeve, and stared up at me intently.  

 

‘Big sis…?’  

 

That single word short-circuited my thoughts for a moment.  

 

Wait, why am I smiling?  

 

“Who are you, big sis? My name is Cedric.”  

 

“Ah…”  

 

For a second, my mind went blank at the sight of his pure, unbearably adorable face looking up at me, but I shook my head and barely managed to regain my composure.  

 

“My name is Ciel. Ciel Minerva.”  

 

Then, bending my knees to match his eye level, I spoke to him—as gently and warmly as possible, so as not to startle him.  

 

“Wow, your name is really pretty! It suits you, big sis.”  

 

“Thank you.”  

 

“And, um… this is a little embarrassing to say…” 

 

Suddenly, Cedric trailed off and twisted his body awkwardly. His face turned as red as a tomato.  

 

Just like when he held my hand for the first time.  

 

Remembering those days, I unconsciously smiled and approached him.  

 

“What is it? You can tell me. I’m good at keeping secrets.”  

 

“Then… I’ll just tell you a little, big sis.”  

 

With that, Cedric motioned for me to lend him my ear, so I leaned in closer.  

 

“Um, big sis, I think you’re the prettiest person I’ve ever seen…!”  

 

Ah. The corners of my lips, which had already risen when he called me ‘big sis,’ wouldn’t stop lifting.  

 

His face was flushed as if about to burst, yet those red eyes stared straight at me despite his embarrassment.  

 

Not only that, but his small, tightly clenched fists looked so adorable that I couldn’t take it.  

 

In the end, I covered my mouth with my fist again, unable to make a sound.  

 

‘My husband is just too cute…!’