The Emperor Reverses Time - Chapter 28

The Emperor and the Empress, who had gone to the Elysium Duchy early in the morning, returned only after the sunset.

Officials waiting for the Emperor’s approval watched through the window as the Imperial family get off the carriage. They were all relieved that they would not need to work overtime.

“…Who is that?”

“Who are you implying?”

“That white thing in the Empress’ arms.”

At the words of the Minister of Finance, officials gathered one by one, each taking out their glasses or squinting their eyes, trying to figure out what was going on beyond the window.

“They were said to have gone to the Elysium Duchy, so… ah! It’s probably her then.”

“Elysium? Ah, it must be the young lady who was engaged to the Crown Prince since birth.”

“When their family prestige declines, the pathetic family somehow got their daughter engaged to a member of the imperial family to maintain their relationships and power…”

“Our 6th great-grandmother was married into our family from Elysium, and she was trying to pretend that we’re close by saying ‘We are a family now!’. Ha! How ridiculous!”

“It’s not even funny.”

Officials shook their heads in unity.

“But why is Her Majesty holding their daughter herself? Uh, oh, His Majesty is coming back to the main palace. Everyone stands in line…Don’t cut in!”

After seeing the three of them leaving the Emperor to enter the main palace alone, the ministers hurriedly gathered the documents and began struggling to get a seat as close to his office as possible.

“Well then, child, get some rest.”

“Ye-yes…Your Majesty the Emperor.”

The Emperor smiled kindly and placed his hand on Elizabeth’s head.

Elizabeth’s shoulders flinched, startled.

But instead of shoving her away or grabbing her by the hair, the Emperor lightly stroked her silver hair as if he was dealing with a tiny, delicate ball of fluff.

“If the Crown Prince doesn’t listen to you, tell me anytime. I’m really going to send him to the border.”

Though still puzzled, Elizabeth nodded.

“My love, see you in the evening.”

“You’re going to see me after dinner, right?”

“Of course. And the crown prince…”

The person who smiled affectionately at Elizabeth and the Empress went back to being the usual father he was, demeanor as cold as ice.

Leonhardt crossed his arms as if rebelling against him, arrogance vivid on his face.

“Take good care of your partner.”

The Emperor threw solely those words at him and went into the main palace.

Leonhardt grumbled inwardly about how he had such a father, and naturally grabbed the Empress’ outstretched hand.

“Dear?”

The Empress also extended her hand to Elizabeth.

But Elizabeth was at a loss at what to do and panicked.

“Will you hold my hand?”

“Can I…?!…Is that okay…?”

“Of course. Even if it wasn’t, I really wanted to walk while holding both of you children’s little hands in mine.”

Once she heard those words, the confused Elizabeth carefully placed her hand on her Empress’s hand, face reddened.

‘Her Majesty’s fingers are thin and long and white. But mine? Chubby… short…’

Upset and ashamed, Elizabeth turned her head away.

She did not know why, but she felt like she was about to burst into tears again.

Upon arriving at the Crown Prince’s residence with her two children, the Empress first whispered some instructions to the maids and planned on setting up a room for Elizabeth to live in.

However, even after she had taken a full tour around the prince’s residence, the Empress did not seem that satisfied.

There are plenty of rooms in the Imperial Palace, but there wasn’t a room she found suitable for the little girl.

Eventually, the Empress gave Elizabeth a room that was cute and lovely with a lot of curves used in furniture and wall decoration.

“Sweetie, let’s sleep in this room only for today and we’ll find you another place tomorrow. Or would you prefer it if I build you a new palace?”

‘Not a mansion, but a palace…?!’

Elizabeth blinked, dumbfounded.

She was already overwhelmed by the appearance of the imperial palace, which looked ten times or even a hundred times bigger than the duke’s house.

“Oh and… It would be better to change into something else while the maids prepare your room.”

Elizabeth tilted her head and looked down.

And she became contemplative and began to tremble.

She was wearing a one-piece pajama and shoes that Leon gave her, not formal attire, which did not suit the imperial palace at all.

Why did she only realise now that for a decent lady, she was committing a disgrace that she should never have committed!

As if to appease Elizabeth, who was on the verge of crying, the Empress stroked her soft silver hair.

“Don’t worry too much. The imperial seamstresses are very skilled, they will finish it in no time.”

“But now I’m not even wearing a corset…”

The Empress stroked Elizabeth’s hair wordlessly. Moments later, she pulled her into a tight hug and gave her kind and warm words.

“It must have been very difficult. Thank you for staying strong and endurng it all these time, I’m so proud of you. Corsets are no longer needed. Fashion trends are always changing, and our dear still have to grow up heathily.”

“Your Majesty…?”

Elizabeth could only blink blankly in the Empress’ arms.

She wasn’t sad, but she was about to cry again.

“Your Majesty. I brought the dress you ordered.”

“Look, I told you that they’re very skilled at this.”

Leonhardt was circling around the same place outside her room.

He took three steps forward, turned his body and took another three steps forward. And repeated.

‘Does it take that long to change a single piece of clothing?’

After he had returned to being a child, he felt himself becoming more and more impatient.

Finally, unable to bear it, Leonhardt politely knocked on the door as a gesture to ask how much longer he had to wait before he could enter the room.

“Doctor! Call the doctor right away!”

But before his clenched fist could reach the door, the door swung open and a maid rushed out.

Because of that, Leon’s nose, which was close to door, bumped in it abruptly. Seconds later, the underside of his nose felt wet and red liquid was coming out it.

A long trail of blood ran down the back of his hand as he swept through it.

But more than that, a doctor? Why did Elizabeth need a doctor for changing her clothes? Did something happen?

Leonhardt became anxious and started looking for someone to explain what was going on in the room.

She saw the maid running out a little while ago from the distance and returning with a doctor of the imperial palace. Her arm hooked around his as she rushed him toward the room.

“Wait a moment! Lizzy…did something happen to Elizabeth?”

“Your Highness, what happen?”

The maid, who was hurriedly going back into the room, took a glance at Leonhardt’s face and was stunned.

Despite the urge to point out that it was her fault, he held it in and quickly ask her what was going on in the room.

“That is… Actually…”