Chapter 12 - 012 ※ Beware the Fool Who Hides Behind a Façade of Power

And when I say 'his true nature,' I mean just how completely idiotic and childish he truly is. It's not a small issue or something I can brush off—it's a glaring problem. Sometimes, it feels like he takes two steps back in maturity every time he opens his mouth. It's baffling to me that someone who holds so much power and influence can be so utterly careless and thoughtless in the way he carries himself. But then again, maybe he just hides behind this charming façade, thinking it's enough to fool everyone. It works on a lot of people, I'm sure. But I can see through it. I've seen through it from the very beginning.

"Of course, your majesty. I won't let you down," McRae said. Her voice was full of unwavering sincerity, and there was a strength to her words that I couldn't ignore.

She truly respects him, doesn't she? I can see it in the way she speaks to him, how she listens so attentively, as if every word he says is the gospel truth. It's almost maternal, the way she looks after him. But deep down, I can't help but wonder if she truly understands what he's really like. I wonder if she realizes that the man she looks up to with such reverence is also the very one who has made countless foolish decisions and failed to protect the people who needed him the most.

"I know you won't, McRae. That's exactly why I chose you," he responded, his tone a mix of affection and something deeper that he rarely lets show. "You're like a mother to me, and, most importantly, you're not influenced by the Empress or the Queens."

I can't help but feel a little bit of relief when he says that. For once, it sounds like he's making a good choice, choosing someone with integrity and strength who isn't swayed by the poisonous influence of those around him. It's not often that he makes decisions with that kind of foresight, but in this case, he seems to have chosen wisely.

If there's one thing that stands out in my mind from the book of destiny, it's the memory of what the Empress did to Davey when he was just four years old. She started abusing him, and all because she couldn't get Eirwen's attention in the way she craved. The idea of a helpless child enduring that kind of treatment... it makes my blood boil. I can't let it happen again. I won't. Even if I have to take Davey's place and become the target myself, I'll do it. It's better than letting him suffer again. If I have to be the one to endure her cruelty, then so be it.

The Empress is nothing more than an arrogant, self-absorbed human, and I won't let her get away with hurting anyone under my watch. Not again.

"As I will have to spend a few months with them and my children, you must go to the Ice Castle in Schneeflocke," Eirwen continued, his voice turning more serious as he spoke. "It's empty, so they won't suspect anything. They hardly pay any attention to it anyway. Take good care of her, McRae. I trust you." He paused for a moment, his gaze becoming intense. "When the time comes to introduce her to them, I will call you back here."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," McRae replied, her voice filled with a calm assurance. "I'll take care of her as if she were my own daughter. Just like I took care of you."

Her words brought me an odd sense of comfort. In a world that felt like it was crashing down around me, McRae seemed like a steady, reliable presence. I could trust her, at least for a little while. She was someone who truly cared, someone who would watch over me without question.

"Thank you very much, McRae," Eirwen said, his voice softer now, a rare smile on his face. But even in that moment of warmth, there was an underlying urgency that couldn't be ignored. "I must go now, or they will suspect that something's wrong. You must leave immediately, too."

["Already?"] I asked, surprised at how quickly things were unfolding. My tone carried an edge of annoyance, but beneath it, I could feel the weight of the situation starting to settle in.

["Didn't you say you weren't going to miss me?"] he teased, his voice playful but with a note of sincerity that made me pause.

["Idiot,"] I groaned, rolling my eyes, though I couldn't stop the faintest trace of a smile from tugging at the corners of my mouth. Even when I was irritated with him, there was something about him that was... well, endearing in a frustrating sort of way.

He reached out, ruffling my hair in a manner that felt unexpectedly affectionate. Despite my annoyance, I found myself not really minding the gesture.

"Don't worry, Evie. Everything will be okay. We'll see each other again soon. I'll miss you too."

His words stirred something in me that I couldn't quite explain. For some reason, I felt this tight knot forming in my chest, and the urge to cry caught me off guard. Why? I didn't even like him that much, not in the way he probably thought. He wasn't my father, after all—though sometimes he seemed to act like one. But still, something about his departure made my heart ache in a way I didn't fully understand.

["Be careful. And take good care of your children,"] I said, my voice softer than I intended, the words more of a plea than a command.

["I will. And I'll take good care of them. See you soon,"] he responded warmly, his tone reassuring, even though I could hear the sadness underneath it.

["See you soon, Eirwen boy. You must go now,"] I said, my voice firmer now, trying to push aside the rising lump in my throat. I didn't want to seem weak, even though I could feel myself faltering.

He smiled at me one last time, his expression softening with a look of bittersweet fondness. He reached out, giving my head one last affectionate pat before turning and walking away. I stood there, watching as his figure slowly disappeared into the distance.

"Hey, little girl," McRae suddenly said, breaking the silence and drawing my attention back to her. "You're really beautiful, aren't you? Don't you worry, because your papa will be with you again soon! I'll take good care of you."

'Papa'... her words made something stir inside me, a warmth I wasn't prepared for. It wasn't like I saw Eirwen as my father. I didn't. But hearing her say that, hearing the way she spoke about him, brought an unfamiliar sense of comfort. A sense of belonging, even if it was just for a moment.

McRae held me a little higher in her arms, her touch both firm and gentle. She carefully kissed my forehead, her lips lingering there for a brief moment before she brought me closer to her chest. It felt... safe. It was a strange comfort, one I hadn't felt in a long time.

"We must go now," she said, her tone becoming more serious again. "The evil Empress and those Queens cannot know about you yet, little princess. We have to be very careful."

'Evil Empress'... The title fit her perfectly. I had heard enough about Empress Lena to know she would be a constant source of trouble in my life. And the idea of meeting her, let alone the other four Queens, filled me with dread. I wasn't eager to cross paths with any of them.

What in the world had Eirwen been thinking when he chose those five women to be his companions? I really couldn't understand it. There was no logic to it, no reason that made any sense.

As I looked at McRae's face, filled with pity for me, I couldn't help but hear her thoughts, loud and clear, though she hadn't said a word aloud.

[This poor kid. She deserves so much more than to be stuck around all those bitches in this damn palace. I wish she wouldn't have to come back here ever.] Her thoughts were filled with genuine sorrow, and despite everything, it made me want to smile. It was comforting, in its own strange way.

Hey, you don't need to pity me. I know my situation isn't ideal. I'm fully aware of what I'm walking into.

[Empress Lena will make this child's life a living hell. What does that idiot think he's doing, bringing her here? Does he want her to become the living target of his harem and his children?] Her thoughts continued to spiral with frustration and concern. I could feel her anger, and though it wasn't directed at me, it gave me a strange sense of reassurance.

Oh, McRae. At least Eirwen didn't go through with his original plan of making me his illegitimate daughter. That would have been far worse than anything that's happening now.