WebNovels

Chapter 17 - A Fourth Child

The designated leader watched everything from a distance.

He saw Daverion approach the woman dressed in red with a calm that felt almost unreal. There was no hesitation in his stride, no urgency in his pace. Each step seemed deliberate, as though the space itself bent subtly to accommodate his presence. What stirred in the leader's chest was not mere surprise, but a quiet blend of admiration and respect. Very few people walked with such certainty toward a woman like her.

Daverion inclined his head just enough to shorten the distance between them without crossing an invisible boundary. When he leaned closer to whisper in her ear, his voice was low, controlled, intimate. He did not linger. He did not need to.

From where he stood, the leader understood immediately. It was not only the gesture, nor the carefully measured proximity. It was the absolute confidence Daverion carried, an effortless charm, a presence that filled the air without demanding attention. Everything aligned with unsettling precision, as if the outcome had been decided the moment he took his first step.

The leader exhaled slowly.

A woman like that was not someone anyone dared approach so casually. It required assurance, timing, an instinctive understanding of people. And Daverion had made it look effortless.

There was no doubt in his mind.

If Daverion desired any woman in the world, it would not be beyond his reach.

Daverion moved on, leaving the woman in red behind.

She remained still for a moment longer, the warmth lingering on her cheeks. Beneath that blush, something else stirred—irritation, light and playful, not true anger but a reflexive spark. A small desire to push back against the invisible strike he had delivered with his words.

She was about to speak, to follow him—

When the atmosphere fractured.

Voices rose suddenly from within the palace, overlapping in surprise and concern. The source became clear at once.

A young girl burst out from the palace doors, running freely across the open space, her dress fluttering behind her. Several guards hurried after her, their expressions tense.

"Princess, please stop," one of them called out.

Beside him, a woman kept her eyes firmly fixed on the girl.

"You should not behave so carelessly, Princess," she said. "You must maintain proper decorum."

The girl slowed just enough to turn around. Her gaze swept over the gathered crowd, lingering briefly on each face.

"Is what I'm doing really wrong?"

Silence followed.

Then the answers came.

"Of course not, Princess."

"The Princess has done nothing improper."

"This is your home. If you wish to run, no one has the right to stop you."

The girl smiled and turned back toward the woman.

"See, Lila? I'm not doing anything wrong."

She laughed and resumed running, her energy renewed. As she moved, her eyes searched the crowd, attentive, as if looking for someone specific.

Lila exchanged a look with the guard beside her. They could feel the silent reproach from onlookers directed at their leniency, but neither said anything as they continued after the princess.

The woman in red froze when she recognized her.

A princess.

The words she had been about to direct at Daverion vanished before they could form.

The designated leader was equally stunned.

He followed the princess with his eyes as she approached. When she stopped before them, her breathing was light, the exertion still visible. Then she saw him.

Her gaze locked onto Daverion.

And she smiled.

"Greetings, Princess," the woman in red said, bowing respectfully.

The designated leader followed suit.

Then she looked to Daverion, waiting.

Waiting for him to bow. To acknowledge her properly.

He did not move.

No gesture. No reaction.

A flicker of unease crept into her chest.

Then the princess spoke.

"Big brother… you came."

Time seemed to halt.

Inside the nearby carriage, two young women leaned toward the window, eyes wide. Behind the princess, those who followed her felt their hearts seize.

The emperor had only three children.

Everyone knew that.

The woman in red stared at Daverion, curiosity burning openly now.

Who are you?

The princess leaned forward slightly, looking past him.

"Hello, designated leader."

Then she waved casually.

"Hi, Valeria. How have you been?"

The silence that followed was not empty.

It was heavy with shock.

The guards finally fixed their gaze on Daverion. The contradiction struck them at once. There was no fourth child. None had ever been mentioned.

Lila studied him closely, her expression sharp and questioning.

Daverion let out a brief laugh.

He knew exactly what they were thinking.

And he found it amusing.

Lyra did not hesitate. She took his hand without the slightest restraint.

"Come," she said. "Let me show you the palace. We have a huge inner garden… and lots of food."

Daverion did not mind being pulled along.

Before moving, he turned his head toward Valeria.

He looked at her.

And smiled.

"We'll see each other inside."

Then he continued walking.

No one stopped them.

The princess's treatment alone was enough. And the designated leader was present; the guards greeted him with respect as they passed.

Valeria stepped forward.

She extended her hand, trying to mirror Lyra's gesture.

She did not reach him.

Lyra stepped between them instantly, arms spread wide.

"You can't take my brother's hand."

"Only I'm allowed to do that."

Valeria wanted to respond.

She couldn't.

"You heard her, Valeria," Daverion said calmly. "You can't hold my hand."

Then he added, lightly:

"Though, Lyra… you should give her a chance. She's quite pleasant, after all."

Valeria understood then.

Daverion was playing with her.

Lyra lowered her arms.

"I'll think about it," she said. "I'll give you an answer later."

Her attention returned immediately to Daverion.

"Very well, Your Majesty," Valeria replied.

"We'll meet again inside the palace."

Valeria nodded and stepped into the carriage.

The moment it moved forward, her composure shattered.

As soon as the curtain fell and the space was sealed off from the outside, she spun sharply on her heel. The restraint she had held cracked instantly.

"Idiot…!" she exclaimed, grabbing one of the cushions and hurling it to the floor. "Idiot, idiot…!"

The cushion landed soundlessly, but her movement carried all the force of a blow meant for someone else.

"Disgusting…!" she added, folding her arms tightly, her brows knit together. "Disgusting!"

The two young women accompanying her remained seated, staring in silence. Neither spoke. They simply watched, unaccustomed to seeing this side of her.

Valeria drew a sharp breath, frustration written across her face. Then she grabbed another cushion, pressed it to her chest—and without warning, buried her face in it.

"AAAAAH!" she screamed, the sound muffled by fabric.

The two young women exchanged a quick glance, then looked back at Valeria, who stayed there with the cushion covering her face, throwing a full tantrum in the enclosed carriage.

The carriage continued on its way.

More Chapters