Come Here, Tyrant!

There were days when she thought it was strange that Ejed was avoiding people.

Ejed has been living like that; she was a perpetrator too.

Annie blamed herself.

‘…Only trusting the divine message.’

Maybe that child will grow up like Ejed. Why did an innocent child have to learn to read other people’s faces first?

Having found Annie, Ejed walked up to her and stood in front of her. He said, raising his determined face.

“Annie. I can’t do that. I appreciate the undeserved kindness, but I’m going somewhere else…”

“I want to get to know Lord Jade.”

“…”

“It’s not too late to stay for a day and make a decision. See, the sun is setting outside.”

Through the slightly old window, he could see the darkening sky.

Annie took the silent Ejed’s hand and headed to the waiting room. Compared to the imperial palace, it was shabby, but Jade couldn’t take his eyes off the mansion.

Dim plaid ceilings, gray walls with faint incontinence, and damp wooden floors— all are places where traces of Annie remain. It was the mansion where she was born and raised, so it was natural for her.

With every breath he took, it was as if he was drinking Annie’s bright smile.

“It’s just a doodle I left when I was Sir Jade’s age.”

Annie stopped her steps and stared at one side of the wall. The faint stains left behind took on the shape of a puppy.

“I have a dog named Lang at home. I wanted to draw, but when the paper ran out, I drew on the wall… my mother was very angry with me.”

Jade smiled faintly involuntarily at Annie’s mother and the scribbling.

His heart tickled at the thought of Annie being scolded.

“It must have been cute.”

Ejed, for some reason, was envious of Carla. She must have been so cute and lovely that it didn’t hurt to put it in his eyes.

“Do you like drawing, Jade? Or is it swordsmanship?”

“…”

“Which one do you like the most?”

It was a difficult question. Ejed’s favorite hobby has been ‘thinking about Annie.’

He seemed to enjoy even digging the soil with Annie. But Ejed was not stupid enough to get it out of his mouth.

Annie said in a gentle voice to his endless silence.

“If you can’t find it, find it with me.”

“It would be uncomfortable if I was there, for Annie, your family, everyone.”

“Where can anyone be friendly from birth? It’s a necessary process for anyone to get close to each other.”

“…”

“So, I’m going to talk about this again tomorrow.”

Annie’s gaze now turned to the monster hidden in his arms.

“Choose a name for the child.”

Left alone, Ejed cautiously sat down on the bed. He lowered his eyes and stroked the squishy monster’s head in his hand.

‘I didn’t know it would come this way…’

Jade smiled faintly.

The cozy room was warm and not unfamiliar.

One thing that stands out a bit is the long green trees that grow out of the window.

‘Count Dsev and his wife loved the garden a lot… ‘

Ejed looked down at his hands.

‘I want to help…’

Although he was confident in whatever he did with his hands, it was difficult in this state.

He clasped his little hand and opened it with a sad expression on his face.

***

The dinner of the Dsev family was simple, but it was full of sincerity.

Considering the young master, the cook prepared the stew with tender veal tenderloin and prepared small, round morning bread.

Salads are also made mainly of salads with soft leaves and served with a refreshing sauce.

And the place was full of the family members of the Dsev.

“This is him… Is this Lord Jade?”

“Yes, Father. This is Lord Jade.”

Annie, who was sitting right next to Ejed, answered with a fresh voice.

When many eyes touched him, Ejed tried to raise the corner of his lips. Except for Annie’s mother, Lopez, and her sister-in-law, everyone had amethyst eyes.

It’s rare to eat with so many people, and it’s Annie’s family. For some reason, he feels more tense than usual.

Ejed spoke with a more solemn voice than when he attended diplomatic summits.

“Sorry to trouble you without a message. I’m Jade.”

“Uhh!”

“Kuhk!”

Annie, her father, and the Dsevs burst into laughter. Even Lopez, who had not seen much change in expression, was enough to smile quietly.

The red eyes fluttered wildly.

“Did I do something wrong?”

He didn’t say or do anything that would make anyone laugh. Even for Jade, it’s hard to see other people’s laughter.

Annie, who was stroking his anxious black hair, looked at her family.

“If we laugh so recklessly, he’ll misunderstand.”

“No, he looks like His Majesty, but his personality doesn’t seem to resemble him at all. He’s very good at talking, and he’s cute.”

“Isn’t he His Majesty’s hidden brother?”

“Ugh. Stop it.”

In response to Annie’s decree, the Dsevs started eating quickly.

Lopez took a sip of the wine and stared at Ejed.

That gaze was the most terrifying to him. Similar to Annie, yet captivating

To see a woman looking at him without asking a question.

He felt a cold sweat running down the back of his back as if she had even seen his identity.

‘…I didn’t get caught, didn’t I?’

“Lord Jade.”

“Yes.”

He looked up quickly and saw Lopez with a strange smile.

“You have to work here too.”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind… No, I’ll do that. I’ll be careful.”

“Fufu.”

“Keuhk.”

As the conversation continued, Ejed’s expression darkened.

He wanted to be as good as Annie’s family, although he was a child.

‘It shouldn’t be like this.’

“Come on, Lord Jade. Don’t worry about it and eat.”

Annie put the bread and meat on Ejed’s plate.

But all of those foods were Ejed’s favorites. Most of all, he liked that it didn’t even have the strawberry jam that Annie used to spread on bread.

After watching her family for a moment, Ejed took up the fork and knife.

Annie smiled graciously as he chewed the food with his little lips.

‘Hmm. I guess it’s because they’re a family, so he has similar tastes with His Majesty.’

She asked the kitchen separately that he didn’t seem to like spicy and strong dishes.

A faint blush appeared on the cheek of the child who emptied his plate.

“Try more of this, too. This dish is delicious too.”

As Annie continued to feed him like a mother bird, her father watched with delight. He didn’t know how his daughter was, but she grew up very well. She’s pretty, has a good personality, and has a big personality.

He was also sad at the same time. Annie would be a great mother if she gave birth to a child.

He glanced at Ejed with regretful eyes. Although his family looked at the young royal with wariness, he was full of goodness.

‘It would be great if our Annie had a child like that.’

Even if his daughter corrected her declaration of non-marriage, he had hoped in her heart to bring a man and greet. Even though he knew it was impossible, he couldn’t help it.

That’s the human heart.

‘…You have to let go of your greed. My child will stay single.”

Annie’s father, who gave a bitter laugh, picked up the tableware again.