I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator - Angel Dust]

[Proofreader - Prototype]

Side Stories 21

"Uncle Karl— Uncle Karl!"

After not visiting the Imperial Palace for a while, my niece finally came to see me.

According to my sister, she managed to hold her back for as long as possible.

She said she barely managed to persuade her to stay, despite her asking to visit me almost every day.

But with an uncle, and now even a cousin, it seems she couldn't wait any longer.

"Welcome, Your Highness."

"Yeah! I'm here! Did Uncle Karl miss me?"

Oh, she's saying ‘miss’ clearly now, instead of her baby talk. Bloodlines truly do make a difference.

She's already reading books and speaking well. The future of the empire is bright indeed. May she one day become a great empress!

"Uncle Karl didn't come, so I was bored! You came but didn't play with me!"

"I apologize. Your uncle was a bit... very busy."

"Busy? Ah! I-I, my cousin! I wanna see my cousin!"

Right. I was wondering why she hadn't mentioned Luen yet. That topic was bound to come up.

Speaking of which, our Luen just woke up from a nap, hungry. This might be a good opportunity for her to meet her cousin for the first time.

I carried my niece and entered the room where Selena and Luen were. The maids attending to Selena inside the room rose in surprise.

The head maid from the Imperial Palace, who followed behind us, discreetly gestured to them to remain calm.

For reference, the head maid from the Imperial Palace used to serve my sister in our family. Meaning, she's known the maids here for a long time.

"Ah! Your Highness!"

"Aunt Selena!"

My niece, nestled in my arms, smiles brightly and waves her little hands excitedly.

I'm relieved. When she was younger, she used to cry whenever she saw Selena. I was worried she might still feel uncomfortable around her, but it seems those were unfounded concerns.

"I-I, cousin! Cousin!"

"Hahaha. It seems you missed Luen. She just finished feeding and is still awake. Karl? Bring Her Highness closer."

I held my niece, and Selena held our daughter.

And so, the historic moment of the child and baby's first meeting!

"Waaaah!"

"Shh. Your Highness. If you speak too loudly, your cousin will be startled."

"Startled?"

"Yes. And when babies are startled, they cry sadly."

"Can't cry! Mom said you can't be a great person if you cry!"

Sis, no matter what, isn't it a bit much to tell a child that already?

All kids at this age grow up crying, don't they? I might have too.

Of course, my niece isn't just any child, she's the Crown Princess, but still...

"Hmm. Maybe that's why Luen doesn't cry."

"Our cousin will be great!"

"This is Luen, Your Highness. Luen."

"Lu-Luen?"

"Luen."

"Luen!"

"Yes, Luen. From now on, she's Your Highness's cousin and my daughter."

Selena wanted a son, but to be honest, I wanted to see a daughter more than a son. Maybe it's because of my niece. I'm not sure.

"Would you like to see her more closely?"

"Ah, yes! Uncle Karl! I wanna see more!"

I put my niece down and she toddles over to sit right next to Luen. Seeing those adorable little ones side-by-side, I can imagine how much she adores her cousin.

She'll probably be talking about little Luen non-stop as soon as she returns to the Imperial Palace.

"Me too! Lily too!! I'm gonna ask Mom for a little sister!"

"Oh my."

"I like Luen, but! We're always apart! That's so sad!"

"Ahahaha. Well, the Empress is busy, but so is His Majesty the Emperor."

"It's okay! I can do it! Uncle Karl! Trust me!"

Oh my goodness. My niece is the only child in the world who'd tell someone to trust her at this age. But then again, it's the Crown Princess saying this, so it might actually happen.

"Uncle Karl, hold me again."

"Pardon? Ah, yes. Come here."

Because she usually acts so mature for her age, I sometimes forget that our Crown Princess is still a child.

She only needs one hand to show her age, and she still prefers being carried to walking than her own.

My sister once told me not to spoil her too much if she acts clingy. But that's easier said than done. I can't bring myself to refuse her.

When my cute niece calls out ‘Uncle Karl, Uncle Karl!’ and clings to me—what kind of uncle would coldly push her away?

"Hehehe! I like Uncle Karl more than Dad!"

"Your Highness, please never say that in front of His Majesty."

"Why?"

"I'll explain later. For now, promise me you won’t say it. Okay?"

"Promise? Do I have to?"

"Yes, yes. Please promise me."

If I promise, can I keep coming to Uncle's house to play?

To my niece's offer, I nodded, ‘Of course, absolutely.’

She's still young now, so it's fine. I figured she'd visit less often as she gets older.

"Promise!"

"Yes, promise."

Um, Your Highness. It's all good, but please don't wiggle around so much.

You're still light as a feather, but if you keep squirming like that...

"...Wahhh!"

"Oh no."

"Ah! Uncle Karl! Luen's crying!"

"Oh dear. Luen? Why are you suddenly crying?"

"Did she poop?"

"No, her diaper is clean."

She suddenly started crying, leaving everyone flustered.

I put my niece down for a moment and took Luen from Selena.

"What's wrong? Oh dear, my daughter. Don't cry. Okay?"

Please stop crying. If my niece starts crying too, I'll really have a headache.

As if understanding her father's inner thoughts, Luen soon stops crying.

However, she's not completely calm, so we can't let our guard down.

"Uncle Karl! Hold me too!"

"Oh no, Your Highness. Could you please wait a little longer?"

"Hmm..."

Oh no! Please don't cry, Your Highness! Your Highness!!

* * *

Hmm. Something feels incredibly strange. And on top of that, quite suffocating.

As I adjust my dress, the woman sitting next to me playfully slaps the back of my hand.

"Don't you dare complain about being uncomfortable on your wedding day, Eloise."

"Oh, Mother. Do you still think I'm a child?"

"You'll always be my child. And not just any child, but my headstrong, impulsive child."

"Ugh, really? Even today?"

"Especially today."

Traditionally, in the Empire, when a daughter gets married, the father entrusts the bride to the groom.

If, for some reason, the father cannot do so, then a male sibling takes his place. However, elves do the opposite of the Empire—the mother performs this role.

After hearing this, Karl suggested they follow the elven tradition.

Eloise's parents said they were open to following the Imperial way, but Karl felt that since the rest of the wedding was already adhering to Imperial customs, it would be a meaningful gesture to include the elven tradition.

As a result, Eloise and her mother ended up walking down the aisle together.

"Don't be nervous."

"I think you're more nervous than I am, Mother."

"...And don't you dare cry."

"I'm not going to cry. You're the one who might cry."

I only said that as a joke, but something feels odd.

"...Wait a minute. Mom, are you really crying?"

"Be quiet."

"Wow, you really are crying? Why on such a happy day?!"

"I'm crying because it's a happy day. Anyway, you..."

I never imagined a day like this would come. I never expected a son-in-law who would want to live with you to appear.

Trying to hide her inner feelings, she took her daughter's hand and entered the wedding hall.

Clap Clap Clap—

The applause of the people continues. Among them are elves as well.

Some are Eloise's relatives, others are her former superiors or subordinates.

And finally, a squirrel, a special guest for someone watching from afar.

'Wow, even at a wedding, they're doing that.'

It's been a while since I've seen a squirrel. It brings back old memories.

"Mother-in-law."

Karl, who had been waiting, approached and greeted her.

She smiled brightly at the sound of ‘Mother-in-law’ and handed her daughter's hand to her son-in-law.

"Please take good care of her, son-in-law."

"Of course."

He truly is a reliable son-in-law. I can finally relax a bit. The thought of my daughter living alone forever was suffocating.

After the wedding progresses and the vows are exchanged, once again, people holding ceremonial swords line up and step forward, just like before.

The difference is that this time, they are officers, not just soldiers. And half of them are not from the Imperial Army, but elves.

"I thought this would create a more harmonious atmosphere."

"Heh. Our Karl put a lot of thought into this, didn't he?"

"But you'll have to take the test twice as hard. It just so happens that both you and I were in the military."

"That's easy, right? What's wrong? Are you not confident?"

Eloise giggles and boasts that she can handle anything. But soon, she realizes her confidence was a bit premature.

"The bride! Must! Act cute for the groom!!"

"What?! Th-that's a ridiculous test!!"

"Ahem! You must do it immediately!!"

The elves, who were Eloise's former subordinates, put on mischievous smiles and spoke in playfully stern voices.

The bride was flustered, the groom just laughed, and the guests burst into laughter.

It was a truly unique scene unfolding at this new kind of wedding.

[Translator - Angel Dust]

[Proofreader - Prototype]