We drove the carriage for a while and finally arrived at the castle.
　At the gate of the castle, there were already a number of uncle's men and knights waiting, and when they saw me and Shelly, they came rushing over.
　I told uncle's men that the kidnappers were unconscious in the back of the truck and asked them to carry them out.

　As I watched them being carried away, I heard a loud voice from the castle.

"Shelia.

　I looked at the direction the voice was coming from: .......
　There was Shelly's mother, the Empress, running towards us.
　I could see the emperor desperately chasing her from behind.
　And then she hugged Sherry.

I'm so sorry. I know it was horrible.
　The Empress was crying.

　I didn't want to interrupt her, so I moved away.
Well done, you've done a fine job.
　What? Who?

'Uncle ...... don't talk to me from behind to hide your presence.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I left you to it this time, Leo. It's really not fair to you that we're adults in this business.

It's fine. It's just that I found it on my own.

''Well, ...... still, thank you so much. I'm glad you're safe, Princess.

'Yeah, I'm really glad you're okay: ....... Also, can I go home for the day?　I feel like I'm getting sleepy when I feel safe.

Yeah, the sun's coming up now. Kids should be sleepy at night. Say goodbye to the princess if you're going home. And come to the castle when you wake up today, not tomorrow at ......, and don't go to school. I have a lot to ask you.

OK. Okay, I'll go to Sherry's.

Have a good day.

　Go to Sherry's place: ......
　The queen had already stopped crying, and Shelley and the emperor were talking to each other.

''Oh, Leo. Thank you so much for saving my daughter's life at this time.
　The emperor, noticing me approaching, bowed deeply.

"Wait!　Head up!　I only helped Shelly because I wanted to.
　I ask the emperor to raise his head in a hurry.

No, I bow to the man who saved my daughter's life. I really appreciate it.

Okay, sure. ....... Okay, well, I'm going to go back to bed.

Oh, I see. Then stay in the castle.

What?
　Do you want to stay at the castle?
　Can I stay in a castle?

We need to get up and get to the castle right away. Wouldn't it be easier to stay the night?

'Yes, yes ....... Well then, I'll take your word for it: ......
　I'm sleepy and I want to get to bed.

All right, then, let's go inside.
　The Emperor took me in, squared my shoulders, and led me in.


And a little later.

　Zababaaa.

Feels so good to have a bath.

Yes, I know.

　As soon as the Emperor led me to the castle, he told me to take a bath.
　I didn't want to lie in bed soiled from battle, so I bathed.
　And so the emperor came in.
　And that's the way it is now.

"...

　I don't know, I have to go to ...... and say something.

Um... ......

Leo.

Yes?

You look after my daughter for me.

"Huh?
　I'm sorry?

Well, I know you're a bit selfish and difficult to be around, but keep up the good work.

'Yes, yes ......'
　Does that mean you'll continue to do what you've always done?

Shelia is, you know, ...... the child I finally had with Ashley. ......

Really? ......

Yeah, it wasn't easy to have a baby. It was amazing how happy Ashley was when she found out she was carrying Shelly.



I see. ......

'On the contrary, Melissa's gone crazy since then . You've been so sure that your child was going to be the emperor before now ...... and you thought there was a threat to it.
　It was: .......
　I don't know how to react to these things: .......

'Oh, by the way, how is Mr Cliff doing now?'
　I'm sure Cliff would have come to the police station to turn himself in.

Isn't he asleep?　For now, we'll just listen to the story and punish him after Shelly is found.

I see ...... so ...... what kind of punishment are you going to impose?
　I hope it's as light a punishment as possible: .......

"No, I won't. This crime is all on Melissa for now. As for Cliff, he turned himself in, so I'm going to pretend it never happened.

'Really?　That's good to know: ......

'It's just . . it's not good not to punish you, so I'll just say that you're under house arrest and won't leave your room until the adult party.

　Oh, well, maybe I deserve a little punishment.

And as soon as things settle down, we should give Leo a treat.

'What?　I just got it the other day, is that okay?
　I just got it just a few months ago, okay?

Yeah, you have to reward people for their accomplishments. It's just that I don't think anyone's ever gotten one this often before.

I'm sure you do: ......
　An upstart aristocrat like that would be a legend.

Well, good luck with that.
　With that, the emperor walked out of the bath.
　Well, I don't think I can say no this time either: .......


I'm tired. I'm going to bed.
　I relaxed a little and got out of the bath.

　Then he took me to my room where I was staying with a maid who worked in the castle and I went to bed.
　It was a little bright outside when I fell asleep.

＜About eight hours later.
...... please ...... wake up.

　Oh, is it morning already ...... Bell?

Hmmm?
　I pried open my heavy eyelids and got up to find a place I didn't recognize.
　And then I felt something heavy ......
　Huh?　Sherry?

　And then I found out that Sherry was sleeping on top of me.

　...... What does that mean?
　Oh, yeah.
　I got to stay at the castle after I rescued Shelly.
　But why is Sherry here?

"Good morning. Mr. Leons. Lunch is ready for you.

"Uh-huh. Okay. I'll be there in a minute.
　Lunch?　Oh, right, ...... it's already noon: .......
　I've got to go.

　And what about Sherry?
　Let's wake her up anyway: .......

　Shake Shelly's shoulder.
'Hmmmmm ......'

Get up, get up, Shelly.

Hmm?　Leo?　Yes, I fell asleep: ......
　Shelley sat up, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"Why is Sherry here?

"Well, ...... he told me to go wake up Leo and I came ...... and I went straight to sleep.

I see. Okay. Thanks for coming all the way out here to wake me up. So, let's go get something to eat.

Yeah, okay.
　But Sherry was cocking her head and was ready to go to sleep.

'Come on, let's go,'
　I had no choice, so I headed to lunch with Shelly's hand in mine: .......