Even worse, Emily was acting the same way.

Did the whole Imperial Family eat spoiled food or something? I wondered.

Right now, I was sitting on Kevin's lap while he fed me expensive royal sweets.

Emily was doing the same thing.

"Eat this one, Bella! It's the best!" Emily said, holding a cookie in front of me.

"And eat this too," Kevin said, offering a small cake.

My cheeks were so full of food that they looked round and puffy.

This is heaven, I thought happily.

These were sweets I could never afford in my previous life.

They're so delicious...

Kevin put another pastry into my mouth.

"Thank you, Papa," I said without thinking.

Everything froze.

Kevin's hand stopped moving.

The room became completely silent.

Oh no! Did I do something wrong again?!

I panicked.

Why did I call him Papa?! He's the Emperor!

"I-I'm sorry!" I quickly said. "I didn't mean to—"

"Say it again."

"Huh?"

Kevin stared at me with wide eyes.

"Call me that again."

Wait... he's not angry?

I swallowed nervously.

"Pa... Papa."

Suddenly, Kevin stood up.

"Ravy!"

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Ravy The Forest. Give the entire forest to Bella. Prepare the papers immediately."

WHAT?!

My eyes nearly popped out.

A whole forest just because I said Papa?!

Before I could recover, Emily pushed another cookie toward me.

She looked at me with sparkling eyes.

Why is she looking at me like that?

Then I understood.

"Thank you, Sister."

Emily gasped.

Her face turned red with happiness.

"Give her everything she wants! Dolls, chocolates, jewelry everything!"

Why are they acting like this?!

I was so embarrassed.

I'm seven years old, not a baby saying her first words!

"Call me Sister again!"

"Say Papa again, Bella."

The knights and servants nearby watched happily.

She's so cute!

My face became even hotter.

*****

That Night

I sat on my bed and let out a long sigh.

Today had been completely chaotic.

Usually, tyrant emperors in novels were cold and scary.

But this Emperor was just weird.

Still...

A warm feeling filled my chest.

It feels nice.

Having a family that loves me.

In my previous life, I had been an orphan.

I had only read about family love in novels.

This warmth, care, and affection were all new to me.

Bella quietly walked onto the balcony.

The moonlight shined over the beautiful Imperial Capital.

Now that I finally have a family...

She clenched her tiny fists.

"I will protect them."

"I will change their tragic future."

"I swear."

Then another thought appeared.

What happened to the Head of the Dawson Family?

*****

A Secret Dungeon

The dungeon was cold and dark.

The Head of the Dawson Family sat on the floor.

His clothes were torn.

Blood covered his body.

He looked miserable.

Thud.

Thud.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the dungeon.

A tall figure approached.

It was Kevin.

His face was cold.

His eyes showed no mercy.

"You."

His voice was frighteningly calm.

"How dare you hide my daughter."

"How dare you treat an imperial princess like a dog."

"Y-Your Majesty! Please forgive me!"

He slammed his forehead against the floor.

"It was a mistake!"

"A mistake?"

Kevin slowly lifted his silver sword.

The guards around trembled in fear.

Kevin looked at him like a predator looking at prey.

"Yes."

His voice was ice cold.

"And from today onward..."

"You will never make another mistake again."

*****

The Next Morning

"Sweetheart, how about spending the day with Dad?"

Kevin smiled.

"I cleared my entire schedule for you."

"No!"

Emily immediately objected.

"She's spending the day with her big sister!"

The two of them glared at each other across the breakfast table.

It looked like a battle was about to start.

I still couldn't get used to this family.

"Your Majesty..."

Ravy stepped forward nervously.

He was carrying a huge pile of documents.

"You still have many important matters to handle."

Kevin frowned.

"What work?"

"My daughter is my only priority."

"B-But this matter is extremely urgent," Ravy said.

"It's about... that boy."

Huh?

My ears instantly perked up.

A boy?

My fork stopped in midair.

Could it be... Leo?