How dare you bully the female lead

Chapter 17

I quickly found out the name of the new tax collector and planned on meeting up with him but that was when the children came into my room.

"Mom, I want to learn how to forge blades."

I turned to Light with a frown:

"Isn't that a bit dangerous for a child?

-No. I am a talented person, mom. Everything will be fine.

-Darling... Do you know how blades are forged?

-No, that's the reason why I want to learn.

-You have to use very hot metals to forge. There is a reason why adults are doing it. I think that you are way too young to learn that."

Light frowned:

"I see... When can I learn?

-I think we should wait until you are 16 years old. What do you think.

-Then I will wait until then.

-Thank you for understanding. Did you have something else to say?"

Light looked at Elm who started playing with his fingers:

"I want to learn how to ride a horse.

-That can be done. I will find a good teacher for you three."

Elm's face illuminated:

"Really?

-Of course. And Light, even if you are too young to learn, I could take you to a swordsmith so you can see how he works.

-Really?

-Of course.

-Thank you mom! You are the best!"

I then turned to Lichen:

"What would you like to do?"

Lichen started fidgeting seeing everyone look at her:

"I don't know...

-It's okay. Take your time. Do you have something that you would like to try out? Like Elm who wants to learn how to ride a horse?

-I..."

She had no idea what to say and that hurt my heart. Did anyone ever ask this child what she wanted to do?

"You can do whatever you want. Just tell me and I will be there for you. You can take your time to think it over."

Light wasn't as patient as I was and started proposing ideas:

"You could learn to paint. You like colors. Or you could learn to make dresses. Or you could learn how to grow plants. Or..."

What he forgot to do was to give time to Lichen to answer and seeing the young princess panic because of all these possibilities made me smile.

"There are a lot of things that you could do. Maybe we should give Lichen time to decide for herself."

Light nodded:

"I think that's for the best."

I had to hold back a laugh. Did he think that? He was the one who couldn't stop suggesting things. After that Lichen thought about what she wanted very hard. She thought about it way harder than I would have thought and I could see her eyes out of focus the whole day. When she came up to me again she couldn't stop staring at her shoes while playing with her dress:

"I would like to have tea with her Highness."

I frowned. Did I hear her correctly? She wanted to have tea with Satin? I had completely forgotten about her existence because I haven't seen her in days. I couldn't forgive her for ignoring her child all these years but of course it would be different for Lichen. Satin was her mother after all.

"You did well telling me what you wanted. You were very brave, well done. Do you want me to take you to her Highness?

-Will you stay with me?

-Of course.

-Even during the tea party?

-Do you want me to be there?"

I didn't want to see Satin but leaving Lichen alone with her was unacceptable.

"Yes... And Light and Elm too."

I froze. Imagining Light and Satin having tea together was strange but what could I say?

"Okay, darling. We will all be there."

Lichen sighed before lightening up. In that same hour I went to Satin's study and knocked before going in. She wasn't alone. Her secretary, Aodh, was also there and both seemed very surprised to see me walk in. I had met Aodh before and we were on good terms. He didn't talk a lot but he was always nice to me so I greeted him with a big smile:

"Is this a bad time?"

Satin immediately jumped up and motioned for Aodh to leave:

"Not at all."

She escorted me to the sofa and called for tea that was brought in the next second. I had no idea how that was possible but was rather impressed:

"I am not staying long, thank you. I have a favor to ask of you, your Highness."

Satin straightened up immediately.

"Lichen wants to have tea with you. Would you be free tomorrow?

-Of course.

-Perfect, thank you so much."

Having said what I wanted, I stood up and bowed to Satin before leaving the study. I wanted to stay the shortest time possible around her and I was sure that she felt it because she didn't hold me back. The next day we met for tea as promised and Satin was already there when we arrived. She was standing next to a table full of appetizing sweets and fuming tea and seeing us she pulled a chair for Lichen. The latter didn't dare get on and looked at her Highness shyly before turning to me. I encouraged her and she finally took Satin's hand with a satisfied smile.

"Thank you, your Highness.

Once Lichen seated, Satin turned to the boys but Light shook his head before getting on the chair on his own:

"I don't need help."

Satin pinched her lips and turned to me but I didn't need her help either so I pulled my own chair and got seated. The air was really awkward at the beginning. Satin and Lichen didn't dare talk to each other and would steal glances from everyone in silence. Elm on the other hand was acting shy because of the Empress. Therefore it was only Light and I left to make conversation and Light wasn't the most tactful person:

"Are you Lichen's mother?"

Satin looked at Light and smiled:

"I am.

-Then why does she call you your Highness? I don't call my mom by her title."

I tried to deviate the conversation and served tea but Light wasn't having it:

"Did you force our sister to call you your Highness?"

Elm touched Light's shoulder and Lichen was disappearing in her chair.

"Light, darling. This doesn't concern you.

-Why doesn't it? Lichen is my sister and I care about her."

Satin smiled for some reason:

"It's okay. He has a point."

And then she turned to Lichen:

"You can call me mom."

Lichen almost choked on her cookie. She seemed terrified at the idea of calling Satin, mom.

"I... Mom..."

Lichen was blushing from head to toe but she seemed happy and I smiled. Following this, they relaxed a bit and we started eating in silence. The children were focused on tasting every tasty pastry and were talking about them lightly. While they were doing so, I could feel Satin's gaze on me the whole time. It was uncomfortable so I just looked at her as if asking what she wanted to say. Satin immediately straightened up:

"The children seem to like these pastries.

-They do."

I wasn't planning on conversing with her Highness. Me being here was only because of Lichen and I wanted her to understand that. But Satin didn't give up:

"I could bring them cakes every day.

-That's alright. I wouldn't want to bother your Highness.

-It doesn't bother me."

I was going to reject her again but Light almost jumped from his chair:

"Cake every day? That's awesome!"

I shook my head but didn't have time to say anything because Satin turned to Light:

"Do you like sweets?

-Of course I do. Who doesn't like them?

-What else do you like?

-I really like swords.

-Do you? Did you see the armory of the Palace?

-Not yet! Can you take me there?

-Of course. What about you Elm? I heard that you liked horses."

I frowned. How did she know that?

"I do.

-He wants to learn how to ride horses. Elm is very talented and patient. I am sure that he is going to do well.

-I could take you to the stables and show you the ponies."

I didn't think that it was a good idea for Satin to spend too much time around her secret son. I was taken aback by how interested she was in the kids and had to calm things down quickly. It was one thing for her to be close to Lichen but I had to protect my boys from her.

"Her Highness has a lot of work. We don't want to bother you. I will take the boys myself."

But Satin only shook her head:

"I am not that busy. I would love to take them around the Palace.

-It really is okay. I know the Palace well. I could take them myself."

I had no idea why Satin was this insisting but she wasn't letting go:

"I already promised them. I would feel bad not keeping my promise."

Light nodded:

"That's right, mommy. We should always keep our promises."

I thought my chin would fall off. Whose side was Light on?