Chapter 418: Gustav Montclair

"Work? Eliza, who asked you to work?"

The three of them unconsciously turned and saw a middle-aged man with a muscular build.

He had short silver hair neatly combed back, and his well-trimmed beard made him look several years younger.

His blue eyes were calm yet sharp, giving off a subtle pressure to anyone who met his gaze.

The man was Gustav Montclair—head of the Marquis Montclair family and former prime minister.

"Grandfather?" Eliza was startled. Her face instantly lit up with joy as she jumped toward him.

Gustav opened his arms and hugged her, pulling her into his embrace.

His stern expression melted, replaced by the gentleness of a grandfather.

"How are you? Are you living happily in the palace?" he asked softly.

He gently caressed Eliza’s head and cheeks.

"I’m very happy, Grandfather! You don’t need to worry!" Eliza replied enthusiastically.

"Good." Gustav let out a relieved breath.

Since the death of his beloved daughter, he had wanted to bring Eliza back to the Montclair family.

Eliza’s uncles and aunts lived there and were ready to take care of her. And he himself wanted to watch over her growth.

However, Eliza was a princess, and according to palace rules, she could not live anywhere else until she turned ten.

He had asked His Majesty the Emperor for permission, but the emperor refused.

There was only one reason—the rules were absolute and could not be broken.

Of course, Gustav understood that it wasn’t because the rules were unchangeable, but because someone had influenced the emperor.

That person was none other than Roswell, the current prime minister.

There had been conflict between them, and it was related to the influence Gustav had left behind even after stepping down from his position.

"Is Cassandra taking good care of you?" Gustav asked.

"Eh? That..." Eliza froze, looking panicked. "Mother Cassandra takes good care of me, Grandfather."

Her voice weakened, as if she were trying to hide something.

"You’re lying, aren’t you? Tell me the truth, Eliza," Gustav insisted.

Knowing that continuing to lie would only make her grandfather angry, Eliza had no choice but to explain Cassandra’s treatment toward her.

Gustav actually sent her a letter every month, asking how she was doing, and her answer had always been the same—she was fine.

But now, after hearing the truth, an explosive anger surged inside him.

The atmosphere turned tense, and Masha and Alicia could feel the faint pressure coming from Gustav.

They exchanged fearful glances and quickly held hands to steady themselves.

"But Grandfather, you don’t need to worry," Eliza added with a bright smile. "I don’t live with Mother Cassandra anymore. I live with Mother Isabella now!"

Gustav’s anger faded instantly, replaced by surprise.

"Isabella, you say?"

"Um! Mother Isabella is very nice! She teaches me sincerely and lovingly! I really like being with her," Eliza explained honestly.

The bright smile on her face showed she wasn’t lying.

Gustav felt relieved. He naturally knew Isabella—the concubine who had caused controversy in the past.

Of course, the controversy wasn’t because she had committed any crime but because she was an outsider to the Empire.

On top of that, the emperor’s pursuit of her had made her even more famous among the nobility and the public.

"I see. I’m glad to hear that. But I want to know one thing—what did you mean by ’work’ just now?"

"Eh? About that..." Eliza looked embarrassed.

She suddenly remembered that this matter shouldn’t be spread to others.

But because she was too excited to show her two friends what she was doing, she ended up revealing it—and her grandfather overheard it by accident.

"Why? You don’t want to tell me?" Gustav’s voice turned cold.

"It’s not like that." Eliza waved her hands quickly. "The work I meant was tasting various dishes."

"Tasting various dishes?" Gustav looked genuinely confused.

Eliza quickly explained everything in detail to him.

She knew it was impossible to hide it from her grandfather, so it was better to just tell him the truth.

She only hoped he wouldn’t tell anyone.

"That’s how it is, Grandfather. Please don’t tell Father or anyone else, okay? I’m afraid Brother Nolan will get angry at me." Eliza’s eyes started to tear up.

Seeing this, Gustav’s heart softened. Eliza was ninety percent similar to her mother.

Not only her face, but also her personality. That was what made him so upset—because he couldn’t take care of her himself due to the palace rules that kept him away.

"Alright, I understand." Gustav let out a small sigh. "But don’t overdo it, okay? If you’re tired, just ask for a break."

At first, he thought Eliza was doing something a child her age shouldn’t be doing.

But fortunately, that fear was unnecessary. Eliza’s work was actually very simple.

Most importantly, she was employed by the Blue Moon Trading House.

In this empire, who didn’t know Blue Moon?

Even in the western and northern regions, they controlled mines and various other business sectors.

It was no exaggeration to call them a giant.

And judging from how happily Eliza talked about her work, it was clear that Blue Moon Trading House took good care of his granddaughter.

So, there was nothing for him to worry about anymore.

"I understand, Grandfather!" Eliza smiled sweetly.

"All right, I won’t disturb your playtime with your friends," Gustav said as he put her down. "I have to go see Princess Elina first."

"Okay!" Eliza didn’t mind at all.

After exchanging a few more words with her, Gustav walked away toward Elina at the end of the hall.

"Phew! Your grandfather is really scary, Eliza. Just standing near him makes me feel crushed," Masha said as she wiped her nonexistent sweat.

Gustav was the former prime minister and the head of the Montclair family.

Although she didn’t know him very well, she had heard from her father that Gustav was a firm and authoritative figure.

Even her father showed him respect.

Alicia didn’t say anything, but she nodded in agreement.

Eliza giggled and reassured them, "It’s okay. Even though he looks fierce, Grandfather is very kind. Alright, let’s go find something else to eat."

"Um! Let’s go!" Both of them raised their right hands enthusiastically.

***

"Well then, I’ll go greet the other noble heads of families, Your Highness," several nobles said.

Elina smiled and gave a small nod.

"Please do."

Right after that, the nobles left her presence.

"It must be tiring dealing with all of them, right?" Rafine teased.

"Yes, it’s very tiring. But it’s my duty to greet and exchange words with them," Elina replied casually.

Rafine was amazed by her answer. If it were Nolan, that smelly man would definitely complain and whine about wanting to go back to his room to sleep.

At that moment, they heard footsteps behind them, followed by the playful voice of a young man.

"Good evening, Your Highness. I hope I’m not disturbing you."