The Villainess is my fiance: But she is gentle towards me

Chapter 278: Chapter: 278 Take care of my daughter.

"Ohh… my sweet daughter. You didn't visit your father for five whole months!"The emperor's voice filled the room the moment the doors opened.

He did not wait even a second.

As soon as Charlotte stepped inside, he walked forward quickly and pulled her into a firm embrace.

The royal chamber was large and quiet, with a heavy sense of authority in the room.

The walls were covered with carefully chosen paintings, each one framed in gold and placed with purpose.

Tall shelves stood along the sides, holding books, scrolls, and small decorative pieces.

Soft light fell from above, making the polished floor and furniture shine faintly.

At the center of the room stood a large study table, wide and neatly arranged with documents and sealed letters.

It was clear that this was where the emperor spent most of his time working.

Around it were several chairs and sofas, placed in a way that made the space feel both formal and lived in.

Vivian stepped inside quietly along with the dean and moved to the side, giving space as the emperor focused completely on his daughter.

"It's been a while, Father," Charlotte said softly as she returned the hug.

Her hand moved gently against his back, a small and familiar gesture.

After a moment, she slowly pulled away from him and turned toward her mother.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward and embraced her as well.

Her mother held her carefully, her arms wrapping around Charlotte with warmth, but also with a certain gentleness.

Her gaze quickly lowered, settling on Charlotte's belly.

"Do you feel any discomfort?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with concern.

Charlotte let out a small breath and gave a light, happy smile.

"Well… sometimes when I go to sleep," she replied, her tone calm and natural, as if she had already grown used to it.

Her mother nodded slowly, her hand resting lightly over Charlotte's as they stood close to each other.

Meanwhile, the emperor stepped forward again.

His expression shifted slightly as his attention moved away from Charlotte and toward Vivian.

Vivian immediately lowered his head and bowed deeply.

"It's been a while… Father," he said in a respectful tone, keeping his posture steady.

As he remained in that position, his eyes caught a glimpse of the man before him.

The emperor had changed.

There were now visible lines on his face, faint wrinkles that had not been there before.

His hair seemed a little more worn, and there was a slight heaviness in his presence.

It was not weakness, but the weight of time and responsibility.

Vivian had not seen him for years, and because of that, the difference felt even clearer.

"If you have anywhere to go, then go," the emperor said suddenly, his voice firm and carrying authority. "Leave my daughter here."

There was a brief pause before he continued.

"How many years were you away while she was alone?"

The words were not loud, but they carried weight.

Vivian did not lift his head. He remained bowed, listening quietly.

He understood.

He had been gone for four years without giving any proper explanation.

He had disappeared without a word, leaving everything behind.

To them, it must have felt like he had simply abandoned her.

After all, they had trusted him with their daughter.

"I'm sorry…" Vivian began, his voice low. "But the circumstances were a bit…"

"Lift your head."

The emperor cut him off before he could finish.

Vivian let out a quiet breath before slowly straightening himself. He raised his head and met the emperor's gaze.

Behind him, he could see Charlotte and her mother now sitting on one of the sofas.

They were talking softly, their expressions relaxed and warm, as if they had stepped into their own small world.

"You have guts," the emperor said, his eyes fixed on Vivian. "You knew she was a princess… and still you married her without any rituals? Without any audience?"

Vivian paused.

"Well…" he began, his hand moving slightly as he scratched his head, trying to find the right words. "I.."

"Come with me."

The emperor spoke again before he could finish. His tone left no room for argument.

He turned without waiting and began walking toward a door that led to another room.

Charlotte, who had been sitting, looked up at that moment. Her eyes moved toward Vivian, her brows lifting slightly in a silent question.

Vivian gave a small, faint smile in return, trying to reassure her without words.

Then, without hesitation, he turned and followed after his father-in-law, stepping toward the next room as the door slowly came into view.

Vivian stepped into the next room, the door closing softly behind him.

The space was quieter than the main chamber.

It was smaller, but still carried the same refined feeling.

A single wide wall stood ahead, plain compared to the decorated hall outside, with only a few shelves and a locked compartment built into it.

The air felt more private here, as if this was where the emperor kept things he did not show to others.

His father-in-law walked forward without saying anything and stopped in front of that wall.

For a brief moment, silence filled the room.

"Not bad," the emperor said at last.

His voice had changed.

The firm, cold tone from earlier had softened into something calmer… almost thoughtful. There was even a hint of pride in it.

Vivian blinked slightly, unsure if he had heard it right.

"You know," the emperor continued, glancing slightly to the side as if recalling something, "earlier, in that room…"

He did not finish the sentence.

Instead, he stepped closer to the locker built into the wall and began entering a code on the lock.

His fingers moved calmly, pressing each number with ease.

Clink.

The lock opened with a soft sound.

Vivian stood where he was, watching him quietly.

His body was still, but his thoughts were anything but.

From what he had seen earlier, the emperor had clearly been angry.

The way he spoke, the weight behind his words… it had not felt like a simple scolding.

And now he had brought him here, alone.

'Is this where it happens…?' Vivian thought, a faint tension settling in his chest.

The emperor slowly opened the locker and reached inside, his hand moving as if searching for something.

Vivian's gaze stayed fixed on that motion.

'Am I about to get punished?'

He did not try to deny it.

He had disappeared for years without a word.

He had married the princess without any ceremony. And now, he had returned as if nothing had happened.

If there was anyone who had the right to be angry… it was the man standing in front of him.

Vivian let out a slow breath and straightened slightly.

Whatever it was, he would accept it.

But then…

"Well done."

The emperor's voice came out suddenly.

Vivian's thoughts stopped.

The emperor pulled his hand out of the locker, holding a bottle of whisky.

He turned around with a small smile on his face, the earlier sternness completely gone.

Vivian just stared at him.

For a moment, his mind went completely blank.

The shift was so sudden it felt unreal.

Just a while ago, this man had been looking at him like he was ready to tear him apart.

And now… he looked like a proud father who had just seen his son return home.

"I didn't think you'd give me a grandchild so soon," the emperor said with a light chuckle as he walked toward the table. "Come, sit."

He placed the bottle down and took out two glasses, setting them neatly on the table before pouring the drink into both.

The faint scent of alcohol spread through the air.

Vivian walked forward slowly, still trying to process what was happening.

He pulled a chair and sat down across from him, his expression slightly stiff.

"How is everything going?" the emperor asked casually as he slid one of the glasses toward him.

"Good…" Vivian replied, though his tone carried a bit of confusion.

The emperor leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.

"You see," he said, "your mother-in-law told me to scold you properly for vanishing like that."

He gave a small, knowing smile.

"You know how it is."

Vivian paused… then let out a quiet breath.

"Ah…"

Now it made sense.

He could almost imagine the scene, his mother-in-law insisting that something had to be said, that he could not just return without facing consequences.

And the emperor… playing his part.

A faint, helpless smile appeared on Vivian's face.

"I see…" he murmured.

The emperor leaned back in his chair, picking up his glass.

"But that aside," he continued, his voice returning to that warm, proud tone, "I really am proud of you."

His eyes rested on Vivian, steady and sincere.

"You reached Grandmaster… defeated that clown… and ended a war that dragged on for seven years."

He paused for a moment, then let out a soft breath.

"And now," he added with a small smile, "you've even made my daughter pregnant."

There was no sarcasm in his voice. Only genuine satisfaction.

"You really are something."

Vivian didn't know what to say.

He reached out and took the glass, holding it in his hand as he gave a slightly awkward smile. His fingers tightened just a little around it.

"I…" he started, but the words didn't come out properly.

So he stayed quiet.

The emperor raised his own glass slightly.

"I'm very proud of you… young man," he said, his tone calm but filled with meaning.

There was a brief pause.

Then, gently….

"Take good care of her."

The words were simple, but they carried weight.

Vivian looked at him for a moment… then nodded.

"I will," he replied quietly.

The glasses met with a soft clink, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet room.