“Thank you for your permission, Your Majesty. Actually, I thought I might be rejected.”
Titi smiled brightly.
It was a bit bold to ask for it even though she expected it to be rejected.
Up close, Sepia looked like a deer from mythology.
However, Sepia knew that not all herbivores are weak and gentle.
“I see.”
Titi’s eyes widened at her flat and curt words.
Regardless of whether she liked it or not, she really had nothing more to say.
‘What more can I say?’
A wolf can only have one companion in its entire life.
Therefore, it was right for the royal family, which was descended from the divine wolf, to take in a mistress.
However, the only exception was the name engraving.
Her husband’s legitimate mistress.
Maybe, she might enter the palace soon.
Titi smiled brightly as if she didn’t know what Sepia was thinking.
“I want to get along with the Empress.”
Sepia flinched at those words.
What could Titi’s real intention be?
The two of them were in a relationship that no one in their right mind could get along with.
‘Would it be different if they were excluding their feelings?’
That wasn’t the case.
Even before Titi showed up, Sepia and Demios weren’t in a romantic relationship.
But if the two were to have a mutual imprint...
Her mind was spinning.
When Sepia didn’t react any further, her eyes lit up as if a memory had suddenly occurred to her.
“Oh, right. Shall I show you His Majesty’s name?”
She couldn’t stop her.
Titi pulled down her clothes and showed the name engraved on her right chest.
Demios’ name was written clearly in black letters.
It was a perfect imprint.
“It’s done.”
Titi flinched as if her expression had cooled without her realizing it.
“I’m sorry. I thought Your Majesty would be curious.”
“His Majesty said he checked it, so I don’t need to check it separately.”
“Is that so? If I were the Empress, I would have wanted to see her.”
Titi tilted her head as if she had difficulty understanding.
At the same time, the carriage stopped. They had arrived at the Empress’s palace.
The coachman was about to open the door.
Titi got up first and approached Sepia.
“What...”
Titi’s shadow obscured Sepia.
In the darkness that fell, her purple eyes were shining brightly.
“I will warm His Majesty’s bed now, so don’t worry too much.”
What did I just hear?
The strangely shining eyes were creepy.
The carriage door opened with a malicious whisper.
Titi smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.
She spun around and headed for the door.
And then fell down.
“Whoa!”
Her slender body fell forward as if she had misstepped.
It was the moment when Sepia reflexively got up from her seat. A cold low voice took over the interior.
“I told you to be careful.”
Demios took Titi and lowered her to the floor.
The Emperor’s white deer smiled shyly in his arms.
“I’m sorry. I misstepped.”
Their long silver and white hairs tangled together in the deep sunset.
They were a couple that matched each other undeniably.
To the point where they forgot for a moment what had happened in the carriage.
Beyond Titi, red eyes were looking at Sepia.
“Why are you two together?”
He was clearly asking Sepia.
Just before she could answer, Titi cut him off.
“The Empress gave me a carriage ride. I was on my way to His Majesty’s residence.”
“You should have used someone.”
Demios’ gaze turned to Titi.
The white deer’s eyes sparkled lovingly.
“I wanted to visit Your Majesty without you knowing.”
How dare you sneak into the Emperor’s palace?
It was ridiculous, but her harmless face justified it.
‘He is completely devoted to his own domain.’
It was an attitude that could not be overlooked, but Demios didn’t seem to care.
While Sepia couldn't take her eyes off him, Demios' gaze returned to her.
"The Empress?"
“I’m on my way back after discussing the victory ceremony.”
She thought it was fortunate that she could say this more calmly than she thought.
All parties hosted by the palace were under the jurisdiction of the Empress.
It was Sepia’s job to lead them safely.
Soon, she saw Demios’s eyebrows narrow.
“...Duke Claude Leofor, you mean.”
The sensitivity added to his sensitive beauty created an even colder atmosphere.
Strangely, Demios seemed to be in a bad mood whenever the victory ceremony was mentioned.
The reason was.
‘It’s a hostile relationship.’
Claude should be considered as the son of the enemy King, the older brother of the previous Emperor, and thus a member of the imperial bloodline.
The reason Demios was reacting so sharply was.
‘Was there friction when he inherited the throne?’
However, it had been over ten years since Duke Leofor had gone on a punitive expedition.
Demios had inherited the throne seven years ago. It had been quite some time since he had solidified his position.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes. Your Majesty.”
At those words, Titi naturally hugged Demios’s arm.
Sepia’s mind stopped at the scene which was as natural as breathing.
The two had developed a closer relationship than she had expected.
‘The past is just the past.’
Today, the one standing next to Demios was not Sepia, but another woman.
Sepia realized that fact once again.
That night.
No matter how deep the darkness grew, she couldn’t sleep.
Even the maids were asleep.
Sepia packed her shawl and went out of the Empress’s palace.
Now that it was a familiar path, she felt like she wouldn’t get lost even if she closed her eyes.
Still, she felt dizzy.
All the accidents that would happen in the future felt distant.
‘Clear hostility.’
It had been a long time since she had felt such strong malice since she left her homeland.
It was as if Titi was declaring that she would take away everything Sepia had.
Above all, Demios and Titi already seemed like a complete couple.
She walked endlessly through the dark garden.
When she raised her head again, Sepia had arrived at an unfamiliar place.
'Where am I?'
She had lost her way in the imperial palace she had been so sure she knew so well.
She was in front of a secluded palace with no lights on. It was a huge, cold, and beautiful raised gate.
After a while, Sepia was able to realize the identity of this place.
'This is... an empty palace.'
She had heard of it.
The title of Grand Duke had only a title but no owner.
And about the Ghost Palace.
'I heard it was a title created during the reign of the former Emperor. No one had ever received it.'
Everyone knew about this unique title.
However, the owner had been absent. For a very long time.
'This is my first time here in person.'
Sepia had only heard rumors, but she had not thought she would visit this place.
How did she end up here?
That was how out of her mind she was.
During the day, when she had a lot of work to do, she could pretend like nothing happened.
However, when she had a moment to rest, it was hard to get out of her thoughts.
Today, in particular, it was even more so.
Sepia tightly closed her eyes.
'I have to go back.'
At that moment, a sharp wind blew.
The shawl she was lightly holding slipped out of her hand.
The cloth, caught in the wind, disappeared before her eyes.
'It's cold.'
It was so cold that she had only lost a shawl.
Even though winter had not yet fully arrived.
Sepia crouched down.
She knew she had to go back, but it was hard to take that one step.
That was when.
"Excuse me."
Sepia opened her eyes wide.
A pleasant low voice came over her shoulders, and a coat was wrapped around her.
Warm warmth wrapped around her back.
It was a man's coat warmed by someone's body heat.
Sepia looked back.
There stood a man with his back to the moon.
The eyes that met her after bending her neck for a long time were golden, shining like the sun. The black hair that matched his beautiful face resembled the purest night.
Even standing under the moonlight in the middle of the night, he had warm eyes.
Sepia silently looked at him.
As if answering, the man’s mouth formed a soft curve.
“Your clothes are too thin. It’s cold at night.”
He opened the front of the coat wrapped around Sepia’s shoulders and gave it to her.
At first glance, his hands were neat and large, just like his appearance.
Because of the difference in their sizes, Sepia ended up trapped in the coat. Still.
“It’s warm.”
The cold that had hit her a moment ago had completely disappeared.
Sepia stroked the unfamiliar hem of his clothes and explored the man.
He was someone Sepia didn’t remember in terms of appearance.
“What kind of species?”
This was the empire of beasts.
She had never heard of a human guest visiting, so this man must also be an animal.
Carnivore, or herbivore.
The man had a friendly face, but he gave off a strong impression of a beast.
And he was a large man with his claws hidden.
Thanks to the man taking off his coat, the man was only wearing a thin shirt.
Sepia, who was quite concerned about this, opened her mouth.
“Your Majesty’s clothes also look quite thin.”
She felt like he had answered rudely without realizing it.
And in a manner that did not fit the dignity of an Empress.
She was embarrassed, although she did not show it.
However, contrary to Sepia’s expectations, the man did not seem offended. Rather.
It was a bit bold to ask for it even though she expected it to be rejected.
Up close, Sepia looked like a deer from mythology.
However, Sepia knew that not all herbivores are weak and gentle.
“I see.”
Titi’s eyes widened at her flat and curt words.
Regardless of whether she liked it or not, she really had nothing more to say.
‘What more can I say?’
A wolf can only have one companion in its entire life.
Therefore, it was right for the royal family, which was descended from the divine wolf, to take in a mistress.
However, the only exception was the name engraving.
Her husband’s legitimate mistress.
Maybe, she might enter the palace soon.
Titi smiled brightly as if she didn’t know what Sepia was thinking.
“I want to get along with the Empress.”
Sepia flinched at those words.
What could Titi’s real intention be?
The two of them were in a relationship that no one in their right mind could get along with.
‘Would it be different if they were excluding their feelings?’
That wasn’t the case.
Even before Titi showed up, Sepia and Demios weren’t in a romantic relationship.
But if the two were to have a mutual imprint...
Her mind was spinning.
When Sepia didn’t react any further, her eyes lit up as if a memory had suddenly occurred to her.
“Oh, right. Shall I show you His Majesty’s name?”
She couldn’t stop her.
Titi pulled down her clothes and showed the name engraved on her right chest.
Demios’ name was written clearly in black letters.
It was a perfect imprint.
“It’s done.”
Titi flinched as if her expression had cooled without her realizing it.
“I’m sorry. I thought Your Majesty would be curious.”
“His Majesty said he checked it, so I don’t need to check it separately.”
“Is that so? If I were the Empress, I would have wanted to see her.”
Titi tilted her head as if she had difficulty understanding.
At the same time, the carriage stopped. They had arrived at the Empress’s palace.
The coachman was about to open the door.
Titi got up first and approached Sepia.
“What...”
Titi’s shadow obscured Sepia.
In the darkness that fell, her purple eyes were shining brightly.
“I will warm His Majesty’s bed now, so don’t worry too much.”
What did I just hear?
The strangely shining eyes were creepy.
The carriage door opened with a malicious whisper.
Titi smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.
She spun around and headed for the door.
And then fell down.
“Whoa!”
Her slender body fell forward as if she had misstepped.
It was the moment when Sepia reflexively got up from her seat. A cold low voice took over the interior.
“I told you to be careful.”
Demios took Titi and lowered her to the floor.
The Emperor’s white deer smiled shyly in his arms.
“I’m sorry. I misstepped.”
Their long silver and white hairs tangled together in the deep sunset.
They were a couple that matched each other undeniably.
To the point where they forgot for a moment what had happened in the carriage.
Beyond Titi, red eyes were looking at Sepia.
“Why are you two together?”
He was clearly asking Sepia.
Just before she could answer, Titi cut him off.
“The Empress gave me a carriage ride. I was on my way to His Majesty’s residence.”
“You should have used someone.”
Demios’ gaze turned to Titi.
The white deer’s eyes sparkled lovingly.
“I wanted to visit Your Majesty without you knowing.”
How dare you sneak into the Emperor’s palace?
It was ridiculous, but her harmless face justified it.
‘He is completely devoted to his own domain.’
It was an attitude that could not be overlooked, but Demios didn’t seem to care.
While Sepia couldn't take her eyes off him, Demios' gaze returned to her.
"The Empress?"
“I’m on my way back after discussing the victory ceremony.”
She thought it was fortunate that she could say this more calmly than she thought.
All parties hosted by the palace were under the jurisdiction of the Empress.
It was Sepia’s job to lead them safely.
Soon, she saw Demios’s eyebrows narrow.
“...Duke Claude Leofor, you mean.”
The sensitivity added to his sensitive beauty created an even colder atmosphere.
Strangely, Demios seemed to be in a bad mood whenever the victory ceremony was mentioned.
The reason was.
‘It’s a hostile relationship.’
Claude should be considered as the son of the enemy King, the older brother of the previous Emperor, and thus a member of the imperial bloodline.
The reason Demios was reacting so sharply was.
‘Was there friction when he inherited the throne?’
However, it had been over ten years since Duke Leofor had gone on a punitive expedition.
Demios had inherited the throne seven years ago. It had been quite some time since he had solidified his position.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes. Your Majesty.”
At those words, Titi naturally hugged Demios’s arm.
Sepia’s mind stopped at the scene which was as natural as breathing.
The two had developed a closer relationship than she had expected.
‘The past is just the past.’
Today, the one standing next to Demios was not Sepia, but another woman.
Sepia realized that fact once again.
That night.
No matter how deep the darkness grew, she couldn’t sleep.
Even the maids were asleep.
Sepia packed her shawl and went out of the Empress’s palace.
Now that it was a familiar path, she felt like she wouldn’t get lost even if she closed her eyes.
Still, she felt dizzy.
All the accidents that would happen in the future felt distant.
‘Clear hostility.’
It had been a long time since she had felt such strong malice since she left her homeland.
It was as if Titi was declaring that she would take away everything Sepia had.
Above all, Demios and Titi already seemed like a complete couple.
She walked endlessly through the dark garden.
When she raised her head again, Sepia had arrived at an unfamiliar place.
'Where am I?'
She had lost her way in the imperial palace she had been so sure she knew so well.
She was in front of a secluded palace with no lights on. It was a huge, cold, and beautiful raised gate.
After a while, Sepia was able to realize the identity of this place.
'This is... an empty palace.'
She had heard of it.
The title of Grand Duke had only a title but no owner.
And about the Ghost Palace.
'I heard it was a title created during the reign of the former Emperor. No one had ever received it.'
Everyone knew about this unique title.
However, the owner had been absent. For a very long time.
'This is my first time here in person.'
Sepia had only heard rumors, but she had not thought she would visit this place.
How did she end up here?
That was how out of her mind she was.
During the day, when she had a lot of work to do, she could pretend like nothing happened.
However, when she had a moment to rest, it was hard to get out of her thoughts.
Today, in particular, it was even more so.
Sepia tightly closed her eyes.
'I have to go back.'
At that moment, a sharp wind blew.
The shawl she was lightly holding slipped out of her hand.
The cloth, caught in the wind, disappeared before her eyes.
'It's cold.'
It was so cold that she had only lost a shawl.
Even though winter had not yet fully arrived.
Sepia crouched down.
She knew she had to go back, but it was hard to take that one step.
That was when.
"Excuse me."
Sepia opened her eyes wide.
A pleasant low voice came over her shoulders, and a coat was wrapped around her.
Warm warmth wrapped around her back.
It was a man's coat warmed by someone's body heat.
Sepia looked back.
There stood a man with his back to the moon.
The eyes that met her after bending her neck for a long time were golden, shining like the sun. The black hair that matched his beautiful face resembled the purest night.
Even standing under the moonlight in the middle of the night, he had warm eyes.
Sepia silently looked at him.
As if answering, the man’s mouth formed a soft curve.
“Your clothes are too thin. It’s cold at night.”
He opened the front of the coat wrapped around Sepia’s shoulders and gave it to her.
At first glance, his hands were neat and large, just like his appearance.
Because of the difference in their sizes, Sepia ended up trapped in the coat. Still.
“It’s warm.”
The cold that had hit her a moment ago had completely disappeared.
Sepia stroked the unfamiliar hem of his clothes and explored the man.
He was someone Sepia didn’t remember in terms of appearance.
“What kind of species?”
This was the empire of beasts.
She had never heard of a human guest visiting, so this man must also be an animal.
Carnivore, or herbivore.
The man had a friendly face, but he gave off a strong impression of a beast.
And he was a large man with his claws hidden.
Thanks to the man taking off his coat, the man was only wearing a thin shirt.
Sepia, who was quite concerned about this, opened her mouth.
“Your Majesty’s clothes also look quite thin.”
She felt like he had answered rudely without realizing it.
And in a manner that did not fit the dignity of an Empress.
She was embarrassed, although she did not show it.
However, contrary to Sepia’s expectations, the man did not seem offended. Rather.
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