“Hello, Empress.”
Imperial Guard Captain Jasper Kurds greeted him politely.
Although the Marquis was famous for having a red fox family line, Jasper had an image closer to a wild beast than the typical fox-like feeling.
‘The Marchioness was a jaguar.’
Perhaps due to his physical characteristics, Jasper’s hair was brown with black and white patterns.
“It’s been a while. Captain. And...”
Sepia’s gaze turned to Jasper.
Next to him, who had a calm appearance, stood a man with crimson hair.
Dark green eyes.
His white skin and slightly upturned eye and mouth corners gave off the image of a mischievous boy.
He also had a long and slender body.
Even Sepia, who couldn’t smell anything, could tell that he was a fox-man.
‘He’s Kurds"s second son.’
Furthermore, he was wearing a green brooch over his brown coat.
The red fox’s eyes sparkled at Sepia’s gaze.
Closing his eyes, the second son of the Kurds greeted the Empress.
“My name is Etennsel Kurds.”
Etennsel moved his arm flexibly to his chest and bowed.
His green eyes captured Sepia.
The younger brother of the captain of the guards, who had overcome a long illness, did not show any signs of illness, but rather the refreshing vitality of a summer forest.
“I really wanted to meet you, Your Majesty. I also gratefully accepted the gift you sent.”
“...Yes. You must have had a hard time overcoming your illness. Congratulations.”
Sepia was taken aback for a moment, but she accepted the greeting without showing it.
Sepia was a little taken aback by the favor she felt in Etennsel’s eyes.
There was no reason for the second son of the Kurds to feel such favor toward the Empress.
‘Did you like the brooch that much?’
Considering what he had brought today, she thought it could be true.
Sepia assumed that the unknown favor must have been due to the gift she had sent.
“This guy said he received a gift from the Empress and wanted to greet you in person.”
“Ah, bro!”
Etennsel, who had his neck in Jasper’s arms, pushed him away and protected his head that had been lifted up.
Judging by their playful appearance, the brotherly bond seemed quite good.
“Oh, I’m sorry for being rude in front of the Empress.”
“No. It’s nice to see you taking care of your younger brother. I’m a little surprised because it’s the first time I’ve heard that the captain of the guards had a brother.”
The Beastkin family inherits from the same species.
Even if they were to marry a different species, it was common to pass the family on to a child born of the same species.
There was once a discussion about who would inherit the Kruds family.
“My younger brother, a red fox, has overcome his illness and is now back on his feet, so who will inherit the family?”
The deeper the family’s roots, the more they rejected children born of different species.
Most families would marry from the same species, but in cases like this, where the wife was of a different species and the child born was of the same species as the wife, they would sometimes be listed on the matrilineal family.
However, some did not belong anywhere.
Most of them left their families or joined external groups such as punitive forces.
Because of this process of succession, it was rare for brothers of different species to be close.
It took Sepia a long time to adapt to the unfamiliar way, but now she found the brothers of the Kruds family strange.
“He was a weakling, so he followed me around a lot. But seeing him greet the Empress makes me think that he has grown up.”
“It is amazing that he overcame his illness.”
“You are right.”
Jasper nodded.
It seemed that he had another purpose for visiting the Empress’s palace besides introducing his younger brother.
“I wanted to apologize to both of you for the incident that happened during the victory ceremony.”
Sepia’s eyes widened at the unexpected story.
Her maid Betty, who was with her, was the same.
‘Are you talking about what the Young master of the Louvre did?’
The captain of the guards was in charge of all the incidents that occurred at the grand banquet.
However, Young Master Louvre was dragged away by the knights, and the problem he caused was not the fault of the guards.
“That day, the atmosphere of those gathered around the Your Majesty the Empress was strange. I apologize for causing you to experience such unpleasant things, even though I knew it. As the person responsible for your safety that day, I apologize.”
Jasper bowed.
He was a person who had been well-received even before he was appointed captain of the guard.
However, she heard that some disliked Jasper’s characteristically old-fashioned side.
‘Still, he’s great.’
It wasn’t common for someone to take full responsibility for an accident that wasn’t their fault.
“I’m fine. And even if you’re the captain of the guards, you can’t predict every situation. Right, Betty?”
“Oh, yes. That’s right. That guy, no. That Young master was wrong. It’s not something you, the captain of the guards, should apologize for.”
The maid who had been listening nodded hurriedly.
Jasper, relieved by the Empress’s words, asked the maid.
“Thank you for saying that. Are you okay where you were hurt that day?”
“Yes. It’s all better. It wasn’t a big wound to begin with.”
The maid scratched her sore cheek. Jasper smiled at her answer.
“Then that’s good.”
The maid, whose cheeks were red, soon began to ask him various questions.
Jasper answered them calmly.
Sepia was lost in thought as she watched the two converse.
The Empress’s maids were carefully selected, and Betty was also from a noble family.
She heard that the Young master of the Louvre family was imprisoned in the palace prison for a week for assaulting a nobleman and then released after paying a large bail.
'I heard that he paid not only the bail but also the settlement money.'
The settlement money that the Louvre family offered to the maid's family must have been considerable.
Most people cited Titi as the reason why he was able to be released. She paid the bail and the settlement money to get her stepbrother out.
However, the exact amount did not come out of Titi's pocket.
The budget was determined every New Year.
Even if there was a sudden budget shortage in the palace, it was processed quarterly, so Titi had not yet received the budget even though she was living in the palace.
'His Majesty must have paid it instead.'
‘Are you busy, brother? I have some business with the Empress, so please take good care of the maid. Thank you.’
‘What? Hey...!’
With Jasper and Etennsel’s conversation over, Sepia was separated from her maid as well.
Etennsel who had been walking on the snowy path, turned around. He faced Sepia with his usual bewitching smile.
“The Empress was looking after my fox.”
“...How did you lose it?”
She heard that the sickly second son never came out of the mansion.
At Sepia’s question, Etennsel let out a deep sigh as if he had been waiting.
“He suddenly disappeared, and I searched the entire mansion but couldn’t find him. He must have gotten on my brother’s carriage to work.”
His hunched shoulders looked quite pitiful.
The captain’s carriage. This was also a believable statement.
‘I know exactly what the fox looks like.’
If what he said was true, it was fortunate that he had found the owner, but now the fox was gone.
Sepia led Etennsel to the west garden.
“That’s where I first found the fox.”
She pointed to the bushes from which the fox had first jumped out.
It was covered in snow now, but in the spring, fragrant spring flowers bloomed everywhere, and Sepia liked to visit there.
“I see. It’s a place he would like. He likes blue-eyed beauties.”
Ettensel smiled with wide eyes.
His gaze, which seemed to be examining the bushes, was now focused on Sepia.
Imperial Guard Captain Jasper Kurds greeted him politely.
Although the Marquis was famous for having a red fox family line, Jasper had an image closer to a wild beast than the typical fox-like feeling.
‘The Marchioness was a jaguar.’
Perhaps due to his physical characteristics, Jasper’s hair was brown with black and white patterns.
“It’s been a while. Captain. And...”
Sepia’s gaze turned to Jasper.
Next to him, who had a calm appearance, stood a man with crimson hair.
Dark green eyes.
His white skin and slightly upturned eye and mouth corners gave off the image of a mischievous boy.
He also had a long and slender body.
Even Sepia, who couldn’t smell anything, could tell that he was a fox-man.
‘He’s Kurds"s second son.’
Furthermore, he was wearing a green brooch over his brown coat.
The red fox’s eyes sparkled at Sepia’s gaze.
Closing his eyes, the second son of the Kurds greeted the Empress.
“My name is Etennsel Kurds.”
Etennsel moved his arm flexibly to his chest and bowed.
His green eyes captured Sepia.
The younger brother of the captain of the guards, who had overcome a long illness, did not show any signs of illness, but rather the refreshing vitality of a summer forest.
“I really wanted to meet you, Your Majesty. I also gratefully accepted the gift you sent.”
“...Yes. You must have had a hard time overcoming your illness. Congratulations.”
Sepia was taken aback for a moment, but she accepted the greeting without showing it.
Sepia was a little taken aback by the favor she felt in Etennsel’s eyes.
There was no reason for the second son of the Kurds to feel such favor toward the Empress.
‘Did you like the brooch that much?’
Considering what he had brought today, she thought it could be true.
Sepia assumed that the unknown favor must have been due to the gift she had sent.
“This guy said he received a gift from the Empress and wanted to greet you in person.”
“Ah, bro!”
Etennsel, who had his neck in Jasper’s arms, pushed him away and protected his head that had been lifted up.
Judging by their playful appearance, the brotherly bond seemed quite good.
“Oh, I’m sorry for being rude in front of the Empress.”
“No. It’s nice to see you taking care of your younger brother. I’m a little surprised because it’s the first time I’ve heard that the captain of the guards had a brother.”
The Beastkin family inherits from the same species.
Even if they were to marry a different species, it was common to pass the family on to a child born of the same species.
There was once a discussion about who would inherit the Kruds family.
“My younger brother, a red fox, has overcome his illness and is now back on his feet, so who will inherit the family?”
The deeper the family’s roots, the more they rejected children born of different species.
Most families would marry from the same species, but in cases like this, where the wife was of a different species and the child born was of the same species as the wife, they would sometimes be listed on the matrilineal family.
However, some did not belong anywhere.
Most of them left their families or joined external groups such as punitive forces.
Because of this process of succession, it was rare for brothers of different species to be close.
It took Sepia a long time to adapt to the unfamiliar way, but now she found the brothers of the Kruds family strange.
“He was a weakling, so he followed me around a lot. But seeing him greet the Empress makes me think that he has grown up.”
“It is amazing that he overcame his illness.”
“You are right.”
Jasper nodded.
It seemed that he had another purpose for visiting the Empress’s palace besides introducing his younger brother.
“I wanted to apologize to both of you for the incident that happened during the victory ceremony.”
Sepia’s eyes widened at the unexpected story.
Her maid Betty, who was with her, was the same.
‘Are you talking about what the Young master of the Louvre did?’
The captain of the guards was in charge of all the incidents that occurred at the grand banquet.
However, Young Master Louvre was dragged away by the knights, and the problem he caused was not the fault of the guards.
“That day, the atmosphere of those gathered around the Your Majesty the Empress was strange. I apologize for causing you to experience such unpleasant things, even though I knew it. As the person responsible for your safety that day, I apologize.”
Jasper bowed.
He was a person who had been well-received even before he was appointed captain of the guard.
However, she heard that some disliked Jasper’s characteristically old-fashioned side.
‘Still, he’s great.’
It wasn’t common for someone to take full responsibility for an accident that wasn’t their fault.
“I’m fine. And even if you’re the captain of the guards, you can’t predict every situation. Right, Betty?”
“Oh, yes. That’s right. That guy, no. That Young master was wrong. It’s not something you, the captain of the guards, should apologize for.”
The maid who had been listening nodded hurriedly.
Jasper, relieved by the Empress’s words, asked the maid.
“Thank you for saying that. Are you okay where you were hurt that day?”
“Yes. It’s all better. It wasn’t a big wound to begin with.”
The maid scratched her sore cheek. Jasper smiled at her answer.
“Then that’s good.”
The maid, whose cheeks were red, soon began to ask him various questions.
Jasper answered them calmly.
Sepia was lost in thought as she watched the two converse.
The Empress’s maids were carefully selected, and Betty was also from a noble family.
She heard that the Young master of the Louvre family was imprisoned in the palace prison for a week for assaulting a nobleman and then released after paying a large bail.
'I heard that he paid not only the bail but also the settlement money.'
The settlement money that the Louvre family offered to the maid's family must have been considerable.
Most people cited Titi as the reason why he was able to be released. She paid the bail and the settlement money to get her stepbrother out.
However, the exact amount did not come out of Titi's pocket.
The budget was determined every New Year.
Even if there was a sudden budget shortage in the palace, it was processed quarterly, so Titi had not yet received the budget even though she was living in the palace.
'His Majesty must have paid it instead.'
PickThe only person who could pay the bail and the settlement money at the same time was Demios.
He spared no expense when it came to the government.
Perhaps he would be even more so in the future.
Demios' government was the only one that could do what Sepia could not.
Sepia looked out into the garden.
The garden covered in snow was completely white except for the paths that had been cleared to allow easy access. She was momentarily lost in the white scenery.
“Is there something else you are looking for?”
The one who woke her up was a scarlet fox.
Etennsel had already arrived in front of Sepia.
Behind him, the captain of the guard and the maid were chatting away.
“It seems like you are looking around the garden.”
When Sepia didn’t answer, Etennsel added.
Unable to ignore his words, Sepia finally opened her mouth.
“There was a fox that used to visit the garden, but I haven’t seen it recently, so I’m worried.”
The reason she came out for a walk today was also because of the fox.
Etensel widened his eyes at Sepia’s words.
“Oh my... Your Majesty, you are so warm-hearted to be worried about a mere fox.”
The way he smiled with his green eyes closed so that they couldn’t be seen was exactly like the fox that had visited the Empress’s palace.
“But that’s strange. I’m also looking for a fox. I think the fox that the Empress was worried about is mine. So, wouldn’t you like to look for it with me?”
When she came to, Sepia was walking in the garden alone with Etennsel.
‘How did we end up alone?’
Sepia, who was walking one step behind Etennsel, was preoccupied.
The second son of Kruds, who claimed to be the fox’s owner, immediately separated the four factions.
He spared no expense when it came to the government.
Perhaps he would be even more so in the future.
Demios' government was the only one that could do what Sepia could not.
Sepia looked out into the garden.
The garden covered in snow was completely white except for the paths that had been cleared to allow easy access. She was momentarily lost in the white scenery.
“Is there something else you are looking for?”
The one who woke her up was a scarlet fox.
Etennsel had already arrived in front of Sepia.
Behind him, the captain of the guard and the maid were chatting away.
“It seems like you are looking around the garden.”
When Sepia didn’t answer, Etennsel added.
Unable to ignore his words, Sepia finally opened her mouth.
“There was a fox that used to visit the garden, but I haven’t seen it recently, so I’m worried.”
The reason she came out for a walk today was also because of the fox.
Etensel widened his eyes at Sepia’s words.
“Oh my... Your Majesty, you are so warm-hearted to be worried about a mere fox.”
The way he smiled with his green eyes closed so that they couldn’t be seen was exactly like the fox that had visited the Empress’s palace.
“But that’s strange. I’m also looking for a fox. I think the fox that the Empress was worried about is mine. So, wouldn’t you like to look for it with me?”
When she came to, Sepia was walking in the garden alone with Etennsel.
‘How did we end up alone?’
Sepia, who was walking one step behind Etennsel, was preoccupied.
The second son of Kruds, who claimed to be the fox’s owner, immediately separated the four factions.
‘Are you busy, brother? I have some business with the Empress, so please take good care of the maid. Thank you.’
‘What? Hey...!’
With Jasper and Etennsel’s conversation over, Sepia was separated from her maid as well.
Etennsel who had been walking on the snowy path, turned around. He faced Sepia with his usual bewitching smile.
“The Empress was looking after my fox.”
“...How did you lose it?”
She heard that the sickly second son never came out of the mansion.
At Sepia’s question, Etennsel let out a deep sigh as if he had been waiting.
“He suddenly disappeared, and I searched the entire mansion but couldn’t find him. He must have gotten on my brother’s carriage to work.”
His hunched shoulders looked quite pitiful.
The captain’s carriage. This was also a believable statement.
‘I know exactly what the fox looks like.’
If what he said was true, it was fortunate that he had found the owner, but now the fox was gone.
Sepia led Etennsel to the west garden.
“That’s where I first found the fox.”
She pointed to the bushes from which the fox had first jumped out.
It was covered in snow now, but in the spring, fragrant spring flowers bloomed everywhere, and Sepia liked to visit there.
“I see. It’s a place he would like. He likes blue-eyed beauties.”
Ettensel smiled with wide eyes.
His gaze, which seemed to be examining the bushes, was now focused on Sepia.
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