It felt like time had stopped.
Sepia stared blankly at him.
“...It’s hard to understand. The love I’ve waited for so long didn’t bear fruit in the end.”
He. Herself. Even those who lived in waiting, and those who had to wait and leave, were not given perfect love in return. We must turn away from formulas that do not guarantee perfect answers.
Roxanne knew that too, but why did he choose to wait on his own?
She felt like a child who had lost her way.
Even the education she had received for many years that the basics of a noble person is to hide one’s emotions was useless in front of Roxanne.
He did not let go of Sepia’s hand.
As if he was going to walk the path she had lost together.
“I will hold Sepia in my heart in some form. This is my will and freedom.”
Even if he did not know what was waiting at the end of that path, the will to choose the direction to go was completely his.
Roxanne was saying.
“So please don’t push me away.”
He was like a magnet.
No, he was like a wave washing up on the shore.
Sepia was drawn to him like the opposite side of his magnet, like a crumbling sand castle.
“Who are you?”
Until the sunset, Sepia walked around Revence with Roxanne.
Suppressing the emotions she couldn’t express.
Since visiting Revence, Sepia had been busy with the many donation applications and charity work she had to do.
Her body and mind were a little tired, but she preferred being busy all the time.
Even if she took a short break, the emotions from that day would inevitably come back to her and make her shiver.
When she returned from her office to the Empress’s Palace, it was already pitch dark.
A letter had arrived at the Empress’s Palace.
“It’s a letter that arrived this afternoon.”
“Who is it?”
Sepia checked the letter her maid had handed her.
Her eyes widened as she looked at the sender.
“The Viscountess of Swany?”
The letter had Lady Swany’s name written in elegant cursive.
It was the first letter Sepia had received from the Viscountess, asking for a meeting to make a donation to the Empress’s charity.
After Sepia became the Empress, the lady who had helped her adjust had since then become secluded again and did not attend the victory ceremony. She had always felt grateful to Lady Swany for her help.
However, even then, she knew that she did not like outside activities, so she refrained from contacting her without a special reason.
‘It is a bit sudden, but...’
There was no reason to refuse the meeting.
“Please bring me some stationery and a pen.”
Sepia wrote the letter right away.
The next afternoon, Lady Swany visited the Empress’s palace.
Remody guided Sepia to the reception room where Swany was waiting.
When the door opened, Swany got up from her seat and greeted her politely.
“It has been a long time since I have seen you, Viscountess.”
“Thank you for accepting the old woman’s request.”
Swany, who placed her left hand on her chest, bowed gracefully.
Her face was covered with wrinkles, but her thin and flexible body still exuded a refined air.
After a brief greeting, Swany handed over the donation request form.
Sepia was taken aback by the much larger amount than she had expected, but Swany smiled and raised her glass.
“Where would an old woman spend such a large sum? Wealth is not used in the grave.”
“Why do you say that?”
Despite the concerned reprimand, Swany simply smiled.
It was surprising that she readily agreed to donate such a large sum, but it was also surprising that she had such a large sum of money.
Swany lowered her gaze.
Her swan eyes, steeped in years, were suddenly reminiscing about her most brilliant past.
“The Palace of Ruben has a special meaning to me. It is proof that I served the late Empress until the end.”
The reason Swany had visited the Empress’s Palace was not just for the donation certificate.
Swany knew that Titi had coveted the Palace of Ruben. Sepia also guarded her treasure trove.
“Those who fearlessly seek a noble position will eventually pay the price. I am always on the Empress’s side.”
Sepia stared blankly at him.
“...It’s hard to understand. The love I’ve waited for so long didn’t bear fruit in the end.”
He. Herself. Even those who lived in waiting, and those who had to wait and leave, were not given perfect love in return. We must turn away from formulas that do not guarantee perfect answers.
Roxanne knew that too, but why did he choose to wait on his own?
She felt like a child who had lost her way.
Even the education she had received for many years that the basics of a noble person is to hide one’s emotions was useless in front of Roxanne.
He did not let go of Sepia’s hand.
As if he was going to walk the path she had lost together.
“I will hold Sepia in my heart in some form. This is my will and freedom.”
Even if he did not know what was waiting at the end of that path, the will to choose the direction to go was completely his.
Roxanne was saying.
“So please don’t push me away.”
He was like a magnet.
No, he was like a wave washing up on the shore.
Sepia was drawn to him like the opposite side of his magnet, like a crumbling sand castle.
“Who are you?”
Until the sunset, Sepia walked around Revence with Roxanne.
Suppressing the emotions she couldn’t express.
***
Since visiting Revence, Sepia had been busy with the many donation applications and charity work she had to do.
Her body and mind were a little tired, but she preferred being busy all the time.
Even if she took a short break, the emotions from that day would inevitably come back to her and make her shiver.
When she returned from her office to the Empress’s Palace, it was already pitch dark.
A letter had arrived at the Empress’s Palace.
“It’s a letter that arrived this afternoon.”
“Who is it?”
Sepia checked the letter her maid had handed her.
Her eyes widened as she looked at the sender.
“The Viscountess of Swany?”
The letter had Lady Swany’s name written in elegant cursive.
It was the first letter Sepia had received from the Viscountess, asking for a meeting to make a donation to the Empress’s charity.
After Sepia became the Empress, the lady who had helped her adjust had since then become secluded again and did not attend the victory ceremony. She had always felt grateful to Lady Swany for her help.
However, even then, she knew that she did not like outside activities, so she refrained from contacting her without a special reason.
‘It is a bit sudden, but...’
There was no reason to refuse the meeting.
“Please bring me some stationery and a pen.”
Sepia wrote the letter right away.
The next afternoon, Lady Swany visited the Empress’s palace.
Remody guided Sepia to the reception room where Swany was waiting.
When the door opened, Swany got up from her seat and greeted her politely.
“It has been a long time since I have seen you, Viscountess.”
“Thank you for accepting the old woman’s request.”
Swany, who placed her left hand on her chest, bowed gracefully.
Her face was covered with wrinkles, but her thin and flexible body still exuded a refined air.
After a brief greeting, Swany handed over the donation request form.
Sepia was taken aback by the much larger amount than she had expected, but Swany smiled and raised her glass.
“Where would an old woman spend such a large sum? Wealth is not used in the grave.”
“Why do you say that?”
Despite the concerned reprimand, Swany simply smiled.
It was surprising that she readily agreed to donate such a large sum, but it was also surprising that she had such a large sum of money.
Swany lowered her gaze.
Her swan eyes, steeped in years, were suddenly reminiscing about her most brilliant past.
“The Palace of Ruben has a special meaning to me. It is proof that I served the late Empress until the end.”
The reason Swany had visited the Empress’s Palace was not just for the donation certificate.
Swany knew that Titi had coveted the Palace of Ruben. Sepia also guarded her treasure trove.
“Those who fearlessly seek a noble position will eventually pay the price. I am always on the Empress’s side.”
Her elegant smile was tinged with rage.
It wasn’t Sepia’s intention that Titi’s budget issue leaked out of the palace.
‘...It was Madame Swany.’
The Viscountess was quietly holding her breath, but in the past, as the former Empress's representative, she had wielded great influence in the social world.
Titi, who didn’t know this, thought of Swany as just an old woman in the back room, and that’s why she was trying to do that.
But why?
It felt like there was another intention hidden in Swany’s words, aside from Titi.
“The Empress left me a separate inheritance. It’s similar to a retirement allowance. I left enough money for this old woman to live on, so don’t worry.”
“Still, this large sum of money... It will be a great help to the people of the empire.”
Swany closed her eyes for a moment at Sepia’s words and then opened them.
“I heard that Duke Leopold participated in the donation to deal with his past karma and future misfortunes. I hope it comes true as he intended.”
So what was Swany’s intention in participating in the donation?
The misfortune that might come?
If not...
“His Majesty doesn’t seem to like the business arranged by the Empress. It seems like you can’t lead it in the direction you want.”
Swany smiled with a regretful tone. It was a strange attitude, whether it was because she was concerned that Demios’s order was useless, or because she was praising his plan for coming to nothing.
“If the donation culture takes root like this, there won’t be a problem.”
“But the map can change at any time. Unless we solidify it as an empire-based business.”
A subtle atmosphere hung between the two.
Sepia also wanted to transfer the charity organization to the charity business department.
Even if it was an organization run by the Empress, if it didn’t submit to a business led by the Imperial Family, it would be treated as a private organization.
‘Demios won’t take back the order.’
This year, next year.
She was sure that he would continue to impose restrictions as long as Sepia didn’t bend.
The Viscountess must also know that the order given to the Empress’s charity was not simply a matter of national fortune.
Swany laughed in a more secretive voice.
“But, is there really a need to wait for His Majesty’s permission?”
“...What do you mean?”
The Emperor’s permission was absolutely necessary to establish a new department.
It was the same reason that Sepia had authority over the entire palace built in the imperial castle and could protect Swany’s palace.
Swany only gave a vague answer to Sepia’s question.
“Because Your Majesty has the power to do so.”
She widened her eyes as if telling her to think carefully.
After that, instead of talking about imperial issues or donations, Swany filled the conversation with tea, tea sets, and the hobbies she had enjoyed alone in the palace.
The tea was all emptied.
Swany, who had been quietly looking down at her empty cup, stood up.
“Then I will excuse myself. Thank you for your time, Your Majesty.”
“Please take care on your way back.”
Sepia escorted her to the door as a courtesy to the person who had helped her in the past.
Swany, who bowed to the Empress, turned around.
Today’s Viscountess was unexpected.
‘I thought you were someone who always talked about the main topic.’
There was some information hidden in the conversation she had left behind.
It was when Sepia was thinking back on what Swany had said.
Madam Remody approached the Empress.
“Have you finished talking?”
“Yes. It’s been a long time since we last saw each other, and you’re already leaving.”
“You must be sad.”
Madam Remody cleared the table.
She quickly and smoothly picked up her glass.
It was as if it was fortunate that Remody had left so quickly.
‘...Now that I think about it.’
Even in the early days after Sepia became Empress, Remody had been uncomfortable with Madam Swany.
She could see Remody’s face frozen as if it wasn’t the case when Swany had passed by earlier.
‘There’s no reason to be uncomfortable.’
Remody's mother was the Princess's maid, and since the Princess was the only one who was willing to accept the previous Empress, Remody, who learned the job of a maid following her mother, also likely went back and forth between the two royal families often.
Her branched mind extended to the past story of Roxanne that Remody had told her.
'I hesitated a little back then, too.'
Just like today when she froze in front of Swany.
Her senses, which had become more sensitive, were sharp.
Sepia asked as she watched her place the last glass on the tray.
“Madam Remody, is there something you didn’t tell me then?”
Suddenly. The hand in the air stopped.
The glass, which had been shaking along with the trembling fingertips, lifted off the table with difficulty.
“I have nothing..."
“No, madam. There is something you want to tell me. It’s about the Duke.”
It wasn’t Sepia’s intention that Titi’s budget issue leaked out of the palace.
‘...It was Madame Swany.’
The Viscountess was quietly holding her breath, but in the past, as the former Empress's representative, she had wielded great influence in the social world.
Titi, who didn’t know this, thought of Swany as just an old woman in the back room, and that’s why she was trying to do that.
But why?
It felt like there was another intention hidden in Swany’s words, aside from Titi.
“The Empress left me a separate inheritance. It’s similar to a retirement allowance. I left enough money for this old woman to live on, so don’t worry.”
“Still, this large sum of money... It will be a great help to the people of the empire.”
Swany closed her eyes for a moment at Sepia’s words and then opened them.
“I heard that Duke Leopold participated in the donation to deal with his past karma and future misfortunes. I hope it comes true as he intended.”
So what was Swany’s intention in participating in the donation?
The misfortune that might come?
If not...
“His Majesty doesn’t seem to like the business arranged by the Empress. It seems like you can’t lead it in the direction you want.”
Swany smiled with a regretful tone. It was a strange attitude, whether it was because she was concerned that Demios’s order was useless, or because she was praising his plan for coming to nothing.
“If the donation culture takes root like this, there won’t be a problem.”
“But the map can change at any time. Unless we solidify it as an empire-based business.”
A subtle atmosphere hung between the two.
Sepia also wanted to transfer the charity organization to the charity business department.
Even if it was an organization run by the Empress, if it didn’t submit to a business led by the Imperial Family, it would be treated as a private organization.
‘Demios won’t take back the order.’
This year, next year.
She was sure that he would continue to impose restrictions as long as Sepia didn’t bend.
The Viscountess must also know that the order given to the Empress’s charity was not simply a matter of national fortune.
Swany laughed in a more secretive voice.
“But, is there really a need to wait for His Majesty’s permission?”
“...What do you mean?”
The Emperor’s permission was absolutely necessary to establish a new department.
It was the same reason that Sepia had authority over the entire palace built in the imperial castle and could protect Swany’s palace.
Swany only gave a vague answer to Sepia’s question.
“Because Your Majesty has the power to do so.”
She widened her eyes as if telling her to think carefully.
After that, instead of talking about imperial issues or donations, Swany filled the conversation with tea, tea sets, and the hobbies she had enjoyed alone in the palace.
The tea was all emptied.
Swany, who had been quietly looking down at her empty cup, stood up.
“Then I will excuse myself. Thank you for your time, Your Majesty.”
“Please take care on your way back.”
Sepia escorted her to the door as a courtesy to the person who had helped her in the past.
Swany, who bowed to the Empress, turned around.
Today’s Viscountess was unexpected.
‘I thought you were someone who always talked about the main topic.’
There was some information hidden in the conversation she had left behind.
It was when Sepia was thinking back on what Swany had said.
Madam Remody approached the Empress.
“Have you finished talking?”
“Yes. It’s been a long time since we last saw each other, and you’re already leaving.”
“You must be sad.”
Madam Remody cleared the table.
She quickly and smoothly picked up her glass.
It was as if it was fortunate that Remody had left so quickly.
‘...Now that I think about it.’
Even in the early days after Sepia became Empress, Remody had been uncomfortable with Madam Swany.
She could see Remody’s face frozen as if it wasn’t the case when Swany had passed by earlier.
‘There’s no reason to be uncomfortable.’
Remody's mother was the Princess's maid, and since the Princess was the only one who was willing to accept the previous Empress, Remody, who learned the job of a maid following her mother, also likely went back and forth between the two royal families often.
Her branched mind extended to the past story of Roxanne that Remody had told her.
'I hesitated a little back then, too.'
Just like today when she froze in front of Swany.
Her senses, which had become more sensitive, were sharp.
Sepia asked as she watched her place the last glass on the tray.
“Madam Remody, is there something you didn’t tell me then?”
Suddenly. The hand in the air stopped.
The glass, which had been shaking along with the trembling fingertips, lifted off the table with difficulty.
“I have nothing..."
“No, madam. There is something you want to tell me. It’s about the Duke.”
The maid’s pupils shook wildly.
It was the same look in her eyes as when she had first brought up Roxanne’s past.
It was the same look in her eyes as when she had first brought up Roxanne’s past.
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