However, there was no time to worry about the minor wound.
The Emperor whispered something to Titi.
“...Preparations are..”
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
Titi nodded as if to tell him not to worry.
The Emperor left the reception room, supported by his attendant and Titi.
Leaving behind only a gaze mixed with hatred and resentment.
Sepia quietly stared at the place where they had left.
‘This is how it ends.’
She had known Demios’ political inclinations since she became Empress.
Even his loneliness and lack that had not been seen in Huron.
This was before she had taken the Empress’s oath. She had once nursed Demios when he had a fever.
He had been wandering through nightmares the whole time he was boiling with a high fever.
‘...Mother.’
The subject of the nightmare seemed to be the former Empress.
Sepia realized while watching Demios in pain.
There was a lack in him that she did not know about.
She wanted to embrace even that unknown wound.
'I'll be by your side.'
She seemed to have said it like a spell, wiping his forehead.
Over and over again.
How long had it been like that?
Demios, whose fever had subsided, let out an even breath.
What Sepia felt that day was the same deficiency as her own.
His loneliness and twisted affection must have all stemmed from a past she didn't know about.
That's why she couldn't hate Demios so easily.
Because of the guilt of not being able to accept everything Demios had and the sense of kinship that stemmed from deficiency.
'Did I really betray him?'
The eyes of a wounded beast were imprinted in her mind.
Repeated fights like this left new scars on each other.
Perhaps, there would be no winner in this fight.
It was when Sepia lowered her eyes.
Roxanne was pulling her hand, which she had reflexively pulled back due to the slight pain.
"Are you okay?"
"Oh, it's just a little scratch."
She thought she had hidden her hand right away, but when did he know?
Roxanne asked her maid for first aid, took out a bandage, and wrapped it around her injured hand.
“You’re skilled.”
“Of course.”
It seemed a bit excessive, but the bandaged hand felt comfortable as if it wasn’t wrapped in anything.
Sepia, who was moving her hand, smiled bitterly.
“I’ve received help again this time.”
Roxanne signed the budget agreement without hesitation at Sepia’s request.
The vice president was the same.
The new department needed Roxanne’s help.
However, establishing the charity department and appointing Roxanne as vice president was tantamount to declaring that she would take a completely different path from the Emperor.
It was only natural to feel bitter when thinking that their old relationship had been torn apart like this.
Sepia lowered her head.
‘Demios won’t change.’
Rather, he might have harbored even more resentment toward saving the people of the empire.
Soon, Roxanne knelt down on one knee in front of the sofa where she was sitting and made eye contact with her.
“Don’t think that I was the only one who helped you. I also found the relics thanks to Sepia.”
“Is that true?”
Sepia’s eyes widened.
She was surprised and happy that she had helped him.
She even forgot about Demios for a moment.
Roxanne smiled at her genuinely happy reaction.
“Yes. Sepia was right. We need both the Imperial City map and the Imperial Map.”
“That’s really great. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’ll return the map.”
Roxanne held out the Imperial City map.
Sepia’s hand, which was about to return it, suddenly stopped in midair.
Finding the relic meant that there was no reason for him to stay in the Imperial City anymore.
‘Then shouldn’t he return to Leopold?’
He was both a member of the Imperial Family and a lord.
“That’s not it... ! I’ll excuse myself now!”
Betty, whose face had turned red, hurriedly closed the door.
The sound of her footsteps moving away was as fast as running away.
When Sepia smiled slightly, the captain of the guards avoided her eyes as if embarrassed.
“That’s not it...”
“She’s a good child, so I’ll take good care of her.”
“...Of course.”
Jasper’s face turned red as if he couldn’t deny it because she seemed to already know everything.
Who would have thought she would see this from the captain of the guards, who always looked so reserved?
Did Betty’s chatter melt the heart of the blunt beast?
It was the moment when she was secretly cheering for the couple of Sparrow and Jaguar.
Keeng, Keeng!
“Ugh...!”
Jasper dropped the robe as it fluttered.
What emerged from it was a fox with glossy red fur.
Jasper grumbled, brushing the fur off his uniform.
“Why don’t you just ask me to leave it alone?”
The fox laughed at his complaint.
Even in the form of a beast, it seemed that he could communicate with humans.
The fox, who had been mocking Jasper to his heart’s content, sat down in front of Sepia and twitched its tail. The captain of the guards sighed heavily upon seeing this.
“...I thank you again for giving your precious time to my immature younger sister, Your Majesty.”
Jasper pressed the fox’s head and apologized together.
Sepia looked down at the two crowns and calmed her mind.
She had prepared a place, but she still didn’t feel like it.
‘I can’t cure rare diseases.’
She looked through the records of those who had the fate of Ishtar, but there was no such mysterious ability as Etensel claimed.
While Sepia was worried, the fox’s green eyes sparkled as if he was expecting something.
What should she do with this young beast that was deliberately acting oblivious?
Sepia, who was looking down at the fox with complicated eyes, answered.
The Emperor whispered something to Titi.
“...Preparations are..”
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
Titi nodded as if to tell him not to worry.
The Emperor left the reception room, supported by his attendant and Titi.
Leaving behind only a gaze mixed with hatred and resentment.
Sepia quietly stared at the place where they had left.
‘This is how it ends.’
She had known Demios’ political inclinations since she became Empress.
Even his loneliness and lack that had not been seen in Huron.
This was before she had taken the Empress’s oath. She had once nursed Demios when he had a fever.
He had been wandering through nightmares the whole time he was boiling with a high fever.
‘...Mother.’
The subject of the nightmare seemed to be the former Empress.
Sepia realized while watching Demios in pain.
There was a lack in him that she did not know about.
She wanted to embrace even that unknown wound.
'I'll be by your side.'
She seemed to have said it like a spell, wiping his forehead.
Over and over again.
How long had it been like that?
Demios, whose fever had subsided, let out an even breath.
What Sepia felt that day was the same deficiency as her own.
His loneliness and twisted affection must have all stemmed from a past she didn't know about.
That's why she couldn't hate Demios so easily.
Because of the guilt of not being able to accept everything Demios had and the sense of kinship that stemmed from deficiency.
'Did I really betray him?'
The eyes of a wounded beast were imprinted in her mind.
Repeated fights like this left new scars on each other.
Perhaps, there would be no winner in this fight.
It was when Sepia lowered her eyes.
Roxanne was pulling her hand, which she had reflexively pulled back due to the slight pain.
"Are you okay?"
"Oh, it's just a little scratch."
She thought she had hidden her hand right away, but when did he know?
Roxanne asked her maid for first aid, took out a bandage, and wrapped it around her injured hand.
“You’re skilled.”
“Of course.”
It seemed a bit excessive, but the bandaged hand felt comfortable as if it wasn’t wrapped in anything.
Sepia, who was moving her hand, smiled bitterly.
“I’ve received help again this time.”
Roxanne signed the budget agreement without hesitation at Sepia’s request.
The vice president was the same.
The new department needed Roxanne’s help.
However, establishing the charity department and appointing Roxanne as vice president was tantamount to declaring that she would take a completely different path from the Emperor.
It was only natural to feel bitter when thinking that their old relationship had been torn apart like this.
Sepia lowered her head.
‘Demios won’t change.’
Rather, he might have harbored even more resentment toward saving the people of the empire.
Soon, Roxanne knelt down on one knee in front of the sofa where she was sitting and made eye contact with her.
“Don’t think that I was the only one who helped you. I also found the relics thanks to Sepia.”
“Is that true?”
Sepia’s eyes widened.
She was surprised and happy that she had helped him.
She even forgot about Demios for a moment.
Roxanne smiled at her genuinely happy reaction.
“Yes. Sepia was right. We need both the Imperial City map and the Imperial Map.”
“That’s really great. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’ll return the map.”
Roxanne held out the Imperial City map.
Sepia’s hand, which was about to return it, suddenly stopped in midair.
Finding the relic meant that there was no reason for him to stay in the Imperial City anymore.
‘Then shouldn’t he return to Leopold?’
He was both a member of the Imperial Family and a lord.
She had completely forgotten that he had to return to Leopold.
“Sepia? Why are you doing that?”
“It’s nothing. Then are you leaving now? You can just put your name on the vice-chairman.”
It was a request from the staff because they needed it, but there was no stopping him if he left.
The Duke’s name would have a great symbolic meaning.
But contrary to her expectations, Roxanne shook his head.
“There’s one more relic. We need to find that one.”
“I see.”
Sepia answered nonchalantly, but that wasn’t the case.
She was surprised at herself for feeling relieved while speaking as if she was sorry.
To think that it was fortunate that she heard that he wasn’t going back.
‘This can’t be happening.’
Was the feeling of the solid wall crumbling fear?
Or anticipation?
It was an unknown problem.
Did he know about her anxiety?
He held her bandaged hand and met her eyes.
“I will always be by Sepia’s side.”
“Forever... Right?”
“Yes. Every moment you need me.”
With that promise, a wavering feeling that she now knew moved Sepia’s heart.
She still didn’t know whether her current hesitation was suffering or happiness.
But she didn’t want to turn away.
Sepia answered with a faint smile.
“But if something happens that requires me to return to the territory, please tell me. I will give you a long vacation with the authority of the chairman.”
“Thank you.”
The conversation continued with a joke.
Since he inherited the territory, he would have to visit Leopold someday.
‘Before that, I want to clear Roxanne’s name...’
Not only was she unable to think of a way, but she also doubted whether the people there would believe the maid’s testimony.
‘Let’s start with support first.’
Once the charity division was established, support would go to the barren territory first.
If it was land without an owner, it would be the first priority.
It would be a good idea to change Roxanne’s perception little by little while supporting that place.
As she searched for various directions, she realized something.
‘I rely on him a lot.’
This thought suddenly occurred to her.
If Roxanne had to return to the territory completely, would she be okay?
Sepia looked at his profile and fell into thought.
A week later, in late spring.
The charity organization was declared an imperial-approved business.
All authority over the division was transferred to the Empress.
Years of data and a tight budget had made it inevitable to allocate the imperial property.
After the charity project was announced, the people of the empire were in a festive mood.
As Sepia released the donations, they were going through the warmest winter ever and welcoming the warmest spring.
The work increased as the organization was turned into a department.
However, Roxanne played the role of vice-chairman and reduced Sepia's workload by half.
'The next thing to deal with is...'
How to support the Leopold estate.
And the other thing had nothing to do with the department.
Sepia, standing in the reception room of the Empress's palace, checked the wall clock.
Five minutes to two in the afternoon.
Betty's voice could be heard from beyond the door as the stopwatch ticked.
"Your Majesty, Captain Jasper of the Guard has come to visit."
"Come in."
The eldest son of Kruds was very strict about his time as if he were a knight.
Jasper greeted the Empress politely.
"Thank you for allowing me to see you."
"No."
Jasper was holding something wrapped in cloth.
Looking closely, she could see a black nose poking out through the gap. There was even a maid leaning inside the door.
“Betty, don't worry too much, I'll have the captain of the guard out of here in no time.”
“Sepia? Why are you doing that?”
“It’s nothing. Then are you leaving now? You can just put your name on the vice-chairman.”
It was a request from the staff because they needed it, but there was no stopping him if he left.
The Duke’s name would have a great symbolic meaning.
But contrary to her expectations, Roxanne shook his head.
“There’s one more relic. We need to find that one.”
“I see.”
Sepia answered nonchalantly, but that wasn’t the case.
She was surprised at herself for feeling relieved while speaking as if she was sorry.
To think that it was fortunate that she heard that he wasn’t going back.
‘This can’t be happening.’
Was the feeling of the solid wall crumbling fear?
Or anticipation?
It was an unknown problem.
Did he know about her anxiety?
He held her bandaged hand and met her eyes.
“I will always be by Sepia’s side.”
“Forever... Right?”
“Yes. Every moment you need me.”
With that promise, a wavering feeling that she now knew moved Sepia’s heart.
She still didn’t know whether her current hesitation was suffering or happiness.
But she didn’t want to turn away.
Sepia answered with a faint smile.
“But if something happens that requires me to return to the territory, please tell me. I will give you a long vacation with the authority of the chairman.”
“Thank you.”
The conversation continued with a joke.
Since he inherited the territory, he would have to visit Leopold someday.
‘Before that, I want to clear Roxanne’s name...’
Not only was she unable to think of a way, but she also doubted whether the people there would believe the maid’s testimony.
‘Let’s start with support first.’
Once the charity division was established, support would go to the barren territory first.
If it was land without an owner, it would be the first priority.
It would be a good idea to change Roxanne’s perception little by little while supporting that place.
As she searched for various directions, she realized something.
‘I rely on him a lot.’
This thought suddenly occurred to her.
If Roxanne had to return to the territory completely, would she be okay?
Sepia looked at his profile and fell into thought.
***
A week later, in late spring.
The charity organization was declared an imperial-approved business.
All authority over the division was transferred to the Empress.
Years of data and a tight budget had made it inevitable to allocate the imperial property.
After the charity project was announced, the people of the empire were in a festive mood.
As Sepia released the donations, they were going through the warmest winter ever and welcoming the warmest spring.
The work increased as the organization was turned into a department.
However, Roxanne played the role of vice-chairman and reduced Sepia's workload by half.
'The next thing to deal with is...'
How to support the Leopold estate.
And the other thing had nothing to do with the department.
Sepia, standing in the reception room of the Empress's palace, checked the wall clock.
Five minutes to two in the afternoon.
Betty's voice could be heard from beyond the door as the stopwatch ticked.
"Your Majesty, Captain Jasper of the Guard has come to visit."
"Come in."
The eldest son of Kruds was very strict about his time as if he were a knight.
Jasper greeted the Empress politely.
"Thank you for allowing me to see you."
"No."
Jasper was holding something wrapped in cloth.
Looking closely, she could see a black nose poking out through the gap. There was even a maid leaning inside the door.
“Betty, don't worry too much, I'll have the captain of the guard out of here in no time.”
“That’s not it... ! I’ll excuse myself now!”
Betty, whose face had turned red, hurriedly closed the door.
The sound of her footsteps moving away was as fast as running away.
When Sepia smiled slightly, the captain of the guards avoided her eyes as if embarrassed.
“That’s not it...”
“She’s a good child, so I’ll take good care of her.”
“...Of course.”
Jasper’s face turned red as if he couldn’t deny it because she seemed to already know everything.
Who would have thought she would see this from the captain of the guards, who always looked so reserved?
Did Betty’s chatter melt the heart of the blunt beast?
It was the moment when she was secretly cheering for the couple of Sparrow and Jaguar.
Keeng, Keeng!
“Ugh...!”
Jasper dropped the robe as it fluttered.
What emerged from it was a fox with glossy red fur.
Jasper grumbled, brushing the fur off his uniform.
“Why don’t you just ask me to leave it alone?”
The fox laughed at his complaint.
Even in the form of a beast, it seemed that he could communicate with humans.
The fox, who had been mocking Jasper to his heart’s content, sat down in front of Sepia and twitched its tail. The captain of the guards sighed heavily upon seeing this.
“...I thank you again for giving your precious time to my immature younger sister, Your Majesty.”
Jasper pressed the fox’s head and apologized together.
Sepia looked down at the two crowns and calmed her mind.
She had prepared a place, but she still didn’t feel like it.
‘I can’t cure rare diseases.’
She looked through the records of those who had the fate of Ishtar, but there was no such mysterious ability as Etensel claimed.
While Sepia was worried, the fox’s green eyes sparkled as if he was expecting something.
What should she do with this young beast that was deliberately acting oblivious?
Sepia, who was looking down at the fox with complicated eyes, answered.
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