For the brief ceremony before the first dance, the high priest who had been waiting appeared before the royal couple, carrying a purple velvet cushion.
"Your Majesty King Endymion Baldr Semele, Your Majesty Queen Julia Frey Semele. Before the great Dunamis, declare the maturity of your souls and swear a sacred bond and a faithful future."
A ritual of oath dedicated to the main god, Dunamis.
Dunamis was a great being worshipped as the first god not only in Semele but also in the entire continent. As she governed the creation of the world and the birth of life, the people of the continent made sure to hold a ceremony at every important moment in their lives.
Representative events included coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, and funerals.
Dunamis was a dragon with three horns and four wings and was described in creation myths as having opened the heavens with powerful magic that could turn nothing into water.
But what is unique is that he did not allow his priests to have magical powers. This was because he forbade them to bring chaos to the world in the name of the god.
Because those who used magic, which was the power of Dunamis, were wizards born with magical power, the priests could only use weak power for rituals.
"Your Majesty the King. Your Majesty the Queen, please raise your hand."
The robe of the high priest, who held out his cushion solemnly, was engraved with the purple dragon Dunamis, the emblem of Semele.
The founders of other countries were vassals of Dunamis, but Semele was a country founded by Dunamis himself, so the national emblem was Dunamis itself. The royal family of Semele was a country with such a long history that there was even a legend that they were descendants of Dynamis.
Julia and Endymion, who had their first ceremony when they were seven years old, were scheduled to hold their second ceremony today, their coming-of-age ceremony.
Julia placed her white hand over Endymion's firm hand that was resting first.
"With faith and trust, I pledge a faithful future before Dunamis."
Two different voices swore their oaths side by side. The high priest sprinkled holy water on the cushions on which the royal couple's hands rested and recited a prayer.
"In the arms of Dunamis, I declare that the two souls, united, have fully matured."
Paat-
A purple flash erupted. At the same time, all the surrounding light was sucked in, and the surroundings flashed like lightning. Soon, the purple flash was sucked into Julia and Endymion's hands.
"Dunamis has approved that you two have come of age. Congratulations, Your Majesty the King, Your Majesty the Queen!"
The high priest, having fulfilled his role, bowed and stepped aside. Then Endymion led Julia, who had a heavy face, down like flowing water. The orchestra began to play briskly at the King's bold opening.
It was the beginning of a night ball.
"Congratulations on becoming an adult."
"Thank you. Congratulations to you too."
Endymion spoke while skillfully leading the dance. Julia, holding his hand as familiarly as ever, answered briskly.
There was nothing special about becoming a legal adult. But she felt pretty good. It felt like the world around her had become a little wider?
"The atmosphere is really good today. Is it because we are the main characters?"
Grand balls are held on important occasions or diplomatic occasions, so even though they are splendid, the atmosphere is often heavy. They have to be dignified and grand.
But today, perhaps because it was a coming-of-age ceremony ball, the whole thing felt like a festival. Everyone chatted happily, paired up freely, and enjoyed the ball.
Julia looked around proudly as she danced gracefully with Endymion. Before she knew it, the couples were dancing with their hems fluttering like lovely flowers.
"So, do you like it?"
"Yes?"
Julia turned her head and looked at Endymion with eyes filled with excitement and laughter. Endymion supported her waist and gently rotated to meet her eyes.
"Becoming an adult."
"Ah. Of course, it's good. But now that I'm an adult, I think I should work harder. What about you?"
Julia smiled brightly and whispered. Endymion, who had not taken his eyes off her for a moment, raised the corners of his lips gently.
"Same thing. I thought it would get busier from now on."
"Huh, right? From what I saw during the greeting earlier, the topics covered have definitely deepened..."
"As Mother said earlier, there are things I have to do."
Endymion spun gently, then hugged Julia's waist again and murmured in her ear.
Julia swallowed nervously as she heard people around her exclaiming in admiration at her wonderful skills that were rare even in high society.
It was a child's story.
"I'm not trying to rush you as soon as you become an adult."
"Yeah, I know."
I answered calmly, but I started to feel anxious about the parts of my body that had come into contact with Endymion. My hands, my waist, and so on.
As she became aware of it, every part of her body that his hand touched began to tickle, but Julia secretly took deep breaths.
Get used to it, get used to it!
"It's Important, but there's no reason to suddenly rush things just because you're an adult."
"Oh, yeah. I think so too."
Julia smiled in relief at Endymion's calm voice that remained unchanged.
Fortunately, Endymion did not seem to have any intention of pushing her forward.
Maybe he's still adjusting to the changed relationship.
Phew, that's good!
Then from now on, let's take it slow and get used to each other, right?
"Mion? Then, let's discuss that issue slowly in the future..."
It was when Julia spoke with a smile.
"That's good, but I think it wouldn't be bad to decide quickly."
Endymion put his arm behind her waist, which he had been lightly wrapping around her, and pulled her body closer.
"Uh, Mion?"
A surprised Julia stammered, grabbing Endymion's arm. Her nerves were on edge as they had become so close that their eyes were peering into each other's.
"...I'm also worried."
"Yes?"
The low muttering voice was not heard over the music. Julia asked reflexively, and Endymion kissed the back of her hand.
Julia felt hot warmth as his well-shaped lips were pressed against hers. Embarrassed, Julia trembled without realizing it.
Endymion lowered his head with slightly downcast eyes.
"How about giving birth quickly?"
As long as you like it.
A quiet, low voice rang in her ears. It was soft, but Julia's body stiffened because of the meaning behind it, and she opened her eyes wide.
"Our child."
Endymion raised the corners of his mouth as he spoke, driving a wedge into it.
The peculiar coldness had disappeared. and her deep blue eyes were smiling softly as if they were enchanting her. She felt dizzy for a moment, at the sight of those tempting blue eyes that seemed as if they would suck her in.
"That, that."
Julia, who had not expected to talk about babies on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, tried hard to suppress her blush. Then she swallowed hard and nodded.
"Yes. I understand your opinion. Well, let's talk about that again soon..."
As she danced gracefully in the middle of the ballroom. Julia's voice was soft. But the moment she tried to continue speaking, Julia almost screamed.
"Can you tell me now?"
The soft voice sent shivers down her spine.
At the same time, the hand that slowly rubbed the delicate fingers that were tightly held lit up. It was gentle, like stroking a young animal or caressing a delicate flower, but at the same time, it was a clear stimulation.
"Now, just a moment, Mion."
Julia struggled to get away, trying to control her expression. But the firm thumb running down the back of her hand made her body tremble more and more.
Julia blushed, not knowing what to do. Her thumb ran over the back of her hand, and she petted each finger persistently.
Index finger.
Julia, barely holding back a sigh that almost came out, was in trouble.
"Oh, it's too sudden now."
Stop.
Julia took a sharp breath at the sensation of his gentle touch.
"That's too bad. I've been imagining it for quite some time."
"What, what..."
The sweet voice sounded so tempting that Julia felt dizzy as if she had inhaled a thick honey whole, and Endymion whispered to her ear, kissing it.
"Our child who resembles you."
Finally, the fingers that were gently pressing reached the skin inside the ring. In the end, Julia pushed Endymion away.
"Julia?"
The voice of Endymion, who had been pushed away, followed. But Julia grabbed the hem of her skirt and hurriedly left without looking back.
She promised herself not to run away and that she had to get used to this thrill.
What can I do if it doesn't work?
Yeah, why on earth do you always come in so suddenly?
Julia squeezed her eyes shut and opened them, screaming inwardly.
As the lively first song ended, a new song was just beginning to play. A wave of people stopped dancing and went in, and a wave of people came out alone.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, I congratulate you!"
"Thank you. Enjoy your evening."
People passing by smiled and greeted her as if they thought Julia was taking a break. Julia quickly smiled back and quickly crossed the crowd, fearing that Endymion would chase her.
'Oh, it's my sister.'
Finally, Iris and Duke Hyde were seen sitting side by side at the tea table over there.
Yes, I have to be between you and Duke Hyde! There, Endymion won't be able to do such embarrassing things anymore.
Just as Julia was starting to walk towards him, her face turned bright red.
"Your Majesty."
A voice as soft as a feather called out to Julia. She turned her head reflexively and saw Killian standing there in his white robes.
"Lord Oberon?"
"If you don't mind. I'd be honored to have a second dance with you."
Killian placed one hand on his chest and elegantly extended the other. It was a cautious gesture as if he were meeting a lady for the first time and making a formal introduction, even though they were not strangers.
Julia hesitated for a moment, as she seemed a bit nervous, but then smiled and turned around to walk away.
"Sure."
In response to her cheerful consent, Killian took Julia's outstretched hand and gently slid into the room together. The music playing was a lyrical dance song with a slightly slower tempo.
"I wonder if I disturbed you while you were taking a break."
"No. I was thinking that it would be nice to have a chance to say hello."
Julia nodded her head as she walked gracefully. Killian let out an exaggerated sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness. Actually, I've been waiting for you for a while, but I was hesitating because I was afraid of being rude."
Julia opened her eyes wide and answered with a very natural slyness...
"I guess a lot of time has passed. I didn't know that Lord Oberon was such an interesting person."
"I am honored that you think so. I will continue to work hard to make you smile in the future."
Killian smiled and answered softly.
'Wow.'
Julia was secretly impressed.
It was different from when they were very young when they met again, it was new to meet an old friend. It seemed like they were still affectionate, but she didn't know he was this good at talking.
'Somehow he seems like a different person...'
In Julia's dim memory, he was affectionate but strict. Not the image of a well-spoken nobleman.
'Well, a lot of time has passed.'
Hasn't she become much more calm compared to her wild childhood?
Julia was slightly surprised by the unexpected news but was delighted to hear such pleasant words, so she thought of it as being polite to the Queen and let it slide without thinking much about it.
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