"Please raise your head a little. Yes, like that."
Julia was left in the hands of maids who were busy giving massages and packs from early in the morning.
Five people clung to her for hours, dressing her up and fixing her hair, and she soon looked as if she was heading to a ballroom.
Julia sat up straight and dressed in a queenly manner, but her eyes began to close without her knowing it, as she had not slept properly.
"Your Majesty, were you unable to sleep late last night?"
The exclusive maid, known for her golden hands, subtly asked her while applying her makeup. When Julia rolled her eyes in surprise, the veteran maid whispered with a smile on her face.
"Your under-eye area is a little dark. We know that you two have such great skin, but you need to get a good night's sleep to achieve perfect makeup."
"Uh, I don't know what you're talking about. I just felt uncomfortable because my sleeping position changed."
That's not it! Julia quickly denied the misunderstanding that made her feel awkward, but the maids were laughing and laughing among themselves.
"You shouldn't do this during the coming-of-age ceremony. Of course, the Queen is beautiful even without wearing anything, but you will be even more enchanted if you are given wings by adornment. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes..."
Since denying it any longer would only lead to a mischievous misunderstanding, Julia simply gave up and nodded obediently. The maids exchanged glances and their faces beamed with even more enthusiasm.
Then again two hours later.
As the fresh sun began to shine across the clear blue sky, Julia finally finished getting ready.
***
Bam.
In the middle of a green forest, the royal couple's procession arrived with the sound of trumpets spreading across the wide open space.
The ministers, ladies, and young ladies who had been waiting beneath the noble purple tent representing the Semele royal family all rose and bowed politely.
"See the great sun of Semele!"
"Behold the splendid glory of Semele!"
As they walked along the long purple carpet, dozens of people began to bow one after another from behind.
Julia, with a gentle smile, walked with Endymion and sat down side by side on the throne placed in the highest place.
When the King and Queen took their seats, everyone took their chairs. Then, when the elegant orchestra began to play, they came out in order of rank and began to bow.
"Your Majesty the King and Your Majesty the Queen, congratulations on your coming of age."
"Duke Tristan, welcome. How are you?"
An old man with white hair came out and greeted her. He was the head of a family that had been loyal to the royal family since the days of the former King. Julia greeted Duke Tristan, who was talking to Endymion, with a cheerful smile.
"Thanks to your care, I've gotten a lot better. Haha, I have to live until my grandson, who was born last year, gets married. Oh, and by the way, Your Majesty, I'll be getting married soon..."
Oh.
"Your Excellency, did you receive the gift I sent to the mansion?"
Just before the chatty Duke was about to start a fight, Julia instinctively intervened and changed the subject. Fortunately, the older Duke's eyes were moved by the sweet voice of the Queen.
"Oh, that Your Majesty personally celebrated my 50th wedding anniversary! It is truly a blessing for this old man."
"It is a small favor. I only hope that the Duke will remain healthy for a long time and remain loyal to His Majesty and the royal family."
As Julia affectionately cooed, Duke Tristan thankfully looked very moved and said a few more words before stepping aside.
When he, who usually talks for an hour, finished sooner than expected, the nobles who were waiting for their turn breathed a sigh of relief. Julia also closed her eyes and smiled in the friendly atmosphere, enjoying the banquet atmosphere.
"That's amazing. Sending that old man back in one go."
It was an interesting voice.
Before the next nobleman approached, Endymion spoke to Julia in a low voice, his posture unsteady and his expression weary. It had not even been thirty minutes since they had greeted him, but he was already clearly bored.
In contrast, Julia sat up straight and whispered playfully without changing her expression.
"It's the traditional role of a Queen. How was it? Did I do well?"
"You're too perfect, my Queen."
Endymion answered in a low voice, barely audible. Then he leaned back deeper with an arrogant smile.
It was a normal answer, but Julia suddenly felt strange and quickly lowered her head.
'My' Queen. It was a title she had already heard once yesterday, but now it sounded especially meaningful. At the same time, she remembered the strange atmosphere from last night that she had tried hard to forget.
'Why did you say that to me?'
Julia and Endymion had originally exchanged gifts every year to commemorate their wedding. Since it was soon their 13th wedding anniversary and they were both celebrating their coming-of-age ceremony together, it was not strange that they wanted to give each other a special gift.
But what about those strange eyes and the suffocating air from last night? And then, he told her to tell him anything, and out of the blue, he gave her the power to rule the King, and even gave her his body!
'Ah.'
Eventually, Julia even remembered kissing the inside of her wrist.
Julia hurriedly pressed the inside of her wrist with her other hand.
After she became aware of it, she had difficulty turning her head to the side, and the part where his lips had touched felt ticklish and hot again. Suddenly, her husband, who had been so close to her as if they were one body, felt awkward.
During that time, Endymion kissed the back of her hand several times at every ball. All the other nobles did the same when they bowed to the Queen, so touching the hand with their lips was just a matter of etiquette.
However, Endymion's behavior yesterday was completely different from that.
'What does it mean?'
Julia greeted the next guests with grace, her mind wandering.
Now that you're an adult, does that mean you want to act more like an adult instead of like a childhood friend? No way. If that's all it was, why are you suddenly saying and doing such strange things?
Julia was not stupid. She was quick-witted and smart and was praised as the perfect Queen even before she became Queen.
'If...'
Julla smiled at the old Duke who had just finished his greetings, and glanced at Endymion. He was a tall man, just over 190 cm tall, sitting with his long legs crossed, looking down arrogantly.
Julia hesitated for a moment, but then, unable to resist her curiosity, opened her mouth to take a peek.
"I..."
"I behold the great sun and splendid glory of Semele."
The voices of a man and a woman were heard intertwining from in front. Julia, who had been glaring at Endymion without even knowing who was coming up, suddenly turned her head.
In front of her stood a middle-aged man with dark brown hair and a young woman who looked exactly like him. The man bowed his head first.
"Greetings from the Duke of Kennedy-Soare. Your Majesty the King, and Your Majesty the Queen, on your coming of age.
'Soare'?
Julia blinked, puzzled by the unfamiliar face...
"It's been a while. Duke Soare."
Endymion greeted him in a flat voice. The man smiled naturally and offered a polite apology for not having seen him for so long.
"I am Chiara Soare, and I would like to sincerely congratulate you on your coming-of-age ceremony."
Young Lady, who was standing next to the man, bowed with a straight posture and greeted him. Her fresh lime green dress spread out to the side, and combined with her chestnut hair, created a lively atmosphere.
'Chiara.'
It was a familiar name.
Julia bit her lips tightly shut, almost opening in surprise. Her eyes couldn't help but widen slightly.
"Nice to meet you, Your Majesty. May God bless you."
The Princess, who was holding her waist, spoke softly and met her olive eyes. Julia quickly straightened her expression.
"Nice to meet you, Young Lady Soare."
But unlike before when she had naturally intervened, Julia's mind was full of doubts as to whether it was really okay for her to step forward.
'...'
While her own thoughts were jumbled and she couldn't figure out what to do, Chiara smiled neatly and reached for the sealed cork of the wine. It was a confident move as if she knew there was no way she could be rejected.
Endymion stared at her for a moment, about to say something.
"It's a shame, though."
The words were quicker than the head. The surprised eyes of Chiara and Duke Soare were instantly focused on Julia.
"I'll drink that instead."
"Yes?"
Chiara's eyes opened wide in confusion. Julia opened her mouth gracefully as she felt Endymion's blue eyes looking at her.
"My husband can't hold his liquor well."
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