To be blunt, Dmitry's business had nothing to do with me. I even know that saying that we are very similar is just a cheap trick to elicit my sympathy. I know that... I can't help but feel concerned about him.
When he appeared in front of me, I should have just gotten up and gone into my room. Now that I know the circumstances, I feel uneasy about just ignoring him.
Laskan closed the cork on the vial and held it out to me again, saying:
“The person who presented this to Your Highness was Dmitry Lionel Sol Batistan, I think.”
I was so shocked that I couldn't even think to hide my expression.
“Oh, how did you know?”
“You must know that since His Majesty fell, access to the Princess’s palace has been severely restricted by His Majesty’s order. Even so, he is the only one in the entire empire who is not of sound mind enough to invade.”
“...”
It was ridiculous to hide it when it was so obvious.
Besides, I had received all the help I could from Laskan, and I didn't want to create a bigger problem by hiding such a trivial thing. I nodded.
“That young man came to see me a few days ago. He said he wanted to accompany me during the Entremette.”
“What did you say?”
“When I asked him why he was so desperate, he gave me the bottle.”
“...”
“If I wanted Batistan, what would I do?”
“If you get your hands on it, it will be a good afterglow.”
“Even though I’m not a real Princess, I’m someone you wouldn’t even need?”
“We decided to think about what happens after the blood test. Your Highness promised me that while you are in the palace, you will truly act like a Princess.”
“..."
“But I don’t want to give up Your Highness’s first dance to him.”
The first dance is usually performed with the person who enters with you. In the end, he said he wanted to leave the performance of the entremete to him. Even knowing that, I asked him mischievously.
“Is this really the first dance?”
“… … If possible, I hope Your Highness does not go far away.”
I looked at him quietly. The northern wolf who had obediently handed over the leash to me.
My Duke, who is not a sinister person but not easy to read, who seems solid and serious but can be reckless when necessary. His dry eyes were filled with sincerity.
I placed the back of my hand on his cheek. His eyelids fluttered slightly, then closed again.
“Laskan.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You said you’d let me go once everything was done. What if you really liked me?”
It was a muttering, almost a whisper, but he couldn't have missed it. They say he has wolf blood in his veins.
His golden eyes briefly sank into a painful light. Finally, he spoke.
“...Nevertheless, I will not do anything against Your Highness’s will.”
Time passed very quickly and it was dawn on the day of the Entremette.
The New Year's festivities begin with a ceremony held at the temple of the god Temer.
The unmarried nobles of the thirteen families who are eligible to enter the temple wear ceremonial clothes and walk barefoot on a path decorated with white cloth, as four-legged animals and any means of protecting the feet are not permitted in the temple of the main god.
As the only Princess of the empire, I was supposed to read the memorial tablet, light the incense burner, and make offerings.
I had only heard of the rumors about the New Year's celebrations of high-ranking officials, and I had to appear as the main character at that too... It was killing me.
Fortunately, the ceremonial dress was different from the usual dress that required all kinds of undergarments. They wore simple old-fashioned clothes with elegant pleats that exposed the shoulders, and according to tradition, thin gold ornaments were worn around the waist, neck, and arms.
All you have to do is draw three red petals on your forehead to indicate that you is a daughter of the royal family, and you're ready to go.
Thalia was not allowed to enter the temple because she was an outsider. However, Irina was one of the thirteen families allowed to enter the temple, so she finished preparing early and helped me with my decorations.
They painstakingly braided my hair with white stemmed flowers.
“Isn’t that too much?”
“Not at all. Your clothes are plain, so on a day like today, you should go a little fancier.”
All done. As soon as the maids stepped aside, I looked at myself in the full-length mirror.
The hair, which had been braided with great care and skill, was very beautiful, blending in with the flowers. The freckles that had been scattered on my shoulders and arms had completely disappeared. It was a moment when I felt the reward of all the care I had taken with milk, honey, and other ingredients.
“It’s really pretty. Thank you.”
“No problem, Your Highness.”
Irina smiled back and said. Finally, after the maids checked the attire, it was time to leave for the temple.
I recited the eulogy that I had to read on stage until the end. I had memorized it all, word for word, several days ago, but when the situation actually arose, I felt like everything would go dark.
“Can I do well?”
When I asked anxiously, Irina clenched her hands together.
“You’ve been practicing hard. You can do it.”
“I also wanted to see Your Highness read it... It’s such a shame.”
Thalia spoke gloomily. During the New Year, outsiders are not allowed to enter the Temer Temple. Even if they are the Princess's maids.
It seemed like the nobleman who Thalia had a crush on, was attending this year's New Year's party, but honestly, it seemed like she was more upset about not being able to see this New Year's party than I was.
Just as I was about to offer some words of comfort, the door opened after two knocks. The attendant bowed politely and said,
“The Duke of Ashkabad has arrived.”
“Are you nervous?”
It was only after Laskan asked that question that I realized I was practically twisting the paper on which I had copied the eulogy.
“Oh, no. What about the, the, the tension?”
I smiled awkwardly and quickly hid my hands behind my back. In fact, I was so nervous I was going crazy. I don't know what on earth I was thinking when I got on the carriage and what on earth I was thinking when I got here.
There were already crowds of onlookers in front of the temple. As the carriage approached, the cheering grew louder.
“All of those people standing over there...”
“Yes. They are those waiting to see Your Highness enter the temple.”
They waited to see that brief moment when I got off the carriage and walked into the temple. And judging by the red eyes of those at the front, it seemed like they hadn't slept since dawn.
“Oh, I’ll be honest with you. I’m not sure I can do well...”
“You don’t have to do it well. Temer will be pleased just by Your Highness reading the eulogy.”
"But..."
“The monarch said he does not need proof. Your Highness’s worth does not lie in reading the eulogy perfectly, so do not worry.”
“...”
“Also, even if you’re a little bit wrong, no one will notice.”
“...How do you know that?”
“Because everyone who attends the New Year’s Festival will see Your Highness with their eyes, not their ears.”
“...”
It was a compliment that smI was so beautiful that it stole their gaze. I didn't know he was the kind of person who could give such a stern compliment.
He said he was 'attracted' to me from the moment he first saw me, but he never once directly told me something embarrassing like I was pretty or beautiful.
There was a power in his voice that made me feel relaxed. He said it with a face that said nothing but that joke, and it just made me feel like it was true, that everything was going to be okay.
The Temer Main Temple. It was the only building that retained its original appearance throughout the 700 years of imperial history.
It is said that even the Imperial Palace, which was built by the best engineers of the time, has not had a single crack in its walls while it has been renovated five times. This is because it is a building made of earth imbued with the power of the god Temer.
A stream from the Iskandir Falls flows into the center of the temple to form a small spring, which then flows around the central garden.
It is said that when the season of great spiritual power comes, the spring overflows, and holy water full of divinity flows down the steps of the main gate like a waterfall. It is said that there are even people who make a long pilgrimage to see it, so I was curious about what it would be like.
Soon, the carriage we were riding on slowly stopped in front of the temple. I pretended to be quiet and waited for the attendant to open the carriage door.
Laskan got off first, and I followed him, taking his outstretched hand. As soon as we stepped onto the temple’s perimeter, deafening cheers rang out.
Laskan glanced at the gathered crowd, then back down at me and spoke.
“This is the first time so many people have gathered for the New Year’s Festival. It seems like everyone wants to congratulate Your Highness.”
“You bless me?”
“Your Highness the Princess has been waiting for a long time to return to life.”
I nodded my head in bewilderment. I had heard that the newspaper article had a big impact on the citizens, but I had no idea that it would be this hot.
Even though the guards were controlling who could get close, hands were reaching out from between them, trying to get a little closer to me.
From that hand, white aurora flowers fell one by one at my feet.
The cheers grew louder as I bent down and picked up one of them. Some even shed tears.
I used to think to myself, with a blank mind, that I wished I were real, that I could repay their kindness.
I hope it won't be too shocking if I turn out to be a fake later... It's such a cruel thing to betray someone's trust.
I dipped my bare feet into the temple spring. During this season, everyone who entered the temple had to wash their feet of worldly things with this holy water.
The doctrine was that no matter what land one set foot on or what one's status was, everyone was equal before God Temer.
The water from the Iskandir Falls ran down my feet and soaked the hems of my clothes.
I was surprised and took my foot off, then stepped back in with a splash. The water that had been frozen all winter was this warm? Even though I had forgotten the seasons while living in the palace, this was unbelievable.
When he appeared in front of me, I should have just gotten up and gone into my room. Now that I know the circumstances, I feel uneasy about just ignoring him.
Laskan closed the cork on the vial and held it out to me again, saying:
“The person who presented this to Your Highness was Dmitry Lionel Sol Batistan, I think.”
I was so shocked that I couldn't even think to hide my expression.
“Oh, how did you know?”
“You must know that since His Majesty fell, access to the Princess’s palace has been severely restricted by His Majesty’s order. Even so, he is the only one in the entire empire who is not of sound mind enough to invade.”
“...”
It was ridiculous to hide it when it was so obvious.
Besides, I had received all the help I could from Laskan, and I didn't want to create a bigger problem by hiding such a trivial thing. I nodded.
“That young man came to see me a few days ago. He said he wanted to accompany me during the Entremette.”
“What did you say?”
“When I asked him why he was so desperate, he gave me the bottle.”
“...”
“If I wanted Batistan, what would I do?”
“If you get your hands on it, it will be a good afterglow.”
“Even though I’m not a real Princess, I’m someone you wouldn’t even need?”
“We decided to think about what happens after the blood test. Your Highness promised me that while you are in the palace, you will truly act like a Princess.”
“..."
“But I don’t want to give up Your Highness’s first dance to him.”
The first dance is usually performed with the person who enters with you. In the end, he said he wanted to leave the performance of the entremete to him. Even knowing that, I asked him mischievously.
“Is this really the first dance?”
“… … If possible, I hope Your Highness does not go far away.”
I looked at him quietly. The northern wolf who had obediently handed over the leash to me.
My Duke, who is not a sinister person but not easy to read, who seems solid and serious but can be reckless when necessary. His dry eyes were filled with sincerity.
I placed the back of my hand on his cheek. His eyelids fluttered slightly, then closed again.
“Laskan.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You said you’d let me go once everything was done. What if you really liked me?”
It was a muttering, almost a whisper, but he couldn't have missed it. They say he has wolf blood in his veins.
His golden eyes briefly sank into a painful light. Finally, he spoke.
“...Nevertheless, I will not do anything against Your Highness’s will.”
***
Time passed very quickly and it was dawn on the day of the Entremette.
The New Year's festivities begin with a ceremony held at the temple of the god Temer.
The unmarried nobles of the thirteen families who are eligible to enter the temple wear ceremonial clothes and walk barefoot on a path decorated with white cloth, as four-legged animals and any means of protecting the feet are not permitted in the temple of the main god.
As the only Princess of the empire, I was supposed to read the memorial tablet, light the incense burner, and make offerings.
I had only heard of the rumors about the New Year's celebrations of high-ranking officials, and I had to appear as the main character at that too... It was killing me.
Fortunately, the ceremonial dress was different from the usual dress that required all kinds of undergarments. They wore simple old-fashioned clothes with elegant pleats that exposed the shoulders, and according to tradition, thin gold ornaments were worn around the waist, neck, and arms.
All you have to do is draw three red petals on your forehead to indicate that you is a daughter of the royal family, and you're ready to go.
Thalia was not allowed to enter the temple because she was an outsider. However, Irina was one of the thirteen families allowed to enter the temple, so she finished preparing early and helped me with my decorations.
They painstakingly braided my hair with white stemmed flowers.
“Isn’t that too much?”
“Not at all. Your clothes are plain, so on a day like today, you should go a little fancier.”
All done. As soon as the maids stepped aside, I looked at myself in the full-length mirror.
The hair, which had been braided with great care and skill, was very beautiful, blending in with the flowers. The freckles that had been scattered on my shoulders and arms had completely disappeared. It was a moment when I felt the reward of all the care I had taken with milk, honey, and other ingredients.
“It’s really pretty. Thank you.”
“No problem, Your Highness.”
Irina smiled back and said. Finally, after the maids checked the attire, it was time to leave for the temple.
I recited the eulogy that I had to read on stage until the end. I had memorized it all, word for word, several days ago, but when the situation actually arose, I felt like everything would go dark.
“Can I do well?”
When I asked anxiously, Irina clenched her hands together.
“You’ve been practicing hard. You can do it.”
“I also wanted to see Your Highness read it... It’s such a shame.”
Thalia spoke gloomily. During the New Year, outsiders are not allowed to enter the Temer Temple. Even if they are the Princess's maids.
It seemed like the nobleman who Thalia had a crush on, was attending this year's New Year's party, but honestly, it seemed like she was more upset about not being able to see this New Year's party than I was.
Just as I was about to offer some words of comfort, the door opened after two knocks. The attendant bowed politely and said,
“The Duke of Ashkabad has arrived.”
***
“Are you nervous?”
It was only after Laskan asked that question that I realized I was practically twisting the paper on which I had copied the eulogy.
“Oh, no. What about the, the, the tension?”
I smiled awkwardly and quickly hid my hands behind my back. In fact, I was so nervous I was going crazy. I don't know what on earth I was thinking when I got on the carriage and what on earth I was thinking when I got here.
There were already crowds of onlookers in front of the temple. As the carriage approached, the cheering grew louder.
“All of those people standing over there...”
“Yes. They are those waiting to see Your Highness enter the temple.”
They waited to see that brief moment when I got off the carriage and walked into the temple. And judging by the red eyes of those at the front, it seemed like they hadn't slept since dawn.
“Oh, I’ll be honest with you. I’m not sure I can do well...”
“You don’t have to do it well. Temer will be pleased just by Your Highness reading the eulogy.”
"But..."
“The monarch said he does not need proof. Your Highness’s worth does not lie in reading the eulogy perfectly, so do not worry.”
“...”
“Also, even if you’re a little bit wrong, no one will notice.”
“...How do you know that?”
“Because everyone who attends the New Year’s Festival will see Your Highness with their eyes, not their ears.”
“...”
It was a compliment that smI was so beautiful that it stole their gaze. I didn't know he was the kind of person who could give such a stern compliment.
He said he was 'attracted' to me from the moment he first saw me, but he never once directly told me something embarrassing like I was pretty or beautiful.
There was a power in his voice that made me feel relaxed. He said it with a face that said nothing but that joke, and it just made me feel like it was true, that everything was going to be okay.
***
The Temer Main Temple. It was the only building that retained its original appearance throughout the 700 years of imperial history.
It is said that even the Imperial Palace, which was built by the best engineers of the time, has not had a single crack in its walls while it has been renovated five times. This is because it is a building made of earth imbued with the power of the god Temer.
A stream from the Iskandir Falls flows into the center of the temple to form a small spring, which then flows around the central garden.
It is said that when the season of great spiritual power comes, the spring overflows, and holy water full of divinity flows down the steps of the main gate like a waterfall. It is said that there are even people who make a long pilgrimage to see it, so I was curious about what it would be like.
Soon, the carriage we were riding on slowly stopped in front of the temple. I pretended to be quiet and waited for the attendant to open the carriage door.
Laskan got off first, and I followed him, taking his outstretched hand. As soon as we stepped onto the temple’s perimeter, deafening cheers rang out.
Laskan glanced at the gathered crowd, then back down at me and spoke.
“This is the first time so many people have gathered for the New Year’s Festival. It seems like everyone wants to congratulate Your Highness.”
“You bless me?”
“Your Highness the Princess has been waiting for a long time to return to life.”
I nodded my head in bewilderment. I had heard that the newspaper article had a big impact on the citizens, but I had no idea that it would be this hot.
Even though the guards were controlling who could get close, hands were reaching out from between them, trying to get a little closer to me.
From that hand, white aurora flowers fell one by one at my feet.
The cheers grew louder as I bent down and picked up one of them. Some even shed tears.
I used to think to myself, with a blank mind, that I wished I were real, that I could repay their kindness.
I hope it won't be too shocking if I turn out to be a fake later... It's such a cruel thing to betray someone's trust.
I dipped my bare feet into the temple spring. During this season, everyone who entered the temple had to wash their feet of worldly things with this holy water.
The doctrine was that no matter what land one set foot on or what one's status was, everyone was equal before God Temer.
The water from the Iskandir Falls ran down my feet and soaked the hems of my clothes.
I was surprised and took my foot off, then stepped back in with a splash. The water that had been frozen all winter was this warm? Even though I had forgotten the seasons while living in the palace, this was unbelievable.
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