The Imperial Family announced the approval of the exchange festival.
The procedures for preparing the exchange festival were carried out under the command of the Emperor and Empress, and after about half a year of time and effort, along with the consultation of the Huron Empire, the two empires reached an agreement.
Of course, the initiative for the exchange festival was in the Beastkin Empire.
However, as they held greater authority, they could not afford to make mistakes.
Spring, and then summer. Finally, the fall when the exchange festival was held had arrived.
When most of the preparations to accommodate the distinguished guests from other empires and domestic attendees were completed, Sepia's nerves were even more sensitive.
It wasn't just because of the preparations for the exchange festival. It was because the time was approaching when she would have to face a face she had forgotten for a very long time.
Finally, this evening, a week before the important event.
The distinguished guests from other empires, the Huron royal family, and high-ranking nobles arrived in the Beastkin Empire.
The autumn night, with the leaves falling and the wind blowing one by one, was bright enough to be mistaken for daytime due to the lights emitted by the imperial castle.
The carriage that arrived at the imperial palace, its style and design, and the attire of those getting off the carriage were also unfamiliar.
The imperial palace’s audience room was busy welcoming the guests.
The Emperor and Empress of the Beastkin Empire were the same, and Roxanne and Sepia stood on the red carpet to greet the familiar and unfamiliar.
‘The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Huron. And even the Duchess of Arte.’
The faces that arrived first from the Huron Empire were those who occupied the top ranks of the list of guests.
Sepia was once a candidate for the Crown Princess of Huron.
Now, a long time had passed, and now that they were meeting again, Crown Prince Ludkus and his wife Elena had aged as much as the years Sepia had forgotten.
Sepia had become the Empress of the Beastkin, but the Emperor of the Huron Empire was still alive and well, and Ludkus, who had not inherited the throne, remained the Crown Prince.
The strangeness they felt at the present, which had changed with time, was indescribable.
Sepia, Ludkus, and Elena exchanged glances.
When the Empress of Huron abused Sepia, the Crown Prince sometimes helped her out of the Empress's sight.
Did he think his mother's cruelty was cruel?
Looking back, there were more times when he ignored Sepia, but the Empress of Huron and the Crown Prince had fundamentally different temperaments.
The same was true for Elena, who became the Crown Princess.
'Because I deliberately turned the Empress's gaze away when I was compared to her.'
When they were both candidates for the Crown Princess, the Empress openly took Elena's side over Sepia and treated Sepia as someone who was lacking.
Every time that happened, Elena made a different offer to the Empress to give Sepia a chance to hide.
Of course, it was enough to avoid being caught by the Empress, and there was no direct help or close conversation between the Crown Princess candidates.
'We just acted according to the situation.'
They had no ill feelings toward each other.
They thought that if they had met at a different time, they might have become closer.
And now, everything has changed.
Sepia looked at Roxanne standing next to her. She was no longer alone.
The Emperor, sensing Sepia’s gaze, nodded and continued to welcome the guests from the east.
“Welcome to the Beastkin Empire.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Ludkus and Elena paid their respects to the Emperor of other countries one after another.
Thanks to Roxanne’s opening the way, Sepia was also able to prepare herself.
Then, Sepia welcomed the guests.
“Thank you for traveling such a long way, Crown Prince Ludkus. Crown Princess Elena.”
“It was a pleasure to be on this long journey. Thank you again for accepting the invitation.”
Neither of them asked nor brought up the other’s past.
Elena, who was standing one step behind the Crown Prince, nodded and agreed with what the Crown Prince said.
Other than that, she looked no different from the past, keeping her eyes downcast and quietly keeping her place.
However, as time went by, their insides would have changed as well.
Sepia did not completely believe what she saw.
'I can hear the purpose of proposing the exchange from the two of them.'
To be exact, the Empress of the Huron Empire was who first to speak of the exchange. She would be able to hear her true intentions.
Most of the royal family and high-ranking nobles of the Huron Empire had blond hair, blue eyes, and pure white skin.
Since all of the people who arrived first were high-ranking, most of them had similar colors. Except for one person.
A charming woman with red hair that reached below her waist and blue eyes met Sepia’s gaze.
“Duchess Voluntie.”
Sepia’s biological mother and the person she worried about the most approached her, covering her mouth with a fan.
“Your Majesty. I am Voluntie, greeting you. I am so happy to see you again in such good health.”
The corners of her mouth, sunken in by the fan, were covered.
The wrinkles around her eyes could not be helped due to the passage of time, but even so, Sepia’s mother was a person who was better suited to the word “gracious lady” than “elderly lady.”
The procedures for preparing the exchange festival were carried out under the command of the Emperor and Empress, and after about half a year of time and effort, along with the consultation of the Huron Empire, the two empires reached an agreement.
Of course, the initiative for the exchange festival was in the Beastkin Empire.
However, as they held greater authority, they could not afford to make mistakes.
Spring, and then summer. Finally, the fall when the exchange festival was held had arrived.
When most of the preparations to accommodate the distinguished guests from other empires and domestic attendees were completed, Sepia's nerves were even more sensitive.
It wasn't just because of the preparations for the exchange festival. It was because the time was approaching when she would have to face a face she had forgotten for a very long time.
Finally, this evening, a week before the important event.
The distinguished guests from other empires, the Huron royal family, and high-ranking nobles arrived in the Beastkin Empire.
The autumn night, with the leaves falling and the wind blowing one by one, was bright enough to be mistaken for daytime due to the lights emitted by the imperial castle.
The carriage that arrived at the imperial palace, its style and design, and the attire of those getting off the carriage were also unfamiliar.
The imperial palace’s audience room was busy welcoming the guests.
The Emperor and Empress of the Beastkin Empire were the same, and Roxanne and Sepia stood on the red carpet to greet the familiar and unfamiliar.
‘The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Huron. And even the Duchess of Arte.’
The faces that arrived first from the Huron Empire were those who occupied the top ranks of the list of guests.
Sepia was once a candidate for the Crown Princess of Huron.
Now, a long time had passed, and now that they were meeting again, Crown Prince Ludkus and his wife Elena had aged as much as the years Sepia had forgotten.
Sepia had become the Empress of the Beastkin, but the Emperor of the Huron Empire was still alive and well, and Ludkus, who had not inherited the throne, remained the Crown Prince.
The strangeness they felt at the present, which had changed with time, was indescribable.
Sepia, Ludkus, and Elena exchanged glances.
When the Empress of Huron abused Sepia, the Crown Prince sometimes helped her out of the Empress's sight.
Did he think his mother's cruelty was cruel?
Looking back, there were more times when he ignored Sepia, but the Empress of Huron and the Crown Prince had fundamentally different temperaments.
The same was true for Elena, who became the Crown Princess.
'Because I deliberately turned the Empress's gaze away when I was compared to her.'
When they were both candidates for the Crown Princess, the Empress openly took Elena's side over Sepia and treated Sepia as someone who was lacking.
Every time that happened, Elena made a different offer to the Empress to give Sepia a chance to hide.
Of course, it was enough to avoid being caught by the Empress, and there was no direct help or close conversation between the Crown Princess candidates.
'We just acted according to the situation.'
They had no ill feelings toward each other.
They thought that if they had met at a different time, they might have become closer.
And now, everything has changed.
Sepia looked at Roxanne standing next to her. She was no longer alone.
The Emperor, sensing Sepia’s gaze, nodded and continued to welcome the guests from the east.
“Welcome to the Beastkin Empire.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Ludkus and Elena paid their respects to the Emperor of other countries one after another.
Thanks to Roxanne’s opening the way, Sepia was also able to prepare herself.
Then, Sepia welcomed the guests.
“Thank you for traveling such a long way, Crown Prince Ludkus. Crown Princess Elena.”
“It was a pleasure to be on this long journey. Thank you again for accepting the invitation.”
Neither of them asked nor brought up the other’s past.
Elena, who was standing one step behind the Crown Prince, nodded and agreed with what the Crown Prince said.
Other than that, she looked no different from the past, keeping her eyes downcast and quietly keeping her place.
However, as time went by, their insides would have changed as well.
Sepia did not completely believe what she saw.
'I can hear the purpose of proposing the exchange from the two of them.'
To be exact, the Empress of the Huron Empire was who first to speak of the exchange. She would be able to hear her true intentions.
Most of the royal family and high-ranking nobles of the Huron Empire had blond hair, blue eyes, and pure white skin.
Since all of the people who arrived first were high-ranking, most of them had similar colors. Except for one person.
A charming woman with red hair that reached below her waist and blue eyes met Sepia’s gaze.
“Duchess Voluntie.”
Sepia’s biological mother and the person she worried about the most approached her, covering her mouth with a fan.
“Your Majesty. I am Voluntie, greeting you. I am so happy to see you again in such good health.”
The corners of her mouth, sunken in by the fan, were covered.
The wrinkles around her eyes could not be helped due to the passage of time, but even so, Sepia’s mother was a person who was better suited to the word “gracious lady” than “elderly lady.”
“I am also glad to meet the distinguished guests of my country.”
“I see that you feel the same way. I heard that you gave birth to precious twins. Although it is late, I have prepared a gift for the young Crown Prince and Princess, so please accept it.”
“You have been very considerate in many ways.”
“Of course. They are none other than the children of Your Majesty. Didn’t they join us today?”
Unlike the Crown Prince, who had not mentioned the past a moment ago, Valuntie was metaphorically emphasizing that she was Sepia’s biological mother.
Was it an illusion?
The Crown Prince’s eyes were subtly darkened by the attitude of her and the Duchess.
Sepia pretended not to know and continued the conversation.
“It’s late. Children should go to bed early.”
“You are as wise as expected. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can deliver the gift in person. Would it be okay if my maids delivered the gift to the Empress’s palace?”
“Of course.”
It was around 8 p.m.
It was still early for the children to go to bed, but Sepia deliberately did not have her children attend the event.
“I need to watch the situation first.”
The power of the current Huron Empire was divided between the Emperor and the Empress.
Not only did they pursue different policies, but their relationship was also not good.
If the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were on the Empress’ side, the Duchess was the Emperor’s hands, feet, and eyes.
The most realistic guess was that they had participated in the exchange ceremony for different purposes.
“You must be tired from the long journey. Please rest well today and enjoy the banquet starting tomorrow.”
Sepia naturally ended her conversation with the Duchess and concluded her greetings to the guests.
The Empress postponed the welcoming banquet for the guests who had come a long way and guided them to the palace where they would be staying through the court ladies.
“Then I will see you at the banquet tomorrow.”
The Crown Prince and his wife followed the court ladies to the palace where they were assigned.
While the other Hurons were also busy moving around to find a place to rest, the Duchess was the only one standing with her feet planted in the center of the audience room.
Her blue eyes, just like Sepia’s, shone with a mysterious smile along with her fan fluttering.
Those eyes caught Sepia, who was about to leave with the Emperor.
“Do you still have work to do?”
“Yes. It is very important. Above all, it is an issue that the Empress must know about.”
Sepia narrowed her eyes at that assurance.
The Duchess’s words could soon become a story implying the Emperor’s opinion.
'I didn't know you would ask for a conversation right away like this.'
Sepia hesitated for a moment, then nodded to the Emperor for consent, and Roxanne took the lead.
Sepia guided the Duchess to a reception room in an inner palace, not the Empress's Palace.
"I'll serve you some tea."
When the two sat down, the Empress's maids poured tea with birdlike elegance. The Duchess, who seemed to like the taste of the tea, put down her cup with a satisfied look in her eyes.
Sepia, who was watching them, opened her mouth.
"I think you have something to tell me."
"Oh, of course. You must listen. It's about the purpose of this exchange."
Her red lips drew a curve along with her wrinkled mouth.
After a short pause, the Duchess got to the point.
"You know very well that the agenda for this exchange came from the Empress of Huron. So listen carefully. The Empress's purpose is to use you, Sepia, to extend her old life."
"...It's hard to understand what you're saying."
Was it the confidence that prompted her to ask for an exclusive meeting?
The Duchess casually mentioned Sepia’s name.
The noblewoman, who was fanning herself, sneered and opened her eyes.
“I was so impressed that my pitiful daughter, who was like a stray, became the Empress of an empire. Since I had not fulfilled my duties as a mother, I came here to help you now. The Empress of Huron is unofficially suffering from an illness, and I heard that the medicine that can cure her illness is in the Beastkin Empire, not in Huron.”
The corners of her lips, painted red, were smiling, but her blue eyes were as cold as frost.
“The fox-like Crown Prince will take advantage of my daughter’s sympathy to get medicine. So, shouldn’t this mother give you advice in advance? Don’t take the Crown Prince’s side for no reason. That cheap sympathy will save the life of the one who abused you.”
“I see that you feel the same way. I heard that you gave birth to precious twins. Although it is late, I have prepared a gift for the young Crown Prince and Princess, so please accept it.”
“You have been very considerate in many ways.”
“Of course. They are none other than the children of Your Majesty. Didn’t they join us today?”
Unlike the Crown Prince, who had not mentioned the past a moment ago, Valuntie was metaphorically emphasizing that she was Sepia’s biological mother.
Was it an illusion?
The Crown Prince’s eyes were subtly darkened by the attitude of her and the Duchess.
Sepia pretended not to know and continued the conversation.
“It’s late. Children should go to bed early.”
“You are as wise as expected. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can deliver the gift in person. Would it be okay if my maids delivered the gift to the Empress’s palace?”
“Of course.”
It was around 8 p.m.
It was still early for the children to go to bed, but Sepia deliberately did not have her children attend the event.
“I need to watch the situation first.”
The power of the current Huron Empire was divided between the Emperor and the Empress.
Not only did they pursue different policies, but their relationship was also not good.
If the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were on the Empress’ side, the Duchess was the Emperor’s hands, feet, and eyes.
The most realistic guess was that they had participated in the exchange ceremony for different purposes.
“You must be tired from the long journey. Please rest well today and enjoy the banquet starting tomorrow.”
Sepia naturally ended her conversation with the Duchess and concluded her greetings to the guests.
The Empress postponed the welcoming banquet for the guests who had come a long way and guided them to the palace where they would be staying through the court ladies.
“Then I will see you at the banquet tomorrow.”
The Crown Prince and his wife followed the court ladies to the palace where they were assigned.
While the other Hurons were also busy moving around to find a place to rest, the Duchess was the only one standing with her feet planted in the center of the audience room.
Her blue eyes, just like Sepia’s, shone with a mysterious smile along with her fan fluttering.
Those eyes caught Sepia, who was about to leave with the Emperor.
“Do you still have work to do?”
“Yes. It is very important. Above all, it is an issue that the Empress must know about.”
Sepia narrowed her eyes at that assurance.
The Duchess’s words could soon become a story implying the Emperor’s opinion.
'I didn't know you would ask for a conversation right away like this.'
Sepia hesitated for a moment, then nodded to the Emperor for consent, and Roxanne took the lead.
Sepia guided the Duchess to a reception room in an inner palace, not the Empress's Palace.
"I'll serve you some tea."
When the two sat down, the Empress's maids poured tea with birdlike elegance. The Duchess, who seemed to like the taste of the tea, put down her cup with a satisfied look in her eyes.
Sepia, who was watching them, opened her mouth.
"I think you have something to tell me."
"Oh, of course. You must listen. It's about the purpose of this exchange."
Her red lips drew a curve along with her wrinkled mouth.
After a short pause, the Duchess got to the point.
"You know very well that the agenda for this exchange came from the Empress of Huron. So listen carefully. The Empress's purpose is to use you, Sepia, to extend her old life."
"...It's hard to understand what you're saying."
Was it the confidence that prompted her to ask for an exclusive meeting?
The Duchess casually mentioned Sepia’s name.
The noblewoman, who was fanning herself, sneered and opened her eyes.
“I was so impressed that my pitiful daughter, who was like a stray, became the Empress of an empire. Since I had not fulfilled my duties as a mother, I came here to help you now. The Empress of Huron is unofficially suffering from an illness, and I heard that the medicine that can cure her illness is in the Beastkin Empire, not in Huron.”
The corners of her lips, painted red, were smiling, but her blue eyes were as cold as frost.
“The fox-like Crown Prince will take advantage of my daughter’s sympathy to get medicine. So, shouldn’t this mother give you advice in advance? Don’t take the Crown Prince’s side for no reason. That cheap sympathy will save the life of the one who abused you.”
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