Oracle, the word of God.
Now, while the decrepit high priest was performing the last rite of prayer in his life. The ban on the temple records was lifted.
The story of this oracle was also a top secret that was forbidden to be revealed. Normally, after 12 years, the top secrets limited to the chief minister were available to high-ranking officials.
Julia had stopped by to reinforce Endymion's prayers and had been lucky enough to hear about the oracle and the Trace.
'I hope someday I can listen to the oracle at least once.'
If you're with Mion, then your reputation will be higher than it is now, right?
Imagining Endymion surrounded by frenzied worshipping priests, Julia's lips rose spontaneously.
"Oh, if you are embarrassed at that time, you will be really cute..."
"Queen, can you attend the special devotional in a few days?"
Unfortunately, her imagination was shattered by the conversation that came out of nowhere. After all, they were ardent priests who would not let her go for a moment.
"Oh, um. Special devotional? Unfortunately, I had a promise with His Majesty at that time."
Julia looked around reflexively. At the same time, he tried to turn his head.
By the way.
'Uh....'
She couldn't take her eyes off the altar. She doesn't know why, but it was strange. It was an inexplicable feeling.
What is it? Julia narrowed her eyes slightly, groping for sensation. She was confused.
'Hmm. I think I'll understand if I think about it a little more.'
Why are you so worried about something you see for the first time?
The priests didn't notice her condition and made a suggestion.
"Queen. How about making and distributing an excerpt from His Majesty's prayer for the relief of the drought?"
'Oh.'
At that moment, she lost her gaze. It seems like it was like that.
Julia tilted her head, but perhaps she was mistaken. She naturally turned her attention to conversation.
"That way, you can quickly spread the word even in areas where there are no temples or where the news is late!"
He seemed to want to boast more about the greatness of the gods. The status of the death of Endymion would also increase, and Julia liked it.
"Wow, that's a really good suggestion."
"Oh, then if you can review the excerpt while you're here today!"
"Gladly."
Julia left with the priests. The altar that had caught her eye like a temptation had faded in her consciousness.
***
A few hours later.
After returning to the royal castle, Julia had a lot of time to spare and went to the Grand Duchess Palace to play. The three royal ladies joined Iris and had a pleasant chat over tea.
"What is this?"
"Open it."
She had just emptied her third glass. Milady winked as she handed the box.
Julia took it and opened it, and there was a finely packed document inside.
"Proving that you are the rightful and exclusive owner of Countyland... Mother?"
Countyland was one of the most popular areas in Semele. So, a very beautiful, fertile, and geographically yolk land.
Thanks to the blessed natural environment, many people coveted it both at home and abroad. As a result, it was more valuable than most gem mines.
"It's useless for me to have it. I think you will need more in the future, so don't hesitate to take it."
Milady said sweetly.
The county land was private property that she inherited from her family, apart from the royal family. Julia was surprised and tried to refuse.
"Mom, I'm fine. You saved me a lot..."
"Do you know how much fun it would be to play in the villa there? It's better to get it before I change ny mind."
Milady said teasingly. Iris helped from the side.
"Get it quickly. She didn't give it to me, her daughter, either, so you have to take this opportunity."
"Sure. Hey, I gave you a gift for my second baby in advance, so don't you pout?"
Milady said cheerfully. Julia and Iris laughed at the same time.
"Thank you, mother. You always take care of me like this."
Julia squeezed Milady's hand and smiled. Milady stroked her head as gently as she had as a child.
"How could our Queen be so lovely? Honestly, you're more like my child than my son."
It was the same with Julia. Milady, who was playful but always cared for, was like a reliable mother.
While Julia smiled, Iris coldly agreed that it was true.
"Right? Julia, why don't you do my daughter?"
"I love it! But then you won't be able to see your grandchildren..."
Julia scolded. Soon, the three women burst into cheerful laughter.
The three of them took care of Milady, who was not good at being exposed to the outside wind, and had a good time inside the Grand Duchess' Palace.
A few hours later, when Iris returned to the Princess's palace for a nap, the three of them left the palace for the next opportunity.
'Hmm, was I too stupid?'
Well, she doesn't know.
Julia, who was on her way home, smiled brightly at the pleasant time she had with her family for the first time in a long time.
Milady was a strong home and home for her. She always cared for her more than her own son, Endymion, and her adopted daughter, Iris.
It was just that she gave her the county land that even the King coveted.
'When Mom's physical strength improves, I should ask her to go out of the castle with me.'
Julia was happy and went to her true nature.
A few days ago, after the arrival of the Ametrine envoys, the atmosphere in the city was quite crowded. Still, she thought that today's schedule would have been over by now.
"Oh, by the way, I wanted to hear from my mother when I heard God's voice."
Julia asked what she had heard in the temple, but Milady was unwilling.
"I remember when the black flames were blooming right before the oracle. Strangely, I can't remember the moment God was talking about. I only remember the content."
When Julia wondered, Milady tried to squeeze out her memories as much as she could.
But in the end, she couldn't remember what God's voice was like or what the exact phrase was. It was as if the memory of the person was locked.
"It's okay, mother! Later, when the High Commissioner wakes up, I can ask him."
Julia dissuaded her, saying that it was just a curiosity, fearing that Milady would be overwhelmed by her weakened body.
'12 years ago... Was it because it was a bad year and Mion was sick? I think everyone has forgotten that time.'
Mion says he can't remember much when he was young, and his mother is faint about it.
Iris said that when Endymion was very sick, he lived in his maternal home for a while, fearing that he might get sick. So he didn't know much about the imperial palace's situation at that time.
'I don't know. Difficult memories are quickly forgotten.'
Or maybe it's an oracle, and the gods have put some kind of forbidden sacrifice on it.
With some interesting thoughts, Julia arrived in the hallway in front of the office. Then she ran into the Ametrine people who were coming out of the tent.
"See the Queen!"
"Queen, did you have a good day?"
"Hello, everyone."
It was the first delegation to arrive a while ago.
"Finally, tomorrow, the second delegation will arrive. Thank you for your hard work."
Julia warmly congratulated him. Those who were tired of the King's difficult questions and demands were thrilled.
These were mostly subordinate officials, who arrived first to handle the details needed for negotiations.
The dispatch of the Duke of Joel and other high-ranking officials was slower than expected, and they were actually overburdened.
"Haha. His Majesty is strict."
Fortunately, with the arrival of a latecomer who now had the right to make the actual decision, the negotiations would proceed quickly. To be precise, it is a battle of nerves over the expensive Cheryl.
"I hope there will be good results for both countries. Take a rest for today."
Julia gently urged them, and the exhausted reapers retreated with joy.
Tak.
Julia closed the door lightly and stepped into the office. Endymion, who has been busier lately, was in the middle of reviewing documents.
'Hmm, are you absorbed in your work again?'
Mischievous, Julia crept over and grabbed him by the shoulder.
“Mion!”
"Watch your feet. The carpet got in the way."
But Endymion calmly put down the papers.
He didn't even look back, so how did he know? It was a beastly feeling.
Julia sat down on the couch in disappointment.
"I was going to surprise you."
"Oh, I'll be surprised next time."
Endymion, leaning back against his chair, said calmly. Finally, Julia laughed with tears in her eyes.
"You're so sincere while pretending not to be. Now that the drought has subsided, we can take it easy."
Julia looked at his calloused hands and muttered. He called himself a tyrant and was a workaholic.
"I thought that if I worked so hard, my wife would be pretty."
"Isn't it because you want to become a Saint?"
"I'm not really interested in that."
Endymion stepped up to his side and held out his hand as if to compliment her. Julia chuckled and held his hand. Endymion continued with a drowsy expression.
"Semele should live well, don't you think you'll stay by my side for the rest of your life?"
"Huh? Isn't that true...."
Did you ever joke about when I was leaving?
Julia tilted her head, and the corners of her mouth went up. Endymion had intertwined his fingers and held them firmly.
Julia was satisfied that all of his thought circuits were always directed at her, and that this possessive touch was now satisfying.
"I'm not going anywhere, Mion."
"Yes."
Endymion smiled with satisfaction. It was so beautiful that Julia was fascinated for a moment by the face that she liked.
"Mion, will Duke Joel agree to stop Cheryl cultivation altogether? It should work out..."
"There is data that Cheryl accelerates the drought, so it will work."
The two spent the evening talking about the final negotiations with Ametrine. And tomorrow morning, she will go to bed early to meet Duke Joel and the delegation.
And the next day.
"I see His Majesty the King and Queen of Semele. This is Gerald Joel from Ametrine."
"See you again. Your Majesty, Queen."
Two men at the front of the procession greeted each other.
'Huh?'
Julia's purple eyes widened as she greeted the Ametrine delegation with Endymion.
The curious Duke Joel was an elderly man with dark blond hair and a strong look. However, the man standing next to the Duke was a person she had never expected.
"I didn't know you were coming here."
"I apologize for the inconvenience. The vice minister of finance had a sudden accident, and I was replaced."
Killian Oberon spoke calmly and bowed his head.
Endymion shook hands with Duke Joel and then with him. Julia was also puzzled and said hello briefly.
"It's been a while, Sir."
"It's been a long time since I've seen you, Queen. I apologize if I was rude."
"No, I don't. Please stay in peace."
Killian was polite and cheerful. She can't remember the last parting, which was a bit embarrassing.
Thus, all of Ametrine's official delegations arrived in Semele.
After unpacking the itinerary and having a simple lunch, the delegation sat down at the negotiating table. It was thanks to the coordination of the selection delegation that had laid the foundation first.
Her busy schedule began to turn.
"Let's start dinner in four hours. The menu is specially preferred by Ametrine..."
Meanwhile, Julia was preparing for a grand dinner. After instructing the royal chefs to make a plan, she went to the lab to continue her research with Boris and Adele.
Time flew by. Thirty minutes before the feast was to begin, Julia had made preparations and set off for the main castle.
'Mion said he would go first, didn't he?'
Julia walked gracefully in an ivory dress embellished with diamonds. The banquet hall was buzzing to see if the envoys had already arrived.
'What was the result?'
The dinner started almost immediately after the first round of negotiations, so she hasn't heard from him yet. She hopes it will be agreed upon as quickly and easily as possible.
Julia didn't want her country and Semele to conflict. As soon as she entered, she thought she had to ask Endymion, and as she approached the banquet hall.
"I see you, the Queen."
"Ah, Duke Joel."
When Julia stopped, the Duke, dressed in robes, approached and greeted her.
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