Similar to the fortress-like exterior, the interior of the palace was not much different, but the space in Medea was different in color.
"This..."
Medea picked up a wooden doll that sat daintily over her nightstand.
Not only the wooden dolls, but also the objects that Medea used in Valdina and the Imperial Palace, it was not difficult to find inside.
"This? His Highness Cesare told me to take as much as I want! Whatever Her Highness is familiar with."
In addition, the wallpaper, the layout of the room, and the furniture seemed to be intended to make her feel as foreign as possible in a foreign country.
"I tried to make the atmosphere of Valdina and the Imperial Palace as similar as possible, but this old woman had never been there before, so I just pretended to be. I hope Your Highness will understand generously."
A small old lady appeared behind Cesare.
Her hair is neatly curled up and grayish, and she has a loving smile. Despite her small and thin stature, her clear eyes were impressive.
"This is Mrs. Tollin. She is the handmaiden who takes care of my palace."
"Lorraine Tollin sees Your Highness, the First Princess. Welcome to Kazen."
The old lady's greeting to the Imperial family was perfect without any frills.
It was the first and most formal hospitality she had received since entering this empire.
At that moment, Umberto, who was standing behind Medea, took a small breath.
"Thank you, ma'am."
Medea nodded, thinking that the old lady's identity must be unusual.
"Let's go out to the hall, everyone is waiting for Your Highness."
In the hall that followed the old lady Tollin, the members of the palace stood in unison.
"I see Your Highness, the Princess."
Those who lined up in the hall bowed their heads in unison to Medea.
Some of Cesare's servants were familiar faces, including Zeta and Delta, but there were also a few whom she saw for the first time.
"I will become the hands and feet of the Lord and uphold your will."
Their voices bowed deeply, and there was a deep sense of loyalty in their voices.
Each and every one of them, both men and women, was unusual.
His eyes were as sharp as a blade, his voice as firm as a military commander, and his back as straight as a well-trained sword.
"Mrs. Tollin and these people are trustworthy. Just like in Valdina, feel free to ask at any time."
Medeaa nodded.
"Kensington is dead in Katzen, so there must be limits to his ability to move freely."
As long as she has no choice but to move under the water, the 1st Prince's excellent limbs will be of great help.
"I also ask you to take care of me. It's my first time here, so I'm sure I'll need your help."
They repeatedly airlifted Medea's greeting.
It was an Imperial tone, but the voice of the 1st Princess seemed to blow a gentle breeze, and it seemed to sprinkle a sweet energy in their hearts.
In addition, the beautiful owner even gave them a mithril the size of a thumbnail as a gift for the meeting.
"...My lord."
Meanwhile, Alpha came to Cesare's side.
He whispered something, and Cesare, nodding slightly, said to Medea
"I have to go out now, ask Tollin, and she'll tell you."
At Cesare's words, the old lady bent down as if to tell her not to worry.
Still, he didn't want to leave Medea alone, and he frowned at the smooth brow.
He swept the butterfly dust off Medea's cheeks.
"My wife is tired from a long period of suffering, so go away. In the meantime, you don't have to respond to the audience from the imperial palace, just let me know."
Unlike his cautious hand, a cold voice echoed through Hojeong.
After brushing Medea's cheek cleanly, Cesare draped his coat over her shoulder.
The knights were accustomed to the cold orders of the lord.
So they looked up and saw him looking at his wife, and they hurriedly lowered their gaze.
Was my lord such a kind person to someone?
A light of surprise appeared in their eyes that they had not yet hidden.
"My lord.... they are waiting for you."
Alpha urged him once more.
Medea could tell why he seemed quite impatient.
"You must have been away from the empire for quite a long time because of the wedding..."
In addition to the Facade, the power of the First Prince extends to the entire continent. Even now, things that require his judgment are waiting for him at every turn.
"Your Highness, I'm fine, so let's go."
"..."
Medea took off Cesare's robe from her shoulders and returned it.
"I think Your Highness needs more of this... Do not worry. You know, I... I'm used to it."
The strangeness and fear she felt when she first arrived in Katzen from Valdina meant that she had already experienced it in her previous life.
"I have a lot of new things to do, too, so Your Highness is coming back after completing your official duties."
The lord, who seemed to be conscious of their subordinates, was also there.
Cesare smiled bitterly as he realized the hidden meanings.
Leaving behind the vassals who were waiting for him, what was the reason he arrived at the palace and stayed until now?
It was to impress upon his subordinates once again that Medea had become the owner of this place.
"I didn't mean to show off, but this shouldn't be the way I'm coming back, Dea."
Cesare's mouth twisted wickedly.
A thorn sprouted above his cautious heart, as if he were treating a delicate petal.
"Wife, you can't change already. I told you to be at ease with me."
But instead of being pushed by Medea's hands, Cesare unfolded his coat.
This time, he wrapped his sleeves around her shoulders to keep them from slipping.
Cesare's clothes were too big for her size.
Thus, Medea, who was strapped to his uniform, seemed to be wrapped tightly in Cesare's arms.
When the solemn coronation dress was hidden by a black uniform, her round hair and pale red cheeks stood out, making her stunningly adorable.
Cesare was a little satisfied at that moment. His mouth, which had been twisted in a grumpy way, drew a line.
"Dea, the vassals will meet you soon, so let's rest for now."
"Your Highness..."
"You should call me Cesare."
His drowsy voice was as strict and gentle as a child's.
"..."
"When I come back, you will call me again."
Watching Medea, who was staring at him with her lips stubbornly closed. Cesare swallowed his laughter.
He put his mouth to her temple and left with Alpha, who was drying up behind him.
"..."
'What if I go away like this...How do you fix it...'
Medea gritted her teeth silently.
Zeta's mouth was open, and the rest of the subordinates bowed their heads to the floor once more, trying to hide their surprise.
At that moment, there was a faint sound of laughter. It was Mrs. Tollin.
"Your Highness, please take it inside. Now that the real owner of the palace has arrived, matters are waiting for Your Highness' permission."
She saved Medea with a suitable excuse.
"I don't know... Frills. Only Zeta remains, and you guys go away."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Medea nodded solemnly, but realized that it would be difficult to find any dignity in the child strapped to Cesare's uniform, so she quietly followed Madame Tollin.
***
The palace, the office of the 1st Prince.
Mrs. Tollin handed over the thick books and documents to Medea.
"Until now, His Highness the First Prince's companion has been vacant, so I have been in charge of the palace, but from now on, Your Royal Highness will have to take charge."
Medea paused.
If the Prince does not have a maintenance, the management of the inner palace belongs entirely to the head of the palace.
Moreover, the 1st Prince is a person with much more power than the other Princes. The authority that the handmaiden could exercise would have been enormous.
"I thought the real power of the palace would have to be taken a little longer."
Medea didn't expect Tollin to hand over all authority so without hesitation.
This is because she has already experienced through many examples that it is not easy at all. Especially if you have tasted power once.
"Lorraine Tollin is the nanny of Her Majesty, the late Empress. I heard that His Highness disappeared after her death, but she was on the side of the 1st Crown Prince..."
On the way to this place, Medea remembered what Umberto had said to her in a breath.
After receiving the keys and books of the palace, Medea declined, saying that it was still too early to take over all the authority to manage the palace and that she was too busy adapting to the imperial family.
However, Mrs. Tollin was adamant.
As the First Princess, she told her one by one what Medea should pay attention to. She could even feel the emotion in her slightly excited voice.
'I'm too old and tired to carry the burden. I've just been waiting for a day like today."
The old lady smiled faintly.
"With these old eyes that saw His Highness Cesare's first steps, I also saw Your Highness who is standing by His Highness' side today... I can't ask for anything more."
"..."
"I now pass this burden on to you, and I am going to return to being a faithful servant."
She continued, as if she couldn't see Medea's eyes staring at her.
"The palace is not small, but it is not comparable to the imperial palace. It will surely be a good experience for you."
It was based on the premise that Medea would become the Crown Princess.
"...Is that Madam's idea or the late Empress's Idea?"
The old lady's wrinkled hands, which had been explaining the pages of the book without interruption, stopped.
Medea also stared at her calmly, without averting her gaze.
Did the deceased Empress Eleanor want her adopted son and her husband's illegitimate son, Cesare, to become the Crown Prince?
Does Mrs. Tollin, who must have watched the two of them closely, know the answer?
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