Katzen Imperial Palace.
On the wide terrace facing the first-floor garden, Perdiccas II was leaning against the wall.
He was sitting crookedly in a chair with shining gold arms.
The fragrant scent of flowers unique to the garden made people feel relaxed.
It was no exception for Perdiccas II, who had a rare look of satisfaction on his face.
Shhh-!
At the end of the green grass that stretched out in front and behind, an arrow was stuck in a makeshift target.
"You hit the mark. Congratulations, Your Highness, the Third Prince!"
But the Emperor's unusually generous mood today is certainly not just because of the recording.
"Have you seen, Your Majesty, the Emperor?"
The Third Prince's excited voice echoed throughout the palace.
"Juan resembles Your Majesty a lot."
The Empress Dowager spoke first, standing next to Perdiccas II.
A rare, kind smile hung on his famously cold face.
"Yes?"
"Yes, isn't his face and physique gradually becoming more like Your Majesty's younger days? When I first saw Your Majesty, I couldn't help but recall your dignified appearance."
While appearing to praise the Emperor, the Western Empress cleverly praised her own son.
However, it was impossible to accuse her of being biased, as Juan was now holding a bow and looking absolutely dazzling.
Golden hair like the Western Empress, a somewhat slender figure, and youthful energy that blooms even more vividly under the sunlight.
Third Prince Juan actually resembles his maternal side more, and resembles the restrained and slender Western Empress more than the powerful-looking Perdiccas II.
But now, the Third Prince, wearing the same color and shape of the Emperor's uniform, gave off such a similar vibe that it was impossible to doubt that they were father and son.
Of course, he had deliberately chosen to wear the same clothes as the Emperor.
"Nonsense, I was so overwhelmingly powerful at his age that no one could compare to me."
Perdiccas II felt a strange sense of pride at the sight of his grown-up son, but also a subtle sense of defeat at the vibrant youthfulness of his son.
Because he knows now that he can never go back to those days.
"You can't compare to a dog that has never encountered a pack of lynxes!"
As if pushing away the subtle emotion, Perdiccas II shot back. The smile on the Western Empress's face disappeared a little.
"Of course. I want to be a sapling that will never grow in the shadow of Your Majesty. The great things Your Majesty has accomplished, I would never dare to imitate them."
Unlike his mother, Third Prince Juan did not feel upset at his father belittling his achievements. Instead, he smiled brightly and agreed with him.
WHEEK-!
He pulled the trigger again.
But as if to show his shortcomings, this arrow fell limply to the ground before it could even reach the target.
"Look. If the Emperor had not told me, I would be so incompetent."
This was the decisive difference between the 3rd Prince Juan and the 1st Prince Cesare.
Unlike Cesare, the First Prince, who always rebelled against his father's words, Juan always knelt down before his father and wagged his tail like a loyal puppy.
"Huh, if you practice a little more, you won't just be imitating me."
Perdiccas II absentmindedly patted the Western Empress's hand twice and said.
Although he spoke as if he was displeased, there was a smile on his face as he looked at the Third Prince.
The Emperor hated being blatantly flattered, but at the same time, he wanted everyone to look up to him. Especially in areas such as archery and physical training.
The attendant swallowed a sigh.
'You were originally a smarter and wiser person than anyone else, but now you only want to listen to sweet words.'
Recently, the Emperor has been looking for the Western Empress more often.
"Your Majesty."
At that moment, the subordinate approached. The chamberlain nodded slightly and turned to the Emperor.
"What happened?"
"Your Majesty. His Royal Highness the 1st Prince and Princess have arrived."
The moment he heard Cesare's name, Perdiccas II frowned. He spoke in an arrogant yet stern voice.
"Tell him to wait, Juan's practice isn't over yet."
"Your Majesty, the First Prince and his wife have arrived, so we will now take our leave."
'I was wondering why they suddenly summoned us to the Emperor's Palace.'
The face of the Western Empress, which had been smiling just a moment ago, suddenly hardened.
The Emperor's antics of pitting two lions against each other and trying to see what happens were no longer surprising.
'But it's not a bad opportunity for us.'
The Western Empress calculated calmly.
It was a good opportunity for the Princess to experience first-hand the cold treatment her husband received from the Emperor.
By borrowing the rank of Emperor, she could restore her pride that had been crushed at the coronation ceremony.
So, the Western Empress bowed her head respectfully and muttered things she did not mean.
"Isn't this an important moment of our first meeting? The people say that the Crown Princess will be our Katzen's hope, so our hats and such shouldn't be a hindrance to such an important being."
It was a remark that subtly scratched Perdiccas II's pride.
Third Prince Juan also seemed to notice the meaning, and he erased his cheerful expression and carefully put away the palace he was holding.
"Brother Cesare has arrived, so how could I dare keep him waiting?"
Perdiccas II frowned and shouted.
"Oh! You go on. Didn't I say there was still more to teach you?"
The Third Prince picked up the palace again, his eyes filled with fear, as if he could not disobey the Emperor's words.
'Juan, yes. He is different. Look at those frightened eyes looking up at me.'
Although he feared Cesare, he put his father's orders above all else.
Like a drop of ink on water, a small feeling of satisfaction seeped into the Emperor's heart.
Perdiccas II turned to the chamberlain.
"Tell the First Prince, too. Where is the older brother who can't wait even for a moment when his younger brother works so hard every day to relieve him of the burden on his shoulders? When the time comes, the burden will call."
"Your Majesty..."
"Why don't you go now? Are your old ears clogged?"
The chamberlain tried to change the Emperor's mind, but Perdiccas II stamped his foot.
***
The corridors of the Katzen Emperor's Palace.
"I apologize, Your Highness, the First Prince, Your Highness, the Princess. His Majesty is in poor health..."
The imperial chamberlain bowed deeply to Cesare and Medea.
He could not say that he could not take the time to watch the Third Prince's archery skills as the Emperor had commanded, so he only expressed his apology indirectly.
"..."
Since the Emperor did not attend the coronation, according to imperial protocol, the Princess had to conclude the coronation ceremony by personally meeting and greeting the Emperor.
That was the final step for Medea to be recognized as a member of the Katzen royal family.
However, even though the Emperor knew this, he made excuses for the First Prince and his wife to stand before the palace.
Medea's veil fell limply beneath the diadem on her head.
It was enough time for the chilly wind to cool her skin.
The Emperor, who was stubborn and unyielding, could not understand it either.
Two hours passed like that.
"I am afraid His Majesty will not be able to meet you today. I apologize to the Prince and Princess, but I ask that you come back on another auspicious day."
Perdiccas II refused to even grant an audience to his eldest son and his wife.
'You're deliberately trying to make me nervous. You were planning on doing this from the beginning.'
Cesare's eyes turned cold as he immediately saw through his father's intentions.
Even after the coronation ceremony, the Princess who has not received the Emperor's approval will inevitably remain an imperfect being.
"It seems that the Emperor's condition is quite serious. I must see him in person."
"However, Your Highness, His Majesty does not permit any visitation except in the imperial robe."
The corners of Cesare's mouth curved crookedly. A cold sneer flowed out.
"...I'm sorry, Your Highness."
The old chamberlain lowered his head. He felt even more ashamed in front of the clear-eyed First Princess, having been caught making such a poor excuse.
"..."
A distinct vein stood out on the back of Cesare's hand. It was unusual for him to always act leisurely and not reveal his true feelings.
He doesn't care about such petty indifference from his father. But his wife...
'Medea is not allowed.'
It wasn't that she left Valdina to have her treated like this. And it was from the first day she entered the Katzen Palace.
They say a horse without legs can travel a thousand miles, but in this palace, where those who are faster than the tongue gather, that speed is even faster.
If today's events become known, it will be difficult for Medea to establish her authority as Crown Princess.
"While I was away for a short while, the Emperor completely forgot about me."
It was in the cold, stifling air, with a voice that sounded even more languid and dangerous, that Cesare's hand unconsciously reached for his scabbard.
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