Children jumped up holding their parents' hands, and those who had lived long enough to know the history of this land saluted Odelia with trembling hands clasped together.
The soldiers knelt before the returning master of Talamand and pledged their loyalty to her.
Odelia’s throat tingled as she watched the scene.
She slowly dismounted from the horse and stepped onto the ground with both feet.
It was the moment she stepped on the soil, feeling that she had fully returned for the first time since the day she had run away to survive.
"Thank you, everyone, for waiting. Thank you so much for staying safe."
Her voice trembled slightly, but it held a solid strength.
A large flag fluttered above the castle gate. The flag, bearing the flame and star of the Rubis family's crest—which had been suppressed for so long—fluttered high in the sky once again.
It was a sight that the person she was on that day, who had no choice but to turn around and run away while crying, could not even imagine.
Odelia walked slowly through the square, making eye contact with the people. Inside her heart, instead of the joy of victory, lay a heavy sense of responsibility.
This is the beginning.
Amidst cheers and tears, she made a promise to herself.
She will protect this land to the very end, ensuring that it is never again stained with injustice and blood.
***
[Epilogue]
The spirit of spring was slowly seeping in beyond the walls of Talamand.
Having endured the long, long winter, the scent of grass began to gradually settle in the fortress instead of the cold wind.
Odelia was sitting in her office, meticulously flipping through a stack of reports.
There was no end to the work that Talamand had to do until it found its place again.
Repairing the crumbling castle walls here and there, processing various documents handed down from the imperial court, and even reporting on the status of restoration of the devastated territory.
There was a mountain of work to be done, but strangely enough, Odelia never once felt it was a burden.
Rather, whenever she saw new pillars erected upon the ruins of houses, and people who had been silent in despair smiling and greeting her again, an indescribable heat slowly welled up somewhere in her heart.
It was a feeling she hadn't felt even when she survived and won after fighting desperately on the battlefield.
Even when she was praised as a golden lion hero, she did not feel this level of deep satisfaction.
'...So this is what it feels like.'
It was completely different from the days when swords were wielded simply to survive or to win.
What she was holding now was not a knife, but people's lives.
War achieved victory at the end of destruction, but now she was achieving fulfillment at the end of care.
Everyday life where a child plants flowers in front of the house, a family shares a warm meal together, and a merchant sets up a stall at the market again.
Whenever Odelia watched small scenes come together to bring a city back to life, she felt a great sense of uplift deep within her heart.
‘This is it.'
She assured quietly.
This is the very path she must take.
A lord who ensures people are no longer driven to the battlefield, rather than a hero who drives people into war.
Not one who makes a path with a sword,
A person who creates life with her hands.
Her land, her people.
Whenever their eyes shone with hope again, Odelia came to understand for the first time all the reasons she had risked her life fighting.
'...Right. Maybe I survived to create a world like this.'
And at that moment, Odelia felt proud of herself for the first time.
Once again today, documents densely packed with black writing were piled high on the desk, forming a sigh-inducing mountain.
She put down her pen, gently rubbed her brow, and caught her breath. Suddenly, Odelia discovered a strange piece of paper tucked between the reports. Unlike the other documents, it was a thin sheet of paper elaborately decorated with gold.
"...Newsletter?”
Odelia picked up the paper with a puzzled expression.
Sure enough, it was <Whispers of the Golden Feather>, currently the most popular newsletter in the capital.
The newsletter, written and published by an anonymous writer, featured all sorts of events from high society.
Given how well-versed the social circles were, there was much talk about the writer's true identity. People speculated that she might be a noblewoman, while others doubted it, suggesting she was likely a lady's young attendant or lady-in-waiting.
Even around the time Odelia had her debutante ball, it was a newsletter that delivered news about Odelia faster than anyone else.
Anyway, the first line was written in majestic handwriting like this.
[Dear readers, the cold winter of our empire is passing, and the season of passionate rumors is approaching.
This year's social season will not be ordinary. No, it certainly cannot be. Why, you ask? The answer lies right in the heart of the Empire, the Imperial Palace.
With the fall of Fabiana, an era has ended. And now, the Empire is preparing to open a new chapter. For the lavish banquet is not merely a pleasure, but a battlefield to decide the new master of the Imperial Palace.]
A sentence written in ornate decorative script caught the eye right from the first line. Below it was an analysis of the significance of this imperial banquet.
It was stated that this banquet would be held with unprecedented grandeur to restore order following the downfall of Fabiana, who had shaken the imperial family.
Odelia's fingertips paused briefly on the paper. The mere phrase 'Fabiana's downfall' sent a strange chill down her spine. This newsletter told her that the chaos of that day was still drifting through the empire like a whisper.
[It is not yet known whose hand the Emperor will take, but whispers surrounding this are already overflowing secretly and surely everywhere.
Each noble family is striving to secure an honorable position driven by their own ambitions, and it is said that the ministers of the imperial palace are also employing numerous schemes today to elevate their daughters to the throne of Empress.
Like wine glasses passing over the tables of the nobility, can't you hear the sound of each person's ambition and desire clinking together?
Here, I carefully list the names being mentioned as candidates for the next Empress. They are the most radiant ladies in the Empire. The precious daughter of a Duke, the young ladies of prestigious families bound by blood ties to the Imperial Household...
And among them, by far the most dazzling name, Odelia Talamand Rubis.]
Suddenly, Odelia’s eyebrows curled up crookedly. Since receiving the name Rubis back, seeing her name in print felt quite unfamiliar.
[The Rubis family. That name, once vanished in the flames, now seeks to stand once again at the center of the empire.
Many consider the Lord of Talamand a strong candidate for Empress, but it is always too early to make a definitive statement. After all, the hearts of men and women change as swiftly as the wind. How can one be certain that it will last forever?
Will the Master of Talamand be able to stand firm once again amidst this fierce battlefield? Or will she be swallowed up by the vortex of this glamorous social scene?
Until the day we all witness the result, the golden feather whispers in your ear again today.]
Odelia's fingertips trembled slightly. Taking a deep breath, she carefully folded the newsletter, but the waves surging within her heart did not easily subside.
Empress candidate, Odelia Talamand Rubis.
It just seemed like someone else's business.
Empress? I?
It seemed as though an invisible wave was rushing up to her toes, making her stagger.
Just then, Philip entered the room with a light knock on the door. He was carrying stacks of documents in both hands and wore his usual annoyed expression.
Odelia held up the newsletter.
"...This, is it you?"
Philip paused and tilted his head.
"Huh? What? What is that?"
Odelia chuckled and handed him a newsletter. It was a smile that implied his denial wouldn't work.
Philip placed the thick documents down on the desk and took what Odelia handed him.
"This was tucked between the reports. Who else would have put it in besides you?"
"Uh... no, it really isn't me."
"...Isn’t it really true?”
Odelia glared at him with a suspicious look.
"Yes, really."
Philip waved his hand dismissively, looking aggrieved. Yet, his gaze remained fixed on the newsletter.
A moment later, Phillip, who had been reading for quite a while with a sullen face, finally raised his head and stared intently at Odelia.
“...My lord.”
His voice lowered a little.
"Do you wish to become the Empress?"
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