Odelia quietly swallowed her breath.
The days of fighting simply to survive are over.
Now is the time to dream of a greater ideal and move forward to achieve it.
"Talamand is just the beginning. What we have accomplished on this land... someday we must be able to do in a wider place as well."
As that thought crossed her mind, her heart fluttered ever so slightly.
Is it greed?
No, it was a realistic calculation.
Right now it is just one region, but if someday I can stabilize the entire empire like Talamand—
It was not merely an ambition, but an ideal that anyone who wanted to create a better world might envision.
Odelia slowly put the envelope down.
"...It's still a long way off before that happens."
The words uttered in a whisper were closer to conviction than resignation.
"It needs to be stronger, and it needs to be wider."
Odelia's fingertips slowly stroked the envelope.
Am I perhaps overestimating myself?
Isn't it arrogant to covet the position of Empress of the Empire just because I have barely managed to rebuild a single Talamand?
Becoming Empress was a sweet position, but at the same time, it was also a position that made one a target of the entire empire. More scrutiny, checks and balances, criticism, and schemes would pour down upon her.
If she became Empress, she would face far more political battlefields than she does now.
Not merely a 'lord,' but standing right in the heart of the colossal creature known as the Empire.
The seat next to Calix was not merely the wife of a loved one, but the eye of the storm.
Even so, will I really be able to protect Talamand?
It is by no means easy to protect two things at the same time. To bear the weight of the entire empire on one's shoulders while not losing one's own territory.
That would probably require greater willpower and colder reason than now.
To be honest, she was wanting too much.
She wants to protect Talramand. She wanted to see the people of the wider land rejoice, just as the people of Talamand rejoice.
She wanted to create a world where that is possible.
She also wanted to have a solid foundation.
And even while achieving all of that, she wanted to stand by that man's side.
As the thought crossed her mind, Odelia swallowed a breath that was neither a sigh nor a laugh.
'Is having all of this really such a preposterous dream? Am I having these thoughts because I truly desire it that much?'
Odelia closed her eyes and slowly opened them.
In the midst of calculating political gains and losses, a hot yet quiet emotion slightly raised its head.
'Yes, the position of Empress is certainly dangerous and exhausting. But...'
The corners of the lips curved upward very slowly, but clearly.
'If you stay by my side, it might not be so bad.'
***
"I will attend the imperial palace banquet."
The moment Odelia calmly made her declaration, not only the castle but the entire region of Talamand was in an uproar.
Rejoicing people, busy attendants, and gazes filled with expectation filled the air before long.
There wasn't much time left until the banquet.
Perhaps that is why, as soon as the fitting day arrived, the fitting room instantly turned into a small battlefield.
"Since it's a banquet, everyone will be determined to stand out."
Damian reached for the dress hanger with a blank expression.
"The more that happens, the better it is to catch them off guard. Let's go with neutral colors."
What he took out was a dark black dress.
"...Father. This isn't a funeral, you know?"
Damian's eyebrows twitched as Herse spoke, tilting his eyebrows crookedly as if to say that even to a child's eyes, that was not the case.
"Why should black be the color of a funeral? Black is the original color."
Just as the stuffy nagging was about to begin, Herse quickly lifted up another dress.
"Auntie! Look at this! How about this red color?! It's totally cool!!"
At that, Cedric, who was sitting on one side of the sofa, also smiled brightly and nodded.
"Oh. I like that too. Powerful and flashy."
"No."
Judith cut it with a single stroke.
"What do you mean by bright red? This is a ceremony to show whether or not you possess the dignity of an Empress. Are you planning to turn into a burning fruit? Besides, Fabiana wears a red dress every day, so it won't even be that unconventional."
Judith took out a new dress and shook it.
"How about silver? It's dignified and elegant, and on top of that, with so many ruffles and lace at the hem, it will look so pretty every time you walk!"
At the recommendation filled with personal feelings, Eileen, who was nestled in Judith's arms, puffed out her cheeks.
"Wooo....!"
Everyone looked at the baby at the same time. Judith narrowed her eyes.
"Wow! Eileen says she doesn't like silver either!"
Herse swung his arms excitedly.
"I still prefer the red one..."
"I told you, bright red isn't allowed!"
"I said to do black."
Everyone started chattering loudly, only saying what they wanted to say, as if trying to express their own choices.
Odelia looked at the mirror for a moment and spoke firmly.
"I will make the color ivory."
The room fell silent for a moment.
"I don't think ruffles or lace would suit it, and as for the dress shape... I'd prefer it not to be too voluminous."
There was silence for a moment.
"Yaaaah!!"
Breaking the silence, Eileen raised both hands high and shouted, as if saying, "That's it!"
***
And today, the day before the imperial banquet.
Odelia was already up from her seat earlier than usual. This was because she had to leave early this morning to arrive in the capital before the banquet.
The ivory dress unfolded carefully.
Lines that fall simply, without excessive embellishment, just as she wanted.
Light embroidery was added, and small pearls were subtly set on the neckline and sleeves. Restrained splendor that catches the eye without being excessive.
"...It’s perfect.”
It was Damian who spoke first.
His face remained expressionless, but those words were the highest compliment.
"Auntie, you really look like a princess!! No, you look like an empress!!"
Herse spun around in place with sparkling eyes. Cedric could not hide his admiration.
"Seriously... I'm speechless. You two look great together."
"See? I told you the ivory color is fine."
“When?”
Cedric asked in disbelief, but Judith was shameless.
"It was the prettiest after silver. Of course, looking at it now, Odelia’s choice was absolutely right, but anyway, I thought the same thing."
Eileen, held in her arms, also clapped her hands together and babbled as if agreeing.
“Baa! Baa!”
The designer's eyes welled up with tears, and he clasped his hands together.
"I made it myself, but…! You are truly! So beautiful!"
At that shout, the ladies-in-waiting burst into applause in unison. The sound of applause filled the fitting room.
Odelia turned her head away, feeling unnecessarily embarrassed, but when she faced her reflection in the mirror again, she could not take her eyes off it for a moment, just a very moment.
For some reason, she felt a little embarrassed... and yet, she quite liked it.
Odelia slowly inhaled.
Her eyes in the mirror shone very naturally.
At that moment, BANG! A huge explosion erupted on the castle wall.
The sound of bells continued—once, twice, three times. It was an emergency alarm ringing out without stopping.
The air heated up rapidly.
“My lord!”
Philip entered the room, breathing heavily.
"A massive horde of northern bandits is surging in! They are already on the verge of making contact with the first line of defense!"
Odelia's fingertips stiffened slightly.
'...Now?'
She had to leave now to arrive at the banquet on time.
But Talamand needed her right now.
Damian and Cedric started moving as soon as they grasped the situation.
"I'll gather troops."
Damian spoke firmly and headed straight out the door.
"I will assemble the garrison immediately."
Cedric followed closely behind, walking quickly. The atmosphere inside the fitting room instantly turned into one of battle preparations.
Odelia clutched the hem of her dress tightly with one hand. The fabric crumpled slightly on the back of her hand, and tension rose.
"...Philip."
She called the name in a low, firm voice.
“Give me the sword.”
Philip stopped for a moment.
"...Yes?"
"Lord, you must move immediately."
"Sword. I asked for it."
A firm resolve. Upon hearing this, Philip caught his breath briefly.
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