Episode 9

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The next day, I awoke quietly at my usual time.

I had stayed up late reading the book last night. My eyes were sore, but there was much to do today.

As Empress, I had to handle many of the Emperor’s duties, and the list of things I needed to learn seemed endless.

Typically, I would start my day by pulling the bell cord to summon a maid.

However, today I got out of bed and walked to the window.

Drawing back the curtains, I looked at the garden bathed in the early morning sunlight. I felt a tinge of melancholy.

Today was my twentieth birthday.

The entire palace was in disarray. A month ago, there had been the grand event of the Emperor’s wedding, followed closely by his funeral.

In such circumstances, there was no time to celebrate the new Empress’s birthday.

Even if preparations for a banquet were underway, I would have stopped them.

It wouldn’t do for the Empress, who had not yet discarded her mourning clothes for her deceased husband, to hold a lavish birthday party amidst spaces still dedicated to the Emperor’s memory.

It simply wouldn’t be appropriate.

I steeled myself, reminding myself that a birthday was just another day, and pulled the bell cord.

Instead of a maid, Lothania entered the room.

She approached me with a bright smile, carrying a bouquet of roses larger than herself, and exclaimed in a loud, cheerful voice.

“Mother, happy birthday!”

“Lottie…”

“Here, take the bouquet first. And there are no meetings today, so you can spend the whole day with me!”

Lothania shouted as she handed me the bouquet.

Behind her, I could see Tito and the maids smiling warmly.

“Lottie, how did you know?”

“Oh, Mother, how could I not know your birthday? Everyone knows! We even prepared a surprise party for you!”

“A party?”

“Yes! You need to get ready!”

Lothania, her twin pigtails bouncing, hopped in place before darting out of the room.

From the hallway, I heard her voice in a playful scuffle with a maid, and soon she returned, carrying a basin of water.

Following behind the cautious, water-bearing Lothania were several nervous maids.

“Today, I’ll be taking care of you, Mother! Please wash your face!”

Lothania set the washbasin down with a triumphant expression, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Lottie, you don’t have to do this.”

“No, Mother, I insist! Today is your day!”

With a towel in one hand, Lothania took my hand and led me to the washbasin. Her bright smile filled me with gratitude and a touch of guilt.

I had thought Lothania would be the last person to welcome the idea of a birthday party for me in the palace.

Yet, it was Lothania who had prepared everything for today.

A day for me. Even in my homeland, Dirmil, I had never heard such words.

As the fourth of five princesses in Dirmil, my birthday had never been a significant event.

Not knowing how to react to this unfamiliar experience, I felt bewildered. Lothania cheerfully outlined the day’s schedule.

“We’ll have breakfast together, and then I’ll show you around the palace, Mother. You haven’t had a proper tour yet, right? I’ll introduce you to Harriet Palace, the pride of Belphator!”

Even though this palace was my home, it didn’t feel like it. My movements within the palace were limited.

If Nerian hadn’t died, he would have shown me around the palace. Lothania had offered to guide me in his stead.

“I heard you haven’t visited the treasury yet. Let’s explore it together. Everything there belongs to you, Mother.”

“No, Lottie. Those things belong to you.”

“I only need you, Mother.”

Lothania giggled, her dimples deepening as she smiled.

My dear, young daughter was incredibly considerate and mature for her age.

I hugged Lothania tightly.

“I only need you, Lottie.”

Feeling her small hands wrap around my back, I felt a surge of emotion and nearly started crying.

Not wanting to worry her, I quickly washed my face. After that, Lothania picked out a dress for me to wear.

Although I had taken off my mourning clothes, I had only worn plain dresses out of a misplaced sense of guilt.

Lothania chose a cream-colored dress with elaborate lace. She also selected ornate hair accessories and jewelry for me.

For the first time in a while, I dressed up and had breakfast with Lothania, enjoying all my favorite foods.

Afterward, holding my daughter’s hand, I toured the palace treasury.

As expected of the empire’s treasury, it was filled with an overwhelming array of treasures. However, they didn’t feel like mine, so I felt little excitement.

There were many red gems, perhaps because the symbol of the Luminal Imperial Family was crimson eyes, but they were merely pretty to look at.

Then, my thoughts turned to the greatest treasure passed down through the Luminal Imperial Family.

“Lottie, is the token of the pact here too?”

“No, Mother. I still don’t know where it is.”

“I see.”

“Do you need the token of the pact? Father said I would naturally learn about it once I awaken. Should I give it to you once I do?”

“What? No, Lottie. You must never tell anyone about it and keep it to yourself. Understand?”

“If you need it, Mother, I can give it to you!”

Why does this child trust me so much? How could she offer such a precious thing to me?

I sat down with Lothania and spoke seriously.

“The reason I asked about the token of the pact is that Duke Tilender is after it, Lottie.”

“The dog?”

“Yes, he said if the token of the pact were destroyed, he wouldn’t seek to become emperor, even if he captured the snake and the eagle.”

Lothania bit her lip, seemingly deep in thought after hearing my words.

I quickly added more to prevent Lothania from drawing any hasty conclusions.

“I meant to say that since he’s targeting it, if it does exist, you should keep it well hidden. Since only you can find its location after you awaken, his plans won’t succeed anyway.”

“Tell him he can have it, Mother.”

“Lottie, there’s no need for that. I’ve already talked things through with Duke Tilender.”

“It doesn’t matter to me, Mother. If ending the pact is what they want, I’ll do it. All I care about is our safety.”

“But Lottie, we can’t be sure how they’ll act once they’re free from the leash…”

Lothania bit her lip again, deep in thought.

If there were a guarantee that the beasts wouldn’t harm us once freed from the pact, it would be a deal worth considering.

Knowing the 300-year history between the beasts and the Luminal family made it clear why the imperial family couldn’t let them go.

Perhaps they were afraid too? Afraid that the teeth of the beasts freed from the pact would turn against them.

While I didn’t know about other masters, it was clear that fear was present in Lothania’s crimson eyes.

In any case, I had no intention of accepting Aiden’s proposal. I could consider the matter of the token after the hunt.

I reassured Lothania as we left the treasury.

Our next schedule was a birthday party prepared in a small banquet hall.

There weren’t many people to invite, and we planned to enjoy it quietly by ourselves.

However, as if someone had found out, there were unexpected guests in the banquet hall.

First, Lian, with his sparkling blonde hair, stood by the window.

Beside him was a boy with the same colored hair, Lian’s younger brother, Melbrid Zernia.

And on the opposite wall, standing like a statue directly facing the entrance, was Vitren.

On the other wall, forming a perfect tLiangle with Lian, was Aiden. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, with an insolent posture.

Moreover, an entirely unexpected figure was there as well—Henry Senwood, nervously glancing around from not far from Melbrid.

“What are they doing here…?”

Lothania voiced in a sharp tone beside me.

Come to think of it, all three were twelve years old.

Melbrid was the heir to a duke, and Henry was a cousin, so they must have been acquainted from a young age.

Despite Lothania’s indifferent reaction, Melbrid and Henry approached us with evident joy.

I whispered to Tito, who was following us.

“What’s going on?”

Tito, noticing I was pointing to Henry, responded in a low voice.

“It’s the Marchioness who’s banned, not the young marquess. He brought a birthday gift for Your Majesty and was waiting in the storeroom since I couldn’t ask you.”

Tito asked if I wanted him removed now, but I shook my head.

I wasn’t so cold-hearted as to kick out a twelve-year-old who came with a gift on a good day.

Bonita probably anticipated this.

The two boys bowed properly and wished me a happy birthday.

Although Henry was the one I was wary of, it was undoubtedly Melbrid who caught everyone’s attention.

While Lian possessed incredible beauty, Melbrid, his miniature version, looked like a living angel.