Chapter 115…………………..
“Hurry, Your Highness! Quickly!”
After parting ways with Richard in front of the princess’s palace, Illia—who had come out to meet me in advance—grabbed my hand.
She quickly led me to the dressing room and deftly stripped off my dress.
Mulin entered, carrying the ceremonial clothing sent from the temple.
Just as the dress slid past my wrists, both of their gazes froze on the dark bruise marring my skin.
Ah… I forgot about this…!
It must have formed when the assassin had gripped my wrist so roughly. My appearance had been hastily straightened inside the carriage, but the bruise was something I couldn’t fix.
Mulin frowned, her voice sharp.
“What is this, Your Highness?”
“That’s…”
“Something happened at the eve festival, didn’t it? Did someone try to harm you?”
Her quiet fury made me avert my gaze, eyes rolling away guiltily.
“I’ll explain everything later. For now, let’s focus on getting dressed—we need to hurry.”
“…Since tonight is what it is, I won’t press further. But once the eve festival is over, I expect a full explanation.”
“I understand. Let’s finish quickly.”
I calmed the two of them down and changed into the ceremonial dress.
Since the ritual was in honor of the Goddess of Airidium, the outfit exposed the shoulders.
White silk, adorned with tiny diamonds that shimmered under the light, emphasized its sacredness.
Finally, I completed the look with a headdress shaped like a laurel crown, studded with sapphires.
Once everything was ready, Illia brought out cosmetics and dabbed powder over my bruised wrist.
Normally, she would have been fussing and gushing about how beautiful I looked. Instead, seeing the bruise, she bit her lip, barely containing her anger.
Honestly.
She really did adore me too much.
I let out a small chuckle.
“I told you, it’s fine.”
“Still… it looks painful. See? The bruise shows even through the powder…”
“It doesn’t hurt as much as it looks. On a day like this, if you keep sulking, you’ll scare away the good fortune.”
“How can we be happy when Your Highness is unwell…” Illia muttered gloomily.
Mulin, equally furious, seemed to agree—until she noticed my troubled expression. She immediately smacked Illia hard on the back.
“Ouch!”
Illia clutched her back and glared at her, but Mulin ignored her, addressing me instead.
“When you return, I’ll prepare an ice pack and ointment. For now, it’s time to depart. Your Highness, please go. We’ll wait for you here.”
“All right.”
“Your Highness! Don’t be nervous. Just do as you practiced! You’ll do perfectly!”
Nodding, I left the dressing room.
Cecile, who had earlier dealt with the drunkard, now awaited me in full ceremonial attire.
When our eyes met, she let out a soft exclamation.
“As expected of Your Highness. You resemble Her Majesty the Empress—so beautiful, I nearly went blind for a moment.”
“That would be troubling. Who would protect me if you lost your sight?”
“Which is why I’m holding tightly onto my senses.”
She met my teasing with a jest of her own, extending her hand.
“His Majesty is waiting outside. He will escort you to the stage for the eve festival.”
“Yes, I know. We even rehearsed this.”
To avoid any mistake whatsoever.
As I straightened my back, Cecile chuckled quietly. “Let us go, then.” Together we stepped out into the lobby.
In front of the palace stood a carriage more splendid than any I had ever seen.
I froze. Its entire surface gleamed with gold, as though every bit of imperial treasure had been melted down for it.
Red sashes—the color of power—wrapped around it, paired with the gold of the imperial family. It stood out far too much.
How overwhelming…
Perhaps sensing my discomfort, Cecile spoke.
“Don’t mind it. His Majesty dotes on you—he must simply wish to show you off. After all, for the first time ever, it is not the Emperor but his child who will light the beacon.”
“But still…”
I gave her a look that asked if it wasn’t excessive.
“Not at all. His Majesty awaits. Let’s go.”
“…Very well.”
Though hesitant, I walked toward the carriage where the Emperor surely sat.
The coachman bowed deeply, announcing my arrival.
Click—
The door opened, revealing the Emperor, more magnificently dressed than I had ever seen him.
He rose and extended his hand.
“Come.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With his help, I easily boarded.
Immediately, countless knights on horseback surrounded the carriage in formation.
It moved slowly, yet swiftly enough, out of the palace and through the capital.
Inside, the Emperor spoke.
“Did you enjoy the eve festival?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What did you enjoy?”
I thought a moment, then recounted my day—commissioning a portrait, visiting the rare street stalls.
Of course, I left out the part about the assassins.
No need to ruin the mood. Cecile and the knights will surely report it later anyway.
“So yes, I had fun. The young ladies took good care of me.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
He smiled faintly and nodded. I studied him a moment, then asked carefully,
“Did Your Majesty also enjoy the festival? You weren’t cooped up in the palace again, were you?”
“I did go out into the streets.”
“Alone?”
…
The Emperor gazed silently out the window. His way of saying he wouldn’t answer.
…So he went with Mother, then…
Before I left, Illia had told me the Empress had slipped into a robe and snuck into the streets.
“I’m glad.”
“…Hmph.”
He must have realized I’d guessed. Avoiding my gaze, he stared out the window again.
After circling the city, we finally arrived at the grand stage for the founding ceremony.
The beacon tower stood empty, awaiting its flame. Other members of the imperial family were already present.
As I walked forward, my gaze fixed on a figure near the beacon.
Sensing it, he turned, and our eyes met.
“Emin.”
“Sister.”
He had grown so much since I last saw him, now taller than me.
“You’ve gotten so tall—you’ve surpassed me.”
“I passed you long ago.”
He chuckled mischievously, and I lightly smacked his shoulder.
“Anyway, congratulations, Sister. On gaining a new role.”
“Thank you.”
With that, Emin returned to his place. Then my eyes locked with the Empress.
She smiled sweetly, as if warmly greeting me.
“First Princess, I’ve been waiting. I’m relieved you arrived safely.”
“…Of course. I am who I am.”
“As expected, you never disappoint.”
Her eyes curved slyly. Just hours ago, she had nearly ruined everything by sending assassins—yet she smiled like this.
How revolting.
I tore my gaze away, my bruised wrist throbbing faintly.
Soon the Emperor stepped forward to address the people.
Citizens gazed up at him, radiant—after all, they could see their ruler’s face only once a year.
“Are you all enjoying the eve festival? It has been over 500 years since the founding of the Estie Empire.”
Every ear hung on his voice.
“Under the goddess’s blessing, may all people know peace.”
He turned toward me, extending his hand.
I inhaled sharply, nerves prickling, but stepped forward.
Resting his hand on my shoulder, he declared,
“The First Princess, Lirien Sha Kaliberg, will now pay respects to the goddess on your behalf. Watch closely as she lights the beacon.”
“Waaaaah!”
Cheers exploded instantly from all sides. I stood, face stiff, staring out at them.
“Lirien.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Do not be nervous.”
“…Yes.”
I nodded. He gently brushed my hair before retreating.
A high priest ascended the stage, handing me a torch.
I accepted it slowly, raising my voice in prayer.
“I, the goddess’s humble servant, offer these words. Please, if you are listening, guard us again this year.”
Kneeling, I lifted the torch high to the heavens, a gesture of reverence.
As I rose and stepped toward the beacon, I prayed for the empire’s prosperity, the people’s safety, and gave thanks.
Holding the torch close—
Whoosh—!
Flames erupted, lighting the beacon.
For the first time, not the Emperor but another royal had ignited it.
The dazzling sight drew every gaze to me. Smiling, I addressed them.
“To all who awaited this day—I, Lirien Sha Kaliberg, pray for your safety.”
“May Your Highness also be safe!”
“You are beautiful, First Princess!”
“Please watch over us!”
I bowed deeply in response.
With the festival officially begun, the citizens, having witnessed the grand event, returned to their celebrations.
For three more days the streets would remain crowded in honor of the founding.
Relieved, I slipped behind the stage, exhaling a long breath. Emin joined me, smiling softly.
“Tired, Sister?”
“No. Just the nerves leaving me.”
“So you do get nervous.”
“I’m only human.”
He chuckled warmly and nodded. I lifted my gaze, taking in his face.
Though I’d heard about him through Alea’s members, it had been so long since we met in person.
Overcome, I reached out and stroked his cheek.
The soft, chubby roundness from childhood was gone—his features now sharp.
No longer the little boy I needed to protect, Emin had surpassed me in both physique and skill.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you more. Luckily, even in the frontier where I lived, portraits of you were distributed.”
He pulled out a small framed picture.
“I wanted a bigger one, but apparently the capital folk bought them all.”
“You should have told me. I could have sent you one.”
“I wanted to get it myself.”
He chuckled low.
“I really missed you, Sister.”
“Me too.”
“That’s why—I plan to return now.”
“…What?”
I turned sharply. He grinned.
“I’ve been given the chance to come back.”
“…And the Empress would let you return so easily?”
I frowned, tilting my head.
Wasn’t sending him away to the distant frontier her way of keeping him from me?
A heavy unease pressed on my chest.
“What chance? Can you tell me?”
“…I can’t.”
“Why not? You’re hiding something from me… Is it dangerous?”
Pale, I covered his hand with mine.
Whenever I made this expression, he’d always give in. Surely this time, too—
But he turned his gaze away.
“…Emin?”
I called, but he only gave a strained smile, rising to his feet.
“I should look around the capital. It’s changed so much. You rest—I’ll bring us some food.”
“No, I—”
“I’ll be right back.”
He slipped away quickly, like fleeing, and was soon lost among the crowd.
An unpleasant chill crept over my skin. The sense that if I didn’t uncover this now, I might lose someone precious again.
“…Sir Cecile.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Begin investigating Emin immediately.”
My voice was cold as I stared into the sea of people.
“My dear little brother is hiding something from me.”
