Although the carriages of the other nobles were all stopped at the castle gate, the carriage I was riding passed through the gate and headed towards the Imperial Palace as if it was only natural.

Seeing the Imperial crest engraved on the outside of the carriage, no one questioned it. I had no choice but to close the window, draw the curtains, and hide myself.

There was nothing good about rumors spreading about who was riding inside the imperial carriage.

As the carriage slowed down and stopped, I exhaled deeply and got out of the carriage. Before I could be overwhelmed by the splendor of the Imperial Palace, the approaching Imperial Knights led me.

“Are you Felix of House Astria?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Please follow me this way.”

It was burdensome how they showed such deep respect, even though I knew I was Ashillya’s guest.

Following behind the imperial knights, they guided me to a certain room.

“All preparations, including formal attire, will be taken care of here. Please enter.”

“…Thank you.”

The purpose of my invitation here was to escort Ashillya.

It was customary for her to appear alone at the Crown Princess coronation ceremony, so I was not needed. My appearance would be at the banquet held after the coronation.

Of course, escorting Ashillya at that banquet was an even more burdensome task.

Almost all the nobles of the Empire would be attending. Appearing in front of those nobles while escorting the Crown Princess… no, the future Empress, was no small burden.

Exhaling steadily, I entered the room, and numerous people looked at me in unison.
Realizing they were maids who would attend to me, I slowly walked towards them.

“Please have a seat here.”

“I understand.”

Feeling their touch as they chose my clothes and styled my hair, I quietly closed my eyes.

***

“Wow…!!”

Even before Ashillya appeared, the countless citizens gathered in the Empire’s square began to cheer.

Hearing the cheers of the citizens gathered to welcome the Empire’s next leader, Ashillya quietly closed her eyes.

[Citizens of the Empire. To welcome my successor…]

The Emperor’s voice, amplified by magic, resounded. Ashillya took a deep breath, opened her bright red eyes, and looked ahead.

She was not nervous.

Personally, to Ashillya, nervousness was something only for those who did not put in effort.

It was a story that absolutely did not apply to her, who had worked harder than anyone else in this Imperial Family.

She did not settle.

Being royalty was not enough for her, and she worked hard to make herself shine even more.

She was not careless.

Even though she should have naturally become the Empress after her older brother, the First Prince, lost his life, she was never careless.

She did not despair.

Even when many people, including the nobles, branded her as a vampire and tried to strip her of all power, she never wavered.

She worked hard for several years like that.

She worked hard, strived to achieve it, ran with her feet, and finally reached this position after overcoming countless frustrations.

Ashillya was not nervous. Although she felt a bit overwhelmed, she calmly controlled that emotion.

“You will have to go out soon.”

“I know.”

Ashillya calmly nodded at the Imperial Knight Commander’s words, exhaled briefly, and rose.

It was a moment she had longed for, but to Ashillya, it was just a passing moment. Her goal was not to be the Crown Princess but the Empress.

In the end, even this moment was just a stepping stone.

Trumpets sounded.

[Welcome. My successor, who will become the Empire’s new sun, Ashillya Philippe Hamen Urlas.]

Listening to the Emperor’s low and calm voice, she began to walk. Passing through the not-so-long corridor, she headed towards the platform prepared for her.

Receiving the brightly shining sunlight, Ashillya revealed herself in front of everyone’s eyes.
She calmly accepted the gaze of countless people and looked around at the crowd as she headed to where the Emperor stood.

“Greetings, citizens of the empire.”

The moment Ashillya opened her mouth, everyone closed theirs.

Without the thunderous cheers or the pouring applause, the citizens became quiet as Ashillya calmly continued.

“I am Ashillya Philippe Hamen Urlas.”

It was when the princess, who had worked harder than anyone else, finally stood at the starting line of her life as the Empress.

***

“…You have worked hard. Your Majesty the Empress.”

“There is no need for that, Felix. It wasn’t that hard.”

Although I couldn’t see the coronation ceremony, I could clearly hear the voices of Ashillya and the Emperor.

I was rather nervous at her calm voice, speaking without trembling.

It meant I had to stand next to Ashillya, who did not tremble even in front of countless people.

Entering the reception room where I was waiting with her usual leisurely steps, Ashillya’s eyes widened, and she smiled upon seeing me.

It might seem like she was surprised at a glance, but it was clearly a playful expression to tease me.

“As expected, you look dashing when dressed up, don’t you?”

“…I am unworthy of such praise. Also, congratulations.”

“What? It was all thanks to the noble’s support that I could do this.”

Although Ashillya also knew that she persuaded the nobles and shed her negative image, she showed some modesty.

Exclaiming anew at her demeanor, incomparably different from Leonhardt’s, I slightly bowed my head to pay my respects.

I was now showing the courtesy I couldn’t show at the coronation ceremony.

Ashillya, who walked towards me with a faint smile, received my courtesy as a subject and reclined on the chair.

“I know you think it’s flattery, but you look handsome. Indeed, such formal attire suits you well.”

“Compared to Your Majesty the Empress’s radiant beauty, it is nothing but a drop in the ocean.”

“Did you like the clothes I personally chose?”

“…Somehow, I felt they were tailor-made for me.”

Clothes that Ashillya personally prepared?

Hiding my surprise, I smoothed out the clothes again.

The formal attire, a wine color matching my bright red hair and black eyes, with black lines as accents, exuded luxury.

I never dreamed that Ashillya would have personally chosen this.

“Hehe, you didn’t like it at first, did you?”

“How could that be possible?”

Strongly denying Ashillya’s playful words, I carefully sat on the chair she offered.

Although she looked fine on the outside, Ashillya, who seemed a bit tired, looked at me with a smile.

“Now that I’ve ascended, your family will also receive considerable rewards. Is there anything you desire?”

“I apologize, but I think it would be proper to discuss such matters with the head of the family.”

Although I could treat Ashillya a bit more comfortably within the academy, I couldn’t do so here unless I was crazy.

Ashillya also found that fact amusing and kept talking to me.

“Hmm, I see.”

“……”

Tap, tap.

Ashillya, who was touching her lips with her slender white fingers, showed a slightly seductive yet playful smile and said,

“If you want the position by my side, I might grant it, you know?”

“…You are going too far with the jokes.”

“Hehe, your rejection is as sharp as a knife.”

Because I knew Ashillya was not serious, I could firmly refuse.

Actually, even if she were serious, I would refuse. She smiled as if she was disappointed and rose from her seat.

“I will also go and prepare, so please make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration.”

She wouldn’t wear the clothes from the coronation ceremony to the banquet.

I exhaled lightly as I watched Ashillya’s back walking into the room attached to the reception room.

Being confined in the room for several hours, I felt a bit stuffy. I had no desire to enter the banquet hall quickly, but now that the situation had turned out this way, I only wanted to join the banquet hall as soon as possible.

It seemed I wasn’t the type to be confined in one place after all. Leaning comfortably against the back of the chair, I reflexively tried to touch my face but caught my hand and lowered it.

It was because it felt quite awkward to touch the makeup and hair styling that I don’t usually do.

‘Ah, time, please pass quickly…’

As I was writhing in boredom thinking that…

“…Her Majesty Empress Ashillya Philippe Hamen Urlas and Felix von Astria, the second son of House Astria, are entering!!”

The moment I entered the banquet hall, I saw the eyes of numerous people fixed on me…

I should’ve prayed the time passed slowly.