Adolveit Kingdom, Capital Tehalan.

This city was not known for having a pleasant atmosphere.

Though it was developed as a tourist spot, it was often gloomy and cool due to the weather.

However, when they returned after finishing everything at the Levian Coast, Tehalan had changed a lot.

"...... It's beautiful."

For the first time, Hong Bi-Yeon thought Tehalan was beautiful. A city that had always felt like shackles to her now seemed stunning simply because the clouds had cleared and warm sunlight was shining down.

Or... Perhaps it was because she was being treated differently than before.

"It's the procession of the princess's carriage!"

"Make way!"

"Princess!! Please look this way!"

"Just one photo. Please!"

Rumors that the third princess of Adolveit had arrived in the capital had spread, and the streets were already full of citizens.

The sound of camera shutters overlapped to make a strange melody, and the cheers were something she had gotten used to. She had heard them so much in other cities on her way.

Every major street leading to the Frost Cliff Palace was lined with citizens cheering for Hong Bi-Yeon.

Since the Levian Coast was not far from Tehalan City, the impact of the disaster had reached this place as well.

Despite it being midsummer, the temperature had suddenly dropped to below freezing, and the entire sky was tinged with red clouds sparking with red lightning.

Having experienced such dreadful phenomena firsthand, the citizens could truly appreciate what Hong Bi-Yeon had accomplished.

The carriage she was riding made a grand tour around the Tehalan Capital before slowly entering the Frost Cliff Palace.

At the main gate of the Frost Cliff Palace, about 500 members of the military band and honor guard were lined up, which was a treatment completely different from before.

Previously, there had been no such welcome; they wouldn't have even known if Hong Bi-Yeon had entered the palace.

Of course, no matter how great her accomplishments were, the honor guard wouldn't be arranged unless the queen ordered it.

Thus, this treatment carried a very special meaning for Hong Bi-Yeon.

It meant that Queen Hong Se-ryu had acknowledged her.

"The Third Princess is entering!!"

The roar was amplified by mana and echoed through the heavens and the earth.

With the resounding trumpet blast, the military band's music began, making her heart flutter.

Hong Bi-Yeon tried to maintain a calm and bored expression as she quietly looked out the window.

She reminded herself that, in the future, such events would become routine for her and she must not get excited.

"Her Majesty is waiting for you."

Upon arriving at the palace, the queen's personal guard greeted her.

"I know."

With a slight nod, Hong Bi-Yeon instructed them to lead the way, and the guards bowed their heads before guiding her to the queen's audience chamber.

"You've arrived."

In the audience chamber, Hong Se-ryu appeared utterly exhausted as she greeted her. Her dark circles could be barely hidden by makeup, and the piles of documents showed just how much she had been through.

Considering the magnitude of her mistakes, perhaps it was fortunate that this was all she had to endure.

"Sit down."

Normally, Hong Se-ryu wouldn't have even glanced away from her documents, but she put aside the mountain of paperwork to clasp her hands and make eye contact with Hong Bi-Yeon.

"Coffee?"

"You know I don't like coffee."

"..... I didn't realize. My apologies."

For a long time after, Hong Se-ryu said nothing, and Hong Bi-Yeon simply waited. Since she refused the coffee, the silence felt even more awkward.

In the end, it was Hong Se-ryu who broke first. With a sigh, she spoke.

"Regarding recent events, I sincerely thank you."

Those words made Hong Bi-Yeon’s heart sink for a moment.

She had never imagined it. Not even in her dreams.

Who would have thought that Queen Hong Se-ryu herself would bow her head?

Who could have imagined hearing an apology from the queen so easily?

"I was wrong. And you corrected it."

"You were the first to control the Hwaryeong Flower in a thousand years and melted the eternal winter curse of the Levian Coast. And...."

Hong Se-ryu spoke firmly.

"I must acknowledge that I have acted unfairly. For those actions, I sincerely apologize. Can you accept my apology?"

One might say it was audacious for someone who had done wrong to act so confidently, but a queen must.

No matter how wrong she was, it would be undignified for the Queen of Adolveit to bow her head to someone.

In that sense, Hong Se-ryu was the perfect model of the queen that Hong Bi-Yeon aspired to be.

"Yes. I will accept it."

Thus, Hong Bi-Yeon also held her head high and calmly accepted Hong Se-ryu's apology.

"Alright... Thank you."

The queen handed a book and a bundle of documents to Hong Bi-Yeon.

"Until now, you haven't received proper royal education due to my personal feelings. You will now receive it without any discrimination. From education to food, sleeping arrangements, and even down to the spoon. You will compete on equal terms with the first princess."

Finally, this wretched discrimination was ending. As Hong Bi-Yeon was about to accept the documents, Hong Se-ryu added something.

"Before you accept this, there's something I want to say."

Hong Bi-Yeon straightened her posture again.

There was no point in rushing to receive something that was already about to be hers.

"Yes. Please go ahead."

"I owe you an immense debt. That's why I'm doing this belated and embarrassing gesture."

However, Hong Se-ryu continued.

"But... I still hate you. This feeling... has been etched in my heart since the moment my daughter died and it seems I can no longer erase it."

Hong Bi-Yeon met the queen's gaze indifferently. Even though she was still saying she disliked her, it didn't evoke any particular feelings anymore.

Whether she accepted or rejected her, it no longer mattered to Hong Bi-Yeon.

"But I don't want to let my emotions control me to the point of making irrational decisions. So, I will tell you a secret I've kept from you."

"A secret?"

Hong Se-ryu seemed like she was saying something insignificant and spoke dryly.

"The direct descendant of Adolveit will die before reaching the age of 30."

… Oh.

"And for children like you, who are born with the talent of flame... surviving past twenty will be a struggle."

It felt like a hammer had struck her chest, sending a powerful vibration throughout her body. However, Hong Bi-Yeon didn't even let her fingertips tremble.

Because she couldn't believe it?

No.

Although she hadn't known until now... She had vaguely suspected it.

"The only way to overcome the curse is one: Become the queen and receive the crown.”

That was why every Adolveit in history had fought fiercely. To become the king, to survive.

Hong Se-ryu murmured bitterly as she caressed her crown.

"In cases like your mother, who inherited the bloodline's power faintly, one can slightly extend their lifespan by giving up all flame and magic, but that is a painful and dishonorable life."

Is there truly a reason for a mage to live after giving up magic?

It remained unknown.

Nevertheless, Hong Bi-Yeon’s mother chose to live even if it meant that.

Even though she could no longer become the queen, why did she choose to do so?

'... Could it be?'

Her heart sank. Her mother, who had always been harsh to her; who had never shown her a warm gaze for even a moment; the one who had constantly subjected her to harsh education and punishment, Mother Hong Yi-el.

She must have known about the dreadful curse smudged in the Adolveit bloodline.

That’s why… As soon as she realized she couldn't become the queen, she felt sorry for her child.

Having antagonized the current king, she knew there would be no place for her and her child in Adolveit, and no proper education.

So she gave up all her royal duties and magic and chose to become a professor at Stella.

"Ugh..."

Hong Bi-Yeon grabbed her hair and closed her mouth.

Seeing her like this, Hong Se-ryu said something she never thought she would hear.

"That's why, personally, I don't want you to become the queen."

"... Are you saying that again?"

"No. Unlike before, I'm not foolishly making a flawed judgment out of personal feelings."

Hong Se-ryu's eyes were clearer than ever.

"You... might be able to overcome the curse without the crown. If you succeeded in controlling the Hwaryeong Flower, it might not be impossible to erase the curse imprinted by the Fire Incarnation into your bloodline."

Since this was the first time hearing such a fact, Hong Bi-Yeon remained still, unable to react.

Seeing this, Hong Se-ryu shook her head and sighed.

"But all of this seems pointless. You want to become the queen, and the second princess doesn't seem to have any interest in becoming the queen..."

"What? Wait. What do you mean by that?"

The second princess, Hong Si-hwa, had no intention of becoming queen?

That couldn’t be.

She had interfered with her attempts to throne countless times.

She even tried to kill Hong Bi-Yeon.

"... That's enough."

But Hong Se-ryu shook her head as if didn’t want to speak unnecessary words and stood up from her seat.

"Take these documents and return. Though the vacation is almost over, I will ensure you receive proper education."

"Understood..."

The conversation ended there, and with countless unanswered questions, Hong Bi-Yeon had no choice but to leave the audience chamber.

"Princess, will you return to Cheongnyeong Palace immediately?"

...

The personal guards spoke to her. Since Yuri hadn't returned yet, she was with them, but it still felt awkward.

"No. Let's go to the inner castle for a moment. There's someone I need to see."

Thinking there was nothing immediate to do if she returned to Cheongnyeong Palace, Hong Bi-Yeon thought of Baek Yu-Seol, who was likely staying in the inner castle.

When she passed the royal library and reached the private quarters assigned to the attendants, he had already finished packing with the intention to leave.

"... What’s this?"

He didn't have much luggage, so the dormitory was clean. There was just one large suitcase, yet the atmosphere felt incredibly chilly.

Baek Yu-Seol smiled awkwardly.

"Ah! I meant to tell you earlier, but you seemed so busy... I've finished my tasks, so I have to go. There are things I need to take care of during the rest of the summer vacation."

"I see."

What Baek Yu-Seol meant by ‘things to take care of’ were certainly not simple matters that an ordinary teenager could handle.

Even though there had been an enormous event right before. The kind of event he wouldn't want to experience again. However, as soon as he woke up, he had to head somewhere to solve something.

‘Don't go.’

Those words came to the tip of her tongue but she couldn't utter them.

She still had too many shortcomings to follow and handle Baek Yu-Seol’s endeavors.

'... Hold back.'

Wait a little longer.

The day she becomes queen.

When that day comes, she would accompany Baek Yu-Seol for everything.

However.

Hong Bi-Yeon, who didn't want to endlessly wait until then, cautiously spoke to Baek Yu-Seol.

"... Later. After you graduate, where do you plan to go?"

"Huh? I don't know... I haven't really thought about it."

"Then… come back to the Frost Cliff Palace."

After much deliberation in her own way, Hong Bi-Yeon said that with immense courage.

"When that time comes, I will hire you not as a temporary attendant but as a formal knight. You will become the personal guard of the queen."

"Queen Hong Se-ryu's?"

"No! Queen Hong Bi-Yeon’s!"

...... Silence.

Realizing what she had said, Hong Bi-Yeon felt incredibly embarrassed and ashamed, so much so that even the confident Hong Bi-Yeon couldn't move her lips.

"Haha."

Baek Yu-Seol broke the awkward silence with a hearty laugh. Then he slung his backpack over his shoulder and said.

"A knight of the queen. It's more than I deserve, but it would certainly be an honorable position."

"That’s...."

She tried to say something, but Baek Yu-Seol finished first.

"But it's not the right time yet. There are so many things I need to resolve while I'm alive, and I'm not sure if I can handle all of them. So, when all those worries and concerns are resolved...."

As he passed by Hong Bi-Yeon, he whispered softly with a slight smile,

"Ask me again then. As the queen."

With that, Baek Yu-Seol disappeared, and Hong Bi-Yeon stood there for a long time as if rooted to the spot.

The sunset shining on the girl's face made it an exceptionally beautiful evening.