The guards standing at the door politely bowed their heads. Dad’s calm and composed voice followed.

“Open the door.”

Despite different individuals handling their respective sides, the massive door opened uniformly without a hint of error.

Radiant light, music, and fragrance poured forth from within the door.

Along with countless gazes.

“His Excellency, Duke Chelsiers and his family, please enter!”

Mom and Dad walked in without any concern.

Eciel and I followed behind.

People near the entrance began to bow politely like waves.

It was because the emperor’s cousin and the Astariol of Judgment stood there.

Among those who bowed, men placed their left arms behind their backs respectfully, while women elegantly extended their right arms.

The devout among them added a gesture of prayer with a drawn-out cross-sign.

Even the music momentarily halted.

“We seek your blessings.”

The voices of the worshippers spread subtly from the door like a hymn, gradually fading at the end.

Words that could only be heard in the Temple resounded with sanctity as they overflowed from the center of elevated glory.

Mom and Dad’s strides crossed through countless greetings without hesitation.

Their steps were as swift and firm as arrows hitting a target, swift as a darting kingfisher, piercing through the surface like lightning.

They were fast and decisive.

And finally, upon reaching our destination, the Emperor seated on the throne gave a calm nod.

His gaze was indifferent and stern.

Not light, not friendly, nor intrigued—simply dry, akin to stone and sky.

Dad and Mom stopped precisely thirty paces from the throne.

Dad took five more steps forward alone, then slowly kneeled and bowed, showing the obeisance of a subject.

We who remained behind quietly curled the hem of our skirts, bowing slightly.

“We greet the most honorable. Representing the East, Duke Chelsiers’s family requests the honor to address Your Majesty on behalf of my family.”

“Speak.”

With impeccable and precise pronunciation, in a dry tone, the conversation proceeded.

Mom walked smoothly to Dad’s side, gracefully bending her head, waist, and knees.

The overwhelming weight of the attire she wore seemed unfelt.

“I humbly present myself in Your Majesty’s mercy. Charlotte Yerlim, requests blessings and honor.”

“May blessings and honor accompany my dear cousin. Charlotte Yerlim, return as a part of our honor.”

As soon as the emperor’s dry words concluded, a resounding boom erupted from behind the throne’s grand lineage.

In the dim gap, amidst a refined and elegant script, mother’s name came alive.

Charlotte Yerlim.

Each letter of her name gradually appeared, etched into the blank white expanse alone.

Unsuppressed sighs flowed from every direction.

‘So that’s… the record.’

An authority designated only for those chosen as successors, underwent the coronation, and became the true owner of the throne.

The <record> was unfolding before my eyes.

The only authority in the world that came from a lineage other than Astariol.

Much remained shrouded in mystery to the outside world, even unknown to the emperor himself.

This scene, unfolding now, epitomized one of the most representative and symbolic instances in recorded history.

Stripping or reinstating imperial family members by the decree of the reigning emperor.

Mom’s eyes silently gazed at the name.

The intervening names fell away, leaving only her name and lineage as <Charlotte Yerlim>.

‘She seems more relieved.’

As I thought that, the last letter’s inscription came to an end.

Then, without error, Mom’s voice followed.

“I now return the honor granted to me by your mercy.”

Everyone already knew what to say and hear, hence the rapid pace.

The order continued without hesitation.

The attendants waiting nearby approached Mom holding soft  cushions.

Five round crimson silk  cushions adorned with golden tassels were arranged.

Mother personally placed the tiara on the  cushion. Her long, voluminous hair cascaded like a painting.

She pulled out her necklace. Her slender, white neck laid bare.

She removed her pair of earrings, revealing faint red marks on her pristine ears.

Taking off her bracelet, her delicate wrist seemed almost fragile.

Lastly, reaching the final  cushion, mother decisively removed the brooch from her chest.

A two-headed phoenix composed of tiny pearls, semiprecious stones, gold, and silver. The smallest but most noble among the jewels she had displayed.

“I return my rights to Your Majesty permanently.”

Since the establishment of the Fermata oath by the founding emperor, the imperial insignia had always been the immortal phoenix with two heads.

As permanent as a bird that never died, a hint of continuing imperial rule.

This insignia truly represented the essence and symbol of nobility, the exclusive possession of the direct imperial lineage.

Only the  cushion holding this brooch was immediately presented to the Emperor.

Having personally picked up the insignia, the Emperor briefly observed it.

“All in glory.”

All assembled echoed in unison.

“All in glory!”

A thunderous echo.

After the vibrations subsided, mother replied quietly.

“All in glory.”

Her succession rights were now forever relinquished. Mom smiled contentedly and bowed her head.

And now… it was Eciel’s and my turn.

The Emperor’s indifferent gaze rolled over and landed on me.

“We greet the most honorable. I am Claire, daughter of Duke Chelsiers, Head of the East.”

“Eciel, his second daughter.”

“We request your blessings and honor.”

The Emperor smiled for the first time. Father’s back stiffened.

However, any reminiscence of their past encounters was cut short by that brief smile.

“May blessings and honor be with you both.”

Responding once again with an indifferent expression, the Emperor promptly rose from his throne.

“My dear cousin has returned to honor, and the Astariol of Judgment has firmly declared the new successor. Celebrations have been prepared to congratulate this occasion; may glory be with you all.”

As soon as he finished the brief opening address, he left the banquet hall without any regrets.

‘… what was that?’

If it was to assert the emperor’s authority, the opening address would have been more elaborate.

If it was to emphasize this as a celebration honoring Duke Chelsier’s family, he would have highlighted his friendship with the Duke.

‘Why so sudden?’

It felt almost… rather… evasive of his status and demeanor, though that might be a rather undignified term.

Eciel and I rose somewhat bewildered.

Similarly, those with slightly puzzled expressions around us hurriedly bowed their heads once more.

However, instead of contemplating the questions that arose immediately, Mom and Dad approached us first.

“It’s time to go home. I’ll have the carriage be brought.”

Dad whispered gently.

Children usually didn’t attend such late gatherings. Eciel and I, who were not even ten years old, normally wouldn’t have set foot here.

Our attendance was not personally invited; rather, it was necessary for our status to be clarified upon Mom’s reinstatement.

In such cases, children usually stayed in a designated area within the palace while their parents concluded their business.

‘… but Dad no longer believes in His Majesty.’

Witnessing collapse firsthand but being powerless to do anything.

Was this acceptable? Was it okay for them to drift so far apart? … wasn’t this much of a distance?

Oddly, Dad and the Emperor were businesslike and dry, leaving me puzzled.

“Claire, Eciel. See you later.”

Despite my confusion, Mom left  a gentle farewell, needing to change her clothes.

Dad’s large hand delicately led us by the hands, guiding us to the door.

‘It reminds me of the Gate Administration Bureau.’

Nearly everyone inside the banquet hall directed their attention this way. Curiosity was so overt that it might have felt transparent.

Efforts to conceal were overcome by rising greed, a reverence that went beyond devoutness, bordering on fanaticism.

Even to my young eyes, it was strikingly clear.

Nevertheless, Dad neatly disregarded all gazes, just as he had done in the Gate Administration Bureau.

‘Impressive.’

More astonishing was that, unlike in the Gate Administration Bureau, no one dared to speak here…

“Duke Chelsiers …”

It remained the same even when there were those courageous to approach.

The attitude of passing by indifferently, as if no one was there.

The people were not surprised, as if they were used to it.

‘… how does someone like this have friends?’

Of course, times had changed…

He was my dad, but I couldn’t help thinking that he had some personality issues. How could the Emperor be his best friend?

Despite my pure doubt, Dad softly inquired, noticing my focused stare.

“Why, Claire?”

“… no reason. Just…”

The sight seemed to leave at least half of the people in this hall stunned. Perhaps because he swore to Fermata.

The murmurs intruded into my ears.

“To her daughter…?”

“This is my first time seeing…”

“Why would someone so treasured… only now…?”

Even someone approaching for conversation was ignored. If it were his normal pace, he would have left the banquet hall long before.

Dad’s steps were now slower, accommodating Eciel’s and my pace.

… but just because it was slower did not mean it was weak.