The season had changed before I knew it.

The month of autumn leaves, with cool breezes tapping on the windows morning and evening.

The leaves, tinged with different colors from yesterday, seep into my room with a different scent from yesterday.

I stared blankly at the sunlight rising beyond the curtains.

If there was one thing that hadn’t changed in this ever-changing daily life, it was still the difficulty of opening my eyes in the morning.

“Are you awake now?”

…Ah. There was one more thing that hadn’t changed.

It was Joseph’s voice waking me up every morning without fail since the engagement ceremony.

“I’ve prepared a light milk tea for breakfast.”

Unlike me, he was not plagued by morning drowsiness and appeared neat every morning.

But no matter how I think about it, it’s amazing.

“…Joseph, you did sleep, right?”

“Hm?”

As if it was an unexpected question, Joseph tilted his head.

“We clearly fell asleep together late at night, but you’re already up, so I’m asking.”

“Ahaha, I do tend to need less sleep.”

Even in my half-awake state, Joseph’s voice sounded pleasant.

I got up groggily and drank the milk tea Joseph handed me.

The warm and sweet liquid entering my body finally brings my senses back to normal.

“This is a morning kiss.”

And a soft warmth gently falls on my lips.

Without realizing it, I clung to his shoulders, causing the blanket to slip off my body, revealing my flushed naked form.

But now I don’t need to feel shame like before. Because…

“…As much as I’d like to stay like this, you should get up soon.”

“I know, because today is an important day.”

Leaving a short bird kiss out of regret, I distanced myself from Joseph.

He was right. Today is a very important day. The day I had been waiting for so long.

I washed up earlier than usual and spent longer than usual getting ready.

A splendid purple dress I had prepared especially for today enveloped my body, and sparkling jewels concealed my exposed skin, draping like a cloak.

“…You are truly beautiful, Lieselotte. Like a goddess of the night.”

“That’s troublesome, Joseph. You look as mysterious as the Fairy King to my eyes, so shouldn’t I appear as the Fairy Queen?”

“Then I’ll just have to be the male god.”

“What about the Fairy King?”

“I can do both jobs.”

At his absurd response, I chuckled and accepted his escort.

“Then to the Imperial Palace. Allow me to escort you, my goddess, more beautiful than anyone.”

Exchanging silly jokes, we took a carriage to the Imperial Palace.

October at the Imperial Palace.

The ballroom adorned lavishly with dazzling lights pouring down.

Yes. Today was the opening day of the social season.

“There she is, my lady.”

“Ah!”

Spotting the person I was looking for, I hurriedly covered my mouth with a fan, lest I make a foolish expression without realizing it.

No, this wasn’t enough. I couldn’t show my cheekbones twitching indecently.

Hiding my expression, I gazed at the person walking through the crowd that parted like the Red Sea.

The long black cloak draped over his shoulders seemed to draw a line through the center of the banquet hall.

“My goodness, I had no idea he was so handsome!”

“He’s only just turned eighteen. How can he be so dashing…!”

“No wonder all the young ladies have been collectively lovesick lately.”

“I heard he graduated top of his class from the Academy as well?”

“What? That’s impossible. It was already strange that he entered at fifteen, but to graduate top of his class? Did the Duke’s family bribe them?”

“Watch your words! Don’t you know the Academy is directly under the Tower of Honor?”

“Come to think of it, I heard the Tower of Honor begged him to join them.”

“Yet he turned them all down and accepted an official position. To think, he’s the Lord High Treasurer at such a young age!”

Even in this solemn moment, I could clearly hear the ladies chirping from afar. It wasn’t proper etiquette, but well.

‘I’m in a good mood, so I’ll let it slide.’

At last, the man approached the Emperor and lowered himself.

The young Emperor Silein Ganesia Callant, who ascended to the throne last year, lowered his sword onto both of the man’s shoulders in turn.

“…By the decree of the Emperor of Callant, I hereby appoint Kardiel Diark Daiern as Duke for eternity.”

The sound of congratulatory trumpets filled the banquet hall. People raised their glasses in excitement for the inauguration of the new Duke.

Well, if anything, the most excited seemed to be the gazes of the countless young ladies following Kardiel.

“Mother, were you here?”

“Kardiel, come here.”

Having finally finished that long ceremony and changed out of his cumbersome cloak, Kardiel came looking for me.

Fortunately, this was a place where young ladies couldn’t enter. It was the special lounge reserved only for the Emperor’s honored guests.

“Congratulations on becoming Duke. Now you’re truly the Duke of Daiern.”

I don’t know how long I’ve waited for this day. The day Kardiel would inherit the title!

I couldn’t hide my proud smile as I looked at my accomplished eldest son.

At eighteen, Kardiel had grown up so well that even I felt pleased looking at him.

He had grown tall, about as tall as Joseph, his long platinum hair grown elegantly with good texture, and his clear blue eyes hidden behind sharp eyes knew how to curve gently towards me.

But now there were slight wrinkles between his brows. His face was full of discontent.

“I still think it’s unfair. It was entirely Mother’s achievement that drove out the underworld forces from the empire, yet I’m the one receiving the Duke’s title.”

Ah, so that was the issue.

I covered my mouth with my fan and smiled. No matter how grown up he was, to me, he was still just my young son.

“Isn’t it natural for children to inherit what belongs to their parents? So of course, my achievements become yours as well.”

“But…”

“Then just think of it as my gift and accept it, Kardiel. Everything that’s mine is as good as yours.”

“…”

Only then did Kardiel close his mouth. Though his expression still clearly showed his reluctance.

Yes, as Kardiel said.

During the two years Kardiel was at the Academy, I started the war against the underworld.

At first, I decided to overhaul the slums to root out the underworld forces entrenched in Daiern.

Since it was the poor with nothing to lose who began committing crimes, I decided to give them something to lose.

‘Of course, in the process, those who committed crimes too great to be rehabilitated were dealt with using the power of the law.’

For example, underworld executives like Dorothea.

It wasn’t an easy task. I endured countless assassination attempts. Not only that, but even the children became targets for retaliation.

Thanks to Joseph’s prior preparations, they were safe, but…

‘The problem was that Joseph became truly angry because of this.’

He decided to use this opportunity to annihilate all groups using the name of the underworld throughout the empire. No matter how much I tried to stop him, it was useless.

In the end, he revealed his identity as the ruler of Alperon and officially requested cooperation with Daiern from the Emperor. In other words…

‘I ended up leading the slum reform.’

Well, that’s how it turned out.

After two years passed, most of the poverty issues that had troubled the former Emperor throughout his reign were resolved.

Thanks to this, Daiern was elevated to a Grand Duchy.

It goes without saying that the problems of poverty and criminal organizations didn’t end there.

To maintain the current situation, continuous effort will be needed…

‘That’s also worrying.’

It’s not someone else’s problem, which makes it more troublesome.

As I was sighing, I saw the sources of the problem entering through the lounge door.

No, let me correct that. One of them was running.

“Mom!”

Sitting on the sofa, I had no time to dodge as a powerful force struck my waist.

Already overflowing with energy from recent hunting trips, I could barely suppress an “oof” sound.

“Mom, you’re pretty today too! I matched with you in a purple dress just like yours!”

“Crown Princess. Please maintain your dignity.”

“Oh right, Brother Kar. Congratulations on becoming Duke.”

“…When I called you Crown Princess, it meant you should call me Duke as well, Euphemina.”

“Why bother? The official events are all over, and now it’s time for private gatherings, right?”

Kids, that’s all well and good.

But could you help me up first?