However, it was different when it came to the Pope.

Under the protection of God, ruling over all the temples of every country, he naturally had the right to vote.

“Adding one more vote, making a total of nineteen votes.”

“Just a moment, nineteen votes? What is this talk about? Didn’t the chairperson say to add one more in the previous result, making a total of eighteen votes?”

Immediately, Marquis Noblio, famous for his influence among the nobles, protested. Other nobles from his faction also began to express their opinions, nodding their heads in agreement.

Amidst the sudden commotion, the conference room repeatedly pounded the gavel.

“We received one more vote through a note.”

“Huh, a note? Ridiculous. If we’re accepting the opinions of those without the right to vote, why bother having a meeting!”

“This is from Pope Pantheon, His Holiness, the one who governs the world. Shouldn’t we also count the vote of the one who rules over all nations?”

In response to the chairperson’s counter-question, Marquis Noblio closed his mouth abruptly. Even if he belonged to a noble faction opposing the royal family, the temple was an entirely different territory.

“…Understood!”
He sat back in his seat with an uneasy expression. The Marquis’s face softened as he naturally glanced at the hourglass.

There was now truly little sand left in the hourglass.

It goes without saying that the remaining member of the Freihd Empire was a thorough aristocrat. If there were others, they would have shown up earlier; it was inevitable.

It seemed highly unlikely that there would be someone to cast the final vote. In the end, they gathered as much as they could, but it stopped at nineteen votes.

“It’s time for the final vote. Currently, in favor of the Freihd Empire, there are sixteen votes, two from the Sahir Empire, and one from the Pantheon Temple, making a total of nineteen votes. Are there any further opinions?”

As soon as the chairperson finished speaking, the hourglass began to show the bottom sharply.

“Well, then…”

And just as the last grain was about to fall, a hand decorating the empty ceiling swiftly rose.

“I approve.”

The owner of the hand opened their mouth to conclude.

Subsequently, everyone’s gaze concentrated. The identity of the one who cast the last approval vote was as shocking as the results.

“Sixteen from the Freihd Empire, two from the Sahir Empire, one from the Pantheon Temple, and one from the Valont Kingdom, making a total of twenty votes!”

With the final vote from the Valont Kingdom, the marriage between the Emperor and the government proceeded.

The carriage carrying the prospective Empress felt as if it had dedicated an entire mansion to her. It was so luxurious compared to the carriage that Cloe often rode during her childhood.

The landscapes beyond the window now felt unfamiliar, almost uncomfortable. Even though it hadn’t been such a long time since she last saw them. Perhaps they had been neatly erased from Cloe’s mind.

The faint sound of horses’ cries echoed, stimulating her hearing. Sand carried by the wheels and friction filled the space beyond the glass.

The slowing pace of the carriage was evidence of their arrival.

“We have arrived.”

Only after welcoming the fresh breeze did Cloe finally realize that she had arrived in her hometown.

“Was the journey comfortable?”

At the voice coming from nearby, Cloe raised her head.

“I will guide you quickly, Empress. I am Aidan Filen, who will assist you today.”

Although the imperial wedding was still pending, Cloe was already the Empress on a grand scale. Nevertheless, it seemed that the empire adhered to certain procedures, while the kingdom had already been busy treating her as the Empress.

“I appreciate your assistance.”

Without going through unnecessary formalities, Cloe also participated in the role-playing.

The knight who had come out to greet them escorted Cloe to the reception room.

After walking through a corridor that, despite the long time, did not feel welcoming, she finally arrived at the agreed-upon location.

“You may enter now.”
Cloe, standing upright in front of the door, looked ahead. What currently captured her gaze was the solid wall of the door.

She pushed the door handle and walked into the interior.

Shortly after, King Valont, who had been seated, hastily stood up. He approached Cloe and guided her to the designated seat.

“I greet the second sun of the empire. Thank you for coming all the way here, Empress.”

“I greet the sun of Valont.”

Cloe, who greeted him dryly, took her seat first. However, her attitude was not just cool but rather icy, especially considering that he was once her father.

Cloe glanced silently at the tea served, following the king. It was an exotic tea she used to enjoy during her childhood when she was the princess of Valont.

“I heard the story that the king agreed to our marriage.”

“Oh, did you hear about it?”

“That’s not all. I also heard a very fateful story that the king’s vote was the last one. So, shall we discuss that story for a moment?”

For a brief moment, Cloe hesitated to continue her words. What followed was not further conversation but a meaningless gesture of casually wrapping her fingers around the teacup.

Perhaps feeling the tension in the conversation gap, the king also lifted his tea. His old and trembling hands were shaking slightly. It was a shallow wave that only Cloe, who had always kept an eye on her father, could notice.
She eventually put down the cup without taking a sip.

“I bring a message from His Imperial Majesty.”

“Oh, yes. Please go ahead.”

“During the delegation of King Valont XIII, there will be no collaboration between the Empire and the Kingdom.”

“…What?”

“I’m not sure what Your Majesty the King expects, but it means there will be no exchange between the two nations for the time being.”