This was Benjamin’s first visit to the imperial palace since he ascended to the throne. Charlotte closed the book and nodded weakly.

“We’ll leave around lunch, so get ready and come down.”

Charlotte put on a dress and stepped out. With a thick shawl over a lavender dress, she felt heavy.

“Is this good enough?”

“Yes. Despite the shawl being thick, Becky said to wear it warmly.”

“You’ve got a capable maid. Let’s leave now. We’ll be late otherwise.”

Leandro patted Charlotte’s head and climbed into the carriage.

The road to the imperial palace was quiet. Upon arrival, the sentry knight checked only the carriage and immediately opened the city gate.

Further verification was unnecessary. The House of Windsor, with its family crest alone, had the authority to pass through the imperial palace gates.

“This is my second time at the imperial palace.”

“It has been a mess in the country……”

Soon someone knocked on the carriage door.

“We have stopped the carriage since you must walk from the imperial palace.”

A somewhat troubled voice was heard outside. Leandro stepped down from the carriage and looked down at the guard, replying.

“I know that, so don’t watch me.”

“We will keep the carriage.”

“The emperor?”

“He is in his office. I’ll call a servant to escort you.”

“That’s unnecessary. I’ve always come here. Charlotte, get down. We have to walk from here.”

As Charlotte poked her head out, the guard quickly gulped.

Her red hair flowed, and her gesture was filled with dignity.

“You’re staring too hard.”

Leandro grumbled as if he were uncomfortable, and the guard quickly bowed his head.

“I apologize, Your Highness!”

Charlotte accepted the escort and walked inside. The imperial palace’s reception hall led to the lobby.

On the inside of the hallway, fine ceramics were displayed, and the empire’s flags were hung here and there. Even the servants looked carefully.

“The emperor has been on the throne for a long time now. Powergained position might be ruled by fear, but it’s unstable. Marriage will stabilize the imperial palace, and succession is an essential duty to the imperial family.”

Leandro said, taking in the imperial palace. Charlotte had been the young emperor’s fiancée, and their engagement had been long enough that the wedding ceremony should have been held long ago.

“Some may put too much responsibility on you, and some may have too high expectations of you. However, know this.”

Leandro looked down at Charlotte and said,

“Wherever you are, we are behind you.”

“…….”

“Wherever you go, we are walking there too.”

The imperial palace is vast and spacious, but equally lonely.

“If you want to run away, run away. If you come out running, we will hide you.”
Leandro looked at her with low, settled eyes.

“If you want to move forward, don’t look back. We will push your back.”

“……That’s a difficult thing to say.”

“I am going to push your back now. Don’t be scared.”

Leandro leaned back and lifted his head.

“Look ahead.”

The steward came up, sweating profusely. He had heard the news of Leandro’s visit late and had rushed over.

“Your, your Highness, have you arrived? I would have come out to meet you if you had called me. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not like I’m coming for the first or second time, why are you so cautious?”

Charlotte gave a slight nod to show courtesy. Leandro leaned back and asked.

“What about the Emperor?”

“He is in his office. Shall I take you?”

“I entrust this child to you.”

“Ah, you are walking with your grandson?”

“I am going to see the Minister of the Interior, so guide this child to the Emperor.”

Charlotte realized it then.

“Are you going alone?”

“It’s not alone since I’m sending the steward. I plan to leave the palace as soon as I meet the Minister of the Interior. You come back slowly when you’re done talking to the Emperor.”

Leandro smiled faintly. His gaze lingered on Charlotte for a moment. Their eyes met, and the grandfather stroked her head with his wrinkled hand.

“Don’t be too late. Your greatuncle is particularly worried.”

(This is the time separator.)

“The Emperor is in his office.”

The steward spoke sparingly. He was naturally cautious, but the atmosphere in the palace was also heavy.

From the Ministers of the Interior and Exterior to major royal figures, everyone was dying. The central elders of the palace and all the key posts had died, and the vacancies had been filled anew.

Even if the palace was quiet now, hundreds of lives had been lost within its walls. The palace was now like a building that had all its walls torn down, leaving only the skeleton.

“Your Majesty, the young Prince Windsor has come.”

When the steward knocked on the office door, a voice was heard from inside.

“Come in.”

The office door opened, and a faint cigar smell wafted out. Benjamin rubbed the cigar on the ashtray and put it out.