The palace fell into silence.

The information officer was holding a white bone urn in his arms. He was an information officer with a red feather. The red strap on his shoulder meant that he was a courier to the imperial palace, and no one should block his way.

The chief servant choked back tears and entreated.

“Your Majesty… Please command.”

Benjamin spoke in a low, subdued voice.

“Put down the bone urn.”

A place was prepared in the imperial palace’s open ground. The bone urn was placed on a white marble table. The hastily prepared place was desolate.

The information officer put down the bone urn. Personal belongings were placed with it. The white bone urn showed that the old man had strained against his station.

‘To Her Majesty, the former Empress.’

Charlotte looked down at it intently.

‘Finally, you have come.’

It might have been a long wandering. Perhaps she did not want to return to the imperial palace.

“The priest is…”

Benjamin recited in a soft tone.

“Has the chief priest heard?”

“The priest has obeyed, Your Majesty.”

The chief priest hurriedly ran up. When the priest touched the bone urn, a blue energy fluttered around.

The temple was a sanctuary ruled by the god of healing,

And the chief priest could read the energy of people that lingered on objects with his divine power.

“Ah…”

The chief priest withdrew his hand. He paid respects to the deceased a few steps back.

“I pay my respects to Her Majesty, the former Empress.”

What this meant was one thing.

“Even when summoned by the royal family, I doubted my ears. Your Majesty, this remains are indeed those of Her Majesty, the former Empress.”

After paying respects, the chief priest retreated. Benjamin touched the bone urn.

“Is it the remains of the ancestor?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It’s been twenty years.”

“Yes. A long time has passed.”

All the servants hung their heads. The knights knelt and paid respects. The information officers also paid respects to the deceased.

Charlotte watched from behind. Hundreds of knights were on their knees, and the servants bowed their heads.

“Who has been keeping the remains?”

“This old man, Your Majesty.”

A pitiful old man was kneeling on the marble floor.

He looked emaciated. Benjamin, looking down at the bone urn, felt it.

He has struggled in poverty.

Despite the cold weather, he was wearing clothes suitable for spring or summer.

“…Take care of the old man so he can rest.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Later. We will talk later.”

The chief servant took the old man away.

“Bring the remains inside.”

The bone urn was enshrined in the eternal palace’s eternal room. There was an administration building to manage the facility. An altar was also prepared there.

The chief servant asked cautiously.

“Your Majesty, shall I prepare a place?”

“…What did you say to me?”

“I asked if I should prepare a place.”

Benjamin looked down at the bone urn silently. He just stared blankly.

“Everyone, leave the place.”

All the servants left. The eternal room’s door closed, and the curtains were drawn over the altar.

It looked like a white curtain. It hid the inside of the altar, and candles were lit along the path.

Benjamin walked along the path. As he stepped forward, the candle flames flickered slightly.

“Your Majesty.”

Charlotte called him from behind. The hem of her long dress dragged on the floor.

It was an elegant dress without fancy lace or jewels.

The luxurious fabric was layered to give the dress an oldfashioned volume.

“Shall I leave you alone?”

Charlotte asked from behind, and Benjamin shook his head.

“It’s okay, stay as you are.”

“Is Your Majesty feeling confused?”

“Certainly. Was my heart troubled for this reason for several days?”

Charlotte answered with a small smile.

“The former Empress would be sad to hear that.”

But she knew his heart.

“It’s been a long time, so it’s hard to believe. I understand.”

“It was. It was a long time… ”

“The imperial palace is not a place where you can believe just because you want to. Your Majesty sat on the throne and reviewed the facts that needed to be reviewed first.”

The place now had to be that way.

“Is this comfort?”

“Yes, perhaps.”

“Quite dull.”

Benjamin trailed off as he looked at the altar again.

“It’s been a long journey, so you must be tired. Her Majesty must also rest, so I’ll leave you alone for a while.”
Benjamin left the Mortuary Palace. The door to the Mortuary Palace closed. Charlotte watched him leave.

“I know how I feel.”

A dual emotion that is hard to let go and grieve even when looking at his corpse.

A feeling of not being happy nor sad.

Benjamin was rational. Perhaps he was terribly cold.

‘Empress Dowager.’

Charlotte murmured to herself.

‘Please, do not be resentful. It has been a long time. It is not his fault that he cannot fully believe the truth.’

(This is a time delimiter.)

“The old man has been taken to the reality hall. He is not noble, so he’s clumsy with the formalities.”

Benjamin bit his lip, saying it’s okay.