The New Year festival had dawned. Everything proceeded as planned.

The central banquet hall opened for the first time in five years, and all the old candelabras and tables had been replaced.

The Imperial Palace was bustling.

“Envoys have also taken their seats in the central banquet hall.”

“How is the atmosphere inside the hall?”

“Quiet. The last monster incident has been sufficiently buried.”

The maids discussed as they dressed Charlotte in her banquet attire.

The one who had put the past chaos to rest was the royal family. Standing upright, Charlotte spoke.

“Having invited envoys from other countries, we cannot be swayed by minor disturbances.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is everything prepared?”

“It is complete. I will escort you to the banquet hall now.”

Her red hair was unusually vibrant. Eyes fell on her upright back. Her long hair was tied up, revealing a pale nape. The maids bowed their heads.

“Where has the kitten gone?”

“Well, probably alone again. Still shy around people… avoids crowded places.”

The child seemed to dislike being around people.

When Charlotte was alone, the child would quietly approach and hover; when people gathered, the child would disappear on its own.

‘Is it alone somewhere again?’

Charlotte pushed the thought aside.

Her red banquet dress resembled her. Originally, this deep red symbolized the empress. It was a color as vivid and magnificent as a blood-stained sunset.

Charlotte slowly walked down the corridor. Her pace slowed as she neared the banquet hall. Eventually, she stopped, and Benjamin descending from the Imperial Palace’s office asked,

“Why are you standing like that?”

“No, I was just lost in thought.”

Benjamin cleared his throat. Wearing the imperial banquet attire, he gave off a stiffer atmosphere than usual. With gloved hands, he fiddled with the collar, feeling uncomfortable. The attendants also swallowed hard.

“Let’s go to the banquet hall.”

The Emperor and Empress headed toward the hall. A servant at the entrance announced the Emperor’s arrival and hastily opened the door.

The heavy doors to the banquet hall opened. The dim vision gradually brightened, and the imperial couple stepped in.

Conversations among foreign envoys ceased.

“May healing light touch the empire.”

The nobles bowed their heads in unison.

“His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Her Majesty the Empress.”

The previously paused music resumed.

The imperial couple signaled the beginning of the banquet. The palace orchestra continued the lively music, and the atmosphere in the banquet hall warmed.

Increasingly distant.

Everything sinks deeply.

Central nobles and envoys melded into the hall, their laughter becoming dense.

“It’s the first New Year festival in five years since Your Majesty’s ascension…”

“From the teacups to the plates, I can feel the delicate touch. The meticulous attention to the banquet hall is apparent.”

Various noises overlapped.

Charlotte sank into her thoughts.

Deeper and deeper.

As if struggling for breath underwater, her breath felt increasingly stifling.

Charlotte peeled off layers of emotion and wore a placid expression. Somehow, her ears felt muffled.

Just as she was slowly soaking into this haziness,

“Charlotte.”

Only then did Charlotte take a breath.

Benjamin stopped the conversation he was having with someone next to him. He gestured ‘Are you okay?’ with his eyes, while his aides filled the space beside him.

“Ah, did you call?”

“Your mind seems to have wandered. The conversation with the aides might get lengthy, will you be alright alone?”

“Overprotective even in such an occasion?”

Charlotte rubbed her nape with her hand.

“Go on.”

“Then I’ll go.”

Benjamin led his aides away.

Uncle Aster and Grandfather Leandro were in conversations with their groups; the central nobles and envoys were conversing amongst themselves.

‘Is this enough?’

She had done her part.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

“…Did you call?”

A servant hesitantly spoke.

“You’ve been drifting off quite often lately.”

“Perhaps because crowded places make me tired.”

“My apologies. Even though we invited envoys…”
Charlotte raised her hand to stop the servant’s next words.

“Bring me a glass of whiskey.”

“Are you sure?”

“I need something to loosen my throat.”

Amber liquid filled the glass. She drank it down, and her tensed muscles gradually relaxed.

Her ears, which had been dull from tinnitus, also became clear.

Charlotte set her glass on the table. She tapped it lightly with her fingertips as footsteps approached.

“The empire thrives more each visit. The citizens I saw on my way from the Imperial City were all quite relaxed.”

It was the Tatan of Taran country. An exotic delegation followed him.

“Little Taran, huh.”

“An audience with the Empress, I see. Hmm, the creature is not with you?”

Charlotte quickly understood his implication.

“The creature prefers solitude; it’s not here. It doesn’t like being around people.”

“Naturally. They are haughty and rough creatures. Moreover, young ones are especially influenced by their masters, often adopting their owners’ traits.”