Even though it was late at night, the Grand Lady’s garden was packed with people.

“Hello, Erilot. Ah—may I call you by your name?”

“I was sorry to lose sight of you in the middle of the Arena. But you were magnificent. Do you have sworn sisters?”

“That’s unfair. I had my eye on you, too, sister.”

The Viscounts and Viscountesses crowded around me and my eyes spun.

‘I’m already so tired I can’t think straight.’

Sebastia, who had come with me to the Grand Lady’s residence, gently pushed them back. “Now, now. Erilot must see the Grand Lady. And this one is my sworn sister—no coveting her.”

“Oh, what’s a rule about only one sister? Wouldn’t it be better if we were all happily many?”

“I’m sorry. I have a strong desire for exclusivity. Please step aside.”

The Viscounts and Viscountesses sulked and moved back. I sighed and said to Sebastia, “Thank you, sister.”

“For my precious sworn sister, it was nothing.”

As I made my way through them, an elderly gentleman approached and bowed. He seemed to be the butler of this estate. “Her Highness is in the stables. Please, allow me to guide you.”

I followed him toward the stables, the Viscounts and Sebastia trailing behind. “Why are you following us?”

“And you?”

“I’m Erilot’s sworn sister, the one who purified the Mongma. I must confirm the condition of the Celestial Steed.”

“We wished to see the moment Her Highness receives her gift. She looked forward to it.”

I slumped, pale, but the butler only chuckled cheerfully.

‘The Grand Lady’s residence is such a bustling place.’

I wanted to speak quietly!

The building we entered was dazzlingly magnificent—the Grand Lady’s stable, famed for her love of horses.

Until we arrived, the Grand Lady gazed intently at the Celestial Steed.

‘Should I greet her... or just wait and not disturb?’

As I pondered, I heard the Grand Lady’s voice:

“...I saw a Celestial Steed in my childhood.”

The Viscounts and Viscountesses’ eyes went wide.

“A Celestial Steed? You saw one?”

“I’ve never heard such a tale before.”

They murmured, but the Grand Lady continued in a flat voice:

“When I told my father, he chuckled, ‘You must have dreamed it.’ My mother, her face solemn with fear, warned me never to speak such nonsense again.”

The Celestial Steed is called a Divine Beast. In myths, it appears to a gifted youth, hinting that they are destined to become Emperor.

‘It must have been a prophecy that the Grand Lady would be Emperor.’

Hence her father ignored it and her mother was enraged. The Viscounts and Viscountesses, realizing this, fell silent.

“No one listened to me. They dismissed me as someone who saw illusions.”

“...”

“My young heart was bitter and angry, but as I grew I understood that their scorn and anger were lessons.”

“...”

“They meant: do not strive for what cannot be. A Princess cannot become Emperor; you dare not covet your brother’s place... Thus I learned to give up, never to challenge the impossible from the start.”

“...”

“Even as I set you the task of bringing me a Celestial Steed, I secretly looked down on you.”

The Viscounts hung their heads, shamefaced. I stood quietly before her, gazing at the Grand Lady.

She looked back at me slowly, a peculiar regret in her lined face.

“It was impossible—to get a Celestial Steed from the Eastern Empire’s prince. As always, I should merely enjoy the circus... or so I thought.”

“Yes.”

“But how could you do it?”

“...”

“Born most noble, in my arrogant youth I could not. Yet you did not give up.”

I smiled gently.

“I was foolish.”

At those words the Grand Lady and the Viscounts’ eyes went wide. Even Sebastia tugged my wrist, startled.

But I gently withdrew my hand and looked at the Grand Lady.

“Even if I fall and break my nose, if it means my own desire outweighs another’s teaching, that’s my stubborn nature.”

“You are...”

“Grand Lady, do you despise me for living so?”

She chuckled lowly.

“No.”

“Then?”

“You are quite splendid.”

I smiled broadly at her.

“Some call courage obstinacy; they call dreams illusions, passion folly, and those who move forward fools.”

“...”

“But always, at every time, those fools changed the world.”

The Viscounts looked at me with glistening eyes. As they stood motionless, the Grand Lady raised a hand.

Her aged hand gently stroked my cheek.

“It brings me joy that, even at my age, I still have to learn.”

“I am honored.”

“You are the greatest birthday gift of my life.”

She signaled to the butler, who brought a black box. She opened it to reveal a ruby necklace glowing with refined light.

“Grand Lady—this is...?”

She placed the necklace around my neck.

“It was the gift the Empress received from the Grand Master of Shadows. Will you become our Ruby?”

I grasped my dress and knelt.

“It is my honor.”

“Then honor your promise. You shall ascend the Dark-Free Altar. I swear on the name of Constantine Kalsoye.”

“...!”

I bowed my head.

‘At last.’

The Grand Lady had kept her word. Though some of the half-nobles whispered doubts, she silenced them. The imperial vote was unanimous. Thus began my life as the Altar’s Priestess.

Days later, in the palace.

“Please confirm the guest list!”

“Hey, I’m in a hurry! We must finalize the spells soon! Lady, please choose a merchant guild to supply the sacrificial wine—!”

“Wait! Can’t you see I’m mid-fittings?!”

It was practically war. Delays in selecting the wine supplier had backed everything up.

“I’ve confirmed the guest list! Marquis de Ravillar isn’t here!”

“Here’s the seating plan. Shall we proceed?”

“No—this seating is unacceptable. Count Cuervo and Marquis Madillo are mortal enemies!”

“His Majesty’s speech draft has arrived!”

“How many speakers are there? Let’s confirm timing before fixing the schedule! Wait—there’s only this many altar guards?”

“We’re short-staffed due to the epidemic...!”

“Request support from the Royal Guard!”

“We did, but the Central Guard post is vacant, so decisions are slow. Shall we summon the border guards?”

“Lady, please review these documents too—!”

“Lady, here’s the list of foreign dignitaries attending! But there’s a problem—”

“Lady, guests from Alighioso cannot eat lamb for religious reasons, yet that’s on the banquet menu—”

‘Save me—!’

Without rank as Empress or Empress Dowager, I had no ladies-in-waiting to assist. I was alone in decision-making, utterly overwhelmed.

The Dowager cared for plague victims, so could not help. The Empress...?

“Lady! The Empress regrets she is unwell and cannot attend.”

“What?!!”

Not only no support, but her absence complicated matters further.

‘This person, really...!’

The Empress Dowager cannot attend, and now the Empress withdraws?

“Lady!”

“Lady—!”

“L-Lady!”

I held documents in both hands and shouted, “Wait! We’ll go in order!”

I had never been so busy. Even during the election I had time to go to the privy!

Then—

“Miss.”

A familiar voice startled me. I turned to see Conrad bowing with a smile.

“I’ve brought someone you’ll be glad to see.”

He stepped aside, revealing...

“Michelan—!”

“How have you been?”

Michelan looked at me with his usual gentle expression. I ran to him.

“How did you get here? When did you arrive?”

“I came to see you as soon as I reached the Capital.”

“How did you enter the palace? I don’t recall granting you access...!”

“Prince Alexis sent word and secured permission.”

“Huh?”

Michelan and Conrad whispered in my ear, “His Highness ordered us to assist you at once.”

“And even obtained approval from the Palace Security and the Dowager Empress.”

‘Ah—.’

I cleared my throat. “Th-Thank you....”

He must be busy with his princely education, yet he thought of me.

I rubbed my cheek. Lately, my blood boiled at the mere thought of him.

Conrad asked innocently, “Are you tired?” But Michelan, as if perceptive, chuckled.

When I glared at him, he said softly, “Then allow us to help.”

At Michelan’s offer, Conrad nodded to the administrators. “I’ll handle the dignitaries.”

With those two on the job, the chaos receded. Conrad, the Duke’s closest aide, famed across House Astra for his competence. Michelan, whose name was proverbially synonymous with “efficient subordinate.” Together, they made work flow like water.

‘These splendid people...!’

I watched in rapture as they reduced the mountain of papers. Clinging to Michelan’s arm, I whispered, “I love this so much.”

“Haha, it’s my honor.”

“May I visit the VIP lounge? I want to freshen up.”

“Of course.”

Really, they were wonderful! Lighthearted, I skipped out of the room.

‘I must wash up quickly, then visit the Forbidden Library.’ Chronot Council records were strictly restricted, but the palace archives should hold copies.

With that in mind, I hurried down the corridor—

Suddenly—

Someone yanked my wrist, pulling me into a corner, back pressed against the wall, trapped in someone’s arms.

“What are you doing... Alexis?”

“Yes.”

Startled, I recognized who it was and my heart pounded.

“You... if you have something to say, say it... why!”

Embarrassed, I blustered, then ended with a shout.

“What’s with that tone?!”

“I don’t know!”

“Why are you angry?”

“I’m not angry. Just move aside. Imagine if someone saw us. We’re no longer betrothed—this isn’t a proper relationship.”

“Then what kind of relationship is this?”

“That’s....”

“You don’t know?”

“...”

“I know.”

I blinked at him; Alexis’s lips curved mischief.

He pressed his forehead to mine. “What, what, what are you doing—?!”

“It’s the kind of relationship we can have.”

“What kind of relationship is that—?!”

Damn, my voice was squeaking.

“I said I love you, and you love me.”

“You... what!”

“When you were trapped in the Mongma’s mist, you looked at me.”

“...!”

“That fool doesn’t scream like that when stabbed! His endurance is world-class!”

My face flamed.

“That’s... not what—! I—!”

Damn it, my voice cracked again. Alexis only grinned.

‘This is infuriating!’

“I’ll die—honestly....”

“So when shall we begin our relationship?”

I leapt and clamped my hands over his mouth. Alexis caught my hands and kissed my palm.

My face was moments from exploding.

“You... you... you—!”

“If I’m trapped in the mist, I’ll look for you.”

His eyes grew earnest. I swallowed hard.

“...I know.”

“Also know that I’ve never thought of anyone else, nor could I.”

“...”

“Please.”

Then—

Gaspp!

Someone inhaled sharply at our side. A group of people stared at us—Prince Salvatore and his knights. Among them, Kazin, Jowick, and Liam of the Western Army.

Behind them—

“So much for being busy. I see the rumors were nonsense.”

Dalia glared at me, icy. Her gaze was murderous. Since learning I was Yuse-eun, she clearly saw me as an enemy.

“You’re still so interested in gossip. You’d do better to focus on your own affairs.”

“What—?!”

“I’m just giving advice. You love advice, don’t you?”

“You...!”

“Why did you come to the palace? We’d better not run into each other.”

“I was invited by the Empress! She said to come see His Majesty together—did you think that’s a good thing?”

‘The Empress invited her? Ah.’

It made sense: if I sided ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) with Alexis, House Astra would benefit. So they tried pairing Darla—the Duke’s eldest daughter—with Salvatore.

Preventing House Astra from supporting Alexis. As Dalia trembled, Salvatore stepped between us, smiling.

“You’re still close as former fiancés.”

Then Alexis spoke.

“You’re very interested in others’ affairs too.”

“Well, it’s the matter of the Viscountess of Astra—...Brother.”

“You don’t need to worry.”

Alexis grasped my hand. “Let’s go.”

“Huh? B-But... Y-Your Highness....”

I didn’t know how to handle his assertiveness, so I hesitated as I followed him past Salvatore.

At that moment, Salvatore grabbed Alexis’s other wrist. Alexis’s expression turned fierce.

“Let go.”

“That’s inconvenient.”

“Tell me what’s truly inconvenient?”

Ignoring Alexis, Salvatore looked at me.

“Before my mother and father decide my marriage, I want you to come to me.”

...What?

Alexis, Salvatore, and even Dalia stared at him in shock.

‘Dalia, you knew why the Empress invited you today too, huh?’

I frowned, sighed, and spoke.

“I—”

At that moment, Salvatore knelt before me.

He kissed the back of his hand and looked up at me.

“I formally propose, Lady.”

“...!”

He rose and drew me into his arms.

‘This is insane...!’

As I struggled to push him off, Alexis punched Salvatore.

“Your Highness!”

Salvatore’s guards gasped, and the other knights seized Alexis.

Alexis shouted, “You know what it means for a Prince’s formal proposal!”

“If it cannot be mine, it means never to marry in my life.”

Salvatore swung back at Alexis.

I screamed, “What is this! Stop it! Don’t hit each other! Alexis, what are you doing!”

If he was going to hit me, better to get it over with. I shoved the knights aside.

“L-Lady, please—!”

Salvatore and Alexis fought rolling across the palace floor between us.

...It was a complete dogfight.