“A welcoming ceremony? Did his Majesty, the Emperor, allow it?”
“Well, for this situation one doesn’t need permission, even from his Majesty.”
The Empress shrugged in annoyance upon mentioning his Majesty before continuing.
“The achievements tallied by the crown prince are impressive, aren’t they?”
In response, a proud smile appeared over the Empress dowager’s wrinkled countenance.
Honestly, it’s a monumental and awe-inspiring feat.
I felt so proud.
In the eight years Damian spent in the north, the number of beasts has dropped to nearly one-fifth of their original numbers.
At least for a few years, we don’t need to worry about beasts invading, right?
“Objectively speaking, no one currently has as much support from the people as the crown prince.”
“Goodness gracious, is that so?”
“Of course it is. I wouldn’t lie to the Empress dowager.”
The Empress kindly reassured her Majesty.
“The whole empire is watching how the Emperor will receive the crown prince.”
“That means…”
“It means that the Emperor must unconditionally hold a ceremony to welcome back the prince.”
I glanced at the Empress’s visage.
Umm, somehow….it seems like the Empress is satiated.
As if to prove my conjecture, the Empress with a smug look, closed her eyes.
“If the hero of the empire is shown neglect, not only will the North but the entire empire will be in an uproar.”
At those words, the Empress dowager’s face brightened like a lamp that had been lit.
So did I.
Oh, my dear Damian.
You’ve grown so well!
Placing my hand on my beating chest, I inquired, thinking it prudent to ask.
“Then, who will be representing this triumphant return?”
“I heard the crown prince and Countess Antes will do so if I presume correctly.”
My heart sank in an instant.
“….if it’s Lady Antes.”
“I mean Sienna Antes. She’s coming as a representative for Antes’s lands.”
The Empress kindly clarified for us.
“In the past, she was a young Lady, but recently she was designated as heir to her family and received the title of Countess.”
“I-I see.”
Swallowing my saliva, I asked again conscientiously.
“By the way….why didn’t Margrave Antes come himself?”
“Well, there’s no better time or place than the welcoming ceremony to introduce ‘Sienna Antes’ to the empire, right?”
The Empress answered as if it was a no-brainer.
“To gain acquaintances at the heart of the empire’s political sphere and to quickly solidify her position as Countess. I would do the same in her shoes.”
I nodded slightly, quickly grabbing my tea, holding it ever so closely to cover my face.
….I get it.
As a representative for the welcoming ceremony, Damian and Sienna will be standing side by side.
Am I finally going to meet the heroine?
I put down my teacup, trying to get a hold of myself.
I need to support both of them, even if I think otherwise….