Chapter 22

Second Scene: Even if Life Deceives Thee

“…Thus, the now 18-year-old Anastasia the First was crowned after her coming of age ceremony in the year 117, June 10th of the imperial calendar. The date when the first Empress of Brezina was born. In order to celebrate and commemorate this historical date, they held a grand festival in honor of the pivotal women in history for 15 days, and today became… “

“Correct! Today became the debutante, where aristocratic children of age were put up for marriage!”

Raising her hand, Kathia answered cheerfully. Madam Murphy placed the history book down and sighed.

Like the Empress, the princess who was about to enter adulthood was raised to be beautiful and bright. However, she also had a strange side to her.

“Incorrect. You should’ve said that the festival turned into the debutante, to ‘wish them tremendous success’ for the aristocratic children of age.”

“Eh, anyone could see that MY answer was the right one.”

“It seems I must lengthen the time spent on the subject of eloquent speech in society.”

“I’m sorry, I’ll correct myself. You’re right, Teacher.”

Officially, a lady in waiting and unofficially her history, etiquette, dancing, and vocal teacher, Madam Murphy was greeted with a bow from Kathia.

Kathia refused to do tremendous amounts of homework or assignments if she were to get on her bad side.

“In any case… We’ll end here for now.”

Madam Murphy said as if letting it go this time. No matter what, she was generous to Kathia.

That was the moment Kathia shouted “Yay!” and rushed to organize her books.

“Someone became an emperor on their 18th birthday,” someone quietly mumbled as the history books were closed.

She was jokingly muttering under her breath as to not be overheard without much meaning.

But Madam Murphy approached Kathia with a hardened expression.

From either experience or instincts, she almost looked as if she had found something inside Kathia.

“Your Imperial Highness.”

“Huh?”

“Greed is like pouring water into a broken jar. If you possess one, you would desire a second. If you obtain both, you would desire a third. That is the natural order… It is never a sin.”

At the mention of ‘sin,’ her voice slightly faltered. After momentarily catching her breath, she continued.

“But, Your Highness, greed is also like sand in your hand. The more you open up your hand, the more things you lose. Do you understand the meaning?”

“Uh-huh…”

“Do you truly understand?”

Madam Murphy’s expression was quite stern. Compared to her, Kathia shook her head as if reacting to an unexpected lecture.

“Geez, I know, I know. Greed is taboo!”

Then she darted out of the study before she could get caught by Madam Murphy.

The empty hallway seemed desolate and slightly chilly. It was the same for the garden out of the windows, with no lawn nor flowers.

Kathia, who was standing upright in the hallway, shifted her lips slightly again.

“I at least know that much.”

A small, pitiful, detached palace. Yes, Kathia’s territory was only this.

Whether the Imperial Crown Prince was crowned, or whether the imperial palace inside and out got to suffer through celebratory parties on a daily basis, she had no right to pay attention to any of it.

Even if her coming-of-age was approaching…

Having to be reborn and living to the age of 18 again, she was too special to be merely called a child, but lacking little to be called an adult, the girl strained herself to laugh off this entire situation.

* * *

But mishaps always came at the most unexpected times.

Just like in her previous life, when she slipped on the snowy road and was run over by a bus.

“Our princess is already coming of age. How time flies.”

Already experiencing shortness of breath after talking this little, his Imperial Majesty raised his teacup. As his hand trembled incessantly, he drank half of the tea, spilling the other half in a sloppy manner.

The Lord Chamberlain patted around his Majesty’s mouth as if used to the motion. Seated beside his Majesty to resemble his prized possessions, Hannah and Kathia simply smiled as if they saw nothing.

His Imperial Majesty who had been rapidly aging in the past few years, visited the detached palace frequently, as if tomorrow was not assured.

He had quickly fallen ill and his condition declined, often forgetting the names of those surrounding him; it wasn’t long befo