Officially, the Emperor has three children.
First Prince, Kain Barba.
Second Princess, Serena Barba.
Third Princess, Yulia Barba.
The relationship between the First Prince and the Princesses is known to be fairly smooth.
There’s a considerable age gap, and the Crown Prince is known for his calm, forgiving nature. In a way, it was only natural.
However, when it came to the Second and Third Princesses...
Anyone even remotely interested in the royal family was aware of the dynamic between Serena and Yulia.
-“Oh, you mean Her Highness the Second Princess and Her Highness the Third Princess? Yeah, they don’t get along at all.”
Though they both maintained a polished public image, the facade crumbled after an incident where they stepped on each other’s feet at an official event. Now, they don’t even bother to hide it.
The gossipers have a nickname for them:
- “The Rival Amethyst and Platinum.”
“Oh, aren’t you lucky? Count Ascal Erindale is at the very peak of influence in the Empire right now. He’s practically a golden rope to hang onto. So, when did you set your sights on him, my opportunistic little sister?”
Serena tilted her head, giving a cold smile.
Interpretation: You went after Ascal for his political value, didn’t you?
Hidden meaning: Unlike you, I love Ascal with an artistic connection, so my love is purer.
“That sounds like something you’d think. I, however, have been by Ascal’s side since he held no power. Yes, even back when he was just a simple rope instead of a golden one. He was rather adorable back then.”
Yulia responded with a polite smile.
Interpretation: Jealous? We’ve been together since we had nothing. Ever heard of platonic love?
Hidden meaning: Yes, I raised Ascal. I know all his sides, even the ones you’ve never seen. Ever watched him sleep? He’s cute.
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A vein bulged on Serena’s temple.
It was a losing battle from the beginning.
Because Yulia was already dating Ascal.
No matter what Serena said, that fact would not change.
“I wonder if he knows about your nasty personality. You’re clingy, paranoid... I bet he won’t last a week with you.”
Yulia chuckled.
“Are you talking about yourself?”
“Ugh...”
Yes, it was true.
The women of the Barba family didn’t have the best personalities.
In the end, all their insults were like spitting in the wind.
Current record of the sisters’ battles:
127 matches, 64 wins, 63 losses.
Serena held a slight edge.
But this battle was on a whole different level.
If their previous clashes were the regular season, this was the World Cup.
If she lost here...
Serena would forever bear the title “The Sister Who Lost Her Love to Her Younger Sister,” haunting her every night, soaking her pillow with tears.
“Ascal loves holding my hand. He says he likes the cool touch, and with his warm, dependable hands, he always holds mine tightly.”
Yulia went in for another strike.
Serena’s HP dropped significantly.
Each blow landed with a heavy, unyielding force.
Still, Serena couldn’t back down.
At this point, the throne didn’t matter. But her first love? No way.
He was the first person to understand her art, to understand her.
She would not let go.
Never.
Since when did they start dating?
Why did it happen so soon?
‘Did I not notice?’
‘Even though I was here... my darling...’
“Hi
Watching Serena start to cry, Yulia looked a little taken aback.
Serena, who had always worn the mask of the mature older sister, had never shown such vulnerability in front of her.
<!-- in_post_2 -->
It was the first time Serena had shown weakness in Yulia’s presence.
“Why... I... I expressed my love so clearly... so why won’t he accept it? We’re the same blood. Why is it okay for you and not for me?”
Yulia considered her options.
1. Finish this once and for all.
2. Show a bit of compassion.
In the past, she would’ve undoubtedly chosen the first option. But after her experiences in the North, Yulia had changed a little.
“Serena, I just happened to be a bit faster this time. Someone good will come for you too.”
.
.
.
“Even if you just stay still, divine power will be copied, you know?”
-“Recently... another... presence... sensed... eyeing... our position.”
The Empire had a long history.
Ancient mythical beings and legends had been buried throughout its lands. Among them, some were once worshipped by the people of the Empire, but most were forgotten with time. Only a few remnants remained. ʀa�
“The official religion of the Empire is now the Church of the Star!”
After the current emperor declared this, these beings were forced into a kind of slumber, leaving behind only a few words of farewell.
“The emperor, that bastard.”
“That brat—did he get paid off by the Church of the Star?”
“My body... my body... is fading away... aaaaaah!”
But even for them, an opportunity came.
They had thought they would be forgotten forever and fade away, but the Church of the Star collapsed. Furthermore, as the Sacred Tree grew, it began to distribute free divine power everywhere, like a sample corner at a market.
As a result, even minor deities of a lower rank began to awaken.
And naturally, they were drawn to areas with concentrated divine power—straight to the Department of Evaluation, where the Sacred Tree resided.
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- “In my heyday, I’d get ten sacrifices at a time, you know?”
Windwall was already his domain.
And had been, for a very long time.
-‘I feel like enjoying a brief moment of amusement.’
Dragon’s gaze.
Yellow eyes gleamed eerily.
Kane thought of it.
It was a common tale.
When one encounters an overwhelming being, one freezes, just like a mouse in front of a cat.
Each time he’d heard such stories, Kane would inwardly scoff.
‘Isn’t it enough to just move your mouth?’
It was difficult.
“Uh, ugh... Greetings... great one...”
Just moving his mouth a bit drained all his energy. His head reacted instinctively. This wasn’t looking good for survival.
’I enjoy stories and riddles greatly.’
Kane bit his lip hard.
The taste of blood brought him back to his senses.
“That’s fortunate. I’m best at riddles and tales.”
How long could he last?
.
.
.
On the day of the Winter Festival.
Everyone headed to the festival grounds with their own resolve.
“What do you mean, Seri? You’re quitting acting?”
“Thank you for everything until now, sir.”
“The theater will fall apart without you! Wait, Seri!”
Her heart was as heavy as a mountain, and her feet felt hard to move.
But Selena had made up her mind.
The lone earring on her ear swayed in the wind.
“I-I don’t know. Somehow, things will work out, right? Everything will go smoothly.”
.
.
.
Sushia braced her shoulders confidently.
“Ah, it’s cold!”
But as soon as the cold wind blew, she shrank back.
“The wind is chilly, young lady.”
The butler covered her with a coat. Thanking him, Sushia looked up at the sky. It was clear, yet somehow...
“Today feels like something’s going to happen...”
The highlight of this Winter Festival was that Saintess Eileen would be giving the congratulatory speech.
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To celebrate the birth of Hero Ascal—and the Golden Pegasus.
.
.
.
Eileen nervously looked down at her speech, worn thin from being read dozens of times.
“I mustn’t make a mistake. No mistakes.”
Huff.
Eileen took a deep breath.
In such moments, it was always Ascal who came to mind.
What if you make a mistake? So what?
“...You’re right. Not everything has to be perfect.”
Eileen regained her composure.
Incidentally, Ascal had never actually said that.
****
-Release me.
“I refuse.”
-It’s all a misunderstanding. You must believe me.
“Silence.”
Ascal Erindale, the Empire’s hidden dragon and Count, Minister of the Department of Evaluation and soon-to-be an official Hero.
The main attraction of this year’s Winter Festival was currently...
“I’ll release you when the time is right.”
...imprisoned in a necklace.
Yulia ran her fingers over the obsidian necklace, stroking it as if it were something dearly beloved.
Wait. Maybe being in this necklace isn’t so bad after all.
No work to do.
Food was brought right on time.
Could this possibly be... heaven?
Ascal thought.
.
.
.
A dragon soared through the sky.
– – – The End of The Chapter – – –
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