It was late summer.
The empire was busy with the Founding Day that’s coming up in the autumn.
Although one could think of it as a waste of months of preparation just for a week, the Founding Day was an important event for nobles and commoners of all ages.
The festival was held throughout the week of Founding Day.
Every noble came to the capital, and the imperial family held ceremonies in honor of the first emperor and the divinity.
Although there were still a few days left before the founding ceremony, the Imperial Palace made early preparations to accommodate many nobles.
Unlike the other palaces that were all busy, the Third Prince Palace was peaceful today. As if the Founding Day was someone else’s business.
Rosena hadn’t been out much since the hunt. With that, Rosena rarely bumped into Yerhan. Still, it was because she had been avoiding Yerhan consciously and unconsciously.
She couldn’t face him since the day they took a bath together.
Every time she saw him, she was reminded of that time, but she didn’t want to fully realize that she might like him.
While struggling alone, there had been a little bit of news for Rosena about the Founding Day.
Rosena was now idling around as if she had nothing to do with the Founding Day, but she was actually one of those who had to bear the burden.
Since she had never been to an official event since marriage, for the first time, she had to show her face to all the nobles and imperial people.
She was already tired just thinking about it. And another news came to Rosena. It was about Astania.
The news that Kayla, the youngest daughter of Marquis Helis, was coming to the Imperial Academy was much bigger than Rosena thought.
Rosena was not surprised because she knew it in advance from the letter, but those who first heard the news suspected that it was a false rumor.
It was the first time that the empire accepted an international student from Astania, and because she is the daughter of a marquis who has blood ties with the royal family.
Astania, called the Golden Land, was a legendary place to the empire.
Astania was known to have more gold than all of the empire’s gold mines combined, as well as abundant resources and unique cultural assets.
Since there had been no interaction with the outside world for a long time, only a little of their culture was known.
It was the only place that had yet to be pioneered for merchants, and sometimes it was an unknown world for the imperial people, who were all about seeing things from Astania.
The nobles were excited when news broke that Kayla was participating in the Founding Day.
Kayla is just a kid that hasn’t received a title, but she was the first official guest from Astania.
She was sent first from Astania, which had maintained a closed attitude, so it meant a lot to the empire.
Also, the possibility of continuing exchanges with Astania in the future opened up.
But, amidst the happiness, there was a problem.
It was about who would entertain the valuable guest from Astania.
Very few people speak Astanian in the empire. Most of them learned purely from books, so it was uncertain whether they would communicate properly.
Even though Rosena heard the news, she never came forward.
Rosena was the right person to entertain Kayla, but she wanted to avoid getting attention.
And if it was revealed that she had lived in Astania, it was obvious that she would be used for political purposes.
“Go back…”
Rosena sighed and looked out the window.
In the past, she was determined to return to Astania. But now….. Rosena shook her head with a shaky heart.
Astania was much better than here, where she was locked and monitored in the frame of the third princess.
In Astania, Rosena was treated as a human being and enjoyed the freedom she had never had.
So there would be no change in her decision to go back.
Looking out blankly, Rosena remembered what day it was today.
Something happened at this time of year.
“Oh, my God.”
Rosena sprang up from her seat. How could she have completely forgotten Illian’s birthday?
“Only three days left!”
When she was in Astania, she always prioritized Illian’s birthday, but she forgot because she was so distracted these days.
Rosena hurriedly left the room. It was his first birthday in the empire, so she wanted to do her best.
First of all, prepare the cake. What should she get as the present? Who she’s going to invite…
“…Rosena?”
The voice that came from behind made her complicated mind blank.
Rosena straightened her back and slowly turned her head.
As expected, Yerhan stood.
“….”
Yerhan called Rosena and was silent for a while.
These days, Rosena had been avoiding him openly, so he seemed hesitant.
Rosena looked at his face and slightly turned away.
It had been almost four days since she faced him properly. They had dinner together yesterday, but they sat far away and she pretended to be asleep when Yerhan came in.
Yerhan’s forehead narrowed slightly as Rosena turned her eyes away. But he returned to his usual self, standing in front of Rosena.
“I called you because you were walking too fast. What’s the matter?”
Rosena bowed her head in agony.
“Umm, I’ve completely forgotten Illian’s birthday.”
“Birthday?”
Yerhan asked, a little surprised, and then exhaled softly.
“I didn’t know it was already his birthday. It’s a lot earlier than I thought.”
Yerhan seemed to remember the first time he made love with Rosena.
Rosena’s face turned red in an instant.
Rosena muttered quietly, her face barely cooled.
“Anyway, I’d like to throw him a birthday party…”
“Good idea. I’ll do my best to help.”
Rosena raised her head and looked at Yerhan.
Come to think of it, this was Illian’s first birthday with his dad.
“Let’s get the cake ready first. And I think it’s better to redecorate the room.”
Yerhan did not ask what he should do, but offered suggestions.
“I’m going to talk to Federer about the cake now.”
“Then leave the decorating of the room to me.”
She only discussed it with him for a while, but they established a plan well.
“I’ll also prepare a present for him.”
“….Do you know what Illian likes?”
“Not long ago, I heard a bit of it from him.”
Rosena was a little disappointed, but it seemed the two became very close.
“Thank you, then, lastly…”
Rosena blurted out. When she was in Astania, she invited so many people that Illian’s birthday was crowded.
The people of the Marquis of Helis, friends from the village and neighbors also attended the birthday party. But now there was no one to invite.
Rosena didn’t really interact with the nobles, and she didn’t get along with the imperial family.
She even cut all ties with Macella and Rania, who were family members. IIllian also couldn’t get out of the Imperial Palace, so naturally he didn’t meet any peers.
His friends consisted of only toys and fairytale books. But she didn’t want him to feel lonely on his birthday.
When Rosena looked depressed, Yerhan asked carefully.
“Is there anything you’re worried about?”
“I don’t have anyone… to invite to his birthday party.”
At best, there are only employees at the Third Prince Palace and Ibella.
At this rate, she was going to invite animals to have a birthday party.
“Don’t worry about that. I have friends who want to meet Illian.”
“Really?”
Rosena asked, pleased.
Yerhan murmured, slightly avoiding Rosena’s gaze.
“Although they’re a little big…”
It was late summer.
The empire was busy with the Founding Day that’s coming up in the autumn.
Although one could think of it as a waste of months of preparation just for a week, the Founding Day was an important event for nobles and commoners of all ages.
The festival was held throughout the week of Founding Day.
Every noble came to the capital, and the imperial family held ceremonies in honor of the first emperor and the divinity.
Although there were still a few days left before the founding ceremony, the Imperial Palace made early preparations to accommodate many nobles.
Unlike the other palaces that were all busy, the Third Prince Palace was peaceful today. As if the Founding Day was someone else’s business.
Rosena hadn’t been out much since the hunt. With that, Rosena rarely bumped into Yerhan. Still, it was because she had been avoiding Yerhan consciously and unconsciously.
She couldn’t face him since the day they took a bath together.
Every time she saw him, she was reminded of that time, but she didn’t want to fully realize that she might like him.
While struggling alone, there had been a little bit of news for Rosena about the Founding Day.
Rosena was now idling around as if she had nothing to do with the Founding Day, but she was actually one of those who had to bear the burden.
Since she had never been to an official event since marriage, for the first time, she had to show her face to all the nobles and imperial people.
She was already tired just thinking about it. And another news came to Rosena. It was about Astania.
The news that Kayla, the youngest daughter of Marquis Helis, was coming to the Imperial Academy was much bigger than Rosena thought.
Rosena was not surprised because she knew it in advance from the letter, but those who first heard the news suspected that it was a false rumor.
It was the first time that the empire accepted an international student from Astania, and because she is the daughter of a marquis who has blood ties with the royal family.
Astania, called the Golden Land, was a legendary place to the empire.
Astania was known to have more gold than all of the empire’s gold mines combined, as well as abundant resources and unique cultural assets.
Since there had been no interaction with the outside world for a long time, only a little of their culture was known.
It was the only place that had yet to be pioneered for merchants, and sometimes it was an unknown world for the imperial people, who were all about seeing things from Astania.
The nobles were excited when news broke that Kayla was participating in the Founding Day.
Kayla is just a kid that hasn’t received a title, but she was the first official guest from Astania.
She was sent first from Astania, which had maintained a closed attitude, so it meant a lot to the empire.
Also, the possibility of continuing exchanges with Astania in the future opened up.
But, amidst the happiness, there was a problem.
It was about who would entertain the valuable guest from Astania.
Very few people speak Astanian in the empire. Most of them learned purely from books, so it was uncertain whether they would communicate properly.
Even though Rosena heard the news, she never came forward.
Rosena was the right person to entertain Kayla, but she wanted to avoid getting attention.
And if it was revealed that she had lived in Astania, it was obvious that she would be used for political purposes.
“Go back…”
Rosena sighed and looked out the window.
In the past, she was determined to return to Astania. But now….. Rosena shook her head with a shaky heart.
Astania was much better than here, where she was locked and monitored in the frame of the third princess.
In Astania, Rosena was treated as a human being and enjoyed the freedom she had never had.
So there would be no change in her decision to go back.
Looking out blankly, Rosena remembered what day it was today.
Something happened at this time of year.
“Oh, my God.”
Rosena sprang up from her seat. How could she have completely forgotten Illian’s birthday?
“Only three days left!”
When she was in Astania, she always prioritized Illian’s birthday, but she forgot because she was so distracted these days.
Rosena hurriedly left the room. It was his first birthday in the empire, so she wanted to do her best.
First of all, prepare the cake. What should she get as the present? Who she’s going to invite…
“…Rosena?”
The voice that came from behind made her complicated mind blank.
Rosena straightened her back and slowly turned her head.
As expected, Yerhan stood.
“….”
Yerhan called Rosena and was silent for a while.
These days, Rosena had been avoiding him openly, so he seemed hesitant.
Rosena looked at his face and slightly turned away.
It had been almost four days since she faced him properly. They had dinner together yesterday, but they sat far away and she pretended to be asleep when Yerhan came in.
Yerhan’s forehead narrowed slightly as Rosena turned her eyes away. But he returned to his usual self, standing in front of Rosena.
“I called you because you were walking too fast. What’s the matter?”
Rosena bowed her head in agony.
“Umm, I’ve completely forgotten Illian’s birthday.”
“Birthday?”
Yerhan asked, a little surprised, and then exhaled softly.
“I didn’t know it was already his birthday. It’s a lot earlier than I thought.”
Yerhan seemed to remember the first time he made love with Rosena.
Rosena’s face turned red in an instant.
Rosena muttered quietly, her face barely cooled.
“Anyway, I’d like to throw him a birthday party…”
“Good idea. I’ll do my best to help.”
Rosena raised her head and looked at Yerhan.
Come to think of it, this was Illian’s first birthday with his dad.
“Let’s get the cake ready first. And I think it’s better to redecorate the room.”
Yerhan did not ask what he should do, but offered suggestions.
“I’m going to talk to Federer about the cake now.”
“Then leave the decorating of the room to me.”
She only discussed it with him for a while, but they established a plan well.
“I’ll also prepare a present for him.”
“….Do you know what Illian likes?”
“Not long ago, I heard a bit of it from him.”
Rosena was a little disappointed, but it seemed the two became very close.
“Thank you, then, lastly…”
Rosena blurted out. When she was in Astania, she invited so many people that Illian’s birthday was crowded.
The people of the Marquis of Helis, friends from the village and neighbors also attended the birthday party. But now there was no one to invite.
Rosena didn’t really interact with the nobles, and she didn’t get along with the imperial family.
She even cut all ties with Macella and Rania, who were family members. IIllian also couldn’t get out of the Imperial Palace, so naturally he didn’t meet any peers.
His friends consisted of only toys and fairytale books. But she didn’t want him to feel lonely on his birthday.
When Rosena looked depressed, Yerhan asked carefully.
“Is there anything you’re worried about?”
“I don’t have anyone… to invite to his birthday party.”
At best, there are only employees at the Third Prince Palace and Ibella.
At this rate, she was going to invite animals to have a birthday party.
“Don’t worry about that. I have friends who want to meet Illian.”
“Really?”
Rosena asked, pleased.
Yerhan murmured, slightly avoiding Rosena’s gaze.
“Although they’re a little big…”
