The Empire's New Sun
Other nobles' carriages were all stopped at the castle gates, yet the carriage I rode in passed through without hindrance and headed straight for the Imperial Palace. Anyone who glimpsed the imperial crest engraved on its side raised no questions. I had no choice but to close the window and draw the curtains, hiding myself from view. The last thing I needed was rumors that someone had been riding inside an imperial carriage.
When the carriage finally slowed to a halt before the palace, I exhaled deeply and stepped out. Before I could be overwhelmed by the dazzling splendor of the Imperial Palace, a squad of imperial knights approached and escorted me forward.
"Are you Felice van Astria?"
"I am."
"This way, please."
Though I was Achillea's guest and therefore a distinguished visitor, their excessive deference only made me uneasy. Following the knights, I was led to a private chamber.
"Everything has been prepared here, including your formal attire. You may enter."
"……Thank you."
My sole purpose for being here was to serve as Achillea's escort. By tradition, she would appear alone at the enthronement ceremony itself, so my presence was unnecessary until the ball that followed. The thought of escorting her before nearly every noble in the empire was far more daunting than I cared to admit.
Drawing a steady breath, I stepped inside. A dozen pairs of eyes turned toward me at once. Recognizing the maids in attendance, I walked over and took the seat they offered.
"Please sit here."
"Understood."
As their hands adjusted my clothing and styled my hair, I quietly closed my eyes.
@
"Waaah……!!"
Even before Achillea appeared, the citizens gathered in the imperial square erupted into cheers. Listening to the roar that welcomed the empire's next ruler, Achillea closed her eyes in silence.
[Citizens of the empire. To welcome my successor……]
The Emperor's magically amplified voice echoed across the plaza. Achillea drew a deep breath, opened her crimson eyes, and looked ahead. She felt no nervousness. To her, nervousness was a luxury reserved for those who had not prepared. Having worked harder than anyone—harder than any other member of the imperial family—she had no use for such weakness.
She had never grown complacent. She had never let her guard down, not even after her eldest brother perished and the position of Crown Princess should have been hers by right. She had never despaired, not when nobles branded her a vampire and tried to strip her of every ounce of power. For years she had fought, schemed, and endured, clawing her way to this moment through sheer will.
Because this outcome had always been inevitable, Achillea felt no tension—only a quiet, overwhelming sense of fulfillment that she calmly suppressed.
"It is almost time, Your Highness."
"I know."
At the knight commander's words, she nodded and rose. This was the moment she had longed for, yet to her it was merely another stepping stone. Her true goal had never been the title of Crown Princess. It was the throne itself.
Ba-ba-ba-ba-bam―!!
[Behold. My successor, who shall become the new sun of the empire—Achillea fil Hamen Ulais.]
Listening to the Emperor's calm voice, Achillea began to walk. She crossed the short corridor and stepped onto the prepared platform. Bathed in brilliant sunlight, she revealed herself to the crowd. Calmly meeting countless gazes, she approached the Emperor's former position and surveyed the assembly.
"Greetings, subjects of the empire."
The moment she spoke, the entire square fell silent. No cheers, no applause—only perfect stillness. Achillea continued in an even tone.
"I am Achillea fil Hamen Ulais."
It was the moment the princess who had worked harder than anyone finally stood upon the starting line as Crown Princess.
@
"……You have worked hard, Your Highness the Crown Princess."
"Felice. It was nothing."
Though I had not witnessed the ceremony, I had heard every word spoken by Achillea and the Emperor. Her utterly calm voice made me feel nervous in her place. After all, it meant I would soon have to stand beside her before the entire empire.
With her usual leisurely stride, Achillea entered the reception room where I waited. Upon seeing me, her eyes widened slightly and a playful smile curved her lips. The expression looked almost surprised at first glance, but I knew it was meant to tease.
"You look quite dashing when properly dressed, as expected?"
"……I am honored. And congratulations."
"What for? I could not have done it without all of you."
She knew full well that she alone had persuaded the nobles and shed her negative image, yet she still offered a token of modesty. I bowed my head, genuinely impressed by how different her presence was from Leonhardt's. It was the courtesy I had been unable to offer during the ceremony itself.
Smiling faintly, Achillea accepted my gesture and sank into her chair.
"You thought it was flattery, but it is true. That attire suits you remarkably well."
"Compared to Your Highness's radiant beauty, it is nothing."
"Did you like the clothes I personally selected?"
"……No wonder they suited my taste so perfectly."
Achillea had chosen them herself? Hiding my surprise, I adjusted the wine-red formal wear that matched my hair and eyes, accented with black stripes. I had never imagined she would personally select my attire.
"Huhu. You disliked them at first, did you not?"
"That is not the case."
I denied her teasing words at once and carefully took the seat she indicated. Though Achillea appeared composed, a trace of fatigue lingered in her eyes as she regarded me with a gentle smile.
"Now that I am Crown Princess, your family will receive a substantial reward. Is there anything you desire?"
"I am sorry, but such matters should be discussed with the family head."
Within the academy I could speak more freely, but here I dared not. Achillea seemed to find my restraint amusing and continued to engage me.
"Hmm. I see."
"……."
Tap, tap. Tapping her lips with slender white fingers, Achillea gave a faintly seductive yet playful smile.
"If you wished for the seat beside me, I could grant it, you know?"
"……Your joke goes too far."
"Huhu. You refuse so decisively."
Knowing she was not serious, I could reject her outright. Even if she had been, my answer would have been the same.
Achillea smiled as though disappointed and rose from her chair.
"I must go prepare as well. Make yourself comfortable."
"I gratefully accept Your Highness's consideration."
She clearly had no intention of wearing her enthronement attire to the ball. Watching her retreating figure disappear into the adjoining room, I let out a quiet sigh. Having been confined here for hours, I felt restless. I had felt no desire to enter the ballroom earlier, yet now I wished nothing more than to get it over with. Apparently I was not suited to staying in one place for long.
Leaning back against the chair, I caught my hand before it could touch my face. The unfamiliar makeup and styled hair made me oddly self-conscious.
'Ah, time, please pass quickly…….'
Struggling against boredom, I was still thinking that when—
"……Her Highness the Crown Princess Achillea fil Hamen Ulais and the second son of House Astria… Felice van Astria are entering!!"
The moment I stepped into the ballroom and felt the weight of countless eyes upon me, I immediately regretted ever wishing for time to move faster.