Julia sat alone in the large carriage and looked out the window.
The founding ceremony will be held three days later, but Julia was on her way to the capital at the invitation of the Empress.
Recently, the Grand Duke was having a busy day due to the monsters that invaded the border.
In order to complete the task, Fernando delayed his trip to the capital somewhat, which prevented Julia from going to the capital with him.
Julia's eyes gleaming lonelyly as she stared at the empty front seat.
After such a long time, Yulia, who arrived at the Imperial Palace, went inside with the guidance of the attendant.
When she entered the waiting room of the central palace, the empress, who had already been seated, greeted her with a bright smile.
"Welcome, wasn't it hard to come from a long way?"
"I see your Majesty the Empress. It was a comfortable journey for her, so don't worry."
Julia sat at the tea table and faced the Empress. Unlike the emperor, who felt uncomfortable somewhere, the empress was a person who made others feel comfortable.
Thanks to the Crown Princess who was also sitting with her being an honest and compassionate person, Julia was able to quickly adapt to this time.
"But I'm worried that the Grand Duchess looks thinner than the last time we met."
Crown Princess Veronica cautiously opened her mouth. Yulia tried to smile.
"I'm still not feeling well. Don't worry, it's nothing to worry about."
"okay. I hope this schedule does not cause any difficulties."
Veronica laughed softly. With her dazzling blonde hair hanging to one side, she was wearing a generous maternity dress.
She was five months pregnant and her face was full of bright and happy energy.
"So, how about attending the evening Mass with Veronica? Priests praying for mothers are staying in the Imperial Palace."
As the Empress hinted, Veronica clapped her hands and nodded her head.
"I do that! I will ask the priest to bless the Grand Duchess for his health."
"No, I can't trouble the priests who came for the Crown Princess… ."
"Don't think like that. You are also a member of our imperial family."
The Empress smiled kindly and encouraged her again. In the end, Yulia nodded her head to express her gratitude.
A peaceful and friendly atmosphere continued throughout the modest tea party.
Julia, who was deeply depressed during the Great Siege, was also able to have peace of mind for this time.
When evening came, Julia and Veronica went to the temple for Mass.
Upon entering, I saw the priests kneeling on the podium.
Above them was a bright stained glass light.
"Priest Matthew."
Veronica quietly called a priest. The man sitting in the center of the priests slowly turned his head.
A priest named Matthews was a man with silver hair, almost white.
"Welcome, Veronica."
He looked at Veronica for a moment and then turned to Julia.
His still eyes fluttered softly.
"This is Grand Duchess Caesar. I'm here to attend Mass with you."
"It was."
He looked at Julia with a mysterious gaze, and then turned around lightly.
"Mass will start soon, so please take a seat that is comfortable for you."
Sitting in the long row of seats, Julia watched the priests draw their names. Soon, the priests in front of the altar held the opening ceremony.
Julia looked at Matthew as he delivered the homily. His voice was gentle and serious, which put his mind at ease.
When Matthew had just recited the prayer for the ceremony, the priests brought a silver vessel with holy water.
"Peace and stability to the mother and the unborn child."
Matthews raised his hand over Veronica's head and let the holy water flow.
He recites a congratulatory message in a quiet tone and slowly opens his eyes. And he nodded his head as if to come forward towards Julia.
Standing in front of the altar, Julia quietly closed her eyes.
"May God bless you always."
Holy water flowed lightly along Julia's hair. Somehow, his voice seemed to slowly seep into his heart.
When I opened my eyes gently, my eyes met directly with Matteus, who was staring at me.
"… Do you want to recognize me?"
he asked in a quiet tone. Yulia blinked blankly with her round eyes.
"Oh, no… It's like I'm seeing you for the first time today... ."
"okay. I lied."
Matthew, who smiled softly, finished the blessing ceremony.
After Mass was all over, Yulia, who came out of the priest's room, tilted her head with a puzzled face.
Apparently, Matthews seemed to know himself. But no matter how much you think about it, her memory of meeting him did not exist.
Julia had a strange feeling and kept looking back.
* * *
Fernando arrived in the capital on the same day as the founding day.
The emperor's parade held in the morning was eventually escorted by the imperial knights.
The parade ended safely, and the attendants were busy carrying luggage for the banquet in the central palace.
Upon hearing the news that Fernan had arrived, Yulia hurried down to the main hall on the first floor.
Dressed in a dark green dress for the banquet, the attendants glanced at her.
An elegant dress with dark gold lace adorned the neckline made her stand out more than usual.
"Your Majesty, you are here."
As Julia was walking around in the hall for a while, someone spoke to her. She was Fernan's aide the last time she met downtown.
"I have come to spread the word of Your Majesty. The preparation is delayed due to other things, so the message is to go to the banquet hall first."
"ah… okay."
It was customary for married couples to enter the banquet hall together. Of course, Julia, who thought she would enter with Fernan, felt a little dazed.
He thought about waiting, but he certainly wouldn't want him to wait.
"Thanks for letting me know, um… ."
Julia hesitated for a moment. It was because she didn't know the aide's name.
Noticing this, Lloyd belatedly greeted him formally and introduced himself politely.
"My name is Lloyd Allen. Feel free to call me Lloyd."
"Thank you, Lloyd."
Yulia smiled softly and immediately moved to the palace where the banquet hall was located.
Following the attendant's guidance, Julia entered the banquet hall alone and stood in front of an empty table.
Several ladies who found her approached with a warm smile.
"Sir, how have you been? It's the first time I've seen you since we met at the last tea party."
"Yes, was your wife okay?"
After exchanging formal greetings and chatting for a while, the Crown Prince and his wife entered the banquet hall.
Veronica was escorted by the Crown Prince and gently hugged the boat she had called.
"These two are always good friends."
"I heard that the Crown Prince is very kind. Ugh, my husband and I were like that at the beginning of our marriage."
"Oh my, what are you talking about? The wife is still dripping honey with the countess."
As the ladies started talking about their husbands with jokes, Julia was left with nothing to say.
Even though they must have all met through arranged marriage, it was only surprising that they were so close and friendly.
Far from being close with Fernan, he never had a friendly conversation.
"How about the Grand Duchess?"
"yes?"
When a topic was suddenly given to me, Julia's face hardened slightly.
"Everyone is very curious about who Caesar is."
"The two of you rarely travel to and from the capital, so I'm really curious to see how you are doing."
The curious eyes of the ladies were poured out. Yulia, who smiled awkwardly, carefully chose her words.
"Your Majesty is very busy with construction. And there are no noble ladies in the estate, so it's a little lonely... I am doing well on my own."
When I answered around, fortunately, the ladies nodded their heads.
"I think so. It would be difficult to invite acquaintances from the capital."
"However, would you like to invite me at least once? I would be very happy if His Majesty Bishop called me."
"Yes I will."
The topic quickly turned in a different direction. At that moment, Yulia, who had been participating in the conversation with peace of mind, turned her head to the sound of the murmur.
Fernando could be seen coming into the banquet hall from afar. People's eyes were focused on him in an instant.
Somehow, his appearance seemed to attract more attention than the Crown Prince.
After contemplating what to do, Julia asked his wives for their understanding, and then approached him cautiously.
"majesty."
Fernan turned to her at the sound of a small voice calling out. Julia looked up at him while gently curling the hem of her dress.
As soon as I spoke, I felt afraid. It felt like he was ignoring me and going somewhere else.
But, perhaps because everyone was paying attention to him, he didn't show a cold attitude as usual.
"Go to your seat."
He opened his mouth dry and gently extended his arm. After looking at him with surprised eyes for a moment, Yulia suddenly put her arms around him.
Looking at his unwilling face, I felt that it was something he had to do.
It was a little bittersweet, but it didn't feel so bad to be escorted by him.
While heading to the empty table with him, the Crown Prince who saw them approached them with a bright smile.