Sophia looked up at the ceiling. The paintings were as beautiful as ever. Robert, standing beside her, spoke.

“Titania and Uranus—doesn’t that painting suit us well?”

Still gazing at the ceiling, Sophia replied, “I don’t know. I’ve always associated Titania with towering mountain ranges. Seeing her depicted as such a beautiful woman feels unfamiliar.”

“Such a poetic observation, Ariel. Tomorrow, Patrick will finally become the Crown Prince here.”

Sophia turned to Robert and said, “I used to worry that the appointment of the Crown Prince was too delayed. But now it feels too early. He’ll be entering the Academy soon. Won’t his new status as Crown Prince interfere with his time there?”

“Being a prince hasn’t made Academy life easy either. Whether prince or crown prince, there’s not much difference.”

Sophia knew Robert was lying, even though he pretended otherwise.

‘He’s just like the former emperor—always testing people.’

With a playful expression, Sophia asked, 

“How was your time at the Academy? Was it fun? Didn’t you say you only had Philip Wiscombe as a friend?”

Looking at her kindly, Robert responded, 

“Thanks to the Empress and Cressida, making friends was tough. Wiscombe was one of the few who wasn’t intimidated by Cressida’s threats, so we became friends. Of course, we eventually fell out.”

“Ah! Philip has drawn his sword against the collateral branches again. I’m not sure if it’s just his nature or if he changed after the Oberon incident.”

“Probably both. If that murder hadn’t happened in Oberon, Wiscombe wouldn’t have returned to his domain, nor would the clashes with the collateral branches have escalated this far.”

Sophia sighed. “Isabelle’s son will be entering the Academy alongside Patrick. That has to be deliberate. He’s been praised since he was a child—handsome like Isabelle and intelligent, they say. He’ll likely be more popular than Patrick at the Academy. The press and public will constantly compare the two.”

Gripping her hand firmly, Robert reassured her, “Patrick will do well. Don’t worry.”

Sophia knew Robert intended to watch everything closely.

“You want to see what Patrick is capable of. Another trait you share with the former emperor. But I know you’re anxious. He’s the future leader of the empire, after all.”

Sophia sighed again. 

“I worry we’re putting too much pressure on Patrick, but part of me thinks it’s better for him to get used to it early. When it comes to our children, there’s no certainty about anything. Could this be how my father felt? Or the former emperor?”

Robert felt the same way. He thought he understood why the former emperor had pitted him against Frederick and constantly tested him.

For a moment, Robert thought of Frederick.

It had been several years since Frederick died—falling down the stairs, drunk, at the peak of his youth. After his death, Isabelle settled in the capital and devoted herself entirely to her child.

Though Isabelle distanced herself from social life, she attended every imperial event to ensure her son became acquainted with the royal elders and nobility.

At age seven, Frederick’s son inherited the title of Duke of Rosalind. As the Wiscombe Dukedom began to decline, Isabelle carefully established the new Duke’s reputation.

Sophia admired Isabelle’s perseverance.

‘To endure all those years with only her child to focus on—how deliberate must every move be? She’ll try to bring down my son, just as she tried to bring down me and Robert. And she’ll be even more meticulous this time.’

Knowing Isabelle’s ambition and patience, Sophia worried for Patrick.

“I want him to succeed, but I also hope he doesn’t become too politically aware too soon… Balancing being Empress and a mother is exhausting.”

Seeing the concern on Sophia’s face, Robert spoke. “Patrick is a smart child.”

“That’s why I worry even more. Patrick is also very responsible. Once he’s officially made Crown Prince, he’ll naturally start acting like one, taking on more and more responsibility. While I want him to succeed… I also wish he could experience more freedom and joy, like a normal 17-year-old.”

Robert wrapped his arm around Sophia’s shoulders. “Patrick is destined to be emperor. He can’t live like other children. But he’ll do well. He always has.”

“I know. But I’m more worried about his Academy life than the Crown Prince appointment ceremony tomorrow. So many eyes will be on him. Maybe it would’ve been better for him to enter the Academy first and then be made Crown Prince.”

“If we’d done that, Patrick’s abilities would’ve been scrutinized even more, especially in comparison to the Duke of Rosalind. Many eyes will be watching him, but Patrick will also have the chance to watch others—the heirs of noble families and talented peers.”

Robert’s eyes turned cold as he spoke. Sophia understood. There was no more delaying Patrick’s appointment, for his own sake and for the empire.

“Ah, the lives of royal children…”

Sophia said, 

“Tell Patrick what you just told me. Don’t let him only guess at your love and concern.”

Taking her hand, Robert held it firmly.

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known how to be a father. I don’t know how to express how much of a blessing it is that you are the Empress, my wife, and the mother of my children.”

Sophia embraced Robert and looked again at the painting of the goddess Titania and the god Uranus.

“I, no, we are not gods, so we’ll make mistakes. I just hope we’re the ones who pay for them, not our children. No, even their mistakes should be ours to bear.”

Robert held Sophia tightly and said, “Let’s trust the children. Aren’t they yours? Surely, they’ll navigate through it all with wisdom.”

Sophia looked into Robert’s eyes. “Why mine? Not ours?”

Robert met her gaze. “Whenever I realize my own shortcomings, I always think of this: that everything will turn out fine because I have you by my side. You’re watching over the children. Just knowing they are your children before they are ours gives me peace of mind. You’re my Titania goddess.”

“You’re getting better at these compliments. You deserve a reward.”

Sophia gently cupped Robert’s face and kissed him. The scene seemed in perfect harmony with the ceiling painting.

While Sophia and Robert shared their kiss, Vian stood behind the door, inwardly screaming.

‘Why in the world are they kissing here, of all places—where tomorrow’s Crown Prince’s investiture will take place? Why?! The palace is huge. What’s the point of being the highest chamberlain in the palace if I’m stuck blocking the door instead of doing my job! Now I understand why Caliban the Chamberlain’s hair turned white—it wasn’t age, it was sheer frustration.’

Even as Vian held off those trying to enter, Sophia and Robert stayed locked in each other’s arms, glancing again at the ceiling painting and continuing their gentle conversation.

***

The investiture ceremony was similar to Robert’s own. It was slow-paced to emphasize the solemn atmosphere. Sophia looked at her three children, seated quietly beside her, and nodded approvingly.

Her eyes settled on her eldest. His serious and solemn expression, fitting for the weight of the investiture, seemed out of place on such a youthful face.

‘No, I mustn’t think that way. He’s 17. He’s grown now.’

Of course, Isabelle and the Duke of Rosalind were present. Every time Sophia looked at the Duke, she saw echoes of Prince Frederick.

‘There’s no way Isabelle would repeat Frederick’s mistakes. The Duke of Rosalind is probably most like Philip. They were said to be quite close.’

Seated next to Isabelle, the two didn’t even seem like a mother and son.

‘Is it because Isabelle still looks so young and beautiful? Or is it because the Duke seems so mature for his age?’

Sophia had seen the Duke of Rosalind several times, but she still couldn’t quite understand him. Yet, he was already stirring up as much attention and popularity as Prince Frederick had in his youth.

‘With his handsome looks, dignified demeanor befitting a duke, and sharp intellect, Isabelle’s hopes have truly borne fruit.’

The Gareth family was also in attendance. The Duke of Gareth now spent most of his time in the Gareth territory, having stepped back for Lord Gareth and Lady Gareth. They attended the Crown Prince’s investiture together.

‘Gareth is smarter than he seems!’

With the decline of the Wiscombe family, the Gareth family had become the most powerful in the empire. Yet their marriages weren’t with other powerful houses—they married into the Ditche family, who were retainers, and the Finega family, a commoner lineage. This, in turn, eased the imperial family’s and Emperor’s concerns.

Though it looked like the Duke of Gareth had simply given in to his children’s wishes, Sophia believed he had deliberately avoided marrying into a powerful noble family.

‘Wiscombe should never have underestimated Gareth. Never!’

Next to the Gareth couple, Sol Finega was escorting Parma like he worshipped her. Known as the “male Cinderella,” Sol Finega had risen through the ranks from the youngest auditor to inspector, eventually becoming the first commoner prime minister. It had taken him only 20 years after entering the administrative halls to lead them.

Many claimed he had benefited from Parma’s influence after marrying her, but no one doubted Sol Finega’s capabilities.

‘A workaholic who still seems to court Parma as passionately as ever, even after becoming prime minister. He really is something. The Finega family always was.’

As Sophia observed the Gareth family, Robert whispered to her, 

“You have to give Gareth credit. They didn’t just ignore family status—they ended up with the first commoner prime minister and the first female officer.”

Sophia smiled, already thinking the same, and agreed. 

“The more I think about it, the more I feel we’re too well-matched.”

“The Empress is always right, of course. As wise as ever.”

Robert’s eyes were filled with affection as he looked at Sophia. She, too, smiled, holding his hand tightly as she whispered, 

“And you have quite the discerning eye yourself, Your Majesty.”

The imperial elders’ faces had already soured at seeing the Emperor and Empress banter during the sacred Crown Prince investiture. Isabelle, observing their expressions, allowed a small smile.

‘It’s not over yet. No… it’s just beginning!’

Sophia also noticed the disapproving glances the elders cast toward her and Robert.

‘They haven’t changed a bit. Always complaining to Robert but still vying for the front seats. They need to change. They must change—for Patrick’s sake.’

Robert didn’t miss the moment Sophia looked at the elders and squeezed her hand firmly. They exchanged smiles, realizing they shared the same thoughts.

‘Hmph! There’s no way my son’s place will be taken by the Duke of Rosalind. Dream on, Isabelle. We’ll protect him—no matter what!’