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Ayla added the circumstances with a stiff face.
"I'm worried about the last words I shared with Rosia. I think Debens would know what it means."
Ayla said that and gently stroked Piyo's head next to her.
"And I want to show you that Piyo has grown up wonderfully after Shedding."
"That's not difficult, but..."
Felix glanced at the little one who was looking up at him as if displeased with Ayla clinging to him.
That meant he had to take that guy to Duke Argenta's castle.
"...Okay, whatever. If Ayla wants that."
He soon let out a deep sigh.
Just thinking about what kind of trouble Piyo would cause already made his head throb.
"Princess, here is a list of the VIPs invited to the coming-of-age ceremony."
When the maid handed her a long scroll, Peony sighed and accepted it.
"...Yes, there's nothing strange. Proceed as planned."
"Yes."
Recently, Peony had been spending busy days, attending not only business operations but also social events without fail, so she didn't have enough even if she had ten bodies.
In addition, when night came, she was even getting private tutoring from Ayla to prepare for the upcoming exam.
'There's really a lot to worry about.'
It was when Peony was trying to chase away the pouring sleep by pressing down on her undereyes.
A servant quietly approached and bowed his head.
"Princess, the Empress has summoned you to the Empress Palace."
"The Empress?"
"Yes, she says she has something to discuss regarding the coming-of-age ceremony."
"...Okay, I understand for now."
Peony dismissed the servant with a suspicious face and got up from her seat.
'She could have just sent a message as usual, but to think she'd want to meet in person.'
For Peony, the Empress had only been an administrator who had managed the Imperial Palace without any problems.
She always moved according to the strict laws of the Imperial Palace, and no trace of affection or warmth could be found within it.
'Or does she have some important business?'
Peony headed to the Empress Palace with a doubtful heart.
A close aide who had come out to meet her greeted her.
"She's waiting in the drawing room."
"Okay."
Peony, who arrived at the drawing room following the maid's guidance, paused for a moment.
"It's been a while..."
Not only the Empress but also an unexpected guest was in the drawing room.
Peony hesitated and finished her greeting.
"...Your Majesty, Empress. I didn't know my brother was here too."
The Empress answered her question with a soft smile.
"I wanted to celebrate with you as a family as you reach adulthood."
"I see."
Peony nodded calmly and sat down in the seat they offered.
Then Darian stared at her intently and asked.
"Isn't there anything you want as a coming-of-age gift? I'll get you anything you need."
"...I'll think about it, brother. Thank you for your concern."
"It's your business, so it's not really a concern. It's something I should take care of."
Darian looked at Peony proudly. Peony avoided his gaze with an awkward face.
It was because she had not yet decided on her feelings for him after their last conversation.
The Empress watched the two of them with affectionate eyes, then opened her mouth as if she suddenly remembered something.
"Time really flies. To think Peony would grow up safely and reach adulthood. Looking at you like this, you look just like your mother in her youth."
"...Is that so?"
"Of course. If she saw you now, she would have been very happy."
The Empress, who had a benevolent smile, soon composed her expression solemnly.
"Holding a coming-of-age ceremony doesn't just mean you've reached a certain age. It's a ceremony to be recognized as a formal member of the Imperial family. From now on, you must set your own goals and fulfill your responsibilities to protect them."
"I will keep that in mind."
"Above all, Peony, you are receiving a lot of expectations from many people these days, aren't you? Please try to be a role model for others even after the coming-of-age ceremony. You must always maintain the dignity of the Imperial family and be able to embrace the people with a broad mind."
Long words of blessing followed.
Peony nodded without showing any signs of boredom and tried to concentrate as much as possible.
But inside, she was preoccupied with completely different thoughts.
'She wouldn't have called me here to talk about such old-fashioned things. There must be another real purpose.'
Then the Empress stopped talking and gently placed her hand on Peony's hand. Only then did Peony wake up from her deep thoughts.
The Empress smiled kindly and said.
"Of course, I believe you will do everything well. You have capable people standing by your side."
"...You flatter me."
Peony lowered her eyes and replied humbly.
Only then did the Empress seem to have finished everything she wanted to say, and she took a sip of tea with an elegant attitude.
"By the way, about Ayla, who went in as your close aide. The social world is very noisy about the recent re-examination of her parentage."
The moment she heard that, Peony's face hardened slightly.
'So that's why.'
Peony nodded obediently and replied.
"Yes, I heard that Rosia manipulated the test results and pretended to be her real daughter."
"Oh my, really... To think she acted so shamelessly with a fake identity. I wonder how much Ayla must have suffered."
The Empress made a fuss and felt sorry for her.
"So, what did Ayla decide to do? She regained her status as Princess Consort, so is she going back to the Blanche Noble house?"
"No. She said she was satisfied enough as it is and doesn't want to have any relationship with the Blanche Noble house in the future."
"Oh dear. It seems she was deeply hurt by that. But no matter what, they're family, so there will come a day when she misses them."
"..."
Peony did not bother to refute the Empress's words.
Most people also thought that Ayla would eventually accept her status as Princess Consort.
"Anyway, the promise with the Rate Noble house must have fallen through because of this. Maybe it's a good thing."
"Rather... a good thing?"
"Darian doesn't have a suitable fiancée yet, and Ayla has appeared."
Peony frowned because she didn't understand what the other person was saying.
Darian next to her was also showing signs of embarrassment.
"Mother, what are you trying to say... You know very well that Ayla already has a fiancé."
"Hoho, why are you so embarrassed?"
The Empress slowly raised her teacup and continued.
"You know that everyone talks as if engagements are very binding promises, but in reality, they can be changed at any time. Especially if the Imperial family's intentions are involved."
"..."
"So, if you put in a marriage proposal directly through the Blanche Noble house, even the Duke won't dare to refuse."
The Empress turned her head towards Peony with a meaningful smile.
"So, Peony. Do you have any intention of connecting the two of them for Darian?"
"...Connect them?"
"I'm saying it would be nice to give them a chance to meet. You never know. Ayla might like Darian too."
The corners of Peony's lips trembled. The Empress's words were so absurd.
Soon, Peony opened her mouth with a firm voice.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Ayla and Felix truly love each other."
Even at her words, the Empress did not back down at all.
"Marriages of nobles are just acts for the union between Noble houses. Personal feelings are not important."
Peony swallowed a hollow laugh inside.
Feeling that there was no need to continue the conversation, she opened her mouth to finish it coldly.
"...I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said today. I don't think it's polite to introduce someone else when they already have a partner."
Just as Peony finished speaking and was about to get up from her seat, the Empress quietly raised her eyes and looked at her.
"Is that really the reason?"
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