The Great Wish - Chapter 1.6

Chapter 1: The Princess's Dream

Sienna sent a lady-in-waiting to go to the Knights of the Imperial Palace with the description of the man she was looking for . However, the Knights still had not responded by dusk . She sent the lady-in-waiting back to get an answer, but there was still no word .

The next day, Sienna called for Gilbert, a knight, and sent him to find the man . She had thought that she would have found him by now, but she kept running into delays .

That morning, she was heading back to her residence from the Central Parliament meeting . As she was walking, she saw a group of court ladies busily walking around . She wasn't in a great mood already, so she made an observation .

"What a mess . "

A lady-in-waiting spoke up from behind Sienna .

"I believe they are preparing for the upcoming banquet . "

"Are you talking about my birthday?"

"Yes, Your Highness . "

Sienna's twentieth birthday was coming up . In the Empire, one's coming-of-age was celebrated on their twentieth birthday . The upcoming banquet would serve as a party for both the Princess's twentieth birthday as well as her coming-of-age .

A splendid party was thrown every year on Sienna's birthday at the Palace . These party preparations were always taken care of by the department in charge, and Sienna never paid attention to the details .

"Send someone to the Ceremony Department and tell them I have a few questions . "

"Yes, Your Highness . "

The delegate from the Ceremony Department, Count Dicken, rushed back .

"Can you show me the budget plan for the banquet?"

"What? Oh, of course! I'll have it ready for you now, Your Highness . "

The count prepared the papers and came back . Sienna's brow creased as she flipped through the papers .

"Do you spend this much money every year for my birthday banquet?"

"No, Your Highness . We're spending more this year . "

"Why?"

"Seeing how it's a more special celebration . . . "

"What's so special about this year?"

The count glanced at Sienna .

"This year, the Princess's birthday marks her coming-of-age . "

"This is too much . Reduce the budget and replan it . "

"Forgive me, but the Red King has taken an interest in the banquet and . . . "

Sienna frowned before relaxing her expression .

"I understand . I will talk directly to the Red King . "

After the count left, Sienna went to the palace of the Red King . When she got to the entrance, she observed the new faces that had been posted there before speaking to the lady-in-waiting that had come out to greet her .

"It seems that you have a guest . "

"Countess Elio is inside, Your Highness . "

"Who?"

"Countess Elio's mother is the Red King's cousin . "

"I see . "

Sienna replied disinterestedly . She didn't care much for the complicated family tree .

Most of the Empire's aristocracy had some connection to the Imperial family . No matter what kind of relationship or kinship they shared, these people were all vassals and subjects she was going to govern .

"Am I to wait for them to finish?"

"No, Your Highness . I was told to see you in when you arrived . "

The lady-in-waiting led Sienna to the sitting room . Inside the sitting room, two women were sitting facing each other . When Sienna entered the room, one of the ladies stood up . The woman was in her mid-twenties . Flustered, she hesitated before greeting her with a blush .

"Greetings, Your Highness . It is my honor to meet you . "

Countess Elio was so bewildered that she had forgotten to introduce herself . Sienna didn't point out her mistake . They wouldn't meet again anyways .

The other lady sitting on the sofa looked at Sienna and gently crinkled her eyes . She smiled alluringly as if she were seducing a man .

"Welcome, Princess . "

"Have you been well, Mother?"

Sienna calmly greeted her mother .

It was difficult to tell the age of this lady due to her heavy makeup . From afar, she seemed like she was in her twenties, but if one looked close, she looked much older than that .

She languidly stroked the chin of the cat on her lap . The white cat purred, savoring its master's touch .

"Introduce yourselves . This is Countess Elio . She's like a niece to me . "

Sienna merely nodded . She didn't introduce herself or smile . Despite this, the countess's eyes gleamed and her lips trembled in excitement . Just meeting the Princess in person made her heart flutter .

"Princess, i-it's an honor . I'm Earl Luke's daughter . . . "

Having realized her earlier mistake, the countess stammered as she introduced herself . Sienna mercilessly cut her off .

"I have something to discuss with you, Mother . "

The Red King, Patricia, slightly scowled at Sienna before tenderly smiling at the countess .

"I enjoyed your company today, Countess . Let's talk more next time . It seems that the Princess has something important to discuss with her mother . "

"Yes, Red King . I'll come by whenever you call for me, so please call . I'll take my leave . "

After the countess left, Patricia lightly rebuked Sienna .

"Giving a proper greeting wouldn't have been difficult, would it?"

"Was there a reason I had to?"

Patricia was about to lecture her daughter about the importance of networking but decided to leave it alone . No matter how many times she told the Princess, her behavior didn't change anyway . Sienna was her daughter, but the Red King felt like she was a stranger to her .

It was the same with the Emperor . The father-daughter pair were equally cold and haughty . They were incredibly proud of their blood . Both of them looked down on humans and didn't try to have a good relationship with them .

Thankfully, they still respected her as Sienna's mother . Even though everyone talked about how Sienna had so much filial devotion for her mother, they didn't know the truth . It was all thanks to Patricia's great efforts .

"The countess can be someone very important to you in the future . I'm thinking of making her younger brother a candidate for the Blue King . "