Chapter 1: The Princess's Dream
When Sienna returned from sending off the countess, she saw that a messenger from the Sun Palace was waiting for her. After receiving the message that the Emperor was looking for her, she went right back out and started heading for the Sun Palace.
'When was the last time I was called to the royal office?'
She stopped when she saw the door leading to the royal office. Seeing how her memory was hazy, she believed that it had been quite a long time since she was here.
She opened the door and stopped in her tracks after walking inside. She was overcome by an unsettling sensation as if she was out of place. Sienna frowned when she saw the circular columns.
She walked towards the spacious desk and stopped a few steps short. She took the hem of her skirt and bowed deeply.
"I have received your call, Your Majesty."
"You may rise."
Sienna's golden eyes met the Emperor's golden eyes. The Emperor watched closely as Sienna lowered her gaze once more.
As he recalled Sienna's age, he began to think about his own age. She was born when he was nearly forty years old. The proof that his age was nearing sixty was standing before his eyes.
"It's almost your birthday, isn't it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"On your coming-of-age celebration, I will bestow the crown upon you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Even though she answered calmly, her heart was pounding inside her chest.
When a member of the Imperial family came of age, they were crowned. This was to acknowledge the perfection of the godly blood flowing through their veins. With the crown, they were given a portion of the duties of the ruling emperor.
"Have you thought of a name?"
"Yes. Please give me the title 'Silver Emperor1'."
"'Silver Emperor'?"
The Emperor's gaze fell on Sienna's silver hair.
"It's not because of my hair."
Unlike her usual self, Sienna had a look of embarrassment.
"Silver is able to detect the presence of poison. As such, I am determined not to be fooled by conspirators."
"'Silver Emperor'... It's quite good."
The Emperor nodded his head.
"That is all."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."
As she was turning around, she suddenly recognized it. This unsettling feeling, it was déjà vu. And she knew exactly what caused it. With wide eyes, she looked around the room.
The wide room, the marble floor, the circular columns supporting the high, arched ceiling.
'This place is...'
"Do you have something you wish to discuss with me?"
"I have a favor I would like to ask of you, Your Majesty. Could you let me go out on the balcony? It will only be a moment."
The Emperor glanced at Sienna quizzically when he heard her random request. However, he didn't ask for a reason and gave her his permission.
Sienna used both her hands to push open the balcony doors. Like a person that had just discovered an unknown world, Sienna blankly looked out as she slowly walked over the threshold. She grasped the railing as her heart began to beat wildly.
'Ah...'
The girl let out a sigh of despair as she looked over the railings and saw the sight underneath.
It was the same. It was the same garden she saw last night.
'It's quite strange.'
Sienna was deep in thought as she left the Sun Palace.
The countess had said that dreams were either past experiences or rooted in imagination. However, Sienna's experience did not fit into either of those categories.
It was the first time she had looked down from the balcony of the royal office. How could she have dreamed something she had never seen before?
'It was the garden.'
Sienna had been walking back to her own residence but turned around and headed for the garden. She was lost in thought as she arrived at the maze garden that was quite far from the Sun Palace.
'It has been a while.'
She used to explore the maze garden when she was little. After she memorized all the paths, she lost interest and stopped coming here.
"Wait for me here."
Sienna left her ladies-in-waiting at the entrance of the maze and made her way inside. The deeper she walked into the maze, the more she remembered. She followed the tall shrub walls and enjoyed her solitary walk.
'I'm halfway there. I just have to turn right over there and then I'll reach the open space...'
Sienna stopped walking in surprise. It was an open space that was like a little room inside the maze. In this place, two men had set up a table and were sitting together. These men also had surprised expressions on their faces.
Silence hung in the air. The three of them continued to stare at each other wordlessly.
'That person is...'
Sienna recognized one of the men. The man in his mid-twenties was older than when she had last seen him. His ashy blonde hair had streaks of red.
Dian Argent. He was Sienna's half-brother.
He was five years older than her. However, she never considered him as an older brother. He was considered to be half-royal because his mother was of a lower rank. Therefore, Sienna was ahead when it came to the succession of the throne.
Sienna's eyes rested on Dian's hair. He had half of the characteristics of the Imperial family. Sienna recalled the words her mother, Patricia, had uttered while gnashing her teeth. Displeased, Sienna turned around.
"Sienna!"
Sienna frowned when she heard the call. They weren't close enough to call each other by their given names. Even though he was able to see Sienna's displeasure, Dian continued to smile and laugh.
"It's been a while. Has it been, what, six years?"
'It has been seven,' Sienna thought.
Dian did not grow up in the Imperial Palace as a child. Seven years ago, the Imperial Palace was thrown into chaos by the sudden appearance of the Emperor's grown-up son.
Dian was older than Sienna and carried the traits of the Imperial family. Seeing this, the Emperor didn't think twice and recognized him as a Prince of the Empire. Just like that, Sienna's firm position as the heir to the throne was shaken.
However, the chaos eventually subsided. The line of succession to the throne was determined by the mother's rank, but Dian would not reveal his mother's identity.
As she looked at Dian, Sienna began to recall the events that took place seven years ago.
Seven years ago, Sienna secretly went to see Dian. She was curious about her older brother's sudden appearance. Dian caught her snooping, and they began to talk. Dian didn't take himself too seriously, and they had a good time.
However, Sienna's disappearance caused a commotion. Even the knights were mobilized to find her. Ultimately, Sienna and Dian only spent a short time together before she had to return to the Palace. That was the first and last time she had met him.
「Is Prince Dian going to be my older brother?」
Sienna asked Patricia, and it caused her to go on a rampage.
「'Older Brother'?! How can a half-blood of vulgar birth be the brother of an Imperial princess?!」
Patricia did not hide her wrath and annoyance.
「You are a member of the Imperial family. You are of a different class than that half-blood.」
「Do not even think about getting close to him. He grew up outside of the Palace. He will only hurt you.」
「You will become the Emperor one day. If you associate yourself with someone like him, you will only lose your dignity.」
「He will try to use you. You must not get involved with him.」
Patricia continued to criticize Dian every chance she got. As time went by, she mentioned Dian less and less, but now Sienna was the one that ignored his presence. She decided that nothing good would come from having a close relationship with him.
And thus, she hadn't seen him for seven years. The Palace was large. If one did not purposely try to meet someone, there was no way they would cross paths.
"This is a nice place to take a walk, isn't it? It's quiet and there are no eyes watching you. I was just enjoying some tea over here. Do you want to join me?"
Sienna narrowed her eyes and glared at Dian as he spoke so shamelessly. She didn't even know where to start with him. He was being rude. Did he not receive any training in etiquette? Half of his blood was from the Emperor, but why was he so frivolous and light-hearted in his way of speaking?
"No thank you."
Sienna turned around.
"Princess Sienna!"
She heard him calling for her again, but she did not turn around this time.
As she walked along the maze, Sienna unknowingly snorted before coughing awkwardly.
It had been seven years. That was quite a long time. Dian's appearance had changed a little, but his attitude remained the same. Seven years ago, he talked to her amicably, smiling brightly. At the warm memory, Sienna couldn't keep a straight face and cracked a smile.
1 The Korean text doesn't use the word 'queen' or 'empress' when it refers to Sienna. It continues to use the male form 'emperor', so I'm just going to keep it as it is.↩
Chapter 1: The Princess's Dream
When Sienna returned from sending off the countess, she saw that a messenger from the Sun Palace was waiting for her. After receiving the message that the Emperor was looking for her, she went right back out and started heading for the Sun Palace.
'When was the last time I was called to the royal office?'
She stopped when she saw the door leading to the royal office. Seeing how her memory was hazy, she believed that it had been quite a long time since she was here.
She opened the door and stopped in her tracks after walking inside. She was overcome by an unsettling sensation as if she was out of place. Sienna frowned when she saw the circular columns.
She walked towards the spacious desk and stopped a few steps short. She took the hem of her skirt and bowed deeply.
"I have received your call, Your Majesty."
"You may rise."
Sienna's golden eyes met the Emperor's golden eyes. The Emperor watched closely as Sienna lowered her gaze once more.
As he recalled Sienna's age, he began to think about his own age. She was born when he was nearly forty years old. The proof that his age was nearing sixty was standing before his eyes.
"It's almost your birthday, isn't it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"On your coming-of-age celebration, I will bestow the crown upon you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Even though she answered calmly, her heart was pounding inside her chest.
When a member of the Imperial family came of age, they were crowned. This was to acknowledge the perfection of the godly blood flowing through their veins. With the crown, they were given a portion of the duties of the ruling emperor.
"Have you thought of a name?"
"Yes. Please give me the title 'Silver Emperor1'."
"'Silver Emperor'?"
The Emperor's gaze fell on Sienna's silver hair.
"It's not because of my hair."
Unlike her usual self, Sienna had a look of embarrassment.
"Silver is able to detect the presence of poison. As such, I am determined not to be fooled by conspirators."
"'Silver Emperor'... It's quite good."
The Emperor nodded his head.
"That is all."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."
As she was turning around, she suddenly recognized it. This unsettling feeling, it was déjà vu. And she knew exactly what caused it. With wide eyes, she looked around the room.
The wide room, the marble floor, the circular columns supporting the high, arched ceiling.
'This place is...'
"Do you have something you wish to discuss with me?"
"I have a favor I would like to ask of you, Your Majesty. Could you let me go out on the balcony? It will only be a moment."
The Emperor glanced at Sienna quizzically when he heard her random request. However, he didn't ask for a reason and gave her his permission.
Sienna used both her hands to push open the balcony doors. Like a person that had just discovered an unknown world, Sienna blankly looked out as she slowly walked over the threshold. She grasped the railing as her heart began to beat wildly.
'Ah...'
The girl let out a sigh of despair as she looked over the railings and saw the sight underneath.
It was the same. It was the same garden she saw last night.
'It's quite strange.'
Sienna was deep in thought as she left the Sun Palace.
The countess had said that dreams were either past experiences or rooted in imagination. However, Sienna's experience did not fit into either of those categories.
It was the first time she had looked down from the balcony of the royal office. How could she have dreamed something she had never seen before?
'It was the garden.'
Sienna had been walking back to her own residence but turned around and headed for the garden. She was lost in thought as she arrived at the maze garden that was quite far from the Sun Palace.
'It has been a while.'
She used to explore the maze garden when she was little. After she memorized all the paths, she lost interest and stopped coming here.
"Wait for me here."
Sienna left her ladies-in-waiting at the entrance of the maze and made her way inside. The deeper she walked into the maze, the more she remembered. She followed the tall shrub walls and enjoyed her solitary walk.
'I'm halfway there. I just have to turn right over there and then I'll reach the open space...'
Sienna stopped walking in surprise. It was an open space that was like a little room inside the maze. In this place, two men had set up a table and were sitting together. These men also had surprised expressions on their faces.
Silence hung in the air. The three of them continued to stare at each other wordlessly.
'That person is...'
Sienna recognized one of the men. The man in his mid-twenties was older than when she had last seen him. His ashy blonde hair had streaks of red.
Dian Argent. He was Sienna's half-brother.
He was five years older than her. However, she never considered him as an older brother. He was considered to be half-royal because his mother was of a lower rank. Therefore, Sienna was ahead when it came to the succession of the throne.
Sienna's eyes rested on Dian's hair. He had half of the characteristics of the Imperial family. Sienna recalled the words her mother, Patricia, had uttered while gnashing her teeth. Displeased, Sienna turned around.
"Sienna!"
Sienna frowned when she heard the call. They weren't close enough to call each other by their given names. Even though he was able to see Sienna's displeasure, Dian continued to smile and laugh.
"It's been a while. Has it been, what, six years?"
'It has been seven,' Sienna thought.
Dian did not grow up in the Imperial Palace as a child. Seven years ago, the Imperial Palace was thrown into chaos by the sudden appearance of the Emperor's grown-up son.
Dian was older than Sienna and carried the traits of the Imperial family. Seeing this, the Emperor didn't think twice and recognized him as a Prince of the Empire. Just like that, Sienna's firm position as the heir to the throne was shaken.
However, the chaos eventually subsided. The line of succession to the throne was determined by the mother's rank, but Dian would not reveal his mother's identity.
As she looked at Dian, Sienna began to recall the events that took place seven years ago.
Seven years ago, Sienna secretly went to see Dian. She was curious about her older brother's sudden appearance. Dian caught her snooping, and they began to talk. Dian didn't take himself too seriously, and they had a good time.
However, Sienna's disappearance caused a commotion. Even the knights were mobilized to find her. Ultimately, Sienna and Dian only spent a short time together before she had to return to the Palace. That was the first and last time she had met him.
「Is Prince Dian going to be my older brother?」
Sienna asked Patricia, and it caused her to go on a rampage.
「'Older Brother'?! How can a half-blood of vulgar birth be the brother of an Imperial princess?!」
Patricia did not hide her wrath and annoyance.
「You are a member of the Imperial family. You are of a different class than that half-blood.」
「Do not even think about getting close to him. He grew up outside of the Palace. He will only hurt you.」
「You will become the Emperor one day. If you associate yourself with someone like him, you will only lose your dignity.」
「He will try to use you. You must not get involved with him.」
Patricia continued to criticize Dian every chance she got. As time went by, she mentioned Dian less and less, but now Sienna was the one that ignored his presence. She decided that nothing good would come from having a close relationship with him.
And thus, she hadn't seen him for seven years. The Palace was large. If one did not purposely try to meet someone, there was no way they would cross paths.
"This is a nice place to take a walk, isn't it? It's quiet and there are no eyes watching you. I was just enjoying some tea over here. Do you want to join me?"
Sienna narrowed her eyes and glared at Dian as he spoke so shamelessly. She didn't even know where to start with him. He was being rude. Did he not receive any training in etiquette? Half of his blood was from the Emperor, but why was he so frivolous and light-hearted in his way of speaking?
"No thank you."
Sienna turned around.
"Princess Sienna!"
She heard him calling for her again, but she did not turn around this time.
As she walked along the maze, Sienna unknowingly snorted before coughing awkwardly.
It had been seven years. That was quite a long time. Dian's appearance had changed a little, but his attitude remained the same. Seven years ago, he talked to her amicably, smiling brightly. At the warm memory, Sienna couldn't keep a straight face and cracked a smile.
1 The Korean text doesn't use the word 'queen' or 'empress' when it refers to Sienna. It continues to use the male form 'emperor', so I'm just going to keep it as it is.↩
