[Serina TS ver.]

In the Kingdom of Cheon-u, magical power was synonymous with status.

Not everyone is born with magic; only those possessing it have the ability to impregnate a partner. Conversely, those without magic cannot impregnate others but are capable of bearing children. Gender is irrelevant to this dynamic.

However, being born with magic did not mean one could automatically use spells. Magic had to be learned, and such teachings were permitted only to the Imperial Family and select noble houses. Consequently, those who could actually wield magic were extremely rare, and bloodlines with strong magical potential were considered all the more precious.

At the pinnacle of this hierarchy stood the Imperial Family.

The members of the Imperial Family inherited powerful magic through generations. The current Emperor was also one of the most powerful magic users among them.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason the Emperor was loved by the people.

Every year and a half, during the subjugation of magical beasts in the North, Your Majesty always stood at the very front. No matter how many rumors circulated about the luxury and corruption of the Imperial Family, the people trusted in the single fact that the Emperor personally protected them.

Serina adjusted the collar of the child standing in front of the mirror.

Today, that Emperor returns.

It had been a year and a half.

"Let's make you look a little more presentable."

She tidied the child's hair and checked her own appearance once more.

This was the son she would show to Your Majesty.

In the past, Your Majesty had said offhandedly:

That if she gave birth to a boy, he would cherish her.

Serina still remembered those words.

It might have truly been a joke. But to her, it wasn't.