I left from inside the flower exhibit and Agnelov, waiting to the side, walked a few paces behind. The initial spot where I left that intelligence division was now vacant.

『Where did my uncles and that man run off to?』 I asked.

『They told me they had something urgent to do and to congratulate you on their behalf.』 Agnelov said.

Typical. But they were useful for the most part. All I needed to do now was find out where either Evonika or Reign were. My… other ambitions can wait for later.

A bell chime resonated throughout the room as pairs of silver-armored knights began going around to several of the nobles. One of them walked up to me and bowed their head, gesturing toward the double doors at the side of the room.

「Lady Yokalen. The Ushur has asked for your presence in the Coronation Room. Please follow us.」

We exited the ballroom and walked down the castle hallway, which seemed more like a marble cavern with how tall and wide it was. The walls next to grand windows, coated in the brimming moonlight, held glass vases telling of great massacres, black-stone statues of past queens, and even brilliant swords of legend stacked against them.

The last door in the hall had a white-padded exterior with golden talons sticking from the handles. Two royal guardsmen spread the doors ajar and allowed entry.

The Coronation Room was smaller than the ballroom but didn’t take away from its magnificence. The floors were black-squared tiles with honey-colored hard stone walls intricately carved with lines flowing into the ceiling. A large chandelier beamed from above, carved of aureate material that manifested providence and royalty.

I walked along the aisled oak-wood chapel rows, seated with nobility all more extravagantly dressed, with exotic masks hiding their identity. The knights stopped walking ahead of me and stood aside a marble stairway to a raised platform.

A young boy sat on a polished mahogany-wood, emerald-green leafed throne at the center of the podium. His blonde-curled hair and baby-blue eyes matched his royal garb, comprising a long blue cloak with a fur collar and a yellowish-white tunic. On his left was a woman with a curvaceous figure, long black hair and blue eyes, smiling with a nod to each of us that passed her. She wore a red kimono with a pink flower petal design around the ribbon that matched her red lips and eyeliner. To his right was a brawnier man with ragged brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black tunic and cloak shredded as if he’d gotten into a fight with a beast moments before. He grunted toward us with a scowl, his face, chest, and arms covered in scars.

Around twelve other people, in rows of six-by-two, aligned on the podium with me being in the second row. The boy in the middle throne snapped his fingers with a smirk, causing all the guards in the room to stand at attention and salute.

「Please offer your «Asemblem» to King Ueno, Empress Kroike, and King Trusla!」 The guards announced in unison.

Everyone around me began bowing their heads and holding their hands close to their chest. Small balls of white light then bubbled from their hands and floated to the ceiling, collecting in a mass of sparkles that imitated a small sun.

Is that some sort of «Skill» or something? I don’t know what to do!

Not to look out of place, I bowed my head as well and placed my hands over my chest with squinted eyes.

「… You’re a «Lain», huh?」

A young woman on my right giggled as several balls of yellow light floated from her cupped hands. Black and red petaled straps tied her light-blonde pigtails, matching her two-layered sleeveless dress that hugged her figure. The abundant black and red roses sprinkled on her dress matched her long eyelashes and glowing vermilion eyes.

「Or are you just trying to get on the King’s bad side? You do know it’s an offense to not offer «Asemblem».」 She whispered.

「I don’t know how.」 I whispered back.

She looked both ways before throwing several balls of white light that glittered into my palm. She nodded into the air, and I threw the light into the brimming supernova bubbling above us. The miniature sun then burst into twinkles of vibrant light that circled the room. Behind us, the crowd rose from their seats in applause.

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I looked over at the woman and bowed my head. 「Thank you.」

She smiled and continued clapping.

The young boy rose from his throne and raised his palm, causing the clapping to cease.

「For those new to Vogran, welcome. I am King Ueno, Ruler of the Eight Kingdoms, and The Grandiose of Vogran.」

King Ueno then looked over the woman and man sitting at his side. 「I am joined by Empress Kroike of the Wuulong Coalition, and King Trusla of the Vytorian Alliance. For many years, I have been separated from my brother and sister and I’m grateful to be reunited with them.

「My grandfather started The Ushur’s Coronation after the Pyurola War to celebrate the upcoming generation of nobility and invite them to the Vogran Court of Houses. Each of you has been hand-selected by a council as individuals of interest, both through your accolades, accommodation, and potential.」

Footsteps then marched at my backside, as another row of people began stepping in front of the first row.

「Now, your state’s chosen representative will present you with the customary award segils of your region.」 King Ueno said.

My heart rate quickened as I closed my eyes and let out a breath.

This is fine. It’s fine. There’s nothing to get so worked up about. Just keep my composure and-

『My little menjusuv is all grown up.』 A woman’s voice cooed in an Inascovian accent.

Lady Cheykina stood in front of me with a smile, holding a silver box in both hands. As I looked into her eyes, her loving smile and sincere gaze calmed my racing heart.

『Mom…』 I whispered.

Lady Cheykina’s eyes widened. Tears then rolled down her cheeks as she began wiping them away with a handkerchief.

『I told myself I wouldn’t but… seeing you up here like this made me so… so proud of you.』

I looked to the side and cupped a hand over my mouth.

This feeling in my chest… it’s like it’s consuming me, but not in a bad way. I haven’t felt this sensation in a long time, though. It almost felt surreal. When’s the last time I…

A vision floated in my mind of my mother and me laughing and giggling. I felt safe with her. Her touch… her warmth… her smile…

My eyes widened as I felt beads of tears began building at the corner of my eyes. I squinted, trying to hold them back, but they fell soon before I even noticed.

Lady Cheykina wrapped her arms around me, caressing the back of my head. I nuzzled deeper into her embrace, invoking her scent while wiping the water from my eyes.

『We are women of Inascovia, Yokalena, so we must act like it. A few more seconds will pass, and we will separate with faces of stern and assuredness.』

I nodded. 『Okay… just a few more seconds…』

Lady Cheykina then backed away and presented the silver box to me. I took it in both my hands and opened the latch.

Inside on a white pillow laid a black and silver claw-ring set, with chains guiding to the similarly colored wrist bracelet. Each of the claws was sharp, with icicle-like barbs that grew atop the hand and ended at the Falange rings encrusted with small black jewels. The bracelet had a roaring beast wrapped in serpents carved onto the top that wrapped around the entire figure.

『My «Mana Proficiency» isn’t as strong as your father’s, so unfortunately this «Bokhita» isn’t as great as his. However, it has a few special talents that I’ll go over with you tomorrow.』

『… Tomorrow?』

『Yes, tomorrow. Your father and I need to stay in the capital for some other business. But afterward, I wanted to spend some time with you before we left back for Inascovia… If that’s okay with—』

I lunged into her arms and nodded. 『I… would love that so much, Mom.』

She stroked my hair with a giggle. 『You’ll always be my little girl, Yokalen, no matter how much you grow up. I love you.』

『I… love you, too…』 I murmured back.

I cracked my eyes and looked to my right, where a woman wearing sparkling silver armor bowed her head. King Ueno walked over and handed her a platinum medallion, matching her silver eyes and hair, cut at a slant.

We made eye contact, and she did a small cheer while waving her medallion. I bowed my head and turned back to Lady Cheykina.

King Ueno walked back to the front of the podium and sat down on his throne. 「This concludes the Ushur’s Coronation. A feast has been prepared in the grand hall and is ready for consumption. I look forward to seeing what each of you will do in the coming future.」

After a long applause, several of the nobles sitting below walked over to congratulate us, introducing their houses, names, and business practices. About half an hour later, Lady Cheykina called me over to the door, standing with Agnelov and Evonika.

「Congratulations, Lady Yokalen. I hope you feel as proud of yourself as I do for you.」 Agnelov said.

I nodded and glanced over to Evonika, busy reading a small white book.

「Well? Aren’t you going to congratulate me?」

She closed the book and sighed. 「Woow, you’re so cool, Yokalen. Congrats… even though you barely did anything…」 Evonika said, whispering the last part.

「Well, I must be off. Please take care of each other and enjoy the rest of the night.」 Lady Cheykina said.

She then rubbed my cheek and caressed the side of Evonika’s hair. 「I’m so very proud of both of you. Never forget that. You, too Agnelov.」

Agnelov giggled as Lady Cheykina patted the top of her head. She then walked outside the room, waving around three times before reaching the edge of the hallway and disappearing on a turn.

Evonika parted her book open and turned around. 「Well, I found Reign and Vbr’b r. They’re down drinking at the Adventurer’s Party a few levels down. I think they found a way for us to log out. We should join them.」