Episode 2 — Finally Found You
One of the greatest prides of the Castan Empire was its festivals — especially the grand celebrations of imperial birthdays, a tradition passed down through generations.
After the revolution, even the festivals changed.
What had once been a symbol of heavy taxation became an event that brought nobles and citizens closer together.
Even neighbors who had fought like enemies shared food and wine during the emperor’s birthday.
“What unites an empire?”
“A festival does.”
The first such festival began three days after the revolution ended.
“Come on, hurry! The appointment ceremony is about to start!”
“Who do you think will be rewarded? There are so many unexpected names this time.”
“I heard Sir Aiden’s included too! If you want to see him, we’d better run!”
The new emperor, Lante Oberon Castan, had declared the equality of all classes the moment the revolution succeeded.
He even scheduled his birthday festival immediately — to celebrate with the people rather than rule above them.
For the first time, nobles appeared in the public markets, sampling street food and buying trinkets at full price.
Shops once reserved for aristocrats lowered their prices with the empire’s support, and commoners poured in freely.
“What I can promise you is transparency, stability, and the sincerity of a ruler who cherishes his people more than anyone.”
Lante stood on the palace terrace, dressed impeccably in imperial garb.
Golden hair gleamed in the sunlight, and his blue eyes — worthy of the Castan name — shone brightly over the crowd.
Below him stretched a sea of silent citizens, their faces turned upward in awe.
“The age of hunger is over. My kind people, as we welcome this new era, we shall open our festival with the imperial appointment ceremony!”
— Waaaah!
The cheers erupted, sweeping through the plaza.
And the first name called was Rosen.
“Rosen Barhel.”
A woman with light violet hair stepped forward, her uniform spotless, her shoulders straight — the image of a knight.
As she reached the terrace, she bowed deeply toward the citizens.
“Who is that?”
“Rosen?”
“You don’t know? She’s the knight who guarded His Majesty during the revolution!”
“Look at her size though… she’s huge…”
Ignoring the murmurs, Rosen blinked her gray eyes once, then turned toward Lante.
She knelt on one knee.
Lante drew his sword and rested the blade lightly on her shoulder.
“I bestow upon you the name Titania…”
“…”
“…and appoint you as the Empire’s sole Grand Duke.”
Gasps rippled through the citizens.
There had been dukes in Castan’s history — but never a Grand Duke.
“Now, speak the name of the land you wish to govern. I shall grant it as you desire.”
Lante sheathed his sword again, his firm voice echoing across the silent plaza.
Then Rosen lifted her head and declared:
“Grant me the Northern Territory, Your Majesty!”
The air froze instantly.
Rosen continued without faltering:
“The North has long been abandoned — land not even recognized as an official province.
I will take responsibility for it. I will erase the shame of those who live there.”
In the crowd, a few people — clearly Northerners — began to tremble, some with tears in their eyes.
“With the pride of the Northern people, I will make our land a pillar of this empire.”
Lante’s voice followed, calm yet resolute:
“Then I grant you the Northern Territory.
From this day forth, Grand Duke Titania shall command the North — to cleanse its sorrow and restore its honor.”
“Long live Grand Duke Titania!”
Rosen rose to her feet and bowed again.
“I can trust you with it, Barhel.”
“Thank you, Oberon.”
And so, with quiet words between emperor and knight, the ceremony continued.
“Aiden Galtan. I bestow upon you the name Parche and appoint you as my royal guard.”
A red-haired man knelt — the knight once known as the Lion of the Crimson Mane.
But just as his name was called—
“Traitor!”
A voice from the crowd cut through the air.
Rosen instantly turned toward the sound — but faster than her eyes could move, an arrow flew.
“Your Majesty!”
Rosen rushed forward, but before she could reach him, Aiden had already thrown himself in front of the emperor.
The arrow pierced his arm. He grimaced but forced a grin.
“Continue… the ceremony…”
“Guards!”
Rosen shouted to the edge of the terrace. Soldiers surged into motion.
“Fetch a doctor! Now!”
Her command rang out as Lante gritted his teeth.
He had expected this — rebellion disguised as celebration.
“Damn it…”
“Don’t lose focus, Emperor…”
“Stop talking. Stay awake.”
Lante hauled Aiden upright and shouted to the crowd:
“This man is no traitor!
He risked death to fight in our revolution and stands now as my knight! Anyone who calls him otherwise defies the Empire itself!”
Even as Aiden was carried away, Lante’s voice thundered on:
“Some may still call our revolution treason… but if any threaten my knights or my people, I will draw my sword once more.”
His calm tone rippled through the plaza like a stone cast upon still water.
“Grand Duke!”
A maid called urgently from inside the terrace.
Rosen left her knights to guard Lante and turned.
“What is it?”
“The next appointee — he’s a physician, but…”
“But what?”
“He refuses to come until he finishes treating the wounded.”
“…Show me.”
Rosen followed quickly into the palace.
Bang!
She opened the door without hesitation.
Inside, Aiden was pale and sweating, an arrow wound freshly dressed.
“Can’t even catch one arrow, Sir Guard?”
“Be gentle, Rosen… agh…”
As he groaned, Rosen noticed the physician treating him.
Dark, charcoal-black hair flowed down past his waist.
Round glasses framed sharp, unwavering black eyes.
“Is something left to discuss? Or are we making small talk now?”
He didn’t even glance at Rosen, continuing his work with clinical precision.
“Doctor.”
“Holden,” he corrected.
“What?”
“Holden Fay.”
The name struck Rosen like lightning.
But she didn’t show it.
“Holden Fay, then. I heard your family is among those to be ennobled today.”
“I’m in the middle of treatment.”
“The patient says he’s fine.”
“The doctor says he’s not.”
“Are you the only doctor in the Empire?”
Holden turned his head sharply toward her, eyes meeting hers in open challenge.
Just then, the door opened again.
“Medical team reporting as requested! Sir Holden Fay, please hurry—”
A royal servant stepped in with more physicians.
“So, are you the only doctor here?”
“…”
Holden rose silently. He quickly briefed the incoming doctors on Aiden’s condition before stepping back.
Still the same — rigidly professional, annoyingly upright.
Rosen shook her head and left first.
“As one who aided in the birth of this new era, your family shall be granted the name Take.”
Just as expected.
The Fay family had received their noble title — Take — in Holden’s absence.
His siblings had attended the ceremony in his stead.
The family of physicians who had saved countless lives during the revolution were now officially nobles.
“Are you satisfied?”
Rosen asked quietly from the corner of the terrace, away from the other nobles waiting their turn.
Holden turned his gaze from the ceremony to meet hers.
“I have no regrets.”
“Even a servant knew that His Majesty would personally confer the titles.”
“I knew as well. But—”
“But?”
Rosen tilted her head slightly.
Holden adjusted his glasses and answered firmly:
“I didn’t save lives to earn a reward.
I did it for the Empire — for the people who bled to build it.
That is why I participated.”
Rosen stared at him silently, like a predator assessing prey.
“Then, since my family’s appointment is complete, I’ll take my leave.”
“Rosen.”
He stopped and turned back.
Rosen still had her back to him.
“Rosen Barhel Titania — that is the name and rank granted to me by His Majesty.”
“…Understood, Grand Duke. I’ll take my leave.”
“I look forward to seeing you again, Holden Fay Take, physician.”
Look forward to it?
Holden bit back a sigh and left without another word.
Rosen, however, remained — eyes fixed on the terrace.
She watched as Holden’s family exited, and another noble stepped forward.
Her hand brushed her lips unconsciously.
“…Finally found you.”
She pressed down on the faint smile threatening to rise.
