With me today were Goldia and Yddris. It was my responsibility as Imperial Counsel Advisor of Tradition and Ceremony to ensure the Empresses as well as her caretaker's needs were met, though today my intent was to show Goldia her castle's office and around the castle.

  It would be good for Goldia to know the Empresses as well, as her Succession Ceremony was due to come up. Though she would not be as involved with the Empress as I would, it would still be good for her to be acquainted with the Empresses.

  I return greetings from the castle guards before turning to Goldia, "Whoever you are escorting within the castle limits, ensure you stay with them, Goldia."

  "Okay."

  I recalled an incident from before where Yddris separated from me within the castle when we were younger. I was a high schooler at that time, and she was still a middle schooler, and that time the guards took her to the guard shack. They knew who she was, and they knew who I was, but they had strict protocols to follow, though they basically entertained Yddris - the guards knowing her at the time as my unofficial assistant. Despite the castle guard garrison being under my control, the commander for the guards lightly lectured me about making sure I keep my guest with me.

  "I'll get with you on how to authorize people entry and authorize them to be in the castle ter, but for now I'll show you to your castle office."

  "Okay."

  I gnced at Goldia next to me, who so had given nothing but simple replies. "Ease up a little. I know, it seems surreal having to step up, but..." I recalled that time... When I was told I would inherit my own position. It was arguably even worse of a situation than hers, but it remained in my mind as well as the truth told to me. "... it is our job - we are selected beyond simple human decision for our worthiness. You will do fine."

  Taking a deep breath, "Haah~, okay... thank you."

  "It takes time to get used to, but you'll get used to the responsibility Goldia. My brother will always be there for you, Goldia." Sensing that Goldia rexed a little, Yddris spoke up adding her two Marks to the conversation, "And... even as his Secretary of sorts, I was nervous too, at first."

  "Ha, it is only natural to have worries about inheriting such role." Thinking back to it, it is spectacur to think Yddris was performing such duties, only being a first-year high schooler. I didn't formally appoint her as my Secretary until she was in her second year of middle school; by then I was graduating high school and had to attend cadet academy and needed someone to handle the responsibilities in my absence. "It has been a bit..."... three years...

  We soon arrived at rge twin doors akin to a gate that were open. Inside the doors was a rge open circur space devoid of anything, simply being a decorative stone floor. The walls above held stained gss art in front of us and to our sides - in front was presumably a depiction of the Imperial Counsel Advisor of Military and Justice, a girl with light-brown hair wielding a pure-silver bde; to our left was the depiction of the Imperial Counsel Advisor of Tradition and Ceremony, a young man with golden hair adorned in a robe holding an embodied staff; and to our right was the Imperial Counsel Advisor of Sovereign and Civil Affairs, a young man with long dark-red hair holding a book.

  Under the stained gss art of each respective Advisor was a door, "Your office is the one in front," I directed Goldia to the door under the artwork of the girl with light-brown hair holding a sword, "I... can't say what is in there from your predecessor, though feel free to check it out."

  "Okay." With that, Goldia began walking forward to her office.

  Looking around and seeing Yddris who was headed forward behind Goldia to her new office, I simply looked around at the spacious area once again... I never really paid much mind to it, though looking at it again it did... itch my mind.

  Looking at the art, it seemed as though the Imperial Counsel Advisor of Military and Justice changed family and names based off their appearances. The girl's who depicted the appearance of the Imperial Counsel Advisor of Military and Justice - it seemed familiar, but I couldn't exactly pin down why... Well, I couldn't really delve into that mystery, as most records on the Imperial Counsel Advisor of Military and Justice only went so far back - all the records in the Imperial Library being records from the Imperial Counsel Advisors and the Imperial Empresses, and the Waltsia family only had records up to the Lunar Year 500 AM. Whoever the past Imperial Counsel Advisor family were, they clearly didn't leave their records behind.

  The door to Goldia's office swung open, "I'm done Desnyoon." Goldia said as Yddris accompanied her out. "Can I see your office?"

  "Feel free." I head over to my side - under the art of young man with golden hair - and open the door to my office. "Welcome to my office, I apologize for the clutter, but it is something akin to a hangout room alongside being my work office."

  There was nothing to say we couldn't go into each other's officse, but our offices were somewhat considered private spaces to each Imperial Counsel Advisor... Well, supposedly; my office was basically just an office for me and Yddris, and a pce for Yesen to also assist with my studies and record keeping. Yesen—well, I went into or had much of a need to go into his office, but I was sure Yesen kept his space strictly for work purposes. After all, the Imperial Counsel Advisor of Military and Justice is a position that carries heavy importance and significance.

  "Desnyoon?"

  "Ahem, nothing." I look at Yddris who was looking at me, "Was there anything of note in his office?"

  "No, there wasn't much aside from a lot of papers reting to their line of work."

  "Yeah... I expected as much." I doubt his office or anything in there would provide any leads. I let out a sigh before looking at Goldia who was still standing looking tense, "Feel free to take a seat Goldia, or feel free to look around." Hearing my words, Goldia sat down on the rge couch in my office and looked around.

  I walked over to the shelves at the end of my office and began looking for something - thinking back about the art gave me an idea for something else. Looking at records and copies of archives that my predecessor organized, I pulled out records dated from around Lunar Year 500 AM.

  Gncing up, I see Goldia looking at me. "Don't mind me, I'm not doing anything overly important. Just beginning my next goal."

  "I—okay. Is there anything I can help you with though?" Goldia stood, coming to my desk.

  "Ask Yddris; though you don't have to feel obligated to help." I sifted through the records, skimming through trying to find anything of note...

  "But—okay. Yddris." Goldia went off to join Yddris who was simply cataloging more records and archives into more detailed reports.

  ... ... ...

  A jolt runs through me - Goldia also senses something as our attention is brought to the door. The door then— "Greetings Empress Hikari and Empress Kuragi." I stand and bow courteously.

  ""Hello Desnyoon-nii, Yddris-nee."" The two young Empresses greet me and Yddris, though they look at Goldia a little confused. They recognize her golden hair - signature to the Waltsia family -, but were unsure of who she was.

  "This is Waltsia Verstuki Goldia, she will be the upcoming Imperial Counsel Advisor of Military and Justice." I introduce Goldia, "I apologize for not introducing her earlier, there has been a lot going on. Forgive me."

  "Hello Empress Hikari, Empress Kuragi." Goldia greets the two before also conducting her own bow, "Apologies for intruding and the suddenness, but I, Waltsia Verstuki Goldia, will be in your care you two."

  ""Hello Goldia-nee."" They both say her name alongside their weird little addition after our names before looking at Goldia with a bright innocent smile. Seeing them, I knew what they wanted to do.

  "Feel free to py with them Goldia." I say to Goldia. Though it seemed she was still on edge, "The Empresses aren't what you would think - they're what any normal child would be like for their age."

  "Ye—okay." With that, Goldia went alongside Yddris and sat at the now crowded couch in my office.

  The Empresses, they didn't seem too special at a gnce - being otherwise normal girls with very distinct, yet beautiful features for their young ages. Those two seemed to almost have their own knowledge, and they also had some odd... tendencies or manners unique to them; something no other tradition or culture I've researched before had. Aside from that, there was clearly something more, something special about them. Special in how we Imperial Counsel Advisors were.

  Yet looking at the two Empresses here... despite everything, I could never find the conclusion I was looking for. Regardless, the two Empresses were normal girls with the oddities that we Imperial Counsel Advisors also had. Their innocence in their long jet-bck hair and sharp violet eyes, their everyday normal actions and the like; they were normal girls in the end. Despite that, the Empresses were the embodiment of the fundamentals of our values, tradition, and history, and it was our duty and responsibility to protect and care for them.

  "I'd rather it stay that way. I wouldn't wish the responsibility of the country on their shoulders—"

  "Well, they will grow into wonderful girls someday, Imperial Advisor Asterisia."

  "Hehe—well, of course they will, Miss Tiesa." I let out a chuckle as their caretaker, a young woman adorned with a fancy-looking apron, quietly stands next to me looking at all the records on my desk, "Did an idea come up?"

  "Not something I can immediately find or make conclusions on." I reply, before gncing at the two Empresses talking with Goldia and Yddris, "How have the Empresses been as of te, Miss Tiesa."

  "They have been... fine." Tiesa said, "They wish for more visitors, but I understand that a lot has been happening, Imperial Advisor."

  "I'll come by more when possible." I said, putting a few of the records in my hand into a small bundle, "Though the Empresses would likely prefer to see those two or Keiko rather than me in public."

  The Empresses have seen me enough, and they are well aware of what my position is despite their youth. I entertain them, but... knowing what I know, I can't see them and maintain the distance I need to in the eyes of others...

  "..." Tiesa nods beside me, also knowing the truth of the two girls.

  We simply look at the Empresses talking and half-pying with the other two girls...

  "I know you've only just arrived, but please, could you bring some tea?"

  "Of course, I'll be on my way." With a professional bow, Tiesa leaves.

  I escort Goldia and Yddris out the castle, the two riding together alongside Goldia's driver.

  "Going back to your office, Imperial Advisor Asterisia?"

  "Yeah." I tell Tiesa, "I'll escort the Empresses back. If there is anything you need to handle feel free to do so."

  "... Understood..." Tiesa bows, before leaving.

  That left me and the two young Empresses together at the castle entrance. "Hikari, Kuragi, sorry..."

  "Desnyoon-nii..." Kuragi eyed me, "... Sorry for being... a needy girl..."

  "No—you are okay Kuragi. It is lonely in the castle..." I trailed off, "... I have quite a lot going on... It's—it's to do with Yesen... you two probably also know as well..."

  "Yesen-nii...""..." Hikari nods - she being the more mature one, "Um—Desnyoon-nii, can... we help?"

  "... sigh..." Looking at the two, "You don't need to feel obligated to help, but if you two wish to help then I can't really tell you no." With that I held each of their hands, "Come on, let's get going you two."

  "Yay!""Thanks Desynoon-nii."

  Seeing those two and their childish innocence, I at the very least could give them what they desire - company. It wasn't much, but I could at least do that.

  Back through the castle into my personal office, I seat myself in my chair, looking through more records trying to piece together a conclusion. Hikari helps by organizing records and archives as Kuragi simply seats herself, looking around the room. It goes on like this for a while - two hours -, by then Kuragi is lying asleep on the couch while Hikari is sat next to me, awake but dozing off every now and again.

  "Alright..." I stand from my desk, "Hikari, wake up - let's get you two to bed."

  "Nnn—don't leave, Desnyoon-nii..."

  I smile at her half-awake murmurs, trying to get me to stay longer. "Come—it's... I'll visit you two again another time."

  "I... okay..." Hikari rubs her eyes, "..." Standing, she looks and sees Kuragi lying down and sleeping like a log on my office couch.

  "Don't worry, I'll carry Kuragi." I head over and straddle Kuragi over my back, "Come, let's go."

  "... unn..." Hikari nods, still not fully awake. I gently hold her hand despite having Kuragi on my back and guide her through the castle back to their chamber.

  The guards assigned to guard the Empress's Chambers, seeing me with the two empresses like this once again, simply let me through without asking for my Imperial Seal. I thanked them before entering the Empress's Chamber, heading to their bedroom. I opened their bedroom door, "Hikari, we're here." I said, letting go of Hikari's hand to put Kuragi into her bed. I gently took Kuragi off my back and id her in her bed, putting her in her bed and covers. I turn to see Hikari looking at her bed bnkly...

  I stood next to her as she simply looked on bnkly... After a minute, Hikari then turned to look at me, "... Desnyoon-nii..." She uttered, "... carry me—like Kuragi..."

  "Sigh..." I let out a sigh, "Alright, princess..." I take Hikari into my arms, doing the so-called princess carry, which I bme on the various novels and mangas they've read in my room, courtesy of Yddris.

  "Yay~!" Hikari let out a smile as she looked at me, still in my arms. I id her in bed and did the same for her as I did with Kuragi. "Ano—," She hastily took my hand with her small hands, "Desnyoon-nii... are you going...?"

  "Yeah..." I nodded, "I have to get going."

  "... thank you Desnyoon-nii—um... good night..."

  "Good night to you, Hikari." I gently let go of her hand as I stood to leave their bedroom.

  I leave, closing their door behind me. "Thank you for watching over the Empresses, Desnyoon." I turn to see Tiesa standing outside their door, waiting.

  "Of course—I figure you need time to do your own matters as well."

  "Hehe—of course." Tiesa begins walking beside me as I begin my inspection of the Empress's Chamber, "Did you happen to make any progress for whatever you were looking for?"

  "No." I shook my head, "Nothing conclusive yet. I would need to spend more time looking through records to find the conclusion to my idea, but for now nothing decisive has come up."

  "I see..." Tiesa uttered, "... I'm sure whatever you're looking for, you'll find the answer you're looking for—the Asterisia, they've always found the truth they seek..."

  "Haha—," I let out a chuckle, "Let's hope that is the case—at least for me as well." We drift off from our conversation as I formally conduct my inspection.

  Of course, nothing was wrong. Tiesa wouldn't sck on that end, but I still had my duties to do. Done with my inspection, I left the castle and headed home for the day.

  Looking out at the evening sunset, "..." Whatever and wherever Yesen was, I hoped he was doing fine, but, "... I need Goldia—them to succeed..."

  Desnyoon’s Research Journal,

  Section - Imperial Empress of Astera (Revision 2)

  The Empress's of the Imperial Astera Republic are also a mystery on their own right; the ruler monarchy is only ever female. No one has been recorded as ever marrying into the Imperial Family, and the mystery for who fathers the new Empresses is one many question. Despite the mystery, the Empress of the Imperial Astera Republic are unique, for their history and descriptions all follow simir accounts. A seemingly doll-like girl with sharp eyes and jet-bck hair, of usually short or petite stature; and usually very calm, not showing their emotions easily.

  Refer to "Section - 0th and 1st Imperial Empress" below "Section - Origin of Astera and Imperial Counsel Advisor" for 0th and 1st Imperial Empress, section below details the general history of the Imperial Astera Republic Imperial Empresses and the 28th and 29th Empresses.

  Section - 27th, 28th, and 29th Empresses (Revision 2)

  The 28th and 29th Empress of the Imperial Astera Republic, Empress Hikari and Empress Kuragi are no different with their physical attributes - however they are unique for their eyes which gleam and shine as if they were gems, clear clean violet eyes. They also contrast the personality that other Empress's are described as being; Hikari is a very sensible and mature girl who wishes to act as and be an adult, and Kuragi is someone more befitting her age as a young girl. Despite that, they both are young girls at heart and enjoy the company of others like normal people.

  The 27th Empress Luceia, although I never met her, was also described very... vividly by my uncle. In his memoir to the next Imperial Counsel Advisor of Tradition and Ceremony, he expins the 27th Empress's growth, as well as the truth himself. The 27th Empress was what one would have expected from the other Empress, though seemingly through his interactions with her the Empress seemingly grew into a seemingly new person - or a person in general.

  Regardless, because of his actions, the truth remains; I am cousin by blood to the Empresses, and I am the closest thing they will ever have to a family, besides the company of each other. To that, I will give them what I can.