When she was very, very young, when her mother was still alive, when her father was still a “good father,” and when her sister was still a “good sister,” Treya loved to dream.
Her dreams were always colorful, her dreams were always full of hope, and her dreams were always happy and fulfilling.
To the innocent princess, she firmly believed that what she saw in her dreams could surely be realized in reality outside of the dreamscape.
A princess of the Entak Empire should be omnipotent like this.
…
After discovering the pathetic nature of her surroundings, after gaining the power of Zero Demon City, and after being forced to participate in the royal family’s struggles, Treya began to hate dreaming.
Her dreams were always black and white, her dreams were always unpredictable and treacherous, and her dreams were always malicious.
To the awakened queen, she firmly believed that no matter the royal family she was born into or this world, beneath all the disputes over interests, there could not be the beauty of a dreamscape.
The Queen of the Entak Empire, too, could not achieve this.
…
Now, Treya’s favorite thing to do is to dream.
Her dreams can be whatever she wants them to be, her dreams can be as beautiful as possible, and her dreams can be any color.
To the Empress of demons, she cannot change the memories of everyone outside, nor can she change the reality of the world, but she can easily change dreams.
The Empress of Zero Demon City, when faced with “facts” she is unwilling to accept, can only do this.
…
The moment her real self closed her eyes, she in the dreamscape opened her eyes—
This was a dreamscape beautiful enough.
After all, this was the “future that should exist” written by him, and Treya would not allow this future to contain any unpleasant sorrow.
Dreams always have a theme, and in this dreamscape created by her, the theme was “mission.”
She stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, which had long since been demolished, and in the dreamscape, the once outdated and retro banquet hall was newly renovated…
The arrangement was such that one could completely forget “reality.”
The royal banquet hall was three stories high, with a huge chandelier reflecting the dazzling light of crystals, hanging down from the very center. The candlelight ignited in the middle, through the layers of crystals, scattered light into every corner of the banquet.
This was the scene of the princess’s engagement banquet.
Therefore, every visible place in the entire banquet hall had to shine as if gilded.
—This was a description Treya heard from her stepmother four years ago.
—So much time had passed since then.
Treya’s slender fingers, clad in black gloves, slid across the long table laden with food, without a speck of dust.
The banquet tables were filled with all sorts of desserts and all sorts of high-end beverages. From the beginning, there was no plan for anyone to finish them; the sole purpose was to fully showcase the extravagance of the royal family.
This was exactly the same scene as four years ago.
It was colorful, extremely luxurious, bright, and resplendent.
The only difference was…
The Treya standing here was wearing a thin, black, long dress, as a queen, exuding an aura of superiority over everyone else, completely different from her appearance back then.
And…
There was no one here whom she disliked.
“Good evening, Treya.”
Only the person she liked the most.
Walking across the silk-like red carpet, at the very end of the venue, next to that small stage, he sat there.
He was idly twirling a glass of orange juice, not even red wine, sitting at the table closest to the stage, leaning back in his chair.
Besides Will, there was no one else here.
No hypocritical guests, no nobles waiting to watch the spectacle, and no sister waiting to stab her in the back at any moment.
No empress who used her and didn’t consider her her daughter at all.
Nor were there guests who were waiting to have fun at the Ninth Princess’s expense and had already figured out who to stand with.
There was only Will, who looked exceptionally casual, as if he had just come for a stroll after dinner.
“Good evening, Teacher Will.”
As naturally as if they had arranged to meet here at this time, the two of them exchanged a smile and greeted each other simply.
“Ah, this is truly a nostalgic place.”
“It’s been a long time. Why did you choose this place?”
“It’s related to a mission, a secret for now. When the time comes… I’ll definitely give you a surprise.”
“As expected of Teacher Will, you always manage to surprise me.”
Treya showed a faint smile.
“How was your day? It seems we haven’t had a chance to talk all day, and now we finally have some time to meet alone.”
Leaning against the table, Will casually poured her a glass of orange juice, not red wine.
The two, now grown up, sat at the table, drinking beverages appropriate for their age, just like when they first met as children.
He was wearing the same impeccable black suit from that night.
Other than his age, he looked exactly as Treya had first seen him.
There were no white earrings she had personally commissioned for him by his ears, nor was his left eye half-devoured by demons, turning purple.
However, the present-day Will was more like the Will Treya had first met, like the teacher who could impart so much knowledge to her.
Her favorite… and the one she listened to the most, “Teacher Will.”
He was the true “wise minister” who could…
Assist her in becoming queen.
“I’ve been doing well. It’s just… as always, I have many questions for you. Teacher Will…”
Her voice had a hint of a “plead,” though it sounded a little stiff, but like a young girl seeing her lover, she moved closer to the Will in the dreamscape.
Then, next to his chair, she also pulled up a chair and sat down, deliberately close.
Her fingers were not “honest,” but her courage was not great either. She carefully reached out and brushed against Will’s palm hanging by his side.
“…May I ask for your guidance?”
It was slightly ice-cold, but just as she remembered.
Her fingertips felt very delicate, the fingers of a young master who had never touched any weapon.
Even she hadn’t noticed that a natural and gentle smile had spread across her face, as happy as if this was what she had always wanted.
“You can, but… what’s wrong?”
Will’s hand didn’t pull away; instead, he turned back and asked Treya.
“I want to feel your existence for a little while. I’m afraid you won’t exist.”
“That’s a bit sudden. Are you really okay?”
Will sighed, but didn’t say more. Instead, he reached out and clasped Treya’s fingers again.
With strength, Treya could feel the pressure of his fingertips.
Only in this dreamscape could she feel him like this.
