Chapter 2: Princess Mia’s Festival of Debauchery (Part B) —The Light of Hope and the Miraculous Memory—

“Oh? My, this is...”

The Whitemoon Palace was in the midst of a visual transformation in preparation for Mia’s birthday festival. Large pieces of resplendent cloth were draped over the palace walls, across which the name Mia Luna Tearmoon was embroidered in big, bold letters. That was fine. It happened every year, and she was used to it. The problem lay elsewhere. Rather, itstood elsewhere.

White, imposing, and standing almost as tall as the palace itself...was an enormous statue of Mia!

“What...?”

She stared at it with a twitching grimace.

Wh-What in the moons is thatsupposed to be?!

Worse yet...

“Come on, you need to carve off a little more around that part or it won’t bring out Mia’s charm. And make sure to be especially careful overthere. Notice how it’s nice and round, with a bit of pudginess to it? Yes, that’s essential! It’s so very Mia-like. Make sure you don’t mess it up.”

The on-site supervisor was none other than His Imperial Majesty and current emperor of the Tearmoon Empire, Matthias Luna Tearmoon himself. Mia watched in abject horror as her father fought vigorously at the front lines, braving sand and flake as he pointed fingers and shouted orders.

She gulped. Feeling a sudden warmth in her cheeks, she quickly hopped out of the carriage. A quick glance backward revealed Abel and Sion to be in the midst of debarking as well, but they’d have to come later. First, she needed to take care of the problem in front of her.

She hastily stomped her way toward the emperor who, hearing her approach, looked in her direction.

“Oooh, Mia, you’re back!”

With a smile like a summer morning, he ran over.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. I have returned,” said Mia.

She performed an exemplary curtsy. Despite its flawless execution, Matthias was not pleased.

“Moons!Your Majesty?” He g