The wind gently blowing, the warm sunlight shining down, and the full fragrance of the Raphasiline flowers.
Rohiriel closed her eyes quietly and took a deep breath. Today was one of those days where everything was perfect. She woke up feeling refreshed, completed my scheduled morning routine, and even got to eat a satisfying meal for the first time in a while.
It’s been about a month since she donned the Empress’ crown. Those days had been hectic and awkward. Because of that, her digestion didn’t settle, and she couldn’t eat properly for a while.
Even though she tried digestive medicines, the symptoms didn’t improve, making her wonder if she needed a detailed examination. But suddenly today, even after eating, she didn’t feel any discomfort at all.
‘Have I adapted to it now?’
Although the empress’s seat still felt unfamiliar, perhaps her body had already adapted.
To top it off, when she entered the golden garden to rest, the rare Raphasiline flowers she had been cultivating for a while were in full bloom. With purple petals layered in the shape of hearts, it was a very beautiful flower, highly popular for its ornamental value.
“I should pick and dry them before they wither.”
Of course, Rohiriel’s interest was solely in their medicinal properties.
As Rohiriel slowly opened her eyes again, the splendid sight of the garden’s golden interior reflected in her blue eyes.
When she first came here, it was a barren place. However, it was now filled with all kinds of plants, which was quite moving.
“There’s a little space left. Then this time, I’ll plant some Solincho….”
“Your Majesty the Empress!”
Rohiriel, still preoccupied with thoughts of planting medicinal herbs, heard an urgent voice calling out to her. Reflectively turning around, she saw Hemion running towards her, her brown hair fluttering.
“Hemion? What are you doing here?”
Rohiriel’s eyes widened as Hemion approached, gasping for breath. Her surprise wasn’t because Hemion had come into the golden garden freely without her permission. Although it was a temporary authority, Hemion could freely come and go in Golden Garden due to her research on the plants, even without Rohiriel.
So seeing Hemion in the golden garden recently wasn’t unusual, but…
“Didn’t you say you were going on vacation?”
The problem was that she had left the palace yesterday, saying she was going on vacation, and Ares had also applied for leave on the same day, so Rohiriel and Julion had worried that the two had run off together for a romantic getaway.
“Your Majesty, I am so upset!”
Why did she come to the Golden Garden crying again? Looking at her red nose and eyes, Rohiriel gently frowned.
“Ares Wolfgang must have done something wrong.”
Indeed, she should have opposed their relationship from the beginning! Rohiriel regretted belatedly for the hundredth time and smoothed Hemion’s disheveled hair.
“Yes, Ares is really bad! Do you know what happened?”
“Yeah, come here and sit down so we can talk.”
“Sniff… Your Highness, I’m really going to break up with him!”
Rohiriel dragged Hemion to a bench. After a few steps, Hemion sobbed and burrowed into Rohiriel’s arms. Seeing that the title “Your Majesty the Empress” had reverted to “Your Highness,” it seemed Hemion was more upset than Rohiriel had thought.
“Good thinking, Hemion. I recommend meeting a more serious man than that lightweight.”
Rohiriel patted Hemion’s back affectionately as she replied.
Then Hemion gained strength and opened her eyes wide, shouting.
“That’s right, why are people so frivolous? I can’t stand to look at him anymore!”
“Then shall we also have him dismissed from the Knights Order?”
“Yes! Completely drive them away… Wait, what?”
At that moment, Hemion’s shoulders twitched, and she stopped talking abruptly.
“How can you dismiss a knight of the imperial palace because of me…….”
“What are you talking about? That’s entirely possible. Anyway, Julion has been saying lately that Ares has lost his mind.”
“Lost his mind? Why? Is he sick somewhere?”
Hemion, releasing herself from Rohiriel’s embrace, inquired with a worried expression. This was the face of a girl still deeply in love.
Seeing that face, Rohiriel sighed and gently touched her forehead.
“Did Ares really get sick somewhere? Where and how…”
Looking at Hemion furrowing her eyebrows with concern and chewing her lips, it seemed like this would end as a simple lover’s quarrel once again.
Rohiriel shook her head and opened her mouth to speak.
“It’s probably best to ask him directly.”
The answer, however, came from behind her.
The deep, familiar voice made a smile naturally appear on Rohiriel’s face. The comforting scent, the familiar tone, and the large hands gripped her waist firmly.
“Ah, Julion.”
“…I greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”
Hemion greeted him with a trembling face, while Rohiriel clasped her hands around her waist. Feeling the warmth, her heart calmed. Turning her head slightly to look up at Julion, she asked.
“You said you were busy today… What brings you here so suddenly?”
“I was indeed busy. However, now I am free.”
“Hmm…? Did your work end quickly?”
No, he left the bedroom, making all sorts of faces and saying he had a mountain of tasks to handle today. Pailson had to drag Julion, who refused to get up because he wanted to stay in bed a little longer, out of the room.
He had complained so much about not having time for lunch together. But anyway…
Julion smiled widely at Rohiriel’s puzzled expression, offering no further explanation.
Instead, he looked at Hemion and spoke.
“Shouldn’t you give Ares a chance to explain himself? I think it would be good to have a conversation with him.”
“B, but…….”
“If not now, I don’t know when Ares will be able to return to the palace again…….”
“What? What do you mean?”
“He might not come back at all.”
“No, I, what does that mean…….”
“He’s scheduled to leave for a very important and dangerous mission.”
Rohiriel had already grasped the situation to some extent when he heard Julion’s seemingly casual voice.
When Hemion hurriedly entered the golden garden, it appeared that Ares had also sought out Julion. And perhaps some sort of deal had been struck between them.
Julion drove the wedge, noticing Hemion’s anxious eyes.
“Ah, has he already left the palace? Given the urgency of the matter, he might have already departed.”
“What? W-where exactly is Ares going?”
“That’s classified information. He said he’s leaving through the north gate, so by now…”
That was as far as Julion spoke.
Faster than when she arrived, Hemion dashed out of the golden garden as if possessed.
“Wow… She’s as swift as light.”
“You’re the light.”
Rohiriel marveled at the now-invisible shadow of Hemion, and Julion casually responded.
Rohiriel, feeling ticklish, lightly pushed Julion away and chuckled.
“Saying that so casually again.”
“I’m just stating facts, my lady.”
“Well, enough of that. Anyway, what really happened? Did you meet with Ares?”
“We did.”
“Then about this mission…”
As Rohiriel was about to ask more questions, Julion enveloped her entire body in a hug, silencing her.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
The warmth of his arms was so reassuring, Rohiriel smiled weakly and pulled away.
“Well, it’s only been half a day.”
“A lot can happen in half a day.”
The cool breeze enveloped the two.
Unbeknownst to them, the setting sun was now casting a deep, crimson glow.
Is this what happiness looks like? Rohiriel thought to herself.
“Are you really free now?”
“Yes, I’m free for the rest of the day, at least.”
“In that case, would you like to have dinner together?”
“Now that’s a deadly temptation.”
Julion smiled back at her.
His golden eyes crinkled into a curve as his dark hair swayed in the light.
“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
“Well, as long as I’m with you, anything will do.”
It was a courtesy question, anyway.
The palace chef would surely prepare a nutritious and delicious meal.
Yes, that’s how it would definitely be.
“Julion……?”
“I-I’m sorry, Rohiriel. It’s not that… Urgh.”
A little later, at the dinner table, Rohiriel encountered a shocking scene.
