Episode 111

As I gazed into Aiden’s eyes from up close for the first time in a long while, something about them felt different.

The first thought that came to mind upon reuniting with my lover was worry—what’s wrong with his eyes this time?

Could we really be okay like this?

I scrutinized his face, wondering if it was some lingering aftereffect of the oath, when Aiden suddenly scooped me into his arms.

“Your Highness, Crown Princess, I leave the rest to you,” he declared solemnly to Lothania before marching off without waiting for a response.

“Aiden?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What are you doing all of a sudden?”

“You’re trembling.”

“I’m fine, so put me down. I need to speak with Lottie.”

“Forgive me, but I can’t hold back any longer.”

With a resolute shake of his head, Aiden continued striding toward the summer palace.

Judging by his serious expression and his outright defiance of my command, it seemed he had something urgent to attend to.

Since my conversation with Lothania wasn’t particularly pressing, I let him do as he pleased.

We arrived at my room in no time, where Aiden carefully set me down by the bed.

As I perched on the edge of the bed, he knelt before me, lowering one knee to the floor and lifting his gaze to meet mine.

When I reached out to smooth back his hair, he caught my hand and pressed his lips to my palm.

The warm, ticklish sensation brought a natural smile to my lips.

“Now, tell me—what’s this all about?”

“You dislike it when I act like this in front of Her Highness, the Crown Princess,” he said, avoiding my eyes as he leaned closer.

Ah, so that’s what this is about.

If this is what he meant by no longer being able to hold back after being freed from the oath, then I welcomed it wholeheartedly.

As his large, warm hand cupped my cheek, I closed my eyes.

The gentle press of his lips against mine was accompanied by the sound of him catching his breath.

He leaned in further, drawing me into his arms, his weight pressing me back as he held me tightly.

When I wrapped my arms around him in return, a low, muffled groan rumbled from his throat.

Though it hadn’t been long since Lothania’s awakening, it felt like I was reuniting with a lover I hadn’t seen in years.

Even when he was by my side, the inability to fully express our love had been torturous.

It was an experience I had no desire to repeat.

I held onto him until my breath came short, refusing to let go.

Even after the long, deep kiss, Aiden didn’t stop, brushing his lips against my cheeks, my nose, my neck—leaving a trail of fervent affection.

“Aiden.”

I called his name softly, prompting him to lift his gaze to meet mine.

In those desperate red eyes, I saw his suppressed emotions overflow.

Cupping his face in my hands, I spoke with firm resolve.

“You will never again be anyone’s but mine. Not the oath’s, not the spirit’s whim—never again. I won’t allow it.”

“From the day you showed me I was a man, not a beast, I have always been yours. There hasn’t been a day I didn’t love you, and there never will be.”

His trembling voice carried a solemn vow as he kissed my forehead.

As always, his words were filled with sincerity.

Even when the oath had threatened his very life, Aiden had loved me.

Now, free from the chains of the past, I finally gave him the answer I couldn’t speak last night, when he was still bound.

“I know. I love you too, Aiden.”

His dark lashes quivered, and in the next moment, his lips captured mine again, sealing our love with an intensity that left no room for doubt.

* * *

The next morning, Belpator remained as peaceful as ever, even without the beasts that had safeguarded the empire for centuries. It was also Lothania’s fifteenth birthday.

After a chaotic few days dealing with the oath and the spirit, I hadn’t prepared anything for my daughter’s birthday celebration.

Thanks to Rosa, the head maid of the summer palace, breakfast was as splendid as a grand banquet. However, I still felt like an indifferent mother for forgetting my daughter’s birthday gift.

“I’m sorry, Lottie.”

“It’s alright, Mother. You’ve already given me the most precious gift I could ever ask for.”

Lothania glanced fondly at Melbrid, who sat across from her, and smiled.

Though it was a relief that she had managed to free her first love and childhood friend from the chains of the oath, I still felt guilty.

Cupping my daughter’s cheek, I promised her, “When we return to Brincia, we’ll throw a proper party. Everyone will gather to celebrate your birthday.”

“It’s really fine, Mother. You’re already going to hold a celebration far grander than any birthday party for me.”

She beamed, her adorable dimples on full display.

Her confident smile was so endearing and lovely that I couldn’t help but smile along.

The grand celebration Lothania referred to was her coronation ceremony.

Of course, the event marking my daughter’s ascension to the throne had to be magnificent.

I intended to plan a coronation that would go down in the annals of the empire as the most splendid ever.

The ceremony had been postponed for years, primarily due to the beasts’ opposition.

Although Lothania could have ascended the throne two years ago, she had insisted on waiting until she awakened and proved her legitimacy.

As a result, Belpator’s throne had remained vacant for an unusually long time.

Now, with the chains of the oath finally broken, the empire would welcome its new ruler.

“Of course, Lottie. You’ll ascend the throne amidst the cheers of the empire’s people.”

“And you’ll continue to help me, won’t you?”

Holding onto my hem tightly, Lothania’s youthful eyes showed a faint trace of anxiety.

She would be the first ruler in the history of the Luminal line to govern without the beasts by her side.

I clasped her hands firmly, smiling reassuringly.

“Of course. As long as you need me, I’ll always be by your side.”

Until my daughter was ready to stand completely on her own, I would remain her steadfast support.

She wasn’t alone.

Aiden and Vitrain, still the twin dukes of the empire, would protect it. The imperial guard, loyal only to Lothania, would defend her.

And by her side was Melbrid, who would undoubtedly grow into a strategist as brilliant as his brother, yet with a kinder heart.

The Belpator they would build together was something I was already looking forward to.

While imagining Lothania crowned as emperor, I felt a tug at my sleeve.

“What’s the next party after the coronation, Mother?”

“What do you mean, Lottie?”

I matched her hushed tone as she glanced slyly at Aiden.

“I mean your wedding, Mother.”

Following her gaze, I looked at Aiden, who stiffened dramatically in his seat, his eyes drilling into my lips.

Feigning a cough to avoid his gaze, I answered, “Let’s think about that after you’re officially emperor.”

“We should hurry the coronation, then,” Lothania said with an air of determination, and Aiden nodded in agreement.

The two had always been strangely in sync.

The next topic of conversation was the spirit of the Beril Lake.

Before returning to Brincia, there was a pressing concern that Melbrid brought up, relaying his brother’s words.

“My brother expressed concern that someone might try to use the spirit’s power to overthrow the empire.”

Lian’s condition had worsened rapidly after last night’s strain, and Melbrid, who had stayed by his side all night, looked equally pale.

Lothania’s expression turned grave at his words.

Lian’s fears were not unfounded—there was no guarantee that a second or third Barbados I wouldn’t emerge.

Judging by the spirit’s whimsical attitude, she seemed entirely uninterested in human affairs.

Still, the possibility of her being manipulated posed a threat.

“What can we even do about it, Mel? Are you suggesting we drain the lake to get rid of her?”

“My brother said that if removing the spirit is possible, it must be done. Without the beasts’ protection, the spirit’s presence is a potential liability.”

Melbrid’s words deepened the furrow in Lothania’s brow.

It was a Lian-like idea—practical, but severe. And, as always, his reasoning made too much sense to ignore.

Even I felt swayed by the thought that the spirit could threaten my daughter’s future.

However, this wasn’t a decision to be made lightly.

“Melbrid, if draining the lake fails to remove the spirit, it’ll cause more trouble than it’s worth. Turning her into an enemy could make things worse.”

“You’re right, Your Majesty. Perhaps it’s better to attempt to sway the spirit to our side.”

Melbrid’s agreement brought Lian’s knack for persuasion to mind.

I was about to ask how Lian felt about that approach when the imperial physician rushed into the room.

He bowed hastily to Lothania and me, then turned to Melbrid with urgency.

“You must come at once!”

“What’s the matter?”

“He can’t hold on any longer!”

At the physician’s words, everyone in the room shot to their feet.