Episode 112

As the imperial physician had forewarned, Lian now struggled even to breathe.

The once most beautiful man in the empire now bore the unmistakable shadow of death on his face.

It had been a long time since he could even swallow painkillers, the physician had said.

After one last examination, the physician shook his head and stepped away, leaving the room silent and heavy.

“Say your goodbyes,” the physician had advised, and with that, Melbrid broke into uncontrollable sobs.

Perhaps Lian had endured this agony for so long to spare his younger brother from bearing the burden of the oath.

When I thought about Lian, there had always been a tangle of conflicting emotions. But in the face of his impending death, all I felt was sadness.

“Your… Majesty…”

Lian’s breath came in shallow, uneven gasps as he called for me.

I stepped closer to his bedside and met his eyes.

“I’m here.”

“Send… everyone… away.”

At his last request, I turned to Aiden.

Though I saw reluctance flash across his eyes, Aiden bowed silently and stepped out.

Melbrid, burying his face in his sleeves, followed after, leaving just Lian and me in the room.

Lian gazed up at me as I stood by his bed, then let out a faint chuckle.

Despite the pain evident in his contorted face, he made an effort to smile.

“Truly… sending everyone out… like this. What if I… did something…?”

Even as he fought for every breath, Lian couldn’t help but maintain his facade of bravado.

His pale lips trembled, and I had to fight back tears at the sight.

“What, planning to kidnap me again?”

I managed to steady my voice, teasing him gently.

Lian’s shoulders shook with laughter, though the wheeze in his voice made it clear even laughing hurt him.

After catching his breath, he reached out a frail hand.

For the first time since he’d kidnapped me, I took his hand.

Even now, his violet eyes gleamed with a beauty that defied his fragile state.

With a calm and sincere expression, he asked me, “Do you love the dog?”

“Aiden is no dog, Lian. Just as you are no longer the serpent of the empire. And yes, I love him.”

“I’ve always… wanted to ask…”

“Ask anything, and I will answer.”

“Even if it wasn’t love… You smiled at me so often. You must have liked me… a little, didn’t you?”

His halting words brought back memories of that twisted summer two years ago, when his dangerous, beautiful smile hid a madness that consumed him.

Tears rolled down my cheeks, but I managed a smile.

“Yes, Lian. I liked you.”

His face lit up with a radiant smile, so bright it made me momentarily forget his dire state.

For the first time, Lian looked genuinely happy.

With what little strength he had, he reached out to wipe away my tears, though the effort left him utterly spent.

As his hand fell limply, I gently placed it back at his side.

He drew shallow, labored breaths but kept his smile.

“Come to think of it… I think I liked you very much, Your Majesty. So… don’t cry.”

Biting my lip to hold back a sob, I couldn’t bring myself to chide him for his foolishness, not in this moment.

Having said all he wanted, or perhaps unable to hold on any longer, Lian turned his head away and asked for Melbrid.

I slowly released his hand and stood.

I felt the urge to say something, but no words came to mind.

I took one last look at the profile of his face, then stepped out of the room.

Melbrid stood just outside, his face wet with tears, pacing anxiously.

He rushed in as soon as I exited, and the door closed softly behind him.

Without a word, Aiden pulled me into his arms.

In his embrace, I let out tears that couldn’t be defined by any single emotion.

And as I wept, Belpator’s last serpent drew his final breath.

* * *

After Lian’s passing, all those connected to the late emperor’s death were no longer among the living.

The oath, along with the beasts—the Luminal legacy and curse—vanished entirely.

With every tie to the past severed, Belpator entered a new era under the reign of its young emperor.

As promised, Lothania’s coronation ceremony was a grand affair, one that would be remembered throughout the history of Belpator.

I pulled together a lavish festival that allowed the entire empire to celebrate her ascension, sparing no expense, even adding my personal treasury to the budget.

Once at risk of becoming the last Luminal, Lothania proudly donned the emperor’s crown amidst both the hopes and concerns of the people.

She carried herself with such poise and confidence that when I placed the crown on her head, tears of pride slipped from my eyes.

After Lothania ascended the throne, many things changed.

Melbrid, once a lowly servant in the imperial palace, was promoted to the emperor’s secretary.

While no noble title was granted, Lothania restored the Zernia surname to him, a gesture that carried significant meaning.

As for me, now officially titled Dowager Empress, my honorific shifted from Your Majesty to Your Highness.

Although Lothania graciously allowed me to remain in the Empress’s Palace indefinitely, I knew I would have to vacate it once she found her consort.

At her request, I continued to attend council meetings, though I relinquished the emperor’s study to her.

Having been rigorously trained since childhood, Lothania would surely perform even better than I had, especially with the skilled aides I had prepared for this moment.

While she often sought my approval for major decisions, my responsibilities as Dowager Empress were gradually diminishing.

Aiden, too, found himself with more free time.

He had relinquished his role as captain of the royal guard, now serving solely as commander of the city’s security forces.

In a surprising move, Lothania appointed Anna, a former handmaid from her palace, as the new captain of the royal guard.

Many questioned this unconventional decision, but Aiden vouched for her, citing her extensive training under his espionage network, White Shadow.

Anna, now donning the white uniform, looked undeniably striking, though rumors said she grumbled about having less time to sew.

It had been a month since Lothania’s coronation.

I was enjoying a leisurely afternoon, gazing out at the snow-covered garden, when I turned to the man sitting beside me.

“Aiden, let’s go out,” I said.

“Where shall I take you?” he asked with a gentle smile.

“To the Tilender duchy estate.”

The warmth in his face froze immediately.

His outstretched hand paused midair, and even his gaze faltered as he stammered, “T-Tilender estate? Why… there?”

“I thought I’d take a look since we might live there someday.”

Aiden’s expression turned almost comical, his mouth agape. “We… live there? You, Your Highness?”

“Yes, me. Lothania is fine with it, but as Dowager Empress, I can’t stay in the Empress’s Palace forever.”

“The emperor would gladly provide you with another residence in the palace,” he said, almost desperately.

“Of course, Lothania would offer me any palace I asked for, but wouldn’t it be odd if I stayed in the imperial palace after marrying you?”

“That wouldn’t be odd at all,” he insisted, shaking his head fervently.

For someone who always eagerly agreed whenever marriage was mentioned, his reaction was uncharacteristically hesitant.

Was he worried I didn’t truly want to stay in the imperial palace?

“Do you dislike the idea of me living in your home?” I asked, a question I knew would corner him.

As expected, Aiden looked flustered but quickly answered, “Not at all. It’s just… unfit to house someone of your stature.”

“Given how long you’ve been living here at the palace, I’m sure it’s fallen into some disrepair. That’s fine, though. We’ll clean it up.”

“It’s beyond repair, Your Highness.”

“Then we’ll renovate it. Let’s go see it first and decide.”

I rose from the sofa, pulling at the reluctant Aiden, who appeared ready to melt into the furniture to avoid going.

He always wanted to give me the best, so I figured his hesitation was due to unfounded worries about the state of his estate.

That was, until I saw the Tilender estate’s front door lying broken on the ground, completely unhinged from its frame.