Episode 89

After hearing my rather long explanation and its succinct conclusion, Vitrein tilted his head in disbelief.

“What did you just say? Life imprisonment? I must have misheard something.”

“You heard correctly, Vitrein.”

“You’re telling me you intend to let that scoundrel live? The same one who manipulated Marchioness Senwood into assassinating His Majesty the Emperor?”

“It’s precisely because of that incident that I’ve made this decision. It’s not my place to decide Lian’s punishment for such a crime.”

I had anticipated some resistance, so I reached for my teacup, feigning nonchalance as I replied.

Vitrein’s frustration grew at my composed demeanor, but I had already made up my mind when Bonita passed away.

The one to decide Lian’s punishment must be Lothania.

Running a hand through his short silver hair, Vitrein asked with a troubled expression, “Your Majesty, have you forgotten that he kidnapped and imprisoned you? Even just for that, the punishment is execution.”

“I returned unscathed, but His Majesty and the Marchioness are gone. The severity of the crimes must be weighed carefully.”

“And do you truly believe that revealing all of this is what’s best for the Crown Princess?”

At his follow-up question, I froze, my hand gripping the teacup mid-air.

It was a question I had wrestled with endlessly but still couldn’t answer.

Traditionally, a person comes into their own as a ruler at fifteen.

So, I had resolved to reveal everything to Lothania once she awakened as the master of the beasts. At that point, she wouldn’t be able to escape the burdens of Luminal bloodline anyway.

But fifteen was still young.

Even if she were stronger than at twelve, this wasn’t a tragedy anyone of any age should have to endure.

Was this something a fifteen-year-old could bear? Was it a sorrow she should endure?

Or was I merely postponing a painful decision, pushing the burden onto my young daughter?

The tea swirled chaotically in my trembling cup. It wasn’t the tea or the cup shaking—it was my hand.

Seeing what even I couldn’t ignore, the two beasts fixed their worried gazes on me. I placed the cup down and gave up on pretending to be unaffected.

When I looked up, Aiden and Vitrein were both watching me with concern, their red and blue eyes filled with worry.

I confessed honestly to them.

“You’re right. I don’t want to kill Lian.”

Vitrein sighed, leaning forward with a serious expression.

“Your Majesty, he’s a madman who kidnapped you. If this is pity for his dying state…”

“It’s true I pity Lian, but keeping him alive is for Lothania’s sake, Vitrein.”

“For the Crown Princess?”

“That poor child deserves a genuine apology.”

I met Vitrein’s eyes with determination as I spoke.

No matter how pitiful Lian seemed, condemned to live in constant pain without painkillers, it couldn’t compare to what he had taken from Lothania—the father and aunt she lost to a mad serpent.

I wanted Lian to reflect, regret, and apologize to my precious and wounded daughter.

Those who hurt others must do that much.

Even I, who could never forgive my father for rejecting me, still longed for his apology.

I wanted to hear him say, “I was wrong, I’m sorry,” because only then might I begin to heal from the wounds of being disowned.

I doubted I’d ever receive that apology, but I wanted to give that opportunity to the child standing on tiptoe, striving to grow up too quickly.

Under the weight of my conviction, Vitrein had no words, and Aiden, who had remained silent until now, cautiously spoke.

“Do you think he’ll apologize?”

That was the real problem.

If Lian were a normal kind of madman, this might work.

But with Lian, the risk of him inflicting more pain on Lothania was just as high, if not higher.

With a mad serpent as the opponent, deciding what was truly best for the child was no easy task.

“If he won’t apologize, wouldn’t it make her want revenge even more?”

“Yes, knowing her temperament, she likely would,” Aiden admitted, nodding slightly at my cautious question.

His agreement lightened my heart, if only a little. Aiden often seemed to understand Lothania in ways others couldn’t.

Even Vitrein, who had been deep in thought, let out a long sigh of surrender. Then, with a strangely resolute expression, he said, “If this is your decision, I understand.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but he rose and excused himself, saying he would see me at the council meeting tomorrow.

Watching his retreating figure, so full of resolve, left me reflecting on my decision.

Was choosing to spare Lian such an outrageous decision that it required such gravity?

Would it have been better to follow Vitrein’s suggestion and execute Lian, ending this chapter?

I wondered if I was merely justifying my own discomfort by framing this as being for Lothania’s benefit, haunted by the memory of Lian’s bitter, self-deprecating voice.

Doubts spiraled endlessly, leaving me more uncertain than ever.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?”

Aiden’s voice brought me back, and I looked up to find him kneeling before me, concern etched on his face.

The once-defiant and fierce red eyes now gazed at me gently, softly.

Was it because of that gaze?

Though I still cringed at the memory of my tears from that day at the castle, my walls seemed to crumble whenever he looked at me like this.

“Do you think saying it’s for Lothania is cowardly?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t lie. Knowing everything he’s done, isn’t pitying him madness?”

“It’s not madness. It’s because that’s the kind of person you are, and I like you for it.”

Aiden’s lips curled into a gentle yet resolute smile.

When his warm hand reached out to rest on mine, it felt as if a breeze swept through my heart.

The doubts, fears, and guilt were carried away, leaving a sense of relief in their place.

Why is his touch so disarmingly warm, unsettling me so easily?

Even though I’m clumsy, flawed, and far from perfect, Aiden always reassured me that I was right.

Perhaps that’s why his presence gave me strength.

That man, who gazed at me with such trust and affection no matter what nonsense I spouted…

“I like you too, for the same reason. Because you’re that kind of person.”

Aiden’s eyes widened in surprise before he broke into a radiant smile.

If he had a tail, it would undoubtedly be wagging furiously.

His sheer happiness over a single statement left me feeling a little embarrassed.

Avoiding his gaze, I cleared my throat awkwardly.

“Still, don’t always take my side blindly. If I make the wrong decision, Lottie might end up hurt.”

“You’ve thought long and hard for the Crown Princess, haven’t you? A heart like that cannot be ‘wrong.’”

His voice brimmed with conviction.

If his face didn’t look like a dog on the verge of wagging a phantom tail, I might have taken his words more seriously.

Still, I hoped Aiden was right.

I feared this decision might leave another wound on that poor child, but all I could do was hope my intentions would reach her.

* * *

The afternoon was utterly packed.

Reviewing the documents Tito had brought and preparing for tomorrow’s council meeting left me busy until nightfall.

I was heading toward my bedroom, finally ready to sleep, when a thought struck me, and I opened the door to check.

Of course.

There he was.

The man I had sent off hours ago was standing guard outside my door.

“Aiden. Didn’t I tell you to go home?”

“I did go.”

“I didn’t tell you to just ‘go and come back.’ I told you to stay home.”

Placing my hands on my hips and frowning, I watched as Aiden dropped his head, grumbling softly like a scolded pup.

Seeing him slouch and glance at me nervously made me feel sorry for him again.

Why was it that ‘he’ seemed to be suffering the trauma when ‘I’ was the one kidnapped?

“Are you planning to stay up all night again? Aiden, humans can die if they don’t sleep. You said you weren’t going to die.”

“I can rest in short naps.”

I tried to coax him with softer words, but his eyes gleamed with determination as he spouted nonsense.

Letting out a sigh, I turned to look at my room.

The Empress’s chamber, occupying most of the second floor of the vast palace, was far more than a “room.”

It included an outer sitting area, furnished as a reception room, and my inner bedroom.

Narrowing my eyes, I focused on the long sofa in the reception area.

He might have to bend his legs a little, but it seemed like it would do the trick.

“Aiden, come here.”

I walked toward the sofa, motioning him to follow.

The empire’s loyal dog obediently trailed after me like a chastened puppy.

“If you’re going to rest, do it here. Sit and nap—or better yet, lie down and sleep.”

Pointing at the sofa, I gave the command. True to his obedient nature, Aiden quietly sat down, though he didn’t seem inclined to lie down. Still, he looked far more at ease than when standing guard outside.

It felt slightly improper, housing the empire’s dog, a duke, and one of my former marriage candidates, on the sofa in my room.

But… whatever.

Lottie had said not to worry about etiquette anyway.