Episode 99

As Aiden’s face drew closer, I found myself frozen, unable to move.

His large hand reached out, seemingly to cup my cheek, only to pluck away a speck of dust from my hair and pull back.

The distance between us grew again, and I was struck by an absurd sense of disappointment.

What had I been expecting if he came closer?

The thought alone made my face burn, an embarrassment I couldn’t voice.

My lover, as oblivious to my internal turmoil as ever, simply sat before me like a gentle puppy, gazing at me with eyes brimming with love.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and tugged Aiden’s hand to guide him to sit beside me on the bench.

“How was Melbrid? Did he cry a lot?”

“Yes,” Aiden replied with his usual sincerity, “but he left the cell with a bright expression. He asked me to convey his gratitude to Your Majesty.”

“It must have been nice for him to see his brother after so long. And Lian?”

“He spoke more than usual.”

I exhaled a sigh of relief.

The palace physician had recently expressed concern over the excessive amount of painkillers Lian was taking. They warned that his tolerance to the medication was increasing, and overuse could hasten his death.

I had hoped sending Melbrid might lift his spirits, even slightly.

Melbrid was, after all, the only person who could cry for Lian—the one thing Lian so desperately desired.

Aiden, who had been gently brushing the back of my hand with his thumb, avoided my gaze as he asked, “Are you worried about him?”

“Odd as it may sound, I pity him,” I replied honestly.

“Him?”

Aiden looked genuinely shocked.

I knew as well as anyone that Lian wasn’t an easy man to sympathize with—not with the things he had done to me, nor his utterly rotten personality.

But I couldn’t bring myself to fully hate him.

I sighed and nodded.

“Yes, because he’s foolish.”

“Him? Foolish?”

“Lian is the most foolish person I know,” I said with conviction. “But the reason he’s foolish is because no one ever taught him the things everyone else takes for granted. That’s why I pity him.”

Aiden frowned, as though grappling with an unsolvable riddle. He pondered my words deeply before shaking his head.

“Your Majesty is a kind person to pity such a man. But I cannot forgive him, no matter what.”

I laughed at his solemn declaration of unforgiveness.

Aiden, ever the diligent soul, had apparently tried to understand my perspective, only to fail spectacularly.

Still smiling, I leaned my head on his shoulder, finding his earnestness endearing.

Aiden adjusted his posture, lowering his shoulder slightly to make it more comfortable for me to rest.

Despite his fierce appearance, Aiden was the kindest person I knew.

He always gave his all, without calculating others’ intentions or hiding his emotions.

For someone like me, who was used to endlessly navigating others’ feelings, Aiden’s honest and open nature was a profound comfort.

He likely didn’t realize that his straightforwardness had given me the courage to be honest about my own feelings, too.

I intertwined my fingers with his, clasping his large hand tightly in mine.

When I looked up at him, Aiden’s face was an adorable mix of confusion and bashfulness.

“Lovers are supposed to hold hands like this,” I explained with a grin.

At the word lover, Aiden’s fingers, which had stiffened awkwardly, twitched slightly.

Slowly, he curled his fingers to meet mine, clasping my hand properly. A soft smile bloomed on his lips.

Aiden’s face betrayed his excitement completely—he neither had the skill nor the desire to hide it.

Seeing his emotions laid bare like that made my heart flutter in return.

How could someone with such a fierce, intimidating appearance be this adorable?

Once again, I thought to myself that this side of my lover was a secret best kept to myself.

* * *

The days passed, and autumn deepened.

On the eve of the Founding Festival, the entire Belpator Empire buzzed with excitement. The capital, Brincia, already felt like the festival had begun, its streets alive with celebratory energy.

Adding to the city’s exhilaration was the arrival of a long-awaited group. Vitrain Kidmillan had returned victorious from the southern borders, accompanied by the Imperial Guard.

I went with Lothania to the parade grounds of the Imperial Guard’s barracks to welcome them.

Daid Frey, the captain of the Guard, knelt before Lothania, representing the thousand soldiers under his command.

“Captain Daid Frey reports the Imperial Guard’s safe return to Your Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

It was time to deliver a welcoming speech in recognition of their accomplishments.

I gently nudged Lothania forward and stepped back, offering her an encouraging nod and smile when she looked at me hesitantly.

The Imperial Guard was created to protect the Luminal family—Lothania specifically. It was only right that she, not I, received their oath of loyalty and acknowledged their efforts.

Lothania hesitated on the platform for a moment, and I worried she might be nervous speaking before a thousand knights. But then, her clear and commanding voice rang out across the parade ground.

“Proud knights of the Imperial Guard, defenders of Luminal, I welcome your safe return on behalf of my mother.”

Brief, but sharp and resounding. A perfect speech that left no room for excess.

She was only twelve, yet she spoke with the poise of a future empress destined to be remembered in history.

The Guard was rewarded with a feast prepared by the imperial kitchen and granted leave to enjoy the festival during the Founding celebrations. A generous bonus, courtesy of Viscount Gelphillow’s coffers, was also distributed.

As we made our way back to the palace, Lothania walked beside me, holding my hand, and shared her thoughts.

“Mother, during the festival, couldn’t we give the palace servants a holiday too? So they can enjoy the celebration.”

To think she even considered the palace staff—Lothania was bound to be a ruler who loved her people deeply.

Though, I mused with a smile, one person among the people she cared for held a special place in her heart.

“That’s a wonderful idea, Lottie. I’ll discuss it with Tito.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be feasible for all the palace staff to take time off during the festival. With banquets and celebrations filling the days, it was their busiest time of the year.

But the attendants managing the royal archives? Now, that was another story. No one would visit the archives during the festival.

As for coaxing a certain diligent boy out of the archives and into the festivities? That would be Lothania’s challenge.

“Thank you, Mother!” Lothania beamed, bowing her head before dashing off excitedly.

I didn’t need to ask where she was heading; I already knew.

After parting with Lothania, I returned to my office with Aiden and Vitrain flanking me.

Once there, I praised Vitrain for his efforts. As the Supreme Commander of the Belpatorian Army, he had worked as hard as the Guard in ensuring their victory.

However, as I spoke, I noticed Vitrain wasn’t looking at me but at my hand—more specifically, at my hand in Aiden’s.

Feeling self-conscious, I discreetly released Aiden’s hand.

Before Vitrain had gone south, Aiden had mostly remained behind me, ever the dutiful Captain of the Guard. He’d watch over my meetings from a distance, silent and alert.

But during Vitrain’s absence, Aiden had taken on a new title: the Empress’s lover.

And as my lover, Aiden’s place had shifted—not behind me, but at my side.

Vitrain’s single sharp eye roved over Aiden, scanning him from head to toe, before he exhaled a long, resigned sigh.

“I heard the rumors and tried to prepare myself, but…”

Though his words trailed off, it felt as though I could hear exactly what he wasn’t saying.

Clearing my throat, I shamelessly reached for Aiden’s hand again, interlocking our fingers as I stared Vitrain down.

With the southern border stabilized, Vitrain would be staying in Brincia for a while. He might as well get used to the sight of us together.

Switching his gaze between my unapologetic expression and Aiden’s helplessly enamored one, Vitrain finally gave a half-laugh, half-sigh, his tone softening.

“You seem more settled than before, Your Majesty,” he said, his blue eye warm with sincerity.

“Do I?”

“Yes. That mongrel seems to have lost one of his fangs too. He’s not the stray mutt he used to be. It’s… better this way.”

Though his words were pointed, his meaning wasn’t lost on me.

I smiled back, my gaze lingering on the dimple in his cheek as he returned my smile.

Whenever I faced Vitrain, I couldn’t help but notice his eyepatch first.

The one-eyed eagle who guarded Belpator.

I found myself hoping he, too, would find happiness someday.

* * *

The next day, Lothania and I donned matching crimson dresses symbolizing the Luminal royal family and headed to the Royal Arena.

Tens of thousands of citizens and nobles gathered in the stadium cheered with excitement on their faces.

At last, Belpator’s Founding Festival had begun.