Chapter 1
In the end, before even a week had passed since the child was born, I took in the child that my sister abandoned, named him Dilex, and raised him as my own.
The imperial court and the nobility condemned me, saying that instead of giving birth to an heir to the imperial family, I was raising my sister’s child—whose father was unknown. But I could not change my decision.
As the Empress, I fulfilled my responsibilities and duties, struggled to love a man I did not love, and fought desperately to be loved by a man who did not love me. In that lonely and painful time, Dilex was a ray of light.
When his tiny body burrowed into my arms seeking warmth, when the once-unsteady child ran toward me and jumped into my embrace, when he looked at me with bright eyes, smiling and chattering—every moment was astonishingly wondrous.
“My light.”
“My love.”
“My nephew, whom I embraced and raised with my own hands.”
Every day I lived as Empress was painful, but the time I spent with Dilex was happy and beautiful.
“That’s right. Aunt loves Dilex the most in the world. Playing with Dilex is the most fun thing in the world.”
“Right? I knew it! Ehehe! I have to tell the nanny everything!”
Then he burst into laughter, rolling around on the bed.
“Aunt loves me the most, so why aren’t you my mother? I wish you were my mom instead of my real mom…”
“……”
I had no words to answer him, so I simply held him tightly.
I, too, wished that I could be his mother. I wanted to tell him that he was no different from my own child, born from my heart.
But Dilex had a long life ahead of him, while I would soon die.
I could not let my selfishness or his innocent wishes make him see a soon-to-vanish aunt as his mother.
The only thing I could do was pour all my love into him until the very end.
“If you say things like that, your real mother will be sad.”
“Uung… But, but… Can’t I just call you Mom?”
“No, Dilex.”
I deliberately answered firmly. Dilex’s eyes turned red. It wouldn’t have been strange if he cried, but he forced himself to smile instead.
“…Yes… I’m sorry for being stubborn.”
It was the result of Serenity’s harsh discipline—she had no patience for a child’s tears.
My heart ached.
I wanted to hug him and tell him that it was okay to cry.
But before I could say anything, Dilex, who had been rubbing his forehead against my shoulder like a spoiled child, changed the subject first.
“Oh, right! Aunt! In seven more nights, it’s my birthday!”
“Oh… That’s right. I already prepared a birthday party for you.”
“Wow! A party? With candles and cake?”
“Of course. And before blowing out the candles, you have to make a wish.”
“A wish! I already have one!”
Dilex suddenly flopped onto his back, clumsily clasped his hands together, and tightly shut his eyes.
“Dear stars, dear moon, dear sun, on my birthday, please make Aunt all better so we can play ball together.”
“……”
I placed a hand over my chest, trying to suppress my emotions, but Dilex must have noticed my reaction. He gasped and quickly shut his eyes again.
“I have another wish! If Aunt gets better, let her do everything she wants! My aunt said she wants to ride horses with me, take walks with me, have a running race with me—she has so many things she wants to do, but she’s too sick to do any of them!”
“…You remember all that?”
“Yeah! Of course! I thought about it every day because I wanted to do them so badly.”
“…Ah.”
They were just things I had impulsively mentioned on a particularly painful day. I never expected him to remember them all.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
I’m sorry, Dilex.
I wanted to spend more days laughing with you. I wanted to watch you grow up into a fine young man.
But that seems impossible now.
“Dilex. Didn’t your mother tell you not to come to me today?”
“Ah! S-sorry.”
At the cold, sinking voice, Dilex stiffened and jumped off the bed.
When I looked up, I saw a woman with delicate platinum hair—so light it seemed like the wind could blow it away—slowly walking through the door.
She was limping slightly, carrying a tray, and the sight made my heart ache.
I lowered my head, unwilling to watch Serenity struggle to walk.
“Welcome, Sister. I didn’t hear you knock.”
“I figured. Dilex’s voice is so loud.”
Dilex, who had been shifting anxiously between me and Serenity, drooped his head in disappointment and hurriedly left the room.
“…Oh.”
I didn’t even get to say goodbye.
Feeling regretful, I stared at the door he had disappeared through. Serenity sat down on the chair beside my bed.
On the tray she carried was a teacup filled with a dark liquid.
“I brought it a little earlier today. That’s fine, right?”
“Of course. Was it hard for you?”
“This much, I can do.”
Her firm tone made me feel small.
“…Sorry. I wasn’t doubting you.”
I drank the medicine she handed me, and my head immediately spun.
Dizziness always followed whenever I took this medicine, but today it was especially severe.
I truly felt like the end was near.
Carefully, I handed the cup back to Serenity and lay back down.
As always, she smiled gently and tucked my blankets in place.
“It’s so strange. Dilex likes you more than his own mother.”
She sounded amused, as if pleased by the fact.
It was only natural—since I was the only one who treated him warmly.
“You know, Isoletti, I actually have something I’ve wanted to tell you. I’ve been waiting for so long to say it. I’ve kept it hidden all this time, but now that it’s the end, I should finally tell you. You have the right to know.”
“…Okay.”
“Listen carefully, Isoletti. You adore Dilex, don’t you? Well, he’s actually the Emperor’s child.”
“……”
“……”
…What?
…What did she just say?
I struggled to comprehend Serenity’s words, but my mind was growing hazier.
She let out a small laugh.
“Didn’t understand? Ah, is your mind not working well because you’re dying? Then let me make it simpler.”
“……”
“Your nephew… is actually your husband’s child.”
…Dilex is my husband’s son?
NOTE
Hey guys, if you like my work and want to support me you can visit this link for tip.
As I can’t create kofi because of unavailability of PayPal in my country, I’ve made this teir which will be updated weekly so you won’t be charged again until you want to tip again, also you can exit the tier after donating.
Enjoy reading 💞💫
