Chapter 23

The emperor's funeral was held simply a month later, and only the empress and the first prince among the royal family attended.

The former crown prince, killed by Palesis, was buried in a grave as if discarded, so this could be considered somewhat better.

Half a month later, the knights of Reiatou, who had been stationed at the warehouse, finally surrendered in response to the persuasion of Antoire and Roffman.

Without any supplies from their allies, the knights, who had become emaciated to the point of being skin and bones, crawled out of the warehouse and offered their surrender.

Of the dozen or so knights, four had already died, and after being protected, three more quietly passed away without accepting food.

Thus, the crown and the staff were finally brought to the imperial palace, and the next day, after a formal selection meeting, Alek ascended the throne as emperor.

It was a simple coronation ceremony attended only by the high priest, the empress, and a few senior ministers.

The news of Alek's ascension was immediately conveyed to all sides, and Alek was immediately busy with the duties of the emperor.

The guard visited Alek that evening.

The exact number of the guard's total force is not clear, but about fourteen or fifteen guards appear in public, all of whom walk around the palace in black military uniforms.

Alek quietly looked down at those who had once knelt to Palesis.

"To the loyalty and obedience of the Empress of Ancheze"

Alek silently accepted the guards' loyalty.

As long as he remained on the throne, the guards, who bear the darkness, would continue to follow Alek solemnly until the day they died.

They would not question any orders, exclude all emotions, and fulfill the emperor's wishes, no matter how unreasonable, even if the emperor fell into madness.

Alek thought that he would have to use these people to take the lives of many.

A country cannot be governed with only fine words.

If someone is deemed unnecessary for the empire, it is the emperor's duty to eliminate them.

News of Alek's ascension was quickly conveyed to Reiatou's fortress.

A few days later, the gates of Reiatou were opened, and a messenger announced the surrender of the knights and the death of Lord Sezon.

Whether Lord Sezon had committed suicide or was killed by the Reiatou knights who wished to surrender, Reiatou did not disclose the truth.

Empress Myar was captured, and the newborn Prince Romaris was placed under house arrest in the Ruby Palace with a few servants.

The anger of Empress Dowager Tora towards Empress Myar was intense, and she loudly demanded Myar's death, but the emperor indicated that the concubine had only been manipulated by Lord Sezon and moved Myar to the prison of Goam, where no one had ever returned.

Myar would likely spend the rest of her life in prison.

The Sezon family was dissolved and their territory, Cherit, was confiscated.

Subsequently, the bodies of Lord Sezon's sons were found one after another, but the person responsible was not revealed.

The Reiatou knights were allowed to continue based on tradition, but the head of the order and several senior members were replaced.

The fallen Lord Reiatou retired to his territory, and the name of Reiatou was inherited by the eldest son of the youngest brother of the head of the family.

It was unusual for the third son's lineage to inherit the prestigious name of Reiatou, and the eldest son was only just over twenty years old.

Even with the emperor's command, it would likely take several years for the inexperienced Guido Reiatou to fully grasp and strengthen the knights.

Reiatou would face a difficult path ahead.

Guido Reiatou, who had received the order, first attended the new emperor the day after inheriting the name.

Thus, two months after the death of the previous emperor, the turmoil finally subsided.

Reiatou returned to the emperor, and Via finally returned to the Crystal Palace after a long time.

The Crystal Palace, which she had not visited in a long time, seemed desolate and had few people around.

It took a while for Via to realize that this was because Alek had moved to the imperial palace.

As a principal wife, Via would be allowed to live in the imperial palace, but as a concubine, she was not permitted to enter unless summoned by the emperor.

Collapsing onto the sofa, Via gazed blankly out the window.

His Highness had finally become someone beyond her reach.

No, Via thought, not His Highness.

The one and only emperor who was allowed to rule the vast Ancheze.

Via whispered to herself that it had been a long time since they had met.

Via had been hidden by Roffman, and Alek had been busy at the imperial palace.

Even without her leaving, they had somehow drifted apart.

Suddenly, a commotion approached from the other side of the door.

"Your Highness, I beg your pardon."

The sound of a knock was followed by the unusually flustered voice of Eimi, and then a familiar voice struck Via's ears.

"Via"

Via stood up in surprise and turned towards the voice.

Pushing aside the maid who tried to hold her back, a tall young man approached.

His amber eyes narrowed gently, and his well-shaped lips called out Via's name again.

"…!"

Via held her breath, thinking she must be dreaming.

The emperor, who had been busy with the aftermath of the turmoil and the establishment of the new government, had no reason to come here.

"Everyone, leave."

At the absolute command of the emperor, the maids, who had been looking back and forth between their mistress and the emperor, left the room like the tide receding.

"Why did you come here…"

Tears welled up in her eyes.

For the past two months, she had been afraid. Without the protection of the guards, she had been worried about the prince's unstable position and had been truly terrified.

Alek embraced Via, who had thrown herself into his chest.

"Via, I missed you."

Held tightly in his broad chest, Via felt as if she couldn't breathe.

"I'm sorry for worrying you…"

Alek pulled Via's frail body closer, as if trying to engrave her softness in his memory, burying his face in her hair.

Her body was so thin and delicate that it felt as if she would disappear if he didn't hold her tightly.

"Show me your face."

Eventually, Alek loosened his arms and lifted Via's face.

Via, with her flushed cheeks and slightly reddened eyes, looked at him with a passionate gaze, making her seem unbearably precious.

"I didn't expect you to come so soon."

Alek laughed at Via's words.

"In fact, I had to insist on coming. I can't stay long."

There were mountains of problems in the newly established government, and he was busy from morning till night, either meeting people or dealing with documents, with hardly any free time.

The pile of things to think about and do only grew, and his decisions affected people's lives and fates.

Unable to bear seeing Alek, who had become more taciturn due to his busy work, Gruuk had forcibly made him take a break and leave the office.

Adding that Via, the concubine, had returned to the Crystal Palace, Gruuk had pushed him to come here.

"By the way, thank Roffman.

Thanks to him, I didn't embarrass Roffman."

"I was just protected. I didn't do anything."

"Because you were with Roffman, I believed you were safe. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to focus on my work."

Bumping his forehead against hers, Via smiled wryly.

"You say such troublesome things, Your Majesty."

"I don't know what to do. I'm obsessed with you."

Saying that, he slowly leaned in to kiss her.

At first, he kissed her lips gently, as if savoring the sensation, but then, as if unable to hold back, he parted her lips.

The passionate kiss, as if to satisfy the hunger of the past two months, made Via arch her back.

She felt as if she would lose herself in the touch of Alek's fingers sliding over her skin and his rough breathing.

Finally, Alek released her lips and smiled contentedly at Via's dazed reaction.

Wiping the lipstick from his lips with his thumb, he whispered in her ear.

"I'll come again."

Leaving one last light kiss on Via's cheek, Alek hurriedly turned away.

As Via stepped out to see him off, she noticed two guards in black uniforms waiting in the anteroom and stopped in her tracks.

She immediately recognized them as the guards.

The guards existed to protect the emperor. If the emperor visited the palace where a concubine lived, it was natural for them to accompany him.

Though she understood this intellectually, it felt as if a stake had been driven into her heart.

She stood frozen, unable to move from the spot.

It wasn't that she disliked the guards serving the emperor. No one could be a stronger protector for the emperor.

It was just... unfamiliar. The past she thought she had forgotten rose to her throat.

"Your Highness"

Called, Via raised her face blankly.

"Your complexion... Are you feeling unwell?"

Asked in a voice like a scream, she managed to force a smile.

"Perhaps I'm a bit tired from finally returning. I'll be fine after a rest."

Leaning against the sofa, a maid hesitantly spoke to Via.

"Um... The chief lady-in-waiting says she wants to fit your clothes for the coronation ceremony in three days..."

A simple coronation ceremony had been held, but a formal celebration was to be held for the courtiers.

A grand coronation ceremony, inviting important figures from other countries and major nobles, was to be held a year later, after the mourning period for the previous emperor ended.

"Also, the protocol officer is waiting in another room to discuss the arrangements for the celebration."

Via took a deep breath to calm herself. It seemed she had no time to rest.

"Let's talk to the protocol officer first. Yes, please bring him here."

---

The day before the celebration, Via heard that Seltis had returned to the Purple Jade Palace from Antoire and had left a message for him to visit the Crystal Palace.

It had been about two months since she had seen Seltis.

She knew he was safe, but she couldn't settle until she saw him properly.

Seltis walked through the palace with a light heart, having been away for about two months.

He felt no sentiment about the death of his father, the emperor.

He had hardly ever met him, and his father had likely had no interest in him.

What made Seltis happiest was that his brother had succeeded to the throne, having eliminated his political rivals.

His brother, who had the ability to govern the country, was wise and compassionate towards the people, was Seltis's secret admiration and pride.

As he approached the Crystal Palace, he heard a commotion from the corridor.

Looking over, he saw his brother, accompanied by one of his close aides, Gruuk Morgan, and followed by guards and attendants, walking towards him.

"Brother!"

He called out and ran over. His brother smiled and greeted him, "How have you been?"

"Why are you here?"

He had been told by Lord Antoire that he would be busy with official duties and they wouldn't meet for a while.

"I was called by your sister."

Seltis froze at the answer.

"Did my sister... summon the emperor?"

It's impossible... Seltis thought.

"Both the one who summoned and the one who came are unusual, but why did you come so willingly?"

"Because I was asked to come."

Alek, with a dopey (as Seltis could only describe it) smile, asked, "Were you called too?"

"It was an order without question.

Why summon me when we'll see each other tomorrow?"

As he spoke, Seltis, a sister-worshipper, couldn't hide his happiness.

He was aware that he had grown up without being jaded by the world because of his strong, bright, and optimistic sister.

As the brothers exchanged light-hearted banter, they arrived at the Crystal Palace and were immediately led to Via's room.

"Sister!"

Seltis, who had been about to run to his sister, stopped in his tracks when he noticed a small, unfamiliar figure, or rather, a child, next to her.

"Seltis! It's good that you and His Majesty came!"

Via, holding a little girl with bright golden hair, about three years old, greeted them happily.

The little girl was dressed in an expensive-looking dress, clearly not a servant's daughter.

Alek and Seltis exchanged glances, wondering who she was.

Confirming they had no prior acquaintance, a new worry arose.

Alek, inwardly panicking at the thought of having a secret child, saw Seltis's face stiffen in disbelief.

Seeking help, Alek turned to Gruuk, who calmly asked Via.

"Your Highness, may I ask who this young lady is?"

"Oh, this is the first time for you, Gruuk."

Via smiled.

"This is our younger sister, Princess Myra.

Come, Myra. Greet your brothers.

You should call them His Majesty and Your Highness, but in my room, you can call them brother."

Sister?

Alek and Seltis racked their brains, trying to remember the fifth princess, how old she was, and where she came from.

The first, second, and third princesses had married into other countries. The fourth was the one in front of them, and they remembered that the mother of the fifth was Empress Sectur, but who was in her family...

Unaware of the brothers' confusion, the young Myra innocently stepped down from her sister's arms and stood in front of them.

"Hello, Alek brother, Seltis brother. My name is Myra."

Holding up the hem of her dress, she earnestly recited her greeting, clearly well-practiced.

"Hello, Myra. You can give such a proper greeting. How old are you now?"

He seemed to have given up trying to remember her age.

"Three years old, Alek brother."

"Is that so?"

Looking at Via, she signaled for him to pick her up.

Lifting her under the arms, he held her up, and Myra beamed.

"Every day, Via sister tells me about Alek brother and Seltis brother.

She says they are very handsome, smart, kind, and cool. I'm really happy to meet you."

"Every day, you say?"

Seltis, hearing this, looked at his sister curiously.

"When did you become so close?"

"I was staying at Roffman's fortress, remember?

Empress Sectur and Princess Myra were with me. We naturally became close by eating together every day."

Then, she reached out and took Myra from Alek's arms.

"Would you like some tea? Do you have a little time to rest?"

Alek shook his head.

"I just came to see you. I thought something was wrong."

"I wanted to introduce this child to you. Just remembering her could change her future."

Alek looked down at the young sister, who looked up at him with innocent trust in Via's arms.

"Brother?"

He stroked Myra's head, who reached out happily.

Via was right. His interest or lack thereof would likely change Myra's life.

"Alek brother is very busy. He has to go back, so let's see him off."

Myra protested, but Via laughed, "Seltis brother is here, right?"

Seltis, whose name was mentioned, grimaced.

Having grown up attached to his sister, he had no experience with younger children.

Looking up at his brother for help, but Alek, who had no experience with children either, said,

"Just do as Via says."

And he left without mercy.

After a tea break and about half an hour of unfamiliar babysitting, Seltis finally returned to his peaceful home, the Purple Jade Palace.

He later said he was more exhausted than from training.