Chapter 24

The celebration ceremony ended without a hitch, and it seemed that peaceful days had finally returned to the palace.

With the new emperor at the helm, a new era for Ancheze was beginning. There were rumors that the remnants of Lord Sezon’s faction were still smoldering somewhere, but what was immediately concerning was the movements of Garantia.

The dispute over the port usage rights with the Kingdom of Seis had finally reached a tentative resolution, and around the same time, moderate ministers were being dismissed one after another, with the hardline Lord Segal assuming the position of prime minister and seizing control of the country.

Lord Segal, who had been the governor of the Eclat region bordering Ancheze, had once been involved in a dispute over the border.

The Panama province, which separated Eclat and Garantia, was a salt-producing area, and Garantia desperately wanted the salt fields to ensure a stable supply of salt.

Upon learning that the new emperor, who ascended the throne amid a succession struggle, was still in his twenties, Segal saw this as a good opportunity to seize the salt fields.

Vea was deeply troubled by the rumors that Garantia might attack.

She knew that a country that had just emerged from a civil war and established a new government could easily become prey for a belligerent nation.

"It's fine," Ebeck said nonchalantly.

"During this civil war, Ancheze's army did not suffer many casualties. With three knight orders largely intact, it's not easy for anyone to start a war with Ancheze."

"Is that so?"

"Well, they might try to provoke us, but there are knight orders stationed around Eclat. A minor skirmish should be manageable without the emperor having to mobilize his private knights."

Ebeck laughed, "But more importantly, now that you seem to have calmed down, wouldn't it be good to resume your horseback riding training?"

"Horseback riding?"

Vea furrowed her brow, and then suddenly, she felt as if she had forgotten something important. Her gaze fell to the floor.

A woman loses her balance as a horse suddenly stumbles, and her navy blue riding habit with taffeta flutters in the air...

Vea stood up abruptly.

The Empress Dowager! The night she had the dream, the news of the emperor's death was suddenly announced, and she had completely forgotten about the dream.

"What a disaster!"

Vea grabbed Ebeck's arm.

"I had a dream the night Emperor Palesis died. How long has it been since then? Two months? Or two and a half months?"

"Your Highness?"

Vea shouted.

"Please, Ebeck!

You can reach Lord Ammon right away, can't you?

Please tell Lord Ammon to stop the Empress Dowager!"

Ammon Antore was running down the corridor with a stern face.

He was surprised that Ebeck knew about Vea's dream, but what shocked him even more was the content of the dream Vea had seen.

The dream foretold that the Empress Dowager would fall from her horse and lose her life. Since she had this dream on the day the former emperor died, it could happen at any time.

Losing the Empress Dowager, a strong supporter, during this unstable period would be a significant blow to the emperor.

However, Ammon had no idea how to stop the Empress Dowager, who loved horseback riding. If he told her about Vea's dream, she would likely dismiss it with a laugh, and even if she believed it, it might strengthen her vigilance and resentment towards Vea, potentially leading to harm.

The others, including Alex, were also speechless when they heard this.

"Since she rides almost every day, it would be difficult to persuade her to give up her hobby," Luitas sighed, shaking his head.

"Ultimately, we just need to ask the Empress Dowager to refrain from horseback riding for a while," Gruuk said firmly after a moment of thought.

"Since it hasn't been long since Emperor Palesis's death, we should straightforwardly ask her to refrain from horseback riding. Besides, with the condolences delegations from other countries still in our country, it would be appropriate to mention this."

When Alex visited the Empress Dowager's palace, he started the conversation with some harmless small talk.

The Empress Dowager's mood had been increasingly good since Emperor Palesis's death. Her neglectful husband was dead, and the annoying concubine who had tried to seize power was now in prison. There was nothing more satisfying than this.

After Palesis's death, the Empress Dowager's influence in the country had grown rapidly, and the number of courtiers visiting her was endless.

It was the Empress Dowager who had united the country with a single word, preventing a civil war and the shedding of much blood.

Alex owed a great deal to the Empress Dowager for that political upheaval. The shrewd politician would never allow Alex, now the emperor, to forget this debt.

Moreover, Alex was well aware that his youth and lack of political experience were weaknesses for the empire.

There was still much he needed to learn from his mother. The empire did not need two emperors, and he had no intention of being stripped of his power, but for now, the Empress Dowager's presence was necessary, like the two wheels of a carriage. If he wanted to implement long-term policies, he could not afford to sever ties with his mother now.

"You seem to have inherited more of Dilenmer's blood than Palesis's," the Empress Dowager said with a satisfied smile after a lengthy discussion on politics.

Neither bloodline was particularly pleasing to Alex, but he couldn't say that to the Empress Dowager.

"It's a good thing you didn't inherit too much of that incompetent Palesis's blood."

Indeed, after Dilenmer, the former prime minister, died, Palesis did not implement any new policies or reforms. He ignored all the problems, leaving Alex to clean up the mess now.

"Speaking of that incompetent father of yours," Alex chose his words carefully to avoid upsetting the Empress Dowager. "It hasn't been long since his death, and the condolences delegations from other countries are still in Ancheze."

"And?"

"The coronation ceremony is over, but I would like to refrain from entertainment and celebrations for a while. The Empress Dowager is known for her love of horseback riding, and until the public's attention settles, could you please refrain from it for a while?"

"Have there been any complaints?"

"Not yet, but if it becomes a topic of conversation, it could tarnish the Empress Dowager's reputation. It's appropriate to mourn the former emperor. Could you please refrain from horseback riding for two or three months?"

"I understand."

If it made sense, the Empress Dowager would not insist on her way. Alex let out a sigh of relief, but then the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to him.

"Send Vea to a place of rest."

"..."

"I know you have been keeping your promise to me and not summoning her to your bed.

But that concubine is a curse to you."

Alex took a deep breath to calm himself.

"On what basis do you say that?"

"I heard that Vea was the one who quickly contacted Lord Roffman when Palesis died.

Even I, at that time, couldn't think about Roffman.

Later, it was also Vea who suggested that you and Sectur take refuge in Roffman's fortress."

"If Vea hadn't acted, I would have been unable to move. Are you blaming her for that?"

"She can make quick decisions, think on her feet, and take action.

Moreover, the stubborn Lord Roffman bowed to her.

That shows she has the qualities to be admired by her subjects."

"What's wrong with that?"

"It would be perfect if she were the empress!

But she cannot be the empress.

She has no backing and lacks the power to stabilize your current politics!

No empress would be calm knowing that a beautiful, admired, and intelligent concubine is already by the emperor's side.

If a powerful empress and you, the emperor, were to oppose each other, the country would be in chaos.

Are you so infatuated with that concubine that you can't understand such a simple fact?"

Alex was speechless.

"Zitti did not become a curse to the country.

If you think otherwise, let me tell you the crucial difference between Zitti and Vea."

Not understanding what the Empress Dowager meant, Alex slowly raised his head.

"What's the difference?"

"Zitti did not love the emperor.

Looking back, she might have even hated him. She kept the two children locked in the palace and never let them see the emperor.

You can't do the same.

If you never see Vea's children and keep her locked in the palace for the rest of her life, then keep her here.

She will probably hate you."

The Empress Dowager's words pierced Alex's heart.

Walking down the dark corridor with only his guards, Alex headed back to the imperial palace to resume his duties, lifting his head to keep it from drooping.

Late that night, the sudden visit of the emperor to the Crystal Palace caused a flurry of activity as the servants, who had just started preparing for bed, scrambled to get ready.

Vea, already in her nightgown, quickly threw on a robe and hurried to the room where Alex was waiting.

"What has happened?"

If the emperor wanted to summon a concubine, he could send a messenger. The fact that he came in person suggested he had something to discuss.

After dismissing the servants, Vea took Alex's hand and sat him down on the sofa.

"I just wanted to see your face."

His smile lacked the usual vigor.

"By the way, thank you for the matter with the Empress Dowager's horseback riding. I talked to her earlier. Since it hasn't been long since my father's death, she agreed to refrain from horseback riding for a while."

"I'm glad."

Holding Vea's hand, Alex fell silent.

Vea sensed that he had something to talk about, but it was more like he had something troubling him. So, she remained silent, just being there for him.

"Becoming emperor was my duty. I don't regret achieving the position I desired.

But now, I realize for the first time how much I have lost."

"People often lose something in exchange for gaining something great," Vea said.

Alex nodded, as if realizing something.

Perhaps he had been the only one who didn't understand.

He had thought that if he could deceive even the Empress Dowager, he could keep Vea by his side forever.

"You will leave me someday, won't you?"

At Alex's question, Vea's expression darkened.

"Yes."

It was an inevitable future. She had known it from the beginning, yet she still chose to be here.

"Will you... ever think of me?"

The sad question made her heart waver, but she knew she shouldn't cling to the past.

"I will forget, Your Majesty."

Vea answered firmly.

"Please forget me too. I will be happy, so you must be happy too."

"You can forget."

Alex's smile was tinged with resignation.

"You will be able to forget.

Even if you cry for a while after leaving me, you will eventually turn our days into memories and move forward, smiling.

But... I can't. I can't turn you into a memory.

It was the first time I wanted to protect someone, the first time I felt affection for someone. I will be bound to you for life."

He had never had a family.

Meals with his parents were as formal as official duties, filled with cold, empty conversations.

He made friends when he joined the knight order, but he had no place to call home.

He would just spend his time alone in the Crystal Palace.

So, he never returned to the Crystal Palace unless he had official duties.

But everything changed when Vea came.

They would dismiss the servants during meals and sit close, talking a lot. Vea often laughed and made him laugh.

Even after meals, they would continue talking, enjoying the tea she made and spending time together.

For Alex, it was the first time he experienced the warmth of a family.

Just knowing she was in the same Crystal Palace was comforting.

They would share stories about their days, and the Crystal Palace became his first real home.

She was his first lover and his first family. With Vea, Alex's world was complete for the first time.

"Even if you forget me, I can't give you up. If I lose you, I will be left in the dark world again."

Vea's heart felt like it was being torn apart.

Knowing how much loneliness Alex had endured, the thought of sending him back to that dark, cold place as an emperor, who would only become more isolated, made her heart ache and cry out.

Seeing Vea's silence, Alex smiled sadly, pulled her head close, and kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry for the sudden visit."

As he stood up, Vea couldn't move.

If she could tell him how much she also suffered and how much she wanted to stay by his side, it would be so much better.

But she couldn't say that.

It was Alex's duty to welcome an empress, and he couldn't abandon that duty.

So, she would never hold him back. She would quietly watch him go.

Tears overflowed from Vea's eyes as the door closed.

At first, she stifled her sobs, but once she realized he was completely gone, she cried out loud.

Eimi entered, quickly dismissing the others and rushing to Vea's side.

Burying her face in Eimi's chest, Vea sobbed like a child.

She cried until her tears dried up, and exhausted, she fell asleep in Eimi's arms.