Chapter 25

If the Empress Dowager had known the true reason why Alek went to the Empress Dowager Palace that day to try to stop the horseback riding, she might not have thought of trying out the horse presented by the Duke of Guarantia.

The black horse from Silvest in Guarantia was said to be the finest horse in the realm. Knowing the Empress Dowager's love for horseback riding, the ambassador had specially ordered the famous horse from Silvest, hoping to receive various favors in the future.

At first sight, the Empress Dowager fell in love with the horse and immediately ordered the stable boy to saddle it. Since it was a gift from a foreign ambassador, it would not have been proper to put it away in the stable without testing its ride.

The riding ground was muddy from the rain the day before, but the Empress Dowager was accustomed to such poor footing. She changed into her riding clothes and mounted the black horse, intending to ride it around the field just once.

And the tragedy that was bound to happen did.

Alek, who was meeting with the ambassador from Silvest, abruptly ended the audience and rushed to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager had died instantly, having fallen headfirst and broken her neck.

The ambassador from Guarantia turned pale, prostrated himself on the ground, and repeatedly apologized to the Emperor. The horse that had thrown the Empress Dowager was killed on the spot, and the ambassador who had presented the horse was placed under house arrest for questioning.

It was a mourning event that occurred within three months of the death of the previous emperor.

Alek declared a two-day mourning period for the citizens.

The ambassador from Guarantia, who was the cause of the incident, was sent back to his home country unharmed as a state guest, but a strong sense of displeasure was formally conveyed, and the current state of relations between the two countries was addressed. Even if the incident originated from good intentions, the price paid by Ancheize was too high.

The courtiers were shaken by the repeated misfortunes.

Losing the Empress Dowager, who held the second highest authority in the empire after the Emperor, was a significant loss for the newly established government, potentially undermining its foundation. Some even began to speculate that it was the curse of the late Lord Sezon, and Luitas and others were using their connections to calm the situation.

At the same time, ominous rumors began to spread in the city of Midas, suggesting that the current Emperor had usurped the throne from Prince Romaris, whom the previous Emperor had wished to succeed him, and that the royal family was cursed.

Gruuk, who heard these rumors, sensed a deliberate intent and immediately advised Alek to take action.

Alek dispatched his guards, and a month later, a man who had been serving as a steward in Chelito was found dead at the bottom of a river. He had lost all his wealth due to the downfall of the Sezon family and had ended up in Midas.

Upon receiving the report from his guards, Alek nodded slightly. He had no interest in what kind of man he was or how he was disposed of. What mattered was that the rumors that could destabilize the country would not spread further.

Seizing the opportunity of Ancheize's political instability, the country of Silvest had initiated minor skirmishes, but they were dispersed by the border knights, who had strengthened their vigilance. It could be said that demonstrating the strength of the military at this time was a significant gain for the country.

Thus, days passed in the midst of busy state affairs, and before he knew it, more than two months had gone by.

Alek occasionally visited Via at the Crystal Palace during breaks from his duties. Via welcomed him brightly as if the awkward parting of that day had never happened. She chatted about trivial matters, laughed, and did not resist when he embraced and kissed her. She was a docile and lovely concubine, existing solely to be taken by Alek.

So one day, Alek sent a messenger, asking her to visit the Emperor's Palace at night.

She was the first woman to be welcomed into the Emperor's chambers since the new Emperor's ascension.

The Emperor's Palace was abuzz from the evening, and by the time night fell, the side consort, accompanied by her attendants, quietly entered the Emperor's Palace.

Alek, having finished his work early and returned to the Emperor's Palace, dismissed the ladies-in-waiting who offered to help him change and headed straight to his chambers.

Upon entering, Via, who had been gazing absently at the night sky by the window, stood up in surprise. She had been lost in thought and had not heard the knock on the door.

Via, wearing a thin pink nightgown over her bathed body, had a luxurious robe embroidered with silk threads draped over it. Her golden hair, as lustrous as the sun, flowed down her back, and her lips were lightly painted with rouge, making her beauty so radiant that Alek was speechless.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty."

Via smiled softly, took the sword from Alek's hand, and placed it on the stand. She then moved behind Alek and, with practiced hands, helped him out of his jacket.

"Would you like something to eat?"

"No..."

"Then, perhaps some wine?"

Alek thought for a moment and then said softly, "I want to drink the tea you make."

Via gave a few instructions to the attendant at the door, and a tea set was soon brought in.

Via closed the curtains and prepared the tea at a small table by the window. She steeped the tea slowly, drawing out its sweetness and fragrance. After tasting a sip to ensure it was safe, she handed the cup to Alek.

A moment of silence fell between them.

The tea Via made had the fragrance of osmanthus. The soft, sweet aroma seeped into Alek's tired body.

"Do you not refuse me because I am the Emperor?"

Alek placed his hand over Via's white fingers on the table and asked.

Via looked up at him gently.

"You sound as if you want me to refuse you."

"If I say I want you, it becomes an order. That's why I don't want to say it."

His words revealed his fatigue. Via knew about the difficult political situation Alek was facing due to the death of the Empress Dowager.

What Alek probably needed now was a strong empress to support him with her authority. A princess from a powerful noble family within the empire or a princess from another country who could benefit the empire.

If his position were more secure, Alek would not have to be so stressed.

Yet, despite this, Alek stubbornly refused to welcome an empress. This made Via feel both incredibly happy and deeply sad.

So, at least, she called his name.

"Alek"

Alek looked at her in surprise.

"You called me by my name like this when we went out in disguise, remember?"

"Yes, that time."

Alek recalled and smiled fondly, narrowing his eyes.

"That was before you became my side consort. It feels like a long time ago."

"Do you remember how I made you run around and buy me a small hairpin?"

"Of course. I didn't think women's shopping would take so long."

Alek chuckled involuntarily.

"You were so bored that you suggested buying all the hairpins in a row."

"That would have been faster."

"I absolutely refused to choose so carelessly."

At the time, she had only wanted one memento from Alek. But because he suggested such an unsentimental idea, Via refused to budge.

Via continued with a smile.

"Did it go the way you wanted at all?

No matter what you say, I say no if I don't like it."

Alek realized that Via had answered his earlier question.

"That's true."

He suddenly felt silly for his childish behavior and laughed.

"You are indeed not the way I want you to be. You always surprise me in ways I never imagined."

"That's fine."

Via smiled.

Being with Via, Alek forgot the daily troubles. Here, he didn't have to be the Emperor of Ancheize. He could be just another man.

"Being called by my name isn't bad."

Alek sipped his tea and murmured, looking into the distance.

"No one has called me that way for a long time."

Via lowered her eyes silently.

Calling his name was a simple thing. She wanted to laugh and say that she would call his name as much as she liked in the future.

But Via couldn't make any promises.

Via knew that numerous marriage proposals were pouring in for the young Emperor who ruled the vast Ancheize. Within the empire, three princesses from noble families were named as candidates for empress, and several countries, including Silvest, Guarantia, and the Securt Federation, had also made inquiries.

Some countries offered the right to use ports that spanned the border, while others brought territories rich in minerals as dowries. Each of them was trying to offer something that would benefit Ancheize, and they were spreading money among the ministers to secure their support.

Via had nothing to offer. She had nothing that could benefit Alek.

This made Via feel lonely. No one was as unreachable to her as Alek, despite being so close.

Via quietly stood up, let the robe slide off her shoulders, and stood in front of Alek. The thin pink nightgown, almost see-through, was designed to seduce the Emperor who visited her chambers.

Knowing exactly how she appeared in Alek's eyes, Via cupped his cheeks with both hands and slowly leaned forward.

She loved him so much, adored him, and missed him so much that her heart ached.

Her sun-like hair slid off her shoulders and fell onto her white skin, and a sweet fragrance enveloped Alek.

"Via..."

Alek's arm, which had been resting on the table, reached out and pulled Via's waist close.

He hadn't touched Via for a long time.

A desperate hunger rose in his throat, and Alek embraced Via passionately, kissing her lips roughly.

In his arms, Via arched her back and saw a fleeting dream behind her closed eyes.

When she was lifted and carried to the bed, Via smiled faintly. The soft darkness was comforting, and she thought she had everything she wanted.