Chapter 26

Through the soft light seeping through the curtains, Via slowly lifted her head. She propped herself up on one elbow and gazed intently at Alex's rugged profile, which was still immersed in peaceful slumber.

Being held in such a strong embrace made Via feel strangely delicate and vulnerable, which she found peculiar.

In reality, she was probably quite tough. She believed that as long as she smiled, things would work out, and even when faced with hardships, she wouldn't let them consume her. She could become as strong as needed to protect those she loved, and even if it meant getting hurt, she probably wouldn't regret it.

Reaching out, she traced the sharp lines of Alex's cheek with her finger. Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed. It seemed he had been awake for some time.

"You have mischievous fingers," he said. Startled, Via stammered, "Were you sleeping?"

"I woke up a little while ago and enjoyed watching you gaze at my face."

Via's face turned red with embarrassment. When she tried to pull her wrist away, Alex quickly shifted and pinned her down.

"I don't find it amusing to always be the one following your lead," he said, likely referring to the night before. As he leaned in to kiss her, she quickly blocked his lips with her other hand.

"Let go of my hand," she said, smiling at him with her eyes.

"The ladies-in-waiting will be here soon. We should start getting ready."

"Are you trying to tease me?"

"This is a serious situation for me. Unlike you, I have a sense of modesty."

If they continued like this, the ladies-in-waiting would surely barge in. She wanted to avoid exposing herself in such a state on the first day.

"It's a serious situation for me too," he said.

"I don't know about your situation. Now, let go of my hand."

Instead of letting go, he restrained her other wrist and kissed her forcefully. He continued to kiss her persistently until she was breathless.

"I want to spend the whole day here with you," he whispered sweetly, pulling her into his arms and bringing his lips close to hers.

"Emotionally, I agree, but it's not possible."

"You agree?"

He seemed delighted, but she managed to pull away. As she struggled to free herself from his grip around her waist, a cough was heard from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, are you awake?"

Looking at Via, who was frozen in place, Alex called out, "Not yet."

Via's face turned red. The ladies-in-waiting must have guessed what had been going on inside.

"Why are you so embarrassed? Once you're called to the bedchamber, it's obvious what will happen."

Via bristled at his insensitive logic. "That's not the issue!"

Straightening her nightgown, the ladies-in-waiting entered. "We will have breakfast with Via. Please hurry with her preparations."

Today, there was an audience with the envoy in the morning. There was no time to leisurely dress Via. She quickly put on her dress and joined Alex, who was already sipping his morning tea. Her seat was prepared diagonally in front of him, similar to the Crystal Palace.

Sitting down, Via adjusted her dress with the help of a lady-in-waiting and glanced at the head butler standing nearby. She had known him since her time in the Crystal Palace, but she had never closely observed the top of his head. It was fine; he had hair.

After the maids finished setting the table and left, Via asked the remaining butler, "What is the Emperor's schedule for today?"

The butler, who had noticed Via's curious glance earlier, answered dutifully, "In the morning, there is an audience with the envoy. In the evening, there is a dinner with the princes of the Securt Federation."

"The Securt Federation?"

The Securt Federation believed in the god Kana and practiced monogamy, unlike Ansheze, which openly recognized concubines. That's why she hadn't heard about it. When entertaining the royal families of Garantia and Seis, Via would attend as a concubine, but this time, her presence would be inappropriate.

"Will the Securt Federation be staying for a while?"

"They plan to stay for about ten days."

"See, Alex is looking at me with a concerned expression. I smiled to reassure him.

"Will Celta attend?"

She asked because she knew that on formal occasions, Celta often stayed at the Purple Jade Palace instead of returning to Antoire's quarters. Via had been waiting for this day for over a month.

"Celta will attend, of course."

"Then, will you stay at the Purple Jade Palace tonight?"

Alex looked at her curiously. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

"I want to sort through some of my mother's mementos. I hesitate to go to the Purple Jade Palace while Celta is away, but if she returns today, can I stay there? I haven't had much time to talk to her since she joined Antoire."

"Alright, go ahead."

Having breakfast together and talking with Alex was a rare pleasure. There was so much to discuss, but the time was too short.

"By the way, Myra visited the Crystal Palace the day before yesterday."

"Myra, huh?"

Alex chuckled, remembering the day she was suddenly introduced.

"How was she? Was she well?"

"She's well, but she's at an age where she has many questions."

Via placed her hand on her lips, concerned.

"She asked me why the head butler doesn't have hair."

Alex burst out laughing. He had never heard that the head butler of the Green Jade Palace was bald.

"What did you tell her?"

Laughing, he asked, and Via sighed, looking troubled.

"I couldn't answer such a difficult question. I told her to ask her brothers since I don't know."

"Huh?"

Holding his cup, Alex froze, looking bewildered.

"So, you want me to answer it? I'm curious about the context in which Myra will ask me."

"Why involve me in such a trivial debate!"

Via smiled at Alex, who had shouted in exasperation.

"Because I couldn't answer. Why is the bald spot shiny? Why does it only grow on the sides and not in the middle? I have no idea."

"Neither do I!"

The butler was trying hard not to laugh. It made sense why he had checked his head earlier.

Via laughed at Alex's pained expression. They continued their discussion about male hair, laughing until their meal was finished.

Eventually, a secretary came to call Alex, who reluctantly glanced at Via before leaving. Via saw him off at the door and asked him to pass a message.

"Could you tell the Emperor that I will be staying at the Purple Jade Palace tonight?"

Alex looked down at her gently. His amber eyes narrowed affectionately.

"I will."

He kissed her cheek and left with the secretary.

Watching him go, Via turned to the butler and asked, "Does the Emperor always smile?"

The butler was silent for a moment.

"No. This is the first time I've seen him laugh out loud since he became Emperor."

"Is that so?"

Via frowned, as if in pain, and continued softly, "I hope he always smiles."

Then, as if changing her mood, she looked at the clear sky outside the window.

Today would be a busy day for Via.

After the dinner banquet, Celta hurried through the corridor to the Purple Jade Palace, feeling elated. Her sister had sent a message that she would be staying at the Purple Jade Palace tonight.

It had been a long time since they had spent the night together. There was so much to talk about, and if her sister was staying, they would have all the time in the world.

However, when she entered the Purple Jade Palace and was greeted by the familiar maids, Sera and Luna, with tear-streaked faces, Celta realized that the day she had feared had finally arrived.

"When did she leave?"

Unable to hold back her tears, she asked, and Sera, wiping her eyes, replied, "In the afternoon. She left this letter for you."

Celta clutched the white envelope, her tears blurring the words.

Wiping her tears roughly, she slowly opened the envelope to read her sister's final letter.