Chapter 34

After dinner, as Alek was relaxing in the living room with Via as usual, he received a report that the three close aides had arrived.

Once a week, the four of them would gather to drink and discuss matters that were too busy to address during the day. Now, Via was included in these gatherings. In fact, since the emperor and Via were relaxing together, the three aides had no choice but to join them.

"Should I leave the room?" Via asked, but Luitas replied, "There's nothing we'll discuss that would embarrass you, so please don't worry." In the end, Via sat drinking her favorite tea while the four of them drank wine.

Actually, none of the three minded spending time with the empress. Her cheerful and optimistic nature made them feel that even small problems could be resolved, and her positive outlook was soothing to be around. They understood why the emperor didn't want to let her out of his sight, but they kept quiet to avoid making him jealous.

"It was I who first intruded on your gathering, wasn't it?"

One day, after a political discussion had concluded, Via suddenly mused. She was reminiscing about that day, which now seemed nostalgic.

Since then, everything had started moving, and Luitas and the others also felt a special sentiment about it.

At the time, they only saw Prince Celtes as a troublesome and difficult to handle heir to the throne.

When the emperor's concubine became pregnant, and things got complicated, the four of them were discussing the matter when Empress Via suddenly appeared at the Crystal Palace.

"When we first met, you immediately asked to become the prince's concubine. That really took us by surprise," Luitas said, recalling the past.

"And you completely shattered the image of the legendary Empress Tsity," Amon added with a sigh.

The image of a wise, well-mannered, obedient, and delicate imperial favorite had crumbled that day. Moreover, the princess, who was rumored to be frail and bedridden, turned out to be a robust and energetic woman with a strong sense of reason and action, inheriting the traits of Tsity.

"I remember you said that life in the palace was boring. You didn't want to spend your life locked in a birdcage. If you become empress, your life will be even more restricted. Are you sure you're okay with that?"

Gruuk's words made Alek look at Via with concern. To reassure him, Via took his hand.

"For the two years I spent in the city, I traveled to many places. I was picked up by a traveling troupe and worked for them."

When her savings ran out and she was about to be stranded, she met the traveling troupe of Thelma by chance.

Thelma's people were tightly knit, and Via had interacted with them since childhood through her mother's connections. No one in Thelma was unaware of Tsity, who had been infatuated with the emperor of Anchease and later entered the harem to bear a son. When Via explained her situation, the Thelma troupe welcomed her warmly.

Reflecting on it now, she thought it was a good life. Due to her Thelma heritage, Via adapted easily to the lifestyle.

"I saw many rare and mysterious things and experienced a life full of surprises. I traveled not only in Anchease but also to Sis and Galantia."

Gruuk leaned forward, eager to hear more. "I would love to hear about it."

Having information about other countries would be a valuable asset for Anchease. Gruuk also wanted to know how Empress Via viewed the country from a civilian's perspective.

"Of course," Via smiled and continued, still holding Alek's hand.

"I didn't mind traveling. It was hard work every day, but it wasn't too difficult. However, no matter how enjoyable it was, the emperor wasn't there. For me, being by the emperor's side is the most exciting. I value the daily life with the emperor more than the freedom without him."

The emperor smiled broadly, and the three aides were convinced that he would be under Empress Via's thumb for the rest of his life.

"Did you encounter any danger?" Amon asked, and Via looked down, saying, "Once."

"When I left Toua, I used a stagecoach. Do you know the Taisuru Canyon?"

"It's on the border between Toua and Misha. It's known for its poor security. It's safer to take the detour route."

"I didn't know that. Apparently, only merchants with guards use the canyon, and the stagecoach I was on was part of a group of merchants. I didn't know this and got on the stagecoach easily."

"Were you attacked by bandits?"

"Yes. When I realized, there were horse neighs, shouts, and screams. Everyone was running in all directions, and the bandits were chasing and killing people for fun."

Via thought she was done for. She managed to jump off the stagecoach, but her throat tightened with fear, and she lost consciousness from the gruesome scene.

"Blood from the person next to me splattered on my face and clothes, and I have no memory after that. When I came to, I was being taken to a crematorium, mistaking me for a corpse. It was terrifying."

The three aides shuddered, and the emperor's concern turned to anger. "You wouldn't have been in that situation if you hadn't left my side."

Alek vowed to eliminate the bandits in Taisuru Canyon. He had received reports about the danger but had postponed it due to other priorities. However, after they tried to kill Via, he was determined to tear them apart.

Seeing the emperor's rage, Via looked down. "I really can't stand blood. I don't think I'll ever get over it."

She was told that her survival was a miracle. She was mistaken for a corpse, which saved her life. However, the fear lingered, and she spent days in a room, hugging her knees and trembling, unable to sleep or talk to anyone.

"If there's a war, I'll just be a burden to you," Via said, and Alek laughed.

"You will be the empress. If there's a war, you will be protected in the safest place in the harem. That's your job."

Luitas, sitting opposite, agreed. "If the emperor is away at war, the empress will take charge of the palace. Your safety must be the top priority."

He added playfully, "So please don't ride a horse to the emperor's side in an emergency."

"Luitas-sama!"

Via blushed, realizing what he meant. Even Amon and Gruuk tried to suppress their laughter.

A few days after she started spending nights with Alek, Via visited Celtes in Antore. She was suspicious because her brother hadn't visited her for a while.

Celtes welcomed her happily, and they chatted. Then, Via mentioned that she wanted to practice riding, and Celtes accompanied her. This led to a major incident when Via fell off her horse.

Celtes often told his aides how terrifying it was. She fell off the horse for no apparent reason, and he had never seen anyone ride so fearfully.

When Celtes rushed to Via, calling her name, Antore was in an uproar. Despite only scraping her elbow, the royal physicians were called, and the emperor rushed to Antore in a panic.

The shaken emperor ordered her never to ride a horse again.

"Please, don't do anything dangerous again," Alek pleaded, holding her hand. Via nodded solemnly. "I promise. From now on, I will work hard to become a suitable empress for you."

The coronation ceremony for the empress was the day after tomorrow. The fitting of her attire had been repeated many times, and the discussions with the protocol officer were complete. All that was left was to wait for the day.

"By the way, the emperor has a gift for you," Luitas said cheerfully, and Via looked at Alek in surprise.

Her dresses, shoes, and accessories were all of the highest quality. She couldn't imagine what else he could give her.

"I had asked Celtes about it before. I've wanted to give it to you ever since."

"When you become empress, your name will be changed," Gruuk said, handing her a piece of paper.

"Empress Viatrix"

Via looked up at Alek, her eyes welling with tears. It was the only precious name her father had left her.

"Your Majesty," she called, smiling, and Alek smiled back, his amber eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

"Serve me for the rest of your life with this name."

The clear beauty of Empress Viatrix was celebrated among the people, and the birth of a wise and beautiful empress from their own country made the people ecstatic. Soon after her coronation, she began to complain of physical discomfort, and it wasn't long before the news of the empress's pregnancy spread throughout the country.

The prince, born with amber eyes and sun-like hair, was named Letius and received the title of crown prince at one month old, bearing the hopes of the entire country.

Empress Viatrix, known for her exceptional beauty among the empresses of Anchease, continued to receive the emperor's favor and bore him one son and four daughters.

Despite being a renowned wise ruler, Emperor Alek was said to be unable to stand up to this empress. This concludes the main story. Thank you for your long support.

I plan to add a few more details about what happened afterward.