Chapter 37

Alexei and Eleonora's wedding was held with great pomp. Many people gathered in the imperial capital to celebrate the couple.

In the light streaming through the stained glass of the cathedral, they exchanged vows and became husband and wife.

"I finally made it to this day."

"...Lord Alexei."

(I'm now Lord Alexei's wife.)

After the celebration ended and they were finally alone that night, Eleonora spoke to Alexei in the formal language of a young lady to suppress her surging emotions.

"...I know it's a bit clingy, but I still feel sad thinking I won't be able to see Ham again."

"Didn't you already come to terms with that? I am Alexei, and that child is part of the past."

"...Yes, I understand."

Eleonora does understand. It's just that she can't equate Ham with Alexei. In her memories, Ham is still a crybaby who sometimes wets the bed.

"Then, just think of our child as Ham."

"That's not possible!"

She inadvertently spoke in her dialect and fell silent.

"...Ham is unique. And the child to be born will also be unique. No one is the same. So, so... This is just my selfish sentiment. Ham was precious to me. More than anything. And now, Lord Alexei is precious to me."

To Alexei, both Ham and Alexei are the same person, but to Eleonora, they are different. She loves them both, and he finds her endearing. He truly loves her, who seems sad at the thought of never seeing the child he once was again.

"I've always liked you."

Alexei has always liked her, even if the type of affection has changed over time. He has always admired her.

Eleonora shed tears of happiness.

"...I am a fortunate woman."

"I am happy to have met you again and to have married you."

Alexei and Eleonora, who were united on this day, lived happily until death parted them.

◇◇◇

Alexei's reign became one of the most notable in imperial history.

The cold and cruel Emperor Alexei was famous for loving only Empress Eleonora. She, though quiet, was a beautiful and compassionate woman, known as a saint who could command beasts, and her legacy lived on.

Through her efforts, research on beasts revealed the close relationship between the Forest of Magic and the beasts, and that the magic crystals were fossils of the beasts' feces.

The Forest of Magic became a place where only beasts and humans who could communicate with them could live.

The small house that remains in the Forest of Magic was a villa for Emperor Alexei and Empress Eleonora, where they spent holidays with their seven children. It is said that after abdicating, they lived in the Forest of Magic. There, the usually quiet Empress was said to chatter in a foreign language, though the truth of this is uncertain.

The two of them enjoyed eating ham and pie, and small pies with ham were served at their wedding. These pies have since become one of the capital's specialties.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Although it was a quick read, I will conclude it here for now.

If I have the time, I would like to write about the engagement and honeymoon, as well as the mystery of Eleonora's past life.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who read this.

Thank you!