Chapter 168

The Spirit King showed Helio Liliana’s death only once. However, it repeated endlessly in Helio’s dreams. He had to watch a cherry blossom tree, shorter than him, collapse repeatedly.

Each time, the newborn baby cried as if blaming the world. Perhaps the baby was blaming Helio. It was natural to resent a father who couldn’t protect his mother.

The baby born on Liliana’s death was a girl with pink hair. Carl was a boy with blond hair, so that child in the vision wasn’t him.

‘Liliana might die if a girl with pink hair is born.’

That fear gripped Helio. If Liliana could stay by his side unharmed, he wouldn’t mind never sharing a bed with her again.

What was that, really? How important could it be compared to the blessing of growing old and dying together with Liliana?

Helio looked down, gazing silently at Liliana. Just a moment ago, she had been angry with him, but now her face was filled with concern.

“Helio, is something wrong after all?”

At Liliana’s question, Helio swallowed and closed his eyes. Her warm hand cupped his cheek.

“I don’t think it’s because you dislike or are tired of me. But that’s all I know. If you don’t tell me more, I won’t understand.”

At moments like this, Liliana seemed far more mature than him. How much courage did it take to knock on a closed door?

Helio pressed his cheek into her hand and let out a sigh. Avoiding the issue wouldn’t solve anything.

“I don’t want a second child.”

Helio’s voice was so low, almost pitiful, like an abandoned puppy. The desolate loneliness in his tone left Liliana momentarily speechless.

“I’m fine with just Carl. He has your eyes, so he’ll surely be a wise child. We’ll make him the crown prince and…“

“I’m sorry.”

Liliana apologized, looking like she didn’t know what to do.

“I want a second child.”

This time, Helio was at a loss for words. Liliana continued in the calmest voice she could muster.

“I don’t mean right now. But someday, I really want us to have a second child. It’s something I deeply wish for. So please, tell me why you don’t want another child.“

Liliana’s eyes glistened with resolve. Her strong desire for a second child was clear. Helio’s gaze fell to the ground, and he hung his head weakly.

“No.“

“What?“

“There will be no second child between us. I don’t want it.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Helio wished he could cut out his tongue. He hadn’t meant to sound so pathetic, but his thoughts were tangled and messy like someone had upended his mind.

Liliana’s eyes filled with sorrow. Unable to bear the sight, Helio tried to move away. Startled, Liliana grabbed his arm.

“Helio, don’t go.“

“If you were to die giving birth to a second child, then I…!”

Helio raised his voice, then clamped his mouth shut in shock. But it was too late. Liliana’s lips trembled as she stared at him in disbelief.

She furrowed her brow, widened her eyes, and bowed before finally looking straight at Helio and stepping closer.

“Helio, what do you know?“

“What do you mean, ‘know‘?“

The question was strange. Helio’s fear was a crystallized nightmare. Yet Liliana spoke as if she had traced his line of thought.

Her eyes wavered as if she realized it, too.

“I mean…“

“So you know something as well. No wonder—the Spirit Kings showed me those nightmares.”

Helio looked at Liliana’s tightly pressed lips. After a long pause, she exhaled a thin breath and spoke.

“I understand you.”

That was the end. There were no comforting words that it would be okay without another child or that his nightmares were lies.

Helio brushed his lips softly against hers.

“Good night.”

It was a tender farewell, as though nothing had happened.

Helio walked past Liliana. She stood still, and only after the bedroom door closed did she collapse to the floor. Her chest felt constricted, and even though she clutched at it tightly, the pain remained.

“How…“

Liliana’s tears patterned onto the floor. With a powerless hand, she struck the ground.

“How do you know that?”

She never wanted him to know. She had hoped he’d remain unaware forever. Because, like when he blamed himself for his brother’s death, he would surely blame himself for her death.

Her heart ached as though she could feel Helio’s emotions.

Even when Agrina entered the bedroom and woke Liliana, tears continued to flow from her eyes.

***

Winter had safely passed, and spring emerged with budding flowers. This meant that Liliana’s long-delayed coronation as empress was fast approaching.

Helio and Liliana met every day after that night. They talked, strolled, and dined together as if nothing had happened.

Walking in the garden with Carl in their arms, they seemed the epitome of a harmonious imperial couple.

“The Empress’s Palace is almost complete. Soon, Aris Palace will also need to prepare for the move.“

“Isn’t it too soon?“

“I thought it would take longer, too, but the people love their empress so much. The atmosphere is so positive that things are progressing quickly.”

Helio spoke with satisfaction, and Liliana smiled joyfully.

There were no problems at all.

However, it had been long since the two of them had met in their respective palace bedrooms. Moreover, this couple, who used to fluster the attendants by kissing at every opportunity, hadn’t even held hands.

‘Something is strange.’

The attendants and maids exchanged glances and shared their thoughts, but no answers emerged. After all, it was clear that Helio and Liliana still cared deeply for each other.

While they were walking, Ternz suddenly rushed over, saying something urgent had come up. Helio kissed Carl’s forehead and left with Ternz.

Liliana blankly watched him leave and then returned to Aris Palace.

It was an incredibly peaceful routine for someone about to be crowned empress.

***

“Peaceful“ simply meant there were no earth-shattering events; it didn’t mean nothing was happening.

Liliana had to learn many new protocols for the upcoming coronation. She carried thick books on etiquette, copied sections by hand, and read them whenever she could.

“The empress or the one designated as the sovereign must receive a tiara from her biological mother or godmother. When the tiara is placed, she must kneel so that her knee is about two hand-spans above the ground.”

Liliana paced through the garden, muttering without pause. She was so focused that she didn’t notice the shawl Agrina had draped over her slipping off her shoulders in the cold weather.

“The dress must always match the emperor’s…”

“Your Majesty.”

Agrina appeared and called out to Liliana, who only looked up after finishing her sentence.

“… and should be a color similar to his eye color. Hmm? What is it?”

Agrina didn’t need to answer.

Liliana looked past Agrina and dropped the sheets of paper she was holding.

Sophia, beaming with a radiant smile, approached in surprise. She picked up the papers at Liliana’s feet, placed them on a table, and smiled again.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.“

“Sophia…“

Liliana’s expression hovered between crying and smiling before she hugged Sophia tightly. She pressed her cheek to Sophia’s, overwhelmed with joy.

“My goodness, how did this happen? Are you allowed to be in the palace?“

“How else? His Majesty the Emperor intervened. It Ternz out it was all a malicious scheme by Beatty Gabriel. The rumor is widespread now that I was just a victim. On my way here, people looked at me with such pity. It’s almost as if I tricked them.”

Sophia gave an awkward laugh, slightly embarrassed by the thought. But she soon smiled brightly again, delighted to see Liliana.

“Oh, and the emperor has commissioned me for something. That was my excuse to enter the palace.”

“A commission?“

“He asked me to prepare several dresses for your coronation. I’ve looked at every blue fabric, so I’m sure you’ll be pleased.”

Sophia spoke confidently, but Liliana felt tears welling up.

The dresses brought her joy, and seeing Sophia again filled her heart beyond words. But what made her happiest was everything Helio had prepared for her.

Liliana had spread false rumors to protect Sophia, making it nearly impossible for Sophia to enter the palace again.

And Liliana couldn’t visit the Rhenia Trading Company daily to see Sophia.

Helio had solved that problem for her.

“His Majesty is truly considerate. I’ve regretted telling you not to trust him.”

Liliana shook her head.

“No, you gave me the best advice for my situation. Let’s go inside.“

“Yes. I’ve already sent all the dresses to your dressing room.”

Sophia nodded and followed Liliana. Sophia gently took Liliana’s hand and whispered as they climbed the stairs to the second-floor hallway.

“Your Majesty, you’re troubled by something, aren’t you?”