Chapter 170

It was a cloudless, sunny day with not a hint of humidity.

Sunlight poured in directly through a towering window that was high enough to strain one’s neck. Liliana squinted up at the sun, shading her eyes with her hand.

“Your Majesty, if you keep that up, you’ll ruin your makeup!”

Agrina, who was overseeing the handmaidens nearby, scolded her. Liliana shrugged, appearing slightly weary of the fuss.

“Straighten your shoulders, and let me see you. Anything uncomfortable?”

“Plenty.“

“That’s good. If there’s nothing, then something must be missing.”

At Agrina’s remark, Liliana stuck out her tongue playfully.

“Good thing this is happening before summer arrives.”

When Liliana spoke with a feigned complaint, the attending maids giggled softly.

Though it was the empress’s coronation, the atmosphere wasn’t overly strict. Since Liliana was already beloved by everyone, they were eager to make her look as beautiful as possible.

After checking the time, Agrina announced it was time to leave. Liliana stood up, assisted by her attendants.

Cheers erupted from outside as she stood before the massive, ornate doors. The crowd had gathered to celebrate Liliana.

Sophia, dabbing at tears, smiled broadly with her damp cheeks.

“Your Majesty, did you know? You’re the first to invite commoners to a coronation. That’s why this is the liveliest coronation ever!”

Liliana nodded with a bright smile, fully aware. The goodwill of the commoners had played a role in her rise, so it was only fitting.

At a quiet signal, the doors opened, and a majestic piece of music echoed in the distance. Beneath the cloudless, brilliant blue sky lay a pristine white carpet.

“Your Majesty, be happy!”

“Long live Her Majesty! Long live!”

Though she had never met them, they sincerely wished Liliana happiness.

In response to their sentiments, Liliana smiled more radiantly than ever.

As her foot stepped onto the white carpet, Lady Marienne approached, dressed neatly. Instead of holding a tiara as expected, her hands were empty.

Before anyone had time to wonder, Liliana spoke into the air.

“Salamun.”

In an instant, ornate flames swirled into the shape of a rose, unfolding into a broad, cape-like form. A woman with her long hair tied high appeared from within the fire.

The Fire Spirit King, Salamun, immediately knelt before Liliana.

“My honor will always be by your side.“

Salamun’s oath was as impressive as ever. Liliana extended her hand to her with pure admiration.

Salamun kissed the back of Liliana’s hand, and the onlookers cheered wildly.

When Lady Marienne extended her hands to Salamun, Salamun placed a small flame in her palms. The flame burned beautifully and transformed into a silver tiara.

Salamun whispered softly, loud enough only for Liliana to hear.

“This is my gift in return.”

She seemed to have appreciated the golden tiara Liliana had once prepared for her. Liliana smiled and nodded.

Following protocol, Liliana bowed to Lady Marienne. Lady Marienne placed the silver tiara on Liliana’s head with great care.

The countless sapphires and diamonds embedded in the tiara sparkled brilliantly with each movement of Liliana’s head.

With tear-filled eyes, Lady Marienne gazed at her.

“To think I would live to see you married…“

“Oh, Mother. It’s not a wedding…”

Liliana chuckled bashfully, then looked ahead and widened her eyes. At the end of the white carpet stood a handsome man.

His beautiful golden hair swayed gently in the breeze, and his blue eyes shone, focused solely on Liliana.

Dressed impeccably in a white suit and holding a bouquet of pink flowers, he looked like a groom at a spring wedding. Liliana, her face on the verge of tears, smiled as she walked down the carpet.

When she was almost to Helio, he couldn’t wait any longer and strode forward to meet her.

Liliana, her voice trembling with emotion, playfully chided him.

“What are you doing? Now they’ll remember me as the empress who broke protocol.“

“That won’t happen. We’ve followed everything important.”

Helio was right. With a confident smile, he handed Liliana the bouquet.

As Liliana took the pink flowers with trembling hands, Helio leaned in and kissed her cheek.

“You will be remembered as the most beloved empress in history.“

“And the happiest empress in history, too.”

The two exchanged joyful smiles, a sight that made hearts flutter.

Helio offered his arm, and Liliana took it naturally.

They walked together, and once they reached the end, they gazed into each other’s eyes throughout the ceremony. The moment the ceremony concluded, they embraced tightly and kissed.

As she watched, the Empress Dowager’s eyes shimmered with tears, and Lucia handed her a handkerchief. Anyone could see how much the two women blessed this union.

Marikea, the Earth Spirit King, flew above, scattering flower petals, which landed in Helio and Liliana’s hair.

They laughed and kissed again as they brushed the petals off each other.

This was the moment the most beloved couple in the history of the Carlo Empire was born.

***

Two chubby, white fists shot into the air from a white cradle.

“Uh!”

The baby in the cradle withdrew its fists and thr*st them upward with renewed determination. But no matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t lift its upper body.

She would have burst into tears if it had been an ordinary baby. However, this baby furrowed her brows in irritation, showing no sign of crying.

“Uh!”

The baby muttered a short complaint and placed both arms beside her face.

She let out an uncharacteristically long sigh, giving off a mature air as though she understood all the world’s affairs.

After all, this baby had once been Lilith, the genius who had contracted with all six spirit kings.

“Phew…“

‘Did I just get reborn? Why?’

She distinctly remembered asking the spirit kings to sacrifice her life to turn back time. The spirit kings, though saddened, had honored her request.

‘I thought that since Mother had run away, I would never be born.’

After all, the easiest way for the powerless Liliana to escape death was to flee.

She never imagined she would live as “Lilith“ again. And what was with this familiar ceiling?

Lilith blinked her pink eyes, bewildered.

She should have been in the Emerald Palace when she was first born. Why was she seeing the ceiling of the Aris Palace?

“Your Highness, the princess, are you awake?”

At the familiar voice, Lilith’s eyes widened.

‘Sophia!’

Overcome with joy, Lilith waved her hands wildly. Sophia had been the reason Lilith survived during her childhood. Although she had sacrificed her life for Lilith, dying early…

‘There’s no helping it. This time, I’ll make sure Sophia survives!’

With a resolute expression, Lilith made up her mind. But Sophia wasn’t looking at her; instead, she called out to someone else.

“Your Majesty! It seems Her Highness the princess wants to see her mother.“

‘Your Majesty? Mother?‘

Lilith’s already round eyes widened even more.

Her confusion didn’t last long. An all-too-familiar face appeared over the cradle. Eyes identical to hers, pink and filled with affection, sparkled brightly.

“Lilith, did you sleep well? Were you looking for me?”

Lilith knew who this gentle woman was. She was the woman she had seen when she contracted with the six spirit kings and intervened in fate: “Lilith’s mother.”

Liliana stared at Lilith briefly before rapidly blinking as if realizing something. Then she asked Sophia to step outside for a moment.

“Call me immediately if anything happens.“

“Thank you, Sophia.”

When the door closed, leaving only Liliana and Lilith in the room, Liliana gently stroked Lilith’s cheek with her fingertips and asked softly:

“Lilith, have your memories returned?”

Lilith was startled. Liliana laughed as though the reaction alone was enough of an answer. Her face glowed with pure adoration.

“The spirit kings told me. They said your memories would return when you were a little older. But you’ve already regained them, even though you’re just a newborn, right?”

“Ma?”

‘Mom, how do you know all this?’

Lilith wanted to ask, but her lips wouldn’t cooperate. Liliana smiled kindly as if understanding everything.

“Lilith, there’s something I must tell you.”

Lilith blinked, indicating she was listening.

“First, thank you for protecting me. Because of you, I’ve been blessed with a happy life. So, please don’t carry any guilt.“

“Uh?”

“Truly. Giving birth to you was the wisest decision I ever made. I used all my power to protect you. So, none of my misfortunes were your fault.“

Lilith’s pink eyes grew misty. Liliana gently clasped Lilith’s tiny hand between her thumb and forefinger and said softly:

“This time, I will protect you. I love you, Lilith.”

Her voice was filled with unmistakable affection. Even though this was the first time meeting her mother, who was clearly weaker than she, why did her heart feel so full?

Liliana smiled while holding Lilith’s gaze, then gestured into the air. The six spirit kings appeared in a burst of brilliant, colorful light.

‘Oh my… Therier, Salamun! Selene, Aria, Windia, and Marikea, too!’

Overjoyed, Lilith waved her arms wildly. The six spirit kings beamed back at her.

Liliana let Lilith enjoy the reunion for a while before locking eyes with her again.

“Lilith, we discussed with the spirit kings what we could do for your happiness. And we came to a conclusion.“

“Uh?”

“We’re going to erase your memories from your past life. I want you to experience every emotion life offers to the fullest.”

Lilith had already lived her past life perfectly. Her mind held the next five hundred years of history.

With such a complete map of life, her second life would simply be consumed by the first.

Liliana wished for Lilith to live a more vibrant life.

“What do you think?”

Of course, Liliana and the spirit kings reached this conclusion. Lilith’s own feelings weren’t clear. Perhaps she was tired after those five hundred years and wanted to live a relaxed life this time.

Lilith brought her tiny fist to her chin in serious contemplation. Her short legs lifted into the air as she thought, an adorable sight that Liliana almost groaned.

After a while, Lilith raised both fists high.

“Uh!“

“You like that idea too?“

“Uh!”

At Lilith’s enthusiastic affirmation, Liliana smiled brightly.

She gestured to the six spirit kings. One by one, they infused Lilith’s forehead with their energy.

This energy would veil her past memories and allow her to live this life with pure new experiences.

Lilith blinked her big eyes when all six spirit kings had finished before drifting off to sleep.

Liliana exchanged smiles with the spirit kings and gently rocked the cradle. A warm lullaby flowed from her softly curved lips.

~Wind, rock the cradle. So the baby won’t wake up without me. If the baby kicks off the blanket, cover the belly gently. So the baby won’t catch a cold without me.~

~~The End~~