“Ugh… Your Majesty…!”

For Noah, who couldn’t use mana, something invisible constricted his neck and body.

Noah twisted in agony, flailing and moaning.

Leopold stood up abruptly and approached the window.

“It would be better for you not to approach Ariel Clark if you want to live.”

Leopold’s voice, filled with anger, squeezed through his clenched teeth as he turned his back.

“See clearly who you’re up against, Duke Noah Diaz.”

“Cough…”

“Then, you won’t go far.”

After finishing his words, Leopold withdrew all his mana. Finally free from the pressure, Noah gasped for air and patted his chest.

Pale-faced, he weakly left the room but soon straightened up and left the building looking fine.

‘Being able to use mana without a sword. Something unimaginable has happened. Things are getting interesting… Yes, Leopold. You should have this level of ability. It wouldn’t be fun for me to face you otherwise.’

Just before getting into the carriage, Duke Noah Diaz looked up at the grand imperial palace with a sneering smile.

***

A little over a month passed quickly.

On a day when large snowflakes were falling thickly from a cloudy sky, the Atlan imperial palace was bustling with people after a long time.

Yellow mimosas and white tulips were placed around the banquet hall. The brilliant chandeliers brightly lit up the white wedding aisle.

The leaders from neighboring countries and Atlan nobles were gathered, and everyone gasped at the unexpected splendor and beauty.

They all harbored questions about Emperor Leopold Diaz’s sudden marriage but dared not voice their doubts aloud.

But everyone awaited the main character of the coronation ceremony. Who would become the Empress of the Atlan Empire? As the attendees exchanged rumors, Pope Sebastian Jones stood on the podium.

The noisy atmosphere in the hall became solemn. The Clarks sat at the front of the banquet hall.

“We will now celebrate the sacred rite of marriage.”

Pope Sebastian Jones’ voice echoed throughout the hall.

The orchestra began to play. The large doors of the banquet hall opened.

Emperor Leopold Diaz entered, holding Ariel Clark’s hand.

Under the bright lights, the beads and lace on her bell-line wedding dress sparkled. Her hair, braided to the side and tied down, looked neat without any frills.

As the hidden Empress finally revealed herself, praises for her beauty were heard from all around.

“I’m nervous.”

Leopold smiled faintly. He slowly walked in step with Ariel.

“You seem quite relaxed.”

“It seems you’re quite nervous too.”

Only then did Ariel realize she was gripping his hand tightly due to her nerves.

She dropped her tensed shoulders down. Then she glanced at Leopold, who was dressed in a white uniform.

His tall stature is like a well-crafted statue. With a robust chest that clothes couldn’t hide. Broad shoulders. His face was unusually flushed.

The sound of her own heartbeat thudded in Ariel’s ears.

“As the representative of the only god Lumiere, I proclaim that His Majesty Emperor Leopold Diaz of the Atlan Empire and Ariel Clark, the daughter of the Clark family, have become one in complete love.”

Pope Sebastian’s blessing began. He prayed for peace in the imperial family, for it to be filled with the laughter of children, and for the eternal prosperity of the Atlan Empire.

‘I might have done something tremendous.’

A contract marriage… I thought it was something light. It might not have been.

The blessing gradually faded from her ears. Ariel calmed her rough breathing to soothe her heart.

‘No matter how I feel about Leopold… I just need to follow the contract. If I don’t want to follow the original story.’

I must be firm in my resolve.

But then, a sense of déjà vu hit her.

Mimosa flowers and white tulips decorated the banquet hall. The fragrance of flowers tickled her nose.

‘This combination… I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before…’

She almost remembered it, yet frustratingly, she couldn’t recall. A faint memory was buried under layers of the past.

“We will now exchange the wedding gifts.”

Ariel snapped out of her thoughts and looked back at Pope Sebastian upon his declaration.

He handed Leopold a palm-sized box. Up close, it was a seashell-shaped ceramic.

‘What am I supposed to do with this?’

Ariel looked at Leopold with wide eyes.

Leopold smiled faintly and took her hand.

“Give me your hand.”

At his words, Ariel extended her finger.

When the box was opened, an emerald-cut ring reflected light and sparkled brilliantly.

Amor Ai, the national treasure of Atlan. A gemstone imbued with the legend that the first emperor found it at the end of the earth for the empress.

Leopold had made it into a wedding ring, a symbol of the empress.

“Fortunately, it suits you well.”

Leopold placed the ring on her fourth finger. He smiled contentedly, satisfied that it fit perfectly.

His affectionate gaze lingered on Ariel.

The guests watched the scene, which looked like a painting by a master artist, in silent admiration.

At that moment, Ariel’s family’s worries deepened.

‘Things are moving too quickly. His Majesty’s expression clearly shows love, but our daughter…’

‘Ariel… My baby…’

Marquis Louis and Marchioness Rose only saw Ariel’s pale complexion.

To them, she seemed too weak, even to force an awkward smile.

“Mother, it will be okay.”

“Walter…”

Walter patted Marchioness Rose’s shoulder. Struggling to hold back tears, Marchioness Rose tightly grasped Walter’s hand.

Leopold’s smile suddenly vanished. He turned around and shouted to those present.

“I hereby crown Ariel Diaz as the Empress of Atlan.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chamberlain Richard appeared with a tray made of gold.

On the tray was placed the crown worn by past empresses.

“Here, Ariel.”

Leopold then placed the crown on Ariel’s head as she knelt. The guests applauded the scene.

Her hands, which were clutching her dress, trembled.

‘For real, right now…’

It was the moment Ariel Clark became Ariel Diaz.

***

After the wedding and coronation ceremony, the official banquet began.

Ariel and Leopold changed clothes and reappeared. When the stars of the banquet appeared, the orchestra began to play.

It was a waltz.

Some people gave in to the music. Encouraged by those around them, Ariel and Leopold stepped into the center of the stage.

“Are you okay?”

“It’s been a while since I danced. Please bear with me.”

Ariel smiled slightly and bowed her head.

It’s a contract marriage… I don’t know where this marriage will end… but to deceive everyone’s eyes, I have to surrender myself to this atmosphere.

“I also ask for your favor.”

Their eyes met, and they held hands. A spoonful of fluttering emotion was mixed in their gazes as Leopold stepped forward with his left foot to start dancing.

Ariel moved her right foot back in sync with his steps. Then Leopold pulled her closer.

They were at a breathable distance. For a moment, it felt like time had stopped.

Leopold’s intense gaze lingered on her face as her emerald eyes slightly trembled.

He didn’t let go, like a predator. Then he led her arms and legs to move in a semicircle.

“Like this, just trust me.”

As soon as Ariel spun around, he pulled her back into his embrace.

“Don’t try to push me away.”

Leopold whispered in Ariel’s ear. Ariel frowned and looked at him, startled by his breath on her ear.

‘Push away? I was trying to escape from your grasp.’

It was a desperate struggle for her, having gone as far as studying abroad in Kolnman to become Hyle’s disciple.

Ariel’s lips tightened.

But the music was still playing. Unable to create a scene where the empress pushes away the emperor’s hand, Ariel hid her discomfort.

The distance between them widened and narrowed repeatedly.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re so beautiful today; I must hold you tightly when we sleep tonight.”

Despite uttering nonsense unrelated to her question, Ariel’s face flushed hotly.

“Ah…”

“After this song ends, I’ll take you to the bedroom. Waiting until this banquet ends is torture for me.”

Ariel felt his hand holding hers grow hotter. She turned her head away, trying to avoid his persistent red gaze that sought to capture her.

“Ah, really…”

How embarrassing. The situation he wanted was unfolding exactly as he planned.

Wanting to deny reality, Ariel closed her eyes tightly before opening them again.

‘Even your annoyed look seems cute… It’s like I’m really sick. This beautiful creature will eventually become mine.’

Leopold’s chest swelled with certainty. There was no doubt about it. Because that’s what he would make happen.