“Is that true?”

To trust me to the extent of nullifying the contract right away.

Ariel asked with surprised eyes.

“What will you do if I try to run away?”

“You wouldn’t do that, would you?”

“Of course not, but…”

Trust, faith. Noble things that love brings were things neither Ariel nor Leopold had thought would arise between them.

“I’ve confirmed Ariel’s heart, and Ariel has confirmed mine. Doubts about the authenticity of this relationship have disappeared from both of us.”

So leaving remnants of distrust would do no good for either of us.

“Now, please stay by my side without conditions.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ariel nodded slowly.

For quite a long time, she had denied his feelings and her own. So Ariel expected it would take a long time to build trust with Leopold.

But her expectations were completely off.

Because Leopold always opened his heart to her and poured out everything, as soon as Ariel showed her sincerity, he accepted her heart without hesitation.

Ariel’s heart, realizing this once again, throbbed with emotion.

“Thank you. It must have been tough for you all this time…”

“More than tough, I was worried that even after two years, if you didn’t look at me, what would I do. That was always my concern.”

Leopold looked at Ariel’s empty plate and moved the steak he cut onto her.

His words are always filled with affection. And his actions supported them.

Everything was heading in one direction.

I love you.

***

“Ariel… please…”

It’s been four days. His daughter Ariel was unconscious.

When she said she was going into the palace, they should have strongly opposed it. Marquis Louis and Marchioness Rose were too unhappy with themselves for not doing so.

“Rose. This could really turn into a big problem. At least have a spoonful of soup.”

With a worried expression, Louis pushed a spoon to Marchioness Rose’s lips.

She almost didn’t eat or sleep, just waiting to hear that her daughter had woken up.

“Louis, I’m sorry. I have no appetite.”

“When Ariel wakes up, if you collapse… that child will blame me and suffer.”

She understood. She knew that would happen.

But what could she do when she didn’t have any appetite?

Then it happened.

A presence was heard outside the bedroom.

Knock knock-

“Marquis, someone has come out from the palace.”

“What? Honey, go out and see. Hurry!”

Marchioness Rose, who was sitting at the table, stood up abruptly.

“Oh…!”

“Rose-!”

However, because she had not eaten for days, dizziness rushed over her and she hesitated and sat back down.

Louis leaned her against his chest and helped her up.

“Are you okay? That’s because you haven’t eaten anything at all.”

“I’ll eat. Whatever news they bring, go and listen.”

Sending someone from the palace… it surely had something to do with Ariel.

She either woke up or something else happened.

Which news it would be, Marquis Louis Clark was also curious and tense.

“Whatever the news it is, we must go into the palace immediately. Finish everything on your plate until I can see it.”

Louis said firmly to Marchioness Rose who was leaning on his chest.

Already weak in body and with a tender heart, she awkwardly collapsed after just three days.

“I got it, Louis. Go out quickly.”

He picked Rose. They went straight to the bed and leaned her against the headboard. He quickly brought a bowl of soup and a spoon.

“For sure. You have to finish it all before I come back. We have to take you to the palace.”

“Okay… I’ll eat it all. I’ll scrape it clean. So please come back soon.”

“I got it. I’ll be back.”

Marquis Louis approached the door.

Marchioness Rose looked at his back. She knew what he was worried about. But her body and mind didn’t follow her will.

‘When I heard that Ariel was unconscious, it felt like the sky was falling.’

Memories of Ariel’s childhood, when she fell into a coma after jumping out of a running carriage, flooded back to her, and the shock and fear she felt at that time poured over her current self.

Although everything seemed normal, news that her consciousness hadn’t returned made her think she might really lose her daughter this time.

Since then, her appetite and desire for sleep disappeared completely.

Louis grabbed the doorknob and turned around.

‘She couldn’t sleep a wink for fear that something might happen to Ariel while she slept.’

It was amazing that she remained conscious; even at a glance, Rose’s condition did not look good at all.

Click- Thud.

As the door closed, Marchioness Rose looked away from it and stared at the bowl of soup.

What news could they have brought from the imperial palace?

‘I hope it’s good news.’

Her husband’s words immediately came to mind as she took a spoonful and put it in her mouth.

***

Marquis Louis came downstairs and saw a palace servant standing in front of the entrance. He approached the servant immediately.

“Her Highness the Empress has awakened.”

Louis’s eyes widened. It was something he had desperately hoped for, so he could hardly believe it.

“What did you say just now?”

“Her Majesty the Empress has regained consciousness. The Emperor and the Empress are having a meal and spending a peaceful time conversing. His Majesty has conveyed a message for you not to worry and to come into the palace.”

Upon hearing his words, Louis’s heart pounded.

‘Thank goodness, what a relief.’

“I see. Thank you for delivering the good news.”

“His Majesty has prepared a carriage. Please come out when you are ready. I will escort you.”

“Ah, I see. Understood.”

The servant bowed with a respectful posture.

Clang-!

“She… Ariel has truly regained consciousness.”

“Marquis, please go see the madam immediately.”

The butler Henry was suddenly standing by his side. Tears welled up in the old Henry’s eyes.

“Thank you.”

Louis patted Henry’s shoulder and briskly ascended the stairs.

A big smile adorned his lips.

***

Upon arriving at the palace, Marquis Louis and Marchioness Rose were greeted by the chamberlain, Richard.

“Please come this way.”

Following his guidance, the two entered the palace.

“You may wait here.”

As he opened the door, they caught sight of Clark’s three sons sitting at the dining table inside the room, engaged in conversation.

The three rose to their feet upon seeing their parents and approached them.

“Mother, Father. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“How did you all end up here?”

“His Majesty has informed us that Ariel has awakened. He also mentioned having a meal together and spending a peaceful time.”

Evan supported Rose, while Walter seated her on a chair he had prepared in advance.

“Is it true that Ariel has awakened?”

“I met her before coming here, Mother.”

Rodney thought that he must have been called to inquire about Ariel’s health, so he entered the room expecting just that. Until he opened the door and went inside.

But once inside, he found Ariel conscious, having a light breakfast.

“How was she?”

Evan asked as he took a seat.

“She seemed remarkably healthy, almost as if she hadn’t been in a comatose state. Her face looked good, and she seemed cheerful.”

“That’s a relief.”

Marquis Louis nodded repeatedly.

Indeed, Ariel had come back to life once again.

Everyone took their seats, and preparations for the meal began on the dining table.

Clatter-!

At that moment, the door of the dining room opened. Through the gap in the door, the hem of a pink dress could be seen.

It was Ariel Diaz, the Empress.

Leopold had arranged for Ariel to reunite with her family. But he used work as an excuse to avoid being present himself. It was his consideration for others.

―It would be nice to go together, but surely my presence would be burdensome for your family. I’ll make sure to create another opportunity for us to meet together later; for now, go alone.

He also specifically instructed Chamberlain Richard to listen in on their meal conversation. Leopold paid close attention to ensure their conversations wouldn’t leak out.

Ariel entered the dining room.

Her dazzling blonde hair, clear emerald eyes reminiscent of the sea, fair and radiant skin, well-defined nose, and lively lips that seemed to be tinted with light — this was the Ariel they knew before she left for Kolnman.

“Your Majesty.”

Everyone rose from their seats.

‘Ariel, my child.’

Tears flowed incessantly from Marchioness Rose’s eyes.

Ariel, who had safely awakened, was now in a state where the melancholy that had been visible on her face right after returning from Kolnman had disappeared.

‘Thank goodness, what a relief.’

Even if she regained her senses but suffered from emotional trauma due to the shocking events, all the worries they had about Ariel’s well-being became completely meaningless when looking at her face.

“May I give you a hug, Your Majesty?”

“Mom-!”

Rose approached Ariel and reached out her arms. Ariel leaped into her embrace.