“Miss! Oh dear, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Kayla wiped away her tears and said:

“No, Martha. Thank you for telling me. I’m glad to know more about Theo.”

“Miss…”

“I think I can open my heart to Theo a little more now.”

Kayla realized in her heart. Although questions about the marriage still remained, they were gradually being resolved. And she vaguely sensed that this marriage might truly be Theodore’s gentle sincerity.

4. Rising Truths

The day to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor dawned. Kayla got dressed early in the morning, neatly put up her hair, and stepped toward the carriage with a tense expression. Her fingertips trembled slightly, and her heart pounded. Theodore was already waiting there. He quietly extended his hand and said:

“Today you’ll ride in the carriage with me. That won’t be uncomfortable, will it?”

“No, I’m just… a bit nervous.”

“About sitting next to me?”

“No, that’s not it… about meeting His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Hahah!”

Theodore burst into soft laughter.

“Losing to my father, I’m quite jealous.”

Kayla’s face reddened at his smile, and she carefully took his hand. The inside of the carriage was quiet, but the bright sunlight streaming through the windows and the noise from the streets disturbed her mind. She clasped her hands tightly, thinking countless times, ‘What if I make a mistake?’ Beside her, Theodore smiled leisurely and took her hand, but that warm touch only made her heart flutter more.

“I’m worried I might cause trouble.”

“That won’t happen. They’ll like you very much.”

“What kind of people are they?”

“Benevolent and gentle. I’ve never seen them fight.”

“They must have a good marriage.”

“Well, it’s impossible to fight in that position.”

Kayla suddenly thought of parents completely different from her own. Unlike herself, who had to suppress her emotions and endure to survive after losing her mother—amid childhood coldness and loneliness—Theodore had naturally given and received trust and love during his upbringing. Her mouth felt bitter for no reason.

‘No, it’s okay now. Don’t think like this.’

Kayla let out a small breath.

“We’re here.”

At Theodore’s words, she looked up to see the imperial palace gleaming in gold before her eyes. The tall pillars, golden decorations, and the grandeur of the enormous palace overwhelmed Kayla. Her heart beat faster, and her fingertips grew cold again.

※※※

Just before the door opened, Theodore took Kayla’s hand and tucked it into his arm. Kayla’s face flushed.

“Linking arms at least will keep them from worrying.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door opened.

“Behold the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor.”

The two bowed respectfully. Kayla’s heart raced.

“Haha, welcome. It’s been a long time since you visited, and you’ve even brought your bride-to-be.”

“I hope you’ve been well, Your Majesty.”

“Just call me Father. Coming to greet me and being so formal, this father is sad.”

The Emperor spoke with a warm smile. Kayla’s tension eased slightly at the Emperor’s benevolent expression. Theodore looked around and asked:

“Mother is…”

“Ah, she has some business to attend to and will see you separately a bit later. So, is this lovely woman to be your consort?”

“This is Kayla, the eldest daughter of Baron Grenville.”

Kayla gently held her dress and bowed her head in greeting. The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly and fell into thought for a moment.

“Grenville… I thought I’d seen you somewhere before.”

“Pardon?”

“Your mother was Lea, correct?”

Kayla answered with wide eyes.

“Y-yes! Did you know my mother…?”

The Emperor smiled wryly and said:

“I knew her well. She helped me a great deal.”

Her heart raced at this story about her mother that she’d never heard before. Theodore stood beside her with a calm expression. Just then, the door opened, and another voice was heard.

“Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress is waiting in the reception room. Shall I bring her here?”

The Emperor shook his head and said:

“No. I have something to discuss with Theo, so please escort this beautiful lady there.”

“Yes, understood.”

Suddenly separated from Theodore, Kayla looked at him in confusion. Theodore said quietly:

“It’s all right, go ahead. I’ll join you soon.”

Trusting his words, Kayla nodded and respectfully greeted the Emperor. Then, guided by a court lady, she headed alone toward the room where the Empress waited. Overwhelmed by the dazzling sight of the imperial palace, she carefully walked forward. As the reception room drew near, a subtle floral scent wafted through the air.

※※※

“She resembles her greatly, she looks so much like Lea.”

After Kayla had left, the Emperor muttered before Theodore could even take his seat. Theodore sat down and asked:

“You mean Kayla?”

“Yes, you finally found her, Theo.”

“My persistence takes after you, Father.”

The Emperor smiled slightly and asked:

“Haha, by the way… does that child have anything special about her?”

“What do you mean?”

The Emperor’s expression grew heavy, and he let out a deep sigh.

“You probably only know that Lea was a friend of the Empress, but in truth, Lea possessed holy power.”

“What?”

Complex emotions flickered in Theodore’s eyes. Holy power was the ability to heal and protect others. However, those with holy power could not harbor anger or hatred. Because of this, they were often exploited or sacrificed on battlefields. Additionally, using holy power shortened one’s lifespan. Holy power users were not common, making them precious beings managed by the Empire.

“Lea willingly used her holy power when the Empress was ill. The Empress’s life was in danger.”

“Then when I was five…”

“Yes, you didn’t see me for nearly half a year at that time. We separated you out of concern for contagion.”

“Then the reason Kayla’s mother passed away early, could it be…”

Theodore’s words were met with momentary silence from the Emperor.

“… Probably because she used too much power for the Empress. Weakened, Lea ultimately left this world a year later.”

Theodore felt conflicted about the fact that Kayla’s mother had been sacrificed to save his own mother. He thought that if she learned this truth, she might come to resent him.

“That child may also possess holy power.”

Theodore hesitated briefly before speaking. Suddenly remembering something, he opened his mouth.

“… She was abused by her father and stepmother. And yet… she doesn’t hate them.”

At Theodore’s words, the Emperor hesitated momentarily before continuing.

“… Watch over that child carefully. And if holy power manifests, keep it secret if possible.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Now go. Kayla will be uncomfortable alone with the Empress.”

“I’ll see you again, Father.”

“Yes, come visit more often. Hah hah!”

In the Empress’s reception room, contrary to his worries, Kayla was smiling brightly while conversing with the Empress. Seeing this, Theodore smiled bitterly and carefully approached. The Empress spotted him and welcomed him warmly.

“Ah, Theo!”

“Come in, my son.”

The Empress rose and embraced Theodore warmly. Then she gently whispered in his ear.

“I absolutely approve of this marriage.”

At those words, Theodore gave a subtle smile. Yet his eyes ultimately failed to meet Kayla’s.

The Empress led Theodore to a seat. Luxurious refreshments were placed on the table, but Theodore couldn’t even take a sip of tea. Heavy questions swirled in his mind. No sound reached his ears.

‘Is there a way to confirm if Kayla has holy power? To know that… I’d have to tell her about her mother’s death…’

In the uncomfortable silence, the Empress, noting Theodore’s stiff expression, quietly spoke.

“Kayla, your mother was truly special. She was the savior of my life.”

Surprised by the Empress’s statement, Kayla’s eyes widened. Her eyes, illuminated by sunlight, shone even more clearly.

“My mother… to Your Majesty?”

“Yes. You must have visited the imperial palace a few times as a child. Do you remember?”

The moment she heard those words, a scene flashed through Kayla’s mind. The imperial garden, walking hand in hand with her mother Lea under gentle sunlight. The fragrance of flowers and sounds of laughter from that day mingled with childhood sensations, emerging faintly.

“Ah…!”

“Do you remember?”

The Empress smiled quietly. That smile conveyed warmth and longing. But Theodore couldn’t be at ease.

‘Why is Mother deliberately making her recall past memories? It must be painful…’

His expression hardened as he tried to fathom the Empress’s intentions. His mind became complicated, wondering if he should stop this conversation. Kayla spoke with a gentle smile:

“I remember walking through the imperial garden with my mother.”

“Yes, you’ll probably remember more and more.”

“Mother, I…”

As Theodore tried to say something, the Empress continued before he could:

“It would be wonderful if Kayla could recover those precious moments she shared with Lea.”

Only then did Theodore understand the Empress’s intention. She simply wanted this daughter-like person to heal old wounds. To open her heart through forgotten memories. Realizing his mother’s feelings, Theodore smiled wryly and nodded. He felt ashamed for trying to avoid the topic, thinking Kayla would only be saddened by the void Lea had left. Then Theodore smiled gently and said:

“I’ll help her a lot.”