“…!”

Alec turned toward the voice. Louise was descending the stairs on the opposite side of the drawing room, taking each step gracefully. Her silver hair was elegantly pinned up, with a few loose strands cascading softly. Her violet eyes sparkled mysteriously, and her deep blue dress shimmered like jewels against her pearl-like skin.

Everything about her was radiant, dazzling to behold. If light itself could take human form, would it not look like her?

Alec felt a sharp pang in his chest, overwhelmed by her presence. She approached him like an aurora flowing into the room.

Just a fortnight ago, Louise had been on the verge of death due to the emperor’s dark magic. Yet, with astounding willpower, she had resisted the malevolent energy that had invaded her body. Though Alec had healed her, she remained unconscious for a while, but when she awoke, she appeared more resplendent than ever before.

The transformation puzzled and amazed him. Could it be because he had poured so much of his healing power into her all at once?

Now, Louise stood before him with a poised and elegant grace.

“Alec,” she said in a flawless, enchanting voice.

Her words tugged at his very soul. Though she had always been captivating, since that day, she seemed to emit an otherworldly aura.

“Louise,” he responded, taking her hand.

She smiled, her eyes filled with a distant yet tender affection.

“I came down because the guests asked for me as well. I hope I’m not intruding,” she said softly.

“Not at all. I was just about to conclude my talk with them,” Alec replied.

“…I see.”

As Louise glanced at the guests, Alec also turned his gaze back to them. His heart pounded strangely, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why. Was it because she was standing beside him, or was it the sincere apologies from those who had once opposed him?

‘We were wrong!’

‘Forgive us, Alec.’

Would the past be laid to rest like this? Could he now look forward to new things?

With Louise’s hand in his, he felt there was nothing left to fear.

At last, Alec spoke in a low voice.

“Everyone, rise.”

The nobles hesitated for a moment before slowly getting to their feet.

Once they were all standing, Alec spoke again.

“Thank you for coming. I thought you’d all turn away, but you came back. Still, to me, it’s already forgotten. It’s like a distant memory from long ago.”

“…”

“Even so, hearing your apologies comforts me, as if my past is being healed. I feel like I can truly start anew now.”

“Alec…”

Their eyes shimmered with emotion.

Watching them, Alec felt something stir within him as well. While he couldn’t say that all the pain of his past life had vanished completely, he knew that whatever bitterness had lingered had now been washed away.

He could look ahead with clarity.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out.

“Thank you, Alec.”

He turned toward the voice, surprised to find someone he hadn’t expected.

“…Garrison.”

It was Garrison, who had once been aligned with Marcel and had arrogantly appeared at the textile factory, saying, “Let’s see how well you do!” before disappearing. Standing next to him, fidgeting awkwardly, was Langdon, Marcel’s younger brother.

Garrison lowered his eyes.

“I’m ashamed of how I looked down on you. You were always far greater than I imagined…”

“…”

Alec bit his lip slightly. He had nearly forgotten about Garrison.

Back when they tormented him, Alec had felt so insignificant, barely able to endure it.

But now, those feelings seemed as trivial as dust.

He realized how much he had transcended and overcome.

Then, Brooks stepped forward.

“Alec.”

“…”

“We haven’t even begun to say what we truly wish to tell you.”

“…?”

Alec looked puzzled, and Louise shared his curiosity.

What could they mean?

Brooks glanced between him and Louise, taking a deep breath.

“Alec, Louise.”

“…”

After a brief silence, Brooks, his voice trembling, spoke the words that marked the climax.

“Please become the new rulers of our empire.”

“…”

* * *

The mansion in the capital was a place where one could bask in a different kind of freshness and warmth, far from the northern garden.

I sat under the shade of the garden, soaking in the much gentler weather and sunshine.

Was spring already here?

It had been so long since I last felt such peace and tranquility that I could hardly remember when it had happened.

I took a deep breath, filling my body with the air of spring.

With nothing weighing me down anymore, I felt light and refreshed inside.

‘…Ah, this is true happiness.’

The sense of liberation after the source of all the suffering for me and my husband had vanished.

Although the dead emperor had left behind a force that threatened me, Alec had dispelled that dark energy.

Now, it was truly over.

However, there was still one final matter left to resolve.

“Alec, Louise. Please become the new rulers of our empire.”

The proposal made by the nobles who visited us yesterday lingered in my mind.

The new rulers of the empire likely referred to becoming the emperor and empress.

Not once in my life had I ever considered the possibility of such a position.

“Louise.”

Suddenly, Alec’s voice broke the silence, and I sat up straight.

“Alec.”

He’s here.

I looked at him with pride. His neatly combed hair and perfectly tailored uniform made him look like the empire’s sole beacon of light and hope.

‘How could he get more handsome each time I see him…’

As he sat in the chair across from me, I asked, “Is everything ready?”

“Yes,” he replied with a slight nod and a soft smile.

I smiled back. Just meeting his gaze made me feel so happy.

Today, Brooks and several officials were scheduled to visit our residence again to hear our decision regarding their proposal from the day before.

I took a sip of tea, feeling a bit anxious, and finally spoke,

“I’ve made my decision. Actually, there was never any need to hesitate.”

“…”

“What about you?”

“…”

Alec stared at me silently for a moment. Were our thoughts aligned?

Either way, I felt certain that we would make the same choice.

What I wanted was simple: to live a happy life with my husband, raising our children together. I desired nothing more.

Alec stood up from his chair and approached me, kneeling on one knee before me. Startled, I tried to rise, but he gently held my hand, his solemn gesture leaving me frozen in place.

“…Alec.”

“Louise.”

His deep gaze met mine for a moment before he bowed his head, pressing his lips to the back of my hand. He held my hand tenderly, brushing it with his fingers as he spoke.

“I don’t need to think about it. I plan to decline their proposal.”

“…”

I looked down at him in silence for a moment before asking, a little late, “Even though it’s a chance to become emperor?”

“…”

“If you don’t accept now, it will be considered treason if you seek it later.”

“…”

“This is likely the first and last honorable opportunity to become emperor. Are you really going to refuse?”

“…”

Even as I asked calmly, his eyes remained unwavering. Just like me, he had already made up his mind. I could feel his sincerity.

He spoke again, “What I desire is not to rise to the highest position in this empire.”

“…”

“My only wish is to remain by your side forever, Louise. I want nothing else.”

“…”

A contented smile crept across my face. Of course, he and I shared the same heart.

Though there was Prince Rydith, neither of us had any interest in ascending the throne.

Rather than bearing the weight of the crown, I wanted to fill our lives with love.

“You’re right. If you became emperor, I’d feel so lonely. I want you to spend more time with me and our children.”

A joyful smile spread across his face, his eyes sparkling like a universe filled with stars.

“We can finally fulfill our dream together,” he said.

“Yes, we can. So, how many children should we have? Two? Three?”

“Five?”

“…Ten?”

“…”

“…”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, and he laughed with me.

To think that we could laugh like this, just like an ordinary couple in a peaceful world.

He stood up, pulling me into his arms, and I embraced him as if I were holding the whole world.

My entire world was right here.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories