Chapter 104: Dog Tag

“Ma, uuh, ma…”

As Gloria babbled and waved her chubby little hand, Edelweiss, who had been sitting dazed, let a faint smile curl at her lips.

Sunlight streamed gently through the windless window, and she stared at those small lips for a long time.

Now that she looked closely, the shape of Gloria’s lips resembled Damian’s.

“…Yes. Mama. Lara.”

“……”

“If he had heard you call him Papa, His Highness would’ve been so happy too.”

She whispered as she gently caressed Gloria’s cheek.

But the joy didn’t last.

It had already been two months since Damian went missing in the Arcane Strait.

Spring had come.

Her bouts of coughing blood had grown more frequent, and whenever she collapsed, she would sleep through half the day.

Edelweiss pressed her lips together and lowered her head.

Suddenly, a dull ache brushed against her heart.

That sensation spread through her body like a cold chill.

She should’ve stopped him no matter what.

Perhaps he’d been swept away and drowned in the fierce waves of the Arcane Strait.

If only she hadn’t let him go, if only she had stopped him from leaving—

“It’s all my fault…”

It pained her that she wouldn’t get to watch Gloria grow up, but now even his presence had been taken from her.

Edelweiss wrapped Damian’s dog tag around Gloria’s wrist.

“Kyah! Ah! Ah!”

Gloria giggled and shook the dog tag with delight.

It had been delivered a few days ago by Lieutenant Colonel Matiel, who said Damian had entrusted it to him before setting sail.

He’d said to pass it on if something happened—

Now she understood why he left behind his dog tag.

First, it was to ensure Edelweiss and Gloria would be protected by the navy.

Second, it meant he was prepared to die.

She gently placed her hand over Gloria’s small chest.

She could feel the gentle rise and fall of her heartbeat.

“…So the waves won’t swallow you.

So the wind won’t break you.

So the night won’t leave you lost…”

“……”

“May the blue sea protect you.”

Knock, knock—

The knock at the door echoed loudly in the stillness of the room.

Though soft and careful, it rang out far too clearly in the silence.

Startled, Edelweiss lifted her head.

Tears had already soaked her cheeks.

Cradling Gloria in her arms, she quietly wiped them away with her sleeve and forced a composed voice.

“…What is it?”

Anna’s calm voice came from outside.

“His Eminence the High Priest has arrived. He requests an audience with Her Highness Gloria.”

Silence fell.

Edelweiss straightened her back and took a long breath.

That single breath carried the weight of her stifled emotions.

She gently stroked Gloria’s back as if to steady her trembling hands.

“Tell him I’ll be there shortly. Please bring him to the drawing room.”

Gloria squirmed slightly in her arms before closing her eyes sleepily.

Edelweiss watched her for a moment, then turned her gaze.

Her reflection in the mirror revealed red-rimmed eyes.

She applied powder to cover the traces before heading to the drawing room.

The High Priest rose as she entered.

“I offer my greetings to the Grand Duchess and Her Highness the Imperial Grandchild.

May the blessing of the Lord be with Prince Damian.”

“…Thank you, Your Eminence.”

She was exhausted.

Had it not been the High Priest himself, she might’ve sent him away.

Edelweiss patted Gloria’s belly as she sat across from him.

“Her Highness Gloria has received a baptismal name.”

For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

Clasping her trembling hands, she asked,

“Do you mean…?”

“Yes. It seems Her Highness’s fate has changed.

Receiving a baptismal name means the Lord is watching over her.”

What a relief.

At least she wouldn’t live a short life like Princess Charlotte.

“I understand your heart may not be at ease, but the baptism must take place.

An answer has been given—we’ll only learn what it is on the day of the ceremony.”

“…Of course. I’ll prepare right away.”

“Please take care of yourself.”

With that, the High Priest rose and left, as if not wanting to take more of her time.

***

As soon as the Emperor heard Gloria had been granted a baptismal name, he was overjoyed and immediately ordered the ceremony to be prepared.

What was originally meant to be a modest baptism swelled in scale.

A gentle hum of commotion filled the sacred temple.

A never-ending procession of nobles marched across the red carpet to offer their congratulations.

“If things continue like this, will Her Highness Gloria be named the Imperial Heir?”

“Most likely, wouldn’t you say? His Highness Damian is missing, and Prince Adolf has lost his succession rights after what happened with his mother, the Empress Roxanne…”

The curious whispers of the nobles pricked at Edelweiss’s ears.

She closed her eyes tightly, then opened them.

Her vision shattered into pale white, as if breaking apart.

She felt so dizzy it was hard to stay standing.

“Edel, are you all right…?”

The one who called her quietly was the Marquess of Blossomweaver.

In his arms, Gloria reached out her fingers.

Seeing the concern in his eyes, Edelweiss forced a smile.

“…Yes, don’t worry.

Lara. I’m sorry Mama can’t hold you today.”

She wanted to hold Gloria, who kept reaching for her, but she was afraid—afraid she might drop her in this condition.

Just then, footsteps echoed from straight ahead.

Cutting through the murmuring crowd, all eyes turned to the person approaching.

“……Adolf?”

It was Adolf.

He slowly made his way toward Edelweiss.

A hush fell over the gathered nobles at the sight of him.

“His Majesty forbade even Empress Roxanne’s funeral.”

“I never imagined Prince Adolf would come here. No matter how much she’s his niece, he can’t possibly see Princess Gloria in a good light.”

While murmurs and doubts spread through the hall, Adolf came to a halt in front of Edelweiss.

Then, he knelt on one knee.

“Edelweiss.”

“……”

“I am here to propose to you.”

The air inside the temple twisted violently, as if it had detonated.

In the breathless stillness that followed, a crashing wave of whispers swept the room.

“Waaaah!”

Frightened by the noise, Gloria began to fuss and suddenly burst into tears. Her startled blue eyes welled up instantly. The Marquess of Blossomweaver tried to soothe her, but it was no use.

Edelweiss blinked in stunned silence, like she’d been struck by lightning.

Even under the weight of every eye on him, Adolf remained unmoving. His posture never wavered.

Her breath caught painfully in her throat. Her eyebrows knit together.

This was supposed to be Gloria’s baptism.

If Damian had been here, he would have stood by her side today.

But now—

Adolf had barged in and trampled everything.

“……Please come to your senses, Your Highness,” Edelweiss spoke calmly.

“I am a married woman.”

“……Isn’t His Highness Lorendel missing?”

he replied—avoiding the word “dead,” but implying exactly that.

“I am the mother of His Majesty’s first grandchild. I am the Grand Duchess of Lorendel. What do you think you’re doing?”

“I will raise the princess as if she were my own child. Wouldn’t that allow my brother to rest in peace?”

The moment he finished speaking, a deep silence swallowed the entire temple.

Edelweiss’s vision swayed. The voices around her sounded distant.

Her knees buckled—she couldn’t even keep her footing.

Just as the floor rushed up to meet her— thud!

The ceiling trembled from the impact. At that very moment, the doors of the temple burst open.

“……Gasp.”

A sharp intake of breath rang clearly through the hall.

Then the murmuring resumed, swelling again.

“Could it be…?”

“Is that really…”

“No way…”

A strong hand grasped her shoulder.

Cool warmth enveloped her back—supporting her, holding her.

All eyes turned toward the one behind her.

The crisp scent of the ocean… so familiar.

Heart pounding, Edelweiss slowly turned her head.

And met eyes as blue as the sea, eyes that shimmered like crashing waves.

“……Damian?”

Damian was standing beside her.