The Empress’s execution was carried out secretly. The crime of poisoning the Emperor and hiding the Crown Prince’s origins was already serious, but with evidence of human trafficking also revealed, it was decided not to inform the people.

So as not to tarnish the royal family’s honor.

The Emperor also attended the execution. He appeared with his weakened body and watched the Empress’s final moments, and during that time, the Crown Prince escaped with Louis’s help.

Pamela was with the Crown Prince. Pamela was able to leave with Vivian’s help.

When Knox later learned of this fact, he flew into a rage, but due to Vivian’s pleading, he had no choice but to cover it up so it wouldn’t become a scandal.

T/n: Consider me shocked – I thought that dumb girl was only pursuing his position as crown prince. Still dont gonna like her though.

After everything was settled, the Emperor immediately abdicated his position to Louis. The Emperor, who had become disillusioned with humanity due to his sense of betrayal, said he would go down to a quiet villa to recuperate.

Instead, the Emperor made Louis promise firmly. He told him to definitely destroy the Kingdom of Moncha.

Louis also needed the Kingdom of Moncha, so he accepted the Emperor’s command. Louis’s coronation proceeded quickly. The position of leading the nation could not be left vacant even for a moment.

So Louis immediately called a meeting. He had something to say before the coronation.

In the gathering of central nobles, Louis said:

“The wedding ceremony will be held simultaneously with the coronation.”

“…Pardon?”

The nobles, who had been thinking of pushing their daughters forward since the new Emperor was unmarried, widened their eyes.

“However, Your Majesty. A healer cannot enter the position of Empress.”

Since rumors about him and Aer were already famous, it was obvious who would become Empress.

Calix quietly glared at the opposing noble.

Calix, who had been wondering how he could help his daughter, showed a bewildered expression at Louis’s following words.

“If she were a healer, that would be so. You seem to have forgotten that I am a Transcendent.”

“What? How could that be?”

“Then have you never thought about this? Why I’m so devoted to the Marquis of Bestia’s daughter.”

“Of course, if one is an Awakened, it’s true that they’re weak to healers… That’s why we don’t place healers in the Empress’s position, isn’t it? For the balance of power.”

“Do you think a healer’s healing would work on a Transcendent?”

“…What exactly are you saying?”

Louis felt frustrated with the nobles who couldn’t understand.

“My partner is not a healer but a Purifier. If you still can’t understand, you’ll be removed from the central nobility.”

“!”

At Louis’s words, all the nobles in the meeting hall were shocked and gaped. While Transcendents were mysterious beings, Purifiers were even more mysterious.

The nobles, shocked that a Purifier they had never seen before was the daughter of the Marquis of Bestia, all turned their gazes to Calix.

Calix was equally flustered. He knew his daughter was excessively popular with Awakened ones, but he didn’t know the reason was because she was a Purifier.

Knox was equally surprised and couldn’t show any reaction.

For a Transcendent and a Purifier to appear simultaneously in one generation. Could this signify the prosperity of the Basium Empire?

Everyone was harboring similar thoughts. Louis, who had been glimpsing their thoughts, subtly raised the corners of his mouth.

Even without saying more, they would try to place Aer on the Empress’s throne.

They couldn’t ignore the legend.

“Then, there’s no more reason to oppose, is there?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Louis couldn’t hide his pleased expression as he left the meeting. Someone urgently followed him out.

Louis, who knew who it was, turned around before being called.

“Do you have something to say?”

Calix didn’t miss the opportunity and quickly answered:

“Please allow the Marquis of Bestia family to help prepare for Your Majesty’s wedding ceremony.”

“That’s not for me to allow, but for El to allow. Ask her directly.”

“…Then, you’re saying it’s fine if my daughter allows it?”

“If El wants it, I can do anything.”

After finishing his words, Louis turned around without even listening to Calix’s response.

Days passed breathlessly, but his steps were full of energy at the thought that he would soon be able to see Aer in the palace.

***

Aer, who was packing, was flustered by Diego’s sudden visit.

“You don’t need to get married so soon!”

“…Has the rumor already spread?”

“You, you…”

On his way back, Calix had visited Diego and told him exactly what he had heard in the meeting. And he told Diego to hurry back to the Marquis family and inherit the marquis title.

“You’re a Purifier!”

Diego, who had never dreamed that his sister would be a Purifier from legends, was close to panic.

“…Has that rumor already spread too?”

“Is it real? Is it really true!”

Even healers could go berserk, so why would Purifiers be different? What would happen if a Purifier went berserk? Was there a way to heal them?

That was Diego’s worry. Of course, getting married early was also a concern.

“All Awakened ones are thieves and wolves. Do it as late as possible!”

“Brother is also an Awakened one.”

“That’s why I know well! All Awakened ones are crazy!”

“I know that better than anyone, don’t I?”

Aer snorted at Diego’s words and then began to finish packing her luggage.

“The palace is different from the mansion, Aer.”

“I know.”

“From now on, nobles will watch your every move. Are you confident you can handle it? Didn’t you want to live quietly?”

At Diego’s question, who knew exactly what his sister had wanted since they had spent time together, Aer answered:

“That’s right. I wanted to live quietly and comfortably. I was sick and tired of rumors.”

“Then why?”

“I can’t help it. The person I came to love has to become Emperor. Even though I already said harsh things because of that, what can I do when he still says he likes me?”

“…Just let him become Emperor and spend a little more time with your brother before getting married.”

“Brother should also find a partner soon. Stop bothering your sister like this.”

“…Am I bothering you?”

Seeing Diego looking shocked, Aer sighed.

“Well, wouldn’t I be bothered? Look at this now. Just because you’re close, you come running over immediately and say things.”

“…”

“This is something I’ve already decided. Don’t think you can stop me, brother.”

“…Then let’s just delay it by one year.”

“Luke!”

Aer called the butler with an annoyed voice.

“Get this guest out quickly!”

“Aer!”

Aer, who was already short on time to pack and wanted to quickly chase away Diego, who was making a fuss beside her, turned her head at the sound of someone entering the room.

She, who naturally thought it would be Luke, widened her eyes when Louis entered.

“Louis? What brings you here so suddenly?”

“El, you seemed busy, so I came to help.”

Louis discovered Diego and looked at him with cold eyes. He knew the reason he had chased her.

“Why did the young Marquis come?”

“…Does there need to be a reason for visiting my sister?”

“There should be. From now on, it’s a place you can’t come to without a reason.”

“…This is really too much!”

Diego shouted at Louis’s cold answer.

“I also want to spend more time with Aer! Couldn’t you hold the wedding ceremony after becoming Emperor?”

“Brother.”

“You should think about becoming a marquis soon. Only then can you do something for Aer, can’t you?”

“…”

Diego had nothing to say to Louis’s words.

“With the unit gone, what can you do? From the mere position of heir without a title, what can you do for Aer?”

“…”

“Instead of thinking about playing around, you should think about returning to the Marquis family.”

Since every word was correct, Diego’s mouth closed like a clamshell. Aer quietly smiled as she watched the two men.

She liked the sight of the two people who would become her new family.