Chapter 19 – Part 3

“Combined with your royal bl＊＊d, you’re a perfect choice, right?”

Elesio’s green eyes gleamed.

“The odds are in your favor. Don’t miss the opportunity.”

With that, he offered a small smile.

It was his way of saying he would support Calix as the next emperor.

Calix didn’t respond. While he knew Elesio had extended his hand to him, he hadn’t expected him to walk away without a hint of regret.

“Why is this unexpected?“

“It is.“

“Clinging to power only hastens death for the unqualified. And when I searched through the emperor’s study after his death, I found a document detailing the succession plan.“

Elesio’s lips twisted in a faint smirk.

“Not once did my name appear in that plan. I was neither family nor anything significant to them from the start, so I have no reason to linger.”

“…”

“The rest is yours to handle. In return, I only ask for the private assets of the Kynes royal family. That’s all I desire.”

From the beginning, Elesio’s intentions had been crystal clear. With his goal achieved, he spoke as if he had nothing left to bind him here. With the royal family’s wealth, he could easily purchase land and establish his own domain.

“How could I grant that, as it isn’t mine to give?”

“…”

“Regardless, you are the only direct family member of the palace left alive.“

Calix’s answer prompted Elesio to smile meaningfully.

“I like that response. No wonder Lady Leiberte fell for you.”

He chuckled lightly.

“Duke, Lady Leiberte is here,“ Logan announced outside the door.

“Oh, have her come in at once.”

At Elesio’s invitation, Calix stood up and opened the door himself.

Eliana entered. She had expected to see Calix alone, but Elesio was there too. Elesio’s gaze lingered on her intently. She approached him and offered a formal greeting.

“How is your health, Lady Leiberte?“

“Thanks to your concern, I have recovered a lot.“

“That’s good to hear. I thought you’d recover well.“

“It’s all thanks to your help. I would not be alive if it weren’t for Your Highness.“

At her words, Elesio laughed briefly. Seeing this, Eliana glanced over at Calix, who also seemed to understand the meaning behind Elesio’s laughter.

“You two seem like one person saying the same thing to me. It’s quite pleasant to see.”

Elesio rose from his seat, taking in both Eliana and Calix in a single glance. Then he stepped forward, close to Eliana. His green eyes gleamed with a peculiar light.

“Seeing how well you understand each other, I feel as if I’m glimpsing the future of Moira Empire without me in it.“

“Pardon? What do you mean by that…?“

“I’m referring to the future empress.”

With that one comment, Eliana realized what Calix and Elesio must have been discussing. It was clear they had spoken about who would rule the empire.

“Your Highness, no.”

Eliana shook her head. She didn’t know Calix’s thoughts but hadn’t considered such things. Her only desire was to be with him—her vision for the future.

“I wanted to have a meal with you alone at least once, but I guess I won’t get the chance.“

“Your Highness…“

“No, as I told the Duke, you no longer need to address me that way.“

Saying that, Elesio looked at Calix, who gave a slight nod.

“Then,”

With a short farewell, Elesio exited the emperor’s study. His footsteps echoed in the hall, fading slowly into the distance.

Somehow, Elesio felt as if he would never return here. Even after his footsteps faded, Eliana quietly wondered where he might be headed. Wherever it was, he would undoubtedly be happier than he had been within the palace walls.

***

Ascending to the position of emperor required several steps: legitimacy, recognition by noble society, and approval by the Great Temple.

Although Duke Calix Vartica had taken the throne by force, his reputation wasn’t bad. Many nobles dissatisfied with the Kynes royal family were not entirely opposed to Vartica having some royal bl＊＊d. Furthermore, the longstanding reputation of the previous Duke Vartica bolstered Calix’s esteem.

Lastly, the Great Temple raised no objections. Though they did not openly welcome power gained through force, they did not protest fervently.

One by one, the steps necessary for Calix Vartica’s coronation proceeded.

“How about March 12th as the date for your coronation?“ asked the High Priest.

Calix looked at the faces of those who had come together to support his ascension.

“To those who have helped drive out the Kynes family, to the noble representatives, and to you, High Priest, I am grateful for your support. It’s impossible to lead the empire alone. I won’t forget your support and will guide the new empire in the right direction.”

A thunderous applause broke out.

Once stained with bl＊＊d, the palace had removed all gold decorations and been transformed entirely to white, as if erasing the memory of that day.

On the coronation day, Eliana was, of course, present. Beside her were Linda and her husband. The crowns and emblems once worn by the Kynes family had been melted down, replaced by a new crown for Calix — untouched by any other hand.

Standing before everyone, giving his coronation speech, Eliana cheered him on in her heart.

‘I believe that you’ll be a great emperor. No one is more qualified than you.’

Calix had once said he only wanted revenge.

“I wanted only to avenge what was done to me.”

Yet fate had granted him that revenge and brought him to the highest position.

—

After the coronation, a celebratory party was held.

Standing by Calix’s side, Eliana greeted and conversed with the guests. Now filled with a hopeful atmosphere, the palace bustled with the energy of the new emperor’s ascension.

The party lasted well into the night, and it was already late by the time everyone left.

Eliana sat on the sofa in the emperor’s office. She felt sore all over from the tension since the morning’s coronation, and though she longed to lie down, the fatigue was pleasant.

“The wind is a little chilly.”

She shivered slightly at the breeze from the open window. Moving toward it to close it, she became captivated by the night sky, scattered with countless stars.

“So beautiful.”

The stars sparkled as if to celebrate Calix’s bright future.

‘I should show this to Calix.’

Just as she was about to turn around, Calix embraced her from behind. His face rested gently on her shoulder as if breathing in her scent.

“Oh! You startled me.”

She lightly swatted his arm, smiling.

“Why are you so surprised?“

“Because you suddenly appeared.“

“If anyone’s surprised, it’s me.”

Eliana turned to meet his eyes, curious about what he meant.

“I feared an angel like you might fly out the open window.”

His affectionate words made her chuckle. Calix would often surprise her with tender comments like this, and though they made her skin tingle, she didn’t mind hearing them.

“That’s ridiculous. How would I fly off when I’m so heavy?“

“Want to see how?”

As if to prove his point, Calix lifted Eliana effortlessly.

“Ah!”

Her body lifted into the air as he picked her up.

“Calix, put me down.”

Calix held her even tighter as if she weighed nothing, his expression steady.

“You’re so light.“

“I can’t help but worry you might be swept away by the wind.“

“Enough joking put me down.“

“Why?”

“What if someone sees us?“

“Let them see.”

With his confident answer, Eliana shook her head, slightly pouting.

“Your Majesty, you shouldn’t be acting like this. You haven’t even gotten married yet.”

At Eliana’s teasing, Calix’s eyebrow arched slightly. He set Eliana down on the windowsill. Thick curtains blew around, creating a secluded space behind him.

Calix brought his face closer to Eliana. His eyes on either side of his sharply sculpted nose were fixed on her.

“You’re right.“

“About what?“

“There’s something just as important as the coronation that I haven’t done yet.“

“And what is that?“

“Our wedding.”

The look in his eyes as he said “wedding“ was intense enough to melt her.

“It’s what I’ve wanted most.”

It didn’t sound like a joke. Calix’s manner suggested he had been waiting for this above all else, making Eliana just as serious. She felt a surge of nervousness as he drew closer; even now, just being near him made her heart race uncontrollably.

“I want to marry you as soon as possible. What about you?“

“I feel the same…”

At her shy response, Calix smiled, though he still looked like he could hardly wait.

“Let’s tell everyone soon—that Eliana Leiberte is mine.”

Nothing mattered more than her. To Calix, Eliana was his entire world.

“Let’s set the date, the soonest possible.”

With that, he leaned in and kissed her.