“Can you give me the Empire?”

Cedric blinked. What had he just heard? Her demeanor was so assured that he couldn’t even feel anger at her audacious and arrogant request. Dumbfounded, he asked for clarification.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said.“

Helia’s words were a grave declaration that could escalate into a significant national issue. Yet, there was no hesitation in her tone. Her chin was held high, and her back was straight. She looked directly at Cedric as if making a perfectly justified demand.

He couldn’t tell what kind of answer she was hoping for. Flustered, Cedric eventually said the most plausible thing he could think of, fully aware it wasn’t the answer she sought.

“…If you marry me, the future Emperor, wouldn’t that be the same as owning this Empire?”

“What a beautiful and hollow sentiment,“ Helia replied sharply.

Indeed, Cedric’s proposal was beautiful. His willingness to do anything for her was undeniably sweet. But that was all it was—words that bore no reflection of her reality, feelings, or ambitions. Paradoxically, this meant nothing Cedric could genuinely do for her. Nothing at all.

“Let me ask again. Can you place the crown of this Empire upon my head?”

Regardless of whether it could be realized, her statement was bold enough to stir diplomatic conflict immediately. A claim to the Empire’s throne could easily be seen as audacious and insulting, warranting protests from the Empire to Bailey. Helia was well aware of this, given her experiences. This wasn’t a mere excuse to reject him—it was her truth.

Cedric realized there was nothing he could do. Helia had known his answer all along. The outcome was predetermined. Watching her intently, Cedric finally muttered helplessly.

“…Anything but that, I can give you.“

“That’s the only thing I want.”

Helia responded without hesitation as if she had been waiting for this moment. A brief but awkward silence fell between them. Helia appeared somewhat relieved, while Cedric’s expression stiffened as though he had just been unilaterally dismissed. Helia subtly tensed, preparing herself. She was no longer the recipient of the Crown Prince’s goodwill—she had relinquished that role. If Cedric suddenly turned hostile, she would have to respond accordingly.

However, Cedric soon let out a hollow laugh. There was a spirit in her resolute and commanding presence that he had never seen in any monarch. With a tone almost of surrender, he muttered lightly.

“I thought you might reject me, but I didn’t expect it to be for this reason.“

“You will make a great Emperor. I guarantee it.“

“You’re treading on dangerous ground. You could be charged with treason against His Majesty the Emperor at any moment.“

“His Majesty will be pleased with my words.”

Helia smiled confidently, her face radiating assurance. Cerdic couldn’t help but follow her lead and smile, albeit begrudgingly. Indeed, there was nothing else he could do. With such reasoning as hers, he couldn’t even attempt to sway her heart. His smile was more bitter than ever. Helia met his gaze directly, studying his expression.

To her, Cerdic was undoubtedly an extraordinary person. Perhaps even too good for her, if she were to be honest. But the same could be said for anyone else in his life; his goodness wasn’t tailored specifically for her. And that wasn’t enough for Helia. What she needed was someone suitable for her. More precisely, someone willing to dedicate themselves wholly to her.

An emperor, however, cannot afford to sacrifice themselves for another.

“And that is why we cannot be together.”

That was her conclusion. Because you will become emperor, we cannot be together. Could there be a more perfect rejection? Cerdic thought not. After all, no one can deny their very essence.

Had he met her without the burden of being the crown prince, would things have been different? But that was a pointless speculation. No version of him wasn’t the crown prince. Besides, hadn’t he been drawn to her in the first place if he thought about it because she was suited to be an empress?

He admitted it. He had taken an interest in her because he was the crown prince. And for that reason, he now had no choice but to accept her words.

“…Will you become a queen?”

He asked quietly. It was a sensitive question. As the princess and first in line to the throne of Bailey, Helia currently held the most substantial claim. But if Xeroth, her cousin, had a child, her claim would be pushed aside. There was only one scenario in which Helia could ascend the throne of Bailey—if the current king, Xeroth von Bailey, died without an heir.

Unless she planned to wait for natural circumstances to take their course, she had only one other option.

Treason.

As a crown prince of a foreign empire, Cerdic’s knowledge of such a possibility could compel him to intervene. That made it a difficult question for Helia to answer. Whatever she said, it could work against her. While Cerdic’s curiosity was genuine, he couldn’t guarantee that his question would be free of political undertones.

He was, after all, the crown prince of the Pteria Empire. His identity and title were inseparable. The same was true for her. As a princess of Bailey and Helia Bailey, she might avoid the question altogether. If she did, Cerdic would understand.

But instead, she dispelled his concern with a breezy smile.

“There’s a man who promised to give me the throne.”

It felt like a blow to the back of his head. Her response was entirely unexpected.

“Ha…”

Cerdic let out a half-laugh, half-sigh, incredulous at her words. Yet Helia maintained her lighthearted demeanor, her face calm and serene, almost unbelievably so given the gravity of their conversation.

Cerdic couldn’t help it—he burst out laughing. Where would this bold princess end up, he wondered? He couldn’t even begin to imagine.

“Surely you haven’t fallen for the words of a con artist?“

“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll take it with my hands.”

At that, Cerdic’s gaze fell to her hands. They looked delicate, untouched by labor or strife. Yet somehow, he knew—if the situation demanded it, she wouldn’t hesitate to stain those hands with blood. Quietly, he nodded, acknowledging her resolve.

He couldn’t deny it—the audacity of this woman before him. Her confidence bordered on arrogance, her demeanor noble, and her resolve unshakable regardless of who stood before her. She bowed to no one, nor did she stoop to cowardice. Her pride made everyone equal in her presence.

Of course, that’s why he had taken an interest in her in the first place. Smiling bitterly once more, Cerdic realized he had grown more attached to her than he’d thought. But it was time to let her go. He couldn’t keep a woman who dared demand his crown by his side.

“I can’t help but look forward to it.“

“To what, exactly?“

“The nation you’ll build.”

With that, Cerdic extended his hand—not the polite greeting of a gentleman to a lady, but something different. Helia hesitated for a moment before taking his hand. Cerdic tightened his grip, and they shared the warmth of each other’s touch for the last time.

“To think the empire will be watching—it’s an honor.“

“I mean it. May you achieve greatness.”

With a face cleared of lingering attachments, Cerdic smiled brightly. Helia matched his smile with one of her own.

It was an early morning, the sun casting its light on dew-laden leaves as two figures exchanged their final farewell.

✥✥✥

The preparations for the delegation’s departure were far less ostentatious than their arrival. Still, the fact that the crown prince came to see them off made it an honorable occasion. The chancellor was confident of the mission’s success.

The delegation members exchanged farewells with the crown prince’s retinue. Helia also approached Cerdic for a final goodbye.

“This will be the last time we meet, won’t it?”

Cerdic whispered softly so no one else could hear, his face still adorned with his signature affable smile.

“Most likely,“ Helia replied, nodding. Her expression showed no hint of regret, and neither did Cerdic’s.

Cerdic leaned closer, speaking even more quietly.

“Remember this, Princess. As long as you do not threaten the Empire, the Empire will stand by your side.”

For the first time, Helia’s face betrayed a flicker of unease. Seeing this, Cerdic gave her a mischievous, triumphant smile.

“Should you really be saying such things so carelessly?“

“For someone I once held in my heart, it’s the least I can do. As I’ve told you, I would give you anything but this Empire.“

Cerdic took Helia’s hand, guiding her to her carriage. She followed his lead and stepped into the carriage prepared exclusively for her, pausing to meet his gaze one last time. The crimson eyes, emblematic of royalty, felt warm for the first time.

The carriage began to move. Through the window, Helia inclined her head slightly in a gesture of thanks. Cerdic, visibly surprised, widened his eyes before softening his expression into a serene smile.

To part ways so beautifully with someone—how rare, Helia thought, feeling a surge of gratitude. Though she couldn’t express it in words, she was thankful.