Alec, with his white beard, approached carefully and examined Rockfort. As Jayden had hinted, he seemed to have caught a cold, judging by his elevated body temperature and rough voice. But he knew better than to say so directly.

“Your Majesty is as robust as always. However, with your upcoming campaign, I shall offer you a tonic.”

Rockfort nodded rather generously. It was their tacit agreement.

“But Your Majesty…… are you certain I shouldn’t accompany you on this campaign? Sir Jayden told me to remain at the palace this time, but I’m concerned.”

Alec was the Empire’s finest physician. Though elderly, he had taken proper care of his health and was able to accompany Rockfort during the last war, earning the title of honorary knight and being called “Sir.”

But what he considered his greatest honor was staying by the emperor’s side to monitor and protect his health.

“Have I ever been seriously injured in war? There were many days without even the slightest scratch, and even when there were, they would heal if left alone.”

It was all true. To begin with, he was an emperor who could match his skills with Jayden, known as the Empire’s strongest swordsman.

When he took to the battlefield, the knights thoroughly guarded him, making it difficult for enemies to even approach, let alone inflict wounds.

“How could I not know that Your Majesty is robust and that no one dares to oppose you? However, as Your Majesty’s physician……”

“I trust you, Sir. That is why I have ordered you to stay.”

Alec carefully raised his head.

“I will take your disciples since you have many. They are enough for war injuries. You…… remain in the imperial palace and focus on healing my fiancée.”

This time, Alec was entrusted with Rockfort’s mind, not his body. The elderly imperial physician understood the deeper meaning and bowed deeply.

“I will humbly obey Your Majesty’s command.”

Elia was much more precious to Rockfort than he had thought. Alec hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“I regret to inform you…… I cannot be certain whether Lady Elia will be able to walk properly. I thought Your Majesty should know…… so I’m reporting this.”

“I heard her bones have healed, and she can now stand with crutches. Didn’t you say she would be able to walk as time passes?”

Rockfort asked with furrowed brows.

“She will be able to walk.”

Thump, something ached around his chest.

“However…… walking completely without limping might be…… difficult.”

Tsk, Rockfort unconsciously let out a low sound. He crossed his long legs. As if proving his concern, his upper body leaned toward Alec.

“Explain in detail.”

“It was fortunate that Lady Elia survived. And since her thigh bone wasn’t broken, there was hope.”

Due to the impact, the bruising was severe, and though the bone might have cracked and swelled considerably, her thigh gradually returned to normal as time passed.

“Didn’t you report to me recently that the tibia would heal straight?”

“Yes. However…… the lady also injured her ankle. It’s a blessing that the large bones have properly healed, but the ankle contains many small bones, so there’s nothing more I can do.”

Huh, Rockfort sighed.

“The bones will heal. But I cannot guarantee they will heal in their original perfect form…… especially since the ankle is a part that’s difficult to restore to its original state.”

Alec’s heart was heavy too. To think such a beautiful lady would have to live with a limp due to an unfortunate accident—he could already envision the mockery from high society.

“As time passes, the bones will certainly heal. I can guarantee she’ll be able to walk with support or just a single cane. However…… you should know there’s a high possibility she will limp on her left foot.”

At first, Elia’s injuries were so severe that walking wasn’t the priority. But as she gradually recovered, the problems became more apparent.

“Does the lady know this fact?”

“Not yet…… I reported to Your Majesty first.”

It was a difficult fact for a young lady to accept. Especially for a lady who was to become empress.

This fact could even threaten her position as empress.

“Though the head lady-in-waiting asked again, I evaded by saying I didn’t know yet.”

Rockfort slowly nodded.

“Has the head lady-in-waiting been asking recently?”

“Recently…… she hasn’t particularly asked.”

Elia was wise. Above all, it was her body, so it wouldn’t be strange if she had already realized her ankle was different from before.

“She probably already knows.”

“……Pardon?”

“If the lady asks directly, answer truthfully. Otherwise, focus on her treatment without necessarily mentioning it.”

All Alec could do was obey the emperor’s command.

“I will do my best…… to treat the lady.”

Even long after the imperial physician withdrew, Rockfort stared into space from his throne. He could already imagine the nobles who had filled this audience hall gossiping about Elia.

Though he had somehow quelled the talk about choosing a daughter from House Theon again despite the unfortunate incident, it was obvious how they would react upon seeing a limping empress at the wedding ceremony.

“According to custom, an engagement properly conducted is maintained unless one party dies, but……”

Tok-dok, tok-dok, his long fingers anxiously tapped the armrest of the throne.

“There’s also a law stating that an empress must be physically and mentally sound to ensure the empire’s succession.”

Those who envied Elia’s existence and those who coveted the position of empress would band together to cling to that clause.

The ladies of high society might not be as formidable as the empress dowager, but they were not to be underestimated. It seemed cruel that Elia would have to face all of this alone.

“I’d momentarily forgotten… Cecilia—that woman truly fills me with hate.”

Rockfort had never held affection for Cecilia. He was so detached that even if she had committed adultery with a man he had never touched, it wouldn’t have affected him much.

But he couldn’t forgive why she had dragged Elia into it and injured her leg—he hated her for it, truly hated her.

Currently, after his ascension, he rarely hated someone as an individual. So it was clearly because that person had troubled the only woman he wanted.

“I’ve changed too.”

The reason for that change was clear. Unlike Elia, he didn’t deny his feelings.

* * *

After that passionate night, peaceful days flowed again.

Elia tried not to recall that time by keeping herself busy with various tasks.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Rockfort didn’t come again. He seemed very busy preparing for the expedition.

“My lady, if you embroider for too long, your eyes will deteriorate.”

Hannah approached Elia, who was absorbed in needless embroidery, and served her warm tea.

When she raised her head at Hannah’s words after moving her hands mindlessly, her eyes truly felt strained.

“You used to hate embroidery when you were young, but your skills have improved a lot.”

“Really? Have I improved?”

“Not just a little, but a lot. Honestly, before……”

“Before?”

Hannah avoided Elia’s innocent question. She couldn’t bring herself to say that her previous embroidery was a complete mess.

“You’ve always preferred reading to embroidery, my lady.”

She gently changed the subject. In truth, even now her skills weren’t particularly adept, but at least the stitches actually existed. It couldn’t be denied that it looked better because the comparison was so terrible.

“By the way, before dinner tonight……”

“Is His Majesty coming?”

Elia looked up from her embroidery to Hannah, then unconsciously averted her eyes. Her reaction was too quick. How foolish.

“I’m sorry, but His Majesty is busy preparing for the expedition…… Instead, Sir Jayden is coming and says he has various matters to discuss.”

Hannah continued as naturally as possible. Elia felt awkward and picked up her needle again.

“I understand. Let me know when Sir Jayden arrives.”

“Yes.”

Hannah quietly withdrew, considering Elia’s attempt to remain composed.

Without even her closest attendant noticing, Elia’s heart was blooming like a flower. Like the undeniable fullness of spring, a woman’s heart was the same.

“Either way, I hope the lady finds happiness……”

Hannah murmured with hope. Now that her once-fair cheeks knew romance, that feeling must be fulfilled for her to find happiness.

However, the fact that the object of her affection was the emperor made it a difficult fate.

* * *

Around sunset, Jayden visited Elia with an unfamiliar man and woman.

“Please wait a moment, I will bring the lady.”

Head Chamberlain Dain spoke respectfully and ushered them into the reception room first.

Soon, Hannah pushed Elia’s chair in, and everyone stood to pay their respects.

“We greet the lady.”

“Please be seated, Sir Jayden.”

“Thank you.”

Elia’s blue eyes turned to the man and woman standing beside him. She seemed unfamiliar with the middle-aged couple who exuded dignity.

“Pay your respects to the lady.”

At Jayden’s words, the gentlemanly middle-aged man stepped forward first and bowed.

“I am Victor, the emperor’s head chamberlain. It is an honor to meet you, my lady.”

“I am Marienne, the emperor’s head lady-in-waiting. It is an honor to meet such a beautiful lady.”

Elia nodded at the appearance of these unfamiliar figures. The emperor’s head chamberlain and head lady-in-waiting were at the pinnacle of all palace servants. Naturally, their original status was noble, which was evident in their dignified demeanor.

“His Majesty the Emperor has commanded several things.”

After the couple stepped back, Jayden spoke from his seat on the sofa.

“Lady Themis.”

At Jayden’s call, the woman who had introduced herself as Marienne approached Elia and handed her a scroll bearing the emperor’s seal.

“His Majesty ordered that formalities be omitted from the decree, so you may open it directly.”

Curiosity prevailing, Elia didn’t ask further and immediately unrolled the scroll to read it.

As she read Rockfort’s bold handwriting, her blue eyes grew wider and wider.

“Is this really…… His Majesty’s……”

“Yes.”

Jayden answered firmly.

“Have you confirmed the decree?”

Elia nodded with a still dazed expression. Then Jayden rose from his seat and knelt on one knee.

The head chamberlain and head lady-in-waiting similarly paid deep respects behind him.