“No, well, it’s not exactly that…… It’s just a good day.”

Domestic peace took precedence over comradeship.

Tatiana denied it earnestly, and Gideon nodded as if he didn’t really believe her but would let it go. Suppressing a laugh behind her husband’s back, Tatiana suddenly thought this situation was really amusing.

Gideon’s path to the throne had not been smooth at all.

Throughout the history of the Valter royal family, few firstborn sons had experienced as many incidents and controversies as Gideon. However, no king had ever ascended with the support of such diverse groups behind him.

So how unpredictable and interesting life is.

Tatiana’s steps were lighter than ever, and the couple advanced to the platform, drawing everyone’s attention.

The head of the Magic Tower, who was in charge of the congratulatory speech, looked at the couple with his characteristically blunt expression. Then he cleared his throat unnecessarily and asked, “May I begin?”

Tatiana nodded and glanced at the paper in front of the head of the Magic Tower. For someone who had asked just a day before, “Can’t we just assign this to another elder mage?” the thickness of the paper was considerable.

Sure enough.

“Under the banner of our great and dignified first king, our mages and knights have shared the same purpose for……”

Tatiana almost choked.

‘Uh……? Are you starting from the founding of the kingdom? This is going to be quite lengthy!’

She bit the inside of her mouth to suppress her laughter.

She knew from her experience at charity auctions and school foundation days what it was like to stand on the podium. With this much content, he must have prepared all night. It would have been a disaster if they hadn’t asked him to give the congratulatory speech.

But contrary to her internal giggling, Tatiana listened attentively to every word of the head of the Magic Tower’s long speech. She had respect for him as a fellow mage, but also because the head of the Magic Tower himself was such a unique and interesting character.

The congratulatory speech reflected this character perfectly and was quite fascinating. It began majestically, even mentioning the founding myth, but the latter part was incredibly unpretentious and sincere. It elicited laughter from the audience in places.

After the speech ended, everyone was immersed in quiet emotion. But that was only for a moment.

People began to hold their breath again. They were now witnessing a truly historic moment.

It is a long-standing custom in Valter for the previous king to place the crown on his successor’s head. But now the father king was gone. In such cases, another Valter custom was to borrow the hands of a collateral blood relative.

Gideon broke all these customs and crowned himself. It was a symbolic scene in many ways.

“Congratulations!”

“Blessings to Valter!”

“Glory to His Majesty Gideon!”

Applause that started somewhere spread throughout the hall, and Gideon stood in the center of the podium amid passionate cheers. People were now only waiting for the future their new king would present to them.

“……”

Tatiana stared at those eager eyes for a moment, then quietly came down from the platform. Ignoring the puzzled maids, she mingled with the crowd.

This wasn’t to fulfill her old wish of becoming the 53rd stone pillar of the banquet hall. She had suddenly become curious about how he looked from other people’s perspectives.

Her impression wasn’t much different from usual.

‘He’s handsome, my husband. I think it’s better with his hair swept up.’

As she had thought at their wedding, his features had never once neglected their duty. With the crown on, he looked even more handsome and dignified today. His speech was also concise and straightforward without any unnecessary elements. Yet each sentence was imbued with power.

It would be fair to say everything was perfect.

But it was strange. Her husband looked so magnificent, and she felt proud inside seeing people cheer for him, yet suddenly her eyes began to redden. Just as Gideon had looked overwhelmed on the day she completed her father’s swordsmanship, her heart now ached.

Why? Perhaps it was because Tatiana knew all too well that this glorious position hadn’t been obtained for free.

It wasn’t a position he had reached simply because he was lucky, born into royalty, or highest in the succession order. Not many people in the world would fully understand his painstaking efforts and anguish.

That burden was what he had endured and would continue to shoulder throughout his life. What a truly lonely position it was.

Of course, he had never once complained or shown any sign of struggle, so perhaps these sentiments were excessive.

But she made a promise to herself. I will be the person who understands your life most broadly. I will cover you with a blanket in any moment. Just as you have done for me.

Tatiana gazed at him with loving eyes before quietly turning away. She needed to compose herself and dry her moistening eyes.

At that moment, the new king’s address to people from all walks of life came to an end. The audience responded with thunderous applause, but the main character himself was staring blankly at something.

In truth, Gideon had been glancing at Tatiana’s location throughout his speech. His wife occasionally did peculiar things. But this time, he truly couldn’t grasp why she was acting this way.

‘Why did she go over there and do that?’

It was puzzling enough that she was hiding beside a pillar, but she even seemed to be crying.

She had clearly been excited until just moments ago. She had been that way for days. Her anticipation for the coronation was so evident that even he, her husband, could feel it.

Now that he had truly become king in name and reality, shouldn’t she be by his side sharing in the joy?

But actually, Gideon had felt like a king once before.

It was that night when they left the castle and slept in the forest. The moment Tatiana specifically told him she was happy living with him, he truly felt like a king. Despite their humble surroundings, he felt immensely powerful.

Yet on a day like today, with her sniffling in a corner, his heart…

Gideon stared at Tatiana before descending halfway down the stairs and calling to her. But his form of address was a bit strange.

“Come here, head of our household.”

Tatiana, who had been wiping away tears with her back turned, burst into laughter. Gideon chuckled at her shaking shoulders and walked down the remaining stairs.

People instantly parted to make way, and he pulled her back up onto the platform.

“Why are you over there doing that?”

“……”

“When my wife is alone in a corner like that, it makes me feel not like a king…… but like a bad person.”

Like I’ve become a criminal.

Tatiana shook her head and explained.

“No, the tears just keep……”

“……”

“Ah, why am I being so sentimental? On this wonderful day, embarrassing myself in front of everyone.”

“Oh, you hid because you didn’t want people to see you crying?”

That wasn’t the whole reason, but since it was partly true, Tatiana nodded.

“Yes. I suppose so.”

Gideon whispered that she shouldn’t worry about that.

What does it matter? You’re not having a runny nose. And even when you do have a runny nose and wipe it with your sleeve, I actually found you cute.

Hearing this made Tatiana even more embarrassed, and she wore a dejected expression.

She tried to cover her face again and go back down. But Gideon wouldn’t let go of her hand.

“Still, stay by my side. You promised before. To ascend the throne with me.”

Tatiana stared at him intently, and Gideon whispered again.

“I didn’t achieve anything alone. Nothing.”

His eyes were more sincere than ever before.

As if he were waiting for an answer, she moved her lips slightly before quietly embracing him. She poured into that embrace her desire to be with him forever, not just today but in all the days to come.

And Gideon…… liked it.

He liked it so much that the couple did something they hadn’t even done at their wedding. In front of everyone, they gently kissed.

People’s eyes widened. Though it was a very light kiss, they never expected that the once cold First Prince—no, the King—would do such a thing in public.

Representing everyone’s feelings, Scarlet shouted, “Oh my, oh my, what is this!” But her voice was so excited that people burst into laughter.

It was a coronation that would remain in history for a long, long time.