Chapter 7
[If the last surviving prince takes the throne, or in the worst case, the name of the Empire may even change.]
[Having so many heirs is a problem in itself.]
Following the fate of the blood-soaked Empire, the future of our own kingdom would inevitably change as well. So from our perspective, all we could hope for was for everything to be settled quickly.
[But were there any illegitimate children among the princes?]
[There were rumors that the late Emperor’s vitality was quite extraordinary. So much so that even the Empress alone couldn’t satisfy him. It was said he would bring palace maids into his bedchamber, and the Empress would turn a blind eye.]
I had scoffed at that story, calling him nothing more than a beast. A man who couldn’t control his lust—like a dog in heat—would be utterly pathetic if he were my husband.
Well, if this chaos was also caused by the Emperor’s excessive desires, then it was simply reaping what he had sown. Thinking that, I sneered at the dead Emperor and took a sip of tea.
“Have you heard? This came from the royal palace—there are rumors that the previous Emperor was poisoned before the Imperial Prince’s rebellion broke out.”
“Poisoned?!”
Poisoned…
Now that was an interesting story. If the rebellion broke out after his death, did that mean the Second Prince, who eventually became Emperor first among the sons, killed his own father?
I had thought the royal family was a mess, but they were depraved enough to commit patricide for the throne.
“It seems the late Emperor disliked the Crown Prince born of the Empress. So he planned to depose him and choose another heir—but the Crown Prince found out and poisoned him.”
“So it wasn’t the Second Prince?”
“I heard the Crown Prince first allied with his half-brother, the Second Prince, but was betrayed. In the end, even that Second Prince was poisoned and killed by the Fourth Prince. It’s said that divine punishment came for their sins.”
The Crown Prince, blinded by jealousy, killed his father. The Second Prince, who betrayed him, also failed to become Emperor. None of them were fit to sit on the throne. Their greed had brought about their downfall. Still, in a way, it was probably fortunate for the Empire’s future.
“I heard the newly ascended Third Prince is twenty-seven this year? Apparently, he was the very prince the late Emperor originally intended as heir.”
“Is that true?!”
“The palace maid who gave birth to that Third Prince was the head maid of the current Empress Dowager. She was greatly favored by the late Emperor—and she’s from our Kingdom of Vient.”
At that, my ears perked up again. Not just me, but everyone at the tea party leaned in with shining eyes.
“Do you know the House of Fienne, the one that fell after being accused of treason long ago?”
“The Fienne Duke who was once a second prince? That’s ancient history, isn’t it?”
“Yes. The only surviving granddaughter of that ducal family entered the Empire as a maid. The late Emperor apparently adored her greatly.”
I wondered how she had managed to please a man rumored to have such insatiable desires. They say lust is something one is born with.
“So that means someone with Vient royal blood is now Emperor.”
“Though who knows how long that will last. There are still surviving princes. The new Emperor can’t rest easy yet.”
“When will that silent war ever end…”
With the plague having killed so many, our Kingdom of Vient was in no condition to fight a war. If the Empire collapsed, wars between kingdoms would be inevitable—and our kingdom would likely be the first target.
The plague had also taken many royal knights, leaving us vulnerable. My father had been deeply worried about the possibility of our swift downfall.
Everyone at the tea party let out a collective sigh.
“By the way, Lady Mariel, I heard you’re preparing heir training. Is that true?”
I had always been the one listening quietly to the noble ladies’ chatter, but suddenly the topic turned to me, and I snapped back to attention. I disliked being the center of gossip.
“Yes. It was my mother’s will. I don’t intend to involve myself in state affairs, so I’m focusing on managing my estate for now.”
“You must be busy. Shouldn’t you start considering a husband soon? There are quite a few young lords interested in you. Anyone you like?”
“No. I’m not thinking about it yet. There’s no rush.”
I could easily guess the intention behind Lady Tefern’s question. Her younger brother was my age, and she had been trying to connect us for some time.
When I firmly declined, she looked slightly disappointed but said no more. Many noble sons were eyeing the position beside me as future countess. With my eldest sister being a queen and my second sister a marchioness, everyone wanted ties to my family.
But I had no interest in marriage for power. My mother’s will had said she hoped I would find someone I loved and be happy. And I intended to honor that wish.
Of course… with Ash.
Spring passed in a busy blur, and summer arrived with heavy, warm winds. It had already been over four months since Ash left. The longer I waited, the more anxious I became.
What if something had happened? What if he was in danger? What if… he had met someone else? Or if everything had been a lie?
“…People’s hearts really are so fickle. I can’t believe I’d end up doubting him.”
Who else could believe in him if not me? I knew better than anyone that his gaze and devotion toward me were real.
It wasn’t something that could be faked.
And yet, despite my belief, the emptiness inside me couldn’t be filled. It was different from the longing I felt for my late mother.
Once, I even dreamed of him. I felt a gaze while sleeping and opened my eyes—he was on top of me, wearing the same smile as always, undoing the ties of my nightgown. I woke up in shock, and he vanished like an illusion. I had never felt so disappointed.
I should’ve just let him do it…
I remembered his body clearly from when he had been injured and unable to move. His fully healed physique, honed without a single day of neglect—strong muscles, defined collarbones, a sculpted chest and abs.
His perfectly formed upper body tapered into smooth hips and powerful thighs. And beneath the fabric that always strained slightly over him…
Just thinking about it made my body feel strangely restless.
He really was incredible… I should have at least suggested spending a night together.
Today, I missed Ash terribly. If he were here, I might have sneaked into his room and begged him to hold me.
Even thinking such things made me laugh a little—it didn’t feel like me at all.
“He’s alive, right? He’s coming back, right? You’re doing well, aren’t you, Ash?”
I sighed and lay back down on the bed. Only his hands should ever touch me like that—for our first night together, I wanted everything to be new.
So please… come back safely.
It must have been around then—when the longing I had been suppressing finally overflowed beyond control.
My anxiety showed in everything I did. Even when I tried to stay still, I grew restless, forcing myself to stay busy. I kept checking the estate unnecessarily, over and over again.
Soon, I began repeating tasks like a fool, unable to focus when called.
“Milady, are you really alright?”
“I said I’m fine.”
“You should take better care of your health. Maybe see the physician.”
The servants were worried I might collapse as the heir. Only my nanny seemed to understand it was because of Ash, and she simply laughed quietly in secret. I shot her a small glare, slightly sulking.
Then, on one especially hot summer night…
It was so warm I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned for hours before finally kicking off the blanket and opening the window.
The sky was filled with countless stars, shining brilliantly.
As I stood there sighing into the night air—
“Ruesha.”
A voice I thought I had only ever heard in dreams came from below.
I looked down from the balcony.
There, standing just beneath me, was a familiar man.
It was Ash.
Exactly as I remembered him, he looked up at me and smiled brightly, then cleared his throat.
“Hm… I arrived too late at night. I was wondering how I could possibly wait until morning. For a moment, I thought I was seeing an illusion.”
“…Ash?”
“Yes. It’s me. I’ve returned, just as promised. Safely.”
I couldn’t believe it. Whether I was dreaming or hallucinating from longing, I couldn’t accept that it was real.
Clutching my nightgown tightly, I rushed back inside and ran out of my room.
It’s him. It’s really him. He’s here.
As I descended the stairs, I froze.
From below, Ash was walking up toward me step by step. The sound of his shoes echoed through the quiet hall. Candlelight flickered against the walls, and moonlight poured through the windows.
He was real.
Not a ghost.
“Ash…!”
Emotions surged and swirled violently inside me. Above all else—pure joy rose to the surface.
My chest swelled with overwhelming happiness, and I couldn’t stay still waiting for him to reach me.
