As I’d predicted, the war ended just before winter. The Kingdom of Canaan couldn’t withstand the empire’s overwhelming might. To set an example for neighboring kingdoms with rebellious inclinations, the empire crushed Canaan mercilessly. Under Sys’s command, Canaan vanished from the map, absorbed into the empire’s territory. Hailed as a war hero, Sys returned to the capital amid the people’s cheers.
But what awaited him was a mountain of work and the Emperor’s death. As if waiting solely for Sys’s return, the Emperor passed the moment he arrived. The empire, still basking in victory, was plunged into grief.
His death came sooner than I remembered.
Sys, with no time to mourn Father’s passing, ascended the throne and tackled the piled-up duties. Subduing restless neighboring kingdoms and stabilizing the empire kept him relentlessly busy. Only when the Leisha flowers bloomed again the following year did things finally settle.
“No matter how much you call me beautiful with that face, it doesn’t feel sincere.”
I turned away, but Sys swiftly grabbed my waist, pulling me back. His solid embrace pressed against me.
“I’m already at my limit, holding back from scooping you up right now. Do you really not see how I’m struggling?”
His lips grazed my ear, growling low. His restless heat sent a smile to my lips.
“Is that so?”
“You—!”
Feigning ignorance, I felt his arms tighten around me. His tailored clothes stretched taut over his bulging muscles, not a wrinkle in sight. I traced his arm gently.
Less than a year had passed, but the mark I’d left on his forearm was gone. I felt a pang of disappointment, but his safe return was more than enough.
“What are you thinking?”
“About what?”
“That guy.”
Sys ground his teeth, unwilling to even say the name.
“He’s my knight.”
“I know. That’s why I’ve tolerated him hovering around you. But this is too much!”
He released my waist, turning me to face him.
“A knight of the Empress’s Palace? Wasn’t he the head of the Pison Trading Company?”
“He resigned yesterday.”
His brow furrowed deeply. I reached up, smoothing it with my fingers.
“He was always my knight. The trading company’s role was temporary until I fully took over.”
Like Lant and Sys, Evan seemed shaken by Daysha’s actions. He’d asked to step down as head of the trading company to serve solely as my knight.
Kneeling, swearing his oath as he had before, I couldn’t refuse him. With the Inayari threat lingering, he was my knight and would remain so as long as he wished.
“He’s an excellent knight.”
“I know.”
Sys turned his head like a sulky child. I touched his cheek.
“What’s got you so uneasy?”
Guided by my hand, he faced me again. I stroked his cheek slowly.
“Didn’t I say I’d give you everything? Isn’t that enough?”
“He…”
He took my hand, lowering it.
“He’s a good man.”
Leaning down, he rested his head on my shoulder.
“A man who’d give up everything for you.”
A sigh-like whisper escaped his lips.
“I can’t do that.”
I lifted my hands, cradling his head, silver strands slipping softly through my fingers.
“I love you.”
“I know.”
“Just as you’re mine, I’m yours. Have a little more confidence, Sys.”
“I know, but…”
His arms tightened around my waist.
“Even holding you like this, I’m scared you’ll vanish.”
“Have you become a coward?”
“Maybe.”
My teasing was met with a serious reply. I swallowed a sigh, stroking his neck.
“What can I do to ease your fears?”
He didn’t answer.
The memory of nearly losing me to Daysha must have deepened his anxiety.
What am I to do with these men?
It wasn’t just Sys. Lant, Evan, even Father—they all looked for me with anxious eyes at times.
All I could do was stay by their side, reassuring them with my presence.
“What’s going on here?”
The door burst open, and Father stormed in, radiating cold fury. Time had slipped away faster than I realized. Behind him, palace attendants fidgeted nervously.
Father grabbed me, pulling me from Sys. Displeasure flashed across Sys’s face.
“Look here, Marquis. Isn’t this a bit much, even for today?”
“I’ve never heard of a groom interrupting the bride’s preparations on the wedding day.”
Father’s sharp brows shot up as he glared at Sys. Unfazed, Sys shrugged.
“Guess I’m setting a precedent. Not bad.”
“Hah!”
Father let out a disbelieving laugh at Sys’s brazen reply. As the two men locked eyes, sparking tension, the chief attendant bravely intervened.
“Your Majesty, the time has come.”
Sys and Father’s intensity softened. The ceremony was moments away, and we risked being late.
“I’ll step back for now. But after the ceremony, I won’t yield an inch, Marquis.”
Sys shot Father a warning glare. Father, without a word, jutted his chin, signaling Sys to leave.
Sys frowned at Father, then turned to me, his expression softening, the creases in his brow gone.
“I’ll be waiting in Erharak Hall. Come to me soon, Bee.”
He blew me a kiss, his smile sweet. Father’s brow furrowed in response.
Their childish bickering, even on my wedding day, left me momentarily speechless.
Urged by the attendants, Sys reluctantly left. As he disappeared, Madame Miela and the maids returned, resuming my preparations.
Father leaned against the wall, silently watching until they finished.
“It’s done.”
The maids stepped back, and Father approached, offering his hand. I placed mine gently atop it.
Erharak Hall, where the wedding would take place, was a short distance away. With little time left, I expected to move immediately, but Father held my hand, unmoving.
“Father?”
I looked at him, puzzled. His tightly closed lips parted slightly.
“This marriage…”
“….”
“You won’t regret it?”
His voice was heavy. Did he still disapprove of Sys?
“Is His Majesty—Sys—not to your liking?”
Father fell silent again. I squeezed his hand, urging a response.
“You said you didn’t want to be Empress.”
His unwavering blue eyes met mine, reflecting my startled face.
“Is this marriage truly what you want?”
So that’s why he’s been so reluctant?
I hadn’t realized he’d held onto those words. I let my surprise show.
“I didn’t know you remembered that.”
“It was your words.”
His voice was matter-of-fact, but the love within it was anything but ordinary. I blinked quickly to hold back tears.
“Back then, I didn’t want to be Empress.”
“And now?”
His face, calm but resolute, looked down at me. He seemed ready to whisk me away if I said I still didn’t want it. I laughed softly.
“I want to be by his side—Sys’s side.”
My vision blurred with tears as I smiled brightly at him. I couldn’t see his expression clearly, but the loosening of his grip told me he accepted my answer.
“Congratulations on your marriage, my dear.”
A feather-light kiss brushed my forehead. Stunned by Father’s unexpected gesture, the tears I’d held back spilled over.
