“Lady Monique, I’m so glad you are well and safe.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’m so sorry … ”

“Don’t blame yourself. It’s just that my time is up now. So, just focus on yourself.”

“… Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll do it.”

“Good…” said the emperor, getting his breath back.

“I know you are sick and tired of this story, but listen to me for the last time. So, are you still determined to be the successor of your family?”

“… ”

“It must be a very difficult choice. I didn’t say that because I am greedy. I still think the position most suitable for you is not the successor of your family, but the empress. I sincerely hope you can keep it in mind.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Sometimes, I was harsh on you, but I regarded you as my daughter. When you were a baby, I kept being worried about you. After I am gone, I feel you’re going to have great hardship… I should have held out until I resolved this matter, so I’m so sorry.”

Tears now dropped from my eyes. Wiping my tears, I said to him who I always respected, “If I may say, I also have always regarded you as my father. I will never forget your so many favors and benefits.”

“Really? Thank you. Can I ask you a favor for the last time?”

“Please go ahead.”

“Do you remember what I told you in the past? Even if you realize your dream…”

“Yes, I remember, Your Majesty. I will keep it. ”

“I’m asking you again.”

I pledged again to the emperor who slurred. Two years ago when I went to the palace to offer New Year greetings to the emperor, he told me he would like to ask me a favor. He asked if I could stay beside the lonely crown prince even as a friend when I became the successor of my family as I wanted.

When I shed tears, recalling my memories at the time, the emperor smiled faintly and said, “Finally, I give you a small gift. I hope it can be of help to protect you.”

“Pardon, Your Majesty? What do you mean…”

However, the emperor kept silent, with his eyes closed. He didn’t say anymore.

I rose from the seat. Now it was time to get out.

“… ”

I took one step then looked back, and again and again. My eyes were blurred as he gradually faded away from my eyes. I felt like I was about to cry anytime soon, so I took one last look at the emperor, then went out the room.

After a while, the chief chamberlain came back to the waiting room and said, “Duke Jena and his successor, please come in.”

The old man who got up from the seat suddenly stopped. Looking at the chamberlain, he asked, with his eyes glaring, “Are you saying that only I and my son can come? What about my daughter?”

“It is exactly what I said. Your daughter’s access is denied.”

“Why?”

“It’s the emperor’s order. If you don’t agree and make a disturbance, he said he would not allow you to see him.”

“Oh my…”

As if he was dumbfounded, the duke was moving his mouth up and down, then quickly turned around.

‘Is this the gift that the emperor has promised me?’

People in the waiting room began to whisper. Staring at me for a long time, the duke walked into the room, gnashing his teeth. A purple-haired middle-aged man followed him, with his mouth turned up a bit.

When the family of Duke Jenna except Jiun disappeared, everyone’s eyes turned toward her.

Although she tried to be indifferent, she was burning with anger. As she was humiliated in front of the great nobles in the waiting room, it was natural that she showed such a reaction. The fact that the emperor didn’t call her before his death meant that he didn’t recognize her as the crown prince’s bride candidate.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

When Marquis Enesil, the fifth in the noble rank, came out of the room right after Duke Jena, an urgent scream was heard from behind the chamberlain who came out to announce the next person to see the emperor.

Everyone sprang to their feet. A heavy silence fell not only in the waiting room but also in the hallway. Amid the silence in which one could even hear the sound of a falling hair, there was heard a desperate cry to keep the emperor alive a little longer.

The moment I clenched my teeth, holding back the urge to jump right into the room, I heard a mysterious voice ringing through the cold air.

“It seems like the time that the Father of Life has allowed the emperor is over. He already passed away.”

“I can’t believe it! Please use your divine power to resuscitate him…!”

Along with the voice of the Captain of the Royal Knights, I heard another voice. However, since it was feeble, I could not understand it.

Shortly afterwards, Earl Penril and the High Priest walked into the waiting room, and a servant went running somewhere.

How much time passed? When everyone stiffened, there was the sound of a bell ringing somewhere. The bell was resonating grandly throughout the Imperial Palace. It was the bell that announced the emperor’s death.

People in the waiting room, who were sitting vacantly, came to their senses at the repeated ringing of bells. Shortly afterwards, one of them called out loudly first, followed by others one by one.

“… His Excellency passed away!”

“His Excellency passed away!”

“His Excellency passed away!”

A little later the tightly closed bedroom door opened, and the crown prince walked out without expression. People who shouted the emperor’s death bowed to the crown prince. It was their homage to the new ruler of the empire, the new sun of the empire.

“Hail to the New Sun of the empire! We’re honored to see the new ruler of the emperor!”

“Long live the new emperor!”

“Long live the new emperor!”

The whole world looked black and white to me. Although the surroundings were very loud with people celebrating the succession of the new emperor, I heard nothing.. I felt as if I was falling into the endless abyss and standing in a remote place.

It’s only a little while ago that the emperor passed away. How can they express joy about the new ruler instead of expressing condolences over his death?

I knew the practice reflected the customs of the empire, but I couldn’t accept or understand it.

In the past, I didn’t keep his deathbed. I wasn’t even allowed to enter the Imperial Palace.

As it was a great shock to me. Was it the same back then? At that time, I saw a piece of paper on which just one line, ‘His Excellency passed away,’ was written.

According to the customs, I had to celebrate the new emperor’s rise, but I didn’t have the nerve to open my mouth. As I felt my eyes were blurred with tears, I hastily lowered my head to avoid being caught by the noble faction. It seemed I saw the crown prince’s navy blue eyes, but I couldn’t clearly see him because of my blurred vision.

After wiping welled tears, I raised my head while controlling my expression. I saw the crown prince standing, escorted by the royal knights including the captain. Apparently, his poker face was the same as before, but he looked a bit different to me. As if it was only me who felt that way, people around me were celebrating the birth of the new sun of the empire.

How much time passed?

The crown prince raised his right hand and silenced the people, saying, “His Excellency was great. Under his rule the confused empire regained stability and made remarkable progress. In addition, His Excellency cherished and loved the people so much that he was called the Sacred Emperor. Now, I wish him the blessing of lasting peace as he was held in Vita’s arms, and I, Rublis Kamaludin Shana Castina, proclaim that I will lead the empire by taking over and keeping His Excellency’s will.”

I looked up at him who announced the late emperor’s achievements in a calm voice.

I could read nothing from his navy blue eyes and expressionless face.

Apparently, he was calm, but he seemed to be empty somewhere.

“Prime Minister!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please give me your order.”

“It does not matter how long it takes, so please prepare a grand funeral appropriate for the achievements of His Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Tapping Duke Verita’s shoulder once, he turned. Although he was praised by everybody, he looked too small as I could sense he was feeling empty.

Suddenly, my heart began to ache.