By Zephyria 
After the princess was born, peaceful days continued within the imperial palace. The innocent laughter heard every day became a source of great joy for everyone.
However, happiness did not last long. In the year Briana turned two, the Empress was diagnosed with severe postpartum complications and told she would not survive the year.
Many gathered to keep her company in her final moments, wishing to bid a last farewell to the Empress, whose breath was as faint as a flickering candle.
“Ugh… Alexis.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With trembling fingers, the Empress tightly gripped the Crown Prince’s collar. Sensing she wanted to say something, Alexis obediently leaned in.
The Empress whispered into his ear.
“Bri… Briana… must… be made the successor.”
“Do not worry. I will keep my promise.”
“And… Cecile… our Cecile… please… ugh.”
The Empress strained to squeeze out her voice, but her strength failed, and the sentence faded away before it could be completed.
“…….”
Alexis read the meaning behind the Empress’s words. He patted the back of her hand, which had become dry and brittle like tree bark.
“I swear to God. I will cherish Cecile more than my own life.”
“…….”
“Leave it to me and close your eyes in peace.”
Only after hearing this confirmation was the Empress finally able to smile. The breath she had struggled to maintain grew thinner, and the light gradually faded from her eyes. Soon after, the hand gripping Alexis’s clothes fell away.
The royal physician approached, checked her pulse, and officially declared the Empress’s death. Simultaneously, bursts of sobbing erupted from all around.
Alexis mourned the Empress’s death, but that was all. Instead of shedding tears like the others, he looked after only Cecile.
“It’s okay. You can cry as much as you want.”
He believed that the Empress leaving this world was a good thing for them. For once, he felt it was a relief that Cecile could say goodbye without seeing the absolute bottom of his parents.
However, seeing Cecile wailing like a child made his own heart ache. He wondered if it would be better if he grieved with him; it was painful and miserable to simply watch Cecile’s agony. He held the sobbing, gasping Cecile tightly in his arms.
Less than three months after the Empress passed away, the Emperor also deceased. As misfortunes struck one after another, the imperial palace felt as if it were shrouded in gloomy dark clouds.
Perhaps the gloom was lessened because of Briana. The princess, who had just started walking, spent her days busily toddling around the palace. Days continued with laughter as they watched the crowd of attendants chasing after the princess.
“Ah! Princess! You cannot go in there!”
“Bbah!”
“Your Highness, the Princess has arrived.”
The panicked voice of the gatekeeper, Briana’s babbling, and the low voice of the chief steward announcing her arrival all blended together. These were not sounds that should typically be heard in an office that was meant to be strictly formal.
The princess, having burst inside, began poking around everywhere. Alexis, who had been attending to state affairs until late, froze in place and glared with his blue eyes.
“That little brat!”
“Relax your eyes. You promised me you’d be kind to her.”
Cecile quickly scooped up Briana, who had fallen and was crawling on the floor. He had also been staying behind to help Alexis. The way he tucked the baby under his arm and supported her with one hand was now quite skilled and stable.
“Our little princess. Did you come because you missed your big brothers?”
“Ce-ce!”
“Oh, how precious. Our little drooler.”
Cecile smiled brightly and planted kisses all over Briana’s cheeks. Because she was always drooling, the area around the baby’s mouth was soaked, but he often rubbed his cheek against hers, claiming even that was cute.
“Look at this, isn’t it sparkly and pretty?”
Cecile walked toward the window while holding the baby. Hanging there were a red cloak embroidered with gold thread and white formal attire. It was the outfit Alexis would wear at the coronation tomorrow.
The chief steward grew anxious, fearing that drool might get on the precious cloak passed down through generations. Whether she knew or not, Briana was busy listening to Cecile’s explanations as he pointed to the glittering parts with his finger.
Briana, who had been clapping and giggling, was suddenly lifted into the air. Alexis easily took the baby and handed her over to the chief steward. Her laughter instantly turned into a loud wail.
Even hearing the sorrowful crying, Alexis’s expression did not change.
“You absolutely cannot sleep with her tonight.”
“Who said I was sleeping with her?”
“It’s obvious. That little one will definitely cling to you, and you, being soft-hearted, will pull her into bed again.”
“Why do you put it like that… Briana is just a baby.”
“I won’t concede for today.”
Cecile’s mouth hung open. His widened eyes were filled with bewilderment.
“I need you too, Cecile.”
Alexis rubbed his face, which was deeply etched with fatigue.
“Love only me.”
Then, he curled his large frame and burrowed into Cecile’s embrace. The man who would become Emperor tomorrow shamelessly acted out a spoiled whim that would be fitting for a two-year-old.
Cecile burst into laughter, utterly floored. Just as he had done for Briana, he stroked Alexis’s soft platinum blonde hair and rubbed his cheek against his.
The chief steward, sensing the mood, escorted everyone remaining in the office out and then left himself.
Click. The sound of the door closing echoed. The lovers, now alone in the office, were preoccupied with sharing their affectionate feelings as they always did.
As Alexis pressed down with his weight, Cecile couldn’t withstand it and was pushed back onto the desk. Laughter erupted, and a long kiss began. Today would likely be a night where sleep was hard to find.
The coronation was held in a solemn atmosphere.
As the sacred organ music echoed through the chapel, the assembly looked up at the dais with eyes full of awe. Alexis was kneeling on one knee, draped in a cloak bearing the imperial crest. He recited his oath before the benevolent statue of Goddess Gaia.
“I address Goddess Gaia, the protector of the Empire. According to the noble will, I, Alexis Winter Graham, wish to lead the Berka Empire.”
His low, serious voice resonated. In the silence, all eyes focused on the Emperor of the Empire.
“The power granted by God shall be exercised only in the name of God. Today, before You, I swear everything I possess; I shall serve in the humblest of postures for the prosperity and peace of the Empire.”
The brilliant, multicolored light from the stained glass poured over Alexis’s head. It created the illusion that Goddess Gaia herself was present.
“Hold me firmly so that my strength does not falter, and illuminate my path with the bright wisdom of God.”
Alexis was calmer and more solemn than ever. Once the oath ended, the High Priest carefully placed the crown that had been resting on the altar upon his head. As the crown settled, the High Priest made the sign of the cross and recited the final prayer.
“Under the will of God, I earnestly pray that holy blessings dwell upon the Emperor of the Berka Empire, Alexis Winter Graham.”
The loud ringing of bells echoed inside and outside the chapel, announcing to the entire empire the birth of a new ruler. Alexis, wearing the crown, slowly stood up. Everyone bowed their heads and offered their own prayers at the sight of the new Emperor’s strong and solemn presence. Among them, only Cecile Adrian looked up at the dais.
When their eyes met, Cecile wore a smile brighter than anyone else’s, his eyes brimming with tears. His chest heaved with overwhelming emotion. The eyes that had been fixed on Alexis now turned toward the plaster statue of Goddess Gaia. Like the others, he clasped his hands together.
Oh God.
Perhaps I have waited for this moment for a very long time. I am certain that today is the most glorious day of my life.
But because I am a greedy person, I don’t think I can be satisfied with just this. I want to become even happier in the future. In return, I will be one who gives to others.
Last night, I had a short but vivid dream. I believe without a doubt that those were memories of my past life.
I think I will tell Alexis about it soon.
I am very curious to see how he will react. I suspect he might laugh in disbelief… but still, I really want to tell him.
I will not waste the opportunity You gave me. Please lead us so that we may walk the right path.
Please let me protect Alexis until the end. Please let us be together until the day I die.
“I pray in the name of God.”
Excerpt from {The Chronicles of Alexis Winter Graham}.
March, Imperial Year 631.
Alexis Winter Graham ascended to the throne at the age of 25. Accordingly, we begin the records of the 17th Emperor of the Berka Empire.
May, Imperial Year 631.
The Emperor officially announced his marriage to Cecile Adrian. Despite fierce opposition from the nobility, the wedding is expected to proceed according to his firm will. However, accepting the opinions against consanguinity, Cecile Adrian’s status as a member of the imperial family was revoked.
October, Imperial Year 631.
Cecile Adrian was recorded as the first male Empress of the Berka Empire. The wedding was grand, and a rain of flowers fell from the sky amidst the prayers of the Saintess Yuria Beatrice. The wedding festivities continued for a week. The number of distinguished guests from various nations was too numerous to count. One could glimpse the influence of Emperor Alexis and the expectations for the empire he leads.
July, Imperial Year 632.
When the Empress patted his chest due to indigestion, the Emperor was greatly alarmed and summoned the royal physician. His love for the Empress was so profound that the Emperor even shed tears. This story spread throughout the empire through the mouths of the nobility. Operas, plays, and homoerotic novels based on the two became a trend.
May, Imperial Year 645.
Under the Emperor’s rule, an era of glory arrived for the empire.
The achievements of Alexis Winter Graham are sufficient for him to be called the greatest emperor in history.
This is not only because of the Emperor’s own outstanding abilities, but also because he met a wise companion. Cecile Adrian was the Empress of the empire, the strategist the Emperor trusted and relied upon most, and the only person who did not hesitate to give the Emperor candid advice.
While Alexis Winter Graham focused on the reform of the empire, Cecile Adrian utilized his diplomatic capabilities to lead alliances with neighboring countries. Through their wise statesmanship, the empire’s economy, culture, and diplomacy entered an unprecedented golden age.
The two were described as soulmates, transcending a simple marital relationship. They served as a perfect example of deep love and trust for one another.
The names of Alexis and Cecile will be recorded in the history of the empire and remain forever.