By Zephyria 
The carriage passed through the Imperial Palace’s main gate without hesitation.
Normally, one had to turn right from the main gate to head to the Second Prince’s Palace. However, the carriage went straight. This direction led to the Emperor’s palace, the Crystal Palace.
I sat quietly inside the carriage, contemplating what to say.
What should I say first when I meet Ruben again?
Would he call me to the reception room? Would it be okay to hold his hand? Would it be alright to embrace him?
At least, I shouldn’t act as awkwardly as I did when I returned from the Magic territory the other day. Remembering how upset Ruben was then, I should be even more careful.
What if he has already given up on me?
But seeing him so readily bring me into the Imperial Palace…
Yes, my worries have lessened. Even if Ruben has given up on me by some slim chance, I can just seduce him again. The thought made me blush. I cleared my throat a couple of times.
The carriage stopped. Two waiting attendants bowed deeply and welcomed me.
The air of my homeland, filling my lungs, was warm and sweet, making me feel exhilarated.
Following the attendants’ lead, I stood before the main hall. I was greatly surprised by the many signs of life I felt from inside the hall.
The attendants guarding the doors on either side announced my arrival in loud voices and opened the doors for me.
Beneath dozens of magnificent chandeliers, each radiating its light, over three hundred people stood on both sides of the hall, looking at Ikyun. The majority of them were talented individuals of my age, but there were also quite a few who appeared significantly older. It seemed as if all the socialites of the capital had been gathered.
However, I had no energy to spare for them.
My gaze had been fixed ahead from the moment the doors opened.
Ruben.
Rubel Anti Searon.
The young man with the grandest and most precious name in this land, the Emperor of this country, sat on a dais of nine steps, impossibly high before me.
I walked along the opened path, slowly observing the child.
How much had he cried?
Even with the abundant healing magic he must have received, Ruben’s eyes were red. His black hair, neatly combed and falling to both sides of his shoulders, gleamed with a radiant shine. His pale face appeared stoic to a degree, but it was evident he had been biting his lips fiercely.
Our eyes met. The child’s gaze was fixed on me as if he were entranced. How could he have changed so little?
My heart pounded rapidly, sensing the child’s agitation.
The brooch on Ruben’s chest was something I had given him long ago. It was Valentia’s token, made of silver with veins of gold ore, adorned with clear pink and purple gems. Moreover, all the buttons on his clothes were blue.
I understood what the child must have decided upon hearing my news. I suppressed the urge to laugh.
Without anyone telling me, I knew the right moment.
From ten paces below the dais, I knelt on one knee and prostrated myself. My gaze did not lower. No one reprimanded me for impudently staring at the Emperor’s face.
A radiant halo seemed to shine on both sides of Ruben’s cheeks. I didn’t know if it was visible only to me or to others as well. It was so distant and enchanting that I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Where else in my life would I ever meet someone so beautiful? My mind was filled with such thoughts.
Without a sound, everyone grew quiet. In front of hundreds of gazes, Ruben slowly opened his mouth.
“Welcome back, Lord Michael Ernhardt.”
The end of the child’s voice trembled slightly. No matter how much he tried to be calm, his voice was not.
The veins on the back of the child’s hand, tightly gripping the round ornament at the end of the throne’s armrest, stood out faintly. Tears welled up in Ruben’s eyes. My heart ached at the indelible love visible in his eyes.
Ruben’s voice, which he bit down with clenched teeth, dripped with affection so sweet it was intoxicating. If I could just open my mouth and feast on that voice for a thousand years, I would be perfectly content.
I didn’t need to ponder my first words. Ruben continued his eloquent speech without hesitation.
“I know well that without your devotion, neither I nor this Empire nor this world would remain. It is customary to grant the title of Marquess to a Grand Sword Master. But how can that repay this debt?”
“…”
“I have decided to grant you the title of Duke. The arrangements have already been made. The new territory, though not yet properly organized, is part of the existing Grimsvein…”
“No.”
I interrupted his words, which continued as sweetly as a nightingale’s song.
“I desire a different title, Your Majesty.”
“…What?”
A slight stir arose among the onlookers.
I bit back the laughter I had been holding in. It was too amusing to bear. It had been less than a week since my news reached him, and I could clearly see Ruben’s intention to elevate my status in front of all these people, whom he had been eagerly awaiting.
To keep me here. To prevent me from leaving.
Believing that I was the only one who was greedy for this relationship.
“Grant me the position of Royal Consort.”
Silence.
Among the people holding their breath, Ruben inhaled sharply.
I did not take my eyes off the child’s face. I watched as his dark, slender eyes began to moisten again. I filled my vision with the clear teardrops that traced across his right cheek and fell to rest on his chin.
The child slowly closed and opened his eyes. His pale face was still deathly white.
“You wish to be Royal Consort?”
“Yes.”
“…Will you truly marry me?”
Does that mean he intends to take a separate main wife?
That was an absurd notion. That position was mine. It had been from the very beginning.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I returned only for that position. So, grant me your side.”
It was a bold proposal without a ring.
But Ruben sprang from his seat. With steps as if drugged or dreaming, he descended the high dais, one step at a time. The long, thick cloak draped over Ruben’s shoulders trailed onto the dais, sweeping down with him.
I, who had lowered my posture, rose and spread my arms.
He leaped directly into my arms, and I pulled him close. Only when I held the child tightly did I realize there had been an empty space in my body. It felt as if we had finally become one whole. I rested my cheek against Ruben’s, stroking his fine hair down to his firm back.
Sobbing gasps escaped between our pressed chests.
It was not a sight befitting Ruben, who cared so much about his dignity. Instead of pointing it out, I carefully concealed him within my embrace so others couldn’t see. The child tightened his grip on my waist. Ruben’s fingertips were always cool, but now they were surprisingly warm.
Ruben mumbled in a voice thick with tears.
“I did too.”
“…Did what?”
“My love, from beginning to end, was yours…”
Ah.
It was his reply to reading my will.
As I was about to say something more, someone far away began to clap. One person clapped, and the person next to them joined in. Now that I held Ruben, I finally had the energy to look around. All the people dressed in fine clothes wore bewildered expressions.
A stranger in the distance grabbed his neighbor and asked, “Didn’t they say today was a congratulatory event for Lord Ernhardt’s return? What is this?” The man being held replied, “I don’t know. Just clap for now. What is it?”
Worried that Ruben might notice, I covered the child’s ears. Then, the child immediately lifted his head. His wet eyes blinked, then softly closed. His desire for a kiss was obvious, but no matter what, I shouldn’t embarrass Ruben like that.
I pressed my lips to his forehead and then pulled away.
“We’ll do the rest when we’re alone.”
“…!”
❖ ❖ ❖
I don’t know how the event concluded.
Suddenly, an orchestra in a corner began to play. Ruben pulled me along and we fled to the balcony. Leaving the murmuring crowd behind, I followed Ruben out onto the balcony. And here we’ve been for over an hour.
Ruben buried his head in my chest and refused to let go. The redness of his ears and the nape of his neck was incredibly vibrant.
Would I ever see Ruben so shy again?
I had intended to comfort Ruben, but my skill in comforting crying children remained unchanged. Moreover, since Ruben was leaning against me, I was content and didn’t want to separate him.
I slowly stroked his earlobes, which were colored a beautiful shade redder than strawberries, letting him be embarrassed to his heart’s content. His thin, soft earlobes and his soft earlobes were all hot and warm.
After what felt like an eternity, Ruben trembled and asked.
“…Why…”
“Yes?”
“Why were you so late…?”
His complaint, finally voiced, was incredibly cute. Unable to resist, I kissed the top of his head a couple of times.
Then, the child peeked up. His face was as red as his ears, and the way he pouted his lips was so lovely it made my head spin.
Peck.
I kissed him audibly and then looked up. The child tugged at the hem of my clothes at my waist, as if urging me to answer.
“I didn’t realize so much time had passed. I thought only three or four days had gone by, so I was shocked and rushed here when I heard my funeral had already been completed.”
“…”
“Ruben was right. I should have told you to wait before I left. I regretted it for a long time.”
“…If I hadn’t waited for you…”
“I would have clung to you, begging to be a concubine.”
The child lightly hit my chest. A smile flickered at the corner of his lips, making my heart flutter.
“Liar.”
“It’s the truth.”
“…I’ll believe you.”
Ruben buried his head in my chest again.
It seemed we would be like this all night. It would be fine to have a long talk later. I gently stroked the child’s back, listening to the melody drifting from afar.
A singer raised her voice to the tune. A sweet love song cut through the cool night air.