By Zephyria 
As the God of Records willed, I saved his believer. I also obtained Vivian’s Divine Object. Once everything was finished, the God of Records added his own power to the two divine objects to create a new one befitting me.
Mikael confessed his love to me, giving me a flower. The flower plucked from the roadside was placed in my hand without a single delicate stamen being damaged. We became true lovers. Lovers who could whisper love to one another at any time, for whom holding hands, hugging, and kissing were no longer awkward.
Now, I no longer fear a brief parting.
The sky was blue and clear on the day of our farewell. The laborers packing the luggage and the knights standing in formation were all bustling.
Standing side by side with Mikael, I watched those who would depart for the Magic territory with him. The words I tossed out occasionally were all truths disguised as jokes.
Should I not go? Should I go with you? Should we just stay together?
Whenever I did, Mikael would pout his lips, tighten his grip on my hand, or wrap his arm around my shoulder. Every affectionate gesture was etched deeply into my heart.
Mikael, along with the other party members, would be tasked with eliminating the remnants of the Ninth God—humans who could not be harmed by the hands of gods. He was expected to kill numerous monsters and swallow the power the Ninth God had left behind to reach a higher realm.
And I had to head to the capital. I had to settle the aftermath of Beneto’s death, drive out Richard’s influence, and persuade the nobles to hold the Imperial Succession Ceremony. Only when everyone believed that there was no other suitable successor to the throne besides me could I finally become a true Emperor.
When would we meet again? I felt a recurring sorrow at this parting without a promised date.
A wyvern descended from the distant sky. The brief commotion subsided quickly once it became known that the God of Records commanded those monsters.
Standing proudly before seven magnificent and giant wyverns, Mikael, my lover, looked more heroic than anyone.
While I was trembling, anxious, and distressed, Mika had a gentle smile on his face. He gazed at me quietly and opened his lips. I didn’t want to hear a farewell from those pretty lips.
Instead, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him toward me.
Our lips pressed together firmly and then parted. We were now in a relationship where this was allowed. Furthermore, all the knights gathered here were entirely on my side. Since there was no one to spread idle gossip, I kissed him with peace of mind and poured out everything I wanted to say.
“Come back safely, Mika. I’ll wait for you. It’s fine if you return as a hero, but it’s okay if you aren’t. Just come back alive. And never put anything in your mouth if it seems strange… I love you.”
“…I, too, l… I adore you.”
“Yes. I know.”
As expected, Mikael was surprised for a very brief moment, then soon smiled and returned the kiss.
We looked at each other and smiled. When Mikael returns, will I have become a decent Emperor? I hope so. But if possible, I wanted Mika to return to me very quickly so he could witness my coronation.
I tried my best to smile brightly.
So that a smiling face would be the first thing that comes to mind when Mikael thinks of me.
“I will be going now.”
“Yes, go safely.”
We repeated the same greeting several times.
Mikael climbed onto the back of a wyvern. One by one, the others followed. Looking up at the giant monsters soaring into the sky simultaneously with a long cry, I quietly reminisced in my heart about the dreamlike time we spent together—the three years since we decided to climb the Yuil Mountains.
We will do well.
Let’s meet again soon, Mika.
* * *
While I was away, Theodore Grand and Philip Swanson became haggard, with dark circles reaching their chins, but they still did their part. It was entirely thanks to Seiren Ernhardt and the Duke Valentia Family, who stood firm and held my place.
Richard fled to Floyd on the very day I arrived in the capital. Since he couldn’t beat me with force, he must have been terrified of instant death. I felt a bit disappointed, as I had intended to simply stab him to death the moment I faced him.
Aside from that, there were more than a few infuriating things.
The void left by Beneto Loki Sheeran distorted the flow of various matters more opaquely than expected. The disorder that had been confined to that one man while he was alive began to eat away at the system, and due to his sudden death, the numerous dark secrets Beneto had kept to himself spread by word of mouth, eroding trust in the Imperial Family.
Every decision was delayed, and some coordinations became impossible.
The weeklies and monthlies controlled by Richard spouted nonsense day after day. In particular, they clung to the draft for the construction of provincial academies that I had written for a long time. I had to wander the social circles for a while to counter the frame that the Second Prince was oppressing the nobility for the sake of the lower class.
The Widdrow Duchy was preoccupied with responding to the Monster Rush, and the Duke Grimsvein Family was half-destroyed.
Since Kiadris and Yeldidus were currently on the First Prince’s side, Valentia was the only one I could trust and lean on. In the beginning, I was able to hold my ground with the help of Seiren Ernhardt, but from March of this year, even that became difficult.
It was because Lady Asdel Ernhardt had fallen ill. The frequent communication I had with the Ernhardt family grew sparse. Young Master Mikael Ernhardt responded once for every five ranunculuses I sent, but even he did not seem keen.
I sent several imperial physicians, but I heard there was no improvement. Thinking of how Mikael would grieve upon his return, I couldn’t give up, so I commissioned research from the Magic Tower and checked on her frequently.
The fact that Hestia Yeldidus eventually sided with me was inevitable, considering her personal interests and the practical benefits she would gain through cooperation with me.
She did not want to marry Richard. She had simply been biding her time while pretending to be swayed by the wishes of Duke Yeldidus and the family vassals. What woman would want to spend her life as the wife of a dim-witted man like Richard, who would abandon a perfectly good ducal title and flee to a neighboring kingdom just to save his own skin?
As Hestia Yeldidus began to add value to my reputation in social circles, Duke Yeldidus’s nonsense doubled. Duke Yeldidus’s ambition to push her into being my wife was something that only earned ridicule from both her and me.
Every day was exhausting.
Whenever I had a moment of rest, I would enter the hidden space behind the bookshelf in my private study and miss Mikael.
In that secret room, there was a portrait of Mikael I had obtained when I associated closely with the Ernhardt family, the pink teddy bear Mikael had given me, my own rocket necklace crafted exactly like Mikael’s, a sofa covered with the bear skin Mikael had gifted me, and a terribly cute belt. Sitting on the cozy sofa and looking at those items gave me a bit more strength to smile.
I was often tired, and often melancholy. And I dealt with the tasks at hand one by one.
And then, October 22nd.
News arrived that Mikael had reached the Grimsvein front.
* * *
October 29th.
At a charity party hosted by the Marquess Belcast family, I heard the news that Mikael’s party would arrive soon. I thought he would spend more time with his family since I heard he would stop by the Ernhardt family first rather than the capital, but he came sooner than expected. Throughout the time I spent calmly preparing, I felt surprisingly excited.
As soon as I returned to the Jade Palace, I hurried to wash my face with milk and wipe my body with holy oil.
I also put a lot of thought into choosing my clothes.
The high-collar shirt, tailored not to reveal the neckline excessively, was made of a platinum-silk blend to make the skin look more lustrous. The cravat, tied modestly and tight to the neck to suit Mikael’s taste, was densely pleated with opal-colored embroidery thread to create elegant shading.
The vest worn over the shirt was a deep, quiet navy, like a shadow at midday in early summer. I felt it was the perfect color for me, as I had long missed Mikael’s blue light.
I chose a jacket one tone darker than the vest to make my face and hands appear fairer. For shoes, I chose round-toed black leather ones, neither too pointed nor too angular, to suit Mikael’s taste.
It had been a very long time since I last saw Mikael.
Recalling how affectionate Mikael had been on the day we parted made my stomach churn with excitement. Would he find it awkward if I dressed too flamboyantly? Still, I hoped he would like it.
Because I was overly excited, I skipped my meal, fearing I might show an unflattering side.
However, the Mikael I faced in the drawing room was surprisingly cold.
…Why?
My heart sank. Mikael’s skin was slightly more tanned than before. His hair had grown a bit longer, covering his neck. He exuded a dangerous and rough aura, like a Dire Wolf that had just stepped out of the forest. However, I couldn’t see the color of his eyes because Mikael would not lift his head.
I was so bewildered that I was momentarily speechless. After barely managing a nod of greeting, Mikael sat down… and he didn’t even make room for me beside him.
I sat awkwardly in the seat of honor. Even though this was originally my place, I felt uncomfortable, as if I were wearing clothes that didn’t fit. Why? Was something… did something go wrong? To suppress my panic, I squeezed out the most kind and gentle voice I could.
“It’s been a long time, Mika.”
“…Yes.”
“I’m glad to see you again.”
“…”
“Aren’t you going to look at me? Hmm?”
“…No.”
…We, as lovers… aren’t we?
What on earth happened? Did something occur that changed his heart without my knowing?
Mikael had gone to the Magic territory with a small number of people. Every single one of them was someone I had carefully selected with special care. While Mikael was gone, I made desperate efforts to maintain a friendly relationship with the Ernhardt family. Therefore, there was no reason for them to speak ill of me. Then why…
Faced with the rift Mikael had created, I trembled with anxiety like a lost child for the first time in a long while. It can’t be, it’s not. Surely, really… we were only apart for a while. We had simply promised to meet again and worked on our respective tasks for a very short time…
Mikael glanced at me and then averted his gaze again. He gave an awkward cough.
“…Ahem. During that time… have you been well?”
“Mm-hmm. I’ve been well. How about you, Mika? It wasn’t too hard, was it?”
“It was fine.”
…Really? Was it really fine? Then why are you…
“Did you think of me a lot?”
“…Yes.”
“…”
How can you be this cruel to me?
I adjusted my posture to hear the report. However, I couldn’t regain my composure due to the anxiety swirling inside me.
I heard the things I needed to know and informed him of the things he needed to know. Throughout the conversation about the location of the Black magicians, Mikael glared at me…
Why?
“…Mika?”
But every time I turned my gaze, as if by magic, our eyes never met.
“Yes?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
None of the reunions I had imagined were like this. As I continued the conversation, I was torn apart by the anger, disappointment, and miserably shattered expectations surging up from the back of my throat.
No, that’s not it. Right now… it’s just because other people are here. Maybe he’s doing this because he’s shy. Since it’s been a long time… Yes, because it’s been a long time.
Hugh Benson and the others stood up and left.
Only Mikael and I remained.
…And Mika, Mikael Ernhardt, continued to look down at the table without saying a word. I did the same. I clenched my teeth and endured, afraid that if I opened my mouth now, I would pour out words of resentment, burst into tears, or get angry at you after seeing you for the first time in so long.
Then, Mika quietly spoke.
“I heard… that you left a message saying you were sorry to me.”
“…Ah.”
Right, perhaps, that could be it. Maybe Mikael is jealous… and that’s why he’s being cruel to me. Of course, considering Mikael’s past behavior, it’s nonsense, but if his feelings for me have grown larger now, you never know.
Thinking that, my heart, which had momentarily stopped, began to beat. I cautiously gauged his reaction and spoke.
“I was worried… that you might be concerned about Lady Yeldidus…”
“I am not.”
“…You’re not?”
“Yes.”
…Why?
Why… why not?
I missed Mikael the entire time. I spent every day reminiscing about the small traces he had left for me.
To become a person Mikael would like, I avoided rough or harsh actions as much as possible. No matter how tiring the opponent was, I endured without killing them. I walked around smiling foolishly, which didn’t suit me. I accepted most of the picky and annoying disputes. For the sake of a grand and legitimate marriage, I created public opinion for the construction of provincial academies and created positions for lower nobles in various departments of the Imperial Palace.
I lived like that, hoping only that you would smile at me.
Then why, why are you saying ‘no’ again?
I looked at Mikael quietly. Mikael, who had become even more captivating with the passing of time, had once again stopped loving me. Back to how it was, like the beginning…
No, the Academy days were better. Back then, he would look into my eyes and smile innocently.
“…Then, is it okay if you stay longer like this?”
“Yes. …Is there a reason why I should?”
In front of Mikael, who did not want excuses, I rambled on with excuses.
“…You know that Duke Yeldidus and Lady Yeldidus currently have different opinions.”
“Yes.”
“Duke Yeldidus is still close to the First Prince’s faction. He is filled with the thought that he will take the position of the Emperor’s father-in-law no matter what. Therefore, for Lady Yeldidus to legitimately inherit the ducal title, the only way is to make me the Emperor.”
“How?”
“By claiming that the Duke’s judgment in choosing the First Prince cannot be trusted, she intends to persuade the vassals and seize the ducal title. She said that no matter how much she dislikes him, she cannot kill him because he is her father.”
“…Hmm.”
“Since Lucilla is not in the capital right now, it’s difficult to reach out to the social circles, so I’m borrowing the Lady’s hand. Even if that weren’t the case, I still need the power of Yeldidus…”
“Yes. That is fine.”
Mikael’s answer was surprisingly concise.
“…Really?”
It was miserable. The reason I didn’t burst into tears was that Mikael finally smiled.
Mikael lifted his head. Smiling very brightly, radiantly, and brilliantly, just as he did when he told me he loved me… he spoke in a tone that was chillingly resolute.
“Yes. It is truly fine.”
“…Right, I see. Next time… I’ll introduce you to the Lady.”
“Yes.”
After that, not a single fingertip touched. Mikael still would not look into my eyes.
Wanting to be together for just a bit longer, I suggested a meal, but Mikael refused without a moment’s hesitation and left. From beginning to end, his attitude was terribly polite.
Why are you always so difficult? And why am I…
Left alone in the drawing room, I buried my head in both hands. The tears I had held back and held back finally burst forth. I trembled without making a single sound.
It’s hard.
The reunion I imagined was not like this.
Mikael should have smiled brightly the moment he saw me. He should have hugged me, whispering affectionately that he missed me and wanted to see me. He should have sat me beside him, not letting me go, wanting to caress my shoulders and arms. He should have leaned his cheek on my shoulder, smiling embarrassingly enough to make onlookers blush. He should have gazed at me with passionate eyes and swallowed hard enough for his Adam’s apple to bob.
Do you know, Mika?
I… I waited for you… I kept waiting for you, Mika.
It’s almost my birthday… You always kissed me on my birthday, so, so I really, really, really waited for today…
The words I couldn’t vomit out remained as a lump. No matter how much I cried and cried, the ache in my chest would not subside.