By Zephyria 
I opened the main hall of the Crystal Palace.
It had been exactly two days since the Ranunculus sent by Mikael had arrived.
To ensure Mikael could make his entrance bathed in the most magnificent light in the world, I paid close attention to the angles, placing twenty medium-sized chandeliers on each side of the hall and hanging eight new large chandeliers above the main road where Mikael would walk.
Furthermore, to ensure he would come straight to me without glancing anywhere else, I laid a vivid red carpet from the entrance of the hall to the podium where I stood, creating a sharp contrast against the silver-gray marble floor.
I hired an orchestra and invited guests. I reviewed the ownership transfer documents for the Duchy of Grimesbane—or rather, the land that would become the Duchy of Ernhardt—once more, and simplified the relevant legislation required for the granting of the dukedom.
Since I didn’t know when Mika would arrive, I kept the hall open twenty-four hours a day. In the early hours, about a hundred people lingered; shortly after noon, that number grew to over two hundred; and by evening, about three hundred people drifted in and out.
Thanks to the constant provision of food and drink on both sides of the hall, dozens of people stayed up all night with me, waiting for Mikael.
I did not block the entrance for anyone who had the authority to enter the Imperial Palace.
If I could, I wanted to shout from the heavens like Spiritus. That Mikael had returned alive, and that there was no longer anyone on the continent who could stand in his way.
Of course, it wasn’t that I was entirely without anxiety.
Two full years—three by the calendar—had already passed since that day.
What kind of time had it been for Mikael?
Prolonged combat devastates a person. I did not know what Mikael’s battlefield looked like. I had no way of knowing what he looked like now, what he was thinking, whether he had been injured, or how sound his mind remained.
My hands kept shaking. I was anxious and restless. Various wicked thoughts and miserable imaginings slowly gnawed away at my reason.
The excessively short message bothered me a little—just a little. What if he had lost part of his memory due to the long war? He might have been seriously injured. What if he came to me with a devastating confession that he no longer loved me? Or…
But in the end, those thoughts always led to a smile.
Even if Mikael had forgotten me, it was okay. It was fine. Because Mikael was alive, he was living, and he had returned… Because he said he would find me soon…
Now, didn’t I have a chance too? That alone was enough for me…
I did not leave the podium in the main hall of the Crystal Palace. Except for the time I spent grooming myself in the early dawn, I waited for Mika in that spot the entire time. I was terrified that if I left for even a moment, I might miss the sight of Mikael.
Unintentionally, my eyes kept growing moist. Still, I did not go back to my room.
I couldn’t.
I felt as if I were going mad wanting to meet Mikael as quickly as possible, even by a minute or a second.
A week had passed since the day I first heard the news of Mikael’s survival.
Tuesday, March 2nd, 12:22 PM.
Finally, I received the report that Mikael had passed through the western gate of the capital.
If he were coming down from Withrow, he would naturally enter through the nearest western gate. I was glad I had controlled the roads leading from the western gate to the Imperial Palace in advance. I was glad I had prepared a carriage and instructed them to guide Mikael straight to the Crystal Palace. I could see Mikael soon.
I had done the right things, hadn’t I?
Terrified that he might misunderstand even the smallest thing, or that Mikael might decide he’d had enough and let me go, telling me to live as I pleased, I had dressed myself in clothes adorned with blue sapphire buttons. I checked the Valentia brooch on my chest once more.
Could I hold onto Mika with things like these?
I was thirsty. But I couldn’t bring myself to ask for a glass of water. I was afraid that if I took my eyes off the door for even a moment, everything would vanish like a mirage. I still felt as though I were submerged in a dream.
How much had Mikael changed? Or how much would he be the same?
The throne, which should have been comfortable, felt so oppressive. I kept wanting to stand up. I wanted to rush out, throw myself into Mikael’s arms, and cling to him. But the fear that our paths might cross elsewhere forced me to stay glued to my seat.
1:18 PM.
I was told that Mikael had passed through the main gate of the Imperial Palace.
The carriage Mikael was in was traveling three times faster than the regulated speed.
The number of people who heard the news began to grow one by one. The ceremonial doors permitted for Mikael remained closed, and the murmuring of people entering through the side doors gradually grew into a commotion.
1:41 PM.
Mikael is here. The attendants announced his entrance in loud voices.
The grand ceremonial doors swung wide open, as if drawing all the light of the world into the hall. The chandeliers in the hall, saturated with sunlight, scattered dazzling glitters.
A man stepped firmly through the light and stood tall, looking at Ikyun.
And we locked eyes.
It was quite a distance. But we were clearly facing each other. A tender blue light, shattering with a radiance more enchanting than any gem, captured my gaze and would not let go.
The large strides he took without hesitation, the broad shoulders, the straight posture, and the slight curl of his lips—everything was intact, as if plucked straight from my memories.
Really, truly…
Mikael was before my eyes.
Mika prostrated himself with an unbelievably skilled demeanor. Yet, he still did not take his eyes off me. He observed me with those eyes that had always looked at me so steadily.
The strength left my entire body. I couldn’t move a single fingertip.
I blankly spoke the words I had prepared.
The short congratulatory speech beginning with “Welcome back, Lord Michael Ernhardt” was not difficult content. However, I couldn’t hear my own voice in my ears, so I didn’t know if I was speaking fully or if I was unable to say anything at all.
I had practiced it several times, fearing I might stutter in this precious moment or offend Mika with some mistake. And yet.
I simply couldn’t concentrate. It still didn’t feel real at all.
I was in the middle of stammering through the words, my lips barely moving.
“No.”
Mika firmly cut me off once. Startled, I snapped back to my senses.
What? What did I just say? What Mika wants now is, I, and you.
I blinked twice.
No matter how much I blinked, Mikael did not disappear from before my eyes. Still, just in case, I decided to refrain from blinking repeatedly. Just in case, just in case…
But “no”? What else was “no”? What did I say wrong? While my mind was a white void, frantically pondering, Mika continued in a voice that had softened considerably, as if whispering.
“There is a different title I desire, Your Majesty.”
“…Which one?”
…Ah. He was talking about that. A title. Right, a title… It wasn’t something I had discussed and decided with Mikael. Then how, would it be best…
My mouth wouldn’t move well, as if I were holding a round ball in it. My mind was completely white and empty. If Mika said he hated the dukedom, should I say I’d just follow him around? If I begged him to overlook just that, would he accept?
I don’t know. I felt like the stupidest person in the world.
Filled with anxiety, I searched Mikael’s expression.
Mikael was still looking at me. The smile deeply imbued in those eyes bewitched my startled self.
Mikael was still smiling very brightly. His eyes were curved, and his mouth was open wide. His white teeth and red tongue were visible. The flush on both cheeks was sweet.
It had been a long time since I’d seen Mikael with a smile like this. The Mikaels who appeared in my recent dreams all had stern faces, shaking their heads or clicking their tongues, but the living Mikael before me was different.
With a softened face and expression, with shoulders shaking slightly, laughing with his whole body, he said something very sweet.
“Please grant me the position of Prince Consort.”
…
In none of the scenarios I had imagined did Mika say such a thing.
It was endlessly quiet. It felt as if only Mikael and I were left in this world.
Unable to contain myself, I closed and opened my eyes again. Mikael was still smiling.
Mika shrugged his shoulders slightly. As if asking, Why? That…
I struggled to digest the words I had heard. My cheeks and neck were hot. The sorrow that had been stored deep inside my body for so long melted away. My chest swelled up as if I had swallowed a giant balloon.
I chewed and swallowed Mika’s words as if savoring them several times. Then, unable to believe it, I asked again.
“You want to be the Prince Consort?”
“Yes.”
“…Will you really marry me?”
Mikael did not hesitate for a single breath.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I returned desiring only that one position. So, please give me a place by your side.”
Unable to endure any longer, I stood up unsteadily.
With a bright smile, Mikael rose and opened his arms. Yes, that’s right. That embrace was my place. Mikael was the same. Just as he was when he left, he was worrying about me, caring for me, and loving me.
At first I walked, but later I was almost running. Without slowing down, I dove into Mikael’s chest.
Within that sturdy embrace that caught me without wavering, I rubbed my cheeks and nose against his shoulders and collarbone. I inhaled his missed scent to my heart’s content, pressed my forehead against him, and hugged his waist tight so as never to let go again.
I burst into tears, acting like a spoiled child. I was so sorrowful and yet so incredibly happy.
I felt it too.
My love was yours from beginning to end. I was able to survive until now because I wanted to marry you. I missed you. I really, really missed you so much. Because you… because you weren’t here, I really… I felt like I was going to die. I missed you. I…
I poured out all the many words I had wanted to say during that time. Some words came out of my mouth, while others remained only in my heart. I was so frantic that I didn’t know which words I spoke and which I swallowed. It was because I wanted to say too many things at once.
While I was rambling incoherently for a long time, Mikael cupped my cheek.
I immediately closed my eyes and lifted my head. I don’t know how many hundreds or thousands of times I regretted that we parted that day without a single final kiss. Now, I didn’t care one bit about the eyes of others.
I lifted my heels high, pulled on Mikael’s collar, and clung to him, pressing my chest tight against his.
However, Mikael chuckled and avoided my lips. Instead, he kissed my forehead and whispered.
“Let’s do the rest when we’re alone.”
“…!”
I was so stunned that my eyes flew open. Even in my absurdity, a laugh escaped.
Really… it really was Mikael. He hadn’t changed one bit.
Still, I loved it. Because of that, I loved it even more.
Only now did everything begin to flow correctly and naturally.
I hurriedly pushed forward the agenda to legalize same-sex marriage.
In my heart, I wanted to gather all the provincial nobles by April, but the physical distance was a clear limitation. Regrettably, I scheduled it to coincide with the Imperial Conference in June.
Every night, Mikael gave me his embrace. As if the past days, when I could barely fall asleep under the influence of alcohol, were a lie, I could sleep deeply without even dreaming when trapped in Mikael’s hot embrace. The certainty that I could meet Mikael again every night became a great strength in enduring each new day.
My appetite increased. Since Mikael fed me himself, the bread didn’t taste dry and the meat melted in my mouth.
I vomited less, and naturally, my headaches decreased. My alcohol consumption dropped sharply, and though my fingertips occasionally shook, that too was bearable.
It was a bit difficult for the few days Mikael was absent while the Ernhardt family came up to the capital, but I recovered quickly thanks to Mikael visiting me secretly at night.
It was unexpected that Mikael became interested in Kate.
Kate Anti Sieran.
That woman, who had now become the Empress Dowager, had not been greatly involved in my life since I reached adulthood.
At one time, I had resented her. But it was also she who had supported a part of the Empire on my behalf while I was half-insane, believing I had lost Mikael.
Therefore, I had no particular feelings toward her now. I know that if I had been in her position, I would have acted exactly as she did. If I hadn’t fallen in love with Mikael, I too would have lived as a person shaped by their position, not much different from her.
In a situation where I would be satisfied if she simply continued to hold her position without any trouble, it was quite helpful that she sparked Mikael’s interest in Imperial etiquette.
Of course, for me, it was perfectly fine whether Mikael sat on the floor or drank tea straight from the pot, but the Imperial Palace has too many eyes, does it not?
Also, strangely enough, my honest and innocent lover had a good rapport with Kate, who always tested people in a dickish way. Above all, whenever something slightly bothersome seemed to happen, he would quickly run to me and tell me everything.
Things like: My mother-in-law recommended this as a wedding accessory, My mother-in-law showed me a portrait of Ruben as a child, My mother-in-law asked how much I love Ruben, so I told her I’ve never counted but I think I love him more than myself, and so on.
I brushed aside the trivial schemes and held my cute Mikael tightly in my arms. Sometimes I gave him kisses.
He was so shudderingly cute. Every day was happiness.