Chapter 114
It took Stephanie quite some time to fix her way of speaking. As her speech improved, her knowledge grew as well. Theo was the same—children who had always lived in the North now wanted to see a bigger world.
Fortunately, the Imperial Academy in the capital was holding entrance exams, and both passed with confidence. The Emperor gladly permitted the children of the North to attend the Academy. He believed that if Theo—who might one day become the ruler of the North—studied there, his loyalty to the Empire would naturally deepen.
“Congratulations.”
Cassius gave a faint smile and patted Theo and Stephanie on their heads.
“Hug me.”
Stephanie boldly stretched out her arms. Her lips pouted.
“If it were Charlotte, she would’ve hugged me. So you should too.”
Cassius pulled the children into a tight embrace without hesitation. He was doing his best to fill the emptiness Charlotte had left behind—trying to give the children warmth, even if his own heart remained hollow.
He smiled bitterly. What would Charlotte have said if she were here?
Wow, really? That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you! But once you go to the Academy, I’ll only see you on vacations… I’ll miss you so much. Then I’ll just have to visit often, right?
He could almost hear her teary laughter.
Cassius bit down hard on his lip.
“Brother… Do you think I’ve become someone to be proud of now? Do you think Charlotte would like me this way?”
Theo whispered into his chest. Cassius nodded.
“Of course. She would love it more than anything.”
Even now, they were still waiting for Charlotte. Four seasons had passed without her. Winter had come again.
For the children, time flowed endlessly forward. But for Cassius, time had frozen like stone. He remained in that moment, longing for Charlotte.
He gave a bitter smile.
Some people whispered that Charlotte might not return for a very long time—that by then, no one would remember her anymore. They told Cassius it was time to move on with his own life.
It was both a long time and a short one.
You may need to take a new duchess. The North needs a lady of the house.
The scars of war still lingered. The people who longed for Charlotte’s touch still remained. Cassius couldn’t take care of everyone by himself—widows, orphans, and the daily lives of the people. He knew they meant well, so he could not be angry. They too were waiting for Charlotte.
Cassius pushed aside his thoughts and said gently:
“When Charlotte comes back, we’ll go visit you both together.”
“Yes!”
“You promised!”
Their laughter gave him a small measure of comfort.
At that time…
The Emperor was deep in thought. News that the Northern children had passed the exams had reached him first.
Carlos’s face darkened.
“…Perhaps this is a good chance to tie the North more closely to us.”
He scratched his chin. Charlotte had been sent to the North, but she had failed as a spy. She had become one of them long ago.
He needed someone new to be his eyes and ears in the North.
“That’s a good idea, Your Majesty. Whom do you have in mind? The Duke? Or the young heir?”
“Sending a new duchess to bear children for the future wouldn’t be a bad idea,” the Emperor muttered.
“Or… we could think further ahead. Arrange a marriage for the young heir. Isn’t my daughter now of age?”
His eyes deepened in thought. The North was finding stability, but he knew the Duke’s heart was still locked in eternal winter—still waiting for Charlotte.
They say her sacrifice was great.
She had given her own life to save Cassius and Theo. Forgetting someone like that would not be easy.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes.
“…It would be better to plan around the young heir.”
“But I’ve heard there’s a girl always by his side. Some even say… she’s a dragon.”
The Emperor sighed. Nothing about this was simple. If he mishandled things, Cassius could explode in rage. And if there truly was a dragon involved…
There was no bloodline stronger than that. The North would regain its strength, and perhaps even more.
The Emperor pressed his fingers to his forehead.
“…Troublesome. None of this is easy.”
He had lived his whole life indulging his whims. But facing the North—hardened by great trials—even he was cautious.
Carlos, his advisor, clicked his tongue.
“Why not summon the Duke and discuss it directly? As for the young heir, that is still far in the future. Simply showing your intentions will make the Duke consider it. Whether the children grow up to accept it, we’ll see then. It isn’t right to send the precious Princess into hardship. Nor will the Duke force an unwanted marriage.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue softly. Nothing satisfied him, but he had little choice.
“Very well. Prepare for the Princess to enter the Academy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor’s eyes gleamed. His thoughts stretched even toward the dragon. Did the Duke really need to make her his duchess? The Emperor himself had a son of similar age. Wouldn’t a dragon suit the Imperial Crown better?
“…And prepare the Crown Prince as well. Both children will enter the Academy. We will stake the future on them.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor’s eyes sparkled. If he could secure both the North and the dragon’s sacred power, nothing could be greater. The future was already approaching.
Four months later
Winter ended, and spring arrived with fresh green shoots. Theo and Stephanie left the North in tears.
All the people of the North came out to send them off. They scattered flowers on the ground and waved. It gave the children some comfort.
“Charlotte…”
At last, Cassius gathered the courage.
He stood before the sacred tree. Around it were wilted flowers mixed with fresh ones people had brought. He bit down on his lips.
So many still remembered her.
Cassius sat and placed his hand on the tree. Thump, thump.
A gentle heartbeat pulsed through his palm.
“…I’m still here.”
His voice was soft.
“I’m still… waiting…”
It wasn’t courage, not truly. It was simply that, now the children had left, he finally had time to break down. He no longer had to pretend to be fine or to stay strong for them. That was why he could come here now.
He lowered his head, hot tears spilling down his cheeks.
Cassius was still frozen in that moment from a year and four months ago.
His shoulders shook. A quiet sob escaped his lips. He stayed there for a long time, too weak to rise.
Then—
A warm presence touched his shoulder.
The scent of fresh green forest filled his lungs.
And—
“…Cassius.”
The voice he had longed for more than anything.
Charlotte… had returned. To him.
