Chapter : 116
Epilogue
“Oh my, milady, please hurry!”
When Ayla checked the time, she gasped in surprise—then quickly corrected herself.
“No, not milady. In just a few hours, you’ll be Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Don’t say that. You’re my best friend, and our savior, too.”
Only then did she smile bashfully. I winked at her.
“What I just said stays between us. Don’t tell Ridmore.”
“As if I’d let a single word slip.”
We burst out laughing.
On the day of the Victory Ceremony amidst all the chaos, Ayla’s sudden arrival with knights and citizens had been an act of brilliance.
She told me later that she had been anxiously waiting for us to stop by at the Prince’s Palace.
But when time passed and we still hadn’t appeared, she grew uneasy and went outside—only to be stopped by unfamiliar knights she had never seen before.
Pretending to turn back, she secretly hid and overheard their conversation.
“Are we really doing the right thing? After all, they say she saved the whole continent, yet now we’re supposed to brand her a traitor and kill her…”
“What choice do we have? It’s Her Majesty the Empress’s order. Don’t tell anyone, but there’s even a rumor this morning that the Emperor’s death was her doing.”
“Good heavens! … I only support them because of my family ties, but honestly, I don’t know if we’re on the right side.”
Ayla froze at what she heard. She knew we had returned with only a handful of people and no army to protect us.
They must have locked her away without weapons. I have to help somehow!
Just then, a commotion erupted outside. The knights whispering to each other ran out in shock, and Ayla quickly followed.
“You scum! What are you plotting against Prince Claude and the Saintess?!”
Our loyal knights, who had also sensed something suspicious, were clashing with the Empress’s men who had been controlling access.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Ayla ran to the stables.
By the time she galloped back on a stolen horse, our knights had secured a victory—but it was obvious reinforcements would arrive soon.
Together, they headed for the back gate. The Third Division’s knights broke through the guards to get her out.
“Stop right there!”
An enemy swung his sword at her from behind, but Ayla twisted her body to the side and dodged.
She leapt skillfully over knights, slipping past attacks with agility, and finally escaped beyond the palace walls.
When she later recounted everything, she puffed her chest with pride, saying, “Remember how I told you even kids in my hometown perform stunts on horseback?”
From there, she rode straight to the central square. Many citizens were still lingering, basking in the afterglow of the ceremony.
As she burst into view on horseback, still in her palace maid’s uniform, every gaze turned toward her.
“The incompetent Second Prince and the wicked Empress murdered His Majesty the Emperor! Now those traitors are even trying to kill the continent’s heroes—Prince Claude and Lady Kalia!”
The blood smeared on her clothes only added credibility to her words.
The crowd gasped in shock—then erupted in rage.
As they grabbed makeshift weapons and gathered together, her shocking cry spread from mouth to mouth like wildfire.
Soon, nearly the entire capital knew the truth, and they surged toward the palace in one great wave of fury.
The Second Prince’s knights, tasked with guarding the gates, could only gape in alarm as the mob demanded answers.
While they hesitated, our knights inside pushed their way to the front gates.
Joining forces with the citizens outside, they overwhelmed the traitors’ men and stormed into the main hall.
Those implicated in the coup were punished according to their crimes. The Empress, sentenced to death, was thrown into the underground dungeons.
She was placed under heavy guard to prevent any tricks, but people said she did nothing all day except mutter Lenox’s name, vacant and broken.
After all the turmoil, today was finally Claude’s coronation.
The corrupt Pope who had meddled in worldly politics and conspired in the Emperor’s murder was deposed, along with his faction. Cardinal Benyac was elevated to Pope and would preside over the ceremony.
Before we departed, I hurriedly stopped Ayla.
“Have you ever thought of inheriting House Estel?”
“What do you mean?”
Her eyes widened.
“Listen. I have no attachment to Estel. I want to end that house’s history here.”
“But…”
“I have no relatives left anyway. The lands could become Imperial domain, but I’d rather you take it and build a new family in your own name.”
The secret vault hidden in Estel Castle would be of no use to her—it was bound by bloodline magic.
I intended to pass along only the useful things, and let the rest be buried and forgotten.
Ayla was stunned by the offer.
“Just your words alone mean so much. But…”
“Don’t overthink it.”
After a moment of thought, she spoke firmly.
“Then… may I ask you to put it on hold for now?”
I was about to agree when I noticed her cheeks faintly reddening.
“Because… I might need a dowry later. I can’t exactly show up to a duke’s house empty-handed.”
“What?!”
I nearly choked, dizzy from the shock. Ayla averted her gaze with a coy look.
“Nothing’s certain yet. I don’t know anything for sure. Forget I said anything!”
“You—you and him, when, how—”
“Come now, you’ll be late.”
She grabbed my frozen arm and dragged me along.
Still reeling, I suddenly found myself standing before the Great Temple where the coronation was to take place.
Traditionally, it was held in the palace’s main hall, but after the recent battle left it in ruins, Claude had chosen instead to hold it here—so all the common folk could witness it too.
Outside the temple, soldiers held back the enormous crowd. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation.
At last, Claude and Pope Benyac emerged.
“Waaaaah!”
The people roared so loudly it made ears ring.
Claude knelt before the Pope, who held the staff symbolizing divine authority. The cheering hushed to silence.
The Pope’s magically amplified voice rang out.
“Do you swear, as protector of the Ruside Empire, to guard your people and your lands?”
“I swear it.”
“Do you swear to act with fairness and mercy in enforcing law and order?”
“I swear it.”
“Do you swear to believe in and uphold the teachings left by Lord Runic?”
“I swear it.”
An attendant stepped forward, carrying the crown and scepter on a cushion.
The Pope placed the crown upon Claude’s head, then handed him the scepter.
“I hereby solemnly proclaim Claude Rosar El Ruside Valentin the new Emperor of this Empire.”
Thunderous applause and cheers broke out. Wearing the crown, draped in a long red cloak, scepter raised high, Claude stepped forward.
He gazed across the sea of people gathered before the temple, then spoke in a clear, steady voice that carried a sense of trust.
“A new era will begin.”
The “People’s Emperor” spoke with dignity, worthy of his name.
“Though Lord Runic is gone, the compassion, the warmth, and the love for life that he embodied will live on forever within us.”
Sunlight seemed to shimmer even brighter upon his golden hair.
“But now, there are no gods and no demons. The age of judging people by the names of divinity or evil has ended. The narrow belief that bloodlines alone determine worth has been shattered. We all now know that the measure of one’s holy power does not equal the measure of one’s goodness.”
He drew in a breath, then declared more firmly:
“The age of humanity begins today. We will seek new values and move forward anew. As the Empire’s new Emperor, I vow to lead my people on this path.”
The crowd erupted into jubilant cheers. Citizens embraced one another, celebrating the bright future their new Emperor promised.
I joined in their applause, my gaze fixed on Claude with pride.
Our eyes met across the platform.
Ah, this was not the gallows of death. He was now the beloved Emperor of a new era, and I was to walk the future by his side.
We smiled brightly at one another.
Wedding music rang out as I walked down the crimson carpet.
With each step, the faces of our guests came into focus.
Ayla, eyes brimming with tears, covered her mouth. Ridmore clapped furiously, his face flushed scarlet.
To my surprise, even Duke Desmere was dabbing at tears, making me stifle a laugh.
Felicia, Fogos, and the many others who had stood with us filled the seats of honor.
At the end of my path stood Claude, smiling gently as he took my hand.
Even through the gloves, my heart fluttered at his touch. When I fidgeted, he gave my hand a firm squeeze before letting go.
The Pope, busy once again, presiding now over our wedding, beamed warmly before reciting the vows.
As we pledged eternal love and loyalty to one another, Claude never once took his eyes off me.
His gray-blue gaze held only me within.
“…Then, the bride and groom may seal their vows with a kiss.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist. I looped mine around his neck.
Though he might think it our first, it was actually our second kiss. This time, however, his lips were warm.
He deepened the kiss with persistence, stealing my breath away.
“With this, I declare them husband and wife.”
Even as applause thundered, he didn’t pull away. Trembling with laughter, I clung to him tighter.
In that moment, I thought—I was glad to have been born.
The future awaiting me with him filled me with unbearable joy.
Life had given me something beautiful.
And so, I decided to love with all my heart.
To live, both giving and receiving love.
✨ The End ✨
