Dekain’s coronation was held magnificently.

Though no other imperial subjects were permitted inside the sacred hall, Ascan and I were specially invited to attend as honored observers.

Dekain strode confidently along the crimson carpeted path, ascending to the elevated dais.

At its end stood Kysandra, the eldest member of the royal family, holding the imperial crown.

This was an occasion where all members of the Lazent imperial family were present, so I could also see Shusain, formerly Crown Prince, and Seiji, the Second Prince.

Normally, when a succession war erupted, brothers would slaughter each other in tragic bloodshed—but this time, everyone seemed to have peacefully found their own paths.

‘Ah, there’s the Empress too.’

My eyes also caught sight of Laila, who had once been Empress.

She surrendered just before Retanda’s death.

The gentle-hearted Shusain pleaded for forgiveness of his mother’s misdeeds, and Dekain, considering that Shusain had willingly relinquished his claim to the crown prince position, accepted her surrender.

In exchange, both were forbidden from entering or leaving the capital without explicit permission. They could no longer live luxuriously within the imperial palace.

The extravagant Laila fell into despair, but Shusain expressed delight, saying he’d always wanted to explore life beyond the palace walls.

Truthfully, such a simple life outside the palace might suit the humble Shusain far better.

Meanwhile, Seiji, the Second Prince, was expected to succeed Retanda as Grand Duke. Though he had not yet formally inherited the title, it was an open secret known to all.

Perhaps for that reason, Seiji showed no visible regret as he watched the coronation.

It was while we observed Dekain becoming Emperor according to tradition that I heard murmurs from the nobles around me.

“After all, a lowborn bloodline has ascended to Emperor. What on earth is happening to the Lazent Empire…?”

“I already miss His Grace the Grand Duke. He was truly the epitome of loyal service.”

I tried glancing subtly toward the source of the voices, but it was difficult—there were too many whispering among themselves.

The problem was that every overheard comment was unpleasant.

In the Lazent Empire, which deeply valued noble lineage, Dekain—a bastard—becoming the next Emperor was an extraordinarily radical event.

Though currently no faction dared oppose him since even Retanda had died, the fact that he was illegitimate remained a persistent vulnerability.

I stared blankly at Dekain, standing far away.

‘This is the destiny you must now shoulder.’

Many in the Lazent Empire mourned Retanda’s death—he had, as written in his final testament, been a man who deeply cared for his nation.

Yet it was contradictory: they had turned a blind eye when he faced adversity, and only now, after his death, did they drown themselves in sorrow and perform hollow lamentations.

Even if Retanda had placed a five-year-old on the throne, the outcome would likely have been the same. There was no such thing as a flawless, controversy-free ending.

In any case, Dekain was the victor of the imperial succession war.

Having long desired the throne, how he would overcome the remaining obstacles was now entirely his own responsibility.

My role here had ended.

‘I’ll root for you. May you become the wise and virtuous ruler you dreamed of, one whose name will forever be remembered in Lazent’s history.’

It was while I found myself unintentionally staring fixedly at Dekain, smiling as he donned the crown, that I felt a gentle touch—someone had taken my hand. I turned my head.

It was Ascan. He stood right beside me, gazing into my eyes.

“What’s your impression? Now that you’ve made an Emperor with your own hands.”

“If anyone heard that, they’d think I did everything alone. Without your help, we wouldn’t have made it this far.”

“Are you suggesting we split the credit? Well, not a bad idea. But setting that aside—I’m curious what you’re thinking right now.”

“My thoughts?”

Ascan gave a slight nod.

I looked again at Dekain and the Lazent imperial family. It wasn’t perfect, but I felt satisfied—they’d reached the ending they desired.

“Well… now that I’ve finished my duties, I’d like to go out and have fun with you?”

At my words, Ascan frowned slightly and laughed. Then he tilted his head toward me and whispered softly into my ear.

“But were you really staring so intently at another man? It’s making me jealous.”

Reacting instinctively to Ascan’s sexy voice, I covered my ear. Somehow, my face also felt slightly flushed.

“What? You asked because you’re jealous?”

“I won’t deny it. I did feel that emotion, after all.”

His candid admission made me burst into laughter.

“Go on, say more. I kinda like this feeling of being restrained.”

Though I naturally loved freedom, I welcomed Ascan’s possessiveness toward me—enough that I wouldn’t mind if he meddled in my life even more.

Ascan narrowed his eyes, then replied in an even lower voice.

“Don’t speak so carelessly. You have no fear at all.”

It sounded as if he were saying, Do you have any idea how much I’ve been holding back?

The fact that I wanted to tell him he could freely possess me confirmed I was hopelessly, irreversibly smitten.

Ascan gazed at me with affectionate eyes and continued.

“Thanks to our victory in this civil war, everyone got what they wanted. Some became Emperor, some Grand Duke, and others gained freedom.”

That was true.

Though defeat brought painful consequences for some, Shusain, Seiji, and Dekain—the former imperial contenders—all achieved the endings they desired.

“Now I want my reward too. How about tonight?”

Reward?

At Ascan’s words, my face inexplicably grew hot.

I knew all too well what kind of “reward” he meant.

—Build up your stamina. You won’t be leaving the bed for a while.

Ascan’s words from not long ago echoed again in my mind.

Seeing me momentarily gape, speechless, a wicked glint flickered in Ascan’s eyes as he watched me.

“You wouldn’t dare tell me to wait longer, would you?”

Thinking back, there had never been a moment of leisure since that first night together.

All I could remember was running frantically to make Dekain Emperor.

Naturally, memories of that night with Ascan flashed through my mind—

His sweat trailing down his face, the scorching heat, and his burning gaze fixed solely on me…

Before I knew it, my face felt as if set aflame. I covered it with both hands, avoiding his gaze, and whispered shyly,

“…If I told you to wait longer… could you wait?”

At my words, Ascan’s eyes narrowed into crescents. I could feel him gazing down at me with heat far exceeding moments before.

“No. After hearing that, I can’t possibly wait any longer.”

Ahem. I cleared my throat unnecessarily to steady my voice, then stood on tiptoe and whispered into Ascan’s ear.

“I’ll come to your room tonight.”

Upon hearing my answer, Ascan laughed as if he couldn’t bear it anymore, covering his forehead with his hand.

He muttered in a low, husky voice,

“You’re driving me insane by giving me advance notice.”

I could sense impatience in Ascan, who usually never lost his composure.

Seeing him light up his eyes as if ready to devour me any moment made my heart pound fiercely on its own.

Truthfully, witnessing a coronation was a rare experience for me. Since I’d come of age, the Arwen Empire had never changed emperors—this was my first.

Moreover, experiencing another nation’s culture was fun; there were many fascinating spectacles to behold.

But my eyes saw only Ascan.

I could look at him every day and never tire.

Even while looking, I still wanted to look again.

Somehow, the surrounding scenery felt distant. Amidst the grand coronation, it felt as if only Ascan and I had slipped into another world.

From afar, Kysandra’s loud proclamation rang out.

“By this, I announce the birth of the new Emperor of the Lazent Empire!”

Clap clap clap!

Thunderous applause erupted.

Whatever nobles truly felt inwardly, outwardly they celebrated Dekain’s ascension to Emperor, straining every nerve to catch his eye even once.

As everyone gazed at Dekain, now Emperor, Ascan and I exchanged happy smiles.

To others, Dekain might have been the protagonist—but not to us.

The coronation festivities continued late into the night, as a separate banquet had been arranged to celebrate Dekain’s enthronement.

It was while Ascan walked through the banquet hall to bring wine to Tanashia that Carlton stealthily approached as if he’d been waiting.

Lowering his voice so no one else could hear, he reported,

“Captain, as instructed, we’ve apprehended Lady Marquise Dante.”

At the news of Reiana’s capture, a flicker of interest briefly lit Ascan’s eyes.

He glanced at his pocket watch and muttered urgently, as if every second counted,

“I hope I’m not too late…”

Not understanding his meaning, Carlton asked with a puzzled expression,

“Sir? What did you say?”

“Never mind. I’ll inform Tanashia and come right away.”

“Understood. I’ll have everything prepared.”

Carlton immediately bowed his head and disappeared again from the banquet hall.

Ascan bypassed the wine he’d originally intended to fetch and instead picked up a non-alcoholic drink. Then he returned to where Tanashia was seated.

Shortly after spotting him, Tanashia smiled brightly. Realizing the drink he offered wasn’t wine, she asked curiously,

“Didn’t you say you’d bring wine?”

“Something’s come up—I need to step away briefly. Don’t drink alcohol while I’m gone.”

Previously, Tanashia had stolen a kiss from Ascan while drunk. He felt uneasy about her drinking without him present.

Still puzzled, Tanashia asked,

“What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing serious. I’ll be right back.”

Ascan deliberately avoided giving details. He preferred Tanashia remain unaware of what he was about to do.

Though her eyes showed curiosity, Tanashia readily nodded.

“Alright. Just don’t take too long.”

She must have sensed he didn’t wish to elaborate, because she asked no further questions. It felt like being trusted deeply.

Ascan also hated leaving her alone, but he had no choice. He had to finish this as quickly as possible and return.

“Don’t worry. Even if you told me to be late, I wouldn’t. Do you know what kind of day today is?”

At Ascan’s words, Tanashia blushed. Her expression was so adorable that he unconsciously frowned.

If he could, he’d put her in his pocket and carry her everywhere. He didn’t want to be parted from her even for a moment.

Ascan gazed at Tanashia with reluctant eyes, then lowered his head. His lips brushed lightly against her cheek before pulling away.

“Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”

Somehow, Ascan seemed even more reluctant to leave than Tanashia, the one being left behind.

Sensing his feelings, Tanashia chuckled and replied,

“Alright. I won’t run away anywhere. Hurry back.”

Ascan nodded. Then, forcing his reluctant feet to move, he stepped out of the noisy banquet hall.

Though on a night like this he never wanted to leave Tanashia’s side even for a moment, this matter was too important to postpone.

Thus, Ascan met up with Carlton, who had been waiting outside the banquet hall. The two immediately boarded a carriage and headed toward a building in the capital.

Outwardly ordinary, the place transformed completely underground—dark and damp, as if ghosts might emerge at any moment.

Clack clack. Ascan and Carlton’s footsteps echoed through the silent corridor.

“Captain, we’re here.”

Guided by Carlton, they stopped before an iron door. At its center was a barred window, allowing them to see inside.

There, imprisoned, stood Reiana, dressed in shabby finery.

“Who the hell are you people? Do you know who I am? Release me immediately!”

Ascan watched her screaming with an impassive expression. Then, through the bars, he spoke.

“Seeing you like this reminds me of ten years ago. You also screamed then, vowing you wouldn’t let me off easily. Do you remember?”

Startled by the sudden voice, Reiana stopped shouting and scrutinized Ascan closely.

She recognized him instantly—the former pageboy who had once chased after Tanashia.

“You—you…!”

“Good. You still remember my face.”

In truth, no one could easily forget Ascan’s striking appearance.

Moreover, Reiana had encountered him on the street before. At the time, her attention had been fixed on the woman she mistook for Tanashia, so she hadn’t thought deeply—but now, it was unmistakable.

“You! You! How dare you, a lowly slave, do this to me?”

Realizing Ascan was the one who had imprisoned her, Reiana shouted even louder.

In her memory, Ascan had been nothing but a slave—no threat whatsoever.

Seeing this, Ascan curled his lips upward. His smile was so chilling that Reiana involuntarily flinched.

“Yes, it’s been a while since I heard that—‘lowly slave.’ I was indeed called that before.”

“What nonsense are you spouting…!”

“Lady Marquise Dante, did you really think I’d detain you without knowing your true identity?”

Reiana stiffened instantly at Ascan’s precise naming of her status. She sensed something was terribly wrong.

But that wasn’t all.

Ascan continued in a flat, emotionless tone.

“What will you do if I refuse to release you here? You fled with the Dante family’s fortune the moment the Emperor’s faction weakened—do you really think you can file any accusations now?”