I burst into laughter. My face probably looked dirty and ridiculous.

I asked him teasingly, “Could there be another man who is as unromantic as you? Last time, you proposed at a tomb. This time, you are proposing without a ring or even a flower?”

Lucretius answered shamelessly as usual, “I myself represents my oath to you like a ring does and you are the flower, so why would we need anything else? We have everything, so would you give me your answer now?”

“…”

“Will you be my wife? Will you live with me for the rest of our lives in this world?”

I nodded and jumped into his arms. My voice shook as I tried to sound sassy.

“Fine. Who else would take someone like you? I guess, I better do it.”

Our lips met again, and the sun rose above our head as if to congratulate us. We stayed together in the forest for a very long time.

***

After that night, everything returned to normal. We enjoyed the calm relaxing vacation at the Bilenae castle before returning to our home,

The week we spent away felt like our honeymoon. In this world, honeymoons didn’t exist, so when I explained the concept, Lucretius seemed very interested.

“What a fantastic policy.”

I dipped my feet in cold spring, which were everywhere in this castle, and replied, “I know, but it wouldn’t work for us.”

“Why not?”

I smiled lightly. “If we said we wanted to go on a honeymoon, the chancellor will lead his own rebellion. There is too much work for him alone.”

Lucretius wanted to deny it, but it was the truth.

“Hmm, I guess… And Cornelius would make an even more dangerous enemy than Katleyanira.”

“So let’s just enjoy whatever time we have left here and return home.”

“But it’s not enough…”

We were getting used to our peaceful time together. Just the two of us.

Lucretius seemed genuinely disappointed. While he contemplated, I giggled and sprayed him with the spring water.

“Huh!”

I laughed as he seemed surprised. He grabbed me quickly before I could escape and carried me to the castle.

He was heading towards… our bedroom.

I became red as I protested, “I, it’s broad daylight!”

He replied brazenly and firmly, “This is an important national matter.”

“What?!”

“We need to make an heir before we leave.”

“You animal!”

***

After a sweet but short vacation, we returned to Cransia. As I greeted those who came out to celebrate our return, I realized that these were the people I was to live with for the rest of my life.

Lucretius hugged me from behind, reminding me that I was to live my life with him.

Everyone greeted us in unison, “Congratulations on your return, your highness.”

Before we left to Bilenae, Lucretius left an order for the empire to carry out in our absence. It was to make an important announcement. While we were gone, the chancellor and the Senate approved it unanimously.

I was told that it was all thanks to my help during the dowager empress’ rebellion, and how I took over Lucretius’ duties during his recovery.

The result of it all was seeing the noblemen coming out to greet me.

“Congratulations, your highness the empress!”

***

Our official wedding and my coronation were to take place in two months at the same time.

I moved to the empress’s quarters. All my things were already moved and arranged in the new rooms while I was gone with Lucretius. It hadn’t been a year since Katleyanira was gone. When I first arrived at Cransia, this wing was hers. At the time, I never imagined that I would become its occupant someday.

The empress’ wing was next to the emperor’ chambers and it was the most extravagant area of all the places one could find in the castle. It was even bigger than the emperor’s wing since the empress was considered to be the head of the castle’s internal affairs.

It recently went through reconstruction after the fire, but it was changed again during my absence.

When I stared at the new blue outer wall, Lucretius asked me like a puppy wanting praise.

“What do you think? Do you like it?”

“You didn’t… get them to renovate the whole place in two weeks, did you?”

Even my maids were smiling proudly.

I continued worriedly, “It would have cost so much…”

From the look of it, it wasn’t just an ordinary blue paint. Throughout the deep blue color were golden powders sparking stunningly.

Lucretius proudly answered, “I had them use paint made of lapis lazuli. I thought this color would suit you the best.”

My eyes widened.

“Lapis lazuli… Are you sure this is okay with our royal budget? I know there wasn’t any money left from my personal fund since I gave everything away to the shelter.”

“Don’t worry, my empress. We confiscated everything from the traitors, so we’re doing fine. I only used a small portion of it.”

I nodded with a bright smile and patted his head.

“Good job.”

When I was about to enter, Lucretius suddenly lifted me.

“Gya!”

He kissed my forehead and carried me into my new room.

My bed was… covered with rose petals, making me feel embarrassed.

***

The Cransian empress’ coronation was an event for all the high ranking figures of this kingdom to attend to and a ceremony for all the other nations to send their envoys.

There were only fifteen days left and Genoa was the first to send a team of envoys headed by the first prince Izid again.

As soon as he arrived, he visited the emperor with a congratulatory gift.

“Greetings to your highness.”

“Long time no see, Prince Izid.”

After the formalities, Izid presented a box.

“This is the item I promised you last time. It is a gift from the King of Genoa to celebrate her highness’ coronation.”

Lucretius smiled in satisfaction and opened the box.

Inside was a deep blue diamond that looked like a piece of sky.

Lucretius picked it up with a gloved hand. It was hundreds of years old and cut to perfection. It sparkled brightly as Lucretius whispered.

“Blue tear of the goddess.”

It was one of the national treasures of Genoa and was one of the precious stones on Genoan King’s official crown.

Now, it was in Lucretius’ hands. He smiled in approval.

“You must have worked very hard to get me this. Thank you.”

“Not at all. It was the King who made the decision.”

“But without your persuasion, the king wouldn’t have let it go. I appreciate your effort, and I will not forget it.”

Izid smiled meaningfully. “Thank you, your highness.”

Lucretius added nonchalantly, “With this, Cransia will continue its amicable relationship with Genoa during your current king’s reign and your own after.”

“The king will be very happy to hear it.”

“Now I can’t remember, do you have a wife, Prince Izid?” Lucretius asked as if he suddenly remembered something.

They both knew where this was going, but Prince Izid feigned ignorance.

“Unfortunately, I lost my wife two years ago during childbirth.”

“Oh no, and the child?”

“He didn’t survive either.”

Lucretius frowned and apologized, “I didn’t mean to bring up a sad memory.”

“It’s alright.”

Again, Lucretius said to him casually, “Oh, if you get a chance, please visit the princesses. Clodys is visiting his fiancé Princess Liliana currently, and I’m sure they will be happy to see you again. Roselia too.”

“Thank you.”

Prince Izid was over ten years older than Princess Roselia, but it wasn’t uncommon for people of large age gaps to marry especially among royal families. More importantly, Roselia apparently became lovesick after seeing Izid once.

Allowing Izid to marry a legitimate Cransia princess would be a fine repayment enough for the diamond. It would even help Izid win the throne.

Lucretius smiled and looked down at the shiny jewelry.

It reminded him of her.