Episode 130
I hurriedly scanned the desk. Cesar pointed at a letter.
“This is from Sylvia. She probably wants to see you before the wedding. Can you read it comfortably as a bird?”
“Beeeep!”
‘No way! I’ll transform back!’
I quickly flew off and found the maids who were still looking for me. And I shouted,
“Beeeep!”
‘Help me quickly! I have to read Sylvia’s letter!’
The maids’ faces brightened, and they rushed over to me.
After they helped me transform back, I returned to Cesar’s office.
“I’m back. So, what did Sylvia write?”
“You like Sylvia too much, don’t you?”
I frowned at his question, tinged with jealousy.
‘He’s doing it again. And he calls me childish.’
“I like you the most, Cesar. Now give me the letter.”
Cesar finally handed me the letter.
As I unfolded it, I understood why he had been so reluctant.
“Cesar.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back after seeing Sylvia; I won’t stay overnight.”
Sylvia had invited me to stay for a few days, but unfortunately, I couldn’t.
I couldn’t leave him, not when he was smiling so reassuringly at my words.
I thought I would write back, saying I couldn’t stay for days, but I would love to see her, and recalled the ending of the story I had read.
The heroine and the hero, whispering words of love and sharing a kiss, their happiness…
‘How beautiful will Sylvia look then?’
The thought made me smile, and I wanted to wish Sylvia happiness.
That was my intention.
“Sniff… Sylvia! Don’t go!”
I clung to Sylvia like a mother sending her daughter off to get married, and she laughed, her voice like the tinkling of jade beads.
“What’s this, Lily? We’re not even officially married yet. Are you crying now so you won’t cry too much at my wedding?”
I had intended to bless her. To congratulate her. Sylvia, at the end of the story, shone brighter than anyone.
But the thought of sending her off to that good-for-nothing Emperor made me tear up.
“But Sylvia, you’re too good for His Majesty!”
“Ahaha! You’re the only one who would say that. Everyone else is just envious of the Empress position.”
“It’s not as valuable as Sylvia.”
Sylvia laughed again at my words.
“Really? Do I seem that precious to you, Lily?”
“Of course.”
Of course, she was! I would get my revenge on the Emperor if he dared to mistreat or annoy Sylvia.
I was about to tell her exactly that when she hugged me tightly.
“Thank you, Lily.”
Her soft voice trembled slightly.
“Sylvia?”
As I called her name, her beautiful eyes softened.
“I was actually very nervous. I knew I would become Empress after becoming Aaron’s fiancée, but I was worried. I wondered if it was right to become Empress, responsible for the entire Empire, just because of my love for him.”
She seemed so happy on the outside. But Sylvia also had her own worries.
“You’ll do well. I know you will. You’re the kindest and warmest person I know.”
“You’re always so kind to me, Lily. Actually, you’re the kindest and warmest person.”
I stared at her with wide eyes at her words, and she smiled and led me away.
“I’m glad I met you, Lily. You’ve eased my worries. Now, will you help me choose my dress?”
“Dress…?”
“What else? My wedding dress. I want your opinion, Lily.”
I smiled brightly, following Sylvia, who was excitedly leading the way.
“Sylvia, you’ll look beautiful in anything, so it will take a long time to choose a dress.”
As if agreeing with my words, spirits suddenly appeared around us, giggling.
I counted the spirits and looked at Sylvia in surprise. She put a finger to her lips, as if telling me to keep it a secret, and she looked like the perfect Empress.
‘I don’t have to worry even if they fight. Sylvia will win any lover’s quarrel.’
I silently offered my condolences to the Emperor and followed Sylvia. The happy ending I had been waiting for was within reach.
On the day of the wedding, which I had been looking forward to even more than Sylvia, I was assigned an unexpected role.
To make it seem like the Empire, welcoming its new Emperor and Empress, was blessed by the gods.
‘That’s why I’m standing next to the Pope, who’s officiating the wedding.’
I pouted.
On the day we chose the wedding dress, Sylvia looked so beautiful in it that I wanted to whisper my admiration to Cesar and watch the ending together. But I was stuck with this role.
I sighed in disappointment, and the Pope standing beside me gave me a look.
‘He’s probably telling me to behave.’
The Pope officiating the wedding was from the temple within the Empire. Other important figures from the temple were also present to bless the wedding.
He seemed to be bothered by my presence, since I was standing in a place where only the officiant should be.
‘This Pope is quite strict.’
A moment ago, my legs ached from standing for so long, so I shifted my weight slightly, and he glared at me.
‘It’s a good thing he’s strict.’
At least the Empire’s temple didn’t seem to be as corrupt as the Holy Kingdom’s.
‘I wonder when Sylvia will make her entrance, not that good-for-nothing Emperor.’
I didn’t care how much effort the Emperor had put into his appearance. Today, I was here to bless Sylvia’s happy future.
Blessing the Emperor was just a bonus.
Just then, a bright light shone from somewhere. I blinked, momentarily blinded, and I saw Sylvia, smiling, walking towards us through the light.
‘Wow. People can shine, too.’
Sylvia had looked beautiful when she smiled at me in her dress before, but now, her eyes sparkling with happiness and excitement, she looked captivating, like a siren enchanting with her song.
‘She looks… so happy, Sylvia.’
As her footsteps approached, the hem of her pure white dress, accented with gold, the symbol of the Imperial family, billowed.
I saw spirits holding her veil and the train of her dress, helping her with her entrance.
They fluttered around excitedly, as if blessing their master.
‘Even the spirits are cute. And that annoying Emperor doesn’t look so bad today.’
The Emperor’s eyes, fixated on Sylvia, were filled with love, his face flushed.
Sylvia reached the Emperor, took his hand, and they walked towards us together. Sylvia, noticing me, looked surprised for a moment and then giggled at my wink.
Fortunately, the Pope, preoccupied with watching the happy couple, didn’t reprimand me for my behavior this time.
As he continued with the ceremony, I looked up at the clear, cloudless sky. Their love for each other was beautifully sealed on this day.
At that moment, I was certain I wouldn’t regret choosing this country.
As if responding to my feelings, a bright light emanated from around me.
‘Huh?’
I stared at it in surprise, and the light, spreading from around me, rose into the sky and exploded.
The light, bursting like fireworks, then slowly rained down like white snow.
‘Did I cause another accident?’
I reached out, and the light felt warm as it touched my skin.
“A blessing for the wedding… I haven’t felt such pure and warm divine power in a long time.”
The Pope, who had been glaring at me, now looked at me with awe. Even the Emperor, who I thought would be angry, was smiling.
‘So it wasn’t an accident.’
Then I had to do what I was supposed to do. I had prepared my lines.
“Your Holiness, may I say a few words after the ceremony?”
“By all means.”
I walked to where he had been standing.
“From this day forward, the Empire will be safe from enemy invasions and monster attacks. The gods have decreed that, along with Petri, the heart of the Empire, they will protect the Emperor and Empress and bless this land.”
The quiet crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating the new Emperor and Empress and their future.
I glanced at the Emperor, subtly asking if this was okay, and he nodded. I smiled brightly and continued,
“I, the representative of the gods, bless this wedding and accept the honorary title the Empire will bestow upon me, and I will remain here and protect this land. So, Your Majesties, do you swear before me, in this moment, to love and cherish each other for all eternity?”
The Emperor, looking at his beloved, answered without hesitation,
“I do.”
I looked at Sylvia, and she also replied without hesitation,
“I do.”
They gazed lovingly at each other and shared a kiss. It was the beautiful ending I had been waiting for.
And as if on cue, I was enveloped in a bright light and returned to the person waiting for me.
“You summoned me as soon as it was over? Isn’t that against etiquette?”
The man, who had teleported me and pulled me into his embrace, replied curtly,
“You’ve bossed me around enough. How much longer was I supposed to wait?”
“You’re so impatient.”
“My patience wears thin when I think of you.”
The man, kissing my eyelids, whispered words of love, his gaze fixed on me. I couldn’t help but smile.
‘I’m so happy.’
The happiness I had longed for was finally within my grasp.