Chapter 425 - One Year After The War (1) (2/2)

”You can forego the formalities my love.” Regaleon replied. ”It is just us here.” He smiled and I smiled back.

Inside the room was only the two of us and his close advisor and confidant Chris.

”Greetings your majesty, the empress of the Astley Empire.” Chris formaly greeted me and I giggled.

”Didn't Leon just said to forego the formalities because it is just us here?” I joked.

”You know I cannot do that, your majesty.” Chris respectfully smiled.

”Why are you here my love?” Regaleon stood up from his chair and walked towards me with urgency. He encircled his arms in my waist and kissed my forehead lovingly.

”I was just about to take a break and have tea in the garden.” I replied. ”I came here to ask if you would like to come but...” I looked at his desk that still has stacks of papers left untouched.

”Oh that...” Regaleon looked behind him and traced my line of sight. ”I can do that later. I also need a break and breath some fresh air.” He gave Chris a knowing look. Chris coughed in return.

”O-Of course, your majesty.” Chris said as if he choked. ”You can get back to work after taking a break with the empress.”

”Well then, lead the way my love.” Regaleon loveingly smiled at me. He offered his arm to escort me and I took it willingly and locked my arm with his.

We exited his office and walked along the corridors of the palace leading to the garden.

”Which garden would we have our tea?” Regaleon asked.

As I have said a while ago, the Grandcrest Palace was massive and so there are a number of gardens found on the palace grounds.

”The garden where the blue roses are grown of course.” I replied.

The blue rose is the insignia and the symbol of the Grandcrest Royal family. Now that the empire was established, the blue rose still sits at the center of the imperial family's insignia, but with addition of the four sacred beasts surrounding it.

”I see.” Regaleon smiled. ”You really love the smell of the blue roses.”

”Yes, I love them.” I replied with a smile. ”Having to see and smeel them makes the tiredness and stress of the day go away.”

”I am sorry.” Regaleon said with a sad smile. ”You are also very busy because of imperial work. If only I could take your burden from you.”

”Why are you apologizing?” I asked curiously. ”I am your wife and the empress of the Astley Empire. It is my role to help you with your burden. I will not just sit still and bath in the glory of my title knowing that there is much work to be done.”

”And that is what I love about you.” Regaleon looked at me lovingly. ”You are someone that stands beside me and help me with all of my burdens.”

”But of course.” I replied. ”I am your wife, and I promised that I will live beside you for better or for worse. And because I love you so much, Leon.”

”And I love you too.” Regaleon kissed the back of my hand lovingly.

*GIGGLE GIGGLE*

We can hear the giggling of our twins not far from where we are. We stepped out of a french door and we are greeted with the aromatic smell of the blue roses. The garden was filled with the beautiful blue roses. They are carefully taken car of by the palace gardeners.

I remember well when Regaleon first gave me a blue rose. It was in my debutante ball. It was my very first ball in my entire life. I was the forgotten princess of Alvannia then. No one knew of my existence before that ball. But now, I am the wife of the emperor of Astley Empire and also its empress.

'I have gone a long way..' I thought to my self.