Chapter 317 (1/2)

“With the blood flowing in my body…”

I looked down at Sir Monique who knelt, with his head down. I could not see the silver-haired young man’s expression because of his hanging hair when he recited the oath of blood, which was the long and tight bond that had been formed since the first emperors’ era.

“…Swearing on my life and heart…”

In order to realize my ideal, I needed those who were absolutely loyal to me no matter what. So, he approached Sir Monique, the successor of the Monique family to obtain his absolute loyalty, in other words, the “oath of blood.’

However, he was very weary about the existence of the oath. It was a great blessing for the imperial family, but it was a double-edged sword and a symbol of humiliation to the Monique family. Actually, the blood oath was no more than the shackles of the Monique family, a royal family during the first emperor’s war of conquest, to protect the kingdom and the people.

“I dedicate my life…”

I trusted his reassuring eyes when he said he would be loyal to the imperial family even without such an oath. At first, I didn’t trust him, but I began to build trust in him gradually. Despite the difference in age and status, I’ve trusted him so much that I began to regard him as my friend. My trust in him was so strong that I even thought of having him marry my only sister, the only survivor of the bloody throne succession battle among my brothers who were all killed in the process.

Despite my absolute trust, he was kneeling, with his head down, and reciting the oath of blood to have the woman I loved, saying he wanted her who might not become pregnant all her life instead of my sister who would add honor to his family.

‘Sorry, Your Majesty. I really love that woman from the bottom of my heart.”

I could still remember her desperate screaming hovering in my ear…

I closed my eyes, while looking down at Sir Monique who was done swearing. Dozens of times I was torn between my intense desire to take her away from him and my logical thinking that I should never lose this young man that I trusted most.

“Let me grant your wish…”

When I began to utter the phrases of the promised covenant to accept the oath, I saw his navy blue eyes filled with joy. I also noticed the woman’s golden eyes well with tears, and my sister Ernia shuddering with shame.

“…It’s the oath of blood engraved on the lion and spear. ”

So, I sent the only woman I loved to my most trusted friend.

***

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, honey, come on, my little girl.”

I hugged and lifted the little girl who toddled along to me and opened her hands. She, pulling my hair and bursting into laughter, was so lovely. I liked my figure reflected in her golden eyes that exactly looked like hers, so I humored her with a bright smile.

She smiled gently, looking at me. Even after ten years passed since I saw her first, she still looked the same. I noticed the empress slowly raising her body with her head down and Rublis looking at me earnestly.

I let out a sigh suddenly.

Ariel lu Shana Castina. She was a woman born to the Duke Heidel, who was the powerful member of the noble faction, and got married to me to be the empress for political purposes.

I felt sorry for her who barely maintained her status as the empress because her family was ruined. Since she was a very cold woman, I couldn’t feel any affection for her even though I did my best. So, I just felt sorry for Rublis who regarded her as his real mother. Since he grew up without receiving a mother’s love, he could not leave Jeremiah for a moment when she entered the palace.

Although I knew that Rublis was looking at the little girl with envy, I took pains to ignore his glance and stroked the girl’s cheeks held in my arms. A lion was supposed to raise its cub strong. Likewise, Rublis was the crown prince who would rule the empire in the future, so I had to be stern and tough to him rather than being generous and kind to him as my son.

***

“… Your Majesty. You’ve come to life again.”

“… Oh, nice to see you, High Priest. It’s been a while.”

I woke up from a very long dream at his repeated calling. As I lifted my heavy eyelids, I saw a young man with long white hair. I also saw Rube looking at me with trembling eyes and Earl Penril frowning a bit.