TCIWTFY - Part 2 Chapter 226 < END >

Even though Medea's visit to Valdina had not yet been scheduled, Peleus was already decorating a nursery for his niece in the palace.

It took three or four months to decorate everything from the cushions to the curtains, and even the bed frills in Beatrice's favorite carrot color.

"Wake up from your dream. Would Her Majesty Medea send her beloved daughter to this distant land? Oh, you might have a better chance if she gave you the Katzen Empire instead."

"..."

"Stop making wooden dolls in the office! Where is sawdust in the sacred Emperor's space?!"

D'Angel opened his eyes.

The young Emperor, who had been carving wooden dolls with his own hands while missing his younger sister, now waited for his nephew by carving adorable dolls.

"Sissair, go outside and spar with D'Angel. D'Angel, be careful not to get injured."

In the end, Peleus decided to continue on his way.

"You gave yourself up as prey and ran away?" Sissair shook his head, his face filled with betrayal toward his lord.

At that moment, Peleus suddenly stopped as he was about to leave the room.

Sissair looked at his lord with a last hope, but he forgot.

"Oh, D'Angel, don't forget to bring gifts for Dea and Via."

These days, Peleus's thoughts were only focused on his sister and niece.

"The sword and mini brooch I ordered from the dwarf before are here. You must bring them with you. How pretty will it be if our Via wears them at the coronation?"

"Of course. I'm conveying this to Her Majesty, so how could I do it carelessly?"

D'Angel's hand, like a pine cone, patted Sissair's shoulder.

"Come on, Sissair! Let's rebuild that withered lily-like body, like an oak tree!"

A fresh breeze blew in through the window and enveloped them.

***

Katzen Capital, Persepolis.

The day of the coronation dawned.

The newly built cathedral was larger and more majestic than before.

The stained glass that illuminated the widened corridor and main gate was so brilliant that not a single shadow could be seen.

“Kaaaha!”

The child's characteristically bright laughter raised the soil.

The baby Princess in Neriel's arms played with Gallo and Tom's milk-colored hair, clutching it in both hands.

The young monk, who inherited the surnames of Saya and Eratosthene, would pick up a wooden toy whenever the baby Princess reached out.

"Beeh..."

"Your Highness, you must take a break."

The baby Princess, distracted, flailed her arms as Terrence whispered and cast his magic, sending tiny butterflies flying around. Her plump arms and cheeks were adorable.

Dung...

Then the grand bell rang, signaling the start of the coronation ceremony.

The people inside the cathedral naturally took a deep breath and welcomed the moment.

In the Holy Nation, Pope Anastasia and Grand Master Theo the Great attended, while in Valdina, D'Angel, Madame Pinatelli, the Imperial Lady-in-waiting, and the Marquis of Gillifort graced the occasion.

"For the eternal prosperity of the glorious Katzen Empire, I hereby proclaim the successor to the Emperor's majesty."

Finally, Medea stood in the place where the Emperor was crowned.

For now, she was not just his companion, but the sole representative of God on this continent.

"Cesare Dweisler Katzen."

Cesare, wearing a black velvet robe and the Katzen Imperial Crest on both shoulders, knelt.

"Do you swear to protect the peace and order of this empire? Will you rule justly, without turning a blind eye to the suffering of your subjects?"

He looked up at Medea.

In fact, he still did not believe in God, as he had no faith, but at least now he could sympathize with the awe that many continental people had for the goddess.

He slowly bowed down.

And then he slowly moved his lips over the back of Medea's hand.

Reverence emanated from his undisturbed posture and self-asserted attitude of submission.

It was an attitude that was far too loyal for someone who was destined to become the master of this vast empire.

Because it was dedicated only to Medea, not to the goddess or the empire.

Cesare raised his head.

“...I swear.”

The clear golden eyes that only Medea can see.

It would not change until the day his ascension was over, his body fell asleep, and the eternal oath he had made was fulfilled.

A white hand lifted the crown.

A pure white light flowed along the golden border of the crown.

"With this, a new sun will rise in Katzen."

Medea slowly placed the crown on Cesare's head.

“Waaah!”

A cheer erupted that seemed to shake the cathedral.

Poof! Boom!

A dull vibration traveled down to the marble floor as celebratory cannons exploded outside.

The cathedral doors were wide open.

The cheering crowd threw flower petals and golden pieces of paper, which were carried by the wind around the cathedral and fluttered into the air.

After the coronation ceremony, banquets and festivals were held throughout the palace and other areas of the imperial city.

Flags were hung on the streets, and celebratory cannons were fired at each gate, adding to the joy.

As everyone raises their glasses to celebrate the beginning of a new empire,

"Where did your two majesties go?"

"Ah, Her Highness the Princess isn't here either!"

The subordinates looked around.

But the protagonists of today were nowhere to be found.

A time when everyone eats, enjoys, and rejoices,

The Emperor they were looking for was on the green hill.

In his arms, he held the world's smallest treasure tightly.

A golden sun-kissed breeze blew across the green hills.

A soft breeze playfully ruffled their hair.

“Cheche!”

"Stop."

Cesare nudged Beatrice's small nose with a rather stern voice.

In an instant, the ball that had become impenetrable swelled up like bread.

"Boo..."

"Dad, follow on, follow along~."

Before he could finish speaking, Beatrice shouted.

"Whoa! Cheche!"

"Sueup."

Cesare took a deep breath.

Since her oral structure was not fully developed yet, she could only babble, but it was amazing that she could somehow pronounce her father's name.

"Boo, boo!"

Beatrice, enraged, thumped the shoulder of her insolent father, who dared to discipline her, with a slap of her fist.

"No, only your mother can call me that."

Although he firmly refused, Cesare kissed the white, plump spring as if he could not bear it any longer.

"Let's just wait quietly until Mom comes home. Yes?"

He raised his head and shifted his gaze.

To Medea, standing on the green grassy area of a cliff with a view of the horizon.

Medea stood on a sunny cliff.

To the place where she once sent her eldest child, Lian.

It was a place where warm stars shone, and a cool sea breeze blew.

“Lian.”

A peaceful blue horizon greeted her.

The white foam created by the emerald sea crashed gently against the cliff.

"...Mom took too long."

A faded piece of the crown fell down a cliff.

She knows there will always be a place in her heart for her children.

But now it was really time to let them go.

"Now sleep comfortably."

A soft breeze caressed her cheeks as if comforting them.

"And if by any chance, someday, even later, you guys think of your mom..."

Medea's voice was gently dispersed, mixed with the sound of the waves.

"Just one more time, just one more time. Anytime, even in my dreams."

Now that everything has been sorted out, if there is one pointless regret left for Medea, it is this.

And if given the miraculous opportunity to tell it.

She will hold those little things in her arms and tell them.

"Lian, Leah, I will always love you and miss you."

Medea threw the last remnants of her foolishness into the sea and turned away.

A gentle breeze blew past Medea's back as if to see her off.

"Maa!"

Beatrice, who had discovered her mother, flinched at the sight.

The carrot doll she'd been holding in her hand had long since been mercilessly thrown down to the floor at Cesare's feet. Medea burst out laughing.

"What am I going to do when your temper is already this great?"

"What do you mean, she's going to follow in her father's footsteps and become the Emperor of this troublesome Katzen?"

Cesare smiled and kissed Medea's temple.

He held the child in his arms with one arm, and Medea in his other.

"And we can grow old in peace in this land ruled by Via."

Kisses filled with affection fell ceaselessly on her cheeks and jawline.

“Beeee!”

Beatrice's eyes sparkled, and she flailed her short arms, as if to tell her not to miss out.

Cesare burst out laughing and gave the child a kiss on the cheek.

"Gyaaaa!"

The child's innocent laughter spread across the blue sky.

Medea took Cesare's hand.

The two of them stepped forward, holding Beatrice in their arms.

The sunlight gently illuminated the three families walking down the green hill.

The crown I will take from you

End

Previous