Chapter 8
“If you become Empress and bear an heir, you will be the mother of the next Emperor. Weighed against that, one Saintess should not be cause for concern.”
“Indeed, and above all, His Majesty believes in the Saintess’s power. It is said that a Saintess loses her power if she loses her virginity.] If His Majesty truly believes in the Saintess, he will be all the less likely to treat her as a woman.”
That, at least, offered Rosalyn some comfort. If Lucian would not treat the Saintess as a woman, she felt she could endure the arrangement.
“…I understand.”
Rosalyn answered with reluctance.
“I will accept the Saintess’s existence.”
Ever since the betrothal ceremony at eighteen, Lucian had occupied her heart. To lose her chance at becoming his Empress over a single Saintess would be absurd.
“Good. That is the right decision. An Empress needs that kind of resolve.”
Rosalyn nodded.
No matter what, she would not give up on becoming Lucian’s wife.
* * *
Lucian visited the White Tower again, his heart stirring with anticipation. Asteria greeted him with her usual quiet composure, as though she had been waiting all along.
“I pay my respects to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“It seems that as you said, the bond of fate could not be severed.”
The Kingdom of Bellotien had communicated its willingness to acknowledge the Saintess and proceed with the royal wedding. Lucian and Rosalyn would soon be wed.
“Such is the nature of that bond. It cannot be helped.”
Lucian nodded.
The betrothal had been decided long ago. Even he could not defy the late Emperor’s wishes. And an Emperor was expected to strengthen the Empire through political marriage. This, too, was his destiny.
“Shall we sit for a moment?”
“Yes.”
The two settled side by side on the sofa.
“Does it not feel stifling, staying only in this place?”
“I have been here since the beginning, so it does not trouble me.”
Asteria had entered the Sanctuary as an infant cradled in the Elders arms, all to become Lucian’s Saintess.
She had known no other world. Fortunately, the gardens of the Sanctuary were quite expansive, and the tower itself was spacious. The elegantly appointed interior reflected the consideration of successive Emperors.
“If there is anything you desire, you may tell me.”
“There is nothing I desire at present.”
Lucian tapped the armrest of the sofa with his fingers. Then he produced a small box from within his coat. Inside lay a gleaming necklace.
“I brought this for you.”
“I…”
“It is a gift from the Emperor. You may accept it.”
Lucian fastened the sparkling necklace around Asteria’s neck—a delicate piece, a diamond set at its center, catching the light.
“You have lived in this Sanctuary your entire life, all for me alone. I want to repay that somehow.”
“I am merely following the destiny that was ordained for me.”
Her eyes shone with pure innocence. Lucian had never in his life seen eyes so clear.
“Could there be another being as noble as you in this wretched world?”
He had grown up at House Tristan, learning martial arts, politics, and imperial governance. He had even fought in real battles on the frontier.
That experience had taught him how vital an Emperor’s dominion truly was. The world was corrupt, overflowing with avarice. A strong Emperor was needed to rule over it all.
But Asteria was different. She alone was a pure being, untouched by that sordid world.
“I want to protect you so that you can keep that purity forever.”
At his words, a faint smile appeared on her face. Lucian found himself gazing at it without realizing.
Then instinct surged up without warning. Before he knew what he was doing, he had pressed his lips to hers.
“…!”
Asteria’s violet eyes went wide with shock. Lucian, too, startled by his own impulsive act, pulled away.
“I… that is to say—”
For once, Lucian was flustered. He could not fathom why he had done that. It had been pure impulse.
Then his gaze fell on Asteria’s glistening lips.
He cupped her cheek in his large hand and kissed her again, slipping his hot tongue through her half-parted lips.
He explored her mouth. Their first kiss carried a strangely sweet taste.
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