Chapter 5.2
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“Ah, I regret not playing more with my lovely nieces and nephews. Even if I can’t visit often, I’ll try my best to come so they won’t forget my face.”
After one more embrace with the smiling Astie, Elena came to the door and waved. Elena caressed the cheek of Lulu, who continued to stay by her side instead of going home.
“The youngest will look for his mother.”
“That’s true… but as sorry as I am to my children and husband, the most important person to me right now is you, Princess.”
“Lulu…”
“It’s been 20 years since I started serving you, Princess.”
“Yes, that’s right. Time really flies.”
Elena, covering her mouth with one hand as she smiled, looked at Lulu, whose eyes were filled with tears.
“Lulu.”
“I’m sorry, Princess. Even though I try not to cry… sob sob.”
Elena embraced Lulu, who was covering her face with both hands and sobbing, and stroked her back.
“Lulu, you’re a precious family to me.”
“Sob. Prin…cess sob sob.”
“I’ll write letters, so don’t worry and focus on your family now. For the sake of the child in your womb, too.”
“Princess!”
“Don’t cry, it’s not good for the baby.”
“Sob. Just, just today, just for today. Sob, sob, wail!”
Elena, tightly embracing the sobbing Lulu, quietly shed tears.
***
Elena spent five days with her family. Finally, the day dawned when she would go to the Rodelius Empire, ruled by the most renowned wolf therianthrope tyrant emperor and filled with only carnivorous therianthropes.
After asking Lulu to deliver letters she had written all night for her family, she completed her final preparations in the room where she had spent 20 years.
“Princess. You look truly beautiful.”
“Hehe, thank you. Lulu, you’ve worked so hard all these years. And this is a gift for Lulu, who has been my longtime friend and like an older sister.”
“Such a precious thing! I can’t accept it!”
As Lulu shook her head vigorously and pushed away the necklace, Elena placed it around her neck.
“When Mother gave this to me, she said to give it to the person who has been most helpful and precious to me. So Lulu is more than qualified to receive this necklace.”
“Princess!”
“I can’t breathe~ Lulu.”
Elena patted Lulu’s back until her sobbing subsided. When told that the carriage and troops that would take her to the Rodelius Empire had arrived, she simply nodded and left the room.
“Princess.”
“Azel.”
Elena felt most sorry for Azel, who had grown up as the only consort for the kingdom’s only princess.
“I’m truly sorry.”
“What do you have to apologize to me for, Princess?”
“I’ve spoken to Brother Rune about finding you a good match.”
Elena took the hands of Azel, who was only smiling, and wished for the health and happiness of her longtime childhood friend before letting go.
“My, my goodness…”
Upon exiting the palace, an unbelievable scene unfolded before Elena. A long line of troops and a carriage that seemed to be made of pure gold.
“It is an honor to escort Princess Elena Harus. I am Ruberon Alexia, Captain of the Imperial Guard.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lord Alexia.”
“I will escort you comfortably to the Rodelius Empire.”
“Thank you.”
Elena took the hand of the Imperial Guard Captain and headed toward the carriage. After boarding, she waved to her family visible through the window, telling them to stay healthy.
“El!”
“Eli!”
“Elena!”
“My beloved family. Goodbye, stay healthy.”
Elena waved to Lulu and Azel, who bowed their heads.
“Hiyah!”
With the coachman’s whip, two white horses neighed loudly and began to run.
“Oh my! Princess!”
“Princess!”
“Princess Elena!”
“Ah…”
Seeing the citizens weeping along the way, Elena couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
Quickly wiping away her tears with her sleeve, Elena opened the window.
“Everyone! Don’t worry about me. Stay healthy, all of you.”
“Princess!”
“Princess Elena!”
“You must stay safe!”
Elena waved her hand vigorously and only smiled at the Imperial Guard Captain who warned of danger, then sat facing him again.
‘Black, elongated ears. Is this person… also a wolf therianthrope? According to the Queen, wolf therianthropes make up half of the Rodelius Empire. Even the Emperor. Lucael Rodelius. I wonder what kind of person he is. What if he looks hideous? What if he looks fierce? They say he enjoyed wars like meals, so I wonder if his face and body are covered in scars.’
Elena closed her eyes, and her body trembled each time she imagined.
“Princess. Is there anything making you uncomfortable?”
“Ah, hehe. No.”
“Please don’t hesitate to tell me. His Majesty ordered me to escort you with the utmost respect.”
Elena just nodded and gave a short scoff.
‘Says to escort with respect while sending such a threatening letter. How absurd.’
***
When she opened her eyes to someone waking her, they had already arrived.
“Shall we disembark?”
“Yes.”
“There’s no need to be nervous.”
The Imperial Guard Captain, whose cold appearance contrasted with his smiling face, felt as comforting as a father. Taking his hand, she stepped down from the carriage to find many people welcoming her. Elena stared in amazement.
A man walking quickly through the crowd filled Elena’s vision.
A man approaching with purposeful strides, his long, dark black hair flowing, gazing at her with even darker black eyes.
‘That man is…’
“Princess, that is His Majesty Emperor Lucael Rodelius, Emperor of the Rodelius Empire.”
Elena briefly responded “Yes” to the Imperial Guard Captain’s kind explanation.
She faced the Emperor, who looked even colder than the Imperial Guard Captain standing beside her.
“Welcome, Princess. I am pleased and grateful that you have come.”
As the Rodelius Emperor placed his hand on his chest and greeted her with respect, Elena truly doubted whether this man was the merciless tyrant she had heard about.
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