What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 169

“Uzephia has always been accompanied by numerous incidents. Everyone knows of the recurring tragedies sleeping within its long history. However, we are called an empire because we have overcome all adversities, stepping over the past, conquering the present, and greeting the future. And in this new year that begins today……”

Kazhan’s weighty speech continued at length from the spire outside the imperial palace. His voice, amplified by magical devices, carried far and wide as he delivered his New Year’s address to his people, seemingly having memorized the entire content as he didn’t even glance at any papers.

On the morning of January 1st, the sky was clear and high as if blessing Uzephia’s new beginning. Though it was winter and the weather was cold, the wind wasn’t strong, making the actual temperature quite bearable. It was a perfect day for welcoming the new year in good spirits.

Wasn’t the festival supposed to start right after this speech ended?

Ysaris recalled what the Duchess Blake had told her as she looked down at the crowd packed into the capital’s square. While thinking about how Uzephia’s New Year’s festival would proceed made her want to join those masses with Mikael, she was also excited about the events to be held at the imperial palace, which were apparently quite impressive.

“Mama, I need to pee.”

“Shh. Just hold on a little longer, Mikael. I’ll let you go as soon as papa finishes speaking.”

Ysaris quietly soothed Mikael while stealing a glance at Kazhan, who was still delivering his speech. Honestly, thinking back to the previous welcoming banquet, she’d thought he only gave brief addresses, but that didn’t seem to always be the case. Or perhaps it depended on the occasion and audience.

Turning her gaze back to the people, Ysaris reflected on the past two weeks. Since their last conversation in his office, she hadn’t seen Kazhan, and she worried about what would happen when he joined her and Mikael after the speech.

The reason for their missed meetings wasn’t particularly grand. As the New Year’s festival was Uzephia’s biggest event, Kazhan had become extremely busy. He hadn’t been making excuses about this event when he agreed to give her space.

He probably had twice the workload, handling the Empress’s duties as well, but that had been his choice, so what could she do?

Ysaris had also been busy studying Uzephia’s culture and history through books, beyond just getting newly dressed up. The Duchess Penesir Blake often visited at her personal request to teach her various things.

During these visits, she heard through the Duchess that between the New Year’s festival and laying groundwork for Mikael’s birthday party next month, it would be even harder for Kazhan to make time. She’d heard from her husband that recently, Kazhan had practically taken up residence in his office.

By this point, she wondered if he was getting proper sleep, though come to think of it, hadn’t he mentioned having short sleeping hours originally? He’d said he could only sleep well by her side, which meant he’d been maintaining this insane level of activity for nearly a month without rest.

“…Thus, I pray for eternal blessings upon Uzephia’s future.”

“Waaaaaah!!”

Right then, thunderous cheers and applause erupted for Kazhan as he finished his speech.

While most of the noise seemed to come from people excited to finally enjoy the festival, grand music filled the empty space as the Emperor sat down, having completed his task one way or another.

The following procession and various performances delighted people’s eyes. Kazhan remained expressionless throughout, his gaze fixed below the spire as if checking the results.

While he usually wore such an expression, was it her imagination that he looked more tired and subdued than usual?

Ysaris caught herself studying Kazhan’s profile in detail before looking down at the tugging on her dress sleeve.

“Mama, I need to pee!”

“Ah, sorry. Did you wait long? You can go now.”

Ysaris gestured to Mikael’s dedicated lady-in-waiting who was standing by. As she watched the maid bow politely and take the child away, she turned her head and found herself meeting those red eyes directly.

“…!”

Though it wasn’t strange for Kazhan to look at her since Mikael had made noise, she was startled for a moment. She worried that he might have caught her stealing glances at him, but quickly calmed down at the thought of ‘so what if he had?’

That’s why she stopped herself from averting her gaze. There was no reason for her to be the first to look away from his eyes. Rather than act suspiciously guilty, she faced him straight on.