Epilogue: Prepare Yourself, Richard!
“GOODNESS, Monica, it’s been too long! I’ve been so worried about you!”
“Your Majesty…! I’m so glad to see you happy and healthy!”
My birthday had already passed and along with it the peak of summer. Time was now drawing close to the autumn festival. In the Kingdom of Kophe’s royal palace, Her Imperial Majesty Tundica hugged me tightly. Behind us, I heard Richard and His Imperial Majesty talking.
“I’m happy to see you all here, Christopher.”
“Of course, we are. It is after all the new king’s ascension to the throne of Kophe. It’s a huge moment for you as well.”
“Andrew’s with you too?”
“Naturally. His wet nurse is looking after him at the moment.”
Andrew was the emperor and empress’s son. Even as we listened to their conversation, Her Majesty patted my face and hair with sparkling eyes.
“Oh, Monica, you’re so lovely. Your new holy attire suits you very well.”
“You don’t think it’s a biiit too ostentatious…?”
“Ostentatious is exactly what you want though! Since you’re the king’s adopted younger sister! Ahhh, I feel as if a new religion will be born when everyone sees you looking so noble. I invited thirty court painters to the event, so I’ll have them paint you from all three sixty-degree angles, hm?”
“Th-That’s too many!”
“You would think so, but it’s honestly not enough. I want to memorialize as many memories and events as I can, such as His Majesty’s strength and our beloved son growing up. So the more painters, the better. Even though I do have plenty at the moment.”
She smiled at me with her commanding “Her Imperial Majesty” gaze. I realized something when she put it into words.
“By leaving it as a picture, the nobles who swear allegiance to the emperor are honored, and the emperor can leave it as ‘proof’ of his legacy. In order to facilitate the transfer of his support base to the crown prince when he ascends to the throne…is what you mean, yes?”
“Exactly, since His Majesty and Richard suffered greatly as children.”
The emperor and Richard lost both their parents at a young age. They barely had any memories with or portraits of their family. Leaving behind portraits clarifies their backing and strengthens the authority of the emperor, empress, and imperial crown prince.
“But it isn’t just for political reasons… I want Christopher, Richard, and Andrew to have tangible proof of their memories as a family. The more, the better. Because we never know when our loved ones will leave us, hm?”
“Your Majesty…”
“So there you have it! Listen up, you wonderful painters! Please start sketching us!”
“Gah! Stop, stop, stop.”
The empress grabbed my hand and called over a few painters to sketch us. For some reason, I felt both her instructions and conduct had even more presence than before.
“I’m so glad to see you so lively, Your Majesty.”
“Tee hee. Once I gave birth, I suddenly found myself much less burdened.”
“What say you, Monica? Hasn’t my Tundica become even lovelier since you last saw her?” The emperor approached us. Upon receiving her husband’s warm smile, the express blushed prettily and beamed happily back at him.
“Oh, Your Majesty, will you stop it? You’re embarrassing me,” she said in a lovey-dovey voice.
“Tundica. You’re even lovelier when you’re embarrassed,” His Majesty replied with equal adoration.
“Your Majesty,” she responded with hearts in her eyes.
Goodness, all this sweetness almost gave me a toothache. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before their next child was born. The thought pleased me tremendously.
“Madam Monica.”
I saw a black outfit flutter from the corner of my eye. When I turned to look, I saw Xenu approaching. He executed a very dramatic but also very polite bow.
“Hello, Xenu. It’s nice to see you again after so long,” I said.
“I’m honored to be able to meet you again, Madam Monica. Allow me to congratulate you on your engagement.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to see you’re doing well too, Xenu.”
Apparently, I was the only one feeling awkward. Xenu narrowed his eyes in amusement as he stared down at me. Chk. I turned to my side upon hearing the metallic sound and saw Richard about to unsheathe his sword.
“No, no, no, no. Stop, stop, stop!” I cried.
“Ahhh, I figured this would happen. Heh heh heh.” Xenu chuckled, utterly unperturbed by Richard’s threatening attitude. “I’m here now because I wanted to greet you before I left. I’ll be departing for Ezeleya soon. On His Highness’s orders.”
“Orders?” I jerked my gaze to look at Richard’s face. “You’re not exiling him, right?”
Richard shook his head in exasperation at my suspicious question. “Unfortunately not. Because I still need him to work for me. Although it will be an exile for all intents and purposes.”
“Heh heh heh. If you’re that worried, Your Highness, why don’t I just disappear into the ether along with the information you want?”
“Ha ha ha!”
“Ugh, will you two stop it already? Today is a day to celebrate, understood?”
Honestly, things always got a little too dangerous whenever they met each other. Though on the contrary, I also couldn’t help thinking they got along surprisingly well in a strange way. But if I said that out loud, they would just fight, so I kept silent.
“Now that we’re done with the jokes.” Xenu prefaced his next words with that comment. “No one can say yet that the Kingdom of Kophe and Prince Richard’s position are on solid ground, so I’m using my power as a merchant to obtain Ezeleya’s backing. We’re trying to make people think that it’s more profitable to establish relationships with His Highness and the Empire in the future.”
“Fascinating…”
So the Kingdom is still in jeopardy? But before I could voice my concern out loud, Xenu stopped the thought in its tracks by pressing his lips close to my ear and whispering, “If your betrothal to His Highness ends, I’m always here for you.”
I wouldn’t let him rattle me ever again. I smiled at him demurely. “That will never happen as he pledged to me that we will be married for life.”
“Miss Monica~♡!” Richard interjected, sounding happy.
“Then are you in the market for a paramour?” Xenu asked invitingly.
“All right. We’re done here.” Richard covered both of my ears with his hands and peered down at me from above. “It’s going to start soon, Miss Monica. Let’s get on the parade coach.”
“Yes, let’s.”
After Xenu walked away with a wave, I stared up at Richard with a laugh. He shone brilliantly under the sun.
And then the parade to celebrate the new king’s ascension began.
After everything that had happened, His Royal Majesty officially decided to abdicate. Less than a year from now, the new Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Stevvay, would ascend to the throne as the new king during the official ceremony.
Today’s parade served as an advance notice to all the people in the Kingdom. In attendance were the emperor and empress of the Belktrius Empire as well as other royalty and nobility from around the world celebrating the birth of the new king. Their participation was meant to support and congratulate His Royal Highness Stevvay on his accession to the throne.
The parade was scheduled to lap around the capital starting from the royal palace’s main gates. Prince Stevvay’s coach led the way. The masses on the roadside cheered their future king effusively. The same prince who endured the tragedy of being removed from the line of succession because of his unfortunate accident. This image made it very easy to capture the people’s hearts by painting over the corruption of the previous crown prince.
The carriage Richard and I rode in was third in the procession, behind Prince Stevvay’s and the Kophe royal family’s. Before we passed through the gates, I spoke to Richard, who sat next to me.
“Oh, which reminds me. Whatever happened to Keunt and the former knight commander?”
“That’s…a good question.”
He smiled. Ah, best not to probe further, hm?
Our coach was welcomed with enthusiastic shouts. By Richard’s side, I fashioned a polished smile and waved to the crowds. I had become used to it at this point. When I smiled, men and women of all ages cried out in excitement.