The Emperor and the Knightess

Chapter 352

The former empress’s wedding was pretty, but it was too small for Poliana’s finger. This was why the ring maker was brought in to enlarge it. Because Acreia used to be only a small northern kingdom, this ring was now considered too simple and small and therefore unfitting to be worn by the empress of the entire continent. However, Poliana said she was happy to wear it. She didn’t care about how big or small the ring was. She thought it was perfect that she gets to wear such a meaningful ring.

Poliana lost her mother at a very young age, which meant she did not remember her at all. Lucius the First, however, remembered his mother very fondly. It meant a lot for him that Poliana would wear his mother’s old ring.

The emperor and Poliana also discussed other bridal jewelry for a few more hours before talking about their day. Lucius the First told her what kind of government work he completed earlier while Poliana talked about her extravagant skin regimen involving many different plants. She also brought up the subject of Rebecca’s letter.

“…it has been so long since she passed away, so how could the letter be here now?”

“Tory said the same thing.”

“I can understand how angry she would be. I am actually surprised now that I received Rebecca’s letter on time.”

“I think Lady Rebecca wrote these letters at different times. The letters she sent to me, Stra, and Tory were handwritten. I assume the one you received was written by her maid, right?”

“…”

So his dead wife wrote the letters to the other wives by hand yet the one sent to her husband was written by someone else… Lucius the First felt such mixed emotions. He thought that perhaps he would’ve felt more comfortable if his ex-wives and Poliana didn’t have amicable relationships, but this wasn’t the case. Poliana, Stra, Tory, and Rebecca were great friends. When Poliana told him what the letter said, Lucius the First laughed.

“Rebecca is right. You need to be more selfish, Sir Pol.”

“Do you remember what your letter said, your highness?”

“It was very business-like. He told me what to do with the maids she brought from her homeland and the new people she hired while she was here. She also told me to choose the baby if it came to that, and…”

Talking about Rebecca was a painful task for the emperor. Poliana felt guilty about bringing up this subject, so she gave him a look that told him he could stop if he wished. Lucius the First, however, continued, “She said that even if the baby is a girl, she won’t apologize for it. She asked me to change the world so that the women do not ever have to apologize for bearing a daughter.”

This last bit was the only personal message Rebecca included in her last letter to the emperor. Unlike many other men, Lucius the First would’ve been happy as long as the mother and the baby were both healthy. He wouldn’t have cared if the child were a girl or a boy. When he read Rebecca’s letter, he couldn’t help but feel bitter and sad. Rebecca was a greedy woman. Unfortunately, at this point, it was impossible for the emperor to change his kingdom the way Rebecca would’ve wanted him to.

But now, he wondered how Rebecca would feel about the things that happened after her death. Tory received a title that belonged to her. Cekel was working as a secret agent in the Intelligence Unit. And… Poliana was about to lose her title.

Was Acreia moving forward and improving or was it taking a step back?

At this point, it didn’t matter. Nothing changed the fact that Rebecca was dead. Lucius the First would never truly find out if he did the right things for his kingdom because the effect of them will be seen after his death. The changes that were made in the kingdom were going to be judged by the next generation. But he was certain of at least one thing that if he did his best and worked hard, it would pay off.

The emperor lived a life that never betrayed his hard work and effort. He believed anything was possible. On the other hand, Poliana believed that some things cannot be achieved no matter how hard one worked for it. In this aspect, their beliefs were very different.

The emperor worked to unite the continent. He often sighed in frustration about how young people nowadays did not put any effort into things. After all, didn’t his effort even get him his true love?

Lucius the First and Poliana walked the garden together holding each other’s arms. They looked up at the sky and chatted about the stars. They kissed often as if their lives depended on it. Just as the emperor promised, Poliana finally experienced the kind of happiness the other women must feel. She has never felt this way before. She felt content.

Poliana finally realized what it felt to be loved.

Lucius the First whispered to her, “Your eyes are filled with stars. They are so beautiful like the pretty lake on a clear day.”

“…”

“Don’t be so embarrassed.”

“You may be used to this kind of compliment, but I am not, your highness.”

Poliana slapped his back in embarrassment and the emperor just laughed. When the night deepened, they finally parted. Instead of going to bed, Poliana sat down at a desk.

She was happy, but she also felt nervous. When Poliana told Stra about it, Stra reassured her that it was a normal feeling for a bride-to-be. Stra explained that everyone felt nervous before their wedding day. Once Poliana was married, she would be fine.

‘But what if I keep feeling anxious? What if I get more things to worry about?’

On her way to the bedroom, one of the guards passing by greeted Poliana. He told her that she looked happy lately. This made her think hard about her life. If even a random guard thought she looked happy, it must be true. She had to be happy.

Only

Be happy. Be selfish. Remember that she is the one in control. She can make a choice.

These were the things many people told her. The people who cared about her… And just as they wished, Poliana became happy.

The very first Marquess and knightess Poliana Winter was going to be the very first empress of the new united Acreia. She was going to be the wife of the greatest emperor and it was very possible that her son Gerald was going to be the next emperor. She was going to be given the greatest happiness and honor a woman could ever hope for.

She was going to have everything.

Poliana Clair was going to have everything.

Poliana Clair.

“Oh.”

Suddenly, Poliana realized what she had forgotten. When she was young, Poliana didn’t have much, but as she became older, she was lucky enough to possess and enjoy many things. Of all these, there were some Poliana could let go while there were others she could never give up.