Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Union
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After the Emperor's birthday banquet, Lainen was granted a rather lengthy month-long vacation. This was because he had been in charge of overseeing the entire event.
In truth, he was somewhat exhausted. Juggling his own duties along with serving as Cannivela's dance instructor had left him drained. He couldn't show it in front of her, which made things awkward, but the Emperor's consideration allowed him to make the suggestion to her with a light heart.
"Shall we take a short trip?"
"A trip?"
Cannivela had never been on a trip before. There had been that brief time wandering around after parting with Lainen, but that was more like fleeing than traveling.
"There are many resorts for the imperial family to relax at. I was thinking we could go to the closest one this time."
"Sounds good. But is there anything else we need to prepare?"
"Not really. We can just play, eat, and sightsee there."
"That'll be fun. Everything's enjoyable when I'm with you."
She thought back to their various dates together, her mood lifting. Ho ho ho, her laughter rang out. Her excitement made him smile warmly. Where should they go this time, and what should they do?
As always, to plan the perfect trip with her, he pestered Kashan relentlessly.
"Scout out some imperial resorts that you and I could visit."
"Ugh! I'm the head of intelligence! I'm swamped with my own work—why are you asking me to do this? Figure it out yourself!"
Kashan flew into a rage at his words. It was a side effect of handling every single matter related to Cannivela alongside him. Lainen considered pushing back with "Don't commit insubordination— that's an order," but he held off upon seeing his face.
Half his face was swollen, his cheekbones nearly exposed, dark circles heavy under his eyes. Fatigue seeped into his voice. Lainen suddenly recalled how hard Kashan had been working lately, juggling multiple tasks at once.
Lainen was a fairly generous boss. At least, that's what he thought.
"Since I'm on vacation, you're on leave for a month too."
"Your Highness... You can't take that back, right?"
Kashan asked in a suspicious tone, his eyes wide like a flounder.
"Of course not."
How harshly had he been driving him for him to be this thrilled at the mention of vacation? Lainen scratched his cheek while looking at Kashan's face.
'And once he's recharged, I can work him hard again.'
With that wicked thought that would horrify Kashan, Lainen began personally scouting locations for their vacation together.
* * *
Though Lainen had secured his vacation, Cannivela was summoned by the Empress again after the banquet and began receiving handover duties. She had paperwork to handle right up until the vacation started. On top of that, lessons to become a proper Crown Princess resumed.
As she attended classes, it felt like reliving the successor training from her past. Of course, unlike before, there were no lessons in imperial studies, geography, or diplomacy.
'The Empress is practically the Emperor within the palace.'
Since the Empress oversaw everything inside the palace, Cannivela had to learn all aspects of the imperial palace. Fortunately, she had confidence in her scholarly aptitude, so it wasn't too difficult. Without the sabotage of odd tricks like in the past, the schedule progressed efficiently.
"Today's lessons end here."
With the instructor for the history of the empire's noble houses concluding the session, her schedule wrapped up. She stretched and left the palace, strolling through the gardens. Eora and Ray moved to follow, but she waved them off.
She wanted time to organize her thoughts.
'After this vacation, I need to start the investigation in earnest. And track Lukamin's movements too.'
Until now, she'd been busy adapting to the changing palace environment, but after the break, she planned to dig deeply into her mother's death. Moreover, it was odd that there was still no word from Lukamin.
She had sent him the information she'd found long ago. By now, a reply should have come and gone. Yet days had passed with no contact. It worried her.
Even without that, upon hearing that the Crown Princess of the Luminir Empire was named 'Lucia,' he would have reached out first. He knew what that name meant to him.
She had borrowed it initially just to signal her survival.
'I hope nothing's happened to him.'
But she shook her head. Lukamin was formerly the captain of the knights in the Rasoni Kingdom. His martial prowess surpassed any knight in the realm. People even said that if he'd been present during that incident six years ago, the outcome might have been different.
How many could possibly harm someone like that?
Besides, this was the empire, where all continental intelligence converged. If something had happened to him, she would know. Lainen would have told her anyway.
[Let's both win our battles and meet again.]
[Yes, I understand.]
She remembered the promise she'd made. She hoped Lukamin remembered and upheld it too.
'So please...'
She walked silently through the gardens, eyes on the ground. The sun was setting, and the wind growing chillier. Then, a blanket draped over her shoulders.
"What are you doing?"
The voice she loved most reached her ears. Turning, she saw Lainen. She set aside her thoughts and embraced him.
"Just taking a walk. What have you been up to?"
"Looking for a spot for our vacation together."
"Ooh, I'm looking forward to it."
"I'm working hard to live up to your expectations."
His confident words truly excited her. He had never disappointed her, no matter how small the thing.
"So, we leave tomorrow?"
"No, we need to pack. And inform His Majesty the Emperor."
"Who's coming with us?"
"No one. This time, it's just the two of us, no attendants."
Imperial family members traveling without guards could cause issues. But the Luminir Empire had the convenience of magic, and he disliked carriages. The Emperor approved readily.
A week later, they arrived at their destination, Esmo Island.
"Wow!"
Waves crashed against the rocks with resounding splashes. Seawater sprayed into the air, sparkling in the light. But what surprised her more was stepping out the door straight onto the beach.
"How is this possible?"
"It's a secret."
As Crown Prince, he knew about magic. But since he wasn't Emperor yet, revealing its secrets to her was problematic.
Noticing his troubled expression and his desire to keep this 'miracle' hidden, she said nothing.
Instead, she took in the scorching sun, white sandy beach, clear sea, soaring seagulls, and serene scenery. She loved it. A delightful premonition told her this vacation would be blissful.
"What do you think?"
"It'll be perfect."
She kicked off her shoes and hiked up her dress hem. The white dress was light, almost like sleepwear, simple and perfect for vacation—barely reaching her calves.
Clutching it, she waded into the surf. Waves lapped at her feet. Delighted, she splashed along. Watching her, he smiled warmly.
Knowing her life story to some extent, he earnestly hoped this trip would be true rest for her.
"I'm hungry."
After playing in the water for a good while, she walked back to him and said so. He scooped her up, washed her feet, and helped her into her shoes.
"Shall we head inside then?"
His voice from right in front made her head spin slightly. Unsure if it was hunger or his allure, she felt great and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Hurry inside."
Her occasional formal speech thrilled him. Striding purposefully, he headed to the villa to hasten the dinner he'd pre-ordered.
"You've arrived, Your Highness."
"It's been a while."
"Yes, you've grown splendidly."
"Where to?"
The attendant, sensing his eagerness to feed her dinner quickly, swiftly guided them to the dining room. It was laden with seafood dishes she'd rarely tasted.
"Wow."
"I picked ones you probably haven't tried much. Eat up."
He sat right beside her, feeding her bite by bite. The attendant's eyes widened in surprise, and though it was tasty and convenient, she worried he might not eat properly because of her.
"Aren't you eating?"
"Watching you eat fills me up."
"Nonsense. Here, eat."
After that, they busied themselves feeding each other. The servants were initially shocked but soon watched Lainen's change fondly. They knew his past well.
A boy bearing sorrow, the sole survivor.
After the accident, he had always been gloomy and cold. But with the Crown Princess beside him now, smiles never left his face. They hoped this side of him lasted forever.
'Please stay with His Highness eternally.'
"I'm full now. Can't eat more."
At her words, he ordered the table cleared and took her to the second-floor bedroom, where they talked at length before holding hands and drifting to sleep.
True relaxation began the next day. Until now, they'd toured sights, but this time the goal was pure rest, so they lay in the shaded spot attendants had prepared, gazing at the jewel-like sparkling sea.
Cannivela rested her head on Lainen's arm, reading a book—not her usual study materials, but a novel purely for killing time. She wasn't usually into them, but curiosity struck since the former Empress had loved them.
"There are so many fateful encounters in books."
She murmured while opening the most worn one. Then, soft breathing came from beside her. He was asleep.
'No wonder he's tired.'
Before, he'd handled studies alongside the Emperor's duties, plus overseeing the banquet and teaching her to dance. It'd be weirder if he weren't exhausted.
She chuckled softly, closed the book, and gazed at his profile: neat black hair, sharp jawline, pale face, lips inviting kisses. She giggled.
Asleep, he looked like a baby. His eyes drooped unlike when awake. She'd always fallen asleep first and woken last, missing this sight. It felt fresh.
"So you've only seen me sleeping. Sorry about that."
Grinning awkwardly, she snuggled closer, embracing him. Listening to his heartbeat for a while, she closed her eyes. The cool breeze and warm sunlight made her want to stay like this forever.
"Mmm..."
He stirred awake. Looking into his awakening golden eyes, she asked.
"Sleep well?"
"Yeah..."
Still groggy, he rubbed his eyes. Finding even that adorable, she pecked his lips.
"Get up. I'm bored."
"Sorry."
He looked genuinely apologetic at her pout. But she was fine. She pulled him up, and they walked the beach path together.
Suddenly wanting to show her a beautiful view, he turned toward the hill. From the top, it was stunning: the sea so clear fish swam visibly below, and the quaint nearby village.
They sat on rocks, chatting while admiring the scenery, focusing on each other's voices.
"I want to walk the market."
So they strolled the bustling streets, listening to bards' music, sampling street food, hearing merchants' calls, and sitting by the plaza fountain watching lively crowds.
"They look happy."
"Those are our people."
"Yeah, it's great. I want to make this empire prosperous."
"Your wish will come true."
He hoped this vibrancy endured, the villagers always happy. Cannivela felt the same. She was certain then.
A man with such a kind heart deserved everything she had to give.
At evening, they returned to the villa. Like the night before, they fed each other before heading to their room. Clutching nightclothes, she approached him.
"Lainen."
"What is it?"
Her tense expression sobered him. She spoke.
"It's embarrassing, but if not now, I might never say it..."
"Yeah?"
"I want to build a family with you."
"...What?"
"One son like you, one daughter like me—I want kids."
"..."
They'd tacitly agreed no children yet; they'd share a bed but just sleep. But she knew how much he adored her. And how he suffered nightly.
One dawn when she'd woken early, she'd seen him fiercely swinging his sword. At first, insomnia? But hearing he, who never napped or dozed, now napped often worried her—she realized.
He desired her desperately. And tormenting his body at dawn was to protect her.
She'd ignored it at first, but no longer. She dreamed of a future with him, wanted happiness.
"I want to be happy. To give you what you want. That's why I decided."
"..."
Was this a dream? He'd thought to act when conditions were perfect(?). But now seemed perfect(?). If not when they both yearned so, when?
"Shall we start with bathing together?"
Scooping her up, he carried her to the bathroom. The tub brimmed with petals. Sitting there, they ravished each other's breaths. More focused on exploring than washing, water splashed out.
He gripped her waist tightly; she clung to his neck. The vast bathroom echoed only with their heated passion.
"Wait a bit..."
"Just a little more..."
She loved their time but wanted to wash, so she pried his lips away.
"We can do more in bed. Why exhaust yourself already?"
He eagerly washed her hair. Wet strands swayed, exposing her pale nape. He yearned to kiss it deeply but held back, eager for bed.
"There, all done."
After washing each other, they hurried out. Her words ignited him; he carried her to bed, laying her down.
"Ah!"
Her damp hair wet the sheets. He touched it—the chill thrilling along his fingers. He kissed the strands briefly. She found his intensity intoxicating.
"How did you hold back this long?"
"By dreaming desperately of this day."
"You're so cute."
She yanked his neck roughly. He buried lips in the nape he'd craved. It tickled unbearably. She burrowed into him deeply.
They became one. Sheets rustled. The bed creaked wildly with their movements.
The rhythm peaked. They delved into each other's deepest secrets. Dizziness, thrill, ecstasy enveloped them. Past intimacies were child's play.
She lost her senses. Like candy bursting in her mouth, stars exploded within. This moment was perfection; she wished it eternal.
Seeing his ecstatic face below, she kissed him lingeringly.
Sweat soiled sheets; the room filled with their loving cries. Explosive yet beautiful, their forms reflected in eyes. Watching him united with her, she thought.
How had he endured this long?
His whole body expressed love so profoundly, the thought arose naturally. Happiness made her feel like walking on clouds.
On a night with a beautiful full moon, the loving pair truly united.
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