Always with All My Heart (3)
Always with All My Heart (3)
The Imperial carriage picked us up at the bottom of the hill and began running along the paved road again.
And as the sun was gradually setting, we arrived at the entrance to the Solti Territory, a resort known as the holy land for lovers.
The very first thing that caught our eyes upon entering the territory were the faint pink lights filling the streets and the sweet floral scent floating in the air.
Just as expected from a place where couples from all over the continent gather to affirm their love,
the faces of the people passing by were full of excitement and happiness.
However, between the two of us who had gotten off the carriage, a strange awkwardness from the earlier commotion still lingered.
Belletria maintained her usual indifferent expression in silence,
and I, gauging her mood, cautiously took on the role of guide.
"Ahem, ahem. Your Majesty, over there... this way, please."
In my heart, I wanted to walk holding her soft, warm hand like before....
But since the atmosphere didn't seem right for that, I started walking about half a step ahead of Belletria.
Honestly, other reasons played a big part too, but the biggest reason was,
I didn't quite have the confidence to look her directly in the eyes right at that moment.
'After something like that happened, I can't just act shamelessly.'
If anything could be called fortunate, it was that Belletria followed behind me without complaint at my guidance.
Walking through the streets, even the items sold at stalls were all uniformly heart-shaped.
I paused for a moment and stopped in front of a bakery where steam was rising puff-puff.
"This is the local specialty, heart-shaped red bean bread. It's famous for being very tasty... would you like to try one?"
Belletria quietly looked at the heart-shaped bread for a moment, then gave a very slight nod.
I quickly bought two pieces of bread and held one out to her.
The freshly baked bread was warm, and with one bite, the sweet red bean paste filled my mouth.
"...... It's sweet."
Belletria muttered softly as she took a bite.
Seeing a very faint smile spread at the corner of her mouth, one you wouldn't notice unless you looked very carefully, I sighed with relief inside.
Half out of a feeling of apology, and half hoping she would somehow understand my sincerity, I continued introducing various places in Solty.
We walked along a promenade lined with trees trimmed into heart shapes, and at a chicken skewer stall we happened upon, we bought heart-shaped skewers and shared them.
Belletria silently followed wherever I led, yet
occasionally she would gaze intently at flowers blooming by the roadside or listen carefully to the music played by street musicians, showing
a somewhat leisurely side not usually seen at the Imperial Palace.
That sight felt somewhat unfamiliar, yet on the other hand, it made a spot in my chest feel ticklish.
Well, even amidst that, it might seem really trashy but... 'Ersil would really like a place like this too.'
I couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.
Of course, even though this world legally permits polyandry or polygamy,
for a man or woman without ability to harbor more than one partner beyond their station was an act of overstepping.
Anyway, walking while having such miscellaneous thoughts, before I knew it the red sunset had disappeared beyond the horizon, and Solty's streets were dyed with an even more brilliant nightscape.
I checked my watch and turned towards Belletria.
"Your Majesty, it's time to go for dinner now. I have a place I reserved in advance."
"... Right, it is about time to wrap up the day."
The place I guided Belletria to was a restaurant in Solty famous for having the best view and being the most expensive.
It was La Luna Etoile.
The entire building was made using transparent magic glass, a place that made you feel as if you were dining in the middle of the night sky.
We were guided to the restaurant's top floor, to a private room prepared exclusively for one party.
Upon entering the room, Solty's beautiful nightscape spread out below our feet at a glance, and above the ceiling, countless stars sparkled as if within reach.
Under the brilliant chandelier light, we sat side by side with a table set with elegant tableware between us.
A short while later, waiters served the main course, a top-grade tenderloin steak, with a respectful attitude.
Belletria, with an elegant gesture, picked up her knife and smoothly sliced the steak.
After putting a piece of the meat, oozing crimson juice, into her mouth and savoring it slowly, she soon set down her knife, propped her chin, and stared straight at me.
Only faint classical music flowed in the quiet room, and her ruby-like red pupils shone even more mysteriously under the chandelier light.
"Idelon."
"...... Yes, Your Majesty."
Belletria's voice breaking the silence.
It was low and calm, but somehow it felt a little softer than usual—must be my imagination?
"To try and end the day so early, in such a splendid and beautiful place like this......."
Belletria paused for a moment, shifting her gaze alternately between the nightscape outside the window and me.
"I suddenly find myself wondering just what you are thinking."
"... I wasn't thinking anything complicated."
Since I decided not to lie.
I'll convey as honestly as possible all the thoughts I had when first planning this date course.
"I just wanted you to feel that romance, and exchanging emotions with each other, are familiar acts not so different from usual, so I decided to end the day with the fanciest restaurant."
"...... I still don't quite understand, what on earth you mean."
"You can think of it simply. On days Your Majesty was angry, on days you were happy, and even on that day long ago when you were sad over your parents' enemy, didn't you always, without fail, have the most noble meal on the continent for dinner and end your day?"
"Ah...."
As if only then fully grasping the meaning of what I wanted to say.
Belletria stared at me blankly for a moment with her red eyes that shone even more beautifully.
I too, without averting my gaze, stared into her pupils as intensely as I could.
How much time passed like that, enough that from afar one might misunderstand we were having a staring contest.
After a while, keeping her lips tightly pressed and only looking into my eyes, Belletria was the first to speak.
"...... Certainly, your words are correct. I have always ended my days in that way and gained the strength to endure the next day."
At the same time, the magic glass dome covering the top-floor ceiling split open left and right, revealing a pristine night sky without a speck of dust,
and soon, with sounds like bombs exploding, an enormous amount of fireworks began to burst in Solty's night sky.
Boom— kaboom!
Colorful fireworks embroidering the dark night sky poured down beyond the glass dome.
I blankly raised my head and stared absentmindedly at that beautiful spectacle.
It felt as if the guilt that had been strangling my neck all day and the precarious relationship that wouldn't have been strange to shatter at any moment were scattering into pieces along with the fireworks.
And it seemed the woman before me felt the same.
After silently capturing the fireworks in the night sky in her eyes for a while, Belletria slowly lowered her gaze and met my eyes.
The afterimage of the brilliant fireworks flickered over her red pupils, but her gaze alone was straight and unwavering.
"...... The engagement ceremony will be held two weeks later, after the loyal heads of the Archecium noble families have completed their respective missions and returned."
A completely unexpected statement.
Slightly surprised, my eyes widened involuntarily, but after that reaction, I silently waited for her next words.
"After that... I plan to hold it after placing all the remaining allied kingdoms and lords under the Empire's feet and achieving the long-cherished wish of continental unification. Do you have any objections?"
To that question, I shook my head without hesitation.
"None whatsoever."
I pushed my chair back and slowly rose from my seat.
Walking around the table to her side, I then very carefully took her white hand.
I could feel her fingertips flinch slightly, but I didn't stop, bowing to press my lips to the back of that hand.
"I love you sincerely."
It was my complete sincerity, not a struggle to survive nor a clown's act.
"At the engagement ceremony in two weeks, in the fierce wars to come, and at our wedding that will someday arrive... I promise you genuine love."
My raised gaze and her gaze tangled in the air.
Belletria slowly withdrew the hand I had been holding, then gently stroked the back of the hand I had kissed with her other fingers.
A strange ripple appeared on her always frozen-solid expression.
As if deeply contemplating something, she briefly lowered her gaze, then stared straight at me again.
"I truly wonder if on that someday wedding day... you will love me more than the Princess of Ignesia and hold your wedding with me first."
"... Yes?"
My thoughts came to an instant halt.
Wondering if I heard correctly, I blinked my eyes twice.
A sound like air escaping leaked from between the lips of the Empress, the Tyrant of the world.
It wasn't a sneer, nor was it a scoff.
Though just for an instant, it was unmistakably the clear laughter of an ordinary woman, teasing me and enjoying it.
Belletria, with that laugh as her finale, took the coat from the waiter and moved her steps.
"Let's head back now, the night breeze seems quite chilly."
"Um, Your Majesty......."
She didn't give me a chance to explain, walking with light steps towards the restaurant door.
I stood blankly, watching her retreating back.
Unlike the perilous back that had turned away on the hill just hours ago, having given up on everything.
The image of her back within my sight now seemed not just somewhat happy, but genuinely joyful.
'Ah, really....'
Scratching the back of my head and letting out a short sigh, I gave a hollow laugh.
Like this, no matter what difficult path lay ahead, there was no way I wouldn't chase after that back.
I hurriedly moved my steps, starting to follow behind my Emperor and my only lover, who had opened a completely new door for me.