A Happy Life in the Empire - The Princess Once Called a “Failure” Becomes the “Most Important Person” as a Hostage in the Empire - Chapter 25
Time passed since then—
Our journey ended safely, and I returned to Rockwell for a while.
There, I reunited with the townspeople after a long time. However, I couldn’t stay for long.
It had already been decided that I would move to the imperial palace in the capital.
Because I was going to marry Alto.
The townspeople knew about my engagement even before I told them.
After all, if the Crown Prince was getting engaged, even a rural town would hear about it.
“You’ll always be Rockwell’s Sophia, no matter who you marry, even if it’s Prince Alto!”
Many of them said that to me.
Their words made me so happy that I couldn’t help but cry.
◇
The goal of our journey was to reduce the damage caused by monsters.
Through a ritual, I rooted my magical power into the lands we visited.
The effect was tremendous.
In every town we visited, monster attacks decreased significantly.
Of course, they didn’t disappear entirely.
Just like in Rockwell, where I once lived, monsters would occasionally appear near towns.
But it was no longer a problem.
Now, even in rural towns, adventurers resided and hunted monsters across the country.
Thanks to dispersal-focused rituals like the one in Grandfell, adventurers were more widely spread.
As a result, the empire’s security improved rapidly.
The funds that had been spent on monster subjugation were now freed up, allowing the empire’s finances to stabilize.
Taxes were reduced, and the empire prospered more than ever before.
◇
Shortly after our journey ended, Alto ascended the throne.
This had nothing to do with our engagement—it had been decided long ago.
Once he became emperor, Alto was no longer as free as before.
He had to sit on the throne and give orders.
The seat beside him was still empty.
Since our wedding had not yet taken place, I wasn’t allowed to sit there.
Even before the wedding, however, we lived together.
In the imperial palace, far more luxurious than any royal castle, we spent our days happily together.
We deliberately didn’t hire servants and handled the housework ourselves.
Even though the surroundings were glamorous, our life remained the same as in Rockwell.
The only difference was that Alto was always by my side.
By the way, my house in Rockwell was still registered under my name.
To keep it from gathering dust, I asked the town mayor to have it cleaned regularly.
It was the place where everything began for me, and I didn’t want to lose it.
◇
A few months after Alto ascended the throne—
The time for our wedding had finally come.
The ceremony was held in the ceremonial hall within the imperial palace.
It was the same sacred place used for Alto’s coronation.
“Oh no, I’m getting so nervous! What do I do? What do I do?”
I was in the waiting room.
Dressed in a dazzlingly elegant wedding dress, I paced around restlessly.
I wasn’t feeling cold feet.
I was simply overwhelmed with nerves as the ceremony approached.
Soon, I would officially become empress.
I would be the only person allowed to sit beside the emperor on the throne.
Thinking about that, it was impossible not to feel nervous.
(Life is so unpredictable…)
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and thought to myself.
Back in the kingdom, I had no one to rely on.
My parents and siblings called me a “failure,” and even other nobles shunned me.
Not a single arranged marriage proposal came my way, even though it was common practice in the kingdom.
Just associating with me was considered a disgrace.
But everything changed when I came to the empire.
My magic was needed, and it contributed to the empire’s peace.
Rockwell, Levan, Harmene Village, Grandfell, Tiorna, and Mascharea—
Every place Alto and I visited was etched in my heart.
When I close my eyes, I can still recall our journey clearly.
And whenever I remember it, Alto is always there beside me.
Laughing, celebrating, dozing off together in the carriage.
“Sophia.”
A knock came at the door, and it opened at the same time.
The man who entered was my escort—Gerald.
Instead of his usual knightly armor, he was dressed in formal attire suitable for the occasion.
Usually, an escort would be a family member or a close friend of the same gender.
But I had neither.
Alto had asked if I wanted to invite someone from the royal family.
He reasoned that they feared him too much to interfere.
But I refused.
I didn’t need people who called me a “failure” at the most important moment of my life.
Even if we were related by bl00d, I had already cut ties with them—that was how I felt about the royal family.
Because of this, Gerald was chosen as my escort.
“What? Me?! No way, that’s definitely not a good idea…!”
That was Gerald’s reaction when I asked him.
Of all the moments I had seen him on our journey, he looked the most troubled then.
“Wouldn’t the duke be a better choice?”
Gerald’s point was valid.
I was acquainted with Duke Edward, and he would have gladly helped if I had asked.
But still, I wanted Gerald to be my escort.
I wanted someone I could trust.
And aside from Alto, the person I trusted most was Gerald.
“Are you ready?”
Gerald asked.
“Y-Yes! Gerald-san!”
“Please drop the honorifics in public. You will be the Empress, Lady Sophia. Also, you should give commands more authoritatively.”
“Even if you say that, it’s impossible! To me, Gerald-san is Gerald-san. I can’t just call you without honorifics!”
“Good grief.”
Gerald sighed and said,
“Well then, let’s go.”
“Yes!”
◇
With my attendant, Gerald, I arrived at the ceremony hall.
The chandeliers hanging from the ceiling sparkled brilliantly.
The luxurious decorations on the walls and pillars were among the finest in the empire.
The attendees were watching me.
Beyond them, in front of the altar, stood Alto.
His silver hair was neatly arranged, and his pure white ceremonial attire suited him perfectly.
Anyone who saw him would recognize him as a dignified emperor.
Our eyes met, and Alto gave me a small smile.
That smile calmed my heart.
As I lightly touched the pearl necklace shining on my chest, I stepped toward him.
“Sophia, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Alto …!”
We stood side by side in front of the “Book of Oaths” displayed at the center of the altar.
Before us was the priest officiating the ceremony.
“Here stand His Majesty, Emperor Alto, and Lady Sophia, prepared to bind their fates in the presence of the sacred gods. May this union bring blessings not only to the Elysion Empire but to all people of the continent. We pray for their happiness.”
The priest’s voice echoed through the hall.
With a calm voice, he recited the prayers and guided us through the empire’s traditional wedding rites.
“Now, please sign your names here.”
Handed a white quill pen by the priest, we wrote each other’s names in the ceremonial book.
“Your Majesty, Emperor Alto. Do you vow to take Lady Sophia as your lifelong partner, to respect and cherish each other, to share both sorrow and joy, and to walk together for the future of this nation and its people?”
With a serious expression, Alto nodded.
“I vow.”
His words were firm.
That single statement carried unwavering determination.
“Lady Sophia. Do you vow to take His Majesty, Emperor Alto, as your lifelong partner, to respect and cherish each other, to share both sorrow and joy, and to walk together for the future of this nation and its people?”
“I vow.”
There was no hesitation in my answer.
Satisfied, the priest nodded and continued.
“Now, proceed with the exchange of rings. Your Majesty, please present the token of your love to the bride.”
Alto took out the wedding ring.
It was a masterpiece crafted by the empire’s finest artisan, glowing with golden radiance.
I held out my left hand, and Alto gently slid the ring onto my finger.
The way it fit snugly on my ring finger felt like a symbol of our bond.
“Now, it is your turn, Lady Sophia.”
Following the priest’s words, I took Alto’s left hand and slid the ring onto his finger.
My fingertips trembled from nervousness, and my heartbeat pounded like a loud echo in my ears.
Still, I managed to put the ring on without any mistakes.
“Now, the vow’s kiss.”
Alto and I faced each other.
“Sophia, I love you.”
“I love you too, Alto.”
Just like our first kiss, Alto gently pressed his lips against mine.
“Congratulations. From this moment forward, you are now husband and wife. May your hearts remain forever bound, blessed by the great gods and the people of the empire.”
As the priest made the declaration, applause erupted from the gathered guests.
Among them, I recognized the mayor of Rockwell, Gerald, Duke Edward, and other familiar faces.
Music of celebration began to play, and magical flower petals fluttered through the air from nowhere.
The hall was filled with a bright and joyous atmosphere.
“Thank you, Sophia. And I’m sorry for making you wait. Now, you are officially the Empress. From now on, you will always be by my side.”
“Yes! I will never leave you again!”
Our happy life in the empire would continue.
Forever and always…
(The End)