“Bina?”

When he entered her bedroom, Bina was sleeping soundly. She looked like a snail, hugging a pillow and hiding underneath a mountain of blanket.

She continued to sleep, not hearing him calling her name.

Immediately after their trip, she had a lot of work waiting for her. On top of that, she was also busy with the preparation for the upcoming coronation. She must have been very tired.

Lucretius placed the box he’s carrying down on the bed and looked down at her quietly. Her pink cheeks looked so adorable that he couldn’t help but put his lips on them. The sugary smooth skin felt heavenly, but she felt a little warmer than usual.

“Hmm?”

Was she getting sick?

When he was about to get worried, Bina’s eyes opened. Her beautiful black eyes looked sleepy, but when she spotted him, she smiled. She looked so delightful that Lucretius again couldn’t stop himself from kissing her forehead.

She was his forever. She stayed in this world. She remained in his arms, and he loved her for it.

“Luc?”

“Yes.”

She seemed tired, but he wanted her attention. The gift he had been planning to give her for a very long time had finally arrived.

The frame had been prepared in advance. When the stone arrived today, Lucretius ran to the royal workshop in the castle. The blue tear of the goddess was placed onto the crown carefully.

When Bina sat up against the headboard, Lucretius handed her the box.

Bina asked, “What is this?”

Lucretius gestured for her to open without a word. It was a big box, and when she opened it, she became speechless.

“T, this is…”

Bina’s eyes wavered. In front of her was a blindingly beautiful royal crown.

A crown for an empress.

She had seen it before already. She carried it herself during Lucretius’ coronation in place of the empress. However, it looked different now, and she realized that it was because of the new stone.

Bina murmured, “The blue tear of the goddess…”

She had never seen it in person, but there could be no other diamond that looked so stunning as the blue tear.

Bina looked overwhelmed. “How did you…?”

Lucretius shrugged his shoulders. “It took a bit of an effort, but don’t worry. I didn’t have to go to war for it. As you know, we don’t have the time for war anyway.”

“I… guess, but… how…” Bina’s dazed eyes sparkled as her voice trembled.

Lucretius explained nonchalantly, “It is more like a gift to us from Genoa for not going to war with them. Besides… Good news will be announced very soon.”

“Good news?”

“Yes. Remember what you told me? Roselia fell in love with Prince Izid at first sight, and she has been lovesick ever since.”

“Oh!”

“After your coronation, we will officially announce the engagement. Roselia is still too young, so her marriage will have to take place in a few years.”

“And for that… Genoa gave up this jewel?”

Lucretius nodded. “There has been never a case where a legitimate Cransian princess was married to a Genoan royalty. This will be the first time. Plus, Roselia still is, technically, in line for the throne, which would be a huge bonus for Genoa.”

“…”

Bina blushed for reasons she herself is unaware of.

Lucretius kissed her cheek and said to her, “I think you really do have a fever. You better rest. I wanted to show you my gift, so I woke you up, but that was a mistake. You need to go back to sleep.”

Lucretius gently helped Bina into the bed. He treated her as if she was the lightest feather in all of Cransia. Bina looked at him lovingly.

“I… have a gift for you too.”

Lucretius looked curious.

“Hmm?”

Bina pulled his hand towards her and placed it on her lower belly.

“Here.”

“Huh?”

Bina burst into laughter at Lucretius’ confused expression. He looked genuinely baffled. He was adorable.

Bina hugged him tightly and laughed. “Or is it more like a gift for me from you?”

“… huh?”

He finally looked stunned, which was very unusual for him.

Bina whispered to him again, “Thank you, and I love you.”

Bina accepted and understood now that this was her world.

She would live out her life with him.

In his world.

Now, it was hers as well.

***

“Waaaaa!”

“His highness! Her highness!”

“Long live the emperor and the empress!”

People roared excitedly all around us. I was wearing the purest and the most beautiful white dress as I stood in front of the crowd. The man escorting me, the young handsome emperor, looked at me with a joyful smile. He looked like he had the world in his hands.

It was because he had me. No one could deny the love in his eyes as he looked at me.

Incredible happiness filled my heart.

We rode a specially made white carriage all around the city. Everywhere we went, people congratulated us loudly.

For this day, all of the stores in the city were closed. Instead, the owners gave out food and drinks for free. The emperor promised he would pay for everything after the event.

Men drank heavily and exclaimed that it was all thanks to the generous new empress. I felt embarrassed, but still very happy.

Young girls ran around with baskets filled with white flower petals and threw them everywhere like confetti.

It was such a happy day. I saw joy and bliss everywhere.

Finally, we arrived at the city center where a stage and the thrones were prepared. For today, Katleyanira’s and other traitors’ heads were removed for obvious reasons.

I saw two regal thrones.

One for the emperor and one for the empress.

The stage was quite high. Lucretius and I walked up to the stairs together slowly but steadily. He leaned on me, and I on him.

An archbishop sent personally by the Priestess was waiting for us at the top with my crown on a silver tray. Lucretius picked up the crown with the dazzling blue diamond. I was about to kneel to receive the crown from the emperor to abide Cransian tradition. However, when I was about to do it, Lucretius stopped me.

“No.”

“Hmm?”

When I looked up at him in confusion, Lucretius smiled at me gently.

“You are now my wife, so you never need to bow down to anyone. Not even to me.”

Lucretius ordered me to stand, and he placed the crown on my head.

The crown with the priceless blue jewel.

The crown for the empress.

The crown created just for me.

The people applauded and roared, “Waaaa!”

“Congratulations!”

“Your highness the emperor!”

“Your highness the empress!”

Slowly, people started to kneel as a show of respect. It was quite a spectacular view as so many people kneeled like an ocean wave.

They congratulated us with genuine happiness.

“Long live the emperor and the empress!”

Lucretius whispered to me secretly, “I will love only you, and I will be your world. Will you do the same for me?”

This was our wedding day. I couldn’t help my eyes from tearing up, but I said with absolute certainty.

“Yes. I will love only you and live in your world.”

I meant what I said.

I chose his world.

This was my world now.

I made the choice by myself.

There was one thing constantly bothering me ever since I arrived here.

‘Why?’

Why did it have to be me who fell into this world?

Was there a meaningful reason behind it?

If I couldn’t get back to my own world and if I died here, was there a point in my life in my previous life?

I was fearful and desperate.

However, now, at this moment, I finally figured out the answer.

There was no meaning or reason behind why I got here.

I realized no one was born with a clear purpose. Instead, people made their lives meaningful by themselves and chose their own purposes.

Everyone suffered from unknowns and uncertainties of life. It didn’t matter where one lived; it was just a part of life.

Thus, I now believed that there was no deep meaning behind why I fell into this world. If I wanted one, then all I had to do was to make it myself.

I would choose, live, and be happy in this world. This would be my way of creating a purpose for myself and leave proof of my existence.

I felt certain as I smiled. Lucretius looked at me and smiled as well.

I, no—we were certain that our oaths would come true.

Our future would be what we make of it, and everything we promised will be kept.

-end.