Richard looked at Ancia, mingled among countless spectators. But no one noticed that Richard was a wanted criminal.

This is because Richard completely hid himself using the power of light. He will be seen in a completely different way in people's eyes.

Of course, he had no mana of light, so he had to use the mana of light from the Kensway family to use magic.

When he fell to the river, Richard regained all the memories of his past life.

‘I’m Phillip.’

He is not a child of a lowly slave.

He was the first emperor to build Asteric Empire and a man who had the power of the goddess.

However, the current situation after he was reborn was devastating.

After Richard's desperate struggle, the empire was in the hands of Rakshul.

The woman he wanted to get even when he became an emperor was next to Rakshul.

Rakshul, or Blake, also took all the power he had gained by betraying the goddess.

‘Laontelle, Ancia…You always leave me behind and choose him.'

Richard turned away after he stared at Blake and Ancia, who was affectionately hugging.

“Would you like to go back?”

“Yes.”

When asked by Connin next to him, Richard answered briefly.

“You should get ready.”

Richard got his hands on the gift.

This was what Phillip had squeezed out with the last remaining power he had in the past and handed it to Logan.

It was supposed to be given to the next emperor. But Phillip’s children were all weak and afraid of him.

Some thought he was a demon who killed their siblings and cursed him. After the founding of the country, they were opposed to the continuous slaughter.

They couldn't follow his will properly even if he gave it to them.

Phillip was forced to leave his wills to Logan, his most loyal servant.

The decision was made hastily, but it turned out well.

A treasure was now in his possession. Richard wanted to retrieve everything had lost.

With this, he could get his hands on everything. The empire he built, the power of light, and Ancia.

***

When I arrived at the palace, a happy face awaited me.

It was Marron, the high priest. He smiled broadly, but he looked very haggard.

He must be very tired because he came back from the west to the capital city without sleeping properly.

“Your Highnesses, long time no see.”

“I haven't seen you in a long time as well.”

I smiled and greeted him.

“You arrived?”

Blake spit it out briefly. He was sometimes surprisingly blunt.

Even though he’s usually a very sweet person.

“When I heard that you were Miss Rose, I wanted to see you right away, so now I'm here.”

“Aren’t you busy?”

He must have been busy trying to take care of the asmodian trial and to uncover the corruption of the Kensway family.“Some of them have been taken care of.”

Last night, the Kensway family ousted Howard from the family and picked a new priest.

“Congratulations on Her Highness’ comeback.”

When Marron congratulated him, a smile was drawn on Blake's face.

“Thank you.”

“It's my second time seeing you smile.”

Blake also smiled when he met Rose. It was the first time Marron saw him smile, he saw Blake smiling for the second time today.

“I guess you're the only one who can make him smile.”

“Ancia is my everything.”

Listening to his calm words, Marron was somewhat surprised.

It's the first time he has seen Blake like this.

“Your Highness, as I've heard, is a wonderful woman.”

It was Marron's responsibility for failing to properly manage the church as a high priest that Howard and other high-ranking priests did this.

He apologized to Ancia, but she didn't blame Maron at all.

Ancia was broad-minded and understanding, so she never blamed others.

However, it is not just that. She’s wise and determined.

“Yes, she’s too good for me.”

“But you must be very worried.”

Ancia tried to handle everything by herself.

She did not reveal her identity when she turned into Rose, and this time, she also made a dangerous bet with the priest to save the crew.

Ancia is the wife of the cursed crown prince, but she has captivated the society and the people of the empire since she was young.

Her wisdom and warm character are loved by everyone.

Marron was also fascinated by her.

This was an excellent quality for the Crown Princess, but from her husband's point of view, he must be worried.

“I'm having a hard time. I just want her to look at me…”

While saying so, Blake's smile did not leave his face.

“But it's okay. I can protect her.”

He thought he heard more from Blake this time than he has in the past seven years.

Marron decided to take some courage.

“Your Highness, when this is over, would you like to have a meal with me as a friend?”

Marron persistently tried to be friends with him, but Blake repeatedly refused. This time, there seemed to be hope.

“No, I'm busy.”

But Blake refused immediately.

“Is it about Richard Cassil?”

“Yes, I’m searching for him.”

Richard's whereabouts are still unknown.

No matter how strong the current of the river is, it was strange that even the body could not be found.

Richard must be alive.

Perhaps he’s hiding in places such as the valley of chaos or the northern snow mountain.But the place was full of magic. There was a limit to search there.

So Blake, who had the power of light, had to go himself.

However, he was delaying it because he couldn't leave her alone when the priest was aiming for her.

“When the Kensway incident is finished, the church will help you search for him.”

“When the Kensway family is finished, the temple will help us search.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“If you really appreciate me, catch Richard and let’s have a meal together.”

“No.”

However, it was a refusal again this time.

“I want to be your friend. Doesn't Your Highness need a friend?”

As soon as his curse was lifted, he had never enjoyed his life properly as he searched for his wife.

He had subordinates, but he would never have thought of them as a friend.

Now that Ancia is back, he thought it was time to enjoy his new life. But Blake seemed different.

“No need. I don't have enough time to be with you.”

Blake wanted to be with Ancia everytime.

He was already busy with politics, so he didn't want to waste time hanging out with other people.

Marron sighed. Although the crown princess was found, the wall surrounding Blake seemed to have become more solid.

“I can't do that. You need a friend, so I'll be your friend…”

“Do you want to die high priest?”

Even before Marron finished speaking, Blake cut him off.

Does Her Highness know that Blake is a man like this?

Marron suddenly became curious.

***

Today was the day of a tea party to celebrate my return at Sephia Palace.

I was planning to hold a simple tea party because I felt burdened to do it at the imperial palace ballroom, but my original purpose was fading at some point.

From the moment they entered the entrance of the Sephia Palace, the ladies were amazed.

Small lights made up of beautiful mana stones were everywhere in the Sephia Palace.

I also saw it for the first time today.

Tenstheon and Blake insisted on having a tea party at night for some reason, so I followed what they wanted without thinking. I didn't know they would decorate the entire Sephia Palace with mana stones.

The simplicity I wanted was gone since the party was entrusted to the two.

It wasn't only that.

It was a chilly late autumn night, but the tea party's garden was filled with heating tools, so I could feel the warm and fresh air at the same time.

On one side of the garden, there was the imperial orchestra (Blake tried to bring in all the famous ocarina performers from all over the continent, but I desperately say no), each dessert was as beautiful as an art, and everything was luxurious, including tables and chairs.

The ladies said various things to me,

“I've never seen such a beautiful tea party before.”

“There's a lot of talk about how much His Majesty and His Highness care about Your Highness.”

“I’m so pleased that Your Highness is back. The moment I heard the news, I cried.”

Countess Chardin's eyes were moist. I held her hand tightly.

“Countess Chardin, don’t cry.”

Countess Chardin was friends with the late empress and took care of Blake. She also taught me how to dance.

She didn't get angry even though I was really bad at it then…she must have been worried a lot because I disappeared.

There were so many people who cared and worried about me.