"On behalf of the Lionheart Imperial Clan and the parliament, it's my pleasant duty to bid you all a genial welcome.
We are all gathered here for the opening of the new Lionheart Cancer Center. This would not have been possible without my husband's and the parliament's support; as well as your cooperation and help.
There are more than a hundred types of cancer and according to the World Health Organization, it is the second leading cause of death globally, and is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Globally, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer.
Giving free access to effective treatment here in our country has been one of my key priorities since I was crowned as the empress exactly a year ago. Lionheart Cancer Center, together with the World Health Organization, is firmly committed in doing its part to help our nation and I hope you'll do your part as well. Thank you so much and God bless everyone."
The crowd clapped as Celestine walked down the podium. A triumphant smile was plastered on her beautiful face. Half a dozen guards followed her as she made her way to the guests.
Kyrios was unable to attend the said event since an important meeting with the Parliament was already planned out beforehand.
It has been a year already since their marriage. However, they were so busy with their work that they barely saw each other. For nearly a year, Celestine was busy visiting different countries while her husband, Emperor Kyrios, was busy with the county's affairs.
After greeting the guest, Celestine immediately went back to the Lionheart Palace. Upon her arrival, dozens of palace servants went out to greet her. Her mother-in-law, the empress dowager, is waiting for her as well with a beaming smile on her face. A black veil covered the empress dowager's head indicating her status as a widow.
Unfortunately, the former emperor already passed away. He had fought against Leukemia for years. He was even forced to abdicate the throne and passed it on to his son and heir, the current emperor, due to his weakened state. Despite the various treatment, his body gradually deteriorated and he passed away three months after the wedding.
Celestine smiled genuinely before engulfing the empress dowager in a tight warm hug. "Mother, it has been a while. I miss you so much. I hope you're in good health."
"Ahh~ I miss you too, my daughter. This old woman is all right, thanks to your constant reminder. Come! I've prepared dinner for both of us. Sadly, my son's still in a meeting right now so he can't join us."
Celestine forced a smile whilst nodding in understanding.
Today is actually their first wedding anniversary, however, they can't hold a party because of certain reasons. They haven't even talked to each other for a long time. Celestine let out a sigh of exasperation as she followed her enthusiastic mother-in-law.
It's a quarter past ten p.m. when Celestine heard the door on the music room, which is right outside their adjoining room, opened. Kyrios is back, she thought as she sat up in the canopy bed. A few minutes later, she heard him play the piano softly.
One of the things Celestine had learned since their marriage is that Kyrios loves to play the piano. Whenever he was sad he would play pieces such as Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi; Nocturne No. 20 by Chopin; or Adagio in D minor. When he's happy, she could hear him play pieces like Alla Turca Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331 by Mozart and when he's angry he'd play the G minor Bach or Fantaisie- Impromptu, op. 66 in C minor by Chopin, among many others.
Right now, Kyrios is playing Sonata No.9 by Scriabin (Op.68). It was such a sad piano piece that made Celestine's heart constrict painfully. She slowly stood up, made her way towards the door, and opened it. Sighing heavily, she walked towards the music room and carefully opened its door.
Kyrios is still playing the piano which is placed near the large bay window. He did not notice his wife at all. Celestine sighed once again before making her way to the leather couch a few meters away from where Kyrios is. She sat and leaned on the couch whilst closing her eyes as she drowned herself in the music.