Empress Beatrice chose to die as the Emperor's mother rather than be deposed in disgrace. However, no one considered her death to be honorable.
"Long live the new Empress! Long live!"
The hero who emerged to save the empire on the brink of collapse was Asha. Despite being accused of assassinating the former emperor and wielding dark magic to seize power, Asha actually eliminated those who threatened the empire from within.
She immediately ascended to the throne and quickly calmed the chaotic political situation of the empire.
And as soon as the situation improved, the nobles began to clamor for Asha to choose a 'proper' husband.
Of course, this was nonsense to Asha.
"I don't know what you're all talking about. I already have a husband."
"But Count Pervaz is, well…"
"Yes, that's right. It was a contractual relationship in the first place…"
However, the nobles who had spoken out were forced to shut their mouths at Asha's cold gaze.
"Do you all find marriage vows ridiculous? 'I make this sacred vow before God, the priest, the imperial family, and the people.' I distinctly said that."
Everyone trembled as the sound of a seal being stamped on another document rang out.
"I have no intention of breaking that vow, so please all focus on more productive things."
However, those who coveted the position of national father-in-law, which could be a tremendous source of power, began to pressure Carlyle.
"Pervaz should also try to recover its health. It would be difficult for him to do so without the position of lord being vacant…"
"That's right. Count Pervaz, Her Majesty said you can leave whenever you want, didn't he?"
Everyone pretended to be concerned about Pervaz, but their true intentions were to tell him to 'get out quickly'.
At first, Carlyle had made up his mind to confess his feelings honestly once Asha won, but as he faced the gazes that looked at him unfavorably several times a day, and saw the sons of great families visiting the palace to try to win Asha's favor, his confidence gradually dwindled.
'Her Majesty doesn't seem to be looking for me either…'
In fact, that was the biggest problem.
No matter what anyone said, if Asha had given him some reassurance, he wouldn't have been so insecure.
However, since reclaiming the palace and ascending to the throne, Asha had been difficult to see, except for occasional meals.
Of course, he knew that she was busy beyond measure, but if she loved him, wouldn't she have called him even if she had to squeeze out some time?
'Is this the end of my role?'
He was in a situation where he had nothing more to do and was being left unattended all day long. He even thought that Asha might be waiting for him to take the initiative and say he wanted to leave.
In the end, he prepared himself mentally and prepared the 'divorce papers'.
'If I take this to Her Majesty and she signs it right away…'
Then their relationship would be over.
The thought of it made him shiver with fear, but it was a problem that he couldn't keep putting off.
Asha was relieved to hear that he was requesting an audience.
"It's been a while. It must be hard for a married couple to see each other's faces like this."
Carlyle's stomach churned as he saw Asha smile apologetically. Why was the person who hadn't even called him all this time talking so affectionately? Was it for a clean breakup?
Carlyle took a sip of the tea Asha offered him and calmed himself down.
"I'm sure you're busy, so I'll just tell you what I need and go."
"What are you talking about? It's been a while, so take it easy and go on with it. I'll use it as excuse to rest too."
Asha smiled brightly, but her face was tired. In fact, it was amazing that she had been able to hold out so far, given her schedule. It was unclear whether it was thanks to the blessing of Aguiles or the effect of divine power, but an ordinary person would have collapsed several times by now.
'She doesn't know how to take it easy, so she must have been running at full speed all this time. Maybe the best way for Her Majesty is for me to step down quickly.'
His thoughts gradually became more negative.
He took another sip of the remaining tea and handed over the documents he had brought.
"This… Your Majesty seems to be busy, so I prepared it."
"What is this?"
"It's the divorce papers. I've already signed it, so all you have to do is sign it, stamp it, and have the temple confirm it."
At those words, the expression on Asha's face disappeared.
Carlyle felt awkward and anxious, so he repeated the same words.
"All you have to do is sign and stamp it. I'll have Lionel or someone else from the temple take care of the confirmation."
However, Asha didn't seem to be listening. She stared straight at Carlyle and dropped the divorce papers on the table.
"Who do you think you are?"
"Yes…?"
Asha, who looked strangely angry, raised one corner of her mouth.
"I've been working so hard that I haven't been able to sleep, trying to get you the title of Grand Duke, and you're just thinking about running away?"
Carlyle blinked twice, not understanding what she was saying at all.
'Grand Duke? Why… give me the title of Grand Duke…?'
But Asha seemed even more angry at that.
"Ha! They say you can't trust a man's heart, and you're one of them? You were so affectionate when you were getting along with me, but now that you've seen everything, you're saying you're bored?"
"Yes? Your Majesty, no, Your Majesty, I'm fine now…"
Carlyle could only keep repeating 'Yes?'. He didn't understand the situation or Asha's anger at all. No, he thought he might understand a little bit, but he was just confused because Asha was pushing him so hard.
However, Asha continued with a murderous look in her eyes.
"But what to do?"
"Yes?"
"I'm not going to give you a divorce."
"Yes?"
"You can call me a tyrant, but you will live by my side as Grand Duke Carlyle Evaristo and be buried next to me. That doesn't change."
After finishing her words, Asha's face returned to its usual indifferent expression, but the veins protruding on the back of her hand that crumpled the divorce papers still meant that she was angry.
Carlyle looked down at her hand for a long time and then exhaled slowly.
"So."
Sigh.
"Your Majesty."
Sigh.
"Do you love me?"
Is it a leap of faith? Can't staying in the position of the Empress' husband mean that you love me?
Just as his lips were about to dry again at the thought, Asha spoke with a blunt expression without answering.
"Do you really have to say it like that to understand? They say all the people of Pervaz are blunt, but how come the Count is so awkward?"
At that moment, Carlyle fell into the illusion that the world, which had been colorless until now, was regaining its color.
He began to hear the chirping of birds outside the window and feel the warmth from the fireplace.
"Ha...!"
"Carlyle?"
As Carlyle crouched down with a sigh of relief, Asha, on the other hand, looked at him as if she was pricked.
"Yes, come to think of it, you must have had other plans for the future. I'm sorry. But... no, in fact, I thought you were thinking the same thing as me.... If not...."
Asha, who looked confused, was lovely. No, she was always a lovely person, but now she was so lovely that he couldn't control his emotions.
The person who had filled her shortcomings one by one since they first met.
A person who was so kind and strong that it was hard to believe she came from that emperor.
A person who tried to go on the straight and narrow path, even if it meant breaking.
Although there were times when he and Giles had twisted her path a little bit for fear that she would get hurt, he had always respected her own thoughts.
And the decision she made at this moment was the most admirable of all.
"Asha."
Carlyle jumped up from his seat and hugged Asha tightly.
"Just a little... Just give me a little more confidence."
Asha looked up at him, her eyes filled with doubt and anticipation.
"What do you want?"
"First...let's start with our lips."
At those words, Asha let out a light chuckle and slowly covered her lips with his.
The first to lose his patience was Carlyle, his hot breath brushing against her lips so slowly it was almost maddening, yet so intensely.
He roughly pushed Asha against the wall and invaded her mouth.
A small moan escaped along with the sound of their lips exploring each other.
"Haah, haah.... What next…?"
Asha asked, and Carlyle smiled a charmingly suggestive smile before moving his kisses down to her neck.
"What do you think?"
"Well...."
"Since you seem to not know, I'll have to show you."
Carlyle quickly picked Asha up and laid her down on the nearby bed. Her hair spilled over the white sheets.
She looked up at him with slightly dazed eyes, yet still asked as if she needed to know for sure.
"But I haven't heard your heart yet."
At that, Carlyle burst out laughing. It was the most radiant smile anyone had ever seen.
"I love you! So much that life would be meaningless without you."
* * *
The coronation ceremony of the new emperor of the Chad Empire, Asha Evaristo, was held in early summer, when everything was bursting with the energy of life.
"I, Asha Kendrick Evelina Bondel Evaristo, accept the responsibility of the emperor according to the will of God and all people, and I will lay the foundation for the glory of the empire to last for ten thousand years."
Her voice echoed through the vast Soleil Hall.
It was a voice as solemn and serious as any emperor's, yet full of determination.
And then she met Carlyle, who was walking towards her.
Receiving the seal of the state from her, Carlyle turned and declared.
"I, Carlyle Amir Melissa Bondel Evaristo, accept the responsibility of the state according to the will of God, Her Majesty the Empress, and all people, and I will become the voice of the lowly and bring about the balance and harmony of Libato on this land."
And Carlyle, who had ascended the same high platform as Asha, looked straight at her and whispered.
"One more thing. I will protect you from those greedy pigs. So, hold the leash of this mad dog tightly, Your Majesty."
"...That's reassuring."
Their faces were filled with happiness.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Praying that the age of arrogance would come to an end and an age of love, understanding, and tolerance would begin, the two clasped hands tightly.
The cheers from Soleil Hall echoed endlessly.
* * *
(Another Universe Side Stories Finale)