Oliver’s coronation took place immediately, as the emperor’s seat could not remain empty for long. The ceremony was quickly organized and held within the Empire’s largest cathedral. The High Priest oversaw the proceedings, and all the nobles of the Keith Empire gathered in one place to watch the rare generational event.
Ttubeog ttubeog.
Oliver and Amanda walked side-by-side on the carpeted aisle, making their way towards the emperor’s seat where the High Priest stood. The priest then crowned Oliver and Amanda in turn, in accordance to the customs of the Keith Empire. His voice echoed throughout the grand, high-ceilinged cathedral.
“This marks the ascension of the thirteenth emperor, Emperor Oliver van Dimitri Keith.”
The moment Oliver was declared the emperor, the nobles bowed and shouted in unison,
“Hail to their Majesties the Emperor and Empress! Eternal Glory to the Keith Empire!”
Amanda watched the scene before her, emotions rising up to her throat. In her last life, the throne was occupied by Luke after his rebellion. This time, however, Oliver had proudly recovered it.
She glanced at the man next to her. Her gaze lingered over his rich, dark hair, his sapphire blue eyes, his straight nose, and his tightly pressed lips underneath. Oliver’s stature was above everyone else, as much as his flawless appearance.
And this beautiful predator…
Was Amanda’s.
Oliver turned his head as if he felt her gaze on him. As their eyes met in midair, Oliver’s fierce eyes softened into a smile. Amanda’s heart soared at this very moment. Despite all the pain and hardships she had suffered through, in the end it was worth it to be by Oliver’s side. She kept her gaze fixed on him and mouthed a phrase.
‘I love you.’
At her spontaneous confession, and faint smile broke across Oliver’s lips as if he couldn’t contain it.
“I love you too, my wife.”
***
After the ceremony, a magnificent banquet was held in celebration of the coronation, but Oliver swiftly returned to their bedroom after making the minimum necessary greetings with the guests. Amanda was slightly bewildered as she followed him. The servants nearby respectfully bowed at their approach.
“Hail to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. Eternal glory to the Keith Empire.”
Oliver cut the greeting and spoke in an authoritative tone.
“Don’t let anyone near the bedroom until tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Amanda looked at Oliver curiously.
“Why are you—”
“Do you not know? We don’t want anyone else to see us past this point.”
Oliver stole a glance at Amanda, then he continued in a subdued voice.
“I want you to know that I’m struggling to hold myself back right now.”
“…!”
Amanda blushed hotly at his remark. Now she realized why he was rushing to the bedroom. Oliver burst out laughing when he saw the color of Amanda’s face change dramatically.
“…Sometimes I can read your thoughts on your face so easily that it drives me crazy.”
“Oliver! You!”
Oliver bent slightly at the waist, then immediately lifted her up by her waist and shoulder. She was startled by his sudden behavior.
“W-what if people see—”
“I’m at my limit now. I blame my cute wife.”
Oliver eagerly carried his wife to their bedroom. The moment the door closed, he set her down and immediately pressed his lips against hers. It was a wet kiss, as if he were trying to quench a terrible thirst. Oliver’s behavior seemed so desperate that Amanda almost felt like she was being devoured by him.
She didn’t know when they had reached the bed, but the next thing she knew, she felt the soft touch of mattress against her back. She responded to Oliver’s touches enthusiastically, when her eyes suddenly fell on an empty space where the sofa used to be.
“Oliver, since when did you remove the sofa?”
“I told you, I would burn the sofa as soon as the coronation was held.”
“You meant it?”
“Of course. I’m a man who doesn’t know the meaning of jokes.”
Oliver grinned and kissed Amanda gently on the forehead.
“Tonight, it’s my turn to spend a hot night with my wife, just as we signed on the contract.”
“But we already…”
Contrary to their initial agreement, they had already had their first time together in a cave. Not only that, her stamina was depleted from the long day. Oliver pulled back and spoke with a serious expression.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the first time or the second. A contract is a contract, so are you prepared to fulfill it?”
“I…”
She wanted to declare him a cheater, but Oliver reacted faster and covered her lips with his own. Now that he knew her weakness, he could play her body more easily than the first time they were together. Oliver’s caresses was so persistent that Amanda shivered from head to toe.
She peered at him through half-hooded eyes. Oliver smiled like a satisfied predator and growled.
“I’ve been wanting to have my wife since the coronation.”
“Hm, you need to focus on separating work.”
“These days, I can understand the minds of emperors who would destroy a country because of a single woman.”
“What are you saying…?”
Amanda looked at Oliver with a bashful expression, and he smiled softly and leaned forward to gently kiss her eyelids. Oliver was so warm that Amanda couldn’t bear it, and her heart tickled like a spring breeze.
There was no further conversation between the two. The rest of the night was very long…and Oliver did not let Amanda go even once.