News of Luke’s death took some time to spread. Both internally and externally, it was believed that he was currently leading an army towards the border.
As soon as his death became known, the war quickly ended.
The first to abandon the campaign was the Kelt Kingdom, as they had no reason to continue the war without Luke. Without the Kelt Kingdom’s support, the state of Edel was forced to surrender under Oliver, and was brought back under the control of the Keith Empire. Although Luke—the main instigator of the rebellion—had died, all of his supporters would be duly punished.
Oliver organized all this as quickly as possible, then led his soldiers back to the Imperial Palace in the capital post-hate. It was for one reason: His wife was pregnant.
Oliver and Amanda sitting next to each other in a gleaming carriage that was rapidly headed towards the capital. Soft cushions were placed on the seats for Amanda’s comfort, but Oliver continued to fuss over Amanda like a mother with a sick child.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“I’m fine.”
“Is there anything you want to eat?”
“I just had lunch.”
“But you should be eating a lot when you’re pregnant. If you’re hungry, tell me immediately, alright?”
Knowing that she couldn’t stop him, Amanda replied with a smile.
“I know. You don’t have to worry over me too much.”
Even in the early stages of pregnancy when she was deprived of proper food and sleep, Amanda remained strong until now. Compared to her time in prison, this was truly heaven. Oliver kept asking if she was lacking in anything, but she couldn’t help but feel overly pampered.
“Don’t say that. If there’s anything you need, just tell me. It is my greatest pleasure to give you anything you want.”
Oliver leaned over and stroked her forehead. Ever since their reunion, he used every moment available to feel her warmth in his arms or touch her, as if to reassure himself that she was still by his side. Amanda gave a faint smile every time she felt his gentle touch.
“You’re already here next to me. What more could I want?”
Oliver’s brow crumpled, but a moment later, he tried to suppress a teasing smile.
“When you say that, I almost want to take out my liver and gallbladder for you.”
Oliver cupped Amanda’s face with both his hands, then kissed her—on her forehead, nose, cheek, lips. His hot mouth tickled her face, and Amanda’s head shook as she giggled.
“That’s ticklish, Oliver.”
She looked cutely up at him with pink cheeks, and he almost wanted to devour her… but Amanda’s health was the top priority, and he lowered his hands again.
His wife was with child, and they couldn’t have a passionate skinship. A constant desire burned through Oliver’s skin, but he held it back, fearing that Amanda’s body would be overwhelmed.
“Don’t look so cute, my wife. It’s…it’s painful for me.”
Oliver smiled, then pecked Amanda’s cheek for the last time and settled back into his seat. His voice was a soft murmur as he spoke.
“I can’t wait until the baby is born.”
Amanda nodded understandingly at Oliver’s words.
“Neither can I. I can’t wait to hold our child in my arms.”
Oliver had a different reason in mind, but Amanda gave a chuckle, as his idea wasn’t a bad one either. He wanted to touch Amanda because he loved her, yet at the same time, it was because he loved her that he didn’t touch her.
There was a knock on the carriage door. Oliver turned his head, where someone’s presence was obscured by the closed window curtains.
“It’s time for Her Majesty’s health tonic.”
As of late, Amanda took a daily tonic for pregnant women. Because Oliver was so concerned about Amanda’s health, he made sure that she took her medicine and reported it no matter what.
“Stop the procession. We’ll start again after she takes her health tonic.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Oliver’s order, not only did the carriage stop, but the entirety of the column marching outside. Amanda was flattered that her husband cared so much about her, but she couldn’t help but be embarrassed.
The carriage door opened soon after, and a maid arrived bearing the tonic. Oliver took the bowl, then scooped the tonic with a spoon.
“Here.”
Amanda had done this several times already, but her face still turned beet-red.
“I can drink it myself. My hand works fine, and you don’t have to spoon-feed me, Oliver.”
Oliver had a light, mischievous smile on his face.
“You’re saying that today? Because I’m not going to give in.”
“If you keep doing this, other people will—”
“If you don’t like me spoon-feeding you, then how about I use my mouth? Actually, I’d prefer it that way.”
Oliver’s blue eyes squinted with laughter, but Amanda understood at once that he wasn’t joking. He wasn’t the type to suggest things he didn’t mean. However, Amanda had been almost killed by a poisoned arrow once, and she felt stronger than she did then.
In the end, Amanda opened her mouth with an “aah”, and Oliver gave a wry smile.
“My wife knows me too well.”
He scooped the tonic with a spoon and carefully placed it in Amanda’s mouth. She accepted the drink like a baby bird as she glanced furtively up at him through his lashes. Her heart swelled to see the Emperor feeding her with a careful expression on his face.
How could she describe this feeling? The mere fact that Oliver was by her side turned every moment into a happy one. She couldn’t say this out loud though; if he knew about this, he would act more like this from now on.
“Hmmm. I taste it every time, but it’s too bitter.”
“Is that so?”
Oliver glanced at the nearly empty bowl, then suddenly leaned in close to Amanda. Then, with his tongue, he swiped the liquid that clung to her lips.
Amanda looked startled at the sudden kiss, but Oliver continued to stare at her in a casual manner.
“Yes. Just as you said, it’s too bitter.”
“What—”
“Of course, it tasted sweet to me because of your lips.”
Blood rushed to Amanda’s face, and her naked reaction broadened Oliver’s smile even further.
“That kind of face only makes me want to tease you more.”
“…What face?”
“This lovely one.”
Once again, Oliver drew Amanda’s body towards him, and he planted a soft kiss on her eyes. Her heart felt like it would burst from her husband’s constant affection. Each moment was almost too sweet to bear.
No matter how much time had passed, the only man who made Amanda’s heart beat like this was Oliver.
And so it would be for the rest of her life.
***
When the sun set, the procession stopped again. They had planned to travel quickly to the Imperial Palace so Amanda could relax, but Oliver’s concern over Amanda’s physical condition slowed their schedule.
After the troops made camp, a few soldiers approached the imperial carriage and gave a brief report.
“Your Majesty, camp is ready.”
“I see.”
Oliver stepped out of the carriage first and reached for Amanda. She took his hand, and walked carefully down the steps. As soon as Amanda’s feet touched the ground—
Hwiig!
Oliver swooped her up in both arms and carried her bridal-style. It happened in the mere blink of an eye. Amanda opened her mouth in surprise as she jerked her head towards Oliver.
“C-Oliver…”
“I think it’s safer for me to carry you to our tent, just in case you fall.”
“It’s only a short distance, so I’ll be fine. I might be too heavy.”
“Do I look so weak that I can’t carry my wife?”
Of course not. It wasn’t the first time Oliver held her in his arms like this, and she knew how safe she was in his embrace.
However, the gazes of the surrounding soldiers would naturally fall on them. Their eyes seemed to be envious, but…Amanda was embarrassed to be the center of such attention. They also stopped the procession so she could take her medicine, and there were rumors that Oliver was spoon-feeding her. Amanda felt that being carried around like this was too much, even if she was pregnant.
“I’m afraid other people will stare at me.”
“I dare them to.”
Although his reply was short, Amanda grasped the nuance behind it. She knew his personality well, and gave a small laugh. She could read Oliver’s thoughts without him having to say much.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“My heart wishes to do more for you.”
“No more. This is just too much.”
“Considering what you’ve been through, nothing is enough. I want to do everything so you needn’t even lift a finger. Just allow me this.”
Amanda had been kidnapped when she was pregnant, and her body had suffered many hardships. She did not have the heart to tell Oliver that she was also violently beaten by Luke, but Oliver seemed to have some idea. While Amanda was satisfied and grateful for her current state, Oliver wanted to more than make up for past hurt.
They arrived at their tent, and Oliver carefully deposited Amanda on their bed. He got down on one knee, then took off the shoes she was wearing. Her eyes widened at the unexpected gesture.
“Get up quickly! What if someone sees you?”
“As I said earlier, please allow me this.”
“But…”
“What’s wrong with a husband taking off his wife’s shoes?”
If they were an ordinary couple, then it was possible. But Oliver was the emperor of the Keith Empire. He couldn’t kneel in front of Amanda for any reason. He had done it before, but he was only a prince at the time. If he was seen by anyone else now, it would undermine his royal authority.
Amanda hurriedly reached out and caught Oliver’s cheek. She looked straight into his eyes and spoke in a firm tone.
“I feel the same as you. But I don’t want anyone to see this and have a reason to cut you down.”
Oliver only grinned at her reply.
“You might not know it, but your husband is so scary that no one would dare talk about me that way.”
“I may not know as much as you, but I’m not one to be lax.”
“That’s fine. Who cares what they say?”
“There’ll be rumors that you’re blinded by a woman…or something like that.”
There was already much talk after the soldiers had seen the black-scaled Oliver on the battlefield. Amanda didn’t want to add more fuel to the gossip.
“I’m not doing anything wrong.”
He neatly laid her shoes on the floor, then leaned forward and kissed Amanda’s knee.
“Whether I’m kneeling in front of my wife, standing upright, or walking shoulder-to-shoulder, it won’t change the fact that I’m your prisoner.”
“…”
Amanda was momentarily speechless. She had worried about Emperor Oliver’s reputation after the war, but she didn’t realize that his words would evoke such marvelous feelings in her. They really were too sweet…to the point where it felt like her body would melt.
Oliver resumed speaking, his blue eyes glowing hotly as he stared at Amanda.
“You saved my life, and it’s unfair for you to say no to me. You are obligated to accept as much love as I give you.”
“…I might not be able to adapt if this arrangement changes later on.”
“Are you worried things will change? Then don’t worry. I will do even better in the future.”
At those words, Amanda couldn’t hold back anymore, and she threw her arms around Oliver’s shoulders. Even when he was emperor, he hadn’t changed at all since he met her. No, that was wrong—he was becoming more thoughtful as time when on. She didn’t know that such a kind man could exist. It was as if he was born to capture her heart.
“Don’t keep saying things like this. I feel like I’m going to cry.”
Amanda knew inside that all of her hardships so far led her to this point. The rosy future Amanda had always dreamed of was not far away.
Everything was for this moment with Oliver.
Amanda closed her eyes, unable to contain the overwhelming happiness inside her, and she held his body. Oliver also had a blissful smile as he hugged her back.
Then, a familiar voice from outside broke the moment.
“Your Majesty, there’s something I need to tell you.”
It was Jobbers. When Amanda tried to unwind her arms from Oliver’s body, Oliver only tightened his grip on her waist.
“If it’s not urgent, come back later.”
“A-ah, yes. There is a letter for Her Majesty the Empress, so please tell me later when you have time.”
Oliver’s brow furrowed at Jobbers’s unexpected reply. He turned towards camp with a displeased look on his face.
“Who sent it?”
“It’s from the heads of Krauss and Astar.”
When their names were mentioned, a memory suddenly slipped in Amanda’s head. She had asked them to do something for her before she was taken to Edel.
It was related to the child in Amanda’s stomach.
It was about the clan that served the dragons.
Amanda beamed at his confession of love.
Oliver, Amanda, and their child. Now it seemed that the only thing left for them was to live happily from now on.
The thought of a future different from a grim old life made Amanda’s heart soar.