I Will Live for Your Death (20 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 19

In the end, the ceremony in which the Emperor placed the crown upon the Empress Consort was not held.

Celina showed clear disappointment throughout the entire coronation ceremony. She had hoped—however unlikely—that they might at least bring out a different crown, or even hastily fetch a similar tiara, but it was all in vain.

In the short romantic novels she used to read as a child, rolling about in the manor, the king would always bestow the queen’s treasure upon the one he loved. But, as it turned out, fiction was just fiction—utterly unlike reality.

Her gaze briefly landed on Ilyd. Despite all the commotion, Ilyd remained composed, even offering Celina—a woman who had just ascended to the position of Empress Consort—a gentle smile.

Her husband’s openly beloved woman now sat brazenly beside her. Even if she felt no affection herself, rage should have welled up—but Ilyd’s serene composure, without even a flicker of her eyes, was truly astonishing.

‘Hypocrite.’

She was merely holding back now because so many eyes were upon her. But how long could she keep up this facade of grace and elegance? Soon, Celina would tear that mask off before everyone.

Having made her resolve, Celina rose to her feet. Everyone in the banquet hall showered her with applause.

When she turned to look back, Viscount Diobe was dramatically displaying his emotion from across the room, but she simply ignored him and sat down in the Empress Consort’s seat prepared just for her.

Brilliant fireworks, bright music, endless applause—and even Claudius beside her. It was the moment Celina’s small world finally came together.

‘No. Not yet.’

She longed to draw even closer to Claudius. What would it feel like to climb endlessly upward into their exalted world, to that lofty seat where everyone looked up in admiration and envy? Celina cast a sidelong glance toward the throne where the Empress sat.

If she bore an heir here, the next wave of power would inevitably flow to Celina. Then, even the Empress’s seat would be within reach.

The Emperor clung to Celina day and night as if he could not live without her. Barring any unforeseen issues, good news would surely arrive soon. Imagining this perfect future, Celina smiled brightly.

**

Read full content of this chapter on r e d c a t t y . c o m