Back then, it was common to see children working in factories.

Some orphanage directors would forcibly send their wards to labor sites. The reason was to earn money. That money went straight into the director’s pocket.

Gabriel was one of those wards. The children weren’t even given proper meals. Days of grueling work continued without proper sleep.

Did they ever see the light? Many children returned expelled, sick.

The director always found the sick wards troublesome. Friends who died after suffering without proper treatment. Gabriel etched each of their faces into his memory.

Gabriel, who looked about ten years old at the time, was actually thirteen. It was also the result of not getting good nutrition and proper sunlight during his growth period.

“Still, thanks to Keira… no, thanks to Countess Melpiram, the truth about the orphanage was revealed.”

Thanks to Keira’s direct efforts, it was revealed that the director exploited and abused the children. Eventually, the orphanage was beaten by people and closed down.

Gabriel was sent to another care facility. It was much better than the exploitative orphanage he was in before. There, he learned sewing and mending skills, and with the help of good people, he stood where he is now.

“Sounds like a melodrama, doesn’t it?”

A story that could only appear in a third-rate play. Like a cliché novel where the writer deliberately inserts a signal saying “Everyone, be moved!”

But how much work does it take for that to happen? It’s quite challenging to move forward while holding someone else’s hand, enduring and rejecting numerous temptations.

“If it weren’t for Her Majesty the Empress and the Countess…”

The girl who handed over flowers with her scarred hands grew up and returned to Ilarid.

“I grew up with that strength.”

It was just one warmth given out of habit, but still.

A thin trail of tears opened on Ilarid’s cheek. While those gathered were flustered, looking for handkerchiefs and making a fuss, she walked that path and embraced Gabriel.

“Your Majesty…”

“Why does everyone hide and approach…”

There was such a story in the past, and we’ve already met. If you’d just let me know such facts in advance, where would it hurt? Always surprising people like this. Ilarid grumbled faintly between her sobs.

Gabriel accepted the Empress’s small complaints with a faint smile. Back then, you were much taller than me, but now I’ve grown taller than you. Ilarid mumbled between gentle pats.

“That flower… I still have it.”

The patting hand suddenly stopped. Gabriel’s black pupils began to tremble slightly.

“You still have it?”

“How could I carelessly throw that away?”

On the day she received the small flower, Ilarid pressed it in a book as soon as she returned to the palace. The flower, which retained its shape from that day, soon became a bookmark.

It was nothing less than proof that she hadn’t forgotten and had endured well. Although the dried flower paused briefly between the pages, the pages would turn again, and we would move forward again.

Gabriel closed his eyes tightly and opened them again. Ignoring the moisture clinging to his eyelashes, he carefully observed the figures surrounding Ilarid.

They were all a great alliance united under Keira’s legacy and Ilarid’s name.

“Her Majesty the Empress, myself… and all of you gathered here will be even busier in the future.”

From the upcoming events to the waves that will crash upon us, we must receive them with our whole bodies.

But it’s not alone, it’s many. The fact that someone is together is one of the sources of strength to endure.

What makes us live and move forward is the warmth flowing through each other’s hands.

“So, I ask for your cooperation. I, too, am a person who lives for Her Majesty the Empress.”

Gabriel offered a brief farewell greeting in front of the Empress. With clothes that needed special attention, he would be busy without a moment’s rest for a while.

Ilarid, who had been focusing on gathering her emotions for a moment, called out to the retreating Gabriel.

“Gabriel. There’s one thing I want to ask.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What is ‘Keira Rowen Melpiram’s last legacy’?”

It was the content that most people, including Gabriel and Marcia, had written in their letters.

“There are many things that can’t be explained simply as saying we’ll repay a favor.”

It felt like a more intense emotion than just saying we received help, so we’ll give a corresponding reward.

What meaning did the ‘last legacy’ that started and ended with the sentence ‘A beautiful day in May’ carry as it flowed to Ilarid?

At first, I thought it might be because of financial support. But money can be repaid with money. It’s good for shaking off and maintaining a clean relationship, isn’t it? However, no one mentioned anything about money.

“I dare not reveal others’ stories to Your Majesty in detail.”

Gabriel bowed again in greeting.

“However, what I can reveal is… that everyone made some kind of promise with Keira Rowen Melpiram.”

“Is it perhaps related to the ‘day in May’?”

Shh. Gabriel’s index finger was raised to her lips.

With her movement, the figures in the room took in a breath in unison. It was like a request to keep a huge secret.

“We’ll be able to meet everyone at this charity event. I understand this is the first time everyone will be together.”

Ilarid hesitated for a moment but soon nodded. She seemed to be barely holding back a mountain of questions she wanted to ask.

Seen like this, the Empress resembled Keira a lot. The gentle but firm gaze, blue eyes, and even the line of the lips.

In Gabriel’s view, the image of Keira entering the orphanage and embracing the young children was still vivid.

The kind smile towards the children, different from the sharp voice scolding the director and care facility staff.

And someday, the independent Gabriel met Keira. At that time, he came forward saying he was really grateful and would repay the favor, but Keira lightly waved her hand and said.

‘Someday, if someone calls out “the day in May” three times in a public place or newspaper ad… promise to step forward and help willingly. I’ll take that as payment.’

That’s enough, she said. As Gabriel blinked with a bewildered face, Keira added again.

‘That’s valid for you too, Gabriel. If you need help, call out “the day in May”. You know that, right?’

The back of Keira, who spoke cheerfully and disappeared like the wind, was clear.

The beautiful day in May that she didn’t even mention when she herself was in danger.

How could I forget, Keira? It’s a promise with you. Gabriel pressed down his fedora firmly and held back the tears that were rising inappropriately.

A woman who appears in moments of despair, when you want to give up everything, gives help and vanishes suddenly.

A person who wishes to be called ‘Keira’ rather than the title of ‘Countess’.

A benefactor who gifted an unforgettable ‘day in May’.

The legacy Keira left behind was still continuing among people.

**

After new family members increased, the Empress’s Palace was filled with bright voices that anyone could see bustling.

Ilarid, who didn’t have morning sleep, sometimes encountered Cecilia going out for morning training.

According to Kailem’s tip, she knocked down all the ordinary officers in practice matches. Thanks to that, no one could speak over Cecilia.

Probably Jin’s protection, who was the eldest son of the Icastel family and the current duke, also helped.

In the office, the nagging towards Ilarid doubled. Lynette’s complaints were bearable, but Alice was also quite persistent and tenacious.

“Your Majesty, it’s mealtime. Don’t try to pass it off carelessly like yesterday. I’ll follow you around and feed you one spoonful at a time!”

“Oh my, that’s a good idea. Should we prepare a bib in case you spill?”

Even if they got along well, would they match that well? Ilarid really wanted to escape, even if it meant crossing the balcony. Things that used to be quietly passed over saying it was okay before were now absolutely impossible.

“But I don’t feel like eating…”

“Meals are not eaten with thoughts. It’s no different from the fuel that makes a person’s body run.”

When she tried to sneak away with small steps backward, Cecilia, who had approached unnoticed, stood right behind her to prevent her from escaping.

It couldn’t be helped. Shouldn’t the Empress take as much responsibility as she brought in? There was no other way but to endure what she had done herself.

Now, even when going out for a walk, the number of people following the Empress increased. The procession that was once only Lynette is now substantial enough for anyone to feel reassured.

And Lebel, the ‘shadow’.

He still came taking advantage of the darkness. It had been a long time since she deliberately opened the balcony window wide, using the excuse that summer was approaching. Lebel was probably the only person in the entire Western Continent who could easily jump over that height.

The black sword that had separated them in the middle of the bed was gone. Now he naturally embraced Ilarid and stayed by her side until she fell asleep.

Today too, Lebel crossed the balcony. Between the white curtains, Ilarid would be visible as usual.

Recently, Ilarid had been lying diagonally on the bed waiting for him.

When he entered through the white curtains, she would call out “Lebel” and open her arms. Without hesitation, Lebel would head to the bed and gently embrace her as if it were a set routine.

But today, the atmosphere was different. Ilarid was not lying on the bed, and people were gathered around her.

Despite the late hour, whatever conversation had taken place, their expressions were serious and even looked grave.

“Welcome, Lebel. I’ve been waiting.”

Ilarid was the first to notice Lebel and reached out her hand. Of course, only his lady could properly sense this presence.

She was wearing an outer garment over her thin nightgown. Was she planning to go to sleep right after the conversation ended? Did he misunderstand the time even though he came at the usual time?

Lebel first took a few steps forward and knelt on one knee, greeting the ladies of the Empress’s Palace.

“I greet Her Majesty the Empress and the ladies of the Empress’s Palace.”

The flustered ones made a fuss trying to dissuade Lebel. Alice was the first to joke.

“What are you saying, Mr. ‘Shadow’? Aren’t we all family of the Empress’s Palace?”

The word family sounded quite good. It gave a feeling like a home finally settled after wandering for a lifetime.

Lebel smiled faintly, repeating the word ‘family’ once more.

“I apologize. If I’ve disturbed your conversation, I’ll step aside for a moment.”

“No. We’ve been waiting for you until now.”

The ladies of the Empress’s Palace looked at Lebel simultaneously. It was rare to face eight different pairs of eyes at once. Lebel raised his tension a little and focused on Ilarid’s words.

“We’re going to have a rather serious conversation today.”

A firm voice flowed from Ilarid’s mouth after taking a breath. At the stiff tone that didn’t match the soft night air, everyone in the bedroom straightened their posture.

“The envoys from the Eastern Continent are scheduled to arrive the day after tomorrow. The ball is also not far off. This time, the new ambassador from Pegeia will also attend the ball, making it much larger in scale.”

And in this large and noisy crowd, a small confusion will occur.

“…I sent a doctor to the Empress Consort, but I heard that the Empress Consort’s side rejected and sent back all of them.”

More accurately, they were driven away. I heard that Viscountess Geminia personally accompanied a doctor out of concern, but was coldly rejected.

“But I plan to persistently send doctors until the day of the ball. The Empress Consort must… must attend this ball.”

“Does the Empress Consort have something specific she needs to do?”

“It’s a very important matter. Something that could shake the entire empire.”

Since when had the Empress Consort become such an important figure? It was when Lebel’s brow was furrowing with discomfort.

“The Empress Consort will announce her pregnancy at the ballroom.”

At these thunderous words, everyone froze in place.