As Sinclair and Elaina reached the center of the square, Glen, who had been waiting for them there, gave a very bright smile.

“To be able to witness such a sight in my lifetime, it truly brings tears to my eyes.”

Then, lowering his voice to a whisper, he spoke his usual witty words.

“However, I’m a little disappointed that I might be buried now, as Edenbell has been quite noisy recently with rumors about the new Regent.”

“Noisy.”

At Sinclair’s response, Elaina couldn’t help but laugh.

Soon, Joshua and another priest slowly approached and stood beside Glen.

In their hands, they held a luxuriously decorated red silk.

And on top of it, the crowns of the Emperor and Empress, shining brilliantly under the sunlight, were placed respectively.

“…Today, with our new Emperor and Empress, we will move towards a different Edenbell from before.”

Before long, Glen opened his mouth, looking very solemn as if he had never shamelessly played a prank.

“I sincerely pray for peace and tranquility to dwell upon the two who will lead Edenbell wisely and benevolently.”

As Glen spoke, a smile could be seen on the lips of Joshua, who was standing with the crown.

Then Sinclair and Elaina quietly knelt down. Although Elaina wobbled a little due to her leg condition, she didn’t have much difficulty as Sinclair firmly supported her by her side.

Glen, standing in front of Sinclair, raised the crown with a face full of countless emotions.

“……”

On top of Sinclair’s head, who quietly closed his eyes, a dazzling crown symbolizing the Emperor was placed.

The crown, which had finally returned to its owner after a long journey, suited Sinclair very well. As if he had been born wearing the crown from the beginning.

Elaina, who was also smiling, closed her eyes as well.

Soon, a shadow fell over her face, and the heavy weight of the crown was felt.

“……”

Elaina slowly opened her eyes.

Then she looked at Sinclair, who was facing her with a faint smile.

“People of the Empire, pay your respects to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

As soon as Glen finished speaking, all the people of the Empire quietly bowed their heads.

Sinclair stood up from his place with a face full of countless emotions and extended his hand to Elaina.

After making sure Elaina was safely by his side, Sinclair finally turned around and looked at the people of the Empire.

“I am well aware of what you are worrying about and what you are concerned about.”

Then he opened his lips in a low voice.

“At times, I will be inadequate, and at times, I will be clumsy. Thus, I may earn your dissatisfaction or even hatred.”

Looking at the people with a faint smile, Sinclair continued with a somewhat solemn face.

“But this one thing I promise. In the Edenbell I rule, no one will be discriminated against or persecuted. Regardless of status, gender, or age, everyone will be equal.”

The words uttered by the new Emperor were something no one had expected.

The people who had been bowing their heads widened their eyes in disbelief as they dared to look at the Emperor.

Among them, some were whispering to each other, and quite a few were stunned with an incredulous expression.

“The imperial family and nobility, including myself, will not exploit the blood and sweat of the people using our high status as a weapon. If by any chance someone does such a thing, I promise before God that they will pay the price regardless of their status.”

If any other emperor had said these words, people would have thought it was just a simple formality that the imperial family used to utter.

But today was different.

For the first time since the founding of the empire, the enthronement ceremony was held while opening the palace to the people.

As if to prove his own words that everyone would be equal, there was not a single high seat in the square.

Even Hesswin, Wilter, Frederick, who greatly helped Sinclair ascend to the throne, and Anelli, who was also of imperial blood, were all keeping their places among the people.

“I will not be swayed by the position of the Emperor. I will simply be the closest family to you, always with you until the lowest, poorest, and most suffering person in Edenbell can speak of happiness.”

Who would have thought such words would come from the mouth of Sinclair Butler, the scoundrel of Edenbell? The people looked at Sinclair with an unbelievable expression, but also very moved.

“This entire journey will require your help, attention, and support. So if the Emperor tries to go down the wrong path, feel free to nag at any time. I am a person without grudges, so please do so with ease.”

People let out a small laugh. Elaina, who was standing by his side, Glen, who was standing far behind, and others standing among the people all felt the same.

“…Thus, I will write a different history with you.”

Sinclair said in a loud voice.

“I declare that from today, a new era of Edenbell has begun.”

“Hurrah!”

As soon as he finished speaking, people’s cheers could be heard. Applause continued without ceasing, and there were even people in the distance who dared to shout Sinclair’s name loudly in joy.

“Emperor! Our Emperor, Your Majesty!”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

“Wait, stop pushing. I need to see His Majesty up close too!”

With the boisterous voices, countless flowers fell on Sinclair and Elaina, who were standing side by side.

“Empress, Empress!”

At the sudden voice calling her, Elaina widened her eyes and looked around. Then she saw a girl who had barely made her way through the crowd.

The young girl, who seemed to be less than ten years old, flinched slightly when her eyes met Elaina’s, as if she hadn’t called her.

But when Elaina looked at her with affectionate eyes, she timidly handed something very carefully.

It was a shabby bouquet made of wildflowers.

“Last time, during the Founding Festival, you distributed relief goods… so I didn’t go hungry for a while.”

“……”

“So… I really wanted to congratulate you…”

Elaina, who had been silently looking at the child, slowly bent her waist.

“Thank you so much.”

Then she received the bouquet the child handed over and held it preciously in her arms, saying,

“It’s the most wonderful and beautiful bouquet I’ve ever received. I’ll keep it well in my bedroom, and when the flowers wither, I’ll dry them and cherish them for a long time.”

“Re-really?”

“Of course.”

When Elaina smiled brightly, the child’s cheeks turned slightly red. The sight was so cute that Elaina barely held back the urge to hug the child tightly.

“Your Majesty the Empress! There’s a gift here too!”

“Wait, I’m first! Your Majesty, last time thanks to the relief goods, how much I… Aah!”

“A bouquet! I brought one to give you too!”

Looking at the people making a fuss as if they had been waiting for a long time, Elaina was very happy even though she didn’t know what to do.

Sinclair also greeted the people with a big smile and welcomed them.

It was a very successful enthronement ceremony.

“…I never dared to think that I would be able to see such a sight. The Grand Duke must feel the same way, right?”

And Hesswin, who was looking at them, spoke to Anelli with a chuckle.

“Yes.”

“Then the Grand Duke’s feelings must also be quite different.”

“…It seems so. Much more than I expected.”

Anelli was no different in feeling countless emotions about this enthronement ceremony.

Recalling her young son who would lovingly run to her whenever he saw her, she thought.

Now… she no longer had to live day by day, clinging to a sense of revenge.

It was truly fortunate.

“Sob, brother……”

“Your Highness Chaz, if you keep crying like this……”

“Bu-but it suits them so well, doesn’t it? The same goes for Her Majesty the Empress. So I’m moved to tears… Sob.”

“Count, just let His Highness cry. How much hardship must His Highness have endured to cry like this?”

Count Wilter was busy comforting Chaz, who was in the midst of tears, but his efforts were in vain as Frederick, who also felt his nose tingle for no reason, took Chaz’s side.

“It feels like I’m dreaming, it’s so happy. Don’t you think so, Sir Schuler?”

“…Yes. I’m really glad.”

“Duke Rex must feel the same way. I think this is the first time I’ve seen him smile like this.”

Judith and Anna. Schuler and Rex also gave a faint smile and brightly laughed at each other.

How fortunate and how delightful it was.

They thought it was wonderful to welcome a new Emperor and that Elaina, now the Empress, was still by his side.

And it must have been the same for Sinclair and Elaina.

Meanwhile, the people of the Empire continued to cheer and welcome Sinclair and Elaina, and the two kept waving kindly at the people and did not leave their places.

Anyway, that’s how the enthronement ceremony was coming to an end.

Filled with everyone’s laughter and hope.