Sinclair and Elaina returned to the Imperial Palace amid endless cheers from the citizens of the Empire.

Rumors that the Emperor of Edenbell had changed had already spread widely to other empires. As a result, delegations from neighboring empires continued to arrive at the Imperial Palace, and Sinclair headed to the audience chamber to meet with them.

Elaina decided to distribute relief goods to the citizens who had gathered to congratulate her and Sinclair.

It was no exaggeration to say that the cost of the relief goods this time came entirely from the pockets of Hister, Lundberry, and Rockford.

They had a tremendous amount of slush funds, which the ghost-like Sinclair dug up to the end.

Sinclair sold not only the slush funds but also all the castles and lands owned by the three of them, and consulted with Elaina on how to use this large sum of money.

Elaina, of course, wanted the money to be used meaningfully.

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“I didn’t expect you to distribute relief goods again after the great help during the National Foundation Day! I don’t know how to express my gratitude…”

“That’s right! There is no one in the world as benevolent as our Empress.”

People were at a loss for words at the relief goods distributed directly by the Empress, but they were eager to talk to Elaina as much as possible.

She had been nervous since last night and had not slept properly, and the coronation ceremony itself had started early in the morning, so it would be a lie to say that she was not tired, but she did not dislike it. Elaina faithfully attended to her duties.

However, since there were so many relief goods prepared, it seemed that it would take at least half a day more.

“Your Majesty the Empress, it would be best for you to take a break.”

After about two hours, Judith, who was helping Elaina, looked at her with a worried voice.

“You look tired. You didn’t sleep well last night either.”

“That’s right. And you’ve been standing under this scorching sun…”

“No, it’s okay. Judith and Anna are also tired, aren’t they?”

“No way!”

Elaina smiled and spoke, but the two’s reaction was not at all.

“If you get sick somewhere, we will be scolded by His Majesty the Emperor. Right, Anna?”

“Of course. More maids are coming to help anyway, so we’ll be fine on our own.”

“The maids are right, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Not only the two of them but also the citizens who were standing in line in an orderly manner supported their words.

“Rather, people would want that too. Besides, today is not the only day, is it? There will be countless occasions to see Your Majesty the Empress in the future. The hunting festival is just a few days away, and the National Foundation Day will be held again next year.”

“Please go and rest, Your Majesty the Empress!”

“What if you collapse? If we do something wrong, not only the two maids but all of us here today may be punished by His Majesty the Emperor. That’s too scary to happen.”

When everyone spoke in unison, even Elaina had no choice. She finally nodded with a smile, indicating that she understood.

“Then I’ll take a short break and come back. It will be hard, but…”

“Hey, I told you it’s not hard at all! Don’t worry about us.”

“Wait a moment. I’ll escort Your Majesty the Empress to the palace and come back.”

“No, it’s okay! I can go by myself. You two stay here. Then I’ll be back.”

Elaina hurriedly left her seat, waving her hands, for fear that Judith or Anna would suffer again because of her. She did not forget to greet the people who were standing in a long line.

“……”

Elaina, who had escaped from the crowd, walked very slowly.

The faces of those who filled the Imperial Palace were all bright beyond description. They were all laughing happily, and Elaina smiled faintly as it made her feel good too.

…And it was when she was about to turn into a quiet side street after leaving the crowded square that an unexpected voice caught Elaina.

“It seems like a very long time since we last met.”

Slowly turning her head, she saw Ryan Henard bowing to her in greeting.

“Have you been well, Empress… Your Majesty.”

“…Prince Ryan.”

Ryan, whom she met again after a long time, exuded a very different atmosphere from before.

He still gave off a kind and gentle feeling, but the person in front of her seemed to have become an adult before she knew it.

“I hope you have recovered your health well. I was very worried.”

“Yes. I’m fine now.”

Elaina looked at him and continued.

“I heard from the Chancellor. He said that you had a very hard time.”

Glen said so. He also had a lot of worries, but he had no choice but to give the secret letter to Ryan.

He also said that he saw sincerity in Ryan’s eyes, wishing for the safety of Sinclair and Elaina, as he went to wherever commoners and lowborns were and tried to persuade them and let them know the truth without hesitation.

“Thank you very much, Prince. If it weren’t for you, there might have been many people who opposed me and His Majesty the Emperor.”

“No. I only did what I had to do.”

Yes, it was something that had to be done.

For the happiness of the poor woman who, over that long period of time, had gradually seeped into his heart like paint dissolved in water. But he could not approach her.

“…You look good.”

At his voice, which was a little more strained than usual, Elaina looked at Ryan without answering.

“So, I am happy.”

[…I saw you a few times. Before you became the crown princess. At an old bookstore in the capital.]

Every time he saw her, she was sitting by the window, quietly reading a book, and the sadness could no longer be found.

The Elaina in front of him was dazzlingly beautiful and shining brightly like the sun.

…It’s not just because I had feelings for you.

So many people. And the fact that Sinclair Butler cherishes and values you is because you have that much worth.

Ryan thought it was a little sad, but also very fortunate.

She will now be loved by everyone and will be able to live without being lonely at all.

She will no longer be alone.

“…Although you will answer that you have only done what you had to do, there were many things to be thankful for.”

And Elaina slowly moved her lips.

“It has always been like that. This time too, and even when there were scandalous rumors about me in Edenbell. I still remember how you kindly welcomed me on the day I first went to the Grand Duke of Annelie’s gathering.”

“……”

“So I always wanted to say thank you at least once, and I’m really glad to be able to do it like this.”

“…Is that so.”

“Yes. I’m also grateful to have met someone like you, Prince.”

It would be a blatant lie to say that she had no idea of Ryan’s feelings.

So she also felt sorry.

However, Ryan was not the kind of person who would be unilaterally hurt by Elaina not accepting his feelings and not know when to back down.

That’s why she was even more sincerely grateful.

Also, the fact that there was someone who silently watched over her, who was half a cripple. A parasite and a bastard of the Aswald family… She was grateful for that too.

“You told me back then. That you returned to Edenbell after finishing your studies abroad and wandered endlessly.”

[It was a time when I returned to Edenbell after finishing my studies abroad and wandered endlessly. Wondering what I could do.]

On the day they first met.

Pondering the story Ryan had casually told, Elaina slowly asked.

“Have you finished wandering?”

“Well. I’m not sure yet. But I’m going to take time to think about it. What I can do in Edenbell.”

Ryan said with a faint smile.

“Actually, I realized it while interacting with the citizens this time. Perhaps what I really wanted to do was something like this.”

“……”

“It would be a lie to say that it wasn’t hard at all… but it was also a rewarding time. I was able to realize how narrow-minded I was, being cooped up in the castle and only focusing on academics.”

She could still vividly remember. The expression on Ryan’s face when he said he was wandering, not knowing what to do.

So Elaina looked at him for a moment without saying anything, then carefully parted her lips.

“The mansion of the Aswald family will be demolished soon.”

“Pardon? Then…”

“I’m planning to build a new school there.”

Ryan flinched slightly.

“I’m thinking of accepting anyone who needs learning, regardless of their status. Sir Schuler and Sir Rex have also agreed to join. They said martial arts training would also be necessary. The Chancellor is the same.”

“……”

“If you are still wandering by then. And if you want to help someone… Please feel free to let me know at any time. The school will always be open to you.”

At the kind and warm consideration for him, Ryan looked at Elaina with eyes full of countless emotions.

[I worked so hard to read the books you read, oh my. I gained more knowledge from reading books then than from studying abroad.]

…I won’t be able to read your books in my library with the same feelings as before.

But someone said. When one door closes, ten doors open. It was the same for Ryan.

Although he could never be the only one for Elaina in the end, he could walk together with her toward a wider world.

So it was Elaina who closed the door. And it was also Elaina who opened a new door. He was happy to be able to leave his footprints in the new Edenbell she would create. Now that alone was enough.

“I will do so.”

So Ryan answered brightly with a smile.

“Thanks to Your Majesty the Empress, I will be able to put an end to my wandering.”

Elaina, who heard the answer, smiled kindly, looking pleased.

And it was at that very moment.

“Why are you two talking about such things by yourselves?”

“That’s right. Well, I don’t have great knowledge to teach anyone… but I’m not completely useless either.”

“Sir Voltaire and I feel the same way.”

Slowly turning her head, she saw Perin Ilain, Lady Legas, Denhel Voltaire, and Viscount Dwain approaching.