17

The next day, as I stood in the gardens of the palace with Alicia by my side, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. Irene approached us with her usual warm smile, a bouquet of fresh flowers in her hands.

"Duchess  Veronica," Alicia said, tugging on my sleeve. "Do you think Mama would like these flowers?"

I crouched down to meet her gaze, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "She'd love them, sweetheart. Just like she loves you."

Irene knelt beside Alicia, her expression tender. "Why don't we plant them together in her memory?"

Alicia's eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically.

As we worked together in the soil, I caught Irene glancing toward the palace, her gaze lingering on the balcony where the emperor stood watching us.

Adelaide, I thought, wherever you are, I hope you're smiling. Because in Irene, I see a future where your daughter will grow up surrounded by love and guidance. And the emperor... he'll find the balance he's been searching for.

For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of closure. Adelaide's legacy was in safe hands—and so was the empire.

---

The next morning, I found myself walking along the cobblestone paths of the imperial gardens, with Alicia skipping beside me. Her laughter filled the crisp air as she clutched a bundle of flowers Irene had helped her pick earlier.

"Slow down, Alicia," I called, though my voice held no urgency. Watching her carefree smile reminded me of how much she had grown in these past two years. The memory of Adelaide lingered in her features—her delicate nose, her soulful eyes—but Alicia's spirit was undeniably her own.

Irene walked a few paces behind us, her serene presence as comforting as the morning sun. Despite her priestly robes, there was an elegance to her steps, a quiet strength that made her seem as though she belonged in the imperial gardens as much as any empress.

"Are you sure I should be here, Veronica?" Irene asked after a while, her voice low but tinged with concern.

I turned back to her, arching a brow. "And why not? Alicia adores you, and so does everyone else who matters."

She hesitated, her hands clasped together. "The court doesn't see it that way. Many still think I'm unfit to be here, let alone... to stand beside the emperor."

Irene rarely spoke of the whispers that followed her through the palace halls, but I knew they existed. Nobles with too much time on their hands and too little faith in the emperor's choices.

"You're stronger than their words," I said firmly. "And besides, do you really think the emperor cares what they think? The man has been teasing you mercilessly for two years. If he had any doubt about you, he'd have found someone else to torment by now."

Irene let out a soft laugh, though her cheeks turned pink. "He does have a talent for being infuriating."

"That's putting it mildly."

We both chuckled, and Alicia glanced back at us, confused.

"What's funny?" she asked, her head tilting.

"Just grown-up talk," I said, ruffling her hair.

Alicia wrinkled her nose. "Grown-ups are boring."

Irene knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Not all grown-ups, little one. Some of us are quite fun, don't you think?"

Alicia giggled and nodded, pointing at me. "Duchess Veronica's fun!"

"And what about me?" Irene asked, her tone playful.

Alicia paused, tapping her chin dramatically before breaking into a grin. "You're fun, too!"

The warmth in Irene's eyes was undeniable as she pulled Alicia into a brief hug. It was a small moment, but it spoke volumes.

As we continued walking, we eventually reached a quiet corner of the gardens where Adelaide's favorite flowers—lavenders and white roses—bloomed in abundance. It was a space I had visited often with Alicia, a sanctuary where we could feel Adelaide's presence.

Alicia ran ahead, her small hands brushing the flowers as she hummed a tune I recognized as one Adelaide used to sing. I stood beside Irene, watching her with a mix of pride and melancholy.

"There you are."

Both Irene and I turned to see the emperor approaching, his usual confident stride tempered by a rare softness in his expression. His gaze flickered to Alicia first, ensuring she was safe, before settling on Irene.

"Busy day, Your Majesty?" I teased, trying to lighten the sudden tension that always seemed to hang in the air when the two of them were together.

The emperor smirked. "Busier now that I've found my wayward priestess wandering the gardens again."

Irene rolled her eyes but said nothing, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly.

"Come, Alicia," I called, breaking the moment. "Let's leave the emperor and his priestess to their business."

Alicia pouted but obeyed, skipping back to my side as I began leading her toward the castle.

"Veronica," Irene said suddenly, her voice stopping me in my tracks.

I turned to look at her.

"Thank you," she said simply, her expression sincere.

I nodded, understanding the depth of her gratitude without needing further explanation.

As Alicia and I walked away, I glanced back one last time. The emperor and Irene stood close, their conversation too quiet for me to hear.

Adelaide, I thought with a bittersweet smile, you were right. Irene is exactly who he needs. And I'll make sure she finds her place, just as you would have wanted.

The future of the empire felt brighter than ever.