Once Again, “Her” Face

 

After finishing a warm dinner, Riela took a walk through the imperial palace with Herhan.

 

They admired the pink roses blooming in late autumn, took deep breaths in the fragrance-filled garden, and even swung their clasped hands back and forth like children.

 

After walking peacefully along the sunset path for quite some time, Riela suddenly stopped and spoke.

 

“Your Majesty. You can say it now.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“You had something to tell me earlier, didn’t you? What is it? Why do you keep hesitating?”

 

Herhan flinched.

 

When he asked how she knew, Riela smiled as if it were obvious.

 

“You’ve been watching me nervously this whole time. You don’t even like walking that much, but you came out on purpose. And usually, you don’t let me go anywhere without guards—but now you deliberately sent them far away.”

 

Listening to each point she made, Herhan let out a hollow laugh, thinking he couldn’t have been more obvious.

 

At least it was a relief that only Riela got to see this clumsy side of him.

 

Looking at her affectionately, he finally spoke.

 

“You know that boy you met when you were young?”

 

“Hm? Kyle?”

 

“Yeah. Kyle. What do you think happened to him by now?”

 

“Is this because I said I saw someone who looked like him in the square the other day?”

 

Herhan nodded calmly.

 

Riela looked into his deep, steady eyes.

 

This wasn’t just a question out of jealousy or worry—she could tell that much now.

 

So she thought seriously before answering.

 

“If Kyle really was a descendant of Enril, then there’s a high chance he didn’t survive until now. He might be in a camp… or maybe, like you, he’s surviving with medicine?”

 

“Do you know what kind of ability he had?”

 

Riela shook her head.

 

“I was too young, so I don’t remember well. I don’t recall seeing anything special either. Why? What’s going on?”

 

Herhan didn’t hesitate any longer and answered firmly.

 

“I saw him in Greta’s memories. The man who led the Alliance, who controlled the temple, and who sent puppets to us—that’s Kyle Parlante.”

 

“…What?”

 

A cold wind suddenly blew.

 

The once pleasant floral scent now felt dizzying, shaking Riela’s senses.

 

Just slightly— She staggered, but didn’t fall.

 

Because from the moment they started walking, Herhan had been holding her hand tightly, never letting go even once.

 

A long silence passed.

 

There was no need for Herhan to explain everything.

 

Riela had walked this entire journey with him, fought alongside him—she could piece everything together on her own.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

At last, Riela broke the silence, which had been filled only with the rustling of grass.

 

“…Could it be because of me?”

 

After thinking for so long, the conclusion she reached only twisted Herhan’s insides.

 

“If I hadn’t met Kyle when I was young… maybe none of this would have happened today—”

 

“Right. If you hadn’t been in that mercenary group, none of this would have happened. But then we wouldn’t have met either. You don’t wish for a life without me, do you?”

 

His expression was firm— telling her clearly that not a single step she had taken was wrong.

 

The moment she saw that strong face, Riela realized how weak she had been, even if just for a moment.

 

“No… I don’t.”

 

The wind carried its fragrance again.

 

“It’s much better to live like this—holding your hand and fighting bad people together—than living without ever knowing you.”

 

Only then did Herhan feel relieved and satisfied.

 

He was glad she accepted the truth calmly.

 

“Don’t worry, Riela. No matter what he tries, I’m stronger.”

 

“Because you’re the Emperor?”

 

“You still don’t get it. It’s because I have you.”

 

‘Ah. That’s right. I’m an incredible descendant of Antu.’

 

Riela smiled.

 

Just then, Asion appeared, crossing the garden.

 

Herhan shot him a sharp glare for showing up right when the mood was perfect, but Asion simply lowered his head deeply.

 

Even someone as oblivious as Asion always had a reason when he showed up like this.

 

Today was no different.

 

“Your Majesty. There is a visitor.”

 

A visitor? At this hour? Without any notice?

 

As Riela tried to step back to give space, Asion stopped her.

 

“Your Majesty the Empress should come as well.”

 

Following Asion, they didn’t go to the palace’s main gate or the audience hall, but to a small side entrance behind the eastern barracks.

 

The moment Riela saw who appeared there, her eyes widened.

 

Along with surprise, joy quickly followed.

 

“I apologize for appearing before both Your Majesties in such humble attire.”

 

“Priest Amelia!”

 

Riela called out her name loudly without thinking, then quickly covered her mouth.

 

Amelia had come in response to a secret summons from the imperial family.

 

She had hidden herself completely under a robe, even covering her hair, and entered quietly through the side gate—

 

“Oh no, what should I do? I hope I didn’t give you away. I was just so happy to see you, I shouted without thinking.”

 

At Riela’s embarrassed smile, Amelia replied with an awkward smile, still tense.

 

“I’m happy to see you too, Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

* * *

 

Priest Amelia was arranged to stay quietly in a residence attached to the barracks.

 

“You must have had a hard journey coming all this way.”

 

“Not at all. Thanks to Your Majesty covering things well, I was able to arrive safely.”

 

“And Bishop Ludovico?”

 

“He hasn’t noticed anything yet. In fact, after the execution of former Princess Greta, he seems to have let his guard down.”

 

While the Emperor spoke with Amelia about the situation in the temple, Asion and Jes carried heavy luggage into her room.

 

It was Riela who had instructed them.

 

“Priest Amelia, for now, I brought some of my clothes. Please wear these from now on.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“You can’t keep walking around here in robes or priest garments. Luckily, there are many outside guests in the palace these days, so you won’t stand out as much. But you still need to be careful. If anyone recognizes you as a priest, it could be dangerous.”

 

Even so, could she really accept the Empress’s clothes?

 

As Amelia stood there, flustered, Emperor Herhan approached.

 

She thought he would say whether to accept them or not—

 

“Priest Amelia. Would you like to go meet the witnesses right now?”

 

He went straight to the main point.

 

And even that was immediately stopped by Riela.

 

“Your Majesty. She just arrived. She must be exhausted.”

 

Without hesitation, the Emperor nodded.

 

“Then tomorrow.”

 

As soon as he answered shortly, Riela continued.

 

“I had warm water prepared, so please wash up and rest comfortably today. Commander Asion will stand guard while you bathe. It’s a little worrying, but… he’s not that kind of person.”

 

“Y-Your Majesty the Empress!”

 

Asion protested, sounding wronged, but Riela paid him no attention and instead looked around the room, quietly muttering about what else was needed.

 

The blankets look thin. The candle stand is empty.

 

And just like that, the Emperor and Empress left.

 

Amelia stared after Riela’s departing figure for a moment before following the captain of the guard to wash up.

 

From the central temple to the imperial palace, it took a full week of riding on horseback.

 

Amelia had been tense the entire way, worried about being discovered or followed.

 

The moment she safely passed through the palace gates, she had nearly fainted from relief.

 

And the one who understood that and let her rest—

 

was the beautiful Empress with those warm eyes.

 

“…If you are finished, I will escort you back to your room.”

 

The captain of the imperial guard personally led Amelia back.

 

“I will come for you again in the morning. Please rest well.”

 

“Yes. Thank you.”

 

When she returned inside, the bedding had already been replaced with something thick and soft.

 

The candle stand was lit with a gentle glow, and on the bedside table sat warm soup and freshly baked bread.

 

Once again, “her” face came to mind.

 

For some reason, her chest ached slightly.

 

‘That’s strange.’

 

Amelia quietly pressed her hand against her chest.

 

‘Why do I feel like this?’

 

The next day.

 

Amelia chose one of the outfits Riela had brought for her and put it on.

 

She had worn loose, white priest robes her entire life—this was her first time dressing in something like a proper gown.

 

Because of that, she fumbled around for a while and felt terribly sorry for making the Emperor and Empress wait—but the moment Riela saw her, she clapped her hands brightly.

 

“It suits you so well! Lady Amelia.”

 

“E-Excuse me?”

 

Before Amelia could even process it, Riela leaned in and whispered,

 

“In case anyone is listening, I’ll drop the title ‘priest.’ Just for today, you’re Lady Amelia.”

 

Amelia nodded, still dazed.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

The Emperor spoke, and the Empress walked beside him with composed grace.

 

Amelia followed behind them, along with the captain of the guard and several of the Emperor’s aides.

 

They passed unfamiliar faces in the barracks corridor, but no one paid Amelia any special attention.

 

They simply bowed respectfully to the Emperor and Empress.

 

Eventually, they arrived at a meeting room in the basement of the barracks.

 

Jes, who had arrived earlier, greeted Amelia with a small nod and held out a pouch.

 

“Here. These were taken from those who fled the temple. We believe Bishop Ludovico handed them over in exchange for passing off former Princess Greta. It would be good if you could confirm them, Priest Amelia.”

 

When the pouch was turned upside down, a handful of various gemstones spilled onto the table.

 

Amelia pulled a chair and sat, examining each one carefully.

 

“Yes… that’s right. These are treasures of the central temple. Some may have been personally owned by the archbishop, but this pink diamond and these pearls belong to the temple. And this lapis lazuli is something all temple priests carry… Here, if you compare it with what I brought, it will be clearer.”

 

As she spoke, Amelia opened a small pouch she had carefully kept and showed the gems inside.

 

That was when it happened.

 

“Priest Amelia.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Amelia, who had been focused on verifying evidence of the alliance between the temple and the Federation, looked up— and froze.

 

The Emperor’s gaze on her was cold.

 

Not just cold—but sharp, almost aggressive.

 

Until now, Emperor Herhan had been known to be calm and stern, but he had never looked at her like this.

 

‘What… did I do wrong?’

 

Looking around, she saw that the Emperor’s aides seemed just as tense.

 

Their faces had gone pale as they began to look at her with suspicion.

 

The only one who seemed just as confused as Amelia was Riela.

 

“Riela. Come here.”

 

As if protecting her from danger, the Emperor pulled Riela to his side— and at the same time, the captain of the guard twisted Amelia’s arms behind her back and restrained her.

 

Shaking in confusion, Amelia spoke.

 

“Your Majesty! What is this? What have I done wrong?”

 

Herhan kept his hardened expression for a moment, then pointed at one of the gems Amelia had shown.

 

It was an oval blue gem, shimmering with a mysterious mix of emerald and sapphire light.

 

“Amelia. Why do you have this?”

 

Amelia’s eyes widened.

 

“Ah—this is my personal belonging. It’s not from the temple. It’s not evidence—I must have taken it out by mistake—”

 

She tried to put the gem away, but she was already restrained by Asion.

 

The Emperor’s voice grew even sharper.

 

“Priest Amelia. I’ll ask again. This is important, so answer honestly. Why do you have this necklace?”

 

Only then did Riela, who had been confused, notice the gem on the table— and her eyes widened in shock.

 

It had been a long time, so for a moment she doubted herself—

 

but it was something she could never forget.

 

“…That’s Hank’s necklace…?”

 

* * *