The Lotus Of East Palace
Epilogue: The Queen

I think it's been more than three months since I arrived in Nordhalbinsel. Other kingdoms must have started to enter the summer. But in this country, the snow is falling non-stop. A freezing cold wind that could kill anyone who wasn't strong enough to deal with it. In this land, the lake became ice, flowers could not grow and the land covered in eternal snow. A land that is cold, full of magic and deceit, cruel and merciless to those who are weak-hearted. But when he was with her, not even the cold air dared to touch me. When I was with him, like now, I was no longer in the snowy ground in the middle of the crystal Tulip garden. I was in the right place, warm and comfortable in his arms.

"Do you know?" I asked in between our kisses.

"Hm?"

"I'm..."

For a moment I did not continue my words because it was so dissolved in our togetherness. In this kiss. In this moment. It's amazing how we meet again in this life. Every time our eyes stared at each other, every time our skin touched each other, every time our lips were longing for each other, I could think of nothing but how magical this was.

Didn't the universe purposely bring us together? Through the secret scenarios carefully orchestrated by the Almighty, through the trials I have endured in my life, through the deaths that have occurred around me, which made me have to make difficult choices and leave my kingdom, which ultimately gave me a way back to her. Is this not called destiny? Then aren't we meant to be together?

Even if not, I just want to be with him. O Goddess, please allow me to be with her even longer.

Xavier stopped our kiss, asking me to continue with my words. I wanted to pull her again to continue our kiss, but I had to say it first.

"I really love you so much that it feels like I can never prove it enough to you to know."

"I know." He said, then kissed my forehead. "I know, baby. You don't have to prove anything to me. I already know you love me. Otherwise these roses wouldn't just grow."

A rose?

Look around us. Said.

So I looked around us. As I recall we were walking around the crystal Tulip garden—not the crystal Tulip garden in the Main Palace, I didn't really know where this was. So why are there now so many rose trees along the path we are walking on?

The roses bloomed, breaking through the snow and ice that had been around for centuries years. The dead land in this land suddenly grew lush rose trees. This isn't magic. The same thing happened to Dong-gung park on our wedding night.

"Jeez, I didn't mean it." I tried to stop the roses from growing. But I panicked, so more and more roses were growing in bloom along the way.

"It's okay."

"It's okay how? Whose garden is this? Will the owner be angry?"

"Impossible. He will thank you. You made the dead soil in his garden fertile and filled with roses."

"So you want to tell me where we are now?"

"Grand Duke Winterthur's Residence." Answer Xavier. Since then, he has not told me. He just said we were going for an afternoon walk and met a close friend. She even ordered a special dress that was very beautiful for me just for a walk this afternoon.

So apparently he wanted us to meet Leon. Since Leon is now Grand Duke of Winterthur, he now lives here. With mom. With their mother.

"I'll leave you. Talk as much as he does, you haven't seen each other in a long time." He said as he gently stroked my hair which had now begun to be long. He must not have known that his actions made my heart beat.

"Wait... Where are you going?"

"I must welcome the arrival of the delegation from the Orient for the peace pact."

I've been told that Orient has finally declared his intention to sign a peace treaty with us after learning that Queen Eleanor—, who allegedly killed Prince Yi, and her entire family, has been sentenced to death. I knew Eleanor and her entire family were exiled to the northern border. I know how hard this is for Xavier because the Winterthur family has helped him so much over the years. But as King he had to do it to protect his people.

"I don't need to come?" my many.

"It's okay, it's just a welcome arrival of the delegation. The new Emperor and his new Empress had not yet come. After all, the signing will only be done after the inauguration of our marriage next week. It was at the signing that I needed you to be by my side."

"Xavier's..." I clasped his hand before he actually turned around and left.

"Anna, honey, until when do you want to put it off? You've been here for months but haven't met him. In the future we will often meet him because now he is the Grand Duke of Winterthur. You need to talk to him."

"It's not like that..." Then I kissed her lips. Xavier looked surprised, at a loss for words. "Now you can go. But come back here before dinner. I want us to have dinner here with Leon and my mother-in-law."

...****************...

I saw it from a distance. He's in this park, sitting in the gazebo drinking tea. Leon still looks the same as the last time I saw him. Only her clothes are different. He was now wearing noble clothes. Oh, there's more. Her hair is now a bit long. He also doesn't seem to have shaved. His skin seemed to be paler like those of the north. Maybe it was because he had been in this Ice Country for too long.

Leon didn't see me. He seemed to be staring at someone from a distance—not me. He waved at the person and smiled brightly. I haven't seen him look so happy in a long time. Whoever he met in this park, that person must have been very close to him.

I looked at Leon. That's a young lady. He might be my age, but taller. From his snow-white skin, I'm pretty sure he's a northerner. Her black hair seemed to glisten under the reflection of the sunlight. As the girl stopped walking, Leon ran up to her and took her hand to sit together in the gazebo. They were then seen chatting while drinking tea. I was so far away from them that I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but Leon seemed so happy. He didn't even stop smiling and laughing.

The young lady seemed to have realized my existence earlier than Leon, as she seemed to be turning her head towards me. Leon looked over and our gazes met. He looked surprised when he saw me.

Leon turned back to the young woman, she said something, then stood up. He lowered his head politely and kissed the back of the girl's hand. He now really looked like a northern noble even more so with such a polite attitude. But the young lady then hugged him tightly, patted his back and whispered something to him. The young lady seemed to have told Leon to meet me immediately because the next second Leon was already walking towards me.

"It's good to see you, Queen." He said while bowing to me.

I'm at a loss for words. Suddenly I didn't know what to say. Since the day she left me in the forest, ever since she chose to go to Nordhalbinsel even though I had forbidden her and begged her not to leave me, I had saved a lot of things to say. At first I was still very angry at him, I had even gathered words of ridicule to scold him if he came back later. But over time, my anger turned into longing. I ended up saving those longing words to tell him if he came back later. But then Xavier told me that Leon was trapped in the magic room. And I lost hope. I thought he'd never come back. I took it and accepted the fact that he might not be able to come back. Even though Xavier kept assuring me that Leon would return safely, that he would try to figure out a way to bring Leon back. I don't believe it, I just don't want to hope. Until finally I was afraid to see him lying with his eyes closed and not moving like his life was not there. I couldn't see it that way so I never saw him.

Before becoming my first love, Leon was a big brother to me. My protector. My pal. The man I trust. And now he's back to being all that.

Miss you.

What's been happening to you all this time?

How's it going?

Are you all right?

Why did you leave that time?

I wanted to tell him all that, but in the end I didn't. "I'm not Queen yet, Leon."

"Masa? I think already. Xavier told all the nobles that we should treat you with respect because you are our Queen. Your Majesty has already passed, so it's official." Said. He smiled, "How are you?"

"I'm very good." My answer.

Leon's line of sight was then fixed on my stomach, which was now impossible to see. I automatically put my hand on my stomach. "How many months?" Ask Leon.

"Five months. Almost six."

"Gee... So I'm gonna have a nephew soon?"

"Yes, Uncle Leon."

Leon laughs.

I'm glad he can still act as usual as if we've never been apart for long. Not awkward at all. And although I knew I should have asked him the news as well, but when I saw his laughter again, I subconsciously asked what I had wanted to ask for a long time. "Are you happy here?"

Leon seemed unprepared and surprised by the question. But then he smiled. "Yes." Yeah." The answer. "Yes. I'm happy here. I have family here. And you're here too. I'm also happy to see you okay and look happy. I thought because of Queen Isabella's death you'd..."

Leon did not continue his words. He knows about the death of his mother. Xavier probably told her everything. "Worse? Saddened? Despairing?" Leon nodded. "It's true, I could feel all that. But Xavier helped me through those days."

"I'm so sorry. The late Queen Isabella has always been kind to me and loved me sincerely since I was a child. I'm really sad to learn of his death."

I held back my tears. Every time I remember my mother, I feel like crying. But this is not the right time. "Thank you, Leon. You've always been Mom's favorite son. So sometime, if you're not busy, come visit her grave in Schiereiland."

"definitely. I was planning a trip there. Together—“

"Leon!" Leon's words were cut off as a woman's voice rang out from a distance calling out his name. It was the black haired young lady who had been sitting in the gazebo with him. He walked quickly towards us while shouting. "How long is it! The tea will get cold. You know for yourself the air here is always cold. I told you we'd better have tea in the room. The warm tea the waiters had just prepared could instantly turn into frozen tea."

"Bright..." Leon took a long breath. "He's so chatty. Please understand, he's like that." He said to me, then looked back at the young lady. "Why did you follow me here? Why not put on your coat? You said it's cold out here yourself why take off your coat. I told you to wait there anyway."

The young lady quickly got to our place. He hit Leon on the back until Leon almost fell forward. No one can do that to Leon. No one has ever been so brave or so strong. "Basic evil! Could you let a pregnant woman stand for a long time in the snow like this! I never taught you that."

"Please remember, you never taught me anything." Sahut Leon's. He probably saw my expression staring at them in bewilderment. I was confused. Because Leon doesn't usually talk that casually with any woman other than me. Moreover, this young lady before me seemed to be a high noble when viewed from her dress and the various jewels she wore. "Baginda Queen, introduce, this woman is—“

"Irene." The woman extended her hand to me. I immediately shook his hand. His hands were warm, yet rough, full of cuts and calluses. I'm mistaken. He's not just a noble. This hand was not the hand of the Lady who had never done anything but partying and drinking tea. This hand was the hand of a warrior who often practiced swordsmanship and took part in battles.

The woman smiled at me. I don't know why his smile looks familiar. Not just his smile, his face looked familiar. Though a face as beautiful as that can not be found anywhere, even more so the emerald eyes...

Emerald eyes. Black hair. Snow white. The hand of a soldier. Name's Irene.

Holy hooch!

I hurriedly bowed before him. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Anastasia. I—“

"My son-in-law." He continued my introductory sentence while smiling wider. "I've only heard about you from Xavier and Leon. You are so beautiful! Leon, look, my daughter-in-law is pretty, isn't she?"

"Yes, I've seen. I told you we knew each other since we were kids." Said Leon. "She is beautiful."

"Xavier is so lucky!" Irene Shouts. He was like a joyful teenager after meeting his idol. "I'm so lucky!"

I glanced at Leon who looked amused to pay attention to the behavior of his mother who looked excited. I didn't know my mother-in-law would look this young. Being trapped in Selena's magic for twenty-three years turned out to make Irene not age. Now that they were standing side by side I knew why Irene's face looked familiar. I've even noticed it since I saw the painting on Trivone. In addition to her emerald eyes, Irene was very similar to Leon. The way they smile is the same. Leon is arguably the male version of Irene with Hazel eyes, thirty inches taller and a muscular body.

"Did Xavier come here often?" My toot.

"Not often. He's busy so he only comes when he can." Answer Irene. "Sorry, but... Can I hold you?" Ask with sparkling eyes.

I nodded, unable to refuse the request of my mother-in-law.

Irene hugged me tightly and patted my back gently. I felt the love of a mother radiate from her. "You've been through a lot. You're terrific. I'm so proud of you. Thank you for being a life companion for my son. I might not be a good mother to her, I left her at birth. But I hope you're willing to stand by him forever. And... I am so sorry for the deaths of your parents. I know them. They were good people, so they must have died peacefully. And although I know this is a shameless request, I know it's hard for you, but please forgive my husband's sin so that he can also be at peace in nature."

I know I shouldn't be like this, but I can't help it, my tears just fell by themselves. And Irene hugged me tighter.

...****************...

In the end we had a foursome dinner at the Grand Duke's Residence Winterthur—I, Xavier, Leon and Irene. Irene was so friendly to me that it felt like I had just made a new friend, not a mother-in-law. He even asked me to call him by his name alone because we looked the same age. Of course I politely declined because no matter how young she looked, she was still my mother-in-law. Leon had no hesitation in calling her Irene the only— sometimes General Irene or Senior Irene, while Xavier called her Mother.

Irene then asked me to tell her how Xavier and I got to know each other. I don't know where to start telling it myself.

Should we tell you everything from the beginning? Xavier asked me.

Wouldn't that confuse him? I asked back.

Seeing that Xavier and I were still silent, Irene looked impatiently waiting, Leon began, "It all started a thousand years ago..."

"A thousand years ago? Why is it that long? Is there a short version?" Ask Irene. He then glanced at me and Xavier. And finally we continued the story as short as possible until it was finished with several times interspersed by Irene's comments.

I haven't had dinner with my family in a long time and been chatting like this since the attack on Schiereiland, so this dinner is treating my longing. And it made me remember my sister. At the moment Alexis is probably eating alone in the Palace. Or maybe he missed dinner because he was too busy. So that night after we returned to the Main Palace, I told Xavier that I wanted to see my sister in the near future.

"Alright, I'll clear the schedule for tomorrow so we can leave together." He said when we were in our room.

"Aren't you having lunch tomorrow with the Orient delegation and the magic tower review?"

"That's important."

"Then what about the day after tomorrow?"

"You don't have to accompany me. I can go alone."

"Don't go alone. Too dangerous. Go with Leon if you really want to see your sister soon. I'll talk to Leon in the morning so he can rearrange his schedule." Said. I also nodded in agreement. "Now lie down here." Xavier patted the empty spot beside him on our bed.

"I'm not sleepy yet." Actually there are still books I have to read and learn in preparation to take over the Queen's duties.

"You must be tired." He said while helping me lie down.

"I've done almost nothing all day but read books, eat and relax. I should've done something. You should have started to give me the internal duties of the Palace that I could do." Even though I said that, he was actually right. I'm really tired. I don't know why I feel so tired even if I don't do anything. I used to be able to ride and practice swords for hours but I didn't feel this tired.

"I'm planning on giving you some assignments, but not anytime soon. I'm preparing everything, so you better get ready too. After this you will probably be very busy. But for now... I want to massage your feet." Said. Then he started massaging my legs. He seemed to know what he was doing, not knowing where he was from. I just realized how badly I needed a foot massage.

"You seem very skilled." I said while watching him who looked very serious as if massaging my feet was his main task as King. I couldn't help but smile when I saw her like that. How could this perfect kind and caring and loving man be my husband? What good has I ever done that I could be so lucky?

"Did you know? Not just anyone can massage properly. Because if you press the wrong point, it can be bad for the fetus or even trigger contractions. But you don't have to worry. I could say very expert."

"Did this fit into the Crown Prince's curriculum first?" My canda.

Xavier laughs. "Should we put it into the compulsory lesson of the heir to the throne in the future?"

"Lesson massaging your pregnant partner's legs. What a great idea!" I said. He came back laughing. I like hearing his voice. When he was King, he rarely smiled at anything else laughing. I was very curious, so I went back to asking, "Where did you learn it from?"

"I have many sisters." Said. "So I've seen my father's concubines a lot when they were pregnant. Some became so weak that they could not get out of the room at all for nine whole months. Some become easily emotional and sensitive. But most commonly, they get tired easily and their legs swell after a day of activity."

"So your dad massaged their legs?" My guess.

Xavier smiled bitterly. "If my father had set a good example, I would have been a better husband to you. But, no. Dad doesn't really care about his concubines. Even so, my father was a King, so upon hearing their complaints, he gave the concubines expert people who could be told to massage their feet. While me... I don't like other people holding my wife's feet."

"You're a good husband, Xavier. You're flawless. You're amazing." I landed a brief kiss on her cheek. "And I'm so lucky to have you. I think you should know that."

He was silent for a long time while looking at me. He didn't even realize he had stopped massaging. "Is making me flutter and lose my words is your specialty?"

I laugh. "Maybe. Because that's your skill too. Oh!" I suddenly felt something in my stomach. Our son seems to have started to move. So a few times, especially at night, I often feel it when he moves or kicks.

"Why? Is anyone sick?" Ask in panic.

"He's kicking."

Xavier then placed his hand on my belly which had started to enlarge. He began to caress my stomach and kiss it. I immediately felt warm and relaxed. And my son started to calm down. "My sweet daughter..." He said softly. "I'm glad you're active and healthy. But please don't kick around too often if your mom's asleep. When it's time for you to be born, don't bother your mother so she won't have to be in pain for too long. Be born on time because we are all here waiting for you. And be a good and healthy child, because if you are sick, then we will be very sad. You should always listen to your mother's words and obey her because being pregnant for nine months and then giving birth is not easy at all. Your mother risked her life for you. Be a strong and strong child like your mother. But whatever you do, you should know that your mom and dad love you so much."

I know it's sweet words and I should smile happily, but why do my eyes hurt. He says it now as if he won't be able to say it later after our son is born.

I dare not even ask why. I was afraid to hear the answer.

"Why are you so sure she's a princess?" I asked finally after making sure my voice wouldn't shake and my tears wouldn't spill. Xavier was right, I became sensitive and emotional.

"Gyeoul told me." Said.

"Gyeouls? One of those dragon trackers? How did he know?"

"Oh, that..." Xavier was silent for a moment. But I know he won't lie to me. I believe he'll tell me. "There won't be any more secrets between us, so I better tell you. Gyeoul comes from a family of fortune tellers. Before I killed him, Gyeoul had predicted my future. I got carried away with emotions because of her prophecy, so I killed her. He said that I should take care of my Queen and my little Princess. If I fail to protect you, either one of you, or maybe both of you will die. And it happened because I ignored the warning from the Goddess of Heaven. Because I'm supposed to stay away from you and not repeat our destiny."

"We're not going to die." I said directly. I held her hand over my stomach. "We're not all going to die. We will protect each other and survive for a long time. We will live for a very long time until our hands are wrinkled and my red hair has all turned white. And we're gonna prove that the prophecy was wrong."

...****************...

The next day, Leon drove me to Schiereiland because he could now teleport. Her magic ability was almost on par with Eleanor because she had some of Eleanor's magic power. However, Xavier forbade Leon from using direct teleportation from Nordhalbinsel to Schiereiland. He asked us to stop and rest in some places so that I would not feel sick and tired. But I forced Leon to teleport directly to Schiereiland Palace because I didn't want to go long away from Xavier. He'll probably feel sick again if he's away from me.

And sure enough, when I arrived at Schiereiland Palace I immediately vomited. My head's spinning. It's like I'll never get used to teleportation.

Leon seemed to feel very guilty and repeatedly apologized to me. "I'm sorry, Sire Ra—“

"How many times do you want to apologize? I told you it was okay. I forced you anyway." Then I vomited again. It felt like I wanted to just lie in bed and rest until the nausea and dizziness were gone, but we had already reached Schiereiland Palace. And I don't want to buy time.

"Fixed, I should have refused. My fault. I didn't know that—“

"It's okay, Leon." Cut me. I refrained from falling. "I'm fine now. Let's go see King Alexis." I lie. Actually, I'm still very nauseous and dizzy. But I should look fine otherwise my visit will be postponed. I need to see Alexis right now.

As expected, Alexis was very busy. His assistant said that the young King had not been out of his study since this morning when it was almost dusk when I reached Schiereiland. I asked his assistant to convey my arrival. Alexis let me in and I asked Leon to wait outside. This is my business with my sister.

"How are you?" My toot. Alexis doesn't look okay. He looks like a man who hasn't slept in days.

Alexis glanced at my enlarged stomach. I haven't told her about my pregnancy. At least now I don't have to rack my brain to figure out how to tell him. "I'm healthy." Said. "Just a little busy. But soon I will sign a trade partnership with Orient. The new Maharani opens up opportunities for cooperation. So that in the future we can get an abundant supply of spices from the east and we can import typical Schiereiland wine there. So I guess it's worth it. Are you really back now? The palace has become very quiet since you left. I don't have anybody else."

I can't answer that question. Because I have absolutely no intention of returning to Schiereiland. I may visit a few times, but I won't stay here again. I gave Schiereiland away to Alexis. And I hope he can be a good King for Schiereiland even though I know he will be lonely living here. She'll find the good woman who's Queen and she won't need me anymore.

"Do you still sell Morta to Orient?" I asked again, ignoring the question before.

"That's Luna—Selena's business, I mean. I don't take care of magic poison." Said. But hearing she still mentioned Selena by the name of Luna, I knew she still felt hurt from being betrayed by the person she loved. He must have felt lied to. Alexis may be sincere to her, but Luna, the girl she loves sincerely, never existed. From the beginning it was Selena who tried to trick her into gaining power in Schiereiland.

"I'm sorry... About Luna, I should have told you earlier." But he probably won't believe it because he trusts the witch so much. Anyway I should be mute because of Selena's magic. If I tell you straight away that I'm not really mute by that magic, maybe we'll never be able to buy time until Ludwig completes the project. Maybe Selena will never be caught and locked up like she is now.

"Yes, you should have warned me earlier. But you chose to be quiet."

"And you plan to take advantage of my arranged marriage to Prince Ludwig." My reply.

"Which in the end you failed. You will marry the King of the North. And you even have children out of wedlock! Have you forgotten who killed our father and mother? Their king and the people of the north are destroying our kingdom and our lives! He may have tricked you and won't marry you!"

"We're actually married." I said. "And if you forget, it wasn't Xavier who killed our father and mother. It wasn't Xavier who attacked our kingdom. But it was Xavier who restored Schiereiland's power to you and helped Schiereiland to the stability he is today. So don't talk bad about him."

Alexis was silent for a while, looking for things to debate. "Marriage in the Orient will not be considered legal in another country." Said finally.

"Our wedding in Nordhalbinsel will be held next week. I came to invite you."

"I'm not coming. I won't let you. And I have the right to ban you because I'm King Schiereiland."

"Alexis..."

"If you come here just to ask my permission, you can leave now. Your arrival is useless unless King Xavier gives me what I want."

"What do you mean?"

"He sent me a letter, asking for permission to officiate your marriage at Schiereiland. So I gave him the terms. And he should have sent me a reply this afternoon."

"What do you ask for as a requirement?" I wasn't ready to hear the answer to my question because I knew my sister very well. I seem to know what he's asking. And I suspect Xavier will give it whatever it is.

"I will give up my sister, my only family, to marry him. So of course I have to ask for something big."

"Alexis... What did you ask him?" Indict me.

"If he really loves you, he should have agreed to those terms. Whatever it is."

Suddenly the sound of the door being knocked.

"Lake in." Said Alexis.

Alexis' assistant walked in while carrying a golden tray with a letter on it. The seal of the four dragons on the candle made my heart almost stop beating. It's an official letter from the kingdom of Nordhalbinsel. "King Xavier sent a reply." He said, giving the letter to my sister.

Alexis immediately read the letter. I waited impatiently.

Alexis smiled as she read it. He then handed the letter to me. I dare not read it. His smile is not a good sign for me.

"I'm sorry I doubted it. It turns out that he really loved you until he was willing to give his kingdom to me. Schiereiland will take control of Nordhalbinsel. Happy brother, your marriage will be inaugurated soon. This is our reward for those who once colonized our country. We can take revenge on those northerners. And you can divorce her if you don't want to be the King's wife without a kingdom. The doors of this palace are always wide open for you."

...****************...

I immediately left Schiereiland Palace and Alexis. And even though Leon forbade me to teleport directly to Nordhalbinsel, I threatened him that I would look for another witch to be able to get me to teleport directly to the Main Palace. Leon was unable to refute me and we finally arrived quickly at the Main Palace in the King's study. I refrained from vomiting despite feeling nauseous.

"Please leave us, Leon. I need to speak with His Majesty." My orders. Without saying a word, Leon immediately left the room.

"It's so fast." Xavier. But looking at the expression on my face, he asked, "You okay? Something happened at Schiereiland? You look pale. Don't tell Leon to take you straight—“

"What are you doing?" Cut me. I became very emotional so subconsciously I raised my voice until Xavier was surprised to hear it.

"What do you mean, baby? Let's talk about it first. Sit down, you must be tired after a long trip."

"Why are you so easy to hand over this kingdom to Alexis?" Ask directly.

"Who said—“

"I've read the letter you sent to Alexis." I said. I want to be angry and cry at the same time. I shouldn't have acted like this with him. I know he did this hard thing for me. But I don't want him to sacrifice his kingdom and millions of people to formalize our marriage.

"Oh, that..." He said casually as if it was no big deal.

"Why not talk to me about it?"

"Because you won't agree."

"Of course!"

"So you'd rather not formalize our marriage than hand over Nordhalbinsel?"

"This country is your home. Now it's our home. The people in it are the people who believe in you. You can't just let it go to a sixteen-year-old who can't necessarily lead properly. Millions of lives here are at stake. Alexis said he'd take revenge on the northmen, I don't know what he'd do to them all."

"Anna, honey, just calm down." He said while holding my hand. For some reason, this simple treatment made my emotions improve. I became calmer. "I did not give up our beloved kingdom to a sixteen-year-old. Is it not written in the letter I have signed that I hand over Nordhalbinsel to the rightful leader of the Kingdom of Schiereiland." Xavier then took something out of his pocket. A letter. He handed me the letter. "And according to this letter, king Edward's will was found by Ludwig in the drawer of my late father's room on the day of his death—which Leon confirmed was a copy of your father's will, you are the rightful ruler of the Kingdom of Schiereiland. You are the true Queen of Schiereiland."

I read the letter. It was true dad's handwriting. It's exactly the same thing I read in the library. Exactly the same as the father's will that Selena burned. All this time I wondered where the copy of his will was, it was King Vlad who kept it. And Ludwig found it, and handed it over to Xavier.

"It's..."

"You are the Queen of Schiereiland and Nordhalbinsel, Anna." He said while smiling at me. He put his crown on my head, then kissed my forehead. "I'll make sure everyone finds out about your father's will and about my decision to hand over Nordhalbinsel to Schiereiland. I give you two kingdoms in exchange for our wedding ring..." Xavier then knelt down before me, his emerald eyes that seemed to glitter under the light of the crystal lamp were staring at me. He then kissed the back of my hand, "My heart."

...****************...

...-The End...