Bella’s health was not good.
The cause was the severe mental anguish she had endured for ten years, which left her both mentally and physically exhausted.
It was only after Ray woke from his slumber and regained his warmth that Bella managed to recover her old smile.
However, given her age, it would inevitably take time to restore her body once it had been broken down.
Ray intended to focus on Bella until she regained some of her health.
Of course, this didn’t mean he would stick by her side exclusively.
He still had duties to fulfill and people to meet, but Bella would remain his priority.
Thus, Ray spent some time reflecting on those who had been hurt due to his choices.
In the blink of an eye, several months flew by, and before he knew it, Ray found himself sharing a meal alone with Lea.
His sister, who had grown so much, still felt somewhat unfamiliar to him.
The little girl who used to sing “Big Brother, Big Brother” while throwing tantrums and sulking had transformed into a dignified lady exuding grace.
Given how starkly different she was from his memories, Ray often found himself at a loss for words whenever they were alone together.
“Hmm…”
During the meal, Ray cleared his throat awkwardly before finally speaking up.
“Lea.”
“Yes?”
“Um… Well… When Mother gets better, maybe we could all go on a trip together?”
“A trip?”
“To the sea, perhaps…”
Lea’s gaze turned askance.
Clearly, she wasn’t pleased.
Confused about what he might have done wrong, Ray glanced nervously at Lea, then berated himself internally for caring so much about her reaction.
As he silently agonized over this, Lea let out a short sigh.
“Brother, I’m afraid of the sea.”
Considering the emperor’s dignity, one shouldn’t casually speak of fears, but Lea expressed herself freely.
“I still have nightmares occasionally. Like the ones where I’m chased by a dark shadow along the seashore.”
When she was younger, Lea had almost drowned at the beach after pestering Karen to take her there.
That terrifying memory remained deeply ingrained in her mind as a trauma, making her feelings toward the sea quite negative.
Even if opportunities arose later, she likely wouldn’t seek them out willingly.
Realizing belatedly about Lea’s trauma, Ray felt slightly flustered.
“Ah, right. That’s true.”
“And besides, I don’t have the leisure for relaxed trips right now. Time for even sleep feels precious.”
The continent was in turmoil.
Moreover, Lea was officially recognized as the most powerful figure in the continent.
Unless she chose to be merely a puppet emperor, countless issues requiring her direct attention and resolution kept piling up endlessly.
Lea had resolved to accept her fate and fulfill her role, hence enduring days busier than she could handle.
Furthermore, should the emperor venture out for a trip, the resources and manpower required would be unimaginable.
She lacked the luxury for such extravagance.
Lea anticipated that for about ten years, leaving the imperial capital would be difficult, and realistically, that was highly probable.
And yet, Ray had ignorantly brought up the topic of travel to her.
Annoyed, Lea shot back at Ray.
“How can you think of traveling in these times? It’s time you grew up a bit, Brother.”
This made Ray’s expression sour as he looked askance.
How strange it was to hear someone tell him to grow up when just recently he remembered her crying incessantly.
Struggling to lower his blood pressure, Ray watched as Lea burst into laughter.
Her comment about him needing to grow up was obviously a joke.
Looking at Lea laughing brightly yet maintaining her elegance, Ray couldn’t help but smile faintly.
So much had changed from the past.
Though he hadn’t fully adapted yet, he knew he had to accept it.
While sharing small talk during the meal, Ray suddenly shifted the topic.
“By the way, regarding the building east of the imperial palace… There’s…”
“The bloodline of the former emperor is imprisoned there.”
Though Ray had heard this information before, upon receiving confirmation from Lea again, he revealed a complicated expression.
The child of the former emperor.
A person whose destiny was intertwined with Ray’s in ways that could no longer be undone.
Regardless of any disputes, Ray and the child of the former emperor were in positions where they could never tolerate each other.
Lea’s stance wasn’t much different from Ray’s either.
Still, the child of the former emperor remained under house arrest instead of being executed.
After pondering for a moment, Ray frankly asked Lea about the matter.
“Is it alright?”
“Hmm…”
The decision to imprison rather than execute the child of the former emperor was Lea’s.
It was undeniable that the child posed a danger to the current empire.
The question was how great the danger truly was.
Lea paused briefly before continuing.
“…The power of the Dragonblood is weakening.”
“!”
Surprised by this new information, Ray widened his eyes.
However, upon further reflection, it was predictable that the power flowing through the royal lineage would gradually diminish.
The Dragonblood was both a blessing and a curse passed down through the royal family for a thousand years, originating from the dragon—a creature created beyond the laws of nature by El-Lam.
But El-Lam’s influence had vanished.
Thus, the mechanisms and powers arranged by the dragon were bound to fade away slowly.
Demonstrating a small flame using the Dragonblood, Lea explained.
“This power won’t disappear immediately. But as time passes and generations continue, it will fade more rapidly.”
“…”
“When that happens, the only symbols remaining of the royal family will be their unique hair and eye colors. Perhaps even those may vanish.”
“…”
Ray contemplated whether the fading characteristics of the royal family would be a positive change.
However, Lea interrupted his thoughts.
“In fact, more importantly… Since the war ended, chaos has continued, and the emphasis on legitimacy and bloodlines across the continent has diminished, giving way to valuing strength.”
Holding onto outdated values was impossible given the massive changes that had already occurred.
Surviving and overcoming chaos ultimately depended on strength.
“As long as Sister Luna remains an ally of the empire, the empire will be safe. She’s a grand mage who surpasses the Lord tier and wields authority.”
“…True.”
“Sister Luna’s abilities… They work miracles. Reviving you was possible thanks to Sister Luna’s power.”
When Ray fell into a deep slumber, his body had already been torn apart.
Even after the contract with El-Lam dissolved, his shattered body did not return.
Luna painstakingly restored his broken body over several months without divine power.
Luna’s abilities reversed even irreversible changes.
It was a miracle that defied common sense.
“…”
Mentioning Luna caused Ray to fall silent again.
Stopping his meal and lost in thought, Ray was suddenly questioned by Lea.
“Brother.”
“Hmm?”
“Do you have any thoughts about forming a marital relationship with me?”
Stunned, Ray rubbed his ears and echoed back.
“…Did I mishear something? What did you just say?”
“Do you want to form a marital relationship with me?”
“No way, are you crazy?”
Ray spat out a curse first.
Anticipating Ray’s reaction, Lea calmly replied.
“You’re being disrespectful to the emperor.”
“What’s wrong with you? We were having a nice meal, and why are you suddenly talking nonsense?”
“The two main pillars supporting the empire militarily are Sister Johanna and Sister Luna.”
The current Continent’s Greatest Swordmaster, Johanna, and the unparalleled Grand Mage Luna, who reached an absolute height in history that would never be seen again.
“But both sisters belong to you. If you give a word, the empire won’t hesitate. Since it’s impossible to sway the hearts of the two sisters, isn’t it best to bring you into the royal family?”
“The best? Are you serious?! Sister, is this really a conversation siblings should have? Huh?”
“Calculating our relations, aren’t we cousins? Historically speaking, marrying a cousin isn’t unusual. No need to make a fuss.”
“Are you trying to make Mom collapse? Seriously, what happened between you two while I was gone? You’ve gone mad!”
Gradually, Ray’s curses weren’t being filtered anymore.
Watching his reactions, Lea giggled happily.
Lea’s proposal of marriage wasn’t serious either.
Certainly, for the long-term stability of the empire, such extreme measures might be necessary, but it wasn’t urgent.
After teasing her brother for a while, Lea bid him farewell after the meal.
“I’m busy, so I’ll leave now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, it seems you’re doing well.”
The mention of marriage had been quite shocking, causing Ray to respond sarcastically.
Lea returned with a cheerful smile, clearly enjoying teasing her brother.
Ray scratched the back of his head irritably as he watched Lea walk away.
Later, Ray took a pleasant stroll around the imperial city with Bella, sharing stories about recent events.
Of course, he completely omitted the part where Lea made absurd remarks about marriage.
Ray didn’t want to see Bella clutching her neck in shock.
Bella listened happily as she walked slowly alongside Ray.
Midway through, Ely and Cania also joined them, chattering cheerfully as they strolled together.
It was a happy time, but unfortunately, Bella’s body hadn’t fully recovered yet, so they couldn’t extend the walk too long.
Knowing Bella’s condition well, Ray stopped their conversation at an appropriate point and encouraged her to rest.
“Let’s go inside and rest, Mom.”
“Alright. You should go too, my son. You’re busy, and many people are looking for you.”
Bella lightly patted Ray’s back.
Without insisting unnecessarily, Ray followed her advice.
At that moment, Johanna, who had been waiting for Ray, appeared quietly.
Although there was still some time before their appointment, Johanna stood before Ray and playfully kicked his shin.
Thud!
“Ow…!”
From Johanna’s perspective, it was a very gentle kick, but from Ray’s standpoint, it wasn’t gentle at all.
As Ray groaned exaggeratedly, Johanna bluntly asked,
“Stop faking pain, will you?”
“It actually hurts… But why did you kick me anyway?”
“Just because?”
“…”
Ray tilted his head to the side.
But Johanna brazenly asked again,
“What? Got complaints?”
“…”
Our Johanna wasn’t usually like this…
Ray keenly realized that she still harbored a lot of pent-up frustration and silently winced.
Watching this from beside Bella, Ely blinked her eyes.
Seeing her father getting kicked for no reason and unable to properly protest made his back look especially pitiful.
Ely, after some contemplation, suddenly asked Bella,
“Grandma!”
“What is it?”
“Is Dad possibly… trash?”
“?”
Out of nowhere, Ray whipped his head around to Ely and asked,
“Ely, where did you hear the word ‘trash’?”
“Uh… A dangerous pervert uncle taught me. Dad is trash.”
Ah, that narrow-minded kid.
Ray grabbed the back of his neck.
He called Ely over and advised her not to use such bad language, to which Ely simply laughed and said okay.
Bella observed this scene from a step away, quietly watching.
