"No. What I mean is I agree! Who cares if you show these to all the people in the world!" She explained while looking at the collections. "But good luck in keeping the safety of these cuties!" She excitedly said referring to the priceless treasures.

Emperor Valentine shook his head. He is extremely disappointed with himself!

Why can't I tell her the truth, confess my true feelings, and propose marriage?!! Haist!!!

On the third day, they toured the west wing in the morning and the northwest wing in the afternoon. The great library is in the west wing. Beatrix smiled happily after seeing so many important books and scrolls arranged from top to bottom shelves! She realized that even if someone decided to stay here all of his or her life to read, he or she can never finish all those books and scrolls! There is a large and comfortable reading corner. One wall is painted with a large and detailed map of the Solaris Empire. Another wall is painted with a blueprint or floor plan of the Solaris Imperial Palace. It is very detailed and so amazing! The next wall has paintings of the first Emperor and Empress of Solaris Empire up to the current Emperor! Beatrix smiled widely as she sees the painting of the First Emperor and Founder of the Solaris Empire.

"Valentine, you look so much like the first Emperor! The resemblance is very intriguing!" She excitedly declared after glancing at the painting and Valentine several times to look for any difference but except the clothing, she could find none!

"Yeah, they always say that. It is not surprising since I have his blood running in my veins." Emperor Valentine agreed and smiled as he looked at the painting.

Beatrix nodded and could not agree more. She read the inscription below the painting:

Viktor Solaris

First Emperor and Great Sovereign of Solaris Empire.

Majestic Builder and Founder of Solaris Empire.

The northwest wing is where the large kitchen, large serving room, large dining room, and large storage room are located.

On the fourth day, they toured the north wing in the morning and the northeast wing in the afternoon. The north wing is where the grand entrance, vestibule, waiting room, courtroom, and armory are located. The northeast wing is where the grand and majestic throne room is situated. Emperor Valentine sat on his throne and urged Beatrix to sit beside him.

"No, it is the Empress throne." She immediately declined.

"There are no other people here. Only the two of us. Sit here beside me." He convinced her to make her accustomed to sitting in the Empress' throne. He patted the seat to indicate that Beatrix should sit beside him.

"Why is it that there are no court officials today?" She changed the topic as the Empress throne is stirring uncomfortable emotions in her or more like bringing back sad memories.

"I suspended the court meetings for two weeks." He nonchalantly replied.

"What?!! Are you not afraid of being buried alive from the huge pile of unfinished works because of touring in Sky Empire, sea voyage for four months, and being stranded on the island for three weeks? Now that you are back, you still have the mood to extend your vacation further?" Beatrix could not believe it since she knows and understands how hard it is to rule, manage, and protect Sky Empire so she clearly understands that it is harder to rule, manage, and protect Solaris Empire that is more than twice the size of Sky Empire! It is truly a headache!

"Even if I immediately go back to work, it will still be the same so I chose to relax... Why should I make my life miserable?" He simply explained.

"You are just being lazy. I already feel sorry for the people of Solaris Empire." She joked and smiled.

"This is what I called 'Living life to the fullest!'" He reasoned.

"It is more like 'Living the life of a foolish!'" She shook her head and smiled helplessly.

He smiled then smoothly said:

"Why don't you guide the life of this foolish and help me with my job?" He wants to slowly convince her into becoming his Empress and help him run his huge empire.

"I ran away from my betrothal. One of the reasons is to escape from huge responsibilities. Now that I successfully escape, do you see me as an idiot who would volunteer to make my life miserable? No thanks!" She immediately declined.

He could not help but feel dismayed as he thought:

Another failure! Truly an epic failure! I should directly tell her...

Beatrix, I know that we did not have that much time being together but I already fell in love with you long ago!

Please, do not think that I am being too fast and hasty... I am sure of my feelings and I already thought about this several times!

I want you to be my Empress and the mother of all my children!

So, will you marry me?

Will she say... Yes?

© 2021 Jezel Mandin Sapata-Gentiles. All Rights Reserved.