Chapter 138

I felt uneasy for the rest of the day. In my mind, Ridrian would have no choice but to accept me becoming an aide. I didn't want to rush him in his decision, so when he came back to the room, late at night to go to sleep, I didn't bring it up. I knew he, who had lost so much already, wouldn't let go of me that easily.

As I lay in the darkness, thinking about all of the possibilities, the emperor's voice broke the silence

"Even though I am the emperor, it is hard to keep the people I want around me. I just wanted you to stay in the palace comfortably," he said, sounding tired and sad. My heart hurt as I knew what he meant. I carefully stroked his hair and tried to comfort him.

"If I become an aide, I'll come into the palace every day. You're known to work long hours, so people wouldn't say anything, even if I leave the palace late."

"You'll be tired from working so much," he said, concerned

"I'm used to it."

"It'll be uncomfortable, since we're all men."

"Even so, they're still same nobles and the same aides I have seen every day. Besides, I'll be so busy I won't even have time to notice."

"Your safety might be an issue. It might be better for you to just leave the palace."

"You can take care of that. You have enough guards. I may not know everything, but I know that you'll protect me. You always have. So, please allow me to keep my promise to you."

I couldn't see him fully in the darkness, but I could tell that he was still a little uncomfortable. Then, in the shadows, I could see that he was smiling.

"I can do that. I want you to stay, Iona."

He embraced me, his hands warm. The heat of his body relaxed me. He buried his face in the crook of my neck.

"I need you. I'll protect you, so please stay by me," he whispered. Then his breathing became slow and steady.

"Ridrian," I whispered, but he had fallen asleep.

A new start was beginning. Whether it was a life under my newly restored name or a new relationship with him, it would be different. I chose to stay by him. There was no certainty that it will have a happy ending but, even so, I have no regrets. I nestled down in his arms, feeling comfortable and assured in my decision.

Five days later, I left the palace.

***

It's been a month since the masked ball and it has become a hot summer. A servant, who was moving baggage, wiped sweat off his brow in the relentless heat.

Like the change in the weather, my situation changed a lot as well. The situation with my family name had been rectified and I left the palace with my status fully restored. It felt strange leaving, after it had been such a big part of my life for half a year. The fact that I survived and had my name restored was nothing short of a miracle. But often, I would feel like I left something important behind.

"Miss? Did you forget something?" I had been staring at the palace when Lina's voice brought me back to reality.

"No, nothing."

"All the baggage is on the carriage, Miss." Ela reported. I looked at the line of carriages loaded with bags, chests, and items of furniture. Moving certainly wasn't easy.

When I made the decision to leave the palace, I thought I could leave easily since I didn't have much in the way of personal belongings. Ridrian destroyed that thought in an instant. Since I would be living alone, he felt that there were items I would require. Then he gathered everything that he could think of, that young ladies my age would use, and gave it to me. The number of items he insisted I take made me uneasy, but it all seemed a necessity so I couldn't refuse.

I nodded. "Thank you, Ela."

Ela shouted an order and the carriages started moving. A moment later, the carriage that Lina and I would be riding in, stopped in front of us. Lina was allowed to come with me as my personal servant. Ela was a maid in the emperor's house, so she needed to stay. Saying goodbye to her made me sad. It seemed she felt the same way, but she tried to control her emotions and bowed politely to me.

"Viscount Lesprey. I'll see you in palace soon again, I hope. In the meantime, please be safe." Tears started welling in Ela's eyes.

"Thank you, Ela. Come visit me at my mansion sometime. I'll prepare you a nice meal."

Ela laughed. "Of course, I will."

"Miss, His Majesty is here." Lina said, as Ela and I were hugging.

"Iona." Ridrian was coming out of the palace in a business suit. Ravis and Raven followed closely behind.

"Your Majesty," I bowed to him.

"Are you all ready?" he asked.

"Yes. I'll be leaving now. I was just waiting to say goodbye to you."

"I see." His face did not betray what he was currently feeling. It wasn't like I was never going to see him again.

Ravis tried not to laugh at the awkward moment. "Your Majesty, it's only five minutes to her mansion."