***
As soon as Elena heard that Alphord had returned, she hurriedly prepared to leave for Blaise Mansion after having not visited for a long time. The procession that followed her was quite massive, and she had a large number of guards and attendants that cared for her while she was pregnant.
She finally arrived at Blaise Mansion. Derek, who had already heard the news, was waiting for her at the entrance. She stepped off the carriage and greeted her brother.
“Brother.”
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“You should have told me in advance that you were arriving at the capital with Father.”
“Well…Father was reluctant to tell you the news, because he didn’t want to worry you while you were pregnant. Still, please understand that we contacted you after arriving at the mansion.”
Elena was familiar with Alphord’s stubbornness, and had a rough idea of what Derek went through. She replied with a nod.
“I understand what you mean. Where’s Father?”
“I’ll take you to him.”
Derek took the lead and guided her to Alphord’s room. Because she was now at Blaise Mansion, there was nothing that could endanger her, and the escorts remained at the door.
Finally, it was only Elena and Derek alone inside. The latter slowed his footsteps and spoke in a careful voice.
“I had misrepresented the news about your death, and it could have caused a major accident with the Emperor. Once again…I’m sorry.”
“No, it was an honest mistake then. The Emperor understands everything, so don’t worry about it anymore.”
She was rather concerned that Derek was still hung up on it. In her eyes, it wasn’t his fault at all. If Elena had been in his position, she would have thought the same thing.
“The important thing is that you and Father are safe and sound. And as a result, the war resulted in a great victory.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Don’t judge yourself based on one incident alone. Because of the strategic movement of your troops, Father and I had been able to avoid Paveluc’s pursuit for a long time.”
“…”
“This is late, but you risked your life for me… So thank you very much. Brother.”
At Elena’s words, Derek’s footsteps slowed to a halt, and she stopped and looked at her brother. For a moment, they stared at each other in silence. Elena’s gaze conveyed exactly what she thought of her brother, and conversely, how much Derek cared about her. She offered him a soft smile.
“You probably don’t realize how much I rely on you.”
At that, Derek immediately fell to one knee like a perfect example of a knight.
“If you are ever in any danger in the future, Your Majesty, I will run to you. And then…I will certainly save you.”
Derek had pledged this countless times to her. Even if he didn’t say anything else, the true emotions of his heart were passed on to Elena, and she nodded and gave a radiant smile.
“Thank you again, Brother.”
***
Kiiiig—
After Derek took her to Alphord’s door, Elena went into the room alone. There she saw her father laying in the dim light. It was a miracle that he was alive, but it broke her heart to see the bandages wrapped around him because he couldn’t be completely healed.
She stood in place for a moment as she stared at her father’s figure lying on the bed.
“Who’s there? Please bring me some water.”
Alphord’s hoarse request caused Elena’s eyes to turn towards the glass of water on the table. She gently picked up the glass and held it out to him, and his eyes widened upon seeing who she was.
“Your Majesty…”
“Do you feel alright?”
Alphord attempted to raise his injured body rather than answer Elena’s question. Startled, she hurriedly pressed her father back into bed.
“You can omit the greetings. One wrong move will reopen your wounds.”
“How can I, as a servant of Your Majesty, lie down when you enter?”
Elena swallowed a wry smile. Alphord was the ever-loyal knight, but he didn’t know how to be a loving father. Elena didn’t come here as an empress; she came here as a worried daughter visiting her sick parent.
When Alphord treated her only as an empress, she felt a chasm between them. She thought they had become closer on the battlefield, but now it felt like they were back to square one. Had it been in the past, Elena would have hidden her disappointment and pretended to be fine. But now…she would not.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Father. It is known all over the world that the Empress of the Ruford Empire is a daughter of the Blaise family. Would you make me a cruel empress who makes her injured father bow?”
“…!”
Alphord’s dark green eyes trembled slightly at Elena’s words. He had never considered this before. Elena had been hiding her feelings from him for a long time, and he never intended to be hated by her. Until now, she believed he would love her if she became an obedient daughter.
However, Alphord did not know what made Elena grieve this way. Communication between them had disappeared. Only recently did Elena realize it. So she vowed to express her feelings more frankly the next time she met her father. And that time was now.
“I hope you don’t call me ‘Her Majesty’ too much. As you know, there aren’t many people who call me Elena anymore. Sometimes I just want to be Elena, not the empress.”
“…”
“So, can you call me by my name when we’re alone?”
“…Very well, Your Majesty.”
When Alphord replied with an honorary title, he glanced at Elena with a wry look. It was an unfamiliar expression to Elena, and she stared at him without realizing it. Alphord spoke again, apparently misunderstanding her expression.
“…I’ll occasionally call you Elena.”
The moment she heard his words, it was as if a huge weight had been lifted deep from her heart. It was only a tiny change, but at the same time, a world-shifting one. Elena’s and Alphord’s relationship did not change overnight. Like Alphord’s blunt personality, Elena’s secretive nature didn’t disappear instantly. But very slowly, things would certainly be different.
Elena carefully adjusted Alphord’s rumpled blanket, then spoke.
“Get well soon, Father. I have so many things to say.”
She hadn’t even told him that she had returned to the past with a new life, or that she had become an excellent knight. She couldn’t imagine how he would react once he heard the whole story, but one day she intended to be wholly honest.
“If you have anything to say, please do so. I’ll be waiting.”
Upon hearing that, Elena returned a bright smile.
“Then I’ll have to tell you this first.”
Elena took Alphord’s roughened hands and squeezed it warmly. He looked at her in puzzlement, and she spoke.
“Thank you so much for staying with me. From now on, you should live a long and healthy life. You should also hug your first grandchild soon.”
“Ah…”
Alphord’s eyes slid to Elena’s rounded belly, and an irresistible smile split across his face. Though he already knew that his daughter was pregnant, this was the first time he had confirmed it with his own eyes.
Elena smiled happily at him. Somehow, it felt like this warm spring day would really remain.
