Chương 78: Prince (4)
The years passed by like whispers of wind, each moment slipping into the next, lost in the vast expanse of time. It had been five years since Marcus ascended to the throne as emperor. The kingdom had flourished under his rule, but the cost of peace had been heavy. His siblings, those who had once been rivals for the throne, were mostly dead. Some had died at his hands in duels and political schemes; others had quietly faded into obscurity, quitting the race for the crown and leaving for distant lands where no one would hear from them again. Only a few remained—those who had seen the futility of competing with him, now far from the capital and safely out of his reach.
Tyre had never wanted this. The throne. The bloodshed. The power. But it had come to him all the same, and as the years wore on, he became more and more entangled in the web of politics and the burdens of leadership. Yet, in all of his conquests and struggles, there had been one thing that remained steadfast: his love for Elira.
The day his father, the previous emperor, had retired, Tyre had taken his place. The announcement had been met with jubilation from the nobility, though there was a quiet undercurrent of fear from his siblings, who feared the new emperor's power. His father, though retired, had remained supportive of his son, giving him advice and guidance. But it was clear to everyone that Marcus's path was his own now. He had grown into a formidable ruler, both feared and admired.
His first actions as emperor were to reform the kingdom's policies, addressing the suffering of the common people. He enacted laws to provide better healthcare, education, and protection for the lower classes. The people of the kingdom had always known hardship, but under Tyre's reign, their lives began to improve. Food became more plentiful, diseases were fought with more resources, and even the poorest found themselves with greater opportunities. The nobles watched warily, some skeptical, others resentful, but the commoners hailed their new emperor as a hero.
Yet, amid all of his political victories and achievements, there was one thing that Tyre had never let go of—Elira.
It had been five years since he had left her, when he had donned his illusion magic and left the life he had known behind. But today was different. Today, he was going to find her.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the lush countryside as Tyre walked through the familiar forest. He hadn't been here since that fateful day when he had said goodbye, promising to return. The trees whispered softly in the breeze, and the air was thick with memories of his past.
After a few hours of searching, Tyre finally found the small cottage nestled near a stream—a place he knew all too well. His heart clenched in his chest as he stood before it, unsure of what he would find. Would she still be here? Had she moved on? Or would she remember him, just as he remembered her?
He took a deep breath and focused. The illusion magic wrapped around him like a cloak, altering his appearance, hiding his true form. He looked the same as he had all those years ago—young, unassuming, with no trace of the emperor he had become.
Before he could knock, the door flew open, and there she was—Elira. Her dark hair framed her face, her eyes wide in surprise, then softening with recognition. For a moment, the world seemed to still, and then she broke into a radiant smile.
"Marcus!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with joy. Before he could say a word, she rushed toward him, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck.
Caught off guard, Tyre stumbled slightly but quickly steadied himself, his arms instinctively circling her. The warmth of her embrace, the sheer happiness in her voice, filled the void he hadn't realized had grown within him over the years.
"You came back," she whispered, her face buried in his shoulder.
"I promised I would," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Elira pulled back slightly, just enough to look into his eyes. "I knew you'd come back," she said, her voice firm. "I never doubted you."
The days that followed were like a dream. Tyre stayed in the village, using his illusion magic to appear as the man she had known all those years ago. Together, they slipped back into the rhythm of their old life, as though no time had passed.
One morning, they decided to visit the village market together. The streets bustled with activity, vendors shouting over one another to advertise their wares. Tyre and Elira wandered from stall to stall, selecting fresh vegetables, fruits, and spices. Elira teased him for his lack of bargaining skills, while Marcus laughed at her triumphant haggling victories.
As they left the market, arms laden with goods, the sky darkened ominously.
"Uh-oh," Elira said, glancing up at the heavy clouds.
Before they could take another step, the heavens opened, rain pouring down in a sudden deluge.
"Run!" Elira shouted, grabbing his hand.
Laughing, they sprinted through the streets, the bags of groceries clutched tightly in their arms. By the time they reached the cottage, they were both drenched, water dripping from their hair and clothes.
Inside, they collapsed onto the floor, laughing uncontrollably. Marcus glanced at Elira, her face glowing with happiness, and felt his chest tighten. In that moment, he knew he couldn't keep the truth from her any longer.
It was a week later, as they sat by the fire after dinner, that Marcus decided to tell her.
"Elira," he began, his tone serious enough to make her set down her cup of tea. "There's something I need to tell you."
She tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What is it?"
He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I haven't been entirely honest with you. I'm not just... Marcus."
Her brow furrowed slightly, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"I'm the emperor," he said finally, the words hanging heavy in the air. "Five years ago, after I left, I ascended to the throne."
For a moment, Elira said nothing. Her eyes widened in shock, and she stared at him as though seeing him for the first time. "You're the emperor?" she whispered.
"I am," Tyre said, his voice steady. "I didn't tell you because I was afraid. Afraid that it would change how you saw me. Afraid that it would change... us."
Elira stood abruptly, her hands trembling. "You've been lying to me," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "All this time... you've been lying."
"It wasn't a lie," Tyre said quickly, rising to his feet. "It was only a secret. I never stopped being the man you knew, Elira. I'm still the same. The same man you saved all those years ago."
Elira turned away, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. "I need time," she said softly.
Marcus nodded, though the ache in his chest was almost unbearable. "Take all the time you need," he said. "I'll be here."
Days passed, and though they spent their time together as usual, there was a quiet tension between them. Marcus didn't push her, giving her the space she needed to process the truth.
One evening, as they sat outside watching the stars, Elira finally spoke.
"You haven't changed," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "Not really. You're still the Marcus I know. The one who laughs at my jokes, who runs with me in the rain, who—" She paused, her voice catching. "Who I love."
Tyre turned to her, his heart pounding. "And you're still the Elira I love," he said. "Nothing will ever change that."
Tears shimmered in her eyes as she looked at him, and then she smiled—a smile that lit up the night. "Then I suppose I can accept having an emperor for a husband."
***
The news of their love story spread like wildfire through the kingdom. Tales of how the injured prince had been saved by a commoner, how she had nursed him back to health, and how they had fallen in love captivated the hearts of the people.
When Tyre ascended to the throne, he returned for her, defying tradition to make her his only wife and queen. The commoners adored her, seeing in her a reflection of their own lives and struggles. Although the nobles were initially skeptical, they could not deny the strength of the emperor's love for his queen. More importantly, they recognized that opposing him was futile; he was a master-ranked being, and they had no real power against him.
Their story became a cherished legend, told and retold across the kingdom. It was a tale of love that defied social barriers, of a king who never forgot the woman who had saved him, and of a queen who had captured the heart of an emperor.
And in the years that followed, as they ruled the kingdom together, Marcus and Elira's love remained as strong as ever—a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who heard their story
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