The next night at dinner, I have my child next to me on one side while Lussios sits at the head of the table. I haven't said much to his all day. Most of that is because he's been busy, but even during breakfast, my lips were closed tight. He didn't join us for lunch which I was both grateful for and sad about. Now at dinner, I remain silent once again. Though the squeals of the happy child next to me makes me smile nonstop as I feed him his dinner.

I wish I had known a little earlier... but why do I feel that way? Lussios really doesn't owe me anything, especially after saving my life, delivering my baby, and now giving me a beautiful place to stay. Maybe I shouldn't be so damn hard on myself. If Lussios hadn't told me, how was I supposed to know that he's actually the ruler of this kingdom? It would have been nice to know. My track record with royalty isn't exactly impressive. But again, I had already guessed this much.

Lussios sighs loudly. Then he turns to me and already, his face is apologetic. An awkward smile rests on his lips while his hands are held up in defense as if I'll throw a punch any second.

"Chrysanthy... it was not my intention to hurt you while concealing my identity," Lussios says, pressing a hand to his chest. "It was also not my intention to even hide who I am from you. Things just turned out this way and I didn't think it was a big deal to reveal who I am before everything had a chance to settle down."

Pressing my lips into a tight line, I feed the hungry baby next to me another bite. "I don't know why I'm upset, Lussios. I'm not entitled to know what you don't want me to know. I'm just being childish... you've already helped me so much. In fact, I should be getting ready to pack me and Saiya up and find somewhere-"

The armchair lands on the shiny hardwood with a loud clatter. In one step, Lussios is next to me and leaning on the ground. He grips my chair, turning it with brute force. My eyes widen and my head juts back as we come face to face. He grabs my hands in a tight hold, but not enough to be painful.

"I don't want you to leave... Neither of you." Lussios stares into my eyes and his face is hard, showing me his sincerity without his usual calm smile in sight.

"Why?" My voice comes out in a whisper.

The familiar smile appears on Lussios' lips like a rainbow appearing after heavy rain. Before I know it, his warm hands are on my cheeks, his thumbs rubbing up and down on my skin. I can take my gaze away from his golden eyes that seem to glow even in the somewhat dim lighting of the dining room.

"Why?" I try again after this pause feels like five minutes have passed when it's probably only been thirty seconds.

Lussios dons a look of confusion for a split second, but the smile never leaves. "I think I'm in love with you."

A sharp breath is sucked in. Is there any rhyme or reason to this development? I've just been confessed to and I'm swelling. Butterflies in my stomach, a fast beating heart, sweaty palms, and so much happiness I think I might burst.

So this is why I was so all over the place. Realization dawns on me that I'm more than just attracted to Lussios and the kindness he has shown me. After spending months together on a boat with only one room, I've somehow fallen in love with this man. He's my savior, but I feel so much more than just grateful for that.

I'm so happy, but it's time to come back to reality.

"I'm married," I say, closing my eyes and shaking my head. "I'm an empress... this is complicated."

"It seems you don't know about the only treaty Rekha has with that cursed kingdom Turbum."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"As you're a refugee fleeing your country and have now reached Rekha land, you are no longer a citizen of Torbum," Lussios says. His face is serious and though I feel like it's a joke, I can't with the way he's looking at me.

"What?"

"You are no longer someone who holds a status within Torbum," he reiterates. "As soon as you fled here, you forfeit your citizenship from there. You would have had to appeal to the emperor for a place here... but you don't need to worry about that. All you need to do now is apply for citizenship here in Rekha."

My mouth drops in further disbelief. I can't believe what I've just heard. It all just feels so convenient.

"I'm free from Torbum?" I ask in a whisper.

Lussios nods before he shoots me the most heartwarming smile I have ever seen him make. The only word that comes to my mind is finally. I don't have to worry about dying by the hands of my own husband. I don't have to worry about whether my child will be treated like a nuisance in his own kingdom or pushed out when Callum's mistress also bears children.

I take a gasping breath as my chest heaves in relief. Pressing a hand to my chest, I clench at the traditional Rekha top I'm wearing. Part of my worries have effectively decreased after learning that I can wholeheartedly start an entirely new life here with Lussios and Saiya.

Looking up, I grab at Lussios and wrap my arms around his neck. Our mouths crash together in a flurry of teeth, tongues, and lips. The stubble on his face feels scratchy against my much smoother skin, but I don't care. It's only confirmation that this is real.

The child next to us coos and I push the panting man next to me away. Turning my chair back forwards, I lean over and brush a finger against the child's cheek. Then as if nothing happened, I begin to focus on the small being once again.

"You've chosen a name for him?" Lussios asks. I glance over to see him lift the armchair and return it to its original position before taking a seat.

Smiling, I nod my head. "I know it took a lot longer than it should've... but yes. I chose something meaning strength because that's what he is. He survived so much even from the very start of conception."

"It's a beautiful name, no matter how long it took to grant."

A strong name for a strong child.

***

Before I can comprehend anything, a year and some months pass by. Unlike what Lussios said, the process to fully become taken in by Rekha wasn't a breeze. For one, I had to constantly prove I wasn't still attached to Torbum which also means I had to always prove my loyalty to Rekha. Much of that consisted of donating to the church or volunteering for charity. Surprisingly, they never once asked me to share any Torbum secrets. Though I wholeheartedly believe Torbum would have taken the chance to suck any information out of a Rekha refugee.

But finally after a year, I can rightfully call myself and Saiya Rekha citizens. That does also mean that I've relinquished my original last name and my married last name. In Rekha, that changes my status to a commoner.

So I'm no longer Empress Chrysanthy, but just Chrysanthy. It actually feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, as if I've now truly become part of this world. Though the fact that we're still living in a palace skews the true effects of being a commoner.

I walk down long and wide spiraling stairs to head towards the dining area. The bumbling toddler in my arms smiles wide at me, a mouth full of little teeth on display for me to see. Smiling back at the child, I lean down and press a kiss to his chubby cheek.

Rekha has truly become this child. Perhaps he's too young to realize anything, but he's adjusted fairly well. Despite the two of us looking completely different from the true citizens of Rekha, Saiya seems to love this place. He's even developed a natural tan that has completely passed me by.

Saiya claps his hands together in excitement, causing me to laugh. We reach the dining room quickly to see Lussios already sitting and waiting. His pearly whites peek out as he stands from his seat and moves over to greet us. The maids bow and move to the side while our food continues to be served to us.

"Ah, it's hard to believe the beauty I'm able to see everyday. Who knew that picking up a scorned wife would lead to my endless happiness."

Giving Lussios a blank look, I brush past him and shake my head. "You're ridiculous, Lussios." Despite his cheesiness, I can't help but smile at his words. The past year and a half has been pleasant.

"Oh, it seems my betrothed is believing that I'm telling lies." He sighs, as he grabs Saiya from me.

They've developed a deep bond throughout our stay here. Even if Lussios looks nothing like him, I know Saiya has started seeing him as his father. Naturally, each time he says dada is answer enough. Despite such a beautiful sight, my heart can't help but ache at the fact that Saiya's real father would have tossed him aside.

That's neither here nor there.

Lussios sets Saiya down in the booster seat at the table before he pulls out my seat for me. From the corner of my eye, I can just make out the maids and butlers rolling their eyes. The first time Lussios ever pulled my chair out for me, they all freaked out as if the world was about to implode. The second time caused the same reaction, the hundredth caused hesitant looks, and now they've just become used to it.

"How are the negotiations going?" I ask as a maid leans over to pour wine into my glass. Nodding to her, I pick up the cup and sip the liquid. "Last time, you were close, no?"

Lussios sighs and rubs his chin. He's begun to grow a shadow on his face; not because he's stressed or in bad health, but because I told him he'd look good with a bit of facial hair which he kept shaving for the longest.

As of late, Lussios has been speaking with a foreign country regarding trade. It's been weeks since the negotiations started, and it seems they're constantly up and down about what to do. That foreign country is called Lovisa. They're rich in certain exports that don't grow in Rekha because of the hot weather.

"They're requesting us to help in their demon beast subjugation as a stipulation of trade. They cut the cost almost completely in half if we agree to send troops there every year," Lussios says. He cuts into his steak before placing that piece in his mouth.

Stopping my movements, I furrow my eyebrows. I stare at him for a bit, expecting him to tell me more about his thoughts. When he doesn't, I nod and begin cutting my own dinner. "Are they constantly being tormented by demon beasts?"

In the original story, demon beasts had never been mentioned. They were something that didn't touch Torbum at all, giving the illusion that Torbum was a peaceful place. Now I see why. The place called Lovisa wasn't written in detail in the story either. Rather, it was only mentioned in passing that they had very fertile land.

The first time Rekha got into contact with Lovisa, it had been about any changes to their land like the tremors here, cracks in the ground, or even fissures in the land. It was revealed to Lussios that for the past five years, they had been getting sinkholes all over their land. Then three years ago, they had witnessed beasts rising from the holes. Each year since, the situation has gotten worse, but they've been able to keep them at bay as they only come out every end of winter.

"Every year, once winter ends, the demon beasts emerge. Lovisa has one of the deepest pits to hell I've ever encountered. Very few places have them."

Any other nation Lussios spoke with all said they were only at the phase where small cracks were forming in their foundation. Luckily, it was nothing like Lovisa or Torbum who still has yet to respond to the letters Rekha has sent over.

"Pits to hell?" This is the first time I've heard of this. The way Lussios mentions it doesn't seem like a metaphor either.

Lussios nods. "This is what we have dubbed what's been happening in Lovisa. Nothing else explains things more than that. It's as if gates to hell are always popping up and when those beats come out... they've described them as demon-like creatures."

"What happens if they're unable to get rid of them all?" I ask.

"Unfortunately, we've yet to make a prediction regarding that outcome. Despite the deaths they've unfortunately encountered, we can't be certain what will happen if an apocalypse were to ever happen." His answer is so truthful that it scares me for a moment.

I shouldn't be too worried seeing as Rekha doesn't have one of these pits. At least, Lussios has never mentioned anything called a pit until now. The only one I've ever seen was in Torbum.

"So, what's wrong with helping Lovisa?" I change the subject in hopes of lightening up the conversation though I'm not sure if this will do the trick.

"Well, it's not a matter of it being a problem," he starts, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's more like they're requesting my help specifically to attend the subjugation. So I would be accompanying the party until all the creatures have been dealt with."

Ah, so they want the emperor of Rekha to attend himself. It's an odd request seeing as a ruler can't just arbitrarily leave their position. What would happen if Lussios fails to come back alive? He has no heir to his throne so that would unfortunately leave Rekha vulnerable. And for as long as I've known him, he's not mentioned his siblings since the first time. It is a hard topic for him, so I don't blame him.

"Sounds a little... suspicious," I mumble, shoveling some leafy greens into my mouth.

Lussios' knife drops to his plate. I look up to see him staring at me with wide eyes. Disbelief clouds his face as his mouth drops open. Picking up a towelette, he wipes his lips before calling over a servant. He whispers something to the boy before he shakes his head and pushes his chair in.

"I'm so sorry, darling, but it seems I'll have to cut our dinner short." Lussios takes quick steps over to me before grabbing my cheeks and laying a fat kiss on my lips. "I can't believe I have completely overlooked any and all signs. You've probably just saved my life."

One of Lussios' advisors comes into the dining room before they both scurry out. I watch them go before looking over to Saiya. His hands and face are covered with his creamed corn. Mumbling a silent curse, I apologize to the toddler before wiping him clean.

"Mommy was taking too much, right?" I smile at him before tapping his now clean nose. "I didn't mean to neglect my handsome boy. Let's finish then take a bath, yes?"

"Yes!" Saiya shouts before squealing.

Standing from my seat, I make a mental note to ask for some snacks in a bit since dinner has been cut short. I grab him and exit, planning to head up to give Saiya a bath and then make our way out to the garden. After washing Saiya, I get him dressed in a lightweight outfit since the weather has been quite warm.

With two maids accompanying me, we make our way out to the garden which also houses a beautiful greenhouse. This area has quickly become my favorite place as the glass walls allow natural sunlight in which the flowers inside love. It's large enough to feel like a guest house to a moderate home. With a concrete path that opens up into a seating area, Saiya and I get to have some fresh air while still being protected from the blazing sun.

"Ah, the new azaleas are blooming beautifully," I note as we walk past the freshly gardened row.

Getting closer to the seating area, I glance to the side to see how all the plants are doing. And when I look forward, my heart jumps as I spot a figure sitting in my normal seat. His legs are crossed as he reads a book and a teacup sits on a saucer on the table before him. His long white hair seems to glow with the sunlight that shines through. His porcelain skin surprises me as most people in Rekha are darker in complexion.

My shoes scrape against the concrete as I step back. Slowly, the man closes his book before turning and looking at me. Narrow and seductive violet eyes catch mine in an intense stare off. Then the corners of his lips tug up into a small smile.

Who the hell is he?

*Longest chapter yet!! I hope the story is still good for you guys. After a quick rewrite, I think I now like where the story is going. Yay!*