After my speech at the funeral, a lot more people wanted to give me space.

Every public event I went to was a bit difficult to look my way, even more so then in the past. Damon and Finn had taken to being my friends again, truly, as they always came to visit when they weren't busy. Elliot and Tim also went out of their way to make sure I was doing alright.

I was healing. No one saw that, but I was.

I had shifted back to my room. The one I shared with Liam. And while it hurt that he wasn't there, I felt him.

He was still with me, in my heart, and I'd move forward for him. So while I seemed miserable to onlookers, I was picking myself back up.

As it was, after a year, I let myself go out more. And I turned twenty five.

And on my birthday, I was given a gift. In my dreams I saw the man I missed so dearly.

He looked different, but I knew who he was in an instant.

He was eighteen, I knew that. His hair still bright red, but this was because it was dyed so. I could see his dark roots. And his eyes were a strong gray. But still, I knew from his smile who he was.

I couldn't reach him, but I saw him. And I saw myself. Alex.

"I swear you like this game more than I do Liam."

Hilarious that he kept the name.

"You might not see it, but you remind me of Isaiah. Sorta. You're sweeter."

I- no... Alex laughed at Liam's insinuation. He seemed overjoyed with Liam's presence. "So you keep saying. I hate how much of a prick he is."

Liam snorted with laughter, joining Alex's. "You'd know how to make everything better, I know that. You'd befriend the prince, make Liam an ally, save the people!"

"You really think highly of me."

"I know you pretty well Alex. You'd be amazing."

Alex laughed and ruffled Liam's hair, "I appreciate the flattery. 6you staying over tonight?"

"If you'd let me."

Alex shook his head with a chuckle, and kissed Liam. It was sweet, and I could tell Liam was happy.

Good.

He deserved it.

The fact it was me he still ended up with made me happy.

But that dream let me know I could finally move on.

And it didn't show to a lot of people, but it showed to me. And while I was at the capital, I might have let it slip while in a meeting.

The end of it that is.

"We'd love to send a representative to other kingdoms so see how their new leader is doing," the emperor has stated.

"I could go your highness. Well my social skills are generally lacking, I'm on good terms with enough nobles to show I know how to act around them."

"Oh? Didn't think you'd volunteer."

I smiled kindly, an expression no one had seen in a year. "I'd love to represent us. The empire is my home after all. And it's been awhile since I've left it."

"You seem in a wonderful mood."

"I was graced with a vision from the gods. It has left me in good spirits."

"Oh? What was it about?"

I felt my smile grow, "I saw Liam." The silence seemed very loud in the room. "He's happy. I'm his new life. He found love of his own, and while that is with a different version of myself, I'm still glad he's happy."

The emperor seemed a bit shocked at the news. He knew I was reborn after my outburst at the funeral, but other than that, people were clueless. "That makes you happy?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "He's still Liam. And I think the gods let me see it, to let me know, I'm allowed to let him go. I'll love him forever, but I can't let myself throw away my future. I can't wallow in grief forever."

"I'm glad for you. If you wish to represent us, you are free to do so."

"Thank you for allowing me the honor."

The emperor gave me a curt nod. "Maybe you'll meet someone while visiting."

"That's not happening, I can assure you of that," I sputtered out. "Relationships are not for me. Not for awhile at least."

"Shame really. Maybe you'll marry into the family."

I shook my head, "your highness, I respect you, but sometimes you say things that I have no idea how to respond to."

"More speaking to myself really. And with all that, the meeting is over, you are all free to go."

Everyone still didn't quite know how to process what transpired, but I walked out, running straight into the prince.

Literally.

But not Damon.

Second prince Florian.

He just turned twenty one a few months back from what I was aware.

"Oh, pardon me your highness."

The prince looked me up and down, "you're a noble ?"

"Ah, that I am, perhaps your brother or father mentioned me?"

People inside were finally walking out, including the emperor. Now, me talking to the prince is nothing, but this prince... I-

"I bet I could fuck your brains out."

Oh god.

Now, I knew that took my a moment to process, as it probably did for everyone.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you right."

The prince smirked, "I said, I could make you moan like a whore. Do you want to be a royal?"

I took in a deep breath, "I see chivalry doesn't run in the family." I straightened my posture. "And that's big talk for a man who never fought a battle. If I wanted just fun after the death of my husband, believe me, I'd be able to find it. I'm not a whore for your amusement. Now, you should find your manners teacher, so he can slap some sense into your entitled arse."

The Prince's face contorted into anger, "how dare you-"

"Prince or not, I don't fear you. And I don't fear the emperor. If you think you can harm me, you're sorely mistaking."

Before anyone else could say something, Damon rounded the corner and saw us.

"Isaiah, you look well!" He walked over, standing besides his younger brother. They had similar features, but Florian was so much duller compared to Damon.

"I have been doing well. How about you Prince Damon?"

"I'm doing fine. I see you've finally met my brother."

"Well, I think we've met before, but only in passing. Hard to avoid your family."

"True. I see you've finished your meeting, so I'll let you be. Florian, we have things to go over."

"How can-"

"You should follow your brother." Florian went to glare at the voice, but paled upon seeing his father. The prince nodded and scurried off with Damon. The emperor turned to me, "I apologize for my second son's rudeness. I don't know where he gets it from."

"Well, the kingdom will be fine seeing as Prince Damon is the heir and not the second or third prince."

The emperor shook his head, "all these years and it still sounds like you're trying to scold me. Shame you aren't my son."

"I'd make a shit prince. Thank you though."

A diplomat looked at me very confused, "you spoke so informally and harshly with the princes!"

"I've also told the emperor he's incompetent, I'm still alive for a reason."

"You've what?"

The emperor let out a hearty laugh. "He's always been a bit headstrong. I must get going, enjoy the test of your day." The emperor walked out and we were left to ourselves.

"You're pretty bold, aren't you afraid of what the emperor could do?"

"Not really, no," I admitted. "If he wanted me gone, he could've done so a long time ago."

The emperor was basically another father, bit that I'd ever tell him that. He was a good man when he actually paid attention to his kids. He did it more so after I got engaged/married. So he's a lot closer to his kids.

How Florian turned out like... that was a mystery.