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A Year Later

The atmosphere in the imperial palace of Cedore was quite light and fun despite the buzzy hallways and halls.

​ In one pavilion in the west of the palace, Iria was having a chat with the Empress of Cedore, Amina Francia, the wife of her uncle.

The Empress was a kind-hearted and beautiful woman despite being in her early 40s. When Iria's mother left Cedore, she was already married to Kalos Francia for a year. She knew the late mother well and as such, she cared for Iria and loved her like her own child.

"Your uncle is helpless, Iria," the Empress said with a sigh. "Today is his 44th birthday and the whole palace is busy for the celebration party to be held tonight but... even now, all he does is having a meeting with the officials."

Iria chuckled at the Empress's complaint. She already heard the truth behind the rebellion that happened 16 years ago, the incident that put the Francia's on the throne. When she arrived here in Cedore a year ago, she witnessed with her own eyes just how the people admired their ruling family.

She realized that no matter who the ruler was, it's fine as long as the people were satisfied and happy with their ruler.

"I think it feels good to hear that my uncle cares about the well-being of his people the most," she said. "You should understand him, aunty."

Shaking her head, the Empress clicked her tongue. "What do I even expect from you? You take after him even more than Andres does." Soon, there was a calm smile on her face when she glanced around their surrounding. "I don't want him to overwork. It will worsen his health," she calmly said and turned back to Iria.

"You should talk to him. He always listens to you," the Empress added with a hopeful smile.

Iria realized that though administrating an empire was important, her uncle's health was also not to be neglected. So, she nodded. "I will give a try."

The Empress flashed a genuine and grateful smile. "Alright. I'm glad that the celebration party this year will be only attended by relatives, officials and their families. It's so tiring when we have to welcome guests from many different kingdoms," she remarked."

Before Iria could respond to the Empress, she saw two men making their way towards the pavilion where she sat. Smiling, she turned back to the Empress. "It seems like the meeting is over, aunty. Andres and Orius are here."

The Empress turned her body around and saw her only son and nephew who were just a few steps away. Soon, the two men stood beside them.

"You're done?" Empress Amina quickly asked. "Where is your father?"

"The Duke of Granago stayed behind to discuss something with him but he will be done soon," Andres Francia replied to his mother with a somewhat appealing smile. He knew his mother too well!

Amina Francia let out a sigh. "Can't the Duke of Granago do it some other day? It's your father's birthday today."

"It will only take a few minutes, aunty," Orius chimed in. "He will be here soon."

Crown Prince Andres turned to Iria and frowned a bit. "Did you listen to her nagging throughout our meeting? You should make an excuse and run away," he pointed out.

Iria laughed at her cousin's remark while the Empress glared at her son and shook her head. "Iria is a good listener, unlike you," she bluntly uttered.

The Crown Prince simply smiled and stood behind his mother who was sitting. He placed his hands on her shoulders and bent his knees to match her height. "Calm down, Mother. It's a good day. Father won't be happy if he saw you sulking," he calmly said, making the twins chuckle.

The Empress might appear tough but she always had a soft spot for her son. At times, even the twins were in awe of just how much her son's little words influenced her. It was obvious that the mother and son had a special connection that others might never understand. Even this time, she already smiled again.

"You're right," Empress Amina muttered. "It's a good day."

One thing crossed her mind and the Empress quickly looked at Iria again. "When will your husband be here?" she inquired.

"Soon," Iria replied. "I heard that he already enter the capital."

The Empress nodded in satisfaction. "That's great. It's been a while and it will be nice to be all together at one place again."

"I bet Arin will rush here," Crown Prince Andres pointed out playfully as he glanced at Iria. "You're already here for three days and that means he hasn't seen you for almost two weeks."

"I bet too," Orius jokingly said. "It would be a miracle if he didn't scold us for taking you away from him."

Iria frowned while Orius and Andres looked at each other with a victorious smile. The two cousins loved to tease Iria for her protective and lovestruck husband. It's been four months since the marriage but... Arin Helev was still the same.

He was still crazily in love.

Seeing the victorious smile on the faces of her two brothers, Iria turned to the Empress. "Aunty, apart from uncle's 44th birthday, I also have one purpose this time. I want to do it before I return to Qalagon," she said with a hint of excitement on her face.

"What is it?" Empress Amina quickly asked.

"I think I should find a wife for these two young men," Iria said, making their smile dropped in an instant. "Orius is 21 and Andres is 23. Don't you think it's time for them to get married? Maybe they will become a bit more mature once they get a wife."

"But that's -"

"That's a great idea!" the Empress exclaimed before her son could say any more word. "Let me think about it. I know that the daughter of the Duke of Granago is very interested in Andres and -"

"The daughter of Duke Granago?"

The Empress nodded. "She is a calm and intelligent lady. She is beautiful too," she remarked and continued, "For Orius... I think the daughter of the Duke of Manea is a good choice." Leaning a little closer to Iria, she said, "I heard that the Lady is very interested in your twin brother."

"Really?" Iria asked and recalled her memory of the lady. She was beautiful and because her father was also a high ranking General in the Cedore Army, she was well-versed in combat and many types of weapons. "I think I should talk to them then. I'm afraid that my two brothers won't get married at this rate."

Andres and Orius listened as the two women discussed their marriage without even asking them anything. All they could do was sighed and exchanging glances with one another.

Much to their relief, one young man who served as an attendant to Iria approached them. He halted beside the pavilion and bowed. "Your Majesty, I just receive a report that says His Majesty will be here in no time," he reported to the Queen of Qalagon.....