Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 8.19 (THE END)

“Long live His Imperial Majesty!”

“Long live Her Imperial Majesty!”

“Glory to the sun of the Ferron Empire!”

A gentle breeze tousled Callisto’s black hair as sunlight illuminated his striking features. The radiant brightness of the moment felt almost surreal.

I found myself staring at Callisto, marveling at his presence. Catching my gaze, he tilted his head.

“What is it, Etienne?”

“Nothing, I’m just happy.”

“Haha… So am I.”

His eyes sparkled with warmth as his lips curled into a soft smile.

The carriage eventually made its way to the imperial palace. The gates, which were usually shut tight, stood wide open in celebration. Three chimes rang from the tower bell, and a flock of white doves soared into the sky. Children, both noble and common, scattered petals toward the newly crowned imperial couple.

The “imperial couple”—a title that now referred to Callisto and me. Against all opposition, Callisto had insisted on holding the coronation and wedding on the same day.

Thus, today’s ceremony marked both his ascension as emperor and my recognition as empress.

Callisto dismounted from the carriage first and extended his hand to me. When I placed my hand in his, his long fingers intertwined gently with mine, warm and secure.

Although our hands parted quickly, as we walked toward the altar, the back of his hand and his fingers brushed against mine repeatedly. Each touch carried a tender warmth that I found comforting and pleasant.

When we reached the flower-adorned altar, my father was there waiting for us.

Traditionally, in the coronation ceremonies of the Ferron Empire, the reigning emperor’s consort places the imperial crown upon the new emperor. Under normal circumstances, Jeanne would have fulfilled this role for Callisto.

However, with Jeanne’s removal, the question of who would crown the new emperor sparked considerable debate among the nobles. I had attended the meeting where the discussion took place, and Callisto, looking rather bored, suddenly leaned forward with a gleam in his eye.

“The consort traditionally crowns the emperor, correct? Then, clearly, the solution is simple. We need an empress. Let’s hold the wedding first, crown the empress, and she can crown me afterward.”

He then cast a triumphant glance in my direction, as if daring me to argue.

At the time, the nobles were still opposed to holding the coronation and wedding simultaneously. But suddenly, the new emperor insisted that he not only wanted a spouse but that his spouse should be the one to crown him.

I felt my face flush with embarrassment and was about to voice my objection when, surprisingly, the Duke of Armanach supported the idea.

The current Duke, Laurence’s father, spoke in a measured tone, his expression grave.

“I am deeply moved by His Majesty’s wisdom and foresight.”

Wisdom? I was at a loss for words, staring at the Duke in disbelief. Even my father glanced at him with a bewildered expression, but the Duke continued resolutely.

“Though the former consort has been executed, it cannot be assumed that the Harrington family’s influence has been entirely eradicated. There is a risk that a branch of their line may try to seize this opportunity. According to custom, when the reigning consort is absent during the coronation, the closest relative from their family is entitled to crown the new emperor.”

Is that really a custom? Looking around, I noticed that other nobles seemed just as confused. The absence of a reigning consort during a coronation was an extraordinarily rare occurrence in Ferron’s history. If such a rule existed, it had long been forgotten.

Nevertheless, as the head of one of the empire’s only remaining ducal houses and a staunch traditionalist, the Duke of Armanach elaborated in his unyielding tone:

“We must remain vigilant. His Majesty’s concern is entirely reasonable. His suggestion offers a swift and effective resolution to this matter.”

Laurence, standing nearby, murmured softly, “Father…” but the Duke ignored him, maintaining his focus on Callisto with an almost fervent gaze.

Clearing his throat, Callisto responded with a slight nod.

“I appreciate your understanding, Duke.”

Neither Laurence, my father, nor I believed for a second that Callisto had such foresight. Nevertheless, the nobles relented, and Callisto got his way.

Thus, my coronation as empress preceded Callisto’s coronation as emperor.

My father conducted the ceremony with solemnity.

“Etienne of Winyates, step forward.”

I stepped forward and knelt before him.

“I hereby declare the betrothal of Callisto de Bische of Ferron and Etienne of Winyates. From this moment forward, Etienne shall be crowned Empress of Ferron.”

“Etienne of Winyates accepts this decree.”

The empress’s crown, adorned with a central purple diamond surrounded by dozens of clear diamonds, was placed upon my head.

Next came Callisto’s coronation.

My father returned to his place among the gathered nobles, and I, wearing the empress’s crown, stood before Callisto. His bright eyes looked up at me from where he knelt on one knee.

“Callisto de Bische…”

As I spoke his name, my voice caught unexpectedly. I blinked upward to hold back the sting of tears, then refocused my gaze on him. Callisto was looking up at me with a curious expression.

Smiling softly, I mouthed the words, “Thank you.”

Callisto’s almond-shaped eyes curved gently as he responded with a loving smile.

Although the Duke of Armanach had fabricated a justification, I later discovered that no such custom existed. It seemed Callisto had coordinated this with the Duke in advance.

Still, I chose not to call him out on it. Just as Callisto wanted me to crown him, I had secretly wished to place the emperor’s crown upon him myself.

I wanted to create this radiant memory for him with my own hands.

“Hear this, Ferron Empire! Callisto de Bische is hereby declared the new sun of Ferron!”

I placed the emperor’s crown upon Callisto’s jet-black hair. The imperial sword, an heirloom passed down through the royal family, was handed to him as well.

Holding the sword in his left hand and the crown upon his head, Callisto raised his right hand.

“I, Callisto de Bische, pledge to be the eternal guardian of Ferron!”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Long live Her Majesty the Empress!”

The jubilant cheers of the crowd filled the air. Rising to his feet, Callisto approached me. As the new emperor, he looked at me, and I turned to meet his gaze.

Dressed in a resplendent crimson ceremonial robe adorned with gold and platinum embroidery, he cut a striking figure. The tailored fabric accentuated his broad shoulders, and the black cloak draped behind him fluttered in the breeze, its hem embroidered with the crossed swords of the royal crest.

The diamond atop his crown, recently mined from the northern continent and meticulously cut, glistened brilliantly under the sunlight.

He looked like a masterpiece, fresh from the brush of the most talented artist.

As I took in the sight of him, I felt certain: Ferron would come to love this radiant new emperor. Perhaps he would not be remembered as the greatest ruler in history, but he would undoubtedly be cherished as the most beloved.

“Calli.”

“Yes?”

In the midst of the applause and cheers, I whispered softly. Callisto smiled so widely that his eyes nearly disappeared.

“Take care of me.”

“Always, Etienne.”

Callisto’s lonely tale from the tragic novel The Prince’s Sword had reached its end, rewritten into a story filled with hope. From now on, we would write a new story together—a romance that had never existed in the original tale.

A grin spread across my face, and my chest filled with a sweet, almost unbearable warmth.

Let the story of the villainous side character come to an end. The main story concludes here.

Support