---
The next morning, the palace hummed with quiet gossip.
Servants whispered in corners, guards exchanged looks, and ministers lowered their voices when the Empress passed. They had all noticed the smallest change—though none could name it.
Himeka walked with a lightness in her step, her lips still tingling from the memory of last night, her heart racing every time she remembered the brush of his hand through her hair.
It had been nothing. The faintest movement. A gesture that might not even have been intentional.
But to her, it was a crack in the eternal ice. And once ice cracked, it could break.
---
In the audience chamber, the Emperor sat upon his throne, silent as always. His crimson eyes swept over the gathered ministers without a flicker of emotion.
Beside him, for the first time in weeks, Himeka sat proudly in her place as Empress.
The chamber was filled with voices:
Chancellor Roderich, an elderly man with a sharp tongue, was arguing for stricter taxation in the western provinces.
General Kael, broad-shouldered and scarred from war, stood stiffly, urging the Emperor to increase the standing army.
And then there was Lady Serenya, a young noblewoman from a powerful Cyrillic family—beautiful, elegant, with eyes that lingered a little too long on the Emperor.
Himeka noticed. Her jaw clenched.
Serenya bowed gracefully, her voice honey-sweet. "Your Majesty, many in the court whisper of the Emperor's solitude. They say an Empress is not enough—that such a man should have concubines to ensure heirs for the empire."
The chamber stilled.
Himeka's blood ran cold.
Her hands tightened in her lap, but she forced her voice calm. "The Emperor already has an Empress."
Serenya's lips curved. "Yes, but he does not—"
"Enough," Chancellor Roderich cut in sharply, his cane striking the floor. "We are not in the business of gossip, Lady Serenya."
The young woman bowed again, but her eyes glimmered with challenge.
Himeka felt a pang of insecurity gnawing at her chest.If he does not show affection… then what proof do I have, even as Empress?
But then—without a word—the Emperor moved.
It was small, barely noticeable to anyone else. His gaze slid briefly, ever so briefly, toward Himeka.
It was nothing more than a flicker of his crimson eyes.
But to Himeka, it was thunder.
Her heart soared, cheeks flushing, lips trembling with the need to smile. She bowed her head quickly to hide the tears of joy threatening to spill.
He had acknowledged her.
In front of everyone.
---
Later that night, in their private chambers, Himeka could barely contain herself.
She rushed to his side, her hands clutching his robe. "You looked at me," she whispered breathlessly. "In the throne room—you looked at me. I know you did."
No answer.
Her lips curved into a watery smile, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Do you have any idea what that means to me? Just a look, and I feel like I could fly."
She pressed her forehead against his chest, laughing and crying all at once. "I must look like a fool. But I don't care. I don't care at all."
She kissed him then—soft, trembling, lingering kisses across his lips, his jaw, his throat. Her hands traced over his shoulders, clinging to him desperately.
"Every little piece of you, I'll take it. Every flicker, every glance, every breath. I'll gather them all like jewels and hold them forever."
Her voice lowered to a husky whisper. "Do you know how much power you have over me? Just one look, and I can't stop shaking."
Her kisses deepened, hungry now, her body pressing flush against his. She broke away only to murmur against his lips:
"…If you keep giving me even these tiny cracks, I'll fall so deep I may never climb out again."
Still silence. Still that unyielding mask.
But she thought she saw it—just the faintest twitch in his fingers, as if he almost moved.
And it was enough.
---
Outside their chamber, Lira leaned against the wall, listening to the muffled sounds of the Empress's laughter and sobs mixing together. She pressed her hand over her heart.
"…She's changing him," she whispered softly. "Even if it's slow as melting ice… she's changing him."
Behind her, General Kael approached, arms crossed. His voice was gruff. "Or maybe she's the one being melted."
Lira frowned at him, but her lips softened. "…Maybe that's the only way it can work."
---
That night, Himeka fell asleep curled against him, her hand clutching his like a lifeline. And though he did not return the grip, he did not pull away.
And to Himeka—that was enough to dream of forever.
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End of Chapter 14
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