Do Flowers Bloom in the Fallen Land? - Chapter 151.2

“It’s not a big deal, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Then can I ask you one more favor?”

“As much as you want.”

She took one step closer to him, who replied with pleasure, forcing him to meet her gaze, and spoke.

“Please don’t give up the throne. I want you to continue to rule the empire. Cal, you.”

“Seira, that’s…”

“You must feel uncomfortable. It might be a relief to reveal the whole truth and pay for the sins of your predecessors. But if you do that, the empire will fall into even greater chaos. Who will take responsibility for what happens after you disappear?”

“The Crown Prince…”

“He’s sick. He needs to recuperate for a while.”

“…?”

Calrad seemed very perplexed by her firm reply.

“Still, I don’t understand that you have penalized Askan and cornered us. Every time I think of it, I get angry.”

“…I’m sorry. I was really wrong.”

He apologized straight away without making an excuse. He was satisfied with this and continued.

“But apart from that, it’s also true that you helped me overcome the loss of my family. Having you who cared and loved me more than anyone else, those days weren’t so hard.”

Maybe it was because she saw the 14-year-old boy’s young face and not his broad back. She was grateful and sorry to think about how hard Calrad must have worked to protect her from the Emperor Laud, who was nothing short of a puppet of the temple.

That was why Seira could not turn away from him. He could not be left alone for a long time. His misfortune was sure to be a thorn in her heart.

“So, you pay off your debts to Askan in a different way. You give us a tax exemption with your position as emperor, give us some benefits… If that’s difficult, you can pay it back with your body.”

She wanted to tease him until he ran away in disgust, and she also wanted to see him smile brightly without any wrinkles. She didn’t know how to define this duality in her, but she wanted him to no longer look as lonely as before.

“Okay. I’ll keep my current position if you want.”

After thinking for a long time, he spoke calmly.

“First of all, tax exemption… Of course it’s something to consider. It’s hard to give you all the benefits, but it’s possible to transfer the rights to Viseltium.”

As Seira’s face, which had achieved everything she intended, became noticeably brighter, Calrad’s face also had a soft smile.

“And to pay it back with my body… Of course, I’m yours…”

Now, not only his ears but also his face and the nape of his neck were colored red.

But Seira was thinking differently in front of him.

“After all, you are all cousins, so we’ll be able to rely on each other and get along well someday.”

She wanted to believe that like the boys who played tag, they would be able to be brothers who bicker and secretly give in to each other. Although they might be sick of it now because of the bad relationship of their predecessors.

She smiled brightly without realizing it when she imagined a family that would fill up a large table living happily together. She was deeply immersed in the anticipation that a day happier than her dreams would come.

*

Calrad canceled the convention at Seira’s request. He said that he’d take care of it until the Crown Prince could inherit the throne, but that wouldn’t happen. Aven was going to recuperate by her side for a long time.

Calrad’s reign slowly restored the empire’s stability, which was engulfed in chaos and fear. Calrad secretly tracked down the temple’s remnants while declaring that the beast’s nest would never return. It was a difficult process, but Louis, who knew all the secrets, helped greatly.

Additionally, memorials for the victims were erected throughout the empire, and appropriate compensation was provided to the bereaved families. Although there was no replacement for the grief of losing a family member, at least it was possible to escape from despair.

Changes began to take place in Askan at the beginning of spring after such a long winter. People immigrated to Askan, which was cleared of the stigma of the land of death. This was due to the widespread rumors that taxes would be exempted for at least 10 years after settling down.

Furthermore, since development was supported at the imperial level, it was clear that the past, which was prosperous and easy, would soon be restored.

Of course, the rapid change in Askan was not necessarily a good thing.

“I rather liked working as a mercenary.”

Seira sighed as she watched a never-ending pile of documents.

If she had heard about it a year ago, she would have been slapped on the back for talking nonsense, but she couldn’t help but feel that she was not used to it. She could understand how Calrad wanted to get out of the imperial palace.

“Cheer up a little bit. It’ll be a lot easier if we get those who’ve applied for management positions officially.”

“I guess so…? Still, I’m so glad you guys are here.”

Mailin and Lucy were more talented than expected. Without them, Seira would have died of overwork first before Askan was rebuilt.

She was about to finish signing the end of the paper while rubbing her forehead wit her hand.

“Seira.”

She raised her head at the low, soft voice and was delighted to find Aven holding a large box of cakes.

“Welcome, Aven!”

“Oh, His Highness the Crown Prince…!”

“Then we’ll be off work. See you tomorrow, Your Highness!”

They quickly left the office with the documents that Mailin and Lucy had been reading. It looked like a herbivore running away in fear of a beast. She wondered why they were acting like that before, but now she knew for sure.

“You look very tired. You can just leave it all up to them.”

It was because of this Alpha that was only friendly to her.

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