"Your Majesty, the church's people have been stopped at the borders of our lands."
Stephen bowed slightly as he stood before the desk. "Shall we continue keeping their influence away from the empire?"
Gavin Ward leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen lightly against a pile of papers. "As long as the Ross Empire stands, no preacher of theirs will ever set foot within our walls." His voice carried calm authority but also sharp irritation. "If we claim new territory, you don't need to ask for permission. Expel them immediately. The churchmen do nothing and yet demand a faith tax from our people. Such parasites deserve no place in my empire."
He let out a dry laugh. "Imagine collecting gold every year in the name of invisible gods. A nice deal if you can get it… but not in my realm. My people's sweat and work will never feed false idols."
Stephen bowed again and left the room. Gavin returned to his documents, unaware that another story was quietly unfolding inside the palace.
Down the marble corridor, Secretary Angelina was hurrying along when she met Lena, the young royal aide, coming from the opposite direction.
"Secretary Angelina," Lena greeted politely. "Are you going to meet His Majesty?"
"Yes," Angelina replied, brushing her twin golden ponytails behind her shoulders. "I… want to speak to His Majesty about my younger brother and beg for his forgiveness."
But as she looked closer, Angelina's golden eyes narrowed. There was a small red mark on Lena's pale neck—a mark that shouldn't have been there.
"This is…" she asked hesitantly.
Lena's face turned crimson. She immediately covered her neck with her hand. "Ah—it's nothing!"
Angelina's brows rose slightly. "Wait… that mark… is it from—"
"Please don't ask, Secretary Angelina!" Lena stammered, then turned and ran down the hall in embarrassment, her shoes echoing against the floor.
Angelina stood frozen. Lena… and His Majesty?
Her heart tightened. Inside her, a small, jealous voice whispered, "How long will you keep waiting, Angelina? The women around His Majesty are already moving closer to him. How long will you keep hiding your feelings?"
Another thought followed immediately: "He is the Emperor. It's normal for an Emperor to have more than one woman."
But that logic only made her heart ache more. When he becomes the ruler of the whole continent, countless noble ladies will fight to rest in his arms. Will you just stand there, smiling like a loyal secretary, while other women become his queens?"
Her breathing quickened. No… I don't want that.
Her eyes filled with tears. I can't stay by his side forever and never tell him how I feel.
"No… I won't accept it!" Angelina whispered to herself. Her legs moved before she realized it. She began to run toward Gavin Ward's study.
Stephen was just leaving the room when she nearly collided with him. "Secretary Angelina? What's wrong?"
She didn't answer. She simply rushed past him, her face flushed, her heartbeat loud in her ears.
Inside, Gavin was quietly signing more documents when the door burst open with a bang.
He looked up, startled. "Angelina?"
The young woman stood in the doorway, panting, her golden eyes trembling. "Your Majesty…" she whispered.
Gavin smiled faintly. "What's wrong? You look pale—are you ill?"
Angelina didn't respond. Instead, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, trying to steady her breath. Her cheeks were burning red, and her hands clenched at her skirt.
"Angelina?" Gavin asked again, stepping forward with concern.
Then, before he could say anything more, Angelina suddenly rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
"Angelina—!" Gavin caught her instinctively, completely confused. Her small body trembled against his chest.
"I…" she stammered.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"I…" She squeezed her eyes shut, tears spilling over. Then, in one trembling breath, she shouted, "I like you!"
Gavin blinked in shock. "What?"
But Angelina didn't let him speak again. She stood on her tiptoes, lifted her face, and kissed him.
Her lips met his, soft and trembling. For a moment, Gavin's entire body went still.
What is happening? he thought wildly. Why do all these girls lose their patience at once!?
Behind Angelina, a faint pink magic circle flickered in the air—so subtle it vanished the next instant.
Far away, in the skies above the Central Magic Empire, a mysterious woman in a flowing violet robe suddenly stopped mid-flight. Her golden-patterned mask glimmered as she looked toward the Ross Empire.
A seductive laugh came from beneath the mask.
"Well well… little Angelina finally succeeded~"
The words were oddly drawn out, as though the speaker was savoring each syllable like a melody.
Back in the study, Angelina's golden eyes widened in realization. She had really done it—she had kissed Gavin Ward.
Her face turned as red as fire; she felt dizzy, almost faint, as though steam would burst from her ears.
Gavin gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Angelina… are you serious about what you just said?"
She nodded shyly, lowering her head. "Mm."
Gavin exhaled softly. His lips curved into a rare smile. Then he said, "In that case… be ready."
"R-ready for what?"
He suddenly scooped her up and laid her gently on the large sofa beside the window. Angelina gasped, her heart racing faster than ever.
"What…?"
Gavin leaned over her and whispered, "Get ready to be my queen."
Her eyes widened. For a second, she couldn't breathe. Then a radiant smile spread across her lips. Tears welled in her eyes—not of sadness, but of overwhelming joy.
"What's wrong?" Gavin asked softly, surprised to see her crying.
Angelina rubbed at her eyes and laughed through the tears. "I'm just… so happy, Your Majesty. So happy that… if life were to end right now, it would still be worth it."
Gavin frowned and touched her cheek. "Don't say foolish things. You'll live long enough to see the world I'm going to conquer. When that day comes, you'll be the queen of the entire continent."
Angelina's tears sparkled in the light. She nodded, smiling through them. "Yes… I believe you."
Then she closed her eyes, resting in his arms, letting the warmth of his embrace calm her trembling heart.
For the first time, she allowed herself to simply feel the moment—no politics, no duties, no fear. Just the man she loved and the promise of a future beside him.
So warm. So peaceful. So perfect.
Later, as the candles burned low, Gavin covered her with his cloak and sat quietly for a while, watching her sleep. She really meant it, he thought. That courage…
He remembered her early days—the shy secretary who always followed him silently, arranging documents and bringing him tea without saying a word. He'd seen her dedication, her patience, her kindness toward soldiers and servants alike. But he had never realized just how deeply she cared.
Now, as he looked at her peaceful face, he smiled faintly. "Angelina… you've finally said it."
Outside the palace, Stephen noticed that the lights in the royal study stayed on far longer than usual that night. He thought for a moment, then chuckled to himself. "It seems Secretary Angelina's meeting went… quite well."
And somewhere high above the clouds, the mysterious woman in the violet robe laughed again, her voice echoing like a spell over the world.
"Little Angelina," she purred. "Your wish came true at last."
Important Events Highlighted:
Gavin Ward bans all church missionaries from the Ross Empire.
Angelina discovers Lena's secret connection with the Emperor.
Angelina finally gathers courage to confess her love.
She bursts into Gavin's study and kisses him.
A mysterious sorceress senses Angelina's success through magic.
Gavin accepts her feelings and declares her future as Queen.
Angelina finds happiness in his embrace, ending the chapter in warmth and hope.
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