It was around a week after they returned to Alteria, Kai went to the Empire via teleportation. Deciding that everyone else needed rest, Kai checked on Amelia and Akane in the Kuroshi Clan, then left all of them where they wanted to stay. Erina and Yoko were with Amelia and Akane while the rest were in the capital, trying to gain better understanding of thier new abilities.

As Kai waited in a room, he began thinking.

'I've nearly reached my former level of power as a mortal...'

During the war, he was SS-class. It was enough power to give any of the races trouble, but only to a certain point. Kai couldn't handle the upper echelons of the demons and angels as they were already at SSS-class. Emi, who was in the same realm as them, had managed to kill only around ten of them in total.

While it sounded like a few, it dealt a heavy blow to the other continents. It was the greatest contribution among all the humans. Currently, humanity only had S-class as its peak power. Kai has only recently reached SS-class as well. However, their numbers wouldn't surpass thirty.

If a third of their numbers were sheared, it could be the end of humanity as they know it.

It was nearly the same for the angels and demons. They only had around half a hundred of SS-class and a little more than handful at SSS-class.

If five on each side were taken down, that would only leave three or four at most on both sides.

"Even with everything at my disposal... I can take down two. And, Emi won't be able to do as much in this life because I split some of her power..."

Kai's thinking was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Sir Kai, the Empress will see you now."

It was Lucent, Heliana's best friend. Following her words, the door opened. Kai followed her through the vast halls until she suddenly pinned him to the wall.

"I don't know what you did to Hel but rest assured, if you dare touch a hair on her head..."

Kai looked confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"Unless it's for work, she doesn't even utter the name of a man. But, do you know what's been happening when she talks to me privately? Kai this, Kai that, Kai everything! I even pat her head for old time's sake and all that happened was that she ended up blushing while thinking of you!"

"..."

Even in the other life, he hadn't witnessed Heliana acting so goofy. Was that really how she was in private? Whenever they met, it was either tension because of the war or passion. The aggressive persona she had was just a facade?

"And you know what? She's been looking out of the windows a lot, she hasn't said anything but I bet she's thinking about when she'd see you again!"

It was just unjustified rage, apparently. Kai sighed, he really didn't want to get on Lucent's bad side considering her history.

"I haven't done anything I should be ashamed of as a person. I will admit, however, that I have touched her skin more than what I should be allowed to do. It's not to the level of being a cause though. I had once carried her to save her from assassins and then accidentally stroked her hair. And... I've seen her without a veil."

'Though, that does explain why I mostly found her looking out the window whenever I came to visit.'

Kai decided it'd just be best to explain himself clearly. Though... he couldn't lie that he did have thoughts on Heliana. In the end, he was still a man. During the war were any of them could die at anytime, stress would accumulate. Some relieved their stress by drinking, by sobbing, by fighting, by training, by sleeping.

It just so happened that like the knights' pastimes, he relieved himself through his urges. Erina, Amelia, and Heliana had to bear the brunt of his urges before, and Heliana was particularly active among them.

"What...?!"

Lucent flinched in shock.

"The Hel who has never even held hands with a man allowed one to touch her so easily..."

She got on her knees and balled her hands into fists. She looked both conflicted and glad at the same time. After a few seconds of contemplation, she stood up, took a deep breath, and then bowed.

"I'm sorry for my rude attitude earlier. I was just afraid that Hel had been tainted by a man whom she had just met. I... respect Hel's decision. Whether she chooses you as the next Emperor or simply a prince consort, I will follow her will. Though, that doesn't mean that I'm completely on board with it."

While she had her misgivings, Lucent turned around while mumbling something along the lines of 'Hel has grown up...' 'I wonder if she still needs me...'.

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Kai decided to just leave her be and let himself be escorted until the throne room. The doors were opened and he could see Heliana wearing her usual veil. And, while it might just be his imagination, she looked a lot more decorated than last time.

"Sir Kai, We welcome you."

Heliana smiled as Kai entered the room. It looked like a smile fit for a monarch and Kai responded in kind. He put his left foot back, put his hand around his stomach's level, and the other arm behind his back. Then, he bent his body forward slightly.

"Kai, captain of Alteria Kingdom's third princess' royal guard pays respects to the Empress."

After receiving his greetings, Heliana sat there silently for a few seconds with the smile still remaining on her face.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Will you be staying long?"

Normally, asking someone how long they would be staying would be a sign of disrespect. It was like telling someone to leave right in front of their face. However, Heliana's tone and voice said otherwise. It felt like she was excited to see if he was going to stay for as long as possible.

"...There are some private matters with the Empress that I need to address."

"Oh, I see. Everyone, you may leave us alone."

Without an ounce of hesitation, Heliana sent everyone away. Lucent begrudgingly left after seeing Heliana's pleading gaze and the door closed behind her.

Heliana quickly stood up from her throne and ran up to Kai like an excited dog. During her run however, she suddenly realized that she was doing something wrong. She paused and began walking. The smile on her face was covered by a blank expression.

"..."

Kai was speechless.

"I-is something wrong, Sir Kai?"

Seeing Kai stare at her for so long, Heliana felt restless. She began to check if her hair or clothes were in disarray but Kai stopped her in the middle.

"You look magnificent, Empress. Your dress makes you look as if the very stars were plucked from the sky just to adorn your beauty."

Kai tried throwing in some flattery, a tactic commonly employed by nobles. It should just be a compliment for formality but Heliana flushed red and tried her best to rein in her smile.

"I-I see, thank you very much. You also look dashing in your clothes."

Currently, Kai was wearing a formal suit. His metal limbs were covered with skin again. If he was going to greet an Empress, he felt that wearing something like this would be best.

"So, what do you need?"

Kai took a deep breath.

"Heliana."

"Y-yes?"

Being called by her name all of a sudden, Heliana couldn't help but flinch. Her nearly calm heart began beating wildly once more. He had only called her name once before, and he admitted that it was just a mistake on his part. Deep inside, however, she felt that it would be nice to be called that again.

"If you don't like this, push me away."

"?!"

After confirming that nobody could see or hear him, Kai held Heliana's chin up and lifted the veil off of her. He leaned in closer to her. Heliana was shocked and was about to struggle free but couldn't do it in the end. Her eyes became misty as Kai neared and she willingly closed them. She puckered her lips and waited for his touch.

It was a strange feeling, to have someone be this close to her. Heliana felt like her body wasn't hers alone. Her lips were being caressed and sucked by Kai and at times, there were even some light bites. Heliana accepted it all willingly. After the passionate kiss, Heliana opened her eyes once again.

Seeing her expression, Kai couldn't help but lean in for another. He held the back of her head with one hand and the other holding her body close. Heliana also wrapped her arms around Kai's neck, not wanting him to go away.

The kiss this time was deep, their tongues intertwined in a fiery battle. In the end, it was Heliana's loss for not having much experience.

They separated with a thin trace of saliva between them. Heliana licked her lips and gulped. Her breathing was rough and her knees felt weak.

Kai had to hold her up so she wouldn't collapse.

"Heliana, what I'm about to show you is the truth."

Kai tapped his forehead and a pale violet light covered the tip. He pointed at Heliana's forehead and the light seeped in. She then collapsed on the spot.

It would take a little time for her to adjust to the memories. The reason that Sebastian confirmed her feelings before then were the contents of the memories. If the present Heliana didn't have feelings for Kai, she would feel conflicted, and Kai was prepared to explain it to her then.

It was a fortunate turn of events that both the present and future Heliana held the same feelings.

After around five minutes, Heliana opened her eyes.

"...Kai?"

"I'm here, Lia."

"To think you actually traveled back in time... It feels weird. The memories feel like they're mine but at the same time..."

"It'll take a little bit more time for you to completely merge with your memories. Your personality won't change, but the knowledge..."

"I'm fine, thank you. I understand the implications. Now, come closer."

Heliana gestured for Kai to go near the throne where she was sitting down. She pulled on his collar and kissed him in a fervor and shortly after, licked her lips.

"You had your way with me but now that I have my memories, you can't beat me anymore."

Kai chuckled.

The Heliana in front of him wasn't the same one from the future, but it wasn't the one from the present either. It was an odd mix of the future's assertiveness and the past's innocence. In the end, however, it was still Heliana who would decide how to act.

"Your memories might've given your confidence a boost but your body is nowhere near as capable as it was."

"..."

Heliana blinked a few times and then released Kai's collar.

"Please have mercy on me."

The only reason that Heliana could be assertive was because of the future. But, it took some time for her assertiveness to form. At first, Kai was the dominant one in the relationship, with his experience with Amelia and Erina. However, due to her personality, Heliana tried her best and ended up surpassing them.

That, however, could also be attributed to her body that had already adapted.

"...So, you're no longer hesitating on forming relationships?"

"Yeah."

"That means I no longer have to be your mistress, right?"

"Do you want a formal invitation?"

Kai kneeled down in front of her, took her left hand, then retrieved a ring from the pendant. He inserted it on her ring finger.

"Heliana Evernight, will you marry me?"

Heliana made a bright smile and embraced Kai.

"Yes!"

There were some tears mixed in with her laughter but they weren't one of sadness, they were tears of joy. After so many years, she had finally gotten through.

----------------------------------------

Around two hours later, Heliana had donned proper attire and called all of the nobles to the throne room.

"We would like to make an announcement. From this point on, the Empire is preparing for war."

""""?!""""

Heliana immediately dropped a bombshell, causing the nobles and Lucent to slacken their jaws and widen their eyes.

Kai sighed.

'She's gotten her mischievous side back too.'