The light rain set in. It was expected for the season, as the red leaves fell. The rain gently tapped against the glass window. When he raised his wine glass, the liquid provided a pleasant red tint to the calm rain.

“Bournai wine. One of the best, is it not? I had it imported specifically for you,” she said.

He shifted his arm. Through the red lens, her face was striking. She rolled her eyes as he chuckled.

Francis shifted his legs beneath the dress. With his legs crossed, he sipped the fine red wine. It went down with ease.

“I don’t understand. Why would you import it just for me?”

“The occasion commands it. Don’t you agree?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t have gotten this far if not for you.”

“I’m glad that you know. So what’s your plan for the empire?”

“Good question. Personally, I think we could crack down on illegal activities. It seems like there is a lot of underground human trafficking.”

“Is that so?”

Haein drank from the wine glass. The stars above went about their night. It was a sight that he still had trouble getting used to. Without the usual light pollution of the city, he could look upon the fiery balls of life lightyears away.

She tucked her hair behind her ears. When compared to the formal dressed up princess that the world knew, she was like a completely different being. In the ballroom and on her throne, the difference was stark. No where was the jewelled tiara to be found, or the fancy dresses and formal attitude.

“But that’s enough of that. How was your day?”

“It was nice. I played a game of chess with Benjamin. He won, obviously.”

“That’s nice. Did you stand a chance?”

“He said I did. Apparently I had strategies that he didn’t think about. Felt nice.”

“Damn, he rarely praises people. You did good.”

“You’ve known him for a long time then?”

“Yeah. Since young. And my parents are very close to his grandfather. Probably the only common point between them.”

“The admiral right? The one that took the ports from Loyra a long time ago?”

“Your history skills are still as bad as ever. Not just any ports, the ones that gave us access to the Andictic Sea.”

“Ah right. That slipped my mind.”

Haein laughed. The princess shook her head, and locked her fingers with his. Of course, both of them knew that it was a fraud.

“We’re alone. You don’t need to do this,” said Francis.

She sighed. It seemed like there was something he did not understand. He relaxed his legs, letting them swing beneath the chair like a youthful schoolgirl thinking back on her memories. Even if he didn’t understand, it wasn’t as though he needed to understand. Victory was close. Victory was within their grasp.

The emperor’s throne never looked so close. That lofty view. The contradictory tale of safety and danger. Of course, the royal couple would be the most protected. But at the same time, they would be the target of assassinations.

But despite her approaches, he didn’t ever resist. The soft touch of her skin made the hairs on his arms stand. Her hand crept up. What was it that she saw in him?

“But I want to.”

“You don’t need to lie. We share a common goal. And we’re nearly there, aren’t we?” Francis raised his wine glass for a clink.

“We are. Just a little bit further.”

The coronation was close. Only a few more roadblocks stood in their way. But if all went well, it would have gone down in history as one of the most important events in the empire’s long lifespan. If His Holiness did accept, that would mark the third time the man himself appeared for an event such as this. Secondly, it would be the first time a marriage between someone of imperial blood and Rayleigh blood even happened.

Haein clinked her glass with his. She leaned forwards, the simple shirt and pants pairing showing off her natural beauty. Despite the casual setting, she still treated it somewhat formally. A face with a thin layer of makeup, and her lips red with lipstick.

“Still, I’ll ask again. Do you have any regrets?” Haein asked.

“Even if I do, it's not as though I can do anything about it.”

“Yeah... I’m sorry that you’re marrying me instead.”

“Hey, it's not your fault. And it's what needs to be done.”

“For the empire.”

“For the empire,” Francis echoed.

He sat up. Straightening his dress, he gazed into her eyes. She stared back, and beckoned him closer. With a shake of his head, he finished what was left of the alcohol. He stood up and leaned on the wall. She quickly drank and approached him. Placing her hands on his shoulder, he smiled and caressed her head.

The rain grew stronger. Against the backdrop of the heavy drops of water bashing against glass, they headed further inside the chambers. They both knew what the price they had to pay was. A child had to be produced; the imperial bloodline had to live on. Even if neither of them wanted it, even if the very concept of love was absent within that relationship, even if he wanted to preserve himself, they had to.

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Come morning, the rain cleared. The concrete floors of the paths outside the palace were stained with water. He made these observations as he looked through the window.

“How was I?” Haein asked as she sat up on the bed.

“Great. And how about your side?”

“You have experience with it, do you not?”

“I did what felt right, and of course your feedback and directions were priceless.”

“Then you must be talented. But pleasure alone can’t fill the void of love.” Francis laughed at her words. That much was true. Though it was nice, there was so much room to improve. First and foremost, if only they were attracted to each other with a more romantic element. But alas, they could not have everything.

“Diplomacy often lacks love,” Francis remarked.

“You’re telling the princess that?”

“Hah! I suppose you would know more than me.”

He still couldn’t quite help but blush. It was a memory that he would probably never forget. It was with a princess, after all. It would be difficult to match up to that, though mafia boss might put up a fight.

“Could you help me with the back?” Francis asked.

“Oh, sure. Asking the crown princess to help you with dressing is certainly something only you can do.”

“And I’m assuming you don’t need my help then?”

“Haha... It's unfortunate, but I uh, don’t really...”

Within the mirror, Haein grabbed onto the two strings on the back of the bodice and pulled tight. It squeezed his torso. He clenched his fist as it dug.

“It's fine. I can help you. Oh! That’s tight.”

“Like this then?”

“Yeah. That’s better. My poor ribs...”

“Haha. Now it's your turn.”

“What do you need me to help with?”

“It's a little embarrassing...”

“We literally just slept together.”

“Could you maybe help me reach the back?”

Francis chuckled. Was that everything? That was nothing. He helped her with getting ready, and they both applied some makeup.

“My Lord?” Katalina asked from past the door.

“Yeap. We’re almost ready.”

“Should I get the butler?”

“No need. Just a few more minutes.”

“Very well.”

“You ready, Your Highness?”

“I am. And you?”

“As am I.”

They walked out of the door. Katalina bowed her head as she greeted them, though she couldn’t quite meet their eyes. She seemed rather fidgety too. A burning question.

“What’s on your mind, Lady Astiel?” Haein asked.

“Nothing, nothing. I’m just... In awe at how good you two look.”

“A princess has to be beautiful after all.” Francis nodded.

“I believe your lady knight was praising you, but I shall take it with grace and humility.”

With their bodyguard following in tow, they were greeted by the mob of servants. Maids, guards, everyone that passed by. All of them gave their congratulations on Francis’ assured victory.

The Arcleus system would have to be reworked. With a pseudo landslide victory, only losing four times, Francis was certain that victory was his. Both Benjamin and Edmond took it well, bowing out of the game when they realised that they stood no chance. Knowledge and experience from the far future was just that powerful. And not to mention, the helper he had in this head provided far more value than what was expected.

Most of the challenges posed to him were easy to deal with. Some could be solved with even a basic understanding of the sciences, though others were lost due to his sheer lack of athleticism. Physics, chemistry, basic medicine, and finally common sense.

“Oh, it's you guys.” Hye-Sung waved as she approached. “Oop. Did something happen? The air between the three of you feels really different. Don’t tell me you had a three-”

“I’m going to stop you right there. Nothing of that sort happened, at least I can’t recall it happening. The possibility of me getting drugged or my memories being altered is low, but not impossible.”

“And nothing would ever happen between My Lord and myself.”

“You shouldn’t be addressing your future emperor and empress like that.”

Hye-Sung pushed a hand into her pants pocket. With her other, she tucked her hair behind her ear. The long sleeves of her white blouse fell to her elbows as she touched her head, the fabric getting more crumpled than it usually was.

“It's been a long time since we’ve been able to talk like this. Your coronation is next week right?”

“Yeah. Think you can take time off work?” Francis asked.

“I’d be pissed if you didn’t give me time off.”

“The head alchemist probably can’t say no to Her Highness.”

“It would be a violation of your rights if he didn’t give you time to attend the coronation,” explained Haein.

“That applies to everyone, right? Nice! You have no idea how many people want to do something with me. Whether it's sparring or training, or if it's brewing.”

“Mages on your level of talent are hard to come by. You really don’t want to work for the military?”

“Nope! I’ll work with the future emperor as their equal.”

“Well alright then. Our military forces would appreciate having you around. But if you don’t want to, I won’t force you. Actually I don’t think I could even force you to. The Lord Rayleigh takes good care of you.”

“Not just me, but Katalina too.”

“Of course. You two are my most trusted friends, but that’s enough of that. Want to have tea together?”

“I thought it was supposed to be a date between the two of us.”

“We both know that a date means nothing. Come on, it won’t take long.”

Sitting around a table beneath the parasol in the garden, they sipped the piping hot tea. Freshly brewed with foreign tea leaves. A small box of sugar sat in the middle, brought out by the butler.

“So this is the mythical girl’s tea party,” commented Francis.

“Indeed. I suppose we should work out the roles once we become the rulers. Lady Astiel, what would you like to do?”

“Your Highness, I would do whatever my lord orders me to do.”

“And I’ll be appointing you as a head of something.” Francis pointed at Hye-Sung.

“What are your plans with the empire? Peace, or war?” She leaned forward and placed her head on her interlocked fingers.

“Peace, definitely. Probably do more trading, and try to get more technologically advanced.”

But he still couldn’t forget those words. Fate, and the destiny that wrapped around his neck. Peace was the best option. After all, what sort of villain would he be if he didn’t start a war? To be kind to the citizens, and to treat others well. What he defined as a villain were the poisonous leaders of the past. Hitler, Stalin, and the other dictatorships. He swore he wouldn’t be like that. Surely, everything would go as planned.