Leona Ascalberk was the emperor who brought the golden age to the Albreon Empire.
She became emperor at the age of nine, and from the moment she sat on the throne, she ruled like the sun, overseeing the empire.
Her first decree was military reform.
The Albreon navy was expanded from five fleets to eight, and new commanders were appointed from noble families, merchant families, and even warriors from the colonies.
The ancient Senate, long thought lost, was dramatically revived.
In the past, the Senate often interfered with the emperorās decisions, but now it has become a powerful institution that backs the emperor’s authority and has control over the government.
Leona, with the support of the church and Senate, easily controlled the local lords.
Five years later, she commanded the navyās eight fleets and seized dominance over the Mediterranean and Atlantic.
“Long live the Albreon Empire!” “Long live Emperor Leona!” The Albreon Empire rose to the rank of a superpower.
The long-running colonial wars finally ended, and Leona continued to improve the empire.
Everything she said became reality. It was as if she could see the future, using her genius insight and leadership to guide the empire.
“Long live the Iron Empress! Long live the Empress of Blood and Iron!” The people worshipped her like a god.
Leona, however, lived like a solitary human playing the role of a divine figure.
She showed no interest in flattery, feasts, or pleasures, living only for the empireās prosperity. She lived a life of abstinence, as if free of sensual desires.
At the age of nineteen, she finally took a partner, but she was widowed by the age of twenty-six. Despite the people’s wishes, the royal couple left no heirs.
“…I give my command.” Leona never remarried and gave birth to three children: Prince Osvaldo, Princess Vellarenza, and Princess Ortensia.
The father of her children was never known, and no one dared to ask.
“All three resemble the Emperor!” The people loved Leona’s children, especially Princess Ortensia.
Ortensia had black hair flowing like the night, and eyes that mirrored the clear blue sky, making her look like the late Duke Hessel.
The people adored the youngest princess.
Even though they could only see her waving from the palace balcony on special occasions, they loved her because she resembled the great Emperor and Empress who had brought them prosperity.
“Ortensia resembles the Empress in personality, too. I saw her waving from the sunlit balcony, and she looked so serious!” The little princess, just two years old, stood firm, not crying or being overwhelmed by the crowd.
As time passed, the peaceful era slowly continued. The Emperor, once thought to reign forever like an unsetting sun, aged, and the babies who once held their nurseās hand grew into tall adults.
One day, when Prince Osvaldo was 24, Princess Vellarenza was 23, and Princess Ortensia was 20, the Emperor’s government was still celebrated with hymns of worship every Sunday morning.
“Are you going out, Your Majesty?” Duke Devan hurried to the palace.
For weeks, the Emperor had been staying in bed, not changing out of her pajamas, and he heard she was just getting up and getting dressed.
“Welcome, Duke Devan. Itās nice to see you this early.” Leona didnāt even look back, focused on preparing her golden royal attire, something she hadnāt done in forty days.
“Your Majesty…” The Duke felt uneasy, not knowing what was happening. The Emperor’s golden eyes still seemed deep and tired, and her cheeks were hollow.
“Whatās the plan today? I donāt think thereās a special event today,” he asked anxiously.
Leona lazily answered, “Iāve called the prince and princesses. Do you want to accompany me?”
“Perhaps… whatās it about?”
Leona continued with a humming voice, “Iām about to decide.”
The Duke’s face grew pale. The Emperor, who had been distant from her lover’s feelings, now seemed to be planning something unimaginable.
“Who will I choose? The captain of the sinking ship…” Leona whispered to the Duke, a smile creeping onto her lips.
The Duke froze, unable to move as he watched her walk away.
“Iāll abdicate, Devan.”
In her 50s, the Emperor was still young and healthy, but now she seemed tired of the world.
“I’m done with the empire. I want to retire and leave behind this meaningless world… a world thatās just an illusion.”
She had started talking about the world as an illusion three years ago.
“This world is a fantasy created maliciously by another world. Can you believe that? But I can see its end coming soon. When it comes, I wonder if Iāll ever return to my true world…”
People laughed it off as a weird joke, not thinking she was serious. After all, despite her extreme fatigue, the Emperor was still sharp and capable.
But now, the Duke finally realized the truth.
“…Your Majesty.”
Was she truly going to abdicate? Had she lost her love for the empire she had devoted her life to? Where did her feelings end?
“Your Majesty, please wait. Before meeting the prince and princesses, let me speak with you, please…” The Duke hurried after the Emperor, his steps full of urgency.
