BOAD 01

1. I’ve Always Wanted This

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live His Majesty Lloyd!”

At last, the coronation was held.

A ceremony so splendid, it was said to be unmatched in the history of emperors.

Watching the long imperial procession stretch beyond the window, I felt a surge of emotion.

We finally did it.

It had been a long, difficult journey, but Lloyd and I had at last achieved our deepest desire.

Everyone welcomed Lloyd’s ascension. Everyone rushed to offer him their congratulations.

Even though a hint of unshakable fear lingered in their expressions, what mattered was that their fear was directed at us.

So many things happened on the road to this point.

Looking at my lover, who shone brightly even from a distance, I reflected on the path we’d walked.

My husband Leofric—the Emperor, the Crown Prince—was always in our way.

All others who opposed Lloyd’s ascension were either killed, wounded, or banished to the frontier.

The central government became filled with those who had pledged undying loyalty to him.

They divided the wealth left behind by the dead, growing in power.

Lloyd became an emperor with unprecedented military might and vast riches.

No one could defy him easily now.

And behind it all—was me.

Believing Lloyd to be my one true love, I gave everything I had to make his dreams come true.

Countless people, including members of my own family, died at my feet—too many to even remember.

All for the sole purpose of making him emperor.

And finally, today, our long-cherished dream had come true.

Gripping the windowsill, I was overwhelmed with ecstasy.

Now, only one thing remained:

To stand officially by his side.

I turned from watching the procession and looked at the head lady-in-waiting of the imperial palace.

“When did Lloyd say he’d be back?”

“His Majesty said he would return after attending the coronation banquet.”

“Is that so? Then, have there been any instructions about my official investiture?”

“…I haven’t heard anything about that yet.”

“Really?”

Far in the distance, I could see Lloyd smiling brightly, and I couldn’t help but smile myself.

Lately, he’d been whining every day, saying he was exhausted from all the work.

It was time to fill the gaps left by the nobles driven out during the recent rebellion, and reward those who had achieved great feats.

He also had to plan the removal of remaining dissenters from the central government and bring in more suitable allies.

Despite the burdens, his face shone like never before.

And I found him so lovely I could hardly stand it.

Long before my father forced me into a marriage with the Crown Prince, I had already loved Lloyd.

His sunshine smile that always turned to me, and his dark, forest-like eyes I loved most of all.

That love had created everything—and made everything possible.

“Let me know the moment Lloyd returns. I need to prepare to celebrate him tonight.”

“Yes, I will.”

“And tell the kitchen to send up some light refreshments and quality wine this evening. That thirty-year-old bottle from Botia I acquired recently—that one will do nicely.”

“I’ll inform the kitchen.”

I closed my eyes gently and recalled the dream I had every night.

Lloyd wearing the imperial crown with pride, and me by his side, smiling in happiness.

Nothing stood between us anymore.

No one thought it strange or disgraceful that we were together.

That was the true ending I envisioned—the one that had to come true.

I had sacrificed myself, turned away from everyone else, all for him.

Now, it was time to be repaid.

I turned away from the window and closed the curtains.

Just a little further now.

Only one more step left to take.

✦✦✦

Lloyd returned just before midnight.

The candles I had lit for him were almost melted down, and the room was slowly slipping into darkness.

Still wearing the shining robes of the emperor, he looked a little tired—but no less dazzling.

I rushed into his arms.

“Lloyd, I waited so long. Has everyone left?”

“I had the palace staff see them off. You weren’t bored, were you?”

“No, I was fine. Today was the day we’d waited so long for, after all.”

Never had I waited so eagerly.

Lloyd always made me wait, and that waiting was always hard—but not today. Not today.

I nestled into his embrace, breathing in deeply with a blissful face.

“It’s all done now. Truly done. Just one more step to the moment we’ve dreamed of.”

“Yes. Just one more step, Amelia,” Lloyd replied with a soft smile, gently stroking my hair.

I looked up, certain that his expression was as filled with joy as mine.

“Then… when is my investiture?”

But in his dark green eyes, there was a joy different from mine.

A chilling, eerie kind.

I blinked slowly, pausing my words and staring at him.

Then Lloyd leaned down, pressing a kiss to my forehead as he stroked my hair.

“The investiture will be held soon. I am the emperor now—I can’t leave the seat beside me empty too long.”

His whisper was sweet. And when our eyes met again—

“So just wait a little longer, Amelia.”

All I could see in his gaze was love. As if nothing had changed.

That one look reassured me. I leaned into him again.

Like a fool.

“You need to tell me the date. I have to contact the boutique to fit one of the dresses I already had made. And choose the right jewels. I want to look the most beautiful and radiant when I stand beside you for the first time, officially.”

I chattered excitedly, but Lloyd said nothing.

He just stared at me silently.

Something unreadable flickered in his expression, and a twinge of unease crept in…

But what did it matter?

Today was a day of celebration.

No longer a day of struggling to stay by the Crown Prince’s side.

“I sent the decoration and food selections for the grand hall to the head maid—did you see them?”

I spoke of the investiture as I hugged Lloyd tightly.

Unaware of the cruelty slowly filling his gaze.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that, Mel.”

“Really? Was there something you didn’t like?”

“Well, first… there’s something I want to show you.”

With a charming smile, Lloyd took my hand.

Smiling in return, I followed him.

He led me to the terrace beyond the window.

I suddenly remembered his voice once saying this room had the best view of the capital.

Standing on the terrace, my heart swelled at the thought of ruling this empire together.

Gripping his hand tightly, I beamed.

“What is it you want to show me, Lloyd?”

“Just… the empire I’ll be ruling from now on.”

He smiled lovingly, still holding my hand, and brought me close to the railing.

Then he stood behind me, almost embracing me from behind.

“Do you know why I let you stay here when I brought you into the palace, Mel?”

“Um… because it has the best view in the palace?”

“Well, that’s not entirely wrong.”

I heard his soft chuckle by my ear.

Even as I thought how comforting his embrace felt, I couldn’t shake the creeping anxiety.

My room was at the very top of the main palace.

The view was good, yes, but hard to find. No other rooms were along the way.

It was isolated—like a prison.

I knew that, but I trusted Lloyd.

I know dealing with Leofric was hard, Mel. But he was my brother and your husband. People will find it odd if you’re too visible. Just focus on your investiture for now.

He was right. It wasn’t a good look for the dead Crown Prince’s wife to be front and center.

I smiled awkwardly, suppressing the doubts that had occasionally surfaced.

“What are you trying to say, Lloyd?”

“Mm… just this.”

That in the empire I’ll rule—there will be no place for you.

It was then—

An unexpected force shoved my back.

Before I could turn, I lost balance and fell toward the railing.

“…Lloyd!”

With a snap, the railing gave way—as if it had been cut on purpose.

My body, leaning against it, tilted forward in an instant.

Just before I fell, I grabbed the broken railing in desperation.

“Hah!”

The metal groaned ominously.

The wind howled fiercely at this height.

Trembling, I looked at Lloyd.

Still clinging to belief. To trust.

But Lloyd just smiled.

A cold, horrifying smile that chilled me to the bone.

“I’ve always wanted this, Mel. Finally—it’s happening.”

“What are you saying, Lloyd?! What are you saying?!”

He crouched slowly and looked me in the eyes.

His chilling gaze seemed to devour me.

“What else? Amelia—you’re going to die here today.”

His voice was soft—but I could no longer read his face.

“You’re too much of a nuisance.”

“…!”

“I’m grateful you helped me get this far, but if I keep you around, my dead brother’s ghost will haunt me forever.”

“W-What… what are you saying…?”

“Surely you didn’t think it was love? I thought you were smarter than that.”

Well, you and your entire family will be ruined anyway.

He smiled.

With the same face I had loved—wearing an expression I never knew.

Or maybe… this was his real face.

“You think you can kill me that easily?!”

“All deaths are empty and easy. That’s just how it is.”

It’s over, Amelia.

His voice was calm.

He called my name so gently—like a lullaby.

His gaze fell, light as a feather.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

Always the same lies.

Always the same smile.

I had loved everything—but now, I was someone who had never been loved at all.

“I don’t want this either. But you know, Mel. As long as you exist, the Reinhardt bloodline will never be forgotten by the people.”

His mocking face came closer, eyes narrowing in false sorrow.

My arms holding the railing grew weaker.

“One day, all the blood on your hands… it’ll come for you.”

“Is that a threat? How romantic, Mel.”

Lloyd’s painted smile was the last thing I saw before I fell.

Everything after that seemed to move in slow motion.

Lloyd staring down at me, the palace windows rushing past.

The thoughts were brief.

Then pain—like my entire body had shattered.

Even as I plummeted, I felt his gaze still watching me.

My vision blurred. Only fading shadows remained.

But that was enough.

Even in death—I curse you, Lloyd.

My lips lost their strength.

My vision faded into darkness.

“Will you regret it?”

In the final moment, as my breath began to cease—

Ironically, my husband’s last words echoed in my mind.

“At the end of the road you’re on—whatever you find—can you promise not to regret it?”

Back then, I had only looked at him. I never answered.

I hadn’t understood the true meaning of his question, or the concern of a dying man.

But now—I think I can answer.

In my fading breaths, I saw Leofric’s face—just a memory.

And as I let out my final breath, I replied:

“If there is a god…”

I want to turn back time.

And that… was the last moment I remember.