Chapter 686: Stopping by at the North Pine Territory
The birth of Caelum and Diana Grace spread joy across the entire nation. A three-day celebration was held in the capital, drawing influential figures from across the country. Neighboring empires also sent representatives to congratulate the crown for the successful birth of its two heirs.
On the evening of the third day’s celebration, a mentally exhausted Alaric retired to his bedchamber.
"I’d rather go to war than attend that kind of tacky event." He remarked with a shake of his head.
Although it was a joyous occasion, he felt that the celebration was unnecessary. It also drained a big chunk of the national budget.
Yskaela, who was dressing up with the help of a maidservant, sent him a glare when she heard this.
"You should mind your image." She rebuked him in a helpless tone.
Her young husband would occasionally say things like this offhandedly. Luckily, the servants in the imperial palace were loyal, so none of his complaints reached the ears of the public.
Alaric grinned and kissed her. "Cut me some slack. You know that I am still not used to this."
Yskaela rolled her eyes with a sigh. She then dismissed the maidservants with a gesture of her hand.
When the servants left, Yskaela stood up and went behind Alaric’s chair to give his shoulders a massage.
"You must not speak carelessly like that in front of the servants again. They may be loyal, but they might slip up one day." She added pressure on her fingers as if to punish him for this mistake.
To Alaric, this little bit of pressure felt like a gentle touch.
"Fine." He nodded with a smile.
He then pulled her in his embrace and made her sit on his lap. "How is your body?"
It had only been three days since she gave birth to the twins. He was worried that she hadn’t fully recovered from the labor.
Yskaela smiled faintly at him. "I am an Unfettered, the strongest warrior in all of Veronica. You don’t need to be worried about me."
"Yes! Yes! You are the toughest!" Alaric patted her butt with a helpless look.
...
Several days after the celebration, the time of departure finally came.
A huge crowd of ministers and officials gathered outside the imperial palace.
"Safe travels, Your Majesties."
"Please prioritize your safety, Your Majesties."
"We will take care of the matters here while Your Majesties are gone. You can rest assured."
Alaric and Yskaela responded to the farewells of the officials. Some loyal ministers even cried as they sent them off.
After placating the officials and the ministers, Alaric, with her baby daughter in his arms, jumped onto Zephyr’s back.
Yskaela gave her final instructions before she jumped onto the beast.
"Farewell, everyone. I hope to see you all in good health when I return." The empress felt a wave of emotion as she looked at the group of loyal vassals before her.
She took a deep breath and turned her head to Alaric. "Let’s go."
Hearing this, Alaric communicated with the beast and commanded it to fly.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
With a mighty flap of its wings, the draconic lion soared into the sky.
A group of imperial guards led by Bai Seol-hwa also followed them, riding their own flying mounts.
...
Two days later, a convoy of flying beasts landed outside Nort Pine Territory. Their presence startled the civilians, but the local guards quickly pacified the situation.
"Everything is alright, everyone! There is no need to be alarmed!"
"His Majesty, Alaric Silversword, has come with his wife and children!" One of the gatekeepers announced.
The announcement caused an uproar among the people.
"Lord Alaric is back!"
"It’s no longer ’lord’. He is an emperor now!"
"Your Majesty!"
Alaric, who was well loved by his people, was welcomed with great enthusiasm.
"Is that the Veronican Empress? Wow! She is so beautiful!"
"Look at those cute babies! They must be His Majesty’s children!"
At this moment, a team of cavalrymen suddenly appeared. They wore black armor with red capes that bore the unique insignia of House Silversword.
Leading this team was an old Transcendent Knight, one of his father’s old subordinates.
"We welcome your arrival, Your Majesties. I am Oleg. I am here to escort you to the mansion as per the Lord Duke’s orders."
Alaric nodded to the old warrior. "Please lead the way, Sir Oleg."
Under the worshipping gazes of the crowd, the cavalrymen led by Oleg escorted Alaric’s entourage to the mansion.
It took them more than an hour to arrive at the main mansion of the estate. Normally, it would have taken them about thirty minutes, but with a constant stream of people greeting them along the way, the trip was extended by another half an hour.
As soon as they arrived, Lucas, Maria, and Jade Kristine were already there to welcome them.
Alaric was the first to get off. He smiled at his parents and proudly presented his baby daughter. "Look who we brought."
Yskaela also walked toward them with their son, Caelum. "Greetings, Lord Duke, Madam Maria, and Madam Jade."
She felt a bit nervous because this was the first time she had visited his home. She might be the empress of Veronica, but she was also Alaric’s wife.
Lucas feigned calmness and nodded to Yskaela. He then impatiently took his granddaughter from Alaric’s arm. "Give me my granddaughter."
Maria and Jade Kristine approached Yskaela with a warm smile. "You just gave birth recently. You shouldn’t exert yourself too much."
As if agreed upon beforehand, Maria took the baby boy from Yskaela’s arms, while Jade Kristine guided her inside the mansion.
Looking at his parents’ excited faces, Alaric could only smile wryly.
"You may head to your designated rooms. I will call upon you when I need to." He instructed the imperial guards before he entered the mansion.
Bellator and Bai Seol-hwa followed half a step behind him. Mathilda and a few others then followed.
Inside the duke’s study, Lucas gestured at them to take their seats.
"So what’s your plan?" He asked his son with a solemn look.