Angelus Carduus

Chapter 21: Live or Die?

"May the heavens and gods above bless you for eternity, Imperial Majesty." Valeria humbly spoke, her head lowered so she couldn't see what face he was showing her.

Loud footsteps stomped over to her before a strong force pulled her up and into a tight hug.

Stunned, she stood stiff like a block of ice. Locks of hair came into her view of sight as the silver blue haired man pressed his face against her shoulder.

"...?"

Valeria was utterly puzzled by the situation she was in and none of them spoke which made things even more puzzling.

"It's been so long Valeria, you never replied to my letters.." he finally spoke, pulling away from her and standing at a comfortable distance.

Valeria understood what was happening and nodded. "Sorry."

She thought he would be angry at her reply but he smiled and shook his head. "It's fine. At least I know you're still alive."

"Yes-" she paused, letting the words sink in.

This man, the emperor knew she was dying? Valeria hurriedly rattled her brain, hoping to find a memory of this.

Sure enough after some time, a memory popped up. It was when Valeria Rubis and him were young, playing together.

While they were playing, Valeria suddenly fainted in front of him and that was where the memory ended before another one came next in which it was when she woke up and he was beside her, fear in his eyes washed away with relief once he saw her awake.

'That must be how he found out then.'

"Valeria?" he called her name out.

She returned back from her thoughts and nodded, "Yes I'm still alive and doing well, Julius."

The emperor, Julius lightly laughed. "That's good and next time please reply to my letters, I nearly lost ten years of my life because of this."

She nodded, "Alright. I promise."

Julius smiled at her response before poking her forehead with his index finger, "And what are you doing here?"

Valeria paid no attention to this and answered, "I came here with the duke because I asked to come here."

"To see me?" he asked, excitement written all over his face.

She nodded, answering truthfully, "Yes."

Julius paused before tears welled up in his eyes. Valeria didn't expect him to suddenly cry.

"I..can't believe there will be a day I would hear that again!" Julius cried out, sniffling out loud like a baby.

"...There there.." she stroked the top of his head, hoping it would make him stop crying.

'My mum used to do this so it should be fine-'

"Wahhh!" he cried even more.

By the time she returned back to the waiting room where Aelius was in, with Julius who had slightly puffy eyes it had almost been an hour since she first left.

Aelius wanted to walk over to her but when he saw Julius, he went on one knee, bowing respectfully.

"Your Imperial Majesty."

Julius waved his hand, "You may rise. Aelius I told you to stop doing that when it is only you and me." a sigh slipped out his mouth.

Aelius only gave a nod before turning to Valeria, "Are you okay?"