What Universe is This Again?

FINALE

Ayhan starts his congratulatory speech with this line:

"A crown, if it hurts, is not worth wearing. It is an honor to be able to commemorate this beautiful day, the Crown Princess' Coronation."

Athanasia looked up and saw Ayhan speaking as if it were second nature.

"Crowns aren't made of rhinestones. They are made of discipline, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called courage. Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness."

Speaking like a normal person, his tone is filled with wishes and hope.

He stepped down from the podium and stood in front of Athanasia.

"Athanasia de Alger Obelia, with the power entrusted and vested to me by the gods, I bless you in their glory. May you rise like the bright sun and guide the empire with your brilliance for peace and happiness."

A rose-gold light enveloped both of them.

"I wish you'd be a great monarch, Sister," Ayhan whispered. The very same words that he uttered when Alver Crossman became the Emperor of the Rowoon Empire.

Athanasia learned a few things after being reincarnated several times.

Family is not always the same. Just because you're family doesn't automatically guarantee a bond.

It's always a choice. No matter how close they were once at odds, they might become the greatest enemies that are worse than a stranger.

Yet...

It's strange.

Athanasia doesn't feel all that from Ayhan.

Having a bond. An emotional connection.

There are times when those bonds automatically link in by fate or by choice.

With Ayhan... no... Kim Roksu, I found it more difficult to understand the wounds that couldn't be healed at all.

Severing connections and building them again.

There are things to be considerate of in the hope of not hurting anyone with words.

Soon, a bright white light emanates from them. The rose gold light turned snowy white with the vision of the great world tree appearing before them.

The revelation that both of them finally had in this world.

You are not wrong.

Walk the path you believe in.

Ayhan and Athanasia gazed at it.

Heart and emotion are linked for the first time in history. The pain, the sadness, the hesitation.

Those memories.

A holy light that bestowed grace on both of them.

Ayhan smiled and finally stepped aside. He took the scepter and globe that Athanasia would hold while he placed his stuff in the hands of his attendant.

"His excellency, Emperor Claude de Alger Obelia, has designated his successor in continuing the glorious reign of the Empire."

The commentator continued.

Claude looked at them. He stood up and walked towards them.

Claude removes the princess's crown from her head and slowly but surely takes the Crown Princess's crown. The Red Jewel of the Crown was slowly placed on her head. Claude solemnly did so, and soon he embraced her in front of everyone.