The Villain Who Fell In Love

With a breath of a sigh and the sounds of the birds singing. Emelia's eyes fluttered to see Elliot's sleeping face. So this is what he looks while sleeping. Emelia smiled as she poked his forehead as furrowed. 

To think she's back in the Vivan Empire still felt like a dream. The palace where no one dared to speak bad about her and respected her for who she is. Though at first, it wasn't a pleasing experience. But things worked later on. 

"Is it that entertaining to watch me sleep?" asked Elliot with his eyes closed and pulled Emelia back on the bed with him. He slipped his hand around her waist and snuggles his nose by her neck. 

"What are you doing? Let go of me," commanded Emelia, embarrassed as to how close their bodies were. She still couldn't get used to how their bodies were sticking to each other. She didn't want Elliot to hear her heart beating out loud. 

"You don't have to be shy about this. It's natural since we're lovers," Elliot opens his eyes and held Emelia's hand. 

It still feels like a dream that her body is wrapped around with Elliot's arms. But she isn't the only one who was thinking like this. Elliot didn't want to let go of Emelia, feeling it was still a dream. 

"You should get up before Air arrives," said Emelia, but Elliot shook his head a buried his head under the blanket. 

"Don't mind him," said Elliot, still hiding his face under the blanket. 

"Don't be like that," said Emelia as she gets out of his arms and pulls the blanket down. She strokes his hair, "Also, don't we need to discuss an important matter?" 

"If you say so," frowned Elliot as he got out of bed and buttoned his shirt up. "You know if you keep looking at me, I'll start feeling embarrassed," said Elliot, rubbing his nape. While Emelia looked away from him and grabs the nearest coat, she could find. 

Air knocks on the door before entering, "Your Imperial Majesty-"Air paused when he saw Emelia, standing up like nothing was happening, and Elliot, whose face looked new and bright. But the question is, since when was Emelia awake?

"Great timing, Air. Call Vanessa to come and help Emelia dress," order Elliot who froze and looks at Elliot, saying he needs an explanation. "I'll explain later. Hurry and call for Vanessa," said Elliot, and this time Air followed his orders. 

The first thing Vanessa did when she saw Emelia was to give her a hug. Even if she knew it's improper for a maid to hug a noble, she didn't care about it anymore. What's great is that Emelia is safe, and it's not a lite.

"Princess, you have no idea how much I worried about you," cried Vanessa while Elliot and Air left the two ladies alone to have their own time.

"I didn't mean to make you worry," comforted Emelia. 

"Princess, next time, I'm not letting you go. I won't leave your side ever again," Vanessa continues to cries as she helps Emelia wear her dress.

"V-Vanessa, I think you're tying the dress too tight," said Emelia, and when Vanessa realizes it, she cries even harder while apologizing. 

"I'm sorry, Princess. Are you hurt? I didn't mean to hurt you. When you're already wounded."

It took a while to calm Vanessa, and Emelia didn't mind spending time with her. She must have been worried when she received news about Emelia. Now Emelia thinks about this just how much did Elliot and others suffer from Vanessa's cries. But then again, Vanessa isn't the type to go around crying. 

"Though the bandages around my head wouldn't be gone for a while. I'll be able to move this much," assured Emelia as they made their way to the dining hall.

"Are you sure you want to eat breakfast here? I can bring your food to your room if you want," said Vanessa, still concerned with her conditions.

"I'm fine. I've been asleep for five days? It's natural to move around after sleeping for that long."

"If the Princess says so. But please do not hesitate to say if your feeling uncomfortable. Vanessa here will come rushing."

"Thank you," smiles Emelia as she enters the dining hall to be greeted by Elliot and Duke Yves.

Duke Yves stood up and bowed his head, "How are you doing, Princess Emelia?" asked Duke Yves while Elliot stood up to escort her to her seat, which was beside his."

"Thank you for your concern. I'm doing fine," answers Emelia as she thanked Elliot and took her seat. 

"I've asked the chef to cook you something easy to eat," said Elliot as a servant places a bowl of porridge in front of Emelia.

Emelia nodded her head and took a small portion of the porridge. While Elliot watches Emelia's every single move. Duke Yves felt he shouldn't be here. It's too warm in this dining hall. 

"I think I shouldn't be here," mumbles Duke Yves as he gobbled down a roasted chicken leg and finished with a cup of water. "If you don't have anything else to tell me. I'll get going. The longer I stay in here, I feel like I'm going to get indigestion," joked Duke Yves, waving goodbye to Elliot and bowed his head at Emelia before leaving. 

The other servants felt bad for Duke Yves, but then at the same time, they would have done the same thing. Those servants who weren't married or weren't in a relationship felt jealous of their relationship. It's as if they came out of a novel. 

"What do you think?" asked Elliot as he places his arm on the table and rests his chin on his hand, smiling.

"It tastes good," answers Emelia, taking another spoon into her mouth. 

"Emelia, I know it's the time to talk about this, but I think I should let you know now," Elliot said while Emelia lowered her spoon and had a feeling this talk was going to take a while. But then she didn't care at all since she wanted to.

Her memories had returned, but then again, she was brought to the Vivan Empire out of Elliot's rash thinking. Emelia has no clue what was going on between the two empires. At least she wanted to be the one who ends Henry. 

"They know that you are being treated here, and since then, that man shut himself in his room. What's crazy is that the council members are the ones controlling the Redodel Empire now," said Elliot as he pours Emelia a cup of water and gives it to her. He continues, "The commoners and nobles heard about this incident. They aren't happy at all."

"That means the council members are trying to calm them down. I'm sure the people want Henry to say a word, but he isn't," said Emelia, and Elliot nods his head. 

"It's our time to bring them down, or do you have another plan in mind?" asked Elliot.

Another plan? Emelia had one, but then would it be a good idea? It will burden Elliot all the more, and she didn't want to any longer. Every time when things go wrong, he's the first person to come running to her. 

"I know this may sound absurd, but then. Will you agree on combining the two empires?" asked Emelia as her eyes didn't waver when proposing. 

Elliot stayed quiet as he thought about it. He did think of merging the two empires, but the question is would the people agree to it? The two empires that had benign war will become one. Is it even possible to unify them?

"I know what you're thinking. It's going to be hard but then. Taking a risk won't hurt, right?" asked Emelia, slightly smiling. "I know it's going to burden you, but then there are people in the Redodel Empire who deserve more than we do."

Elliot sighed heavily but then Emelia was right. As the emperor of the wealthiest empires, it's only right to think about their people's safety and needs.

"Then are you prepared to work alongside me?" asked Elliot. Who meant are you ready to help him rule the two empires together? Was Emelia ready to become the empress?

"You don't want me to?" asked Emelia as she smiled, teasing Elliot. "I'm prepared… I'm prepared to serve the people. Even if I don't have the blood of a royal," Emelia held Elliot's hand, who kept a smile but later on frowns.

"Why are you frowning? Aren't you supposed to be smiling?" asked Emelia as she stood up and opened her arms open for Elliot. She tilts her head slightly, asking, "Isn't it a proposal?"

Elliot's ears flushed red, and he laughs from being defeated by Emelia. Since when has she become this bold? The once serious Princess is finally opening her heart, and he can't let this chance escape. He stood up and wraps his arms around Emelia's waist.

"Be prepared to be locked in my arms."