43 Battle of black winter
"Your majesty." Celesti quickly greeted the man in front of her after she had recovered from her shock.
"Princess." The emperor smiled as he stood up from his spot. Dusting off his clothes he stepped closer to her leaving a decent space between them.
His smile growing gently as Horus once again brushed its head against his cheek In affection.
"Horus is relieved to see the princess well, as am I. I'd also like to apologize once again for not preparing enough in time." The emperor chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. Staring at him in silence Celesti tried to gather her thoughts of the man she had thought she had grown to know so well. He was a stranger in her eyes now.
"It wasn't his magesty's responsibility." Celesti spoke calmly keeping her face expressionless as she bit down on her teeth feeling overwhelmed how deep his eyes stares deep into hers.
"Your highness, at this moment you are my guest. But most importantly, you are the one person who well stand besides me on the throne . If I can't guarantee the safety and health of the future Empress how will I protect this empire?"
In shock of his world Celesti stared at the man in front of him with wide eyed.
Empress? Why was he saying these things now? Clenching her fists to hide the tremble in her hands she stared at the man before her with a guarded narrow expression.
"Your magesty, you referred to my future position as Moon Empress. Even if our engagement had been established to complete the prophecy. It would have been enough to give me the title of queen."
Celesti spoke calmly as a wind passed by the two. Silence carrying between the two as Horus stared at the two humans in front of him. In awe Celesti watched as the emperor let out a small chuckle. His eyes growing brighter as if she had said something amusing. Something about this made him appear younger and more carefree like a child.
Wiping the tears from his eyes his chuckle smoothed over as his eyes caught a glance at the princess in front of him. His eyes turning to amusement at the slight pout in her lips. Letting out the last of chuckles he raised his hands apologetic.
"Sorry, I meant no disrespect. I just find it astonishing to see the princess in front of me after all this time." The emperor explained smiling at the confusion that spread in her face. Something he found oddly cute, how easily he was able to read the emotions in the princess's face.
"I have honestly always wondered what kind of lady the princess was. I've heard so many stories of the battle of black winter. How your highness and your brothers fought in the war and was able to safely protect the empire. I always wonder how strong such a princess was, how strong my future bride would be." The emperor smiled letting out a breath as he turned to face the fountain in front of them.
"I know your highness does not wish for this marriage especially to a mud blood such as myself." The emperor remarked with a low chuckle his smile growing more bitter.
"Hearing all the stories of your highness... it made me feel that even in this arranged marriage. I may find a suitable companion to stand by myself on the throne. What I truly wish is to stand besides the strong woman I had heard from the stories. The one who fought and did anything to protect her empire and family. That is the same strength I need to help protect Soleil. "
