The Great Wish - Chapter 45: It Will Come To Pass (4)

With the new emperor’s ascension, the Sacred Tree chamber, which had been opened to the public, closed as night fully settled. From then on, the knights stood guard as usual.

Late at night, no one stopped Sienna as she hurried towards the Sacred Tree chamber. She halted in front of the firmly shut door. The light seeping through the crack was so bright it illuminated the surrounding darkness.

As soon as she opened the door, Sienna, Kuhn who accompanied her, and even the knights standing guard all turned their heads away. The light was too blinding to look at directly.

Grinding her teeth, Sienna tried to face the Sacred Tree. Even with her eyes tightly shut, the light stung, bringing tears to her eyes. Then, suddenly, her vision darkened. Relieved, Sienna exhaled the breath she had been holding.

Kuhn placed a hand over her eyes and gave instructions to the knights.

“Close the door.”

Moments later, the sound of the door shutting echoed, and the surrounding area returned to darkness. Kuhn removed his hand from her eyes and said, “Even if you go in now, you won’t be able to see the Sacred Tree because of the light.”

Sienna, after a brief silence, nodded.

“When the light fades, we’ll know right away. But waiting here endlessly isn’t an option. You should return to your chambers.”

Sienna glanced between Kuhn’s face and the glowing door before letting out a sigh. She instructed the knight, “Notify me the moment the light disappears.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She returned to the Silver King Palace. The walk back helped calm her racing heart a little. The area around the palace, which had been chaotic, was now under control, thanks to Gilbert’s efforts.

After changing into her nightgown, she climbed into bed, pulling Kuhn with her.

“Come on, now.”

“Why are you so eager to put me to sleep?”

“Even when you’re sick, medicine doesn’t work on you. The best thing for your health is to eat and rest well.”

Sienna had no rebuttal. She obediently closed her eyes.

But sleep wouldn’t come. The harder she tried to force it, the more awake her mind became. Feeling uncomfortable, she shifted, adjusting her pillow.

“Can’t sleep?” Kuhn asked.

Sienna opened her eyes and turned her head to the side. She had thought he was asleep, hearing his steady breathing.

“Did I wake you?”

“I haven’t slept yet.”

Kuhn turned on his side, propping his head up with one arm and extending the other towards her.

“Come here. I’ll help you sleep.”

Sienna glanced at him with a hint of annoyance but smiled as she snuggled into his embrace. Using his shoulder as a pillow, she draped her arm over his back. The gentle stroke of his hand down her back made her smile.

“That light… It must be related to the scripture we completed, right?” Sienna murmured.

Kuhn responded, “Most likely. The timing is too perfect for it to be a coincidence.”

“What’s happening…?”

“It’s probably not anything bad.”

Sienna lifted her chin.

“How can you be so calm? This might be the pivotal event that fulfills the wish of our entire clan.”

“Our family has been through so much history, both good and bad. If we reacted to everything, we wouldn’t have survived the long years. Especially me—I’m the one who has to keep steady.”

Sienna nodded, understanding what he meant.

“This reminds me of that night we spent in the desert,” she said.

“The most uncomfortable night of your life, probably. It was freezing, and we had to curl up just to stay warm.”

Was it really that bad? Sienna, remembering that night, could only Recall how cozy it had felt.

“I want to go back. Just the two of us, like then.”

“Hm, that might be more difficult than ordering a mountain to move. You’re tied to this empire now.”

“We’ll go later.”

“When?”

“After Isabel grows up and I pass on my responsibilities.”

“Your Majesty, do you realize how old we’ll be by then? If we sleep outside in the cold, we might end up with crooked mouths.”

“What?!” Sienna fumed at his mood-breaking words. Kuhn chuckled and kissed her, silencing her irritation.

Their murmuring voices grew slower, with longer pauses between words, until the room fell silent. Just like that night in the desert, the two fell asleep tightly holding each other.

***

The carriage arrived in front of the villa. Kuhn, gazing fondly at their daughter as she made small movements in her sleep, spoke to Sienna.

“It’s probably best if you go see His Majesty with Isabel alone.”

“Why?”

“If I go with you, it might turn into a formal occasion.”

“If it’s because you’re uncomfortable—”

“That’s not it. His Majesty might have something he wants to tell you alone.”

He didn’t add the obvious: He’s someone who doesn’t have much time left.

“…Alright.”

“I’ll go out and calm the elders. I think it’s necessary.”

“Arrange a day soon for them to come to the palace. Even if you can’t be his successor, they should at least see Isabel. I’d like to meet them as well.”

Kuhn smiled and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

He stepped out first, holding Isabel in his arms, then handed her to Sienna as she followed. After watching her enter the villa, he got back into the carriage and left.

The former emperor was seated in a chair as he received Sienna. The chair’s backrest was gently sloped, resembling the reclining chair she had used for naps during her pregnancy.

Sienna greeted him with a bow, her eyes flicking to his hands. For some time now, every time she saw him, his hands were always gloved. Was it because his hands were cold, even in this season? Was his health that poor?

“What brings you here, Emperor?”

Sienna hesitated, unsure of what to say. She had never visited her father without a specific purpose before. Nor did she have the habit of exchanging pleasantries or warm greetings with him.

In silence, she stepped forward and placed Isabel in his arms.

For a moment, the former emperor looked startled, his eyes widening. Then, he adjusted the baby closer to him. He looked down at his granddaughter for a long time, and Sienna stood by his side in silence for quite a while.

“She resembles you,” he finally said. That was all. Then, as if signaling for her to take the child back, he extended his arms forward. Sienna gently retrieved Isabel from him.

“Have you entered the Sacred Tree chamber yet?”

“Not yet. The light is too intense to approach.”

The beam of light had not yet disappeared, and the area was under strict guard, more so than usual.

“The blooming flower and the pillar of light are auspicious signs. They signify that the gods are watching over you. May you bring about a reign of peace and prosperity, in accordance with the divine will.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“You have much to do. You may go now.”

Of course. Sienna smiled faintly to herself. So much for thinking he had something special to say to her. Her father had never been the sentimental type. Even in his final moments, he would likely remain as upright as ever.

She left, but just as she was about to step out of the room, she paused. Turning back, she spoke again.

“Your Majesty, it’s been a long time, but do you remember when I was little, you took me to the Sacred Tree chamber as a birthday present?”

“I remember.”

“May I ask why you did that?”

The former emperor gave her a strange look, quietly observing her. Even Sienna wasn’t sure why she was asking or what kind of answer she was expecting.

After pondering for a while, he finally spoke.

“You seemed all grown up then.”

Sienna frowned. That had happened when she was seven years old. Was her father perhaps misremembering?

“…That day, I didn’t take you there as an emperor.”

Leaving her with this cryptic answer, the former emperor turned his head away and closed his eyes.

“You may go now.”

Sienna left without saying anything further. No matter how much she replayed her father’s words in her head, she couldn’t decipher his meaning.

Three days had passed since the pillar of light first appeared. It had yet to disappear, and no one had been able to approach the Sacred Tree chamber.

Everyone in the capital had seen the strange light. No matter where one went, people were talking about this mysterious phenomenon.

In the dim light of dawn, Kuhn woke to the sound of someone calling for him from outside. A bad feeling crept over him. He hurried to open the door of the bedroom, where a maid stood with her head lowered.

“Your Majesty, the former emperor…”

Kuhn didn’t wait for her to finish. He turned and rushed back to the bed. Slipping his arms under Sienna’s back, he gently lifted her upper body and held her close. She blinked groggily, still half-asleep.

“Sienna, bad news from the villa.”

Her eyes snapped open, instantly focusing.

When Sienna arrived at the villa, all the guards stationed outside were kneeling on one knee, quietly weeping. She walked past them and entered the villa. Even in the hallways, servants were prostrate, sobbing. She continued towards the open doors of the bedroom.

Inside, the chamberlain stood by the bed, his shoulders trembling with quiet sobs.

Sienna approached the bed. It was still dark, but there was enough light to make out her surroundings. She stood there until the rising sun gradually illuminated the room, allowing her to see her father’s face clearly. His eyes were closed, and he looked as if he were merely asleep—so peaceful.

By the time the others arrived, including Patricia and the Iron King with his wife, the room had filled with people.

“…Were you with His Majesty when he passed?”

The chamberlain responded with a voice heavy with grief.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I deeply apologize. I didn’t have time to notify anyone… I dared to be there alone.”

“Who else could have been more qualified than you? Did he leave any final words?”

The chamberlain’s voice cracked as he replied, “He said to bury him in the clothing he was wearing… not to change a thing…”

Unable to continue, the chamberlain broke down into sobs. He had been conflicted for months, torn between his duty and concern.

Should he have told the Silver King about his master’s condition and sought out a way to save him?

He knew it would anger his master, but surely, saving him—even against his will—was the duty of a loyal servant?

Yet, as someone who had served the former emperor for many years, he understood his master’s pride. He was not a man who would allow himself to lose his dignity, even in death.

In the end, the chamberlain couldn’t go against his master’s desire to die with the honor of a godly descendant.

Listening to the chamberlain’s childlike sobs, Sienna closed her eyes, and tears silently streamed down her cheeks.