The wheels of the caravan ground steadily over the new stone roads, each turn bringing us closer to the southern horizon—closer to ho.
For the first ti in what felt like a lifeti, I allowed myself to lean back in the padded interior of the imperial carriage and simply breathe.
Actually to think of it this would be the first ti i had actually ridden this thing in an official capacity, choosing to ride my own horse instead, while using the carriage mostly as a decoy instead.
No war maps.
No enemy scouts.
No night raids.
No political machinations threatening my borders.
At least for now, I and my empire are at peace.
Just the rhythmic clatter of hooves, the creak of wagons, and the muted bustle of legionaries escorting their emperor ho.
It felt unreal.
Almost indulgent.
And the companionship within was greatly enjoyed as well.
After so long being run ragged by the Francian noble court, and the whims of Saint Joan, the recovered Yuri was beyond exhausted sleeping for the majority of our journey ho, not that i minded.
As i the emperor of more than 25% of the continent happily act as a body pillow for the beloved Princess.
I enjoyed my ti being close with her, but after so long defined by blood and conquest, peace felt like a borrowed coat—comfortable, but not yet familiar.
Not to ntion relations, i was open to the idea now, but in my past life and this one i had no experience, like literally nothing when it ca to pursuing the opposite sex, how on the gods green earth am i supposed to thing about courting this darling angel in my lap?
~
The northern plains rolled by in soft waves of green and gold, spring wildflowers bursting through the thawed earth.
Farrs peered up from fields as we passed—confused, awed, sotis frightened.
Romanus standards fluttered at the front of the procession: crimson and gold, the rising eagle of my empire gleaming beneath clear skies.
Behind the vanguard marched the cohort assigned to escort Yuri’s carriage.
They watched her with mixed looks: pity, lingering fear, and fierce loyalty. She had been a saint in the eyes of so Francian peasants, a curse in the eyes of others—and a prisoner in the eyes of Romanus.
Now she was none of those things.
Now she was simply... herself.
Or rather—herselves.
Inside the carriage trailing just behind mine, Yuri sat wrapped in a warm blanket, gazing at the passing landscape with eyes that were calm one mont... and glinting like tempered steel the next.
When she was awake Yuri request, or rather almost outright demanded to have her own carriage.
Her reason was clear, root had inford her of what had happened to her.
How she was no longer simply just herself, but instead had a second conciousness nestled inside of her, one who was the enemy of Romanus and would likely take her darling emperors life if given the chance.
Two minds.
One vessel.
One dominant, one dormant—but both alive.
She still had full control when awake, but she still feared the uncontrollable part of herself.
She wanted to stay away from her, but i wasnt about to do that, i had just gotten her back, no way was i going to stay away now.
~
The hills of Latinium ca into view—rolling earth shaped by only a few years of settlers tilling the soil, dotted with villas, aqueducts, and cypress groves starting to take shape.
And beyond them...
A glimr on the horizon.
Dos catching sunlight.
Marble towers rising like spears.
The Eternal City.
My city.
"Ho," I murmured without realizing it.
The word tasted foreign on my tongue.
Yuri—Yuri—leaned from her carriage just enough to see.
Her breath hitched softly.
"...It’s beautiful," she whispered.
Her eyes were wide.
Soft.
Filled with sothing that had nothing to do with kingdoms, war, or brainwashed saints.
It felt like seeing her look at a sunrise for the first ti.
"It gets brighter the closer we co," I said. "A miracle born of mortar and ambition."
And the system he mused in his mind since none of this would have been at all possible with out it.
"Then I want to see everything," she declared—then paused, suddenly flustered, cheeks reddening. "I an... if that’s allowed. Or if you’re not too busy. I know an emperor has duties and—"
I reached out and steadied her hand where it clung nervously at the carriage window.
"You’re allowed," I said gently. "And I’ll make the ti."
Her blush deepened.
I didnt know when Joan would ’wake up’ but when that day ca we would need to have a serious talk for a change, as she would be living as a resident of my empire from now on, and well if things worked out with Yuri, i would also effectively be in a relationship with Joan as well.
~
When we reached the northern gate of the capital, horns sounded across the walls.
Crowds gathered atop the battlents, cascading down the stairs and flooding the streets.
Senators, nobles, rchants, children—the entire city turned out to welco their emperor ho.
Along with countess others who were here to see the valiant return of their princess, and future Empress.
And Serena of course was also present.
Serena stood at the front of the procession, clad in Carthaginian navy-blue robes trimd with gold, the sea-wind embroidery of her holand gleaming in the sunlight.
Her dark hair spilled elegantly down her back, and she held her head with the regal calm bearing the crown of Romanus upon her head, the acting regent in the place of the absent Emperor.
But her eyes—
Her eyes ward the instant they found .
Nothing else in them except simple warmth, just... relief.
"You returned," she said when I dismounted from my carriage to greet them.
"I told you I would," I replied.
Her smile widened just a fraction. "Yes. But every soldier says that, Julius."
She stepped close.
Close enough that her cloak brushed mine.
"And many of those who do, never return."
I had returned to the capital as a victorious conquoring hero.
An Emperor who’d reclaid his pride by rescuing the allied princess, and per his previous speeched his future empress.
Now as he entered an open topped carriage with both Yuri his future first empress, and Serena his future second empress, the crowds couldnt help but cheer as the royal family united returned together after so long of acting apart.
I hadnt even gotten to the Imperial palace yet, and already so reports had found that way into my hands.
Nothing i didnt alreay know thanks to the heads up display map of the system, but even still it went to show just how strong the imperial intelligence network is.
Movents in Greecia, and Parthia which had only just happened the day before had already reach his hands.
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