The Whirlock led the envoy. People would pause in their fields to marvel at it’s greatness. Isadora had decided to keep it. She argued it was the only way the rebels would fear the crown.

Inside the royal carriage, Alexander sat close to his wife and Roselyn sat opposite, her nose buried in a book. She wore a golden tiara and an emblem of Arcadia on the right, plus the new sigil of the empire on the left breast. Isadora studied her wordlessly but her face gave to nothing.

"I’m sorry about your mother," she said at last, and only then did Roselyn lift her face for the briefest of moments before she perused another page and busied herself.

In truth, Isadora knew the execution affected her yet she feigned her emotions. She had stood there as the sword was brought down and severed Felista’s head from her shoulders, unblinkingly. Yet, not a tear rolled on her face. A person who had seen great turmoil as Roselyn... She sighed. Would she ever love again?

And speaking of love, they had laid Newton and Sir Brandon in what Alexander named as the Heroes tombs. They were the first to be laid there, and statues had been erected in their honor.

Roselyn closed the book, probably bored. She looked outside through the veiled window and absentmindedly listened to the men’s charter outside, the sound of the carriage and the neighing of horses.

On turning, she found Isadora staring at her pitifully, yet she managed a smile; a cruel smile to shield herself against the world. "Have you and his Majesty decided on a name for the child?" She asked instead.

Isadora touched her belly and forged a smile. "Not yet. I’m not certain if it’s a boy or a girl, but I do hope for a girl." She grinned at Alexander whose gaze said he wished the opposite.

"He’ll be great as his father," he intoned and continued feigning his sleep. He had his heavy head lean on Isadora’s shoulder but she didn’t complain.

They rode the rest of the way in silence, across the city of Valoria. So much had changed since the last time Isadora was here, she noticed. The alleys had been painted new and with an improved look. And when they arrived at the castle, it looked a whole different from the last time she was here. The keep was more larger than the last time, and the part of the castle that had been burnt was built a new.

The carriage halted in front of the keep, and there in the step stones stood the Valorian royal family. Isadora was the first to alight. She was greeted by familiar faces, the ever graceful Queen Victoria and Alexander’s younger sister, Elle. Lord Richard was as she could remember, yet a faint glow of grey was unmistakable on his beard.

"Her Majesty, Empress Isadora and Her Majesty, Queen Roselyn of Arcadia." And when Alexander alighted, "All hail Emperor Alexander, king of the Valorians, Arcadians and Crescians, first of his name."

A trumpet sounded in the distant and everyone in vicinity knelt to welcome the new emperor.

"Rise!" Alexander commanded.

Queen Victoria was the first to approach them. She held Isadora’s hands and squeezed them lightly. "I’m so happy for you and my boy," she said, all smiles. Isadora was quick to note a line of wrinkle on her ever flawless skin. The days had not been kinder to her mother-in-law.

"How old is the pregnancy?" She asked, placing her hand on Isadora’s slightly grown belly.

"Two months My Lady," Isadora replied. Victoria placed her hand on Isadora’s cheek and lightly kissed her.

"I’m sorry about your loss, My Lady," she said but Roselyn only acknowledged it with a smile.

And turning to Alexander, "You and I have so much to talk about."

But it was not her mother who Alexander feared, it was the living hell of his sister. Since the moment he stepped out, his eyes were on her, and she had fired them back? It had been close to a year! A damned Year! Not a word from him, or a letter at least. What could he get this time? She had grown, a foot taller maybe. Her womanly figure had blossomed to show signs of early maturity. She had breasts for nipples now!

Elle greeted all happily, but Alexander knew it was faked, or maybe he was mistaken. She appeared happy to have Isadora for a sister. She always enjoyed Isadora’s company. But when she halted in front of him, the smile on her lips was gone.

"Do I have to bow everytime I talk to you now?" She asked instead.

"Unfortunately, yes," Alexander replied, warily though. Who knew he might have a slap coming across his face anytime from now?

"Your Majesty," she curtsied, but it never amused Alexander. Was she mocking him? And just like that, Elle retreated beside her mother.

"Your Majesty, welcome back," Lord Richard was the last to welcome them. They were led into the throne hall where a great feast awaited. And just like in Arcadia, all houses, Lords and Ladies sworn to him as a king now swore to him as the new emperor, and the new empress.

And at the end of the day, he had to name the warden of Valoria. And to everyone’s surprise, he named her, his ever silent sister. She was to rule with the Queen’s advice and to marry once she became of age.

And to Lord Richard, his was a place of honor. He was made the emperor’s advisor, to serve Alexander as he had served his father and him as a king. Zed had also attended the feast, and Isadora named him warden of Crescia until her son or daughter would be born and fit to rule.

"A toast to the New era of dragons and rise of a new empire," Victoria said, her cup held up high.

"A toast to Alexander and Isadora, First of their name, Emperor of the three kingdoms!" The knights, Lords and Ladies cried in unison. Isadora had never felt proud as that day, and so did Alexander. That night, he took her to bed and slid inside her until her legs turned numb.