The afternoon swiftly arrived, heralding the moment when the emperor convened a conference to deliberate on an impending epidemic.

Callisto sat on his throne chair as his hand was against one another while Selena was silently gazing above the thin air. Everyone appeared one by one in a hurry, even the head priest and the current pope had attended.

This conference is labeled as the most urgent meeting since the last war ten years ago, during the reign of the Former Emperor.

These reports are essential to everyone, because it involves all of them in the empire. 

Selena's gaze turned towards the ladies and gentlemen who attended today. There were far too many to count. The conference room has become crowded as if a party was being hosted.

Participating in such an occasion necessitates the presence of significant personalities responsible for upholding the governance of an empire.

Derrick gives a long cough while behind him is the emperor's aide, who will help Derrick on directing the main issue to everyone.

Selena instructed him beforehand, and he knew what he must do. This way, they can gather results as soon as they can.

Once everyone had been completed, the door had been shut. Selena watches as her secretary addresses the issue to everybody. He spoke in detail first about what happened and how it started, subsisting on an explanation about the issue.

He then addressed the awareness of the outbreak, and last, he had given every information about the epidemic.

Derrick is indeed a man of talent, yet he is well known to be neat and strict. He didn't have the power over the ministers’ evil deeds, but he was clever and brave enough to ask the palace for help.

Although Derrick was talking swift and perfect, Selena could not focus as she remained motionless. The memories from before were still clear in her mind, as if she’s being hunted by guilt. Her thoughts were all about her husband, even though they were discussing relevant issues.

Every time she tries to concentrate, either think of others, there’s no way she can forget what she saw. The countenance exhibited by her spouse earlier proved to be an arduous image to erase from her mind. She had never witnessed him in such a state nor had he ever behaved as if he was afflicted. It seemed that this world was perplexing her, disrupting the foundation of what she once knew.

The bulk of people who reacted from the plague were devastated. The other noble contempt the issue and blame the baron whose land was first infected, while others defending the baron are known as the hero who fought a war ten years ago alongside the former emperor.

It was a complete fight over who is to blame. Callisto clenched his fist and he stood up. The resonant reverberation of his weighty stride on the polished timber flooring filled the space.

"You are here for such an important matter upon my request, aren't you?" 

The emperor wasn't in a frame of mind. They could tell it since his face was not showing a gentle expression, and his nerve could be seen on his neck. He was angry, mad and frustrated, but the noble dared to act with such indecent behavior in front of him.

He gritted his teeth. "This is a grave issue that demands due consideration. Responsibility for this flaw will rest solely on your shoulders if prompt action is not taken, and instead doing so. You chose to present your incompetence in front of my eyes!" he roared in a loud yell that intimidated everyone in the room.

'Did she do this?' Selena thought. Did he become like this because of her? She lifted her hands, then she held her chest. Why is he like this, anyway? Now he is yelling at his people, not because of what they did, but for what reason?

They must have forgotten that despite being given a chance to speak, the emperor was still in front of them all. So, the subject has to bow to their ruler and ask for forgiveness. It was a chance to change his mood and soothe him down.

But it didn't work—and Selena doesn't like this, watching him punish his subject because he couldn't control his feelings.

It was not something an emperor should be doing. 

"Y-your majesty," someone mentioned. 

Callisto clench his fist—when suddenly, Selena grabbed both of his shoulders and she forced him to look at her. "Callisto Rey Alvadiz!"

Callisto's eyes moved forward where he saw his wife's worried face looking at him. Something’s wrong with him, but he can't tell.

"My wife—" he said, then suddenly he remembered something. "No, empress?"

She bites her lips, and she boldly did what anyone in the empire could not do. The empress, who prevented him from encasing the entire hall in ice, delivered a resounding slap to her husband's countenance that reverberated throughout the room and stunned onlookers.

The people inside could not help but feel overwhelmed. The subject, and the nobles, even priests and the head priest. Who would dare slap the emperor of this land? That is considered an act of betrayal and can lead to a quick execution.

Yet, the empress—who boldly slaps him in the face—didn't even shed any regrets. 

They all thought of one thing. 'She is brave to hit her husband.' Not even nobles can do that to their husband to resist getting in fights with them.

Callisto held his cheeks and he looked. 

"Pull yourself together! You were going to kill everyone, didn't you? Why!?"

'Is this frustration? Why does she sound dead?' He thought. The empress was holding her chess still as she steps backwards.

Did she realize how bold she acted in front of his majesty? 

The reverberation of his silence filled the entirety of the room, but he quickly regained composure and directed his gaze towards them.

"With the danger arising, I hope everyone can cooperate to find a solution as fast as you can. I trust that everyone here will not disappoint me any longer than what you did today."

He tilted and he shifted. "For now on, I am passing my share of authority to the empress. Everything she decides on, wants and does is within my authority. Whoever wishes for her dethronement will meet the same end as the ministers. No one shall dare mess with her under my authority."

He turns towards the exit, and he walks away. “Callisto!” She called, as she watched his back from completely turning away.

"I am sorry, I will need some change of stage. If you still decide on that when I come back, then I have no rights to hold you anymore," he mumbled before he fully disappeared from her sight.

━━✣━━

After that incident which had happened in front of many people. The atmosphere was not the same afterwards. While they are still considering the matter about the outbreak, there is something that no one could not stop thinking about. The emperor never showed his emotions before. He was indifferent and yet he stabilized his composure.

Not only that, the eyes of the empress grew timid and sharp.

The empress is known for abusing her authorities—who does not care if she’s hurting someone. If the emperor goes to such length in protecting the empress, then they can not mess with her. They anticipated her failure in managing the situation, but she skillfully handled it with a regal poise.

She proves that by her words alone. Yet, like everyone, she was forced to stay calm even though she wanted to chase after her husband.

It was admirable that she can stay calm, but she admits that this world differs completely from the original from the one she created. It would be stupid to even consider that.

In addition, the empress was presented with dire news as early as she woke up.

"What?" her eyes widened.

"His majesty, the emperor, had gone on a surge expedition and left with the Imperial Squad Army earlier in the morning. We sought to ask the reason, but the captain of the squad said that they did not know as well."

The empire was unsettled by the emperor's abrupt decision. His actions are akin to entering a battlefield where he could vanish at any moment.

She clenches her fist. "Did he leave something? Imperial Order? Or anything?"

The maid nodded as she handed over a letter in a floral design. "This came from his majesty, and instructed us to give it to you—and he also told us that everything will be written in these types of letters."

Indeed, not only one letter was presented, but three individual—floral type letters wrapped with the Alvadiz logo on the stump.

The maid handed her the letter and left. 

Selena looks at the first letter which is written to us work related, and his instruction to her. Given the way he left so soon, she felt as if she had done something to him and left for an expedition as early as he could.

She breathed out and tore the letter before she read what was written inside. 

Indeed, it is a magical item that is written to avoid falsified documents. The content is the agreement that the emperor is entitled to his wife, who will be in charge while he is away. 

This paper is a base point, and an imperial order. If someone disregards her, this will prove her credibility to fight back discrimination against her in the future.

He really did as he said. 

The second letter states it was empty, so she took out the paper and read the content from inside.

Her eyes shifted. 

"Dear wife,

    I had been hiding the fact that I am a sword mage for you for a long time, but I thought you might know about it. My aids are the same. I chose to place Marquis Rohas beside you because I know he can protect you while I am gone. 

    Although, there is also a reason. It can’t be erased that I have stolen something precious to you. It is better to ask the marquis and retrieve those memories that I had to cover up.

    Rohas ability can steal one person's memory, and he also can bring them back. I gave him an order to help you remember, and I expected something to change.

    If you still decided for a divorce till the day I return, then I have no reason to hold you back. If you really wish to leave, then I will accept it gladly even if it is not from my heart.

    If I could just change back time, I wouldn't have done what I did, but there is a reason. I know, even if I have a reason for my actions, it does not justify that I neglected you both. I am so sorry. I might be gone if you read this, but I think it is for your own good as well.

    I know you hate me, and I fully understand my standing.

                                Yours Truly

                            Callisto Rey Alvadiz"