Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 227: Your Imperial Majesty

Chapter 227: Your Imperial Majesty

The King’s severed head rolled on the icy ground, smearing dark blood as it turned into nothing but a piece of discarded trash.

Tillian released a loud exhale, his body releasing all the tension it stored as he fought his enemies. Standing tall and free, he tilted his head backward, closed his eyes, and felt the cold sporadic snowflakes touch his burning skin, the pleasant sensation of their contact soothing his very soul.

The battlefield fell silent as if in respect to the one who finally put an end to this war. Euris was gone, his tyranny reduced to nothing. The dragons circled above, their presence a symbol of the newfound peace.

There was no need to fight anymore. As if released from the heavy shackles of manipulation and control, every single knight of the king’s army fell onto their knees, surrendering their lives to the new ruler.

With hundreds of pairs of eyes glued to the duke, Aideen slowly walked up to her husband and gently placed her hand on his shoulder, locking her eyes on his bright red orbs.

"We did it, Tillian," she smiled warmly at him, her loving gaze filling the man’s tired heart with a new surge of power. Reciprocating her smile, he embraced his wife, tightly pressing her body against his as their heartbeats matched one another.

"You are right... We did it. Together. As one."

Taru, still in his massive grown form, landed beside them, his scales shimmering in the sunlight. He lowered his head, and the princess gently placed a hand on his snout, her touch filled with gratitude and affection.

All of a sudden, the serene air around the battlefield shook again as the soldiers began to cheer.

"Long live King Tillian Valentine! Long live Queen Aideen Valentine! Long live our new rulers!"

Surprised at first, the couple turned their flustered faces to face the cheering armies, they felt their heartbeats quicken as the loud words of acknowledgment bestowed their new titles upon them.

King Tillian Valentine. The rightful ruler of Geraldion. The one who had the right to sit on the throne from birth. And the one who had proven time and again that he deserved it.

Tillian clenched his fists and pressed his lips into a tense thin line. Having spent his entire life waiting for this very moment, now, he was at a loss for words. Noticing her husband’s hesitation, Aideen lightly nudged the man on the back and cleared her throat, jerking her chin in the direction of the people awaiting his speech.

"Go on now, as a king, you have to start getting used to these things right away."

It was not the perfect time for jokes but Tillian appreciated his wife’s witty support. Slowly gliding his eyes over the armies, he finally started talking,

"Today you have witnessed the fall of false rulers; those who stole what belonged to others and those whose sole goal was to enslave their people and reign over them with the tyranny of fear.

Their blind greed and selfish ambitions brought too much death and suffering upon their subjects but this all ends now.

Valentines have always been the true rulers of Geraldion and as such, I vow to protect this kingdom and help it prosper."

Tillian paused and looked at Aideen, his face softening with the look of deep genuine affection, "And with such an amazing queen by my side, no one will ever dare to take advantage of our people again. Together, we will strive to become an empire in a legitimate way; without unnecessary bloodshed or cheap tricks and deceiving political games.

Together, we will become the empire we will be proud of. This is a promise."

"I acknowledge Tillian and Aideen Valentine as the new rulers of Geraldion," the moment Tillian finished his words, Yanad took a step forward, inserted his sword into the ground, and knelt before them, expressing his respect and recognition of the new sovereigns.

"I acknowledge Tillian and Aideen Valentine as the new rulers of Geraldion," Prince Kassian, too, followed Yanad’s example and inserted his sword next to his, bowing his head in respect to the new king and queen.

One by one, the rest of the highly-ranked nobles who fought amongst the ranks of Lafad and Davoor, expressed their recognition, solemnly vowing to serve and respect the new rulers.

"Something feels incomplete!"

Suddenly, a familiar male voice echoed through the air from somewhere behind the crowd. Davoorian warriors parted, bowing their heads in unison as they recognized the voice of their leader.

"King Yuraon?!"

Aideen raised her eyes, surprised to see the young king appear from out of nowhere, riding a big black stallion that belonged to Tillian’s knights. Beside him, sat Princess Melania, her face glowing with restored health and soothed heart.

Jumping off the horse, Yuraon helped the princess get down and the two of them approached Tillian, their faces beaming with regal authority. Bowing their heads in unison, the young king finally smiled, "I, too, together with my fiancee, Princess Melania of Lafad, acknowledge Tillian and Aideen Valentine as the new rulers of Geraldion."

Melania smiled as well and offered Aideen a supportive nod. Then, Yuraon turned around to face others, retrieved a letter with the seal of Utar adorning it, and read aloud, "King Zelon acknowledges Tillian and Aideen Valentine as the new rulers of Geraldion and abandons his claim over the Northern lands of this kingdom. In addition, he is the first king of the Central Continent to accept Geraldion’s new status as Empire!"

Everyone gasped at such a serious and official declaration. Yuraon turned back to the Valentine couple and grinned as he saw their mouths part in confusion. "I, King Yuraon Davoor, am the second king of the Central Continent to accept Geraldion’s new status as Empire. Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesties."

The crowd cheered once again, their voices filling the air with the sounds of joy and pride.

Aideen’s eyes welled up with tears; she offered her husband a lost look but Tillian embraced her in his strong arms once again and pressed his forehead against hers, his voice trembling, "I am unbelievably lucky to share this moment with you. I love you, Your Imperial Majesty, Empress Aideen Valentine. My Empress."

Aideen swallowed the tears of joy and nodded, her lips stretching into a happy smile,

"I love you too, Your Imperial Majesty, Emperor Tillian Valentine. My Emperor."