SILVER-HAIRED
Chapter 204: The Empress Has Returned!

Chapter 204: The Empress Has Returned!

Nicklaus faced me with intensity, his look burning on mine and I just looked at him the exact same way not backing now either. Nicklaus huffed softly at my actions but I didn’t have it... I can’t let him risk everything for my sake while I just sat still, I was never the one to sit still, to begin with.

I faced Alaric. "Alaric do me the great honor of tutoring when we get back to the Vampire Realm"

Alaric blinked several times. "T-T-Tutor you?!" He practically stammered for the first time like he heard wrong.

"Yes," I said with a smile against my lips, I could still feel Nicklaus’ intense gaze on me but I ignored it, he wasn’t gonna talk me out of this one.

Celeste giggled, and the animals snorted a laugh.

Nicklaus sighed deeply running his fingers in his hair, well I can’t help it though, I’m STUBBORN.

☆☆☆

Two Days Later

It was like a dream, the Realms were merged, it all happened so fast than I could comprehend, the skies only just moved, and then suddenly like a mile away the Vampire Realm could be seen, the harsh weather leisurely depleted and we were in Spring season all of a sudden, I guess after that we would have summer, fall, and winter, This was the first time that a Realm has all four seasons, the magical Realm aside from the Mortal Realm all were entitled to only but one weather, this was the first time for a magical Realm to have all four of them.

The Vampire Realm really looked amazing in Spring, the white trees weren’t white anymore but they have colors, wonderful colors and grasses too, the entire area looked like the Spirit Forest now, it didn’t take long and the animals were exploring the insides of the palace, well just the gang, I don’t think a full animal invasion is necessary with Vampires roaming around.

Nicklaus was in the throne room, I think speaking with the council about the changes and the new system, I knew I didn’t have to be there because I knew Nicklaus had everything under control and would treat my animals right, we were reunited as one now.

"EMPRESS!" Olivia rushed to me and engulfed me in a tight hug, a sweet smile formed on my lips and I hug her back just as much.

"I’m so glad you’re back, I was so so worried," she said in tears and then I pulled away to take a look at her face.

"I’m here now Olivia, and I’m not going anywhere else"

She nods sobbing.

"Mistress" Mint said coming ahead and he gave a deep bow. Oh no! This is not a matter of bowing, I quickly engulfed him in a tight hug.

"I missed you Mint, I missed all of you," I said pulling away, he had a charming smile.

"We all missed you, Empress, we were all worried that you suddenly disappeared," he said.

"Well that is a long story," Celeste said in agreement.

"What is happening Empress, seems like an expansion has been made, I looked out the windows and I saw animals?" Olivia said, puzzled.

"Yes," I said with a sigh, guessing there was much explaining to do.

☆☆☆

The door spread open with the help of the guards and I walked into the extremely nostalgic and all familiar chambers, my eyes scanned our room, the bed, the designs, the wide space itself that looked like a hall and all the memories of this place seemed to flood in, a smile on my lips as I recalled everything.

The place still has a chill to it, I knew it was from one of Nicklaus’ episodes when I was gone, I could still remember the memory I saw of him at the Waterfall of Truth.

I sat on the bed feeling the cold texture of it. When he cried ice and thinking of it right now my heart sank at how lonely he must have felt when I was gone, how hurt he must have felt.

My eyes drift to the Empress attire at the hanger, I rose to my feet.

"Empress," Olivia said, coming behind me.

"Do you think they would still welcome me as Empress?" I asked with sad eyes, I left my people causing an uproar, will they still accept someone like me?

Olivia came behind me walking to where the dress hung and took it off. "You’re our Empress, our FIRST Empress, when you left the uproar was because of your safety, you have no idea how happy we all are that you’re finally back to us, You came back to us and there’s no greater joy than that"

The tears circling my eyes almost fell but I sniffed holding it back.

"Now the council and the Emperor await your return in the throne room, and I’m honored to get you ready"

I used the back of my hand to wipe the tears already falling and I stroke a nod.

"Yes... get me ready"

☆☆☆

The golden door of the throne room spread open revealing the majestic throne room, I stood upright as my eyes caught the company of the council and then Nicklaus on the throne waiting for me. I focused on him only as I walked at the center reaching for the throne.

Nicklaus rose to his feet holding out his hand for me and I took it facing the crowd.

"Welcome back Empress!" Their voices boomed in the quiet hall.

"They were waiting for you" Nicklaus whispered to me and then I faced him. "We have much to do"

I knew exactly what he meant... I thought he was having this meeting without me not that I minded but I was happy he considered my presence. This was a new step for us, our Realm has become bigger and it would need the both of us to make it work, the coexistence of Magical animals and Vampires.

"Have you thought of a name?"

"W-What?"

He smiled. "Surely you do not expect us to call it by two names?"

He was right, we’re now one, separate names were not in order.

"I want you to be the one to say it, if it comes from you then I have nothing to worry about" he whispered to me once again, and I shivered at the proximity we were in, resting his hand on the small of my back. I faced the crowd, I hadn’t thought of it, I just opened my mouth and declared.

☆☆☆

"My wonderful people, for we are one now I declare that this Realm united as one shall be called the Darkmore Realm" Celeste mimicked me and Olivia was already dying of laughter, I was flushed!

"Come on now, Nicklaus didn’t tell me he was giving me that decree? I mean I just said what came to my head first" I reason blushing in embarrassment.

"There is no going back in that decree, this joint name is now known as the Darkmore Realm," Celeste said.

"Well, I think it’s a great name," Olivia said.

"Nah I don’t think so, the other Realms shook at the mere name Magnus and more who knows our surnames, so imagine telling someone there is a joined Realm and that very name is called Darkmore Realm"

"Oh, gods what have I done? They will merely be shocked at the call of the name, no one will want to come here" I groaned, rubbing my temples, before frustratedly taking a banana on the table and chewing on it hard.

"I think it’s better that way," Olivia shrugged.

"And I like the name too, the Darkmore Realm" Celeste said dramatically.

I just murmured, chewing on my banana, I swallowed hard, clearing my throat and rising to my feet. "Now that’s out of the way, I have some training to do," I said with a sigh.

"You still plan on training?" Celeste said.

"Why ever would you train an Empress?" Olivia asked puzzled. "You have Mint to protect you and Lord Alaric not to talk more of Lady Celeste and... of course me"

"And the Emperor," Celeste intoned with a smirk.

"You see? That’s the point, I can’t just sit around in a shell with everyone clustering around me like a shield, I can defend myself, I just have to learn!" I growled before walking out of the room. I just don’t get everyone, they expect me to just sit still and let them protect, that was not going to work at all!

I made several turns and I could tell Mint was already behind me, you see what I mean?

"Mistress, why are you in a hurry?" He asked, walking beside me.

"To Alaric"

We made a turn and then we came face to face with Nicklaus, his adviser Bartholomew beside him, and two other officials I didn’t quite know. Nicklaus has many officials so it was hard to know their faces all at once.

"Wife," he said with a smirk, that luscious voice of his making my body shiver in delight, a power only he had on me.

"Husband"