My Celestial Ascension

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Fedrick's death was no small matter, and the Imperial Family needed to act swiftly before the citizens began raising questions or making accusations. Although the Imperial Family had the power to suppress dissent, such an approach would only complicate matters and tarnish their reputation.

This was especially critical, with only two days remaining before the Grand Auction—a prestigious event vital for the Imperial Family's standing, the capital's reputation, and the Empire as a whole.

Emperor Philip rose from his seat, his expression apologetic as he addressed Yuan and his wives. "Please forgive me for everything my traitorous son and wife have done. I am deeply ashamed of their behavior."

Rose, wearing a gentle smile, responded before Yuan could speak. "It's fine. It's Fedrick and Agatha who should apologize to us. But with Fedrick gone, there's no need for you to bear that burden on their behalf."

Despite her composed demeanor, Rose's mind was slightly unsettled. She didn't want her inner turmoil to show, so she maintained an outward calm. However, Yuan noticed her distress. Placing a comforting arm around her shoulders, he offered her a warm smile. Rose leaned into him, her tension easing as she felt the safety of his embrace.

Emperor Philip turned to Yuan and Valeria, his expression slightly awkward. "Elder Sister, Yuan, please excuse me. I have urgent matters to attend to."

Valeria snorted, her voice icy. "Go. I feel ashamed just looking at you. This entire situation happened because of your negligence, and you know it."

Philip's face darkened, but he said nothing. With heavy steps, he left the room, his unreadable expression masking the storm of emotions within him.

As the door closed, Empress Selena sighed and turned to the younger members of the family. "Children, leave us for now. That includes you as well, Daniel and Elara."

Once they were gone, only Empress Selena, Priscilla, Yuan, his wives, Miss Zara, and Little Zoe remained in the room. Silence lingered for a few moments, heavy and uncomfortable. Yuan focused on comforting Rose, gently holding her to help her forget the moment she took Fedrick's life.

Finally, Empress Selena broke the silence with a light-hearted question, hoping to lift the mood. "Valeria, how has life been for you? Are you happy with this young man?"

'I hope this will ease the tension in the room,' Selena thought. 'It's still hard to believe one of my own sisters and stepson was planning a coup d'état.'

Valeria chuckled softly at the unexpected question. "To tell you the truth, I've never been happier."

She paused, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks as she continued. "Every single day is an adventure, full of excitement. I enjoy every moment with Yuan, even if we all have to take turns being with him… even on the bed."

Her playful admission made Yuan and his other wives smile, their shared bond evident in their amused expressions.

And she continued, "Furthermore, because of him, I've become an entirely different person. I've felt a love I never experienced before, a love I once considered useless and a weakness that would hinder my strength."

"However, Yuan changed my view of the world and everything in it. I embraced the new feelings I began to experience after meeting him."

"I see… I'm really happy for you, Valeria. You've finally found someone who appreciates you for who you are," Empress Selena responded with a soft, sincere smile, genuinely happy for Valeria.

"Congratulations, Lady Valeria! You've found yourself a very young and handsome husband," Concubine Priscilla added warmly, her smile reflecting her genuine joy for Valeria.

"Thanks, Priscilla. And it seems you're pregnant again! How far along are you?" Valeria asked, using her Divine Sense to confirm her observation.

As soon as Valeria said this, Priscilla's face flushed a deep red. She replied, "It's been just two months—almost three now. Right after you left for the Windfall Kingdom."

"Oh, congratulations! I hope you stay in good health," Valeria said, her face lighting up with a wide grin.

They spent the next few moments chatting about their lives. Empress Selena inquired about Valeria's adventure in the Forest of Never Return. As Valeria recounted her experiences, both Selena and Priscilla listened intently, captivated by every detail.

Some time later, Selena decided to give Yuan, his wives, Miss Zara, and Little Zoe a tour of the Imperial Palace. She immediately noticed the excited sparkle in Little Zoe's eyes.

"Let's go! I'll show you every corner of the palace," Empress Selena said, approaching Little Zoe with a warm smile and gently taking her hand.

"So, your name is Zoe, huh? That's such a cute and beautiful name," Selena complimented, making Little Zoe beam with happiness.

"Thank you," Little Zoe responded shyly before following Selena.

Yuan and his wives rose from the sofa and followed Empress Selena as she began the tour.

The palace was magnificent. Empress Selena and Priscilla ensured they showed every corner of it before leading the group to a small garden often used for tea parties with noble and wealthy women.

The garden was enchanting, exuding a serene atmosphere. Small decorative plants surrounded the area, giving it a natural and calming vibe.

After spending a relaxing moment there, they headed toward the Imperial Garden, the main attraction of the Royal Palace. The garden showcased a vast variety of rare flowers and plants, meticulously arranged to enhance its beauty tenfold.

At the center of the garden stood a massive fountain, a breathtaking feature that perfectly complemented the surroundings. The gentle flow of water created a soothing sound, adding to the tranquil ambiance.

As this was a flower garden, vibrant butterflies danced gracefully among the blossoms, adding a touch of magic to the already stunning scene.

The scene was so beautiful that Little Zoe couldn't contain her excitement. She began running around the garden, chasing the vibrant butterflies dancing among the flowers.

"She seems so excited and happy to be here…" Empress Selena murmured softly, a warm smile gracing her lips as she watched the little girl darting through the garden with pure joy on her face.

Miss Zara returned the smile and replied, "She's always loved flowers. She even has a small garden in the building I own, and she spends hours there tending to the plants."

"Because I don't want her wandering outside where she could be in danger, I created that garden just for her. Sometimes, I even join her, playing and taking care of the flowers together," Miss Zara said, her gaze lingering lovingly on her daughter, clearly delighted to see her so carefree and happy.

"I see… You must love your daughter dearly, Miss Zara. Watching your bond makes me a little envious," Empress Selena admitted, her smile softening.

"I do. I love her more than anything and couldn't imagine a single day without her. She's my everything. Losing her would mean losing everything to me."

"She's truly lucky to have you as her mother," Empress Selena said gently, placing a comforting hand on Miss Zara's shoulder.

"I know," Miss Zara replied with a smile, her voice filled with quiet pride.

Meanwhile, Yuan walked hand-in-hand with Rose, savoring the tranquility of the garden together. His other wives had given them some space, allowing the two to enjoy a rare moment alone.

As they strolled, they noticed a bench in the distance and decided to sit for a while. The peaceful ambiance reminded them of Pinebrook Village's park, though this garden was far larger and far more beautiful.

Once seated, Rose leaned her head against Yuan's chest, gently holding onto his arm. A serene smile played on her lips as if she were lost in a dream, prompting Yuan to chuckle softly.

"Why are you laughing? Is there something on my face?" Rose asked, her brows furrowing in puzzlement.

"No, not at all. I just think you're adorable," Yuan said, his tone light and teasing.

Rose's eyes widened at his unexpected remark. She was momentarily speechless, but before she could respond, Yuan kissed her cheek, making her blush deeply.

"You… I can't believe how you always manage to catch me off guard," Rose muttered, rolling her eyes before breaking into a smile. She wrapped her slender arms around his neck, drawing him closer.

Their faces were mere inches apart now. They locked eyes for a moment, a silent exchange of love and trust, before leaning in for a long, deep kiss. The kiss was filled with passion, an unspoken declaration of their love for one another.

As the kiss deepened, the intensity between them grew. Their bodies began to respond instinctively, a warmth spreading through them with every passing second.

Meanwhile, Emperor Philip prepared to bury his son, a traitor who had secretly plotted a coup d'état alongside his mother. Despite his treachery, the boy was still his son, and the blood of the Imperial Family ran through his veins.

Determined to uphold the dignity of the Imperial line, Emperor Philip chose to grant his son a proper burial rather than consigning his body to ash. He also allowed his concubine, Agatha, to see her son one last time before she was escorted away by a group of female guards to her chambers and locked inside.

However, as Fedrick was a traitor who had betrayed both his family and the empire, he could not be laid to rest in the ancestral burial grounds. Instead, Emperor Philip decreed that he would be buried in the cemetery reserved for the Noble Families of the Empire.

Shortly afterward, the Emperor made a public announcement to the entire capital using a powerful treasure. His voice echoed across the city, delivering the grim news:

"The Second Crown Prince, Fedrick Lionheart, has betrayed the Empire and paid the ultimate price. Though he was my son, I cannot forgive a traitor. I have personally ended his life. From this moment forward, Fedrick Lionheart shall no longer be recognized as the Second Crown Prince of the Empire."