Chapter 23: A New Dawn for the Empire

    Illena nodded, though she seemed slightly disappointed. "I understand," she replied, her voice soft.

    Without another word, Arkanos turned and began to leave the dining hall, Arvel following close behind.

    As the doors closed behind them, a moment of silence lingered in the room. It was Sephira who broke it.

    "Is it really possible for a close encounter with death to change a man so drastically?" she thought aloud. "When was the last time he personally gave a speech to the people?"

    Illena''s gaze softened, and she answered with certainty. "Twelve years ago."

    Sephira''s eyes widened in shock. "Twelve years? And how can you be so certain?"

    A faint blush colored Illena''s cheeks, and a small, proud smile spread across her lips. "I would never forget anything related to my Emperor.

    "Each moment with him is more precious than any treasure, and so I keep them all close to my heart."

    Sephira''s expression twisted into a playful pout. "Show off," she said.

    Then, with a smirk, she added, "But you''ll see... I''ll be the first one to give our Emperor a child. Then I''ll wipe that smug look off your face."

    Illena''s smile didn''t waver, but her tone turned playful yet sharp. "True love comes before all, dear Sephira. That''s why I am the queen, and you are a consort. You may try, but I guarantee that when I do, the way you are treated here will change entirely. You''d do well to remember that."

    Sephira crossed her arms, a smug smile on her lips. "I''m not intimidated."

    Illena chuckled softly, her confidence unshaken. "Ho ho, then go ahead."

    Kaela, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Still, he is strange. The aura around him... the air of always having his way... it feels like it''s vanished. He seems like... a completely different person."

    Illena''s gaze softened, her fingers lightly brushing the rim of her goblet as she spoke. "People change, Kaela. This change in particular... I''ve been waiting for it."

    Kaela turned to her, raising a curious brow. "Waiting for it?"

    "People of the empire!"

    The plaza fell into silence, every ear straining to catch his words.

    "I stand before you today not only as your emperor but as a man chosen by the Goddess of Justice and Purity!

    "With a grand vision of greatness for this empire... a vision that begins today."

    The crowd stirred slightly, their curiosity piqued.

    "I will not mince words..."

    "I know the pain you''ve endured. The hardships you''ve faced. I know... because I am the one who caused them."

    He paused, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, but no one dared to interrupt.

    "My approach... my anger, my mistrust, my unrelenting drive for control and greed... it has blinded me. It has brought suffering upon you, the very people I swore to protect. For this, I am deeply sorry." His voice wavered slightly, filled with deep sincerity... his words catching many off guard.

    "But!" he yelled, raising his hand as if to lift their spirits.

    "Today marks the beginning of a new era! I stand before you as a man who has seen the error of his ways and as your emperor, committed to earning your trust and rebuilding this empire... not with tyranny or fear, but with unity, strength, and justice."

    The crowd was still, their attention fixed on him.

    "Together, we will rise above the scars of the past. Together, we will rebuild this land so that no child goes hungry, no family feels abandoned, and no soldier feels that their sacrifice was in vain."

    A spark lit in the crowd, a murmur of hope spreading like wildfire, though still held mistrust.

    "But I cannot do this alone," Arkanos said, his tone softening as he extended his arms.

    "I need you... your faith, your strength, and your will. Give me this chance, and I swear to you, with the goddess as my witness, that I will not squander it. Let us rise together and build a future we can all be proud of."

    "Let us make this empire great again!"