<h4>Chapter 401: A content man.</h4>


    The crowd made way for Prince Eron who had returned from his empire, ferrying more than gifts. He hade with princesses of Sndor and one of his nephews, a young man of neen years.


    Rnd and Sigrid received the gifts and met the new guests. After exchanging gifts and greetings, Prince Eron went off to hunt for his beloved and the princesses were left in the care of Sigrid.


    She had no idea what say to them so she just smiled and blurted out the only thing on her mind. "So, is it true that you all have wings on your legs?"


    Lady Iryne gasped.


    Lady Percival spilled her wine. She was hovering around the area where the crown princess and her people were sitting. Her hope was to discover one of Sigrid’s secrets and bnce the scales.


    "She is pregnant." Lady Iryne told the Princesses, as if that simple exnation filled in all of the nks magically. "I did not catch your names. Would you mind if we all introduced each other again?"


    A sword was drawn and it made a sharp sound that had everyone turning nervously. Lord Bailey was giving Rnd a gift, there was no sudden attack. Everyone’s hearts settled.


    Chairs were brought for the Sndorian’s and introductions started.


    A raven haired woman with eyes as purple as Eron’s smiled at Sigrid, "I am Princess Ethelreda, the third child of my father and his second daughter."


    A green haired woman that also had purple eyes introduced herself. "I am Princess Hester, seventh in line and fourth daughter."


    Everyone else introduced themselves as drinks were served. There was no tension, the two princesses were simply epted as if they had always been part of the group. But, they were bombarded with questions.


    "So, the wings on the legs." Sigrid was the first to ask her question. She was quite curious about it, so much so that she identally reached for a ss of wine.


    Princess Ethelreda lifted her dress to show off the her wless long legs. There were no wings or markings of any kind.


    Sigrid’s face fell. It showed that she was hoping to see something extraordinary.


    "You are disappointed." Princess Hesterughed.


    Sigrid shrugged. "I won’t lie to you, truly my heart is broken."


    "Is it true that your Empire just sits in air?" Christie asked.


    "Yes and no." Princess Ethelreda replied. "It hovers, it does not sit. If it was sitting, we would be onnd, just like you."


    Mauve jumped in. "They say Sndor hovers over an ocean. Has anyone ever fallen inside the water?"


    "No." Princess Hester shook her head.


    A servant brought fruit from the mage estate and Lady Iryne encouraged thedies to eat some. The Eldorian’s held their breath, waiting for a verdict. Only after they gave positive reviews did the conversation continue with asional pauses to receive gifts and thank the givers.


    Princess Hester was still exining the different ways in which magic was used in flying when Mauve noticed an unwee guest heading their way.


    "Alert! Alert! Keeley Valerius ising our way."


    Sigrid made a sound in her throat and her face twisted. Her eyes expressed disdain that she could not hide if she tried. "If she brings a gift, I am going to set it on fire right here."


    "Your highness!" Madam Elsworth huffed.


    All conversation was paused when Keeley reached them. Suddenly, Sigrid was a stern faced empress, herdies-in-waiting were cold and the other women were aloof, like nobles were supposed to be, aroundmoners.


    Keeley Valerius curtsied and smiled. "Greetings, your highness."


    "Miss Keeley." Sigrid responded coldly.


    Her tone could freeze thend. Keeley shuddered as she recalled that sword rain. She did not want to be there either but her parents had urged her to do so. Now that Sigrid was empress, the game was over. Unless she dropped dead or came down with an illness that left her useless.


    "Congrattions." She muttered as she handed over a gift bag.


    Mauve snatched it, making a<i> hmph</i> sound.


    "My mother sends her regards." Keeley said, clenching her hands and forcing herself to smile.


    The next response came from an unexpected person. Mrs Elsworth. "Let us hope that it is the only thing she intends to send."


    Keeley’s smile fell, she excused herself and hurried away.


    Sigrid chuckled as Keeley scurried away like a rat whose tail was on fire. "Mrs. Elsworth, you have a way of surprising me sometimes."


    Correct content is on .


    Mrs. Elsworth felt embarrassed and she blushed. She looked ahead, pointing her nose in the air. "It was a slip of the tongue. My words were uncalled for, I will reflect on myself after the party."


    The other womenughed while the Sndorian’s wondered what was so funny. Soon, normal conversation returned, leading them into lunch, which was a heavy buffet.


    After lunch, guests started to depart from the royal castle. Mauve and Christie went out on dates. Lady Iryne and Duchess M and otherdies they were friendly with took the Sndorian princesses to show them around.


    Sigrid went took a shower and she picked up a book, nning to spend the rest of her day rxing. She had a feeling that theing days would be hectic and they would involve a lot of traveling around to show their faces in different cities.


    She settled on the bed, legs leaning against the wall and opened the romance novel which she nned to send to her motherter and have her critique.


    Sigrid had only read one word when Rnd strolled into the bedroom, filled with life. He was in good spirits which was to be expected as he had just been crowned.


    Rnd was looking to celebrate and who better to do that with than his wife, the woman he loved so much. He ripped the book out of her hands and pulled her into his arms, embracing her tightly.


    Warmth flowed from her body to his. His pounding heart found a reason to slow down slightly and give him a moment to just be.


    He was still reeling from the events of the day. A birthday like none he had ever celebrated and a surprise coronation.


    Rnd Maximus was certain that no man in the world was more content then him in that moment. He had a wife he loved, one that he was sure loved him back. She was pregnant and they had a baby on the way. For the first time in his life, he had celebrated a birthday with his loved ones.


    He had celebrated it with the entire empire and he was now the emperor. Never again would he have to sleep with one eye open, worried that his birthright would be snatched.


    All of this was possible because of the woman in his arms. Overwhelmed with emotion, he said the only thing that he wanted to say to her.


    "I love you."