Chapter 307: A Warm Breakfast



Snow awoke with a serene sense of clarity, feeling a level of refreshment she hadn’t experienced in years.

It was as though the exhaustion of her late-night hours had been swept away by an unseen hand, leaving her invigorated, as if she’d just awakened from the best sleep of her life.

Turning her gaze toward the open balcony, she was greeted by the soft, ethereal glow of early twilight.

The sky was painted in hues of lavender and gold, a gentle prelude to the sun’s rise.

Snow’s expression softened as she took in the tranquil view, her thoughts briefly lost in the beauty of the moment.

She glanced at the clock nearby and realized with mild surprise that she had woken earlier than expected.

Yet, despite the shortened rest, her body felt light and her mind unburdened, as though a hidden weight had been lifted.

Snow found herself wondering why she felt so at ease, but the thought quickly gave way to the reality of her responsibilities.

There was no time to dwell on fleeting mysteries. Her day was already brimming with obligations.

From assisting the Grand Duke in managing the vast expanse of the empire to ensuring her royal presence remained unwavering, her schedule allowed for little indulgence.

And, of course, there was the matter of Riley.

Snow’s lips curved into a subtle smile as she thought of his anticipated arrival in the later hours of the day.

Despite the chaos and relentless demands of her station, the prospect of seeing him always lingered in the back of her mind, a quiet but persistent thought she refused to acknowledge fully.

As Snow hurriedly tried to sit up, her movements were abruptly halted.

“Hm?” she murmured, blinking in confusion.

Something heavy and warm was wrapped tightly around her.

A brief inspection revealed a strong, familiar arm draped across her body, holding her securely.

Her breath hitched as her gaze traveled along the arm, following it back to its source.

Her heart began to race uncontrollably.

“R-Riley?” she whispered, her voice laced with shock and disbelief.

Lying next to her, Riley was fast asleep, his expression utterly peaceful, as though he had no care in the world.

His arms enveloped her, pulling her close in a protective, possessive embrace.

His breathing was steady, his body relaxed, and the slight upturn of his lips gave him the look of someone perfectly content with the world.

Snow’s wide eyes darted between his face and the room around her, trying to make sense of the situation.

Was she still dreaming?

Had her exhaustion finally caught up with her, leaving her hallucinating this scene?

She opened and closed her eyes repeatedly, but the sensations were far too real to ignore.

The warmth of his breath lightly grazing her neck sent shivers down her spine, and the rhythmic pulse of his chest against her hand confirmed it-this was no dream.

Her body squirmed slightly, her cheeks burning as the reality of the situation began to sink in. “H-How?”

Her mind raced, scrambling for logical answers.

How was he here? When had he arrived? Why was he in her bed?

Before she could untangle her thoughts, Riley stirred.

His eyelids fluttered open lazily, and his gaze met hers.

A smirk slowly spread across his face, his amusement clear as he took in her flustered expression.

“Good morning, Snow,” he said casually, his tone carrying the warmth of someone waking up to their favorite sight.

Before she could respond, he leaned forward and pressed a soft, gentle kiss to her lips, his touch lingering just enough to make her breath hitch.

Pulling back, he smiled teasingly.

“I told you, didn’t I? I’d be back before you knew it~.”

Snow’s heart threatened to leap out of her chest as her mind reeled from his words.

Her hands instinctively gripped the sheets beneath her as she stared at him, utterly speechless.

….

In the imperial palace’s dining hall-a grand, elegant room designed for hosting casual festivities with foreign dignitaries or for intimate meals within the imperial family—a large, rectangular table dominated the space.

Despite the sheer size of the table, clearly intended to accommodate large gatherings, it was currently sparsely occupied.

The early morning light streamed through the tall, arched windows, illuminating the polished mahogany surface of the table and the exquisite spread of dishes laid upon it.

The food was nothing short of perfection, each dish a testament to the palace’s renowned

chefs.

Platters of freshly baked bread, golden and crisp, sat alongside bowls of vibrant fruits glistening like jewels.

The aroma of spiced meats, steaming soups, and delicate pastries wafted through the room, tantalizing the senses and filling the air with warmth.

At the head of the table sat the emperor himself, exuding an air of serene authority.

His expression was calm, his warm smile radiating a quiet joy as he observed the other

attendees.

Despite his commanding presence, there was an unmistakable gentleness in his demeanor, a rare softness reserved for moments like this.

On the emperor’s right, sitting close to him at the long table’s edge, was the duke, a man whose composed yet approachable aura complemented the warmth emanating from the

imperial couple.

The duke shared their serene expressions as he leisurely sliced into a perfectly cooked steak, the juices pooling elegantly on his plate.

Despite his high status, his demeanor was casual, almost familial, as he joined in the quiet, relaxed atmosphere of the meal.

To his immediate left sat a woman of stunning beauty, her radiant appearance rivaling even the most exquisite of the palace’s treasures.

With her refined elegance and grace, one might mistake her for one of the emperor’s daughters were it not for the ring adorning her finger-a matching counterpart to the

emperor’s own.

She was Ella Beldever White Germonia, the current empress of the empire.

Her gentle smile mirrored her husband’s as she delicately cut into a piece of her breakfast, her movements precise and unhurried, embodying an air of effortless refinement.

It was a rare and cherished sight-a moment so uncommon that even the emperor, a man not

easily moved, found himself quietly marveling.

Most of his family, who usually clashed or avoided each other, had willingly gathered

together. Such an occasion was almost a miracle.

Seated beside the empress were her two twin daughters, Elaine and Elizabeth.

The young princesses, both around ten years old, were nearly identical, their vibrant green

hair and golden-amber eyes a perfect inheritance from their mother.

The twins’ excitement was palpable as they devoured the array of dishes before them, their

eyes sparkling with delight.

They ate with a carefree enthusiasm, giggling and pointing at the most tempting treats.

Proper etiquette seemed to have been forgotten entirely as they munched on whatever they

deemed delicious.

Despite the lack of decorum, the emperor and empress exchanged knowing smiles and chose to let it slide, indulging their daughters’ innocent behavior.

It was a rare moment of unrestrained childhood that brought warmth to the otherwise formal

setting.

Next to the twins sat Princess Sophiel, her presence a surprising addition to the gathering.

Known for her aversion to such familial events, she rarely made an appearance unless

absolutely necessary.

Today, however, she had chosen to join, though her expression revealed she wasn’t entirely at

ease.

Despite the sumptuous spread of food before her, Sophiel’s gaze was subtly, yet

unmistakably, fixed on one spot at the table.

Riley Hell. Sitting near the duke, Riley ate his breakfast quietly, his demeanor calm and unassuming.

Yet, there was something about his presence that drew Sophiel’s attention.

Her irritation only deepened as her eyes shifted to the woman sitting beside him-Snow.

Snow, radiant as ever, had a warm smile plastered across her face as she occasionally fed Riley bites of her own breakfast with casual affection.

The gesture was intimate, her every move brimming with tenderness, and Riley accepted her gestures with ease, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Sophiel’s jaw clenched slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing her face.

She had no idea why such a trivial act could bother her so deeply, but it did. Every time Snow leaned closer to Riley, her smile glowing with warmth, Sophiel’s mood

soured even further.

As the emperor allowed the warmth of the moment to linger, his gaze settled on Riley-the young man who had unknowingly become the centerpiece of this rare familial gathering.

The sight of Riley seated among his family brought a sense of bittersweet contentment to the

emperor’s heart.

He couldn’t help but think of the past, of the times he had longed for such unity but had always found it out of reach.

This breakfast, though modest compared to the grandeur the empire was capable of, was a

ruse-a pretense for celebration, crafted to honor Riley’s safe return after completing the

goddess’s trial.

Yet, amidst the laughter of his daughters and the calm presence of his empress, the emperor realized he had neglected the most important part of this gathering.

“Riley Hell…” he began, his voice carrying a weight that drew everyone’s attention. “…Yes, Your Majesty?” Riley responded, setting his utensils down and looking up with polite

attentiveness.

“Although this gathering may not befit someone who has endured and triumphed through the goddess’s trial, I hope this small feast has managed to soothe your mind and body after the harsh trials you must have faced.”

Riley hesitated briefly, glancing at the opulent spread before him, and then back at the

emperor. “No, it’s alright, Your Majesty. This feast is more than enough.” He spoke with

humility, though inwardly he couldn’t help but marvel at the emperor’s definition of “small

feast.”

The sheer luxury of the dishes before him was far beyond what anyone would consider

modest.

The emperor chuckled softly at Riley’s words, pleased by his modesty.

There were countless questions he wanted to ask-about the trial, about the goddess, and

about the changes Riley had undoubtedly undergone-but those could wait. For now, allowing Riley to enjoy this rare moment of peace was more important.

With a calm smile, the emperor lifted his jeweled goblet and took a sip of the golden fruit

juice within.

“I see,” he said, setting the cup down with deliberate care.

His gaze softened, his voice lowering as he spoke again.

“I’m just glad you’ve returned safely… son.”

The words were spoken warmly, almost tenderly, yet the moment they left his lips, the

atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically.

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