Chapter 1080: True Love

Isabella fell silent. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, as if she wanted to say something but didn’t know what.

A few moments later, she composed herself and smiled.

"Do you suspect that I’m Yuki Taira?"

Seira giggled.

"Something like that. But I won’t pry any further. You must have your reasons, right?"

Isabella laughed. She realized there was no point in hiding it anymore.

She nodded.

"You’re right. I am Yuki Taira. Isabella is just an alias. As for why I changed my identity, well..."

She rubbed her chin.

"Just for fun?"

Seira: "..."

"Just kidding." Isabella laughed again. Her expression softened as she continued. "Back then, I was pretty stubborn and rebellious. My father wanted me to inherit the title of Eastern Emperor, but I had no interest in it."

She let out a sigh.

"Actually, my twin sister, Kaede, was much more suited to being a ruler. But why did it have to be me? I had no idea. My father never told me. So, I ran away and started working as a geisha at one of the brothels. I made money through my performances and other talents. Of course, I wasn’t really interested in the money. I just wanted to have fun."

She paused for a moment before smiling again.

"That’s when I met His Majesty Ragan and fell in love with him. After that..."

Isabella began telling Seira about her past. Aside from her daughter, Elina, no one else knew her story.

Seira listened intently. A few minutes later, Isabella finished her story.

Only then did Seira finally understand how Isabella had met Ragan.

"That really is a beautiful love story," she murmured admiringly.

Until now, Seira had only ever heard rumors that Isabella was a prostitute.

But was that really true?

She couldn’t just take those rumors at face value. It was hard to believe that her father, the Emperor, would marry a prostitute.

She suspected it was all just a rumor spread by someone who disliked Isabella.

And as it turned out, her suspicions were correct. Isabella wasn’t a prostitute but a respected geisha.

More than that, she was the heir to the Izanagi Eastern Empire.

That status alone placed her far above even the queen.

"Why would you want to be a concubine?" Seira asked curiously, taking a sip of water. "I mean, with your status, you could be queen, you know?"

Throughout the empire’s history, the title of queen had usually been granted to only one woman, chosen directly by the emperor.

However, there was no specific rule prohibiting the existence of two queens, though such a decision might spark protests from various quarters.

Even so, Isabella was more than qualified for the title.

After all, she was the heir to the Eastern Empire of Izanagi, a thousand-year-old empire that was far older than the Great Velmora Empire.

"You’re the second person to ask me that," Isabella said with a soft chuckle.

She fell silent for a moment, her eyes slightly downcast.

"Maybe this is what they call love?"

Seira’s eyes widened at her answer.

"I love His Majesty so much. Maybe I’m just blinded by that love. I don’t know, but that’s how I truly feel."

A melancholic glint flashed in her purple eyes.

"It’s a bit silly, isn’t it?"

Seira fell silent, her expression growing complicated.

"Love, huh?"

She suddenly thought of the man who always appeared in her memories and found herself smiling without realizing it.

"No, it’s not silly."

Isabella looked surprised. She lifted her head and met Seira’s sincere gaze.

"What you did for love isn’t something to take lightly," Seira continued firmly. "If anything, you deserve to be admired, Mother Isabella. I’m even a little jealous of you."

With so many conflicting interests within the imperial family, finding genuine love was almost impossible.

Even a mother’s love for her children, like Vanessa’s for Aldric and Cassandra’s for Cedric, wasn’t entirely selfless.

They raised their children according to their own wishes, all for one reason: the throne.

Her father had also married his other wives purely for political reasons.

Although he seemed to love them, Seira had come to realize that his feelings weren’t entirely genuine.

Now she understood why her father loved Isabella so much and always seemed more comfortable around her.

Their love was genuine, and their relationship felt so natural, as if everything came straight from their hearts.

"You..."

Isabella didn’t know what to say. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve received a compliment like that," she said with a laugh, trying to hide her emotions.

Seira simply smiled. Her eyes held a longing for the one person who meant so much to her.

The man who always appeared in her dreams—and her true love...

...

A horse-drawn carriage rolled through Solvaria’s gates.

A flag bearing a blue moon fluttered above it. It was the emblem of the Blue Moon Trading House.

"Wow! Is this the capital? It’s so beautiful!" Leona exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.

Solvaria was much bigger than the city she lived in. In fact, the two weren’t even comparable.

It felt like a completely different world—more luxurious, grand, and full of life.

A few minutes later, the carriage arrived at a large gate. The Blue Moon emblem was carved into the wall beside it.

The guards didn’t bother searching the carriage. They simply bowed respectfully and let it through.

As Leona looked around the vast courtyard, her eyes lit up once again.

"The courtyard is even bigger than the one at my mansion," she murmured.

It was probably three times as large. Dozens of horse-drawn carriages could be seen coming and going through the gates.

"We’ve arrived, Young Lady Leona," the coachman said respectfully.

Leona opened the door and stepped out of the carriage.

"Thank you!"

The coachman bowed before urging his horse forward and driving away.

Leona climbed the stairs, and the moment she saw the interior, her eyes widened in surprise.

The lobby was huge, with people constantly coming and going. They were most likely employees of the Blue Moon Trading House.

Massive pillars supported the building, and white crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

This place was even bigger than the Frey family’s company back on Earth.

"Excuse me. Can I help you with something?"

A voice came from nearby.

"Ah!" Leona was startled and quickly turned around.

A beautiful woman with short brown hair stood before her, looking at her with a gentle smile.

Leona composed herself before replying, "I’m here at Miss Shion’s invitation."

"Miss Shion?"

The staff member looked surprised.

"Are you Young Lady Leona?"

"That’s right."

"I see."

The staff member smiled again, looking noticeably more respectful this time.

"Please follow me."

She turned and led the way.

Leona took a deep breath before following her.