Now, returning to the present day...
While Sasha and her maid, Anna, were conversing, another servant approached the door and called Anna aside. "The Lord has fallen ill," the servant whispered.
Anna's brow furrowed with concern. "Is it just a normal flu?" she asked.
The servant's response was grave. "No, the healers suspect it is the same illness that claimed the the life of Lord's son."
Anna's eyes widened. "Should we inform the Lady about this?"
The other servant hesitated. "Austin specifically requested that she not be told. He fears it will ruin their wedding tomorrow, so we should only tell her it is a normal cold."
Anna reluctantly agreed. "Alright, I will inform her that it is just a common cold."
Anna then conveyed the news to Sasha, downplaying the severity of her father's condition. Unaware of the true gravity of the situation, Sasha went to see her father.
The following day, the wedding proceeded as planned. However, just two days later, Lord Lyton passed away. Anna was deeply affected by his death, and the joy of Sasha's recent marriage was overshadowed by grief and sadness . Even after his passing, the truth about his and her brother's deaths from the same sickness was kept a secret from Sasha.
It was a day of the mourning for the entire empire as well. The Emperor also died the following day, causing the once unified realm to fracture into numerous territories some supported The older son of emperor ,while some younger some also became independent. In the ensuing chaos, Austin was appointed as the new noble of the town of Maxia. This decision was primarily due to his marriage to Sasha and the trust placed in him by the Emperor's four Grand Knights. Their initial inclination was to make Sasha the noble, but she refused.
A formal ceremony was held to install Austin as the new noble. As part of the proceedings, Austin was expected to deliver a speech from the pulpit.
Austin began his address, "I, the newly appointed noble of the city of Maxia, hereby declare that, in accordance with the last wishes of the Great Lord Lyton, our city will not pledge allegiance to any prince and will instead become its own independent republic."
A wave of shock rippled through the assembled crowd. However, there was no widespread fear, as Maxia was the third-largest and second-strongest province in the former empire. One of the Emperor's Grand Knights, Arthur, boomed, "Silence! The Lord is still speaking."
Austin continued, his voice resonating with newfound authority, "The great people of Maxia, we have no reason to fear. For the divine has always blessed the citizens of Maxia with strong blessings, a testament to our noble lineage. This is not merely a city or a province,Now it is the dawn of a new EMPIRE!"
A thunderous roar of approval erupted from the people, chanting praises for Maxia and their new leader, Austin.
Later, as Austin entered the throne room and settled onto the newly established throne, a thought echoed in his mind: "Finally, the day has come for which I have been waiting and preparing for the past ten years."