Julius’ laughter echoed softly through the quiet corridor, drawing a scandalized look from Serena and a mortified expression from Yuri.

"So it’s come to this, an emperor brought to heel by those he himself had set his eyes upon."

Serena removed her hand slowly, composing herself with regal dignity. "She lacks restraint... But her words are true."

Scratching the back of his head, Julius couldnt help but know the reasoning behind this little... ambush of theirs.

It was something he had come to a decision about fairly recently however perhaps due to a lack of courage he had been using Yuri’s ’situation’ as an excuse before taking action.

Yuri having returned to being the one in control was fully aware of what her other half had said and to the very man himself no less, needless to say she was beyond stunned, shocked even that those words could come from her mouth.

The teasing air faded just as quickly as it had arrived.

The golden light from the stained glass painted them in hues of red and gold—imperial colours.

"How long," Serena began carefully, "do you intend to remain in this... undefined state?"

Julius arched a brow. "Undefined?"

"You are Emperor," she said evenly. "You rule in practice. You command loyalty. You have reorganized the realm, expanded it, secured it."

She stepped closer.

"But you have not yet crowned an Empress."

Yuri nodded softly, her lips moving slightly but no words escaping her mouth.

"Do not worry... while this ambush is a little unexpected i was planning to make such an announcement in due time..." Julius began to regale the pair before stopping midway, "I say that, however i realize the mere fact the three of you needed to approach me like this shows that was merely an excuse, as it has become clear to me now that you three are resolved and prepared for the events ahead."

His words which were heard, seemed to stun the two ladies before him.

Seeing this Julius himself was the one to smirk now.

He had been dithering and he admitted that however it seemed the pair before him while willing to go through with the next steps didnt think him to be ready to proceed as well.

"The empire is in peacetime at the moment and with our victory in recent campaigns the people need a galvanizing moment to solidify my reign..."

Serena made a move to speak only to be silenced as Julius held up a hand to stop her.

"Since you two seem to want a wedding," he said at last. "Then that is just what we will do, a national wedding to celebrate the glory of the Empire, the true coronation of it’s Emperor, and by way of this the expansion of the Imperial Family."

This newest declaration caused the two beauties before him to drop their jaws.

Though not a proposal in so far as the words never actually crossed his lips but his intent was presented to them.

Though the various thoughts were running through their heads, the same was true for Julius himself.

The reason being, what kind of wedding to hold?

The standard royal wedding in this world was not much more than a commoner wedding in that they were more contractual agreements more so than religious events.

Typically speaking royal weddings were methods of forming political ties, or alliances.

However in his case, Carthaginia, and Roserun were both already integrated regions of his empire, so rather than marrying a foreign royal to build ties, he was instead marrying within the realm to simply solidify the nation furhter as the two most capable women at the highest echelon of imperial power could finally get the proper title to match their positions, granting the two greater authority within the realm.

"Bu... but... Roserun... and even Francia." Yuri started to stutter out with tears forming in her eyes.

She didnt want to refuse her love for the man before her now, but she honestly didnt think she was worthy of becoming his empress.

She was a princess in her own right yes... but her kingdom had practically fallen thanks to the incompetent rule of her younger brother.

Marrying her would bring not real worth and even if you considered her other side.

Francia was a subjugated kingdom, one that had already been fully rolled into the Empire as a conquered state.

And even as they spoke a occupying force of legionnaires roamed the land to maintain order and prevent the flames of rebellion from cropping up.

So while Joan herself held a little more value than Yuri herself, the lands were already pacified.

Rebellion was a concept but not really one the defeated peoples of Francia were willing to undertake, sure if Joan were to return they would consider rising up once more, but without an icon to follow they were finished.

However if it became known Joan married the Emperor who conquered them...

Would they view her as a traitor?

A Saint who sacrificed herself for her people?

No one truly would know until it happened but the mere thought of it, of her happiness causing this nation and Julius the man who ruled over it to endure further hardship all because of them?

Meanwhile Serena likewise was in a similar state.

Her nation had fallen, not even just once, but twice and existed now as only a Romanus Province not a sovereign nation.

Worse still she herself was not pure.

Not exactly a requirement for marriage, but when it came to a Royal one, purity was almost all but needed.

And she while being a noble daughter was wed once before.

To an old man no less, and while the action of consumating the marriage never formally took place, she did indeed share a mans bed and attempt at doing just that.

So while pure she herself felt sullied, a white cloth that had been stained making herslef impure.

Julius still muddling through the simple thought of what style of wedding, be it commoner, royal, or even attempting something more modern was ignorant to the misgivings the two ladies who had at first attempted to confront the man who had previously shown on multiple occasions interest in the both of them were having right before him.