Ten Years of Deep Affection Cannot Defeat the Return of First Love

In the tenth year with Phillip Harvey, he promised to make me empress.

I smiled and said, "Alright."

When I was pregnant for seven months, he returned from a hunt with a woman.

He said, "I'll keep her by my side, for the sake of the kingdom."

On the day I gave birth, he was entangled with her.

I smiled bitterly and told the system, "Take me home."

——

In the tenth year since I traveled here, I helped Phillip ascend the throne.

His first act as emperor was to promise me the empress position.

Ignoring the system's warnings, I smiled and said, "Alright."

Staying in this world, I might only live a few decades, but I had been with Phillip for ten years, watching him grow from a carefree youth to a decisive emperor. How could I bear to leave?

He promised me a lifetime of loyalty.

This was his vow to me.

When he was young, he held me and said, "Jenna, if I become emperor, I won't need a harem. Having you alone is enough."

"Aren't you afraid the ministers will pester you? What kind of emperor has only one consort?" I teased, smiling.

He held me tighter. "I don't care. Only you catch my eye and fill my heart. I want you to be my only empress."

I joked, but my heart melted. I began to look forward to the day he would become emperor.

When that day came, he kept his promise.

I became his only empress.

Just as I expected, the ministers urged him to expand his harem.

He drew his sword and held it to his neck. "Do you want me dead?"

"Your Majesty, why such drastic measures? We only wish for the royal bloodline to continue," the ministers pleaded.

Phillip didn't budge. "I promised the empress that she would be my only one. If I break my word, may I be punished by the Lord."

"Do you want me to break my vow and die?" he asked.

The ministers, terrified, never raised the issue again.

That night, he whispered in my ear, "Jenna, I keep my promises."

I lightly hammered his chest. "You're being reckless."

"For you, I'd be reckless," he said, kissing my cheek and nuzzling me. "Jenna, let's have a child."

Blushing, I pulled the covers over us. "Alright."

After I got pregnant with Phillip's child, the system often reminded me, "Are you sure you want to have his child? You have only a few years left."

"Leaving him with a memory is good," I said, gently touching my belly.

The system sighed. "If you insist, I won't argue. But after you die, he will find someone else. Is it worth it?"

"Yes."

Even if I had only a few decades to live and even if Phillip found someone new after I died, being with him for ten years was worth it.

We had known each other since we were young. My heart was full of him, and his heart had only me. Spending ten loving years together was enough.

I never imagined Phillip would be with another woman while I was still alive.

When I was pregnant for seven months, Phillip went on his annual hunt in the mountains.

I couldn't go because of my condition.

Unexpectedly, he barely escaped an assassination attempt by the fifth prince's loyalists, who ambushed him.

When I got the news, I was frantic with worry, almost losing the baby.

For three days, I couldn't eat or sleep until I received a letter from him.

[Jenna, don't worry. I'm safe. I'll be back after dealing with the rebels.]

Finally, my anxiety eased.

I eagerly awaited his return, praying for his safety. Phillip, always brave and wise, eliminated the rebels within a month and returned to the capital unharmed.

The day he returned, my maid helped me to the palace gates.

I saw his convoy approaching in the sunset.

He emerged from the carriage, looking as handsome as ever, with a bright smile.

Just as I moved forward, a beautiful woman followed him out of the carriage.

The sight caused my head to spin.

My legs gave out, and I nearly collapsed.