The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 42

42. My Dessert

“Stian, what on earth is going on? Why are you beating around the bush like this?”

I tried my best not to press the Head Chamberlain as I asked again.

“Ah, yes, Your Majesty! Before I say anything, as Your Majesty’s closest aide, I have always been at the forefront, attending to Your Majesty’s path. However, this time, I must say in advance that I have taken a step back!”

Linelle was starting to worry even more because of the Head Chamberlain’s evasive attitude.

“Tell me what’s going on immediately.”

My nerves were on edge.

“Yes, I know I need to tell you right away, or I’ll soon be getting a kick in the…… Ouch, I understand! Yes, yes.”

While speaking to me, the Head Chamberlain turned his head to the side and muttered towards the outside of the dining hall door. Looking straight ahead again, the Head Chamberlain cleared his throat and announced loudly, “His Majesty the Emperor enters!”

…What?

Unable to hide my bewilderment, I jumped up from my chair. The other concubines were just as taken aback. Everyone was flustered and followed me, rising to their feet. But their surprise was short-lived, and the concubines’ faces began to brighten. They seemed pleased to be able to see him, even like this. But why did he suddenly barge into the luncheon with the concubines? Is this also a tradition of the Lapion Empire? The concubines all looked back and forth between my face and the dining hall door. Their eyes were asking me to explain the situation. I shrugged, whispering to them that I had no idea either.

“Stian, you talk too much.”

Linelle’s voice was heard first from outside the dining hall door.

“He’s just going to come in, why are you stepping forward and rambling on?”

Linelle’s hand suddenly appeared and pushed the Head Chamberlain, who was blocking the center of the dining hall door, far away.

“Move aside. He needs to come in.”

Linelle’s tone was brusque, but his expression seemed very cheerful. I was speechless at his sudden appearance and could only blink. He shyly raised a hand to me in greeting, then returned to his indifferent expression and quietly lowered his hand. Those blue eyes held only me. Ah, he looks so fatally sexy that I can’t take it. I’ll have to tell him separately later: never greet me with such a shy smile when other people are around, especially in front of other women. I’ve never thought about wanting to monopolize someone in my life, but he kept making me feel unfamiliar emotions. He’s a dangerous man in many ways. I smiled and greeted him as he strode towards me. Like someone who only knows how to go straight in this world, he didn’t even glance to the side and only looked ahead as he approached. The concubines all stared at him with their mouths open, as if admiring him.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor!”

They all paid their respects to Linelle, who was walking into the dining hall with blank expressions. Why does he look especially handsome today? If I were the only one who saw Linelle’s radiant appearance, I would honestly feel like it was a waste.

‘Yes, he’s too dazzling for one woman to monopolize.’

I thought as he got closer. I had to understand a little bit of the concubines’ jealousy and envy. Last night, I was in the bedroom with that man, lying on the bed that he sleeps in every day, receiving his gaze, feeling his touch, and falling asleep after making love. Among the four beautiful women in front of me, the only woman receiving his love was… me. My heart suddenly began to race at that realization. But it wasn’t just because I was reminded of the time I spent with him last night. Even now, I could feel love in his eyes as he walked towards me, with only me in his sight. Love? Did I just say love? It was unfamiliar, but I had to admit it. There was no other word to describe this feeling. Linelle stopped in front of me.

“Your Majesty… what brings you here so suddenly?”

I asked him that without even remembering to greet him. He cleared his throat a couple of times and then said confidently to me.

“I’m hungry.”

“…Pardon?”

“The Empress’ Palace has especially delicious things.”

What delicious things are there here?

“Have you not eaten yet?”

I glanced at the Head Chamberlain standing behind him and asked him. Then the Head Chamberlain, with an expression as if he had been waiting, said to me as if reporting.

“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but His Majesty has already finished his meal, Your Majesty.”

“Stian, instead of being relieved after reporting to the Empress, just shut your mouth.”

Linelle turned to the Head Chamberlain and mouthed harsh words, then, as if nothing had happened, looked at me and the concubines with a dignified gaze again.

“I didn’t get to eat dessert.”

In the end, the excuse he made started and ended with food.

“Oh, Your Majesty! Then join us!”

Melanie shouted, pushing her chest forward as if she was about to hug him. I wanted to grab her by the scruff of the neck and straighten her posture.

“Melanie, how did you get to the Empress’ Palace?”

When Linelle spoke to Melanie, she cheerfully asked back with a very excited expression.

“Yes? How did I get here?”

“You didn’t roll all the way to the Empress’ Palace, did you?”

Linelle asked, turning one hand around.

“Heeing, Your Majesty… you’re being so mischievous with your concern for me.”

Melanie covered both cheeks with her hands and swayed her body from side to side. Wow, her ability to prettily package teasing words to her liking is amazing. What a positive way of thinking. I found Melanie’s appearance quite amusing, but the other concubines seemed to think differently. In particular, Catherine glared at her with her eyes narrowed like buttonholes, with an expression that she thought Melanie was beneath her.

“Melanie, your fashion sense is excellent as always.”

Linelle’s empty words were heard. Here he goes again. I gave him a look that told him not to do that, but he pretended to be interested in Melanie’s dress as if he had found something to tease.

“As expected of a woman with a natural sense, she absorbs trends right away.”

He tapped his shoulder and gave Melanie a splendid thumbs up.

“I knew Your Majesty would like it!”

In response, Melanie wiggled her shoulder, which was ridiculously exposed, back and forth, and glared at Catherine with a smug expression.

“Those who know fashion, eat a lot.”

At Linelle’s one word, Melanie’s face was overflowing with peace, as if she had heard words of blessing from a temple.

“Your Majesty, I heard you have a very busy schedule today.”

I asked him as if I was pressing him.

“I’m not busy.”

That was a lie. I knew in advance that he had a meeting early this morning, and that he was scheduled to have lunch with his ministers due to the lengthy meeting. No matter how I thought about it, he didn’t have the time to leisurely visit the Empress’ Palace today. Furthermore, he would have been informed that I and the concubines were having lunch together, so why would he barge in like this without warning? It was strange.

“Actually, I am busy.”

He changed his words again.

“You’re busy… but you had time to come all the way to the Empress’ Palace like this?”

“I didn’t. So I ran to save time.”

His answer plunged me further into the labyrinth. ‘Ah, that’s a lie too…’ I thought. But.

“I thought I was going to die from being out of breath, Your Majesty.”

The Head Chamberlain slipped in again this time, adding strength to Linelle’s words.

“Why bother when you’re busy…”

At my words, he immediately made a sulky expression. Because of that, I couldn’t finish my sentence and only asked with my eyes.

“I left without properly greeting the Empress this morning.”

“Why is that…?”

I was conscious of the concubines listening to our conversation, so I asked him with ventriloquism [speaking without moving your lips].

“I kept feeling bad about leaving you alone in my bed.”

He deliberately put strength into his voice as if only the two of us existed here. It was a moment when my ventriloquism became meaningless. Am I the only one who cares about the ears listening in the dining hall? I was already struggling to endure the concubines’ jealous gazes, but Linelle smiled even more affectionately at me as if to show off.

“You can talk about that later…”

Because of Linelle, who was saying embarrassing things so nonchalantly, even in front of the concubines, my voice came out even drier. He made a sulky expression and said.

“That later is now.”

“Ah, yes…”

If His Majesty the Emperor says so, then that must be the case. I nodded obediently. Seeing the corners of his lips slowly rising, I felt uneasy. What is he going to say again?

“Empress, there’s no need to be nervous. I just wanted to see your face.”

But unlike my worries, it seemed like he was really just going to say hello and leave. When the concubines greeted him with regretful faces, he nodded to them perfunctorily and turned around. I watched him walk out of the dining hall with heavy steps, then sat back down in my chair with the concubines. However, Linelle came back in a few seconds later.

“Why are you doing this, Your Majesty?”

I was startled by his reappearance and asked. He rushed towards me and answered.

“Come to think of it, I didn’t eat dessert.”

At his words, Catherine and I simultaneously reached for the plate placed in the middle of us. It was a dessert cake topped with lots of strawberries and blueberries.

“Your Majesty, this cake is the most delicious of the desserts here. Have a bite before you go.”

Catherine’s hand was faster than mine. Her voice was sweeter than the cake. Linelle made a serious face that made me feel embarrassed and raised one hand.

“I refuse. I have a dessert that I like separately.”

It was Catherine who offered the cake, but he stared at my face and answered. Catherine didn’t back down either, and asked him again, holding up another cake plate in front of Melanie.

“Then how about cheesecake?”

Melanie also reached out at the same time, but Catherine was faster this time too.

“I don’t like greasy things. Not food, not people.”

He muttered meaningfully and then smiled at me, who was maintaining a blank expression. Why are you smiling like that? Why?

“Your Majesty, you don’t have time to linger. You must hurry and leave.”

The Head Chamberlain held a pocket watch in his hand and urged him. Wait? I know you have to leave quickly, but what does it mean to quickly ‘do’ and leave?

“I was going to go outside with the Empress for a moment…”

His eyes were unusual.

“You don’t have time for that!”

The Head Chamberlain said firmly. Linelle was moving his lips busily, saying something to Stian in lip movements, and then dropped his lips on mine without warning. It happened so quickly.

“Mmm?!”

I lost my balance at his impulsive kiss and slumped down on the chair.

“Delicious, as expected.”

His lips slowly moved away from mine and whispered. I lost my balance at his impulsive kiss and slumped down on the chair. The concubines, who witnessed this scene, covered their mouths with both hands. So did I. However, the difference between them and me was that my mouth was blocked by his lips instead of my hands.

“W-what… did you just do?”

“I ate.”

“…Pardon?”

“My dessert.”

His low voice echoed sweetly in the dining hall.