The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 156

156. To Meet Her

“It’s just a jay?”

Linelle asked, looking at the bird that had fallen to the ground.

It wasn’t a monster that had fallen from the tree after being hit by his arrow, but just a bird.

He had heard that jays mimic the sounds of various animals and can even imitate human voices.

“Then, was the one who made the Galaco sound earlier a jay?”

Linelle asked Bellos, who was standing with a serious expression.

Bellos looked around the tree for about a minute, listening intently, and then let out a small sigh, judging that there was nothing particularly wrong.

“It… seems so.”

“We were nervous for nothing.”

Prince Tesler said with a sigh of relief, but Grand Duke Martins retorted with a gloomy expression.

“If a jay mimicked the Galaco sound, doesn’t that mean there’s a Galaco somewhere in this forest?”

Grand Duke Martins’ opinion made sense.

The atmosphere among the guests began to stir again.

“It seems like it’s been more than three years since Galacos disappeared from the continent. Why is a jay mimicking the Galaco sound?”

Linelle muttered, pulling the arrow from the dead jay’s chest.

Prince Norton, who had lowered himself to examine the dead jay, agreed with his words.

“I have seen many monsters when I was with the mercenary knight order, but I have never seen a Galaco.”

“Are you sure?”

I also crouched down to look at the jay and approached Prince Norton, asking.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I heard from a mercenary I was with that pirates took Galaco eggs, which were on the verge of extinction on the continent a few years ago, and succeeded in hatching them.”

Ah, so the Galaco population has been revived by pirates.

“Pirate crew? Are you perhaps referring to the barbarians of Tanya Island?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Now that you mention it, I’ve heard of that too! They release hungry Galacos on merchant ships coming from the Western Continent and ships from the East to fill their bellies.”

Despite the rather gruesome story, Empress Katria spoke in an excited voice.

She seemed slightly amused, looking at the terrified expressions of the concubines from the Lapion Empire who were listening to her story.

“That’s right. When the Galacos eat the sailors, they become sluggish, and that’s when the pirates easily kill the Galacos and seize the ships.”

Bellos’s detailed explanation made the guests’ faces tense.

“The pirates of Tanya Island have been easily engaging in piracy using Galacos.”

Linelle muttered, rubbing his chin and glancing at Bellos.

“A-Aren’t we going to be hunted by Galacos too?”

Princess Resilia voiced the thought that everyone was worried about.

“If Galacos have spread throughout this Elange Forest, there’s a high possibility of that.”

Bellos’s cold assessment made the atmosphere even colder.

In response, Linelle gathered the scattered attention of the guests and said.

“I recently sent an informant to the Aclato Principality—Raphael.”

As he spoke, looking at Raphael, Raphael bowed lightly and addressed the guests as if reciting a report.

“There was news that King Hetor of Tanya Island was preparing for war with the Aclato Principality. However, instead of war, it seems they have chosen reconciliation through marriage with Princess Roxana. Internal governance is still being handled by Duke Heimitz, but now the de facto owner of the principality is King Hetor.”

“Magician Tower Master, is Raphael’s explanation correct?”

Linelle asked the Magician Tower Master, who had come from Aclato Island, for confirmation.

“The marriage between King Hetor and the princess happened after I crossed over to the continent, so that part needs confirmation, but I expected Duke Heimitz to join hands with King Hetor.”

The Magician Tower Master replied in a cautious voice.

“But what does the reconciliation between the two island nations have to do with the appearance of monsters on the continent? Are you saying that those islanders, not knowing their place, deliberately released the Galacos here to try to take over our continent?”

Prince Tesler shouted with a very agitated face.

I thought the prince had guessed the answer.

“It’s not impossible.”

The Magician Tower Master, who had been silent for a moment, began to speak.

“Tanya Island is sinking, and Aclato Island, as you all know, is a volcanic island. In fact… these days, there have been frequent small and large earthquakes and lava eruptions.”

“Then they might turn their eyes to the continent.”

Grand Duke Martins muttered quietly, adding that the jay mimicking the Galaco sound was definitely not a coincidence.

Everyone was worried about the safety of the continent, but I had one more thing to worry about.

If Aclato Island is in an unstable state due to lava eruptions right now, what will happen to my cure, the ‘Kelvarn’ herb?

The island wouldn’t disappear in a year or two, but I couldn’t help but feel anxious.

I need to get it before that…….

“First, I will have people investigate the internal affairs of Aclato Island further.”

Linelle began to wrap up the situation.

After reassuring the guests, he gave some instructions to Raphael and Commander Macrome, and the two went together to where the knights were gathered.

It seemed they were going to select a quick-witted knight to deliver this news to the Foreign Minister who remained in the imperial palace.

“If, if Hetor really intentionally released the Galacos, what will happen?”

Princess Resilia asked, biting her nails with a frightened face, grabbing Prince Norton’s arm.

“We’ll have to fight.”

Rosie said bravely next to Prince Norton before he could answer Princess Resilia.

Princess Resilia glanced at Rosie and ignored her, but Prince Norton was also ignoring Princess Resilia, who was holding his arm.

“It seems like we should be cautious, but there’s no need to be agitated in advance. We will have the situation investigated, but it would be best to move to the next villa immediately today.”

Everyone nodded at Linelle’s suggestion and quickly got up from their seats, but the atmosphere was still heavy.

***

Roxana returned to the Duke’s castle from the Magic Tower.

“Welcome back, Miss. Dinner may be a little late tonight.”

The butler spoke politely to Roxana, who was about to go up the stairs.

“Why?”

“The Duke and the Great King have been discussing something in the conference room for over three hours already.”

“Is that so?”

If it’s an important meeting, perhaps…….

Roxana turned her steps towards the conference room.

Knock knock knock-.

“It’s almost dinner time.”

She carefully knocked on the conference room door and said as she entered.

The two of them happened to be spreading a map on the table and talking.

Roxana turned her gaze to the map on the table.

It was the map that Hetor had been looking at until he fell asleep in her room yesterday.

“Yes, we were just about to finish talking anyway.”

Duke Heimitz said in a kind voice, looking at his daughter. But Roxana knew well that it was a pretense that came out because Hetor was next to him.

“If they are attacked in a defenseless state, the continent guys will have no choice but to be embarrassed.”

Hetor glanced at Roxana for a moment and then looked down at the map again, wearing a confident expression.

“I never thought of this method. I am impressed by the Great King’s strategy.”

Duke Heimitz said, clasping his hands together as if deeply moved.

“Perhaps… have you already sent troops to the continent?”

Roxana asked Hetor kindly.

“Hahaha, if it’s troops, you could call them troops. Galacos will be better than insignificant knight orders.”

Hetor explained to her that he had joined some pirates with the Aclato merchants entering the Northern Continent two days ago and placed Galaco eggs, which were about to hatch, in various places along the route where the guests of the continental hunting competition would be coming down.

“But wouldn’t that put us in danger as well?”

Roxana asked with a worried face.

“I can’t say it’s safe, but it’s an unavoidable choice. This is the easiest way to isolate them without much effort. And once the Galacos are full enough, catching them will be much easier.”

Hetor replied, rolling up the map.

“How long does it take for the Galaco eggs to hatch?”

“It’s quite fast. About two days? Hatching will start today, and they will turn into adults by tomorrow.”

“You’re planning to set out after the Galacos have stirred them up?”

Roxana couldn’t help but smile at Hetor’s quick action.

“Yes. The small fries will die, and only the personnel we really need to deal with will remain. We only need to deal with them.”

Hetor said, staring intently at her face.

Roxana was smiling. It was a similar smile to when the women of Tanya Island looked up to her.

Hetor, feeling good, put his hand on Roxana’s shoulder and said.

“We decided to hold the ceremony before setting out, so make sure to prepare without any setbacks.”

Roxana’s eyes wavered at the unilateral notice, but she immediately managed her expression and replied.

“Yes, I will.”

Roxana’s heart also became anxious due to the earlier-than-expected departure.

***

Everyone was on guard and tense while watching their surroundings until they arrived at the villa, but the forest was peaceful throughout the afternoon.

After everyone arrived safely at the villa, they seemed to have forgotten all about the events of the afternoon.

But even after finishing dinner and entering my room, that ominous feeling from the afternoon did not disappear.

“There’s no need to worry too much. The jay might have flown in from Tanya Island.”

Linelle said, hugging me from behind as I stood looking out the window, trying to reassure me.

“Yes, I really hope that’s the case.”

We looked out the dark window and sighed at the same time.

It was a sigh that came out after saying there was nothing to worry about.

Laughter, like a sigh, burst out at the same time.

I kissed his arm that was wrapped around my shoulder and asked.

“You said you’ve seen Galacos before, right?”

“Yeah, I saw them a few times before they disappeared from the continent.”

“What are they like?”

“They’re monsters, no matter who looks at them.”

“How are they to deal with?”

“As the Magician Tower Master said, hungry Galacos are difficult to deal with. Full Galacos are easier to kill because their movements are sluggish, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy opponents.”

I turned around and looked at his face. It was hard to find his usual playfulness.

“I’ve only seen Galacos in pictures.”

“What’s with that tone, like you’re looking forward to it?”

“Did it sound like that?”

“Hmph, if you ever see one, it won’t disappoint your expectations. But don’t worry, it probably won’t be a big deal. Still, be more careful starting tomorrow.”

“I will. Linelle, be careful too. Never get hurt while hunting. I really hate sharing a bed with a patient.”

I tapped his solid chest with my hand and urged him.

The corners of Linelle’s mouth were raised, but his eyes looking down at me were full of concern.

“I was going to take care of you with all my heart if you got hurt, but it seems you’re not interested? I’m disappointed, my wife.”

“You just shouldn’t get hurt.”

“I think my wife said she would protect me?”

“I’m talking about when I’m not around. But will my husband protect me too?”

“Of course. But there are times when I can’t protect you.”

“……When?”

When I tilted my head to the side and asked, Linelle smiled brightly, picked me up, and fell onto the bed.

“It’s still early evening!”

“Is that so? It’s good that we have a lot of time today.”

I laughed at his nonchalance.

The meaning of that laughter was surrender.

I didn’t avoid his hand that was groping up the hem of my dress.

I couldn’t just sit still and be taken advantage of, so I tried to provoke him.

His hand stopped at my bold touch.

“Oh, God… Zelda, stop!”

Linelle threw his head back, struggling with his rising desire, and I enjoyed the sight.

***

The crow that had gone to deliver the letter to Bellos in the afternoon flew back to Roxana’s room with a reply.

“You sent it back faster than I thought.”

Roxana smiled contentedly as she read the reply sent by Bellos.

I knew it. I knew he would cooperate with me.

She took out a pre-written letter from her desk drawer and approached the crow again.

“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to go to your master one more time.”

At first, the crow moved back and forth, trying not to give Roxana its feet, but eventually, it obediently lifted its feet as she grabbed its neck.

Roxana chuckled as she tied the letter to the crow’s feet.

She could imagine what kind of expression Bellos would make after reading the contents of this letter.

*Place a maid’s dress in the room where I will be staying tonight.*

Even if she only wrote this, Bellos would know what she was trying to do.

Roxana sent the crow flying out the window and then called Nancy.

“We’re going to the witch’s house now. Hurry.”

After dinner, Hetor said he would be late tonight because he had a meeting with his subordinates, so it would be tight, but there was still some free time.

“Yes? Again? Miss, what are you going for today?”

At Nancy’s question, Roxana looked in the mirror and replied meaningfully.

“It seems like I won’t have a chance to see her if it’s not today. I want to see her properly at least once.”

“Who?”

“Empress Zelda.”