The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 101

101. To Kiss Comfortably

2021.12.22.

As Grand Duke Martins opened the door to the ‘Dignified Night’ clinic and stepped inside, Big, the magician’s female assistant who worked in the manufacturing room, recognized him and offered a greeting.

“Hello.”

Despite her greeting, the female assistant’s expression was anything but welcoming.

“I know I’m a bit late for my appointment, but is a consultation still possible?”

“I’m so sorry, but I don’t think you’ll be able to see him today either…”

“Why?”

“The master didn’t come to work at all today.”

“Did something… happen?”

Grand Duke Martins’ unease solidified into a grim certainty. Something had clearly happened to the magician Big.

“I’m not sure either. I was actually planning to visit his house today.”

“Could you tell me where he lives? Please.”

Grand Duke Martins handed the female assistant a pouch filled with gold coins and made his request. The magician Big’s residence was, as the female assistant had indicated, not far from the clinic. It was a modest two-story red brick house just three blocks from the ‘Dignified Night’ clinic. As Grand Duke Martins entered the alley where the magician Big’s house was located, he spotted a familiar figure emerging from the red brick house in the distance. He quickly ducked behind the corner of a building.

The man who came out of the red brick house was Prince Tessler’s escort knight.

‘What is Sir Ken doing here?’

Grand Duke Martins waited until Sir Ken had completely left the alley before hurrying to the magician Big’s house. He knocked on the gate several times, but no one answered.

‘Sir Ken was definitely coming out of this house just a moment ago. Could it be that no one is here?’

Grand Duke Martins slowly turned the doorknob of the gate. It was unlocked. He stepped inside and looked around the interior of the house. Everything was neatly organized, with not a single thing out of place. The only thing missing was the homeowner, the magician Big.

“Did Tessler already make a move?”

Zelda’s face suddenly flashed through Grand Duke Martins’ mind. If the magician Big had disappeared, even by chance, he wouldn’t be able to obtain the magic potion. If that happened, the burn scar on Zelda’s right cheek would soon reappear.

“Damn it, what should I do now?”

Grand Duke Martins slumped into a chair and cursed.

***

“I think the two of them look good together…”

Prince Kalvin casually remarked to Princess Resilia, testing the waters.

“It’s also the perfect time for both of them to marry.”

Princess Jasper added. Flustered, Princess Resilia blinked and lowered her gaze, feigning innocence.

“Oh dear, we said we’d just have a light refreshment, but it seems we’ve brought up an uncomfortable topic. I apologize if we’ve offended you.”

Princess Jasper said with an apologetic expression.

“Ah, no! I was just a little surprised. Offended? Not at all.”

Princess Resilia waved her hands and replied.

“Then, Princess, how about considering it?”

Prince Kalvin pressed, as if he had been waiting for the opportunity.

“Ah…”

Princess Resilia looked at her brother with a troubled expression. Then, Prince Kalvin turned his gaze to Prince Tessler and said seriously.

“Although the Shatoan Kingdom has maintained a close relationship with the Lapion Empire… if we were to mix blood with the Partsha Empire, wouldn’t it be a great thing for a kingdom located in the middle of the two continents?”

Prince Tessler nodded involuntarily at Prince Kalvin’s words.

‘This… things are getting very interesting.’

The prince began to weigh his options. Which would be easier: eliminating the emperor of the Lapion Empire, the greatest power on the Northern Continent, or eliminating the one who would become the emperor of the Partsha Empire, the greatest power on the Southern Continent? The Shatoan Kingdom, as Prince Kalvin said, is located closest to the Southern Continent among the countries of the Northern Continent. If a royal marriage with the Partsha Empire were to take place, how would the Shatoan Kingdom’s status change? At least they wouldn’t have to kowtow to Emperor Linell of the Lapion Empire and cater to his whims as they do now. Prince Tessler felt a sense of relief just thinking about it. It was definitely a tempting offer, and a matter to consider carefully. A cautious voice from Princess Jasper quietly filled the momentarily silent reception room.

“Actually, I…”

Just from her expression, it was clear that she was about to say something important. The two siblings listened intently to Princess Jasper’s voice.

“I cannot have children.”

It was quite a shocking statement. Moreover, what was the reason for bringing up such a sensitive topic in this setting? Prince Tessler inadvertently sighed briefly, and Princess Resilia picked up her teacup before placing it back down. Clatter-. The sound of the teacup hitting the saucer was quite loud.

“Princess, are you very surprised?”

Princess Jasper smiled bitterly.

“Ah, no… I was just feeling sorry and surprised…”

“Yes, it’s a sad story.”

The princess’s voice grew softer. Prince Kalvin patted his wife’s hand as if to comfort her and confessed to the siblings.

“Jasper cannot have children, but I have no intention of taking in a concubine.”

‘What a moron. Is he being serious right now?’ Prince Tessler stared at Prince Kalvin, who had made a decision that he couldn’t possibly understand, as if he were looking at something strange. Prince Kalvin smiled as if he had read Prince Tessler’s thoughts and continued to speak.

“So, if Prince Norton allows it… we plan to adopt the first child that my younger brother has after he gets married in the future.”

The two siblings gasped simultaneously.

“D, does that mean… perhaps?”

Prince Tessler raised his voice with a dumbfounded expression.

“Yes, the child born to Prince Norton will inherit my throne. But in order for that to happen, we must first have Prince Norton’s permission, hahaha.”

At Prince Kalvin’s words, Prince Tessler wanted to jump up and shout for joy on the spot. ‘This can’t be! All this time, he had been barking up the wrong tree. The gold mine was right next to him.’ Prince Tessler wanted to hug his sister right away and praise her for her insight. The princess, who had only ever caused trouble since she was young, had finally caused a major accident that would revive the kingdom! Prince Tessler’s heart was pounding. He glanced at his sister.

Princess Resilia also had a somewhat excited expression. The princess’s lips, which had always uttered stray bullets, were pursed slightly. She seemed to be suppressing her emotions as much as possible.

“I hope you’ll think about it seriously, Princess Resilia.”

Princess Jasper said imploringly with a benevolent look, and the princess replied demurely.

“Yes… I will think deeply about it.”

“After seeing Prince Norton and the princess together at the banquet, I thought they looked so good together that I took the liberty of bringing up this topic.”

Princess Jasper reached out and took Princess Resilia’s hand on the table.

“A liberty? I don’t think so at all.”

“That’s right. I am simply grateful that you have looked kindly upon my younger sister, who still has many shortcomings.”

The siblings treated Prince Kalvin and his wife with constant courtesy. ‘How perfect is this? Princess Resilia and Prince Norton already have a son, Rams. That’s right. Rams… yes, that child will be targeted by the assassination guild today…’ Prince Tessler’s face gradually turned pale.

‘Damn it!’

Somewhere in the imperial palace right now, the assassination guilds he hired would be searching the palace since last night to eliminate Rams.

‘Surely they haven’t already killed him disguised as a fire, have they?’

Prince Tessler’s mouth felt parched.

***

After finishing his conversation with Emperor Adrian, he headed back to Rosie’s palace.

“I sense a bad aura from that person.”

Commander Marcrom said to me quietly.

“Are you talking about the cutlassfish?”

“…Pardon?”

“We need to be careful with our words, so let’s call him that among ourselves. It’s safer than saying Emperor Adrian.”

Sharon and Bonis, who were next to me, chuckled simultaneously at my serious request.

“Your Majesty is right. Let’s do that. Empress, it’s best not to clash with the cutlassfish if possible.”

“Marcrom can sense the aura of people, so it must be true.”

“Didn’t I tell you? I’m on a different level than ordinary knights…”

“Ah, I know. You’re one of the greatest sword masters in the history of the Lapion Empire.”

Commander Marcrom smiled lightly, as if embarrassed by my praise, and seemed to be conscious of Bonis.

“Then did the commander also notice what the cutlassfish’s true identity is?”

“True identity? Besides being the emperor of the Tevelo Empire, are you saying there’s something more?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure, but that’s what I feel. He seems suspicious to me.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say that I could hear Emperor Adrian’s thoughts.

“He’s greasy just from the way he looks.”

Bonis said, putting strength into her voice, as if she had wanted to say that all along.

“I understand the tone, but greasy in appearance too? His appearance couldn’t have changed that quickly. I remember him having a handsome appearance when I saw him before I lost my sight.”

Bonis shook her head strongly at Commander Marcrom’s opinion.

“He looked like he had olive oil dripping from his face. Men should be bold and steadfast like the commander to be cool.”

“Hehe, Lady Bonis has excellent taste in men.”

Commander Marcrom patted his thick neck hard with his palm, feeling embarrassed. I smiled at the commander, but Bonis looked at him with sparkling eyes.

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”

She tilted her head and asked as I stared intently at Bonis’s face.

“No, nothing. You just look pretty today. You were always pretty, though.”

I praised Bonis on purpose, being mindful of Commander Marcrom. Bonis’s cheeks turned red. But I was sorry that Commander Marcrom couldn’t see Bonis’s cute face as she was feeling shy.

“Did we stray somewhere else on the way to Rosie’s palace? Why haven’t we gotten past here yet?”

Then Linell’s voice was heard from behind.

“Your Majesty? What brings you this way?”

“I was on my way to the smithy when I saw the empress.”

“Are you on your way to see Count Ethan?”

He nodded at Commander Marcrom’s words.

“Yes, there’s something special I want to order.”

“Is the smithy far away?”

Even when I was in the Shatoan royal family, I often visited the smithy and watched the work of making weapons such as swords, spears, and arrowheads with fascination. Even if I didn’t, I wanted to go and see what the working environment of the Lapion imperial smithy was like and what kind of weapons they made before the hunting competition.

“It’s a bit far from the main palaces of the imperial palace. Shall we walk together to the front of Rosie’s palace?”

“I’d like that.”

“I wish everyone would walk ahead of us… everyone, go ahead.”

Linell gestured and ordered everyone following us.

“Is there a special reason why you have to do that?”

Linell replied confidently and without hesitation to Commander Marcrom’s curious question.

“Because I want to kiss the empress comfortably while walking.”

“……”

Oh my god.