The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 16

Kiss Interrupter

February 27, 2021

I stared at Rinell, eyes wide. He had returned to his usual solemn expression and was preparing to greet Grand Duke Martins. The Grand Duke entered the office and greeted us, who were sitting side-by-side on the sofa.

“The two suns of the Lapion Empire, I salute you.”

“Come and sit down.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Grand Duke Martins walked towards the sofa, examining me as if observing a specimen.

“Your Majesty the Empress, you don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell?”

The Grand Duke asked, feigning concern with unnecessary worry.

“The Empress is a little displeased.”

Rinell glanced at me and replied to the Grand Duke on my behalf.

“Ah, I see. Have you already heard about the concubine issue?”

Grand Duke Martins jumped to conclusions about what Rinell meant.

“I also heard about it from the ministers today and have been worried about Her Majesty the Empress ever since.”

What a performance. I scoffed inwardly at the Grand Duke’s pretentious concern.

“No, the Empress isn’t displeased about the concubine issue. It’s because of the interrupter.”

Rinell pointed a finger at Grand Duke Martins as if poking him.

“Grand Duke, I’m talking about you.”

“Excuse me? What interruption have I caused…?”

Grand Duke Martins’ bewildered eyes darted towards me. *Don’t look at me like that,* I thought. I don’t know what he’s talking about either. I just shrugged. Then the Grand Duke’s gaze returned to Rinell.

“What do you mean, Your Majesty? How could I have upset Her Majesty the Empress?”

“We were kissing.”

Rinell smiled, running the back of his hand over his lips.

“!”

Good heavens. I held back a laugh at Rinell’s mischievous joke. No, it wasn’t a joke because we *did* kiss.

“I’m a ki- kiss interrupter… Cough, cough.”

Grand Duke Martins stammered, looking genuinely surprised, then choked on his saliva. I nodded at the Grand Duke’s questioning gaze.

“Yes. We were discussing the concubine issue, and suddenly, a kiss out of nowhere, something like that.”

I also gently placed the back of my hand on my lips and said. Rinell covered his mouth with a clenched fist, chuckled, and reinforced my words.

“As the matter is serious, we need to further solidify the relationship between the Empress and me. Right, Empress?”

“That’s right, and of course.”

I nodded emphatically. Ironically, he seemed touched by my reaction and winked at me, holding my hand tightly. Grand Duke Martins, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, gradually looked more and more confused.

“Grand Duke, what do you think about the issue of taking in concubines?”

Rinell erased the smile from his face and asked seriously.

“If I may speak my mind…”

Grand Duke Martins’ gaze lingered on my face for a moment before he slowly opened his mouth.

“I understand the concerns of the ministers. Although we accepted an Empress from the Shattonil Kingdom due to the political situation between continents, the issue of the imperial successor is another matter for them, isn’t it?”

I somehow felt that Grand Duke Martins was siding with the ministers here and representing them. *Why, when he was the Grand Duke of the Shattonil Kingdom?* I wondered if the Grand Duke would have shown such an attitude even if the Empress of the Lapion Empire was Princess Resilia.

“It is another matter. So, they are trying to bring their precious daughters as my concubines, claiming that the successor to me must only have the blood of the Lapion Empire.”

Rinell replied with a bitter expression.

“It is true that the more descendants the imperial family has, the stronger the empire becomes.”

Grand Duke Martins’ words also made sense.

“Moreover, ministers who want to install a prince born to a foreign Empress as the next emperor are rare in any country, Your Majesty.”

Even so, I felt a little resentful. What was it? The Grand Duke’s intention to side with the Lapion ministers, going beyond a neutral position?

“I know that. However, presenting me with concubines when I haven’t even been married for a few days is an intentional attempt to undermine the Empress’s authority. That’s the part that makes me angry.”

I was secretly glancing at Grand Duke Martins when I was startled by Rinell’s words. I hadn’t realized he was considering my position to this extent.

“Then, Your Majesty, you have no intention of taking in concubines unless the ministers insist…?”

Grand Duke Martins asked him with a surprised expression. Rinell replied immediately as if asking the obvious.

“No. I have no intention of having concubines.”

It was a voice with a sense of weight. I glanced at Rinell’s profile. He was making a face as if he could easily maintain his chastity for 10 years. Grand Duke Martins, who was staring at Rinell with a surprised expression, shifted his gaze to me. It was a look that asked how I had won over the Emperor to elicit such a reaction. I deliberately avoided the Grand Duke’s gaze and pretended not to notice.

“Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, wouldn’t it be better to accept their wishes quickly rather than antagonize the ministers?”

“Is that just the Grand Duke’s opinion? Or does the Shattonil royal family also think the same way?”

Rinell asked Grand Duke Martins with a questioning tone. The Shattonil royal family would probably think the same way. That’s what I thought. If the Shattonil Kingdom easily accepted this issue, then there would be hope that my divorce and the Emperor’s remarriage would proceed more smoothly in the future. I imagined Prince Tesler’s face, who would have been pleased to receive this news from Grand Duke Martins.

“The Shattonil royal family respects the wishes of His Majesty the Emperor and the ministers of the Lapion Empire the most.”

“Really? But wouldn’t that be a bit disappointing for the Empress?”

Rinell’s sharp eyes watched Grand Duke Martins.

“Ah, hahaha. Of course, the kingdom is most concerned about the Empress’s well-being.”

Grand Duke Martins replied with an awkward smile.

“The ministers already think they have taken a step back with Your Majesty’s state marriage [a marriage arranged for political reasons].”

“They presumptuously do.”

“So, if Your Majesty intentionally delays the concubine issue, they may feel their position is threatened and turn their antipathy towards the Empress. That’s what I’m worried about.”

Ha? The level of Grand Duke Martins’ concern for me is ridiculous. But the Grand Duke’s words sounded quite plausible.

“Hmm, I am also most worried about that part. So, the Grand Duke’s opinion is that I should accept the concubines to protect the Empress, is that it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. As soon as possible…”

I couldn’t help but glare at Grand Duke Martins at this point.

“Since your relationship seems to be much stronger than I thought, it wouldn’t matter if you took in concubines as long as Your Majesty doesn’t waver, would it?”

The Grand Duke probed Rinell as if testing him, while also watching my reaction. He was really good at twisting words. The Grand Duke’s expression as he persuaded the Emperor to take in concubines to prevent the ministers from having antipathy towards me was truly pretentious. But his opinion was probably Prince Tesler’s opinion. If I excluded my position and feelings, the Grand Duke’s words were not wrong. The key was that accepting the concubines quickly would reduce the backlash from the ministers when Princess Resilia became the remarried Empress in the future. In short, it was a one-step-back-for-a-two-steps-forward strategy.

“The ministers want to hold the ceremony with the concubines in ten days.”

So soon? I frowned and glared at Grand Duke Martins.

“According to the shaman [a person believed to be able to contact the world of spirits], that time is when the empire’s energy is at its best among the remaining days of the year. What is the Empress’s opinion?”

Grand Duke Martins subtly passed the ball to me. He seemed to think that Rinell’s decision would be made based on my words. If the Grand Duke had the ability to manipulate heads like that, he could join the circus. I felt Rinell staring at my lips from the side.

“The Grand Duke’s words make sense… Your Majesty.”

I spat out these words and couldn’t bring myself to make eye contact with him. Strangely, my stomach felt so bitter. I felt angry, and I also felt sad. Emotions that I couldn’t quite put my finger on were intricately intertwined.

“I’ll ask again. The Empress must answer carefully.”

My gaze, which had been fixed on the front, reached him at Rinell’s serious voice.

“Even if I welcome the concubines so quickly, is the Empress really… okay with it?”

*No.* My voice only echoed within me.

“I asked if you’re okay with it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I said, being careful not to let my voice sound pathetic. At that moment, Rinell’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Yes, Your Majesty… A very simple answer. Without emotion or concern.”

“He is the emperor of a country before he is the husband of a woman. I don’t think it’s right to oppose it by putting forward personal feelings.”

Grand Duke Martins looked relieved at my answer, but Rinell, on the other hand, had a very displeased expression.

“…Okay. I didn’t know the Empress was such a generous woman.”

Rinell let go of my hand and stood up from the sofa.

“If the Empress is so indifferent, then there’s no reason for me to drag out the time and antagonize the ministers.”

“…”

Rinell walked to the mahogany desk. I felt a chill emanating from his back. When he rang the bell on the desk, Secretary Raphael entered the office.

“Did you call, Your Majesty?”

“Raphael, when did you say the meeting with the ministers was?”

“The meeting hasn’t started yet, but I’ve already received word that all the ministers have arrived in the conference hall.”

“Tell them I’m coming.”

“Now…?”

Secretary Raphael glanced at me and cautiously asked Rinell.

“Yes, immediately.”

“Yes, I’ll let them know right away.”

Raphael tilted his head for a moment at the cold atmosphere in the office, then quickly closed the door and left.

“You are wise, Your Majesty. It is best to quickly approve what you have already decided.”

Grand Duke Martins also stood up from the sofa, as if he was going to attend the meeting with Rinell. Then Rinell gestured for the moving Grand Duke to stop.

“It would be better for the Grand Duke to remain here with the Empress. Aren’t you a person from the Shattonil Kingdom?”

“Ah… Yes, that’s right. I will do so.”

Grand Duke Martins bowed his head, slightly embarrassed. Rinell did not look at me after getting up from the sofa. He turned around and opened the office door and left. ***

“Hoo…”

I was finally able to breathe properly after the office door closed.

“You did well, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Grand Duke Martins sat back on the sofa and praised me. I wanted to appear calm, but my expression kept crumpling. He spoke to me cautiously with curious eyes.

“Actually, I was a little surprised earlier.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That Your Majesty didn’t want to take in concubines.”

Grand Duke Martins really seemed surprised by Rinell’s reaction. I snorted slightly and said.

“Is that so? He’ll approve it in the end, so there’s no need to be surprised.”

“But it was a strategic state marriage between countries, and I expected that Your Majesty wouldn’t have feelings for the Empress…”

Grand Duke Martins stared intently at my right cheek, which had a burn scar, and said to himself. I stared intently at the Grand Duke, who was recklessly blabbering with his open mouth. I thought it would be nice to stuff something into that hateful mouth. For example, grilled fish with very thick bones, or roses with the thorns not removed.

“Grand Duke. Please refrain from that kind of behavior in front of me in the future.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The Grand Duke must also be faithful to his role. I mean, I want you to treat me in a manner befitting my current position.”

“Ah, I apologize.”

Grand Duke Martins apologized, slightly embarrassed, raising both hands. *Even if I go down from the Empress’s position when I go down,* I thought, *I have to receive all the treatment I can receive while staying in this position. Even if I go back to the Shattonil Kingdom and live as a royal bath maid again.*

“If you were offended, please forgive me. My consideration and thoughts were ignorant.”

“Even if it’s just the two of us, shouldn’t we be careful?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes, because a leaky bucket leaks outside as well.”

I gave a stinging rebuke and stood up from my seat to return to the Empress’s Palace.

“Haha, I will keep that in mind.”

Grand Duke Martins laughed briefly and stood up at the same time as me.

“Your Majesty the Empress, would you like to take a walk in the garden with me for a moment?”

“I don’t feel like it.”

The words of refusal came out of my mouth in 0.1 seconds.

“…Ah, yes.”

But the Grand Duke didn’t seem upset by my refusal, and he chuckled again.

“Are you tired?”

“A little.”

Because I dealt with a leaky bucket.

“If you smell the flowers and grass, your fatigue will be reduced.”

*No, I think my fatigue will be relieved if I break the bucket?* I stared blankly at Grand Duke Martins’ head and thought.

“The biggest fatigue will be walking together next to you, will smelling the flowers reduce the fatigue?”

When I openly expressed my discomfort, the Grand Duke cleared his throat and continued to speak.

“Ahem, I have heard rumors about the skills of the Lapion imperial landscapers for a long time, but I didn’t realize they were this excellent. Please join me.”

“I think the Grand Duke wants to enjoy contemplation, but that’s best when you’re walking alone. Then I’ll be on my way.”

Today was a day when I exhausted a week’s worth of patience. I just wanted to go back to my bedroom and rest quietly.

“Your Majesty the Empress, I have something to tell you.”

Grand Duke Martins’ voice was secretly heard to me as I turned around.

“Really? Then tell me here?”

I turned to Grand Duke Martins and said with a tired look.

“There are many ears coming and going. This is also Your Majesty’s office.”

What is it that he wants to say so much? Ah, there was only one thing that the Grand Duke and I could talk about intimately.

“Could it be…?”

“Yes, it’s news about Princess Resilia.”