The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 222

222. An Unexpected Gift

February 18, 2023

Fecilini continuously stroked her belly, as if to soothe the baby inside.

Even though she couldn’t yet feel the baby’s movements, her stomach kept twitching, as if the child were kicking.

“It will be very brief,” the guard instructed Fecilini in front of the iron door where Prince Tesler was confined.

“Understood. Here, take this. Thank you for the escort.”

Fecilini handed a small diamond to the guard who had guided her, as a token of appreciation.

To continue exchanging news with Prince Tesler after today, it was necessary to offer separate compensation to the guard.

The guard, his cheek twitching, politely opened the iron door after receiving the diamond.

Fecilini stepped into the dim prison cell.

“It’s me…”

Her voice echoed through the desolate cell.

Prince Tesler, who had been lying with his back to the wall, jolted upright at Fecilini’s voice.

“Yo, you’re here… Ouch…!”

Prince Tesler placed his feet on the floor and groaned, bending over.

“Damn it, it hurts like hell!”

“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Does your stomach hurt? Shall I call the guard?”

Fecilini lowered herself to sit and looked at Prince Tesler’s disheveled face with concern.

“It’s not my stomach that hurts.”

“Then do you need to use the restroom?”

“…Not that stomach either.”

“Then what’s wrong? Where do you feel discomfort?”

Prince Tesler, staring silently at Fecilini’s worried face, suddenly blurted out something irrelevant, overwhelmed with emotion.

“Though I’m dead, I will rise again!”

“Pardon?”

Fecilini asked again, due to his slurred pronunciation.

“Even if you trample on me, this guy will definitely stand tall!”

Prince Tesler raised his voice while looking down at his lower body, then began to shed tears.

Fecilini, not knowing what was going on, wiped Prince Tesler’s tears with the hem of her robe.

“Fecilini, our child… you must take care to grow up healthy. Do you understand?”

Prince Tesler, who had been crying, bit his lip and grabbed Fecilini’s shoulders tightly.

Fecilini looked closely at Prince Tesler’s face and, shocked, fell back on her bottom.

“Good heavens!”

Even though she understood the prince’s words, his face with his mouth open was hard to recognize.

“Gosh! Your Highness, your teeth… your front teeth…!”

Were gone.

The teeth that should have been there were missing.

“Ah… Ah… My stomach… My stomach hurts.”

Fecilini put her hands on her stomach, wrinkling her face.

“What?! Why does your stomach suddenly hurt!”

As Prince Tesler touched Fecilini’s stomach, it felt even more strained.

Fecilini unknowingly pushed Prince Tesler’s hand away.

Then the pain in her stomach eased a little.

It felt as if the baby inside was making a fuss, startled by the sight of its father.

Fecilini looked back at Prince Tesler with a bewildered heart.

Even after looking again, the eight closely spaced teeth that had been visible when he smiled brightly were missing.

Prince Tesler, noticing Fecilini’s crumpled expression, finally became aware of his missing front teeth and quickly closed his mouth.

Then, he timidly moved his lips slightly and said.

“Once I get out of here, I can hire a magician to put new teeth in.”

“I heard that method requires teeth… Where are you going to get them?”

“There will be plenty of guys who need money willing to pull out their healthy teeth for me. If not, I’ll just kidnap someone and take theirs.”

Watching Prince Tesler say such cruel things without a second thought, Fecilini consciously placed her hand on her stomach.

‘Baby, were you very surprised? It may be hard to accept, but this person is your father…’

The baby seemed to be struggling inside, as if rejecting the idea that Prince Tesler was its father.

Feeling her stomach twisting, Fecilini continued to take deep breaths to regain her composure.

“Listen carefully. A trial will be held soon. To be released from the trial, I need the power of Marquis Astoto.”

“My father’s power?”

“Yes, ask the Marquis to gather the power of the nobles to ensure a favorable verdict for me. If that happens, I will sign a pledge to hand over the exclusive rights to trade with the Shattou Neil Kingdom to your father’s trading company. I’ll speak to Grand Duke Martins.”

Prince Tesler grinned, revealing his plan.

“You tried to assassinate the Empress. Do you think the nobles will easily side with you?”

“The Empress can freeze to death! Is the Second Concubine more important than me, who will become the future King of Shattou Neil?”

“Honestly, His Majesty values the Empress more. Just look at the fact that he took her in as a concubine even after it was revealed that she was a surrogate Empress.”

Fecilini muttered, expressing her thoughts.

Then Prince Tesler reacted sharply.

“Whose side are you on anyway? Huh?”

“I’m not taking sides, I’m just saying that’s the reality.”

“Reality or whatever, just do as I say. I have to be safe! That’s how our child will inherit the Shattou Neil Kingdom in the future.”

“If you are released… will you really take me to the Shattou Neil Kingdom?”

“Take you? I have to welcome you as my queen. Of course, you’re the woman who carries my child, it’s only natural!”

Prince Tesler grabbed Fecilini’s hands, brought them to his face, and said with earnest eyes.

“Then why did you say that a few days ago? You coldly said you wouldn’t take me.”

Fecilini said with suspicious eyes.

“Th, that was just saying it would be difficult right now. You’re Consort of Emperor Linelle. But since things have turned out this way, it’s all or nothing.”

“I’ll talk to my father. But I can’t guarantee anything.”

“You’re the only one. You’re the only one.”

Prince Tesler smiled brightly and kissed the back of Fecilini’s hand.

He was quite handsome, but without his teeth, he looked older overnight, and even his smile looked sad.

‘Baby, I’m so sorry for showing you such a terrible sight…’

When you have a child, you should only see good things and eat good things, but what is all this?

Fecilini sighed, looking away from Prince Tesler into the air.

“Go find Grand Duke Martins. Find out what’s going on.”

“Okay. If there’s any news to tell, I’ll pass it on through the bribed guards.”

“Yes, yes. Fecilini. You are my hope and my future.”

“I am too…”

Fecilini answered, but her heart was complicated.

But what could she do?

He was the father of the child in her womb.

“I’ll be going now. Take care of yourself.”

Fecilini hurriedly got up.

Prince Tesler also got up, groaning and bending over again.

Only then did Fecilini carefully examine the patient gown the prince was wearing.

“Your Highness, did you perhaps… also injure your important area?!”

“Ah, there’s nothing to worry about here.”

Prince Tesler said confidently, placing his hand on his waist, but no hope could be felt in his face with only gums left.

“I can stand up again! You know better than anyone how great I was, right?”

“I know…”

The missing teeth could be replaced with someone else’s teeth, but even a magician wouldn’t be able to do anything about the important area, right?

Fecilini hid her bitter expression and left the iron door.

She had to return with a heavier heart than before entering the spire.

***

My body was only able to come down from Roxana’s lap after she left the office.

“You can stay, why not?”

Linelle said with a disappointed expression as I moved to sit next to him.

“I think you were a bit much just now.”

“What?”

He smiled and raised his eyebrows as if he didn’t understand what I was saying.

“It’s not good to provoke Roxana yet.”

“I didn’t provoke her on purpose. I just told the truth.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and continued casually.

“The reason I took Roxana as Empress was for Joseph and your life from the cursed ice. Because I lost my memory and it was revealed that you were the surrogate Empress, this situation was created.”

Linelle spoke in a calm voice and then suddenly kissed my lips.

“But my memory has returned, the Hwansin Sword is in your heart, and Joseph’s symptoms are gradually improving.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Besides, the baby wyvern considers you its owner, and the wyvern egg that Roxana was keeping has awakened due to your fire ability.”

“Still, you shouldn’t underestimate Roxana yet. The Aclato Duchy and Tanya Island are moving like one country. It would be troublesome if they raised an army. And if any countries on the continent side with Roxana, the situation could worsen.”

“I know. The most troublesome thing is that they are still raising Galacos on Tanya Island.”

As my expression darkened at the mention of Galaco, he eased his serious expression and reassured me.

“I’m already looking into the scale of Galacos being raised, so don’t worry too much.”

“If they release Galacos in the Lapion Empire, the situation will be serious. We need to find a way to isolate Roxana before that happens.”

He nodded, agreeing with my words.

“We need to consider that issue as well.”

“Yes, I’ll go get treatment now.”

I kissed him on the cheek and got up from the sofa.

In fact, apart from my improved condition, there was a new change in my body since morning.

After the imprinting [a magical bonding process], the heat in my body seemed to be concentrated in one place, and I thought I should ask the Master of Magic Tower why this phenomenon was occurring.

“There’s a meeting soon, so I can’t go with you to the Master of Magic Tower.”

“I can get treatment alone. Don’t worry.”

“It’s not worry. I just don’t want your friendship to deepen if I’m not there.”

I laughed at his honest answer.

It’s only sometimes, but what am I supposed to do if he’s so cute?

“Why do you care if it’s not deepening into love? Are you afraid friendship will turn into love?”

Deliberately provoking him, his face turned fierce.

“Prince Tesler’s next room is empty.”

“…So?”

“Shut up unless you want me to send the Master of Magic Tower there.”

He was genuinely angry.

I pretended to be scared and shut my mouth, then hugged his waist and asked.

“Are you coming tonight?”

“Why are you asking something so obvious with such *aegyo* [acting cute]?”

“I thought you might not come because you seemed angry…”

“Do you think I’ll go to another concubine’s chamber because I’m angry? Dream on.”

His lips slightly bit and held my lower lip.

“Ah, don’t forget to ask the Master of Magic Tower if it’s okay to push myself a little from tonight.”

He whispered secretly, tickling my ear with his lips.

***

After leaving the office, I went with Sharon to the room where the Master of Magic Tower was staying.

The Master of Magic Tower carefully examined the area where I was stabbed by the Hwansin Sword.

He told me how to use the ointment he made himself and handed it to Sharon.

“If you apply this ointment morning and evening, not only will the flesh heal, but the skin will also heal completely in a week.”

“Thank you. I’ll apply it diligently.”

“Your recovery is faster than I expected. I’m glad.”

“Yes, I feel that way too. My condition is much better than before the imprinting. Ahem.”

As I cleared my throat a few times, the quick-witted Master of Magic Tower spoke first.

“Zelda, it seems like you have something to say to me?”

I hesitated for a moment, fiddling with my lips, and then slowly opened my mouth.

“There’s a question that His Majesty is curious about.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“The marital relationship… He wants to know when it’s possible.”

Me too.

Even before the question was finished, I could feel my face turning red.

The Master of Magic Tower’s face, which had been smiling, turned indifferent.

Did I ask something unnecessary?

A moment of awkward silence passed.

I met Sharon’s eyes and we smiled awkwardly at each other.

The Master of Magic Tower looked into the air and then back at me, replying in a calm tone.

“As long as you don’t move too vigorously, Zelda, it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“Really? Ah… I see.”

I unknowingly clapped my hands and rejoiced, then spoke again in a composed voice.

“Did His Majesty tell you to ask?”

The Master of Magic Tower sighed deeply and asked.

“No, actually, I was curious and asked.”

“…Ah, yes.”

The Master of Magic Tower nodded briefly and then turned completely around and began to organize the medicine box.

“There’s one more thing I want to ask.”

“Please tell me.”

“After the imprinting yesterday, it felt like the heat that had gathered in my heart was moving around inside my body.”

The Master of Magic Tower explained to me with his back turned.

I approached the Master of Magic Tower and carefully brought up the symptoms I had experienced anew today.

“But, since this morning, that heat has been concentrated in my stomach.”

I put one hand on my stomach and continued.

“Since the heat gathered in my stomach, it’s been the same state.”

“Do you feel that way now too?”

The Master of Magic Tower finally turned to look at me and glanced down at my stomach.

“Yes, it’s not as severe as when I have a fever, but the heat is definitely felt higher.”

“I will read your energy. Please lie down on the bed for a moment.”

“Yes, please.”

I lay straight on the bed as the Master of Magic Tower instructed.

The Master of Magic Tower raised both hands, scanned my entire body, stopped both hands on my stomach, and closed his eyes.

The expression of the Master of Magic Tower with his eyes closed passed quite diversely.

He seemed surprised, frowned seriously, and occasionally sighed, which made me feel a little uneasy…

After a few minutes, the Master of Magic Tower opened his eyes, lowered his hands, and stared intently at my face.

I was helped by Sharon to sit up.

“Is there something wrong with my body?”

My condition was better than ever, but the Master of Magic Tower’s frowning expression bothered me.

“Your relationship with His Majesty will be difficult today.”

“…Why?”

Why?

My voice tone also dropped sharply at the Master of Magic Tower’s disappointing diagnosis.

“Is there really something wrong?”

“I think you’re pregnant…”

“!”