The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 237

237. My Stomach Hurts

2023.04.12.

The second trial began.

More nobles attended than the first trial.

It seemed the anticipation of seeing the ‘Hwansin Sword’ [a legendary, possibly divine sword] in person piqued people’s curiosity.

A different kind of tension filled the courtroom compared to yesterday.

For me, facing Prince Tesler at this moment was worse than the trial itself.

“In today’s trial, we will first determine the authenticity of the evidence found in Zelda Mama’s chambers.”

As the High Priest finished speaking, four priests brought out a sword covered in white cloth.

The evidence was placed in the very center where Prince Tesler and I were standing, on a high table so it was easily visible to those attending the trial.

Nevertheless, the heads of the nobles sitting in their chairs began to pop up one by one.

Taking advantage of the commotion, Prince Tesler glanced at me and secretly mimed slitting his own throat.

You crazy bastard.

He didn’t even realize that the action he just made was the fate that would befall him.

Roxana’s expression, who was on the same path of fate, also looked bright.

She was wearing a veiled hat again today.

I could still feel the heat emanating from the burned area of her face.

Why isn’t she getting treatment yet? Is the burn so severe that it can’t be treated?

“Sub-priest, unveil the evidence.”

At the High Priest’s voice, I turned my gaze away from Roxana and looked at the sub-priest.

“Yes, High Priest.”

The white cloth was removed by the sub-priest, revealing the figure of the ‘Hwansin Sword’.

But it was just a ‘fake’ that looked similar to the Hwansin Sword; the real one was beating inside my heart, along with my life.

The ruby gemstone Melanie had obtained emitted a brilliant light from the handle of the fake Hwansin Sword.

Because the size and shape of the sword were very similar to the Hwansin Sword, people who had never actually seen the Hwansin Sword had no choice but to believe it.

Even Prince Tesler, who stabbed me with the real Hwansin Sword, couldn’t recognize the fake Hwansin Sword.

However, Roxana, who had been storing the Hwansin Sword, looked shocked.

Seeing her once triumphant expression plummeting to rock bottom was quite a sight.

“The Royal Guard Commander of the Imperial Palace and the Royal Guard Commander of the Empress’s Palace, who first discovered the sword in Zelda Mama’s chambers, please come forward to the witness stand.”

At the High Priest’s call, two Royal Guard Commanders quickly came to the witness stand.

The dignified two Royal Guard Commanders were actually Moiya and Moinette.

I was nervous that they might make a mistake.

Sharon must have been as anxious as I was yesterday while watching the two guys who had transformed into Royal Guard Commanders in my chambers.

Moiya and Moinette, who had successfully taken the oath, glanced at me and gave me a look that said not to worry.

The more confident they looked, the more my anxiety grew.

“First, I will ask Royal Guard Commander Rosetto Erno of the Imperial Palace. Is it true that you found the sword in Zelda Mama’s chambers yesterday?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Royal Guard Commander Crop Chaconne of the Empress’s Palace, I heard that you were the first to discover the sword in the dressing room of the bedroom. Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s true, Moinette… I mean, what am I saying.”

“…? Are you saying it’s true?”

“Of course, it’s true, Moi… what am I saying?”

Moinette looked up at the High Priest and spoke with a slightly annoyed tone.

“The High Priest is old and can’t understand what we’re saying, Moiya~.”

Moiya clicked his tongue and muttered quietly.

Fortunately, the witness stand and the platform where the High Priest was sitting were some distance apart, so it seemed that Moiya’s mutterings were not heard.

After confirming the acquisition process of the evidence from the two Royal Guard Commanders, the High Priest immediately called the next witness.

The Mage Tower Master was brought to the witness stand to identify whether it was the ‘Hwansin Sword’.

The Mage Tower Master wasn’t on the list of witnesses I received yesterday?

Roxana was originally listed as the person to identify the Hwansin Sword. But it seemed Linelle had added the Mage Tower Master to the list before the trial.

“The Mage Tower Master will determine the authenticity of the Hwansin Sword as a witness requested by His Majesty the Emperor.”

Linelle took over the High Priest’s words.

“The Mage Tower Master, who is the original owner of the Hwansin Sword, is deemed more suitable than the Empress. Of course, the Empress will also take the witness stand to determine the authenticity of the Hwansin Sword.”

Roxana looked at Linelle and the Mage Tower Master alternately with an absurd expression, but she couldn’t argue.

“Mage Tower Master, is the sword in front of you the Hwansin Sword?”

At the High Priest’s question, my best friend slowly opened his mouth as if deliberately stalling.

“That is, the Hwansin Sword… No, it is not, High Priest.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. That is just a sword that resembles the Hwansin Sword.”

The courtroom began to stir.

“That can’t be, you must be mistaken!”

Prince Tesler shouted and stood up.

“There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize the Hwansin Sword. There’s even less reason for me to lie. This sword is not the Hwansin Sword.”

At the Mage Tower Master’s firm testimony, the High Priest hurriedly called the sub-priests together for a meeting and then spoke to the attendees.

“After a brief recess, the trial will resume at 3 PM!”

The High Priest seemed confused when the evidence that Prince Tesler had confidently claimed to be the Hwansin Sword turned out to be fake.

After Melanie and Count Ethan testify in the afternoon’s trial, the atmosphere will flow in a more favorable direction for me.

I smiled as I watched Roxana’s retreating figure as she hurriedly left the courtroom.

***

After the recess was announced, Rosie and Melanie left the Grand Temple.

They decided to have a simple lunch at Melanie’s chambers, which were the closest to the Grand Temple, and then return.

“It would be nice if we could bring our Empress too…”

Rosie said, looking at Zelda’s carriage, which had left the Grand Temple earlier.

“They say you shouldn’t be with important witnesses during the trial.”

Melanie said, calling herself an important witness, and laughed before looking at Rosie, who was sighing deeply.

“Is it because of what happened yesterday? I heard His Majesty told you to go to the Partsha Empire with Norton Prince first. What are you worried about?”

Melanie asked, widening her eyes as if teasing.

Rosie had told Melanie everything that had happened in the waiting room while drinking tea with her in her chambers after the trial yesterday.

“Why haven’t you made a decision yet?”

“It’s only been a day?”

“It’s been a day already. You’re going to follow Norton Prince anyway, so why pretend to worry?”

Melanie was quite sad to be separated from Rosie, so she spoke as if she was sulking, but then patted Rosie’s back again.

“Let’s eat something and think about it. I need to eat well too so I can testify properly later. Don’t you think?”

“Yes, that’s right. First of all, it’s important that the trial goes well.”

The two smiled affectionately and headed for the carriage.

While walking towards Melanie’s carriage, which was waiting, someone called Rosie from behind.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

It was Princess Resilia.

Rosie hesitated for a moment before composing herself.

“What’s the matter?”

“Do you have to ask?”

Princess Resilia retorted sharply.

“Ah, Princess Resilia, you must have heard the news? Are you here to congratulate Rosie Mama?”

Melanie interjected suddenly, smiling.

It was the perfect comment to turn Princess Resilia inside out.

“Can you… please step aside? I have something to talk about with Rosie Mama.”

Princess Resilia glared at Melanie with her lips tightly shut.

Not to be outdone, Melanie immediately retorted.

“You step aside too. Why are you interested in someone else’s love life, so sleazy.”

“…What did you say? Sleazy?!”

“Ah, is it messy? No? Sleazy seems like the right word?”

Princess Resilia and Melanie bared their fangs at each other, their faces close together.

“Please speak.”

Rosie separated the two and spoke to Princess Resilia.

“You better know your place.”

Anger could be felt in Princess Resilia’s voice.

“What are you talking about?”

“Norton was originally my man. If you didn’t know, that’s unfortunate.”

Princess Resilia had nothing to lose now.

The Shattonil Kingdom, which had already been treated as a vassal state by the Rafion Empire, was now in danger of falling completely into ruin because of Prince Tesler.

‘If you were going to stab, you should have killed him for sure!’

Because of her brother’s clumsy handling of things, even her own life was in danger.

As a member of a foreign royal family, she would avoid the death penalty for attempted murder, but she feared the aftermath that the Rafion Empire would inflict in the future.

‘I need to find a way to survive, even if it’s just for myself.’

Princess Resilia decided to abandon her powerless homeland with today’s trial.

“No, I already know what kind of relationship you two had. But he betrayed the Princess, didn’t he?”

“…It’s not betrayal! Don’t say things carelessly when you don’t even know!”

“You abandoned even young Rams and went back to the kingdom, and you say it’s not betrayal?”

Rosie’s voice trembled slightly, but her eyes did not waver.

“Rams, how do you know about Rams…?!!”

Princess Resilia’s eyes shook wildly.

“Oh my, Princess. ‘You’? To someone who will become the Partsha Empire’s Imperial Princess in the future.”

Melanie deliberately sneered.

When Princess Resilia made an absurd expression, Melanie quickly added.

“He smiles so brightly, not like a child abandoned by his mother. He’s really cute.”

“Wh, what are you talking about? When did Melanie Mama see our Rams?”

Princess Resilia’s eyes widened.

“I saw him at Rosie Mama’s chambers. While the Princess was coming to the Rafion Imperial Palace and spinning her wheels [wasting her time].”

Melanie answered with a satisfied smile.

Of course, it was a lie. Melanie had simply pretended to have seen Rams herself, based on what she had heard from Rosie.

Princess Resilia glared at the two with a shocked expression for a moment before opening her mouth again.

“Listen carefully! I have never abandoned Norton or Rams… And Rams’s biological mother is me. No matter how much Emperor Linelle has allowed the two of you to be together, do you think the Partsha Imperial Family will acknowledge Rosie Mama? Wake up.”

“Princess Resilia, please stop clinging and let go of Norton Prince now.”

Rosie also said firmly, not to be outdone.

“What? You impudent…!”

Princess Resilia’s eyes flashed with fire, and she breathed roughly,

“Fine, do as you please. After all, you’re destined to live and die like a concubine even if you go to the Partsha Empire.”

She warned Rosie with a triumphant smile.

“Do you think you can say whatever you want?”

Rosie calmly responded, suppressing her anger.

“If you’re going to stay by Norton’s side until the end, then yes, let’s live well for the rest of our lives with one man between us.”

Princess Resilia suddenly became polite and confidently offered Rosie a handshake.

“!”

Rosie stared blankly at the hand she held out.

‘Princess Resilia is also planning to go to the Partsha Empire with the Prince! What should I do…?’

***

Fesilini’s carriage arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Linelle had called Fesilini during the recess to have lunch at the Imperial Palace first.

There was something she wanted to ask about her father, Duke Astor, who was one of the key ministers.

After finishing her meal, Fesilini was guided by Stian to the office where Linelle was waiting.

“Fesilini Mama, you will have to wait a moment. There is a guest who is meeting with His Majesty first. His Majesty has ordered that you be taken to the reception room if you are tired.”

Raphael, who came out of the office, told her.

“No, I think it’s okay to wait here…”

Fesilini replied to Raphael with a gentle smile.

“Yes, please do as you wish. It won’t be a long conversation.”

“I will. Thank you for your concern.”

Raphael bowed lightly to her and was about to enter the office again when he discovered Roxana, who had just come up the central staircase.

Roxana saw Fesilini in front of the office and walked over with a stern look.

“I greet Her Majesty the Empress…”

Raphael and Fesilini greeted Roxana at the same time.

“I came to ask His Majesty about the trial for a moment.”

Roxana glared at Fesilini and told Raphael the reason for her visit.

“I am sorry, but he is currently speaking with Grand Duke Martins of the Shattonil Kingdom inside the office. You will have to wait a little longer.”

“Is that so? I’m sure he’s meeting about Prince Tesler’s trial? I came about that too, so I think it would be okay to see him together? Inform him.”

Roxana seemed quite uncomfortable.

“…Yes, please wait a moment.”

Raphael glanced at Fesilini, who was very frightened, and had no choice but to enter the office according to Roxana’s orders.

As the office door closed, Roxana turned to Fesilini and asked as if scolding her.

“I see you’re here, so I understand. I asked you so nicely, but you couldn’t resist telling His Majesty that you were pregnant?”

“H, Her Majesty the Empress, I am wronged. His Majesty knew about the pregnancy first and came to my chambers…!”

“Ha! You expect me to believe that now?”

Roxana interrupted Fesilini and questioned her.

“But it’s true, please believe me. Her Majesty the Empress!”

“Your pregnancy is a big deal. Seeing you coming and going to the Imperial Palace, you’re nothing but a…”

She spoke in a very subdued voice, but the chilling energy in Roxana’s tone was still felt.

Fesilini felt strength leaving her body as she sensed the murderous intent.

She was already in a state of mental and physical anxiety due to Prince Tesler’s trial, but meeting Roxana only increased her stress to the extreme.

“Seeing as you broke the promise first, I guess the baby in your belly isn’t that precious?”

Fesilini’s complexion began to turn white at Roxana’s threatening tone.

It was when the office door opened.

“Ah, ah!”

Fesilini put her hands on her stomach and bent over as if she was about to fall forward.

“Empress, what on earth is going on!”

Linelle, who came out of the office, quickly supported Fesilini and looked at Roxana in front of her.

“Your Majesty, I, I didn’t do anything…”

Roxana stepped back in embarrassment.

“It seems the baby was startled because of Her Majesty the Empress, sob…!”

Fesilini, who had been bowing her head, raised her head with a tear-stained face and sobbed.

“Shut up!”

Roxana shouted at Fesilini.

Then Fesilini flinched and clung to Linelle’s arm.

“Y, Your Majesty… My, my stomach hurts!”