The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 247

247. Who are you? (247/347)

247. Who are you?

2023.05.17.

“What’s going on?”

“An invitation has arrived from the Partsha Empire.”

Raphael handed him the invitation.

He opened it and looked at Prince Norton.

“Prince Kalbain’s coronation is next week.”

“Is that so?”

Prince Norton responded indifferently, as if he were listening to someone else’s story.

“I’d like Rosie to attend the coronation with us.”

“Hmm, a good opportunity.”

He agreed with me.

“Will Your Majesty also attend?”

“Of course, I have to. Squid, I mean, Raphael. Sort out the personnel to go as a congratulatory delegation and report back.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Raphael exited the banquet hall again with a disgruntled expression.

“Rosie will probably be the busiest before we leave for the Partsha Empire, so you’ll have to help her out.”

He said, taking my hand.

“Yes, it’s a shame, but I will.”

“Thank you…”

Rosie said with a smile, but her cheeks flushed when she met Prince Norton’s eyes.

“Wouldn’t it be fastest and safest to travel to the Partsha Empire by sea rather than by land?”

He pondered for a moment before asking Prince Norton.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The currents are a bit strong near the Valley of Death, but once you pass that, the sea route to the Partsha Empire is generally the smoothest.”

They began discussing the journey to the Partsha Empire and resumed their meal, but he barely touched his food.

Before Rinell were only dishes resembling Raphael’s giant squid and sweet potatoes resembling Grand Duke Martins.

“Your Majesty, even if you don’t have an appetite, please try something else.”

When I held out a plate, he recoiled and turned his head away.

“I can’t eat anything else. I can only eat three things these days.”

“What are those three things?”

Prince Norton asked with a curious expression.

Then, Rinell grabbed my hand and began folding down his fingers one by one.

“First, squid, which I keep eating because it feels like I’m chewing on Raphael. Second, sweet potatoes that resemble Grand Duke Martins, and third, these lips.”

After folding down his third finger, he caressed my lips.

“I’ll save this for dessert later.”

Rinell’s comment hastened Prince Norton and Rosie’s fork movements.

***

The carriage carrying Princess Resilia stopped in front of the tower prison where Prince Tesler was being held.

“I’ll take her in myself.”

Commander Markrom said to the knight who was about to open the carriage door as he dismounted.

“Yes, Commander.”

The Commander opened the carriage door and looked at Princess Resilia.

“Come out.”

“Wh-where is this?”

The windows of the carriage carrying Princess Resilia were blocked, so she hadn’t seen the outside the entire way.

Even knowing that she wouldn’t be immediately punished, considering what happened to her brother, she was anxious that she might be taken to a strange place and disposed of.

“It’s the Imperial Palace.”

Commander Markrom replied curtly.

Princess Resilia stared at the Commander blocking the carriage door, then quickly scanned the scenery outside.

‘That’s right.’

Familiar Imperial Palace buildings came into view.

However, it didn’t seem to be near the main palace or the detached palace where she was staying.

In any case, she was relieved that it was inside the Imperial Palace and not some random place.

“Please get out, Princess.”

Grand Duke Martins approached next to Commander Markrom.

She felt even more relieved that Grand Duke Martins was from the same Shatoanil Kingdom.

“Grand Duke! W-what are they going to do to me?”

Princess Resilia’s first question wasn’t about Rams.

Grand Duke Martins was utterly disgusted by her concern only for her own safety, without asking whether her son was dead or alive.

Not that he had any affection for her in the first place.

“…Who are you referring to?”

You need to specify a name.

How many people want to do something to you?

Grand Duke Martins looked at her with disdain and asked.

“His Majesty. Didn’t he say what he was going to do to me?”

In truth, she was most curious about how angry Prince Norton was with her, but since this was the Lapion Empire, she assumed Emperor Rinell had the authority to decide her fate.

“Aren’t you curious about what happened to Rams?”

He had intended not to engage with her at all, but he couldn’t help but ask, finding her so absurd.

Grand Duke Martins didn’t consider himself a righteous person at all. However, he wasn’t trash either, so he was curious about what was going on in the head of the trash in front of him.

“He’s probably dead anyway.”

Princess Resilia assumed that Rams was definitely dead.

That was because there was no chance that a newborn baby would survive after falling into the valley below the bridge.

“If the area under the bridge was land, they would have found the body, but it rained, and the valley water swelled, and the currents became strong, so they probably couldn’t find it. Right?”

Princess Resilia’s lips trembled as she lowered her gaze.

Then, she raised her head again, looked at Grand Duke Martins, and continued.

“It wasn’t intentional like my brother. The Grand Duke saw it too, right? Because Rams pulled my hair so hard…”

“Please come out now.”

Grand Duke Martins interrupted the Princess and stepped aside from the carriage door.

There was no need to hear more.

Commander Markrom, who was next to him, also stepped back so that the Princess could get out.

‘Isn’t Norton or Zelda waiting for me outside?’

Princess Resilia swallowed nervously, her face tense, and stepped out of the carriage.

There was no one but the knights. But.

“Wh-why here? This is where my brother is imprisoned!”

Princess Resilia shouted, looking up at the bleak tower building made of reddish-brown bricks in front of the carriage.

“This is exactly what His Majesty thinks.”

Grand Duke Martins said, gesturing towards the tower building.

Princess Resilia shook her head as if denying reality and began to step back.

“Let’s go in. There will be someone you’ll be happy to see inside.”

Commander Markrom recalled Prince Tesler and grabbed the Princess’s arm.

“Did His Majesty tell you to imprison me in a prison?!”

Did she think she would be able to stretch her legs and sleep comfortably in the detached palace?

Commander Markrom scoffed.

“I clearly told His Majesty it was a mistake…”

Even if it was a mistake, the accident wouldn’t have happened in the first place if she hadn’t kidnapped Rams.

Not worth responding to, Commander Markrom silently grabbed Princess Resilia’s arm and headed towards the open tower door.

As the Princess twisted and refused to enter the tower, Grand Duke Martins had no choice but to grab her other arm.

***

“Let go of me! Why are you dragging me to the basement where there’s no sunlight? I hate the dark!”

As they descended into the basement of the tower, Princess Resilia’s resistance intensified.

Commander Markrom stopped right next to the end room of the hallway.

“This is it. Prince Tesler, the Princess’s brother, is in the next room.”

“Wh-what?”

“It’s His Majesty’s consideration.”

“?”

It certainly seemed like mockery, but Princess Resilia missed the timing to get angry because of Commander Markrom’s businesslike and stiff voice.

Commander Markrom pushed Princess Resilia’s back into the prison.

“Don’t touch me!”

Princess Resilia flinched and glared.

At that moment, the sound of the prison door where Prince Tesler was imprisoned opening was heard.

“Would you like to greet your neighbor?”

Commander Markrom asked Princess Resilia this time with a sarcastic expression.

Today was the day the verdict of Prince Tesler’s trial would be announced.

“It’s time to go to the Great Temple now.”

Grand Duke Martins took out his pocket watch from his inner pocket and checked the time.

“Yes, letters from the Shatoanil Kingdom regarding how to deal with the situation must have already arrived at the Great Temple.”

Commander Markrom quietly asked the Grand Duke.

“Probably.”

The trial could be further delayed depending on the opinions of the Shatoanil royal family and ministers.

However, Grand Duke Martins wore a relaxed smile.

That was because the Grand Duke had already influenced the powerful ministers of the Shatoanil Kingdom.

“…Resil? Why are you here, no, why are you inside there?!”

Prince Tesler came out of his prison and discovered Princess Resilia, who was entering his neighboring room, while being dragged away by the knights.

“Brother! You’re going to trial now, right? Then, please speak well of me to His Majesty.”

“What are you talking about? Did you cause another accident?”

The person who had already caused an irreversible accident lashed out at his younger sister.

“She was caught trying to hire a guild to kidnap Rams.”

Grand Duke Martins said to Prince Tesler.

“No, why kidnap him all of a sudden?”

“She was trying to take Rams to the Partsha Empire, but she dropped Rams from the bridge crossing the valley.”

“What?!”

“His Majesty, Prince Norton, Zelda, and Rosie all witnessed it.”

It was obvious whether Rams was alive or dead.

“You idiot!”

Prince Tesler temporarily forgot the crime he had committed and cursed at Princess Resilia, venting his anger.

“The last place our kingdom could try to rely on was the Partsha Empire, and you ruined it? You stupid thing, you’re useless in life! I even call someone like that my sister… Ugh!”

Prince Tesler lamented, patting his chest.

The Prince was planning to put Rams forward and receive help from Kalbain, who would soon become the Emperor of the Partsha Empire, to regain his royal status.

That was because his kingdom didn’t have the power to oppose the Lapion Empire, but things would be different with the Partsha Empire, the strongest power on the Southern Continent.

But his last hope was blown away by his younger sister, and he felt like his soul was leaving him.

“I really made a mistake! Just say that this was also ordered by my brother. At least one person has to live, right?”

“Who are you?”

Prince Tesler coldly turned his head.

If he continued to talk to Princess Resilia, he felt like his blood pressure would explode and he would die before even arriving at the Great Temple.

“…B-Brother!”

***

“I will announce the results of the trial.”

The High Priest took out the rolled-up verdict from the leather case.

The only person in the courtroom who was looking forward to what verdict would be announced was Prince Tesler.

“Before the verdict, there was a vote by the ministers with the right to participate in the trial, based on the opinion given by His Majesty. I would like to state in advance that the vote resulted in unanimous agreement with His Majesty’s opinion.”

“N-no way…!”

Prince Tesler looked at the spectator seats and searched for someone.

The Prince’s gaze rested on Marquis Astoh, Pesilini’s father.

Marquis Astoh seemed aware that Prince Tesler was looking at him and deliberately started talking to another minister sitting next to him.

Prince Tesler’s mouth moved silently and frantically.

He was probably spewing curses.

The second gaze the Prince turned to was Grand Duke Martins.

It was a look that said, what were you doing until things got to this point?

While showing signs of anxiety, he seemed to think that he wouldn’t really be deprived of his Prince status.

He seemed to be expecting that the kingdom would have lodged a strong protest.

“Based on His Majesty’s opinion and the ministers’ votes, there was an in-depth discussion by this court. As a result, the final verdict is as follows.”

The High Priest paused for a moment, glanced at me and Prince Tesler once each, and then read the verdict again.

The verdict was very short and concise.

“Prince Tesler Heil of the Shatoanil Kingdom has been found guilty of attempted murder of the Second Imperial Concubine of the Lapion Empire, Zelda von Trova. However, considering the close relationship between the two countries, his crime will be replaced by relinquishing his title as Prince.”

Some whispered that the final verdict was not a light punishment, but that was because they didn’t know Rinell’s plan.

And since Prince Tesler was a member of the royal family of another country, he could not be given the death penalty or even direct punishment for attempted murder.

The reason he demanded the deprivation of Prince Tesler’s title was precisely because of that. The end will be in Grand Duke Martins’ hands…

“This is a fabrication, it can’t be!”

Prince Tesler shouted, pointing his finger at the High Priest.

“The criminal must be quiet!”

The Vice Priest spoke solemnly and ordered the knights to prevent Prince Tesler from causing a disturbance.

“I will continue with the verdict. Furthermore, after returning to his home country, he is prohibited from traveling to other countries for three years and is ordered to undergo spiritual training in a monastery for one year.”

The High Priest put down the verdict and said to the attendees.

“His Majesty will announce the statement from the Kingdom of Shatoanil himself.”

Rinell began to recite the statement from the Kingdom of Shatoanil himself.

Prince Tesler’s face, which had turned ashen, showed a hint of expectation.

“The home country expresses its deepest regret for this situation. The Second Imperial Concubine, Zelda, who suffered the greatest damage due to Prince Tesler’s recklessness, will receive a small amount of compensation.”

He glanced at me as he read the statement.

What kind of compensation is he giving?

I never wanted compensation, but there was no reason not to accept it if he was going to give it.

“Finally, the King and ministers of Shatoanil… as a sign of atonement, want Tesler Heil to continue his life in the Lapion Imperial prison for one year. All expenses incurred during that period will be covered by the home country, so we humbly request that the Emperor of the Lapion Empire accept the proposal from the home country.”

“T-this is a fabrication! A conspiracy! That can’t be!!”

Blood vessels stood out in Prince Tesler’s eyes.

“If you don’t believe it, check the national seal.”

Rinell ordered a knight to hand over the statement from the Kingdom of Shatoanil.

Until now, Prince Tesler had been running the country on behalf of the King, who was seriously ill. However, since the Prince is currently absent from the royal family, the use of the national seal is again the King’s authority.

Prince Tesler unfolded the statement with trembling hands and screamed.

It was the moment he was abandoned by his own father.

Because he was tearing the statement to shreds and causing a disturbance, Commander Markrom trudged towards the criminal’s seat.

Even before the Commander could subdue Prince Tesler, the Prince had already frozen in fear, but his hateful mouth was still arrogant.

“Just you wait! You’ll all regret it, how dare you treat me like this?”

No one paid attention to Prince Tesler’s words as he was dragged out like a dog.

“Even if I’m imprisoned, my future is growing!”

Prince Tesler shouted, rolling his eyes.

It seemed like he was talking about the child in Pesilini’s womb.

‘That child will grow up in the Lapion Imperial family.’

So, your future is nowhere.

***

That night after the trial, the Master of the Magic Tower visited my chambers.

Rinell opened the bedroom door directly for the Master of the Magic Tower and looked back at me, teasingly.

“Your best friend has come to visit.”

“I came thinking that His Majesty would be here as well.”

The Master of the Magic Tower’s expression seemed quite serious.

“Please sit down, what’s wrong?”

I asked, offering the Master of the Magic Tower a seat.

“I heard that you will be attending Prince Kalbain’s coronation ceremony.”

“You should go with us, too?”

“Yes, I will. Are we going by ship?”

The Master of the Magic Tower asked cautiously.

“That’s right. Why, is there a problem?”

“The wyverns have returned to the Valley of Death.”

The Master of the Magic Tower paused for a moment before speaking.

As soon as I heard those words, my heart, where the Avatar Sword was engraved, began to pound.