The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 316

316. Saying Goodbye with a Smile

January 13, 2024

“It’s really close from here!”

Melanie emphasized once again that Tanya Island was close to the Partsha Empire.

“…Melanie. Ask His Majesty about that.”

I replied briefly and went back down the stairs.

I was curious about what kind of place it was, but it wasn’t a decision I could make.

“His Majesty listens to everything you say, Mama. Let’s stop by for a bit. Please? In-law~.”

Melanie whined, bringing her pretty face close to mine and coaxing me.

If I were a man, I would have fallen for it.

I thought to myself, looking at Melanie.

“Stop by where?”

Rinel’s voice was heard from above the stairs.

Standing on the landing, I looked up to see Rinell, Velos, and Hector coming down the stairs side by side.

It seemed they were coming from a meeting in Emperor Norton’s office.

Melanie grabbed me like a hostage, brought me forward, and appealed to him.

“Your Majesty, on the way back to the Lapion Empire, how about stopping by Tanya Island for just one day? It would be very helpful for Zelda Mama’s prenatal care…”

“No.”

Rinel cut off Melanie’s words.

“Why?”

Melanie asked with a disappointed face, as if she didn’t expect to be rejected so quickly.

“There are three pregnant women in the group, and any more strain is too much.”

Rinel flicked his index finger as if joking, but his expression was very serious.

“Besides, such a dangerous place is even more out of the question.”

He seemed to have a prejudice against Tanya Island as well.

Hector cleared his throat and quietly opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty. Our Tanya Island is not a dangerous place.”

Following Melanie, Hector’s voice also carried disappointment.

“…My intention is, I’m worried about the pregnant women’s stamina being weakened by the long journey. Besides, isn’t it an island that will soon sink?”

“It will take several years for it to sink into the sea.”

Hector replied curtly, then suddenly hit his forehead with his fist, exclaiming, ‘Ah!’

“Oh dear, oh dear. I was thinking of stopping by to pick up a few novels I finished writing that are stored on Tanya Island… I guess I’ll have to move them separately later, or what…?”

At Hector’s words, muttered as if to himself, he and I exchanged glances.

Especially Rinell had an expression as if he had discovered a treasure.

“Other novels?”

His blue eyes seemed to sparkle and emit light.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Novels with such high levels of spiciness that I have to move them myself. But I guess I’ll have to bring them later.”

Hector shrugged as if he couldn’t help it.

High level of spiciness?

And so~ high?

My ears fluttered with curiosity.

Rinel was no exception.

He quietly asked Velos, who was next to him.

“Magician Tower Master, what do you think?”

“Well… it’s only about an hour away by boat from here, so it doesn’t seem like it would be too much of a strain.”

At Velos’s words, Rinell’s and my cheeks twitched simultaneously.

“Well, if that’s the Magician Tower Master’s opinion, I’ll follow it. It would be okay to stop by for a meal and then leave.”

He spoke as if he completely trusted Velos’s words.

Velos raised one eyebrow and looked at him as if he was dumbfounded, but he pretended not to see Velos’s gaze.

“It’s good to have some books to read for a while. Although they’re books I can’t read to our baby.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered.

***

After breakfast, Empress Elan of the Tevelo Empire was the first of the congratulatory delegation to leave the Partsha Empire.

With the entire country in turmoil due to Emperor Adrian’s death, Empress Elan’s heart must be in a hurry.

I had said goodbye to Empress Elan in advance in the drawing room where the dignitaries gathered last night, but my regret remained.

Fortunately, Empress Elan’s expression didn’t seem too bad as she left.

Was it because of Commander Markrom, who was assigned to assist her?

But since Commander Markrom regained his eyesight after the curse, I haven’t seen Empress Elan look at him properly?

It was the same with Commander Markrom.

So I was a little puzzled when I heard that Empress Elan had designated Commander Markrom as the person to assist her.

I don’t know who started avoiding eye contact first, but it’s certain that an awkward atmosphere began to flow between the two.

According to Raphael’s testimony, Commander Markrom grumbled about going to the Tevelo Empire, but he didn’t say he didn’t want to go.

Anyway, Empress Elan said that she would visit the Lapion Empire to see me and the baby to be born once the imperial family stabilized.

I repeatedly confirmed her promise before releasing the hug.

An hour after seeing off Empress Elan, I said goodbye to Emperor Katria of the Deloy Empire.

True to her usual cheerful personality, the farewell was pleasant.

Thanks to Emperor Katria, my mood, which had been sinking, improved again.

And now it was our turn to leave the Partsha Empire.

Rose and Emperor Norton were waiting for us in the East Palace lobby.

Rose’s face was already tear-streaked from crying while coming to the East Palace.

Emperor Norton was patting Rose’s shoulder and comforting her.

As Rinell and I came down the stairs, I met Rose’s reddened eyes.

Ah, I mustn’t cry.

I deliberately smiled more brightly and approached Rose and Emperor Norton.

But, making my hard-won smile pale, I heard a sob from behind.

It must be Melanie.

“Rose Mama, no, Empress… When will we see each other again? Sob sob…”

As expected, Melanie was the first to start crying.

“We’ll see each other again in a few months. And I’ll write letters every day through Moiya and Moni.”

Rose said, also shedding tears.

“But… you’ve become the Empress, so don’t you have anything? Sob, like a gift…”

Melanie brought up the gift even in the midst of sobbing.

Rose, who was crying with tears dripping, burst into laughter and quickly replied.

“Actually, His Majesty has prepared a gift.”

Rose covered her mouth with one hand and whispered softly.

“And there’s also a blue diamond jewelry set.”

Seeing Rose’s voice so secretive, it seemed that the blue diamond jewelry set was a gift limited to me, Melanie, Catherine, and Pesilini.

Blue diamonds were a specialty produced only in the mines of the Partsha Empire and were the most precious jewels on the continent.

Rose wiped away each other’s tears with Melanie and then approached Catherine next to her.

“Catherine Mama. Goodbye.”

“Yes, have a good rest. I’ll miss you.”

Catherine’s voice trembled slightly.

At Catherine’s words that she would miss me, Rose widened her eyes.

Then Catherine quickly added with an awkward expression.

“Very occasionally.”

“I’ll miss you often.”

Rose grabbed Catherine’s hands and said.

Then Catherine kept wrinkling her nose.

It seemed like she was trying hard to hold back her tears.

Rose also hugged Pesilini, who was wiping away tears next to her, and exchanged affectionate greetings.

“Pesilini Mama, have a safe delivery. I’ll pray every day.”

“Thank you. I hope the Empress will have good news soon too.”

“I’ll, I’ll try.”

Emperor Norton, who was next to Rose, slipped in and said.

The two greeted the congratulatory delegation from the Lapion Empire one by one, and finally approached me and Rinell again.

“It’s our turn now.”

When Rinell offered a handshake to Emperor Norton,

“Thank you for everything, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Norton hugged him tightly instead of shaking hands.

“Use that kind of force on Empress Rose.”

Rinell pushed Emperor Norton away with a nonchalant expression, casually tapping his shoulder.

“I will repay the grace Your Majesty has shown in any way possible.”

Emperor Norton said as if making a pledge.

“That’s reassuring. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Rinell nodded, shaking hands with Emperor Norton.

Rose also conveyed her gratitude to Rinell and exchanged a few words, then grabbed my hand and started to sob again.

“Zelda Mama, I can’t believe I won’t be seeing you from tomorrow…”

“Then would you like to come back to the Lapion Empire with me?”

I put Rose’s hand around my waist and asked seriously.

Then I felt Rose slightly trying to pull her hand away.

Yes, she would hate to be separated from Emperor Norton even more.

I smiled and looked at her, and Rose smiled along.

“When I give birth, I’ll go to the Lapion Empire to visit you then. I’ve already received permission from His Majesty.”

At Rose’s words, I turned my gaze to Emperor Norton for confirmation,

“Yes, that’s right.”

He nodded and acknowledged.

“I’m already looking forward to it. Until then, Moiya and Moni will be coming and going often, so I’ll be hearing news of Her Majesty often, right?”

“Yes, but I’ll still miss you every day.”

Rose said, hugging me.

In the meantime, the imperial carriage to take us to the port arrived at the entrance of the East Palace, and Rose finally began to weep.

I patted Rose on the back and comforted her for a while.

We should part with a smile since we’re separated for a good reason.

So let’s not cry.

I pledged again and again.

After getting into the carriage, I waved my hand with a bright smile.

Rose was leaning in Emperor Norton’s arms as if she was about to collapse, crying so hard that she couldn’t even make proper eye contact at the end.

As the carriage moved and Rose and Emperor Norton’s figures disappeared, this time my tear glands broke down.

“Rose’s absence will be great.”

Rinell comforted me, hugging me.

“What should I do, I already miss her?”

“Zelda. Now that we’re going back, the concubines will disappear one by one, you’re not going to cry like this every time, are you?”

Ah, Melanie and Catherine will be leaving soon too.

I became even more depressed at his words, and my tears didn’t stop.

“I think I’ll be too lonely when all the concubines leave…”

After blurting out those words, I felt a little ridiculous.

They’re not even my concubines?

Besides, I was talking as if my own sisters were leaving.

“Then shall we bring in new concubines?”

Rinell asked, gently stroking my hair.

I lifted my tearful face and glared at him.

“Not for me, but for you. I’m saying it because you said you’re lonely.”

He winked and said teasingly.

When I didn’t loosen my expression, he shook my shoulder slightly and burst into laughter.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”

“Are you perhaps getting rid of all the existing concubines because you want to bring in new ones?”

“I’ve finally been able to monopolize you, am I crazy?”

His lips stuck to my forehead and fell off.

“A powerful rival will appear soon?”

I said with a meaningful expression.

“A powerful rival?”

He asked back with a wary look.

Instead of answering, I took his hand and made him stroke my belly.

“Ah, I forgot that the biggest nuisance is in here.”

Rinell laughed, staring at my belly.

It may be my misunderstanding…

As soon as he uttered the word ‘nuisance,’ it felt like the baby was kicking in my belly.

***

As Velos said, Tanya Island was very close to the Partsha Empire.

It took about an hour by boat, but it felt shorter.

The Partsha Empire, located in the Southern Continent, also had temperatures 3-4 degrees higher than the Lapion Empire, but Tanya Island had much higher temperatures than the Partsha Empire.

From 20 minutes before arriving at Tanya Island, the heat of the sun was clearly different.

The season here was still midsummer.

The ship safely docked at Tanya Island’s port.

The palm trees surrounding the port told us that this was an island.

As soon as we got off the ship, Hector’s subordinates, who had been waiting in advance, greeted our group.

“The royal palace is within walking distance from here. The temperature is especially cool today, so it’s a good day to walk, but since the carriages are already prepared, let’s move by carriage.”

Hector said, pointing to the lined-up carriages.

No one in the group agreed with Hector’s statement that the temperature was cool today.

If this weather is cool, how hot is it usually?

So much sweat was flowing on my face that I looked up at the sky, wondering if it was raining, but I almost went blind from the strongly shining sun.

‘Gasp, what… is that?’

I almost went blind from the sight in front of me.

Not only me, but everyone in the group had similar expressions.

The weather on Tanya Island is hot, but everything else is cool!

I couldn’t take my eyes off the clothes they were wearing. It was a style of wrapping a thin cloth around one shoulder and roughly tying the waist area with a string.

Especially the clothes worn by men were so thin and flimsy that the chest area was slightly exposed even if they raised their arms or turned their bodies slightly to the side.

Besides, they were showing off their legs up to their thighs, so I didn’t know where to put my eyes.

I wanted to observe in detail, but if I stood there any longer, I would have to borrow clothes from them because it was so hot.

“It’s very hot. Let’s go to the royal palace first.”

At Rinell’s words, everyone in the group got into the carriage.

Did they make the carriage without a roof because the weather is hot?

Thanks to the carriage with all sides open, my eyes were rolling faster than the carriage, looking at the people here.

The clothes of the people I saw on the way to the royal palace were just as cool.

Everyone had tanned skin, and it was precarious as if something would be seen between their clothes.

“…I think it was a good idea to come.”

I smiled and whispered to him.

“We’re just having lunch and leaving right away.”

Rinell covered my eyes with his hand and said indifferently.

***

Tanya Island’s royal palace was humble to be called a royal palace, but it was much more lively and had more to see than the desolate imperial palaces of the continent.

As soon as we arrived, we were guided to the banquet hall.

Exclamations burst out from here and there at the food prepared in the banquet hall.

The royal palace servants of Tanya Island seemed to have put out more food than usual, conscious of the imperial families and nobles of the continent.

There was an abundance of various seafood dishes that were fresher and richer than what we eat on the continent.

It was a meal that was pleasing not only to the mouth but also to the eyes.

I kept stopping while eating because of the servants’ cool clothes.

The concubines’ gazes were all focused downwards throughout the meal.

Healthy tanned legs kept coming and going in front of my eyes, so I couldn’t concentrate on the food.

Unlike the concubines who were openly watching, I only occasionally glanced down, but surprisingly, Rinell caught me every time.

It’s unfair…

Why only me?

When Rinell stole glances at the exposed bodies of the women of Tanya Island, I watched him closely to glare at him in the same way.

But his gaze was only focused on me.

I had no choice but to secretly peek, and later my eyeballs became stiff.

It’s too bad to just eat and leave?

For dessert, a series of colorful tropical fruits that made my mouth water just by looking at them came out.

When the meal was about to end, Hector left his seat for a while and appeared with a box.

I don’t know why the box is so red, but it seemed like it contained something unusual that anyone could see.

“Your Majesty, this is it. You must, absolutely, only look at it when you are alone.”

Hector whispered to him.

“Does it contain that… amazing story?”

Rinell swallowed hard and asked secretly.

“Yes, so always be careful of the rear when reading it.”

“I will.”

“And there is one thing I would like to say. I think I will have to stay here for a few months and relocate the people remaining on Tanya Island to the Aclato Principality.”

“Well, that’s your choice, so you don’t need to get permission from me. Then I’ll keep Melanie in the West Palace for now. Again in a few months…”

“I don’t want to go either!”

Melanie suddenly took a step back and shouted.

“I want to stay here with Hector.”

“Melanie. Just stay in the Lapion Imperial Palace for a few months. It will be uncomfortable to be here. I said I’ll come to pick you up when everyone moves to the Aclato Principality, right?”

Hector sighed deeply and said to Melanie, but she had been shaking her head from the moment Hector opened his mouth.

“I told you I don’t want to. I’m going to be with you, right?”

“But Melanie. If you want to live here, you have to wear clothes that reveal your figure like that, right? You’ll collapse from heatstroke if you wear those dresses.”

This time, I persuaded Melanie, giving her a slight scare.

“I’m confident in my figure? I’m in the early stages of pregnancy, so my belly hasn’t come out yet.”

“…”

I had nothing to say.

Melanie coaxed Rinell again.

“Your Majesty, please abandon me!”

“How can I abandon you when I never had you?”

Rinell replied nonchalantly.

“I’m asking you to abandon me here, right now!”

“Hector will come to pick you up in a few months, why would you want to be in such a hot place?”

“This place is much better than the Lapion Imperial Palace!”

Melanie said, linking arms with Hector.

Hey, Melanie. No matter how much you want to stay here, it’s too much to compare the Lapion Imperial Palace with this place.

“…Did you get heatstroke?”

Rinell also looked up at the sun with a dumbfounded face and asked Melanie.

“No.”

“Then why are you doing this?”

“Not heat, but because I ate love.”

“…”

Rinell couldn’t continue speaking like me.

It was Melanie’s victory.