The Stand-In Empress’S Wedding Night [EN]: Chapter 324

324. A Modest Daughter-in-Law

February 3, 2024

“What are you planning to do when you meet her?”

“Anything. I need to know how my mother is living now.”

Resilia looked at her pathetic appearance in the mirror and replied.

“Are you planning to evoke sympathy?”

“I don’t need to evoke it. Just seeing this state will naturally break their hearts.”

“But… will it be possible to approach her?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

Resilia turned to the monastery priest who had been attending her like a servant and said irritably.

“Huh?”

“If you can’t approach her, isn’t it your job to make it possible?!”

“…….”

“That’s what you people are for. Am I wrong?”

Resilia’s words weren’t wrong. But that didn’t mean her followers were omnipotent and could do everything.

However, he wasn’t in a position to argue, so he nodded obediently.

“…You’re right, Princess. I’ll discuss it with Elsa.”

“Hurry. There’s no time.”

*If God helps me this time, he will let me meet Rams.*

For some reason, she felt certain that she could meet him.

“I can sneak into the Imperial Palace, or even better, Rams can come out of the Imperial Palace.”

Giving orders was easy.

Only Resilia’s attending priest became anxious.

“I’ll send another messenger pigeon to Elsa to find out the situation inside the Imperial Palace.”

***

My husband and I got into the carriage with Lily and headed to the West Palace residence where Rosie used to live.

Lily, dressed more neatly than usual, was already acting like a young lady, sitting quietly.

Emperor Norton and Empress Rosie probably thought it was just a light tea party before dinner in the main palace.

But for Lily, it was like a formal meeting with the parents.

As we approached Rosie’s old residence, Linelle pointed out the carriage window with her finger.

“Lily, there’s your future groom.”

“Really?”

Lily smiled brightly and leaned her face out the window.

“…Huh? Wh, what did I just see?!”

Lily, who had been looking out the window, suddenly collapsed onto the floor of the carriage.

Then she got up again, stuck her head out the carriage window, and looked like she was about to jump out.

I grabbed the back of the excited Lily’s neck, handed her to Linelle, and looked out the window.

Rams was outside Rosie’s residence.

But he wasn’t alone.

“Isn’t that Princess Mao in front of Prince Rams…?”

As soon as I said that, the carriage stopped in front of Rosie’s residence.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Lily burst out of the carriage door.

“Why is she doing that?”

Linelle tilted her head and asked me.

“I think your daughter is jealous?”

“Of whom? Princess Mao? Just because they’re walking together?”

“Who knows? Something might have happened between the three of them at the main palace.”

I shrugged and chuckled.

Holding his hand, I got out of the carriage and faced a tense scene.

Three children were standing in a triangle.

Rams was smiling, and Mao looked terrified for some reason.

Our Lily… looked like hot steam was rising from the top of her head.

I could tell what kind of expression she was making, even though I could only see the back of her head.

It was Rams who broke the tense triangular composition.

Rams approached our couple and greeted us happily.

He was only a year older than Lily, but he seemed three or four years more mature.

“It’s been too long, hasn’t it? Now I see why Empress Rosie praised you so much. How can you be so composed?”

I smiled contentedly at Rams.

*In a few years, he’ll make many young ladies of the Partsha Empire cry, won’t he?*

Oh, there’s already one who’s completely smitten.

I sighed as I looked at the back of Lily’s head.

Mao saw us and was about to come over to greet us, but Lily blocked Mao’s path.

“Why are you two together?”

Lily asked Mao.

“We were taking a walk in the garden, and we happened to meet nearby,” the answer came from Rams.

“This is the palace where the honored guests of the Partsha Empire stay. Isn’t Princess Mao’s palace across, across the way?”

Lily pointed to Melanie’s old residence and asked.

“Princess Mao was also taking a walk like me. She said she was walking because the flower path was pretty and came near here.”

This time, Rams answered for Mao again.

“The atmosphere is unusual. Should we just go in first?”

Linelle lowered her voice and asked me.

“We have to take her in. Wait and see.”

I gently patted his butt to soothe him.

Then he became more relaxed and waited patiently for Lily.

I heard a clearing of throat and turned around, realizing I had forgotten something.

I had completely forgotten that Raphael was standing behind me.

It wasn’t the first time Raphael had caught us showing affection, but it was always embarrassing.

Anyway, after listening to the children’s conversation for a while, I thought it wouldn’t work and stepped in to mediate.

“We came for a simple tea, so Princess Mao, come in with us.”

At my suggestion, Princess Mao glanced at Lily and looked at her.

Then Lily turned around abruptly.

“Mother…”

She looked at me with eyes full of protest.

“I, I’ll just go back. I ate a lot for lunch, so I’m full. And I have books to read…”

Mao waved her hands and refused my offer.

“Oh my, how admirable. Just like Queen Melanie said, our Princess Mao really loves books, doesn’t she?”

Mao smiled shyly at my compliment.

“I like books too. I was going to go to a famous bookstore in the Imperial City tomorrow anyway,” Rams said with interest.

“Then can I go with you and recommend books?” Mao jumped up and said.

“I live in this country, so wouldn’t I know the bookstores here better?”

*Lily, you’ve never even been to a bookstore, have you?*

“Princess, you have many books to read, so don’t overdo it. I’ll guide you to the bookstore,” Lily said firmly to Mao.

“Now that I think about it, that’s true… Still, me going…”

“Then I’ll see you in the evening, Princess Mao.”

Lily suddenly said goodbye.

“Yes. Then, I’ll be going.”

Mao bowed politely to our couple and Rams and started running towards Melanie’s old residence.

Linelle and Rams entered the lobby first.

I grabbed Lily’s arm and said quietly.

“Let’s talk later.”

When I looked at her as if scolding her with my eyes, Lily grumbled softly.

“Princess Mao didn’t just come here while taking a walk. She saw Prince Rams taking a walk in the West Palace garden and came out on purpose.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know everything. I expected it too.”

Lily muttered as if she was upset.

***

As we entered the drawing room with Rams, Rosie and Emperor Norton joked that we looked like a family.

“We will be soon.”

Lily said with a smile, and Rosie and Emperor Norton burst into laughter.

“How did you come together?”

Rosie asked, offering us seats.

“We met in front of the palace. He was taking a walk with Princess Mao. Princess Mao wanted to come with us, but she said she had books to read. I also have as many books as my height, but I liked seeing you two more, so I came.”

Lily put her hands together politely and said things that weren’t true very sincerely.

But our daughter sat next to Prince Rams, not us.

*It looks like the four of them are a family like that, doesn’t it?*

Linelle and I were slightly embarrassed and gestured for Lily to come this way.

“It seems like they’ve already become close.”

Emperor Norton said with a smile.

“Yes, Father. More than you think.”

“…Father?”

Emperor Norton was flustered and widened his eyes.

“Just… take it as it is.”

Linelle covered her mouth with one hand and whispered to Emperor Norton.

Emperor Norton and Rosie stared at our couple, wondering what was going on, but I just smiled and couldn’t bring myself to say that Lily was having a formal meeting with the parents all by herself.

“How happy you must be to have such an affectionate daughter, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Norton looked at Lily lovingly and said to Linelle.

“If she’s affectionate just two more times, she’ll be buried in the ground…”

“Father. Have some cookies.”

Lily handed him a cookie and cut him off.

*Is it intentional? Why give him a dirt-colored cookie of all things?*

Linelle also frowned and put the cookie down.

“But really, do both twins like books, just like Queen Melanie said?”

Rosie asked, looking curious.

“I guess so.”

“I heard that your mother also likes books. I like them very much too.”

Lily chimed in, thinking this was her chance.

*Really?*

I almost snorted.

“Does our Princess Lily read books often?”

Rosie asked with a delighted expression.

*She doesn’t even know all the letters yet, so how can she read them often or rarely?*

“She always gets scolded by her mother because of books.”

*What is she talking about again?*

Linelle and I looked at our daughter with puzzled expressions.

“Why?”

Rosie asked with an interested tone.

“She tells me to stop reading books.”

“…….”

*Look at this?*

I widened my eyes and stared at Lily.

Linelle shook her head in disbelief.

“So, I decided to guide the Prince to the biggest bookstore in the Imperial City tomorrow. I don’t know about toy stores, but I know bookstores very well.”

*Isn’t it the opposite?*

“Lily, you?” Linelle asked sarcastically, unable to bear it.

“Of course. It’s a place I always stop by whenever I go out to the Imperial City. I used to go there every time a new fairy tale book came out.”

*What is she talking about when she doesn’t even know all the letters yet?*

But Linelle decided to save her daughter’s face, so she pressed down on her lips, which were about to burst into laughter.

“Lily. Stop reading books. You’ll ruin your eyes.”

Suddenly, she started to push Lily.

“Yes, Father. I will keep that in mind.”

Lily nodded and matched her tone.

The two of them are very in sync at times like this.

I didn’t want to get caught up in this scam, so I stayed quiet.

“You mean Crownes Bookstore? I used to go there often when I was young.”

When Rosie pretended to know, Lily, who didn’t even know if the bookstore’s name was Crownes or Crowned, was slightly embarrassed.

“Cr, Crownes? Yes! That’s the one.”

“Books are good, but take care of your health too. Okay?”

“Mother~ I already have bad eyes because I read too many books. I’m only 7 years old. Hehehe.”

“Lily, what’s with ‘eyeballs’?”

I immediately warned her.

Then Rosie waved her hand and took Lily’s side.

“It’s okay. Our Diberos also use it often. Rams used it when he was young too.”

Indeed. All the children were influenced by Moiya and Moni.

“Can I go to the bookstore with the Prince tomorrow? You have to allow me.”

Lily folded her eyes sweetly and said cutely.

Suddenly, she opened the bag she was carrying and put her hand in it… *Did she bring dirt?!?*

*Surely she’s not really planning to sprinkle it on them if they don’t let her out of the Imperial Palace, is she?*

Linelle and I noticed Lily’s actions and warned her quietly, “Lily.”

“Of course, I allow you.”

Rosie smiled kindly.

Only then could I breathe a sigh of relief.

Rams was smiling all the time, whether he liked Lily or was enjoying this situation.

***

At that time, Moiya and Moni were in Lily’s room, listening to the children’s concerns.

“I don’t know which country we’ll meet in next time, but I hope everyone will be more mature then.”

Moiya said seriously.

“Okay!”

Everyone shouted without any soul.

“You answer well, Moiya~?”

Moiya and Moni, who were outraged by the fact that no one had brought them gifts, were disappointed and then calmed themselves down.

“Who said they had a problem earlier? Just tell me if anyone has any problems, one by one.”

Moiya cleared her throat like an adult and asked.

“I wish I was as good at swordsmanship as Rams hyung [older brother/male friend]. I’m much better than others my age, but I can’t compare to Rams hyung.”

Divero revealed his concerns.

“Then you have to work harder, Moiya~?”

“That’s right, be careful with your body. Next concern.”

The solution to the problem was simple and clear.

This time, Catherine’s son, Clark, raised his hand.

“Yes. Our Clark. Feel free to open your mouth.”

Moiya pointed at Clark with her hand and said.

“I want to help the slums and orphanages in other cities too, but my mother won’t let me. She says there’s a lot to learn and I don’t have time…”

Moiya and Moni stared at Clark for a moment.

They whispered to each other, wondering why a child who knew how to care for others didn’t bring them even a bite of sausage, then cleared their throats again and advised him gently.

“Go secretly. And always be careful with your pockets.”

“That’s right. But it’s easy to get robbed if you go, Moni~? Next concern.”

This time, Theo, Melanie’s son, raised his hand high after giving a clear solution.

“I want to read more books, but I live on an island, so it takes a few days longer to receive new releases than on the mainland. What should I do?”

“…Is that your concern?”

Moni scratched her head and asked.

“Yes!”

“Read what you have twice. And save your eyeballs a little. You need good eyeballs to read a lot of books, Moiya?”

“Thank you. I will.”

In fact, they could get similar answers even if they asked their nannies or servants, but the children believed more in what Moiya and Moni said.

The children who had finished their counseling started playing around with each other.

“Huh? That pigeon has been going back and forth to the Imperial Palace since yesterday? It’s annoying.”

Moni pointed to a pigeon flying out the window and muttered.

“There’s a letter attached to its neck? It looks like a messenger pigeon.”

Moiya also narrowed her eyes and looked.

“Who is it flying to with a letter attached to its neck? I’m curious, Moni~?”

“Oh? Then we can follow it, Moiya~?”

Moiya and Moni chased after the messenger pigeon flying towards the Imperial City.