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Chapter 18
“Can you stand up? If you want to go out to the balcony, you need to get ready.”
“I… have to get up.”
Seren gritted her teeth and took Duchess Sons’s hand, raising her upper body. From noon, through the night, and into the morning, an uncountable number of times, liquid soaked through her and trickled down between her legs.
“Ugh…”
“Is your body all right, Your Majesty the Empress?”
“Y-Yes…”
Seren hesitated instead of answering right away. In truth, her entire body ached as if she had been struck with an iron hammer, but considering the reason, it was difficult to say.
‘Is was too much…’
She complained only in her mind. She had honestly thought she might be eaten alive.
At first, he had only briefly tried to restrain his strength. Seren had even fainted once after their first time, yet he hadn’t stopped at all. When she woke up again in the middle of the night, he was still inside her. Around dawn, even while half-conscious, she had clung to him tearfully, saying something felt strange, but he showed no mercy.
It had hurt and exhausted her, but in the end…
Thinking about that sensation, Seren’s face flushed red.
Was this what ordinary married life was like?
She had never considered herself frail, but if this continued every day, she doubted she could endure it.
“Please… give me some water.”
Duchess Sons quickly poured water from the flask she had prepared and handed it to her. With the duchess’s support, Seren sat up and moistened her dry, scratchy throat. She felt a little better afterward.
“I’ll help you to the bath.”
“Thank you.”
Holding the duchess’s hand, Seren staggered toward the bathroom.
Even though the nobles of the House of Larusa faction were absent, the reception waiting room was crowded with people who had come to offer congratulations to the new Empress.
Seren had not attended the banquet the previous day, so they had missed the chance. Isbrant thought it unnecessary, but the officials and nobles didn’t see it that way. They didn’t yet know what kind of person the Empress was, and many nobles and administrators might not get another chance to meet her.
“Why did she decide not to appear at the banquet yesterday? Of course the bride is the most tired during a wedding, but…”
“I heard it was the Emperor’s decision. Apparently they went straight to the bridal chamber.”
“Ah…”
No one dared openly tease the Emperor, but discreet smiles passed among them.
“We keep forgetting, but His Majesty is still young.”
“Well, the situation is different this time.”
“The imperial wedding was held rather suddenly, but the Empress has actually been in the palace for quite a while now.”
“I heard His Majesty kept his evenings free during that time.”
“If he was that captivated, then the Larusa and Farel duchies never had any chance from the start.”
“He’s a man who never even had a lover, let alone a one-night partner. Lady Eliana and Lady Angela were only mentioned because of their status.”
Other whispers followed.
“I hear Lady Eliana is terribly disappointed.”
“What can she do? It was the Emperor’s decision.”
Most of those speaking were not close to the Larusa family, so their reactions were rather smug.
“I spoke briefly with Sir Rubab yesterday, and it seems there’s little to hope for. His Majesty has granted them land in Esdel and plans to gather the whole family there.”
“Ah. So it means they shouldn’t build power in the capital.”
“They don’t seem capable of it anyway. In that case, Duchess Sons will probably…”
“It’s nothing new that Duchess Sons is trusted. But Her Majesty the Empress is still young. She’ll need companions her own age to talk with.”
If that happened, such a companion might gain influence—but they would also incur the hatred of the Larusa family. Who would be willing to bear that and become the Empress’s favorite?
While such conversations continued, the noon bell rang.
Everyone looked toward the door of the waiting room, but there was no attendant’s announcement of the Emperor’s arrival. An awkward silence spread.
“W-Wait a moment, Is.”
From beyond the silence came a woman’s voice mixed with shyness and embarrassment.
“Put me down. I’m fine. Put me down. I can walk!”
Only afterward did people realize that the one called “Is” was the Emperor. Startled, they quickly bent their knees and bowed.
Then the door opened, and the attendant cried out:
“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress have arrived!”
They did not enter immediately. After a brief struggle, the Emperor came in holding the Empress’s hand.
The Empress, leaning on a cane with one hand, was panting with a bright red face. Wearing a dress with a neckline rising to her throat and long sleeves covering her hands, she looked like a flower bud about to bloom within its calyx.
“We greet the heir of dragon’s blood and the noble jewel of life. May eternal spring be with you both.”
Blessings and greetings filled the waiting room as if spoken with one voice.
Seren hesitated for a moment. She had prepared words of greeting, but Isbrant wrapped an arm around her waist and began walking without giving her the chance.
“Is.”
“You can receive the greetings later. We’re late.”
“That’s because of you! I can walk!”
“Then I must try harder. To think you still have the strength to walk.”
“Is!”
Their small bickering echoed in the silent room where only breathing could be heard. Some naïve people blushed, and even more looked shocked. They had never imagined the Emperor would make such jokes.
Seren, red-faced, lightly hit Isbrant’s shoulder. She was already mortified—what on earth was he saying in front of so many people?
Isbrant led Seren from the waiting room into the wide audience hall beyond.
The balcony doors were already wide open.
Seren took a deep, nervous breath. Isbrant briefly kissed her temple.
“It’s fine. Just wave your hand.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Even if you gathered everyone here together, they still wouldn’t matter more than me.”
Seren smiled slightly at that. Hearing him say that eased her tension a little.
With his arm around her waist, Isbrant stepped onto the balcony.
Waaaaah—!
A roar loud enough to shake the entire imperial palace erupted. Seren blinked against the dazzling light.
The people filling the Hundred-Flower Garden all knelt at once, worshipping the protector of the empire, the heir of dragon’s blood, and his consort.
Without realizing it, Seren pressed a hand to her chest. It wasn’t just tension—fear and overwhelming emotion surged within her, and tears threatened to fall.
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live Her Majesty the Empress!”
“May eternal spring come to the empire!”
“Long live!”
The scattered shouts soon merged into one.
“Hail the Spring of the Empire!”
Isbrant lightly raised his hand. Seren followed his example.
Another cheer thundered.
Seren thought that she wanted to become the spring they were praying for.
* * *
To Edward,
Next week my summer vacation begins. I’m going to spend it at Aunt Ricks’s house this time. It’s been a long while since I last saw her.
Why would you feel upset? What kind of relationship do we even have? Don’t tell me that during the two months you didn’t write, you caused some kind of trouble. Did you ruin my orchard? Or set fire to Skyflower Hill?
June 24, Solar Year 1006
—Seren
To Seren,
Anyone hearing you would think you own a grand orchard. Those two tiny cherry trees hardly count as an orchard. And I broke your sapling when I was six. How long are you going to keep bringing that up? If you keep it up, I’ll come pick all your unripe cherries.
I hope Lady Ricks and Theodore are well. Give them my regards.
June 28, Solar Year 1006
—Edward
To Edward,
I heard that you suddenly decided to stay at Mr. Celes’s house during the vacation. What is this after telling me to pass along greetings? Do I really have to spend this summer living next door to you again?
June 30, Solar Year 1006
—Seren
To Seren,
Because I want to see you.
That’s just how things turned out.
