Strange Threat 2021.02.24.
“I had tea time with fifteen noble ladies this morning.”
At my words, his hands that were raising the hem of my dress to above my knees stopped.
“There are a lot of people here. So?”
“Among them... those who have already become His Majesty’s concubines have come to greet me separately.”
"What?"
Linel's face looked quite shocked. He let go of the hem of my dress and slowly leaned back from me.
“Do you remember which families those young ladies... were from?”
“Young Lady Catherine of the House of Kallios, Young Lady Melanie of the House of Hetros, Young Lady Pesilini of the House of Marquis Astor, and Young Lady Rosie of the House of Count Adelid.”
Oh my goodness, I really memorized all their families? Listing the families and names of the concubines without stopping!
While I was admiring my memory, Linel's expression grew increasingly crumpled.
“Oh, and I heard that Lady Catherine had a special relationship with Lionel. Is that true?”
At my casual remark, Linel's blue eyes suddenly darkened. He didn't look embarrassed or troubled. He looked like he was thinking about something. What was he thinking?
“Oh, and I heard that Lady Catherine had a special relationship with Lionel. Is that true?”
At my casual remark, Linel's blue eyes suddenly darkened. He didn't look embarrassed or troubled. He looked like he was thinking about something. What was he thinking?
Actually, I didn't really care that Lady Catherine was his fiancée. What I was curious about was Linel's current feelings toward Lady Catherine, but his ambiguous expression made it difficult to gauge his feelings.
“So... you ended up doing something like that.”
Linel lowered his gaze to the marble floor and muttered quietly. I glanced at his profile, his head slightly bowed. His jaw tightened and his lips twisted. For a split second, a murderous look crossed his face. He must have noticed that I was secretly peeking at him because his murderous expression disappeared and he looked at me.
“I didn’t mean to let you know this way...”
He spoke as if confessing with a very resentful look in his eyes.
“Zelda, do you remember when we got married?”
“It’s been so long that I can’t remember it clearly, but I remember it.”
I didn't mean to be sarcastic, but I found myself saying it that way.
“It was three days ago, so I guess it’s time for my memory to become hazy.”
Linel didn't show any sign of being offended and instead agreed with what I said.
“Even if you didn’t like me, I’m not the kind of guy who would take a concubine just a few days after getting married.”
“Is it true?”
“Yeah, it’s heavy.”
His gaze went down and up somewhere. No, that's not what I wanted to ask...
“Is it true that you don’t like it?”
“That was just an example.”
He wiggled his eyebrows and replied in a disapproving tone. If all of this was an act, I wanted to applaud his acting skills.
“Anyway. So you were planning on taking a concubine?”
He nodded obediently and sighed.
“Huh, actually, the concubine issue had been suggested even before the national wedding, but I didn’t know it would be rushed like this. However, we clearly agreed to discuss it with you first and then decide when to take a concubine...”
“I found out first?”
"Yes."
...So, before Linel could even bring up the subject of concubines to me, one of the concubines deliberately revealed the fact during tea time today.
“It may be hard to believe, but it’s true. It’s bad news, but I wanted to tell you with my own mouth and make you understand.”
Linel continued speaking calmly, although he seemed quite apologetic.
“Now that I, the son of a concubine, have ascended to the throne, the ministers want to use my legitimacy as an excuse to confirm their own positions whenever they get the chance.”
"Ah."
“So, to check the divine power, we brought in the power of the Kingdom of Shattonil, through a national wedding. Of course, it was also to strengthen the alliance between the two countries in preparation for a war with the Southern Continent.”
“Your Majesty, you have killed two birds with one stone.”
When I responded dryly as if I was talking about someone else, he smiled faintly.
“Huh, maybe three rabbits?”
His hand brushed my cheek.
“The wedding was my decision, but they imposed a condition on me.”
“Was that condition... something like... in exchange for taking an empress from Shattonil, the concubines had to be from noble families of the Lapion Empire?”
“You understand quickly.”
Linel's body, which had been leaning against the back of the sofa, slowly leaned towards me again.
“As you know, our northern continent has been at war with the southern continent because of the wyverns.”
“Yes.”
“The war is at a standstill for now, but when the Wyverns return, the war will begin again.”
“Yes, I know that too.”
“Yes. In this situation, the ministers had no choice but to accept the marriage between the Kingdom of Shattonil and the kingdom, but they are of the position that they cannot tolerate a successor with blood mixed in from another country.”
“So... are you planning to take the noble ladies of the Lapion Empire as your concubines and have Your Majesty’s successor be chosen from among the Princes born to them?”
Linel nodded, squinting one eye as if it was unpleasant to hear.
“Since I am also the child of a concubine, I guess they think I can’t have an issue with that.”
His already low voice became even more subdued. As it turned out, this wasn’t simply a matter of taking in concubines. There was a tense tug-of-war between the imperial power and the divine power of the Lapion Empire. Regardless of that issue, after hearing the whole story from Linel’s mouth, my mind felt much more at ease.
“But why are you trying to take a concubine so hastily?”
“It seems like the ministers are getting a little anxious.”
"Why?"
“I think one of the priests who came in on the first night spread the rumor to the ministers.”
“What rumor?”
“I had you with great passion.”
"...Ah."
I was speechless as his passionate actions from our first night were vividly replayed in my mind. The heat rising from my toes was slowly turning my whole body red.
“Let the priest who spread the rumor be punished by the Gods, and what should be done with the ministers who were involved in the rumor and the daughters who spoke carelessly to you...”
Linel took my hand with a cold expression, but his hand was even colder than his expression. I felt the urge to bring his icy hand to my flushed face.
“By the way...”
He tilted his head and stared at me with a more serious look in his eyes than when he had talked about the concubine issue. I was breathing deeply to cool down my body.
“I can’t concentrate because of the peach human that suddenly appeared...”
“So... you ended up doing something like that.”
Linel lowered his gaze to the marble floor and muttered quietly. I glanced at his profile, his head slightly bowed. His jaw tightened and his lips twisted. For a split second, a murderous look crossed his face. He must have noticed that I was secretly peeking at him because his murderous expression disappeared and he looked at me.
“I didn’t mean to let you know this way...”
He spoke as if confessing with a very resentful look in his eyes.
“Zelda, do you remember when we got married?”
“It’s been so long that I can’t remember it clearly, but I remember it.”
I didn't mean to be sarcastic, but I found myself saying it that way.
“It was three days ago, so I guess it’s time for my memory to become hazy.”
Linel didn't show any sign of being offended and instead agreed with what I said.
“Even if you didn’t like me, I’m not the kind of guy who would take a concubine just a few days after getting married.”
“Is it true?”
“Yeah, it’s heavy.”
His gaze went down and up somewhere. No, that's not what I wanted to ask...
“Is it true that you don’t like it?”
“That was just an example.”
He wiggled his eyebrows and replied in a disapproving tone. If all of this was an act, I wanted to applaud his acting skills.
“Anyway. So you were planning on taking a concubine?”
He nodded obediently and sighed.
“Huh, actually, the concubine issue had been suggested even before the national wedding, but I didn’t know it would be rushed like this. However, we clearly agreed to discuss it with you first and then decide when to take a concubine...”
“I found out first?”
"Yes."
...So, before Linel could even bring up the subject of concubines to me, one of the concubines deliberately revealed the fact during tea time today.
“It may be hard to believe, but it’s true. It’s bad news, but I wanted to tell you with my own mouth and make you understand.”
Linel continued speaking calmly, although he seemed quite apologetic.
“Now that I, the son of a concubine, have ascended to the throne, the ministers want to use my legitimacy as an excuse to confirm their own positions whenever they get the chance.”
"Ah."
“So, to check the divine power, we brought in the power of the Kingdom of Shattonil, through a national wedding. Of course, it was also to strengthen the alliance between the two countries in preparation for a war with the Southern Continent.”
“Your Majesty, you have killed two birds with one stone.”
When I responded dryly as if I was talking about someone else, he smiled faintly.
“Huh, maybe three rabbits?”
His hand brushed my cheek.
“The wedding was my decision, but they imposed a condition on me.”
“Was that condition... something like... in exchange for taking an empress from Shattonil, the concubines had to be from noble families of the Lapion Empire?”
“You understand quickly.”
Linel's body, which had been leaning against the back of the sofa, slowly leaned towards me again.
“As you know, our northern continent has been at war with the southern continent because of the wyverns.”
“Yes.”
“The war is at a standstill for now, but when the Wyverns return, the war will begin again.”
“Yes, I know that too.”
“Yes. In this situation, the ministers had no choice but to accept the marriage between the Kingdom of Shattonil and the kingdom, but they are of the position that they cannot tolerate a successor with blood mixed in from another country.”
“So... are you planning to take the noble ladies of the Lapion Empire as your concubines and have Your Majesty’s successor be chosen from among the Princes born to them?”
Linel nodded, squinting one eye as if it was unpleasant to hear.
“Since I am also the child of a concubine, I guess they think I can’t have an issue with that.”
His already low voice became even more subdued. As it turned out, this wasn’t simply a matter of taking in concubines. There was a tense tug-of-war between the imperial power and the divine power of the Lapion Empire. Regardless of that issue, after hearing the whole story from Linel’s mouth, my mind felt much more at ease.
“But why are you trying to take a concubine so hastily?”
“It seems like the ministers are getting a little anxious.”
"Why?"
“I think one of the priests who came in on the first night spread the rumor to the ministers.”
“What rumor?”
“I had you with great passion.”
"...Ah."
I was speechless as his passionate actions from our first night were vividly replayed in my mind. The heat rising from my toes was slowly turning my whole body red.
“Let the priest who spread the rumor be punished by the Gods, and what should be done with the ministers who were involved in the rumor and the daughters who spoke carelessly to you...”
Linel took my hand with a cold expression, but his hand was even colder than his expression. I felt the urge to bring his icy hand to my flushed face.
“By the way...”
He tilted his head and stared at me with a more serious look in his eyes than when he had talked about the concubine issue. I was breathing deeply to cool down my body.
“I can’t concentrate because of the peach human that suddenly appeared...”
"Yes?"
I blinked at Linel's absurd remark. He felt his chest with his hand, then turned his head slightly and coughed.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“This is what you look like right now.”
Linel raised one finger in front of me and drew a circle in the air as he replied. The area of the circle he drew included not only my face but also my chest line. I lowered my head to check my flushed skin. Only then did I realize what he meant.
“It seems hot. If it’s hot, at least lift up your dress skirt.”
Linel reached out again, aiming for the hem of my dress.
“It’s okay. I usually have a high body temperature...”
I slapped his hand away and fanned my face with both hands.
“Cool down a bit.”
"Thank you."
He put his cold hands on my hot nape. Wow, it's like an ice pack.
“Your cheeks have become cute.”
“Does my face look like a ripe apple right now?”
"Yes."
His hand wrapped around the nape of my neck tightened.
“T-T, but please don’t cut my neck off.”
“Did I get caught?”
Linel burst out laughing and took his hand off the back of my neck. I laughed along with him and felt around my neck where the fever had subsided.
“If you’re going to do it anyway, why not borrow my hand?”
"...Yes?"
“My hand is much bigger than yours.”
Linel said jokingly, comparing the size of his hand to mine.
“Please exercise caution.”
There were only the two of us in the office, but many attendants were waiting outside the door.
“I don’t think this applies to just me. I think you should also refrain from taking excessive deep breaths.”
Linel said, gently pulling at the frill adorning my chest line. My breathing stopped in my throat at his comment.
“I’m fine with it, but I don’t want to be misunderstood by Grand Duke Martins who will appear soon.”
Linel gave me the sofa cushion next to him and spoke to me in a scolding tone.
“I will be careful.”
I sat up straight, holding my breath. He looked at my helpless face and chuckled before opening his mouth.
“I thought it would be okay to take it slow, but given the circumstances, I think we need to hurry a little.”
Linel rubbed his chin with his hand and spoke seriously. Are we in a hurry? What? Huh? Are you saying we should have the baby quickly?
“Well, I think it’s still too early to talk about a successor.”
“What about them? Do these ministers think it’s an appropriate time to bring me a concubine?”
Linel frowned and pointed toward the office door with his finger, raising his voice. He wasn't wrong. But I wasn't in a position to agree with his opinion and plan for my children, saying, "I think a Princess would be good for the first child!"
“Wouldn’t it be better for me to force my concubines on you rather than they force their concubines on me?”
Linel's hand, which had been pointing to the office door, lifted my chin this time. His blue eyes, which were holding me, shot a cold light as if they would freeze me at any moment and question me. What should I say? I couldn't think of a suitable answer. As I just kept my lips moving, he looked slightly hurt.
“You don’t mind me having sex with another woman, do you?”
No, that wasn't it.
“Is it okay if a child born from another concubine, not from between us, becomes my successor?”
That question was one I couldn't answer in the first place.
“Linel...”
I just called his name weakly. His name was all I could say right now.
“I ask again. Zelda, are you not angry that you share me with my concubines because you have no affection for me?”
“Your expression is a bit harsh, Your Majesty.”
“Have you ever considered that your silence is more powerful than my words?”
Linel looked like he was suppressing his anger.
“....”
“Or, are you not interested in succeeding the successor? Is that so?”
The reason I can't eat even though a feast is laid out before my eyes is because it's someone else's table. It's not because I'm not hungry. I shouldn't touch things that aren't mine. It's not right. Linel, it's not because I don't like you...
Linel's hand, which had been pointing to the office door, lifted my chin this time. His blue eyes, which were holding me, shot a cold light as if they would freeze me at any moment and question me. What should I say? I couldn't think of a suitable answer. As I just kept my lips moving, he looked slightly hurt.
“You don’t mind me having sex with another woman, do you?”
No, that wasn't it.
“Is it okay if a child born from another concubine, not from between us, becomes my successor?”
That question was one I couldn't answer in the first place.
“Linel...”
I just called his name weakly. His name was all I could say right now.
“I ask again. Zelda, are you not angry that you share me with my concubines because you have no affection for me?”
“Your expression is a bit harsh, Your Majesty.”
“Have you ever considered that your silence is more powerful than my words?”
Linel looked like he was suppressing his anger.
“....”
“Or, are you not interested in succeeding the successor? Is that so?”
The reason I can't eat even though a feast is laid out before my eyes is because it's someone else's table. It's not because I'm not hungry. I shouldn't touch things that aren't mine. It's not right. Linel, it's not because I don't like you...
No matter how much I appeal to him with my eyes, he will never know what I'm thinking.
“I also hate sharing my things with others the most! I’m an extremely individualistic person.”
I was afraid that a long silence would have a negative effect on my lifeline, so I just said whatever came to mind. Even so, I spoke seriously, but Linel's serious expression disappeared and he burst into laughter.
“Hmm, I understand what the Empress means.”
He pretended to clear his throat and shook off the remaining laughter.
“Let’s talk again when Grand Duke Martins arrives.”
"Yes..."
“I’ll tell you once again that it wasn’t my order. Of course, taking in a concubine was an unavoidable matter, but I really didn’t intend for it to be known this way.”
I nodded obediently at his sincere expression.
“I, too, hate sharing my things with others, just like you. And I’m also a picky eater.”
“...So?”
“So, I don’t like trying different things. I just eat what suits my taste.”
“What if you get tired of it? Then you’ll look for something else, right?”
“I don’t know, because there’s nothing I like that I’m sick of yet.”
Linel's face came closer to mine. As if we had made a promise, our lips moved simultaneously.
"Hmm?"
His lips pressed against mine as if stamping a seal.
“I also hate sharing my things with others the most! I’m an extremely individualistic person.”
I was afraid that a long silence would have a negative effect on my lifeline, so I just said whatever came to mind. Even so, I spoke seriously, but Linel's serious expression disappeared and he burst into laughter.
“Hmm, I understand what the Empress means.”
He pretended to clear his throat and shook off the remaining laughter.
“Let’s talk again when Grand Duke Martins arrives.”
"Yes..."
“I’ll tell you once again that it wasn’t my order. Of course, taking in a concubine was an unavoidable matter, but I really didn’t intend for it to be known this way.”
I nodded obediently at his sincere expression.
“I, too, hate sharing my things with others, just like you. And I’m also a picky eater.”
“...So?”
“So, I don’t like trying different things. I just eat what suits my taste.”
“What if you get tired of it? Then you’ll look for something else, right?”
“I don’t know, because there’s nothing I like that I’m sick of yet.”
Linel's face came closer to mine. As if we had made a promise, our lips moved simultaneously.
"Hmm?"
His lips pressed against mine as if stamping a seal.
“Now, just a moment!”
I pushed his hard chest with both hands, but he didn't budge.
“Why all of a sudden...”
“I thought you’d keep asking stupid questions.”
His voice flowed out from between his slightly parted lips.
“So I’m going to stop it now. Do you not like it?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that I don’t like it...”
“Is that good?”
“Well, I don’t know...”
“If you don’t know, try it and you’ll know.”
"Oh."
My heart, which had been resisting his persistent kiss, also let go. The kiss that started lightly was getting deeper. Linel’s hand lingered on my nape for a while before slowly sliding down below my collarbone. His hand began to wander near my heart, which was beating so hard it was about to burst out.
I pushed his hard chest with both hands, but he didn't budge.
“Why all of a sudden...”
“I thought you’d keep asking stupid questions.”
His voice flowed out from between his slightly parted lips.
“So I’m going to stop it now. Do you not like it?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that I don’t like it...”
“Is that good?”
“Well, I don’t know...”
“If you don’t know, try it and you’ll know.”
"Oh."
My heart, which had been resisting his persistent kiss, also let go. The kiss that started lightly was getting deeper. Linel’s hand lingered on my nape for a while before slowly sliding down below my collarbone. His hand began to wander near my heart, which was beating so hard it was about to burst out.
Knock knock.
At that moment, a brisk knocking sound echoed throughout the office. Startled by the sound, I pushed Linel’s chest hard.
Huh? Did I use more strength than I thought?
I realized that I had failed to control my strength as I watched him slump over the back of the sofa. He stared at me with a blank expression. Before that expression of bewilderment turned into anger, I quickly answered the knock.
“Hey, come in!”
Even as the office door opened, his eyes were fixed on my face. I quickly grabbed his hand and helped him sit up straight on the sofa. He moved as I led him, but his face was still in shock.
“Zelda, if you refuse my kisses from now on then!”
Linel whispered in my ear, watching the office door slowly open.
“I knew I wouldn’t be the only one who falls behind.”
The threat was so bizarre.
“Hey, come in!”
Even as the office door opened, his eyes were fixed on my face. I quickly grabbed his hand and helped him sit up straight on the sofa. He moved as I led him, but his face was still in shock.
“Zelda, if you refuse my kisses from now on then!”
Linel whispered in my ear, watching the office door slowly open.
“I knew I wouldn’t be the only one who falls behind.”
The threat was so bizarre.
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