His voice whispering that he loved me lingered on my forehead, eyes, and the bridge of my nose before descending to my lips.
“I love you, Zelda.”
His love seeped into my lips. We were completely absorbed in each other. Our passionate desires for each other shared a single sensation. After we had barely finished our third lovemaking, Linel took my hand to his forehead and wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke quietly.
“I apologize for saying earlier that your love was not as good as mine.”
“Don’t look down on me from now on.”
This time, I brought his hand to my forehead and wiped the sweat from it as I replied.
“Am I good enough?”
He held my hand and placed it on my left chest and whispered.
“If you’re talking about the body part... it’s pretty good.”
“I mean the speed of my heartbeat.”
“Ah, heart.”
“You said before that I run slower than Your Majesty.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty good.”
“Don’t use force on your hands.”
I lightly twisted my shoulder and lightly slapped the back of his hand. The cool breeze of dawn blowing through the terrace window came into the bedroom, cooling down our heated heat. As the sun began to appear in the gradually ending darkness, he whispered in my ear.
“Now, get some sleep.”
“Linel too. Please...”
“I find it more restful to be with you than to close my eyes. But my body does wake up again.”
He pulled me into his arms and held me tightly. It was a position that made it impossible for me to close my eyes comfortably. The sound of his kisses on my forehead and then off sounded like a waltz. I wanted to dance with him on the bed again.
***
The next day. This morning, the guests from the Ekiya Empire of the Northern Continent arrived. The Ekiya Empire’s imperial couple was the oldest of all the countries. Perhaps because of this, their only son, Crown Prince Raymond, was originally supposed to attend the hunting competition. However, Crown Prince Raymond fell off his horse a while ago, so the imperial couple inevitably attended. Except for the Ekiya Empire’s imperial couple, the other countries’ royal families were all young, so the Lapion Palace was more lively than ever.
The last place to arrive was the country of Prince Norton, the Parsha Empire of the Southern Continent. Prince Norton’s older brother, Second Prince Calvain, and the Princess, Jasper, arrived a few hours before the banquet. As with all countries of the Southern Continent, the royal family of the Parsha Empire had an interesting side. The Second Prince had killed the first Prince, who was the legitimate heir, and had already taken full control of the imperial power, but had not yet held the imperial succession ceremony. The reason was none other than Prince Calvain's wife, Princess Jasper. Surprisingly, she was originally the 1st Prince's wife. This story, which is full of bean powder, was told directly by Prince Norton, the 3rd Prince of the Parsha Empire. As soon as I heard this story, I asked Prince Norton a question.
'Is it Prince Calvin, your older brother, who is more frightening? Or is it Princess Jasper, who decided to remarry her brother-in-law who killed her husband, who is more frightening?'
'They are both scary people.'
Prince Norton responded without hesitation. Perhaps because I had heard the story from Prince Norton in advance, the smiles of Prince Calvain and Princess Jasper, who looked pleasant on the outside, felt somehow eerie. The banquet was held at dinner time. Before Linel and I arrived at the banquet hall, all the guests were already enjoying the party.
“Zelda, before you enter the banquet hall, I have something to say.”
Linel said, slightly turning his steps to the side as he headed toward the banquet hall entrance. He gently grabbed my waist and led me into the lounge located on the left side of the banquet hall entrance.
“What are you talking about?”
“I was supposed to have a knight escort by my side.”
“Oh, yes. That’s right.”
“I thought about it, and there’s no knight I trust more than Commander Macrom. And if we’re going to hire an escort knight anyway, I think it would be best to start today.”
“Then maybe now...”
Intuitively, I turned my head toward the break room door.
“Come in.”
As soon as Linel gave the order, the lounge door opened, and Commander Macrom came in with a dignified look. Secretary Raphael followed him, waving a piece of paper.
“Your Majesty, I have something to discuss with you regarding seating arrangements.”
“Yes. The two are greeting each other. I’ll go talk to Raphael for a moment.”
“Yes, but where is Your Majesty the Empress?”
Commander Macrom looked around the break room and asked Linel.
“It’s right in front of you. You know that much by feeling, so why are you asking?”
Linel tapped Raphael on the shoulder and left the break room. Commander Macrom tilted his head repeatedly and spoke quietly.
“No? You’re Bonis.”
“I am... the Empress.”
“...What nonsense are you talking about? What are you...”
There was a deep wrinkle on Commander Macrom's forehead. I changed my explanation to help him understand.
“I am the Empress who lied and said I was Bonis.”
“What? Oh, no. What...?”
“I’m sorry I lied to you.”
“Oh, how could this happen! Is it really true that the person I met at the training ground is Bonis, no, Your Majesty the Empress? Is that true?!”
“Yes, it is me, the Empress, and the people in the warehouse...”
“Your Majesty the Empress? Haa, yes, that’s right. We were the same people.”
Commander Macrom continued to scratch his head with a dumbfounded expression.
“His Majesty doesn’t know that I practice swordsmanship yet. That’s why I had no choice but to pretend not to know, even in the warehouse.”
“Haa, I didn’t even know that and thought Hie Majesty was having an affair with Her Majesty the Empress’s knight, so I even prayed a curse!”
“That was a bit touching, thank you. For thinking of me.”
I smiled silently and quickly spoke to Commander Macrom.
“Oh, no. By the way, why are you hiding your swordsmanship skills?”
"That..."
“Well, I suppose His Majesty be surprised. Maybe he’ll be disappointed too?”
Commander Macrom asked with a laugh. He seemed to know what he was talking about.
“Does His Majesty think I am weak?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. His Majesty always said that he was worried that Your Majesty the Empress would fly away if he blew on it or break if he held it.”
“Really?”
“Yes, contrary to what you said about being worried, it seemed like he secretly liked that kind of behavior. He said hw wanted to protect you.”
When Commander Macrom found out about my identity, he kept laughing as he recalled what Linel had said. I didn't know it would be that bad. As expected, Linel likes an elegant and feminine image.
“His Majesty once said that if he could, he would like to carry me in his uniform pocket.”
“Oh my, His Majesty’s condition is more serious than I thought.”
Commander Macrom shook his head and sighed.
“So, what I’m saying is... I want to let him enjoy the role of a husband who wants to protect His wife a little more.”
Commander Macrom readily accepted my opinion.
“It’s not that difficult, so for the sake of your marriage, I will keep Your Majesty the Empress’s secret for the time being.”
Commander Macrom said that he was already looking forward to seeing Linel's bewildered face when he found out about this later.
“Thank you for being my escort, but I know you’ll be more comfortable working than anyone else.”
“This is a sweet position, it is an honor, Your Majesty the Empress!”
“Yes, I guarantee it.”
I said confidently.
“And now, please lower your voice.”
“Ah... Yes, I see.”
“By the way, was the name Bonis just something you made up back then?”
Commander Macrom asked with a laugh.
“No, it was the name of the young lady who lived like a real sister in the Kingdom of Shattonil...”
“Aha, I see.”
I was relieved that Commander Macrom couldn’t see my gloomy expression.
'Is it Prince Calvin, your older brother, who is more frightening? Or is it Princess Jasper, who decided to remarry her brother-in-law who killed her husband, who is more frightening?'
'They are both scary people.'
Prince Norton responded without hesitation. Perhaps because I had heard the story from Prince Norton in advance, the smiles of Prince Calvain and Princess Jasper, who looked pleasant on the outside, felt somehow eerie. The banquet was held at dinner time. Before Linel and I arrived at the banquet hall, all the guests were already enjoying the party.
“Zelda, before you enter the banquet hall, I have something to say.”
Linel said, slightly turning his steps to the side as he headed toward the banquet hall entrance. He gently grabbed my waist and led me into the lounge located on the left side of the banquet hall entrance.
“What are you talking about?”
“I was supposed to have a knight escort by my side.”
“Oh, yes. That’s right.”
“I thought about it, and there’s no knight I trust more than Commander Macrom. And if we’re going to hire an escort knight anyway, I think it would be best to start today.”
“Then maybe now...”
Intuitively, I turned my head toward the break room door.
“Come in.”
As soon as Linel gave the order, the lounge door opened, and Commander Macrom came in with a dignified look. Secretary Raphael followed him, waving a piece of paper.
“Your Majesty, I have something to discuss with you regarding seating arrangements.”
“Yes. The two are greeting each other. I’ll go talk to Raphael for a moment.”
“Yes, but where is Your Majesty the Empress?”
Commander Macrom looked around the break room and asked Linel.
“It’s right in front of you. You know that much by feeling, so why are you asking?”
Linel tapped Raphael on the shoulder and left the break room. Commander Macrom tilted his head repeatedly and spoke quietly.
“No? You’re Bonis.”
“I am... the Empress.”
“...What nonsense are you talking about? What are you...”
There was a deep wrinkle on Commander Macrom's forehead. I changed my explanation to help him understand.
“I am the Empress who lied and said I was Bonis.”
“What? Oh, no. What...?”
“I’m sorry I lied to you.”
“Oh, how could this happen! Is it really true that the person I met at the training ground is Bonis, no, Your Majesty the Empress? Is that true?!”
“Yes, it is me, the Empress, and the people in the warehouse...”
“Your Majesty the Empress? Haa, yes, that’s right. We were the same people.”
Commander Macrom continued to scratch his head with a dumbfounded expression.
“His Majesty doesn’t know that I practice swordsmanship yet. That’s why I had no choice but to pretend not to know, even in the warehouse.”
“Haa, I didn’t even know that and thought Hie Majesty was having an affair with Her Majesty the Empress’s knight, so I even prayed a curse!”
“That was a bit touching, thank you. For thinking of me.”
I smiled silently and quickly spoke to Commander Macrom.
“Oh, no. By the way, why are you hiding your swordsmanship skills?”
"That..."
“Well, I suppose His Majesty be surprised. Maybe he’ll be disappointed too?”
Commander Macrom asked with a laugh. He seemed to know what he was talking about.
“Does His Majesty think I am weak?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. His Majesty always said that he was worried that Your Majesty the Empress would fly away if he blew on it or break if he held it.”
“Really?”
“Yes, contrary to what you said about being worried, it seemed like he secretly liked that kind of behavior. He said hw wanted to protect you.”
When Commander Macrom found out about my identity, he kept laughing as he recalled what Linel had said. I didn't know it would be that bad. As expected, Linel likes an elegant and feminine image.
“His Majesty once said that if he could, he would like to carry me in his uniform pocket.”
“Oh my, His Majesty’s condition is more serious than I thought.”
Commander Macrom shook his head and sighed.
“So, what I’m saying is... I want to let him enjoy the role of a husband who wants to protect His wife a little more.”
Commander Macrom readily accepted my opinion.
“It’s not that difficult, so for the sake of your marriage, I will keep Your Majesty the Empress’s secret for the time being.”
Commander Macrom said that he was already looking forward to seeing Linel's bewildered face when he found out about this later.
“Thank you for being my escort, but I know you’ll be more comfortable working than anyone else.”
“This is a sweet position, it is an honor, Your Majesty the Empress!”
“Yes, I guarantee it.”
I said confidently.
“And now, please lower your voice.”
“Ah... Yes, I see.”
“By the way, was the name Bonis just something you made up back then?”
Commander Macrom asked with a laugh.
“No, it was the name of the young lady who lived like a real sister in the Kingdom of Shattonil...”
“Aha, I see.”
I was relieved that Commander Macrom couldn’t see my gloomy expression.
***
Linel and I settled the issue of my escort knight in the lounge, then entered the banquet hall with Commander Macrom. I was inwardly amazed by the sight of the Emperors and Empresses of all the continents, their concubines and mistresses, and various nobles in all their splendor. It was more magnificent than a chandelier. On the outside, they were all smiling brightly and talking to each other, but I could feel an inexplicable tension. It seemed as if they were all hiding a sword in their hearts.
Linel and I climbed up to the platform and sat on the chairs set up in front of the table. Two steps down were four concubines, and on either side were the people of the northern and southern continents, facing each other. As the banquet began, the dinner began. When the meal was almost over, Emperor Adrian of the Tebello Empire stood up, his long silver hair fluttering, and everyone’s attention was focused on him.
“Your Majesty the Emperor of the Lapion Empire, I would like to present a performance that is perfect for this banquet. Would you allow me to do so?”
Here and there, voices of anticipation were heard at Emperor Adrian's proposal.
“Emperor Adrian, may I ask first what kind of performance it is?”
Linel asked, holding up the glass of wine in front of him.
“This is a performance by the Empresses that is regularly presented at our royal palace.”
A performance by the Empresses?
“Should we call it a beautiful yet sad dance?”
Emperor Adrian's words made me even more curious.
“Oh, are you talking about the performance where the Empresses dance and perform martial arts?”
Prince Calvain of the Parsha Empire suddenly intervened. Then Emperor Adrian nodded his head proudly.
“Oh my, I get to see that show again!”
Prince Calvain shook his buttocks and shouted in an excited voice.
“Have you ever seen the performance of the Empresses of the Tebello Empire, Prince Calvain?”
Linel turned his gaze to Prince Calvain and asked.
“Yes, a few years ago, when I visited the Imperial Palace in Tebello, I was lucky enough to see the performance of the Empresses. I still remember it vividly, so I can’t believe I’m going to see that performance again. Hahaha.”
“Was it a good show? Was it pretty hot?”
Empress Katria of the Delroy Empire joined the conversation.
“How wonderful! Sun of Lapion, I beg you to accept the hospitality prepared by Emperor Adrian.”
Prince Calvain spoke with a face full of anticipation. I looked at Prince Norton, who was sitting next to Prince Calvain. Unlike his brother, he seemed completely uninterested in the whole situation. Prince Norton was staring straight ahead, and in front of him were the dignitaries of the Kingdom of Shattonil.
“Your Majesty the Emperor of the Lapion Empire, I would like to present a performance that is perfect for this banquet. Would you allow me to do so?”
Here and there, voices of anticipation were heard at Emperor Adrian's proposal.
“Emperor Adrian, may I ask first what kind of performance it is?”
Linel asked, holding up the glass of wine in front of him.
“This is a performance by the Empresses that is regularly presented at our royal palace.”
A performance by the Empresses?
“Should we call it a beautiful yet sad dance?”
Emperor Adrian's words made me even more curious.
“Oh, are you talking about the performance where the Empresses dance and perform martial arts?”
Prince Calvain of the Parsha Empire suddenly intervened. Then Emperor Adrian nodded his head proudly.
“Oh my, I get to see that show again!”
Prince Calvain shook his buttocks and shouted in an excited voice.
“Have you ever seen the performance of the Empresses of the Tebello Empire, Prince Calvain?”
Linel turned his gaze to Prince Calvain and asked.
“Yes, a few years ago, when I visited the Imperial Palace in Tebello, I was lucky enough to see the performance of the Empresses. I still remember it vividly, so I can’t believe I’m going to see that performance again. Hahaha.”
“Was it a good show? Was it pretty hot?”
Empress Katria of the Delroy Empire joined the conversation.
“How wonderful! Sun of Lapion, I beg you to accept the hospitality prepared by Emperor Adrian.”
Prince Calvain spoke with a face full of anticipation. I looked at Prince Norton, who was sitting next to Prince Calvain. Unlike his brother, he seemed completely uninterested in the whole situation. Prince Norton was staring straight ahead, and in front of him were the dignitaries of the Kingdom of Shattonil.
“Good. Prince Calvain also said that it was a moving performance, so I have high expectations as well.”
Linel raised one hand and gestured for permission toward Emperor Adrian. Emperor Adrian nodded to his servants waiting at the banquet hall door. Then his servants quickly opened the banquet hall door. Four beautiful Empresses entered the banquet hall, two by two. What the...?
Linel raised one hand and gestured for permission toward Emperor Adrian. Emperor Adrian nodded to his servants waiting at the banquet hall door. Then his servants quickly opened the banquet hall door. Four beautiful Empresses entered the banquet hall, two by two. What the...?
I was surprised several times by the appearance of the Empresses. First, the clothes they were wearing. Their necks, chests, and arms were completely covered, but that was only up to their chests, and below that, their bare waists were exposed. At least there was a see-through at the end of the chest area of the clothes, which covered their waistlines, but even that was split in the middle, so the thin see-through fluttered like a curtain whenever the Empresses walked. Their lower garments were wide silk pants. The side seams were slit up to the middle of their thighs, so they looked good for movement, but they were quite revealing.
The second thing that surprised me was the weapons in the Wmpresses’ hands. Each of them carried a different weapon. Unlike me, who was surprised, Linel's expression was indifferent, so it was difficult to gauge his mood. I turned my gaze and began to observe the expressions of the people gathered in the banquet hall. The four concubines of the Lapion Empire and the nobles from the Northern Continent sitting on the right, like me, looked very surprised at the outfits of the Tebello Empire's Empresses. On the other hand, the nobles from the Southern Continent did not seem surprised at the outfits of the Empresses at all. They seemed more interested in the weapons they were carrying.
I glared at Emperor Adrian. What on earth was he thinking, holding weapons in the hands of his Empresses and standing them up in the middle of the banquet hall?
“Yes, let’s begin.”
Emperor Adrian led the applause of the guests. The intensity of the applause coming from the Northern Continent VIP seats was quite different from that of the Southern Continent VIPs. Compared to the Northern Continent VIPs who looked bewildered, the Southern Continent VIPs looked clearly enjoying the festival. They looked as if they were audience members waiting for an opera performance, excited. Of the four Empresses, only the two who had been standing at the front remained in the center of the banquet hall. Emperor Adrian introduced the two Empresses one by one.
“On the left is Empress Selina, who has been by my side the longest in the peaceful Woni Palace. And on the right is Empress Elan, who has only recently entered Warney Palace but has already begun to gain my favor.”
The palace called 'Woni' is where the Empresses of the Tebello Empire live together. So the performance was about the Empress who lived in the 'Woni' palace for the longest time and the Empress who entered the palace the most recently, having a martial arts match.
What kind of mind does he have that makes his beloved Empresses fight in a place where all the countries are gathered? Even with an extremely joyful expression.
Even though the Southern Continent is much more open than the Northern Continent, I couldn't understand the martial arts match between the Empresses in the banquet hall. All I could understand was their provocative attire. I couldn't take my eyes off the faces of the two Empresses preparing for the match. They seemed to accept this absurd moment as a given.
Selina, who lived in the 'Woni' palace the longest, seemed to have aged as much as she had lived, and Elan was a young Empress who had just lost her girlishness. Both of them had a murderous look in their eyes.
“How is the outcome of a martial arts match decided?”
Linel asked Emperor Adrian.
“The one who first makes her opponent kneel and gives her a flaw is the winner.”
I found myself nervously asking back at Emperor Adrian's vague explanation.
“Hmm? What do you mean, hmm?”
“It is as it is said, Your Majesty the Empress. The strength of the flaw is left to the discretion of the victor.”
“Are you saying that you can kill each other?”
“Of course. It’s entirely up to the winner to decide. Whether to inflict minor wounds on the opponent, blow away a part of the body, or completely kill them.”
Emperor Adrian explained in a very calm tone.
“How is the outcome of a martial arts match decided?”
Linel asked Emperor Adrian.
“The one who first makes her opponent kneel and gives her a flaw is the winner.”
I found myself nervously asking back at Emperor Adrian's vague explanation.
“Hmm? What do you mean, hmm?”
“It is as it is said, Your Majesty the Empress. The strength of the flaw is left to the discretion of the victor.”
“Are you saying that you can kill each other?”
“Of course. It’s entirely up to the winner to decide. Whether to inflict minor wounds on the opponent, blow away a part of the body, or completely kill them.”
Emperor Adrian explained in a very calm tone.
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