I gave up that famous dessert to save them.
What?
Accept me as a concubine?
I regretted it so much.
Instead of dessert, I should have given up those things...!
“Your Highness, you should have listened to me.”
Catherine said quietly to me.
“I told you, those concubines didn’t need to be saved.”
Yes, I should have.
This was the first time Catherine felt wise.
“Oh my, my. Why did the concubines of the Pasha Empire change course?”
Melanie, with a much more relaxed expression, mulled over the concubines’ remarks to Rosie, who was beside her.
The concubines, thinking they were swatting at Hetor, charged forward with the intent to attack, but upon realizing their target was Linel, suddenly became spectators, watching the situation with fascination.
I didn’t approach any further.
The concubines stopped in time with me.
“I think I misheard?”
Linel's flustered voice was heard.
"We want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire."
Miss Ester said, clasping her hands together as if in prayer. Miss Savannah added,
"Actually, the reason we want to become Your Majesty's concubines is..."
Just as they were about to explain why they wanted to become Linel's concubines, a sudden rustle sounded from the scabbard.
"Huh!"
The young ladies all took a step back in surprise.
The gap between them widened, revealing Linel and Hetor.
Hetor had drawn his sword.
Melanie's soliloquy was then heard.
"I told him to remove anyone who was harassing me, so why is he drawing his sword in His Majesty's business? It's pointless."
Slightly offended, she glared at Melanie, who corrected her with a bashful smile.
"Oh, my, I guess it's because it's your in-laws' business."
"..."
Seriously.
“Look. Even if the ladies are all swearing at me, it’s rude for you to suddenly point your sword at them as well,”
Linel said to Hetor in a polite tone.
“That’s right, why are you drawing your sword?”
Miss Savannah questioned Hetor sharply.
“Are you threatening us with a sword?”
Miss Glenn snapped.
“...A pencil.”
Hetor replied quietly.
What does a pencil mean?
“Huh?”
The ladies asked collectively.
“It’s to sharpen a pencil.”
Hetor held a real pencil in his other hand.
“Why a pencil, so out of place?”
The ladies whispered and snorted.
Meanwhile, Linel spotted me and the concubines and waved.
The ladies followed his gaze and turned around, bowing.
They all blushed in embarrassment at the sight of me, but strangely, they showed no remorse.
Isn’t that quite shameless?
While I glared at the ladies, Linel continued talking about pencils.
“Ah, pencils are much needed for the writing of a heartbreaking novel right now...”
“Your Majesty!”
Hetor exclaimed.
“Oops. That’s a secret. I’m sorry.”
Linel quickly apologized and clenched his jaw.
“Did Hetor start writing again?”
I asked Melanie, delighted, and she grinned.
“Yes, he said he was starting today. I guess he was writing under a tree.”
“Oh, really?”
Then why was Linel there?
Was he peeking at Hetor’s novel, crouching next to him?
In any case, as if to prove that his sword wasn’t meant to be threatening, Hetor quickly began sharpening his pencil with his sword.
“Wow,”
I exclaimed involuntarily.
“He's sharpened it more than once or twice.”
Rosie couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“It’s more delicate than it looks,”
Melanie said with a smug expression.
"Actually, the reason we want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire is..."
Miss Ester took a deep breath and continued.
"Oh, I guess I don't need to hear the reason."
Linel cut her off.
In response, Miss Glenn scratched her neck and asked him again.
“How could Your Majesty not know the reason...?”
“How could I not know?”
Linel replied with a smile, but his voice quickly changed to a serious one.
“I completely understand how you feel. However, it is extremely foolish and reckless to risk your life based solely on appearances.”
“...Huh?”
The ladies asked in unison.
“I am not as perfect as I appear. Moreover, I am very narrow-minded when it comes to love.”
“Your Majesty, I apologize, but there seems to be a misunderstanding.”
Miss Savannah blurted out, raising a hand slightly.
“Is there anything to misunderstand about this appearance?”
He asked firmly.
But the ladies were equally firm.
“I am not suggesting such a misunderstanding!”
“I am sorry, Your Majesty, but we do not want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire because of Your Majesty’s perfect looks.”
“Yes! The reason we want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire is because of Her Highness Zelda!”
Miss Savannah glanced at me and said shyly.
“...Because of my wife?”
Linel asked with a puzzled expression.
It was something I couldn't quite understand either.
How should I take that?
Does it mean I'm easy?
After seeing I wield fire in the palace earlier?
Or do they think they're prettier than me?
Well, that's subjective, but whatever it is, it still feels unpleasant.
"Whatever the reason, I have no intention of taking any more concubines."
Linel flatly refused.
"I, really?"
Miss Ester asked sullenly.
A few seconds later, his voice broke into a solemn tone.
"I've already let go of my concubines, so how could I possibly take another?"
"I think you've come to this conclusion after comparing me to Prince Norton, but becoming my concubine will make you much lonelier."
"Your Majesty, could you please reconsider?"
Hey, I said no!
That one word boiled up in my stomach.
"You do realize that my wife is no ordinary person, right?"
Linel sighed deeply and asked the ladies.
“I don’t mean to scare you, but my wife is the kind of woman who could easily seduce any young lady if she put her mind to it.”
He said with a face that would intimidate anyone who heard him, pretending to throw fire with his fingertips.
“We also know how great Her Highness Zelda is. That’s why we want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire!”
The young ladies looked back and forth between me and Linel, muttering strange things.
“Yes! Her Highness Zelda saved us with that fire.”
“If we have to become concubines anyway, we want to be loyal to Her Highness Zelda.”
“And Your Majesty marries off most of his concubines, right?”
“Then, if we have fun with Her Highness Zelda and are lucky enough to meet a man we like, wouldn’t you marry us off too?”
“...What?”
He listened to the young ladies’ conversation quietly, then burst out laughing before furrowing his brow slightly.
At that, Miss Glenn waved her hand again and changed the subject.
“Oh, no. We don’t even hope for marriage like the young ladies do now.”
“Yes, I just want to be close to Her Highness Wyvern Lord.”
I was dumbfounded by their ceaseless stream of words.
The concubines were equally bewildered.
“If you truly respect me, wouldn’t you not be doing this?”
I had no choice but to step forward.
As I spoke with intense eyes, the young ladies looked at me with faces as if they had been heartbroken.
“Still, Your Highness Zelda...”
“I hate having to say it twice.”
“But we have already pledged our loyalty to you, Your Highness Zelda, our savior!”
“Yes. Please understand our sincerity...”
“Please accept our heart!”
“You can tell sincerity by letter. And we will only accept it with a precious gift.”
I stated my opinion clearly.
Their expressions were so pitiful that I almost gave up.
That night, Linel refused to believe the young ladies’ claim that they wanted to become his concubines because of me.
He thought that his pride had made him change his words because he had rejected them so abruptly.
Several days passed after I appeased the three young ladies who had sworn to become concubines of the Lapion Empire because of me.
After that matter was successfully concluded, I enjoyed a peaceful life in the palace.
Today was finally the day the new Emperor of the Pasha Empire was born.
It was also the day the Empress was welcomed.
Both the coronation and the wedding took place in the Grand Chapel of the Imperial Palace.
The wedding ceremony began immediately after the coronation.
The concubines and I forgot to attend the coronation and instead went to Rosie's bridal chamber to stay by her side.
Rosie was shaking violently, as if she were about to faint.
"I... am I shaking a lot?"
Rosie asked with a stern expression, her lips curled up.
"Yeah, I thought there was an earthquake."
I retorted, placing my hand on Rosie's shoulder, which had risen sharply.
"If someone saw me, they'd think I was being dragged to the guillotine, not to a wedding."
Melanie teased.
"At least we have a wedding dress that fits."
"I heard the designer and several tailors that Princess Jasper introduced stayed up all night for alterations, right?"
Catherine and Pecilini asked, touching the hem of Rosie's dress.
“Yes, and I think those three ladies’ breath was also there. The designer mentioned them. They did such a good job. It’s all thanks to Your Highness Zelda.”
Rosie’s eyes were getting moist.
“Ah. Rosie. Don’t cry. You mustn’t cry!”
I urged, making an X with both hands.
“That’s right. If you cry, you’ll get two trenches under your eyes even though your makeup is 1cm thick.”
Melanie waved her hands wildly as she spoke, and Rosie burst out laughing.
“Puhahahaha!”
“Yeah. It’s better than crying.”
Just in case, I placed a handkerchief under Rosie’s eyes.
Knock knock.
At that moment, the door to the bridal waiting room opened, and the servants came in.
“Your Majesty, you must prepare to enter now.”
The servants had already addressed Rosie as Empress.
Yes. Now Rosie is Empress.
It feels strange.
The other concubines’ expressions were mixed with emotions, just like mine.
“Your Majesty, we will now return to the chapel.”
I said with deliberate politeness. Melanie, Catherine, and Pecilini bowed slightly in greeting.
“Please just address me as Rosie. It’s so awkward...”
Rosie looked embarrassed, still not quite feeling it.
“Then, just call you Rosie when we’re alone today, and from tomorrow on, we’ll address you properly.”
Rosie smiled brightly and nodded at my words.
“Don’t trip and walk properly, yes?”
With Melanie’s words, the concubines and I left the bridal waiting room.
We hurried back to the designated seats for the celebratory delegation in the chapel and sat down.
Prince Norton, now in his imperial form, stood at the podium, ready to greet Rosie.
“Seeing you two brings a new feeling.”
Linel whispered, clutching my hand.
As the organ began to play, everyone’s eyes turned to the chapel door.
“If Rosie enters through that door, she will become Her Majesty the Empress of the Pasha Empire.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, overwhelmed with emotion.
Memories and friendships I'd shared with Rosie came flooding back.
Finally, the two large chapel doors slowly opened.
I waited reverently for Rosie to enter.
But then...
"Oh my, my goodness!"
"This will go down in history!"
A murmur echoed from the doorway.
All eyes were on the flower girls entering a few steps ahead of Rosie, soon to become the Empress of the Pasha Empire.
My goodness, what the hell was that?
They were Moiya and Moni.
"...Your Majesty, who ordered them to be flower girls?"
I was so dumbfounded that I could barely speak.
"Are they the ones who volunteered? Hehehe..."
So, they did it willingly?
Linel couldn't answer properly, too busy laughing at the sight of the wyvern chicks, the first on the continent to become flower girls.
Judging by Rosie's flustered expression as she walked in, it seemed she hadn't noticed at all.
I quickly scanned Emperor Norton's expression.
He hadn't noticed it at all.
Unbeknownst to the wedding guests, the flower girls were slowly flying toward the stage where Emperor Norton stood.
Now I noticed that Moiya was wearing a bow tie around his neck, and Moni had a wreath on her head.
They were quite formal as flower girls, but neither of them was wearing any clothes.
Was that like wearing socks and no pants in person?
“Oh? You’re not even clapping, you’re all just looking at us, Moiya~?”
Moiya hummed as he stuffed flower petals into the mouths of the people who were staring at them with their mouths wide open.
“Your eyes are wide open because we’re so cool, right?”
Moiya also enjoyed throwing flower petals into the faces of the surprised people.
What?
Accept me as a concubine?
I regretted it so much.
Instead of dessert, I should have given up those things...!
“Your Highness, you should have listened to me.”
Catherine said quietly to me.
“I told you, those concubines didn’t need to be saved.”
Yes, I should have.
This was the first time Catherine felt wise.
“Oh my, my. Why did the concubines of the Pasha Empire change course?”
Melanie, with a much more relaxed expression, mulled over the concubines’ remarks to Rosie, who was beside her.
The concubines, thinking they were swatting at Hetor, charged forward with the intent to attack, but upon realizing their target was Linel, suddenly became spectators, watching the situation with fascination.
I didn’t approach any further.
The concubines stopped in time with me.
“I think I misheard?”
Linel's flustered voice was heard.
"We want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire."
Miss Ester said, clasping her hands together as if in prayer. Miss Savannah added,
"Actually, the reason we want to become Your Majesty's concubines is..."
Just as they were about to explain why they wanted to become Linel's concubines, a sudden rustle sounded from the scabbard.
"Huh!"
The young ladies all took a step back in surprise.
The gap between them widened, revealing Linel and Hetor.
Hetor had drawn his sword.
Melanie's soliloquy was then heard.
"I told him to remove anyone who was harassing me, so why is he drawing his sword in His Majesty's business? It's pointless."
Slightly offended, she glared at Melanie, who corrected her with a bashful smile.
"Oh, my, I guess it's because it's your in-laws' business."
"..."
Seriously.
“Look. Even if the ladies are all swearing at me, it’s rude for you to suddenly point your sword at them as well,”
Linel said to Hetor in a polite tone.
“That’s right, why are you drawing your sword?”
Miss Savannah questioned Hetor sharply.
“Are you threatening us with a sword?”
Miss Glenn snapped.
“...A pencil.”
Hetor replied quietly.
What does a pencil mean?
“Huh?”
The ladies asked collectively.
“It’s to sharpen a pencil.”
Hetor held a real pencil in his other hand.
“Why a pencil, so out of place?”
The ladies whispered and snorted.
Meanwhile, Linel spotted me and the concubines and waved.
The ladies followed his gaze and turned around, bowing.
They all blushed in embarrassment at the sight of me, but strangely, they showed no remorse.
Isn’t that quite shameless?
While I glared at the ladies, Linel continued talking about pencils.
“Ah, pencils are much needed for the writing of a heartbreaking novel right now...”
“Your Majesty!”
Hetor exclaimed.
“Oops. That’s a secret. I’m sorry.”
Linel quickly apologized and clenched his jaw.
“Did Hetor start writing again?”
I asked Melanie, delighted, and she grinned.
“Yes, he said he was starting today. I guess he was writing under a tree.”
“Oh, really?”
Then why was Linel there?
Was he peeking at Hetor’s novel, crouching next to him?
In any case, as if to prove that his sword wasn’t meant to be threatening, Hetor quickly began sharpening his pencil with his sword.
“Wow,”
I exclaimed involuntarily.
“He's sharpened it more than once or twice.”
Rosie couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“It’s more delicate than it looks,”
Melanie said with a smug expression.
"Actually, the reason we want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire is..."
Miss Ester took a deep breath and continued.
"Oh, I guess I don't need to hear the reason."
Linel cut her off.
In response, Miss Glenn scratched her neck and asked him again.
“How could Your Majesty not know the reason...?”
“How could I not know?”
Linel replied with a smile, but his voice quickly changed to a serious one.
“I completely understand how you feel. However, it is extremely foolish and reckless to risk your life based solely on appearances.”
“...Huh?”
The ladies asked in unison.
“I am not as perfect as I appear. Moreover, I am very narrow-minded when it comes to love.”
“Your Majesty, I apologize, but there seems to be a misunderstanding.”
Miss Savannah blurted out, raising a hand slightly.
“Is there anything to misunderstand about this appearance?”
He asked firmly.
But the ladies were equally firm.
“I am not suggesting such a misunderstanding!”
“I am sorry, Your Majesty, but we do not want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire because of Your Majesty’s perfect looks.”
“Yes! The reason we want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire is because of Her Highness Zelda!”
Miss Savannah glanced at me and said shyly.
“...Because of my wife?”
Linel asked with a puzzled expression.
It was something I couldn't quite understand either.
How should I take that?
Does it mean I'm easy?
After seeing I wield fire in the palace earlier?
Or do they think they're prettier than me?
Well, that's subjective, but whatever it is, it still feels unpleasant.
"Whatever the reason, I have no intention of taking any more concubines."
Linel flatly refused.
"I, really?"
Miss Ester asked sullenly.
A few seconds later, his voice broke into a solemn tone.
"I've already let go of my concubines, so how could I possibly take another?"
"I think you've come to this conclusion after comparing me to Prince Norton, but becoming my concubine will make you much lonelier."
"Your Majesty, could you please reconsider?"
Hey, I said no!
That one word boiled up in my stomach.
"You do realize that my wife is no ordinary person, right?"
Linel sighed deeply and asked the ladies.
“I don’t mean to scare you, but my wife is the kind of woman who could easily seduce any young lady if she put her mind to it.”
He said with a face that would intimidate anyone who heard him, pretending to throw fire with his fingertips.
“We also know how great Her Highness Zelda is. That’s why we want to become concubines of the Lapion Empire!”
The young ladies looked back and forth between me and Linel, muttering strange things.
“Yes! Her Highness Zelda saved us with that fire.”
“If we have to become concubines anyway, we want to be loyal to Her Highness Zelda.”
“And Your Majesty marries off most of his concubines, right?”
“Then, if we have fun with Her Highness Zelda and are lucky enough to meet a man we like, wouldn’t you marry us off too?”
“...What?”
He listened to the young ladies’ conversation quietly, then burst out laughing before furrowing his brow slightly.
At that, Miss Glenn waved her hand again and changed the subject.
“Oh, no. We don’t even hope for marriage like the young ladies do now.”
“Yes, I just want to be close to Her Highness Wyvern Lord.”
I was dumbfounded by their ceaseless stream of words.
The concubines were equally bewildered.
“If you truly respect me, wouldn’t you not be doing this?”
I had no choice but to step forward.
As I spoke with intense eyes, the young ladies looked at me with faces as if they had been heartbroken.
“Still, Your Highness Zelda...”
“I hate having to say it twice.”
“But we have already pledged our loyalty to you, Your Highness Zelda, our savior!”
“Yes. Please understand our sincerity...”
“Please accept our heart!”
“You can tell sincerity by letter. And we will only accept it with a precious gift.”
I stated my opinion clearly.
Their expressions were so pitiful that I almost gave up.
That night, Linel refused to believe the young ladies’ claim that they wanted to become his concubines because of me.
He thought that his pride had made him change his words because he had rejected them so abruptly.
***
Several days passed after I appeased the three young ladies who had sworn to become concubines of the Lapion Empire because of me.
After that matter was successfully concluded, I enjoyed a peaceful life in the palace.
Today was finally the day the new Emperor of the Pasha Empire was born.
It was also the day the Empress was welcomed.
Both the coronation and the wedding took place in the Grand Chapel of the Imperial Palace.
The wedding ceremony began immediately after the coronation.
The concubines and I forgot to attend the coronation and instead went to Rosie's bridal chamber to stay by her side.
Rosie was shaking violently, as if she were about to faint.
"I... am I shaking a lot?"
Rosie asked with a stern expression, her lips curled up.
"Yeah, I thought there was an earthquake."
I retorted, placing my hand on Rosie's shoulder, which had risen sharply.
"If someone saw me, they'd think I was being dragged to the guillotine, not to a wedding."
Melanie teased.
"At least we have a wedding dress that fits."
"I heard the designer and several tailors that Princess Jasper introduced stayed up all night for alterations, right?"
Catherine and Pecilini asked, touching the hem of Rosie's dress.
“Yes, and I think those three ladies’ breath was also there. The designer mentioned them. They did such a good job. It’s all thanks to Your Highness Zelda.”
Rosie’s eyes were getting moist.
“Ah. Rosie. Don’t cry. You mustn’t cry!”
I urged, making an X with both hands.
“That’s right. If you cry, you’ll get two trenches under your eyes even though your makeup is 1cm thick.”
Melanie waved her hands wildly as she spoke, and Rosie burst out laughing.
“Puhahahaha!”
“Yeah. It’s better than crying.”
Just in case, I placed a handkerchief under Rosie’s eyes.
Knock knock.
At that moment, the door to the bridal waiting room opened, and the servants came in.
“Your Majesty, you must prepare to enter now.”
The servants had already addressed Rosie as Empress.
Yes. Now Rosie is Empress.
It feels strange.
The other concubines’ expressions were mixed with emotions, just like mine.
“Your Majesty, we will now return to the chapel.”
I said with deliberate politeness. Melanie, Catherine, and Pecilini bowed slightly in greeting.
“Please just address me as Rosie. It’s so awkward...”
Rosie looked embarrassed, still not quite feeling it.
“Then, just call you Rosie when we’re alone today, and from tomorrow on, we’ll address you properly.”
Rosie smiled brightly and nodded at my words.
“Don’t trip and walk properly, yes?”
With Melanie’s words, the concubines and I left the bridal waiting room.
We hurried back to the designated seats for the celebratory delegation in the chapel and sat down.
Prince Norton, now in his imperial form, stood at the podium, ready to greet Rosie.
“Seeing you two brings a new feeling.”
Linel whispered, clutching my hand.
As the organ began to play, everyone’s eyes turned to the chapel door.
“If Rosie enters through that door, she will become Her Majesty the Empress of the Pasha Empire.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, overwhelmed with emotion.
Memories and friendships I'd shared with Rosie came flooding back.
Finally, the two large chapel doors slowly opened.
I waited reverently for Rosie to enter.
But then...
"Oh my, my goodness!"
"This will go down in history!"
A murmur echoed from the doorway.
All eyes were on the flower girls entering a few steps ahead of Rosie, soon to become the Empress of the Pasha Empire.
My goodness, what the hell was that?
They were Moiya and Moni.
"...Your Majesty, who ordered them to be flower girls?"
I was so dumbfounded that I could barely speak.
"Are they the ones who volunteered? Hehehe..."
So, they did it willingly?
Linel couldn't answer properly, too busy laughing at the sight of the wyvern chicks, the first on the continent to become flower girls.
Judging by Rosie's flustered expression as she walked in, it seemed she hadn't noticed at all.
I quickly scanned Emperor Norton's expression.
He hadn't noticed it at all.
Unbeknownst to the wedding guests, the flower girls were slowly flying toward the stage where Emperor Norton stood.
Now I noticed that Moiya was wearing a bow tie around his neck, and Moni had a wreath on her head.
They were quite formal as flower girls, but neither of them was wearing any clothes.
Was that like wearing socks and no pants in person?
“Oh? You’re not even clapping, you’re all just looking at us, Moiya~?”
Moiya hummed as he stuffed flower petals into the mouths of the people who were staring at them with their mouths wide open.
“Your eyes are wide open because we’re so cool, right?”
Moiya also enjoyed throwing flower petals into the faces of the surprised people.
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