When I returned to the VIP room, Linel was sitting with his back against the headboard, reading a book.
Judging by his still-dry hair, he must have just emerged from the bathroom.
Seeing him, his fresh air radiating, made me feel a surge of heat.
Sometimes, I wondered if my body was deliberately radiating heat because it wanted to make love to him.
“Did you give Rosie good advice on her first night?”
“Well, I don’t know. I’ll ask tomorrow if my advice was helpful.”
“What advice did you give me?”
“I’ll tell you after I wash up.”
I replied with a meaningful smile. He asked with an intrigued expression.
“I think I’ll understand better if you show me with actions, not words.”
“I think you’ll be surprised.”
“Will I be surprised? I’ll be looking forward to it.”
I could see curiosity in his eyes.
As I finished my bath and walked to the bed, he looked up from his book and smiled.
Seeing that smile, my tired body felt like it was awakening again.
He stretched out his arms toward me.
I hadn't intended to run, but before I knew it, I had practically thrown myself onto the bed.
"Careful."
There was a thud along with his cry.
He had been sitting with his back against the headboard, and he hugged me before slamming his head into my chest. I thought I heard the sound of a walnut cracking...
"...Are you okay?"
I safely buried his face in my chest, but the back of his head didn't seem to be safe.
"Oh, head. Who are you?"
"His Majesty's concubine."
"I thought I didn't have a concubine? I only have one wife."
"I'm a concubine. A second concubine at that."
"I don't think so."
"Really?"
I secretly hoped he'd say I was an Empress, not a concubine.
"My wife is an Empress."
As expected, he understood my heart so well...
"Acting Empress."
... I don't know.
This man, whenever I'm about to forget, always reminds me that I was the 'Acting Empress.'
Linel covered up the fact that I was the acting Empress, but he couldn't seem to stop teasing me like this. When I tucked my tail between my legs and fell silent, he laughed.
Linel's laughter caused my sullen expression to waver.
"I'll restore you as Empress as soon as I get back."
He lowered his head, gently brushing my lips against his before opening his.
"From the beginning, you were my only Empress, and you always will be."
His voice, as if proclaiming something, was thick with possessiveness.
I raised my hand and stroked his sharp jawline.
Then his eyes found mine again.
I couldn't find the moment to breathe.
Linel's hands and breath began to caress me, driven by an uncontrollable desire.
"You said you were curious about what advice I gave Rosie, right?"
I whispered through our lips, our lips briefly parting.
"Yes."
His lips, which had been breathing heavily, rose into a flowing line.
I untied the laces of my gown.
Linel's face froze.
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t need pajamas on your first night of marriage. Like, something like that?”
His eyes, drawn to me like a magnet, seemed busy.
“How am I?”
“Always wonderful...”
It wasn’t like I was covered in gold dust, but whenever he saw me, he would catch his breath and become so serious.
“My advice.”
Not what you’re seeing now.
When I asked, closing my gown again, his lips closed.
Our gazes locked.
“There’s no point in talking any further, you understand?”
Linel reached for the nightstand next to the bed where the lamp was.
As darkness fell, my gown also fell to the floor.
My pulse was racing, but the warmth of my body was calming down.
Conversely, his once cold body was warming.
“Oh, so...”
He started to speak, but was cut off.
My eyes, accustomed to the darkness, met his wet ones.
Linel looked down at me and continued.
“I love you so much.”
I felt like my soul might be sucked into those words. So I quickly blurted out the same thing.
“I love you too.”
Overcoming my shaky vision, I stared straight into his blue eyes.
Even though I had just whispered the same words, his face was as overwhelmed as if he had never heard the words “I love you” before.
His heavy breathing and persistent desire kept pulling my lips up.
The next day, after lunch, I headed to the main palace with the concubines.
The servants showed us to the reception room, where various cakes, fruits, and cookies were already set out.
“You must have put a lot of effort into this, your first tea time as Empress,”
Melanie murmured, her eyes wide as she scanned the pretty, bite-sized cakes.
“I hope you had a good first night?”
That was the most curious thing of all.
Everyone nodded in agreement as our Majesty the Empress entered the reception room.
Ah, Rosie...
I'd seen Rosie in her crown at the wedding and reception yesterday, but in just one day, she had become even more splendidly empress-like.
It wasn't just my imagination.
Everyone looked at Rosie with awe.
"Her Majesty, Empress of the Pasha Empire,"
I greeted, and the other concubines followed suit.
"Please, all have a seat."
Rosie offered a seat and smiled brightly.
"Did you sleep well last night, Your Majesty?"
I asked casually.
"Thanks to you,"
Rosie replied with a satisfied expression.
The concubines leaned in closer, their eyes filled with curiosity.
"Wasn't Emperor Norton surprised?"
"He was, but he said it was a gift he wanted."
Rosie, embarrassed yet eager to show off Emperor Norton's reaction, answered before I could even finish my question.
It was the concubines and I who blushed.
We pushed each other, rejoicing.
The sweet dessert continued the sweet story of last night, which had been even sweeter as we ate.
Rosie, controlling her tone, spoke, pausing intermittently, her expression strained for the right words. Then, as if remembering something, she repeatedly chuckled to herself.
“By the way, what about the concubine issue?”
Catherine’s question brought Rosie back to her usual sly self.
“I heard the ceremony is scheduled for a few months.”
“Don’t worry too much. Usually, when a woman from another country is chosen as Empress, it’s common to deliberately bring in a noblewoman as a concubine for the sake of the imperial family’s stability.”
“Yes, of course. I want to get along with the three young ladies being considered as concubines.”
“If they do anything impolite, please let me know immediately. I’ll send my wyverns to give them a proper lesson.”
“Just hearing your words reassures me. I heard you’re leaving for the Lapion Empire tomorrow. I wish you’d stay a few more days...”
Rosie’s previously happy face turned sour.
I was prepared, but the thought of parting ways with Rosie already made my heart ache.
As Rosie had said, I wanted to stay here a little longer.
However, due to Emperor Calvain's sudden death, my schedule had been extended by nearly a week.
Sadly, I have to leave the Pasha Empire tomorrow.
While Zelda was enjoying tea time in the main palace reception room, Norton, Linel, and several other key members of the celebratory delegation were chatting in the office, checking on the departure schedule for tomorrow.
"I briefly mentioned it a few days ago at the meeting, but I'd like to repeat it before I leave,"
Empress Elan said, taking a sip of warm mint tea and setting down her teacup.
"By the end of this month, you have agreed to send foreign ministers from the Lapion Empire, the Pasha Empire, and the Delroy Empire to the Tebello Empire. If there are any changes, please let me know by letter."
Everyone nodded in agreement with Empress Elan's request.
This was to inform some of the ministers and citizens of the Tebello Empire of the truth regarding Emperor Adrian's death and to resolve the situation.
It wasn't difficult to uncover that the real Emperor Adrian had already perished during the Continental War three years prior, and that the sorcerer Philike had been impersonating him through black magic ever since.
On board the ship bound for the Pasha Empire, the Tebello Empire's knights had learned of Emperor Adrian's true identity before his death, so they alone had ample witnesses.
Furthermore, the testimony of Bellos, Philike's mentor, further bolstered the credibility of the story.
Moreover, Emperor Adrian's personality and actions, which had changed significantly since the Battle of the Valley of Death, were viewed as extremely strange even by the ministers of the Tebello Empire.
In fact, the bigger problem was that the Tebello Empire currently had no heir to the throne.
For now, Empress Elan held all authority over the Tebello Empire.
She requested the surveillance and protection of various nations until Emperor Adrian's affairs were settled and the imperial family stabilized, and she could find and establish a suitable Emperor for the Tebello Empire.
"I have one request."
"Please speak at your leisure, Empress Elan."
Emperor Norton of the Pasha Empire, a neighboring southern continent, asked in a friendly tone.
"I need someone to assist me immediately."
After returning to the Tebello Empire, Empress Elan needed someone she could trust and rely on, not to mention her own safety.
Everyone seemed to agree with her opinion.
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
Linel asked.
He kept glancing in my direction, and I had a feeling it must be someone from the Lapion Empire.
Linel had a feeling of who Empress Elan had in mind when she spoke.
Her eyes were fixed on one person.
However, she seemed completely oblivious to that person.
“Commander Macrom.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Commander Macrom answered Linel’s call.
Empress Elan’s eyes widened slightly before lowering.
“I think you are the person Empress Elan was thinking of?”
Linel’s teasing tone made Commander Macrom stare at Empress Elan.
“That’s right. Your Majesty, could you send Commander Macrom to me for a while?”
Empress Elan felt Macrom’s gaze and asked Linel.
“I could send him for life,”
Linel replied with a hearty laugh.
“That’s not possible...”
When Empress Elan was taken aback, he continued.
“Macrom, tomorrow you will accompany Empress Elan to the Tebello Empire.”
“Tomorrow... you mean?”
“Yes. Go and let them know you’re not that talented.”
Linel said to Commander Macrom, covering his mouth with one hand as if having a secret conversation.
Laughter leaked out here and there.
Commander Macrom was too caught up in Emperor Linel’s joke to see Empress Elan’s flushed face.
After finishing tea time in the drawing room, as I was descending the main palace stairs, Melanie grabbed my arm, saying she had something to say.
“Can we stop by somewhere on the way back to the Lapion Empire? It’s very close to the Pasha Empire.”
“Where are you talking about?”
“They say the island will sink under the sea in a few years. Soon, everyone there will migrate to the Principality of Aklatto!”
Melanie stamped her feet and pleaded.
“...What?”
“If not now, there’s no reason to go to Tanya Island.”
Are you suggesting we stop by Hetor’s country?
A pirate’s den... so, a barbarian island?!
Judging by his still-dry hair, he must have just emerged from the bathroom.
Seeing him, his fresh air radiating, made me feel a surge of heat.
Sometimes, I wondered if my body was deliberately radiating heat because it wanted to make love to him.
“Did you give Rosie good advice on her first night?”
“Well, I don’t know. I’ll ask tomorrow if my advice was helpful.”
“What advice did you give me?”
“I’ll tell you after I wash up.”
I replied with a meaningful smile. He asked with an intrigued expression.
“I think I’ll understand better if you show me with actions, not words.”
“I think you’ll be surprised.”
“Will I be surprised? I’ll be looking forward to it.”
I could see curiosity in his eyes.
As I finished my bath and walked to the bed, he looked up from his book and smiled.
Seeing that smile, my tired body felt like it was awakening again.
He stretched out his arms toward me.
I hadn't intended to run, but before I knew it, I had practically thrown myself onto the bed.
"Careful."
There was a thud along with his cry.
He had been sitting with his back against the headboard, and he hugged me before slamming his head into my chest. I thought I heard the sound of a walnut cracking...
"...Are you okay?"
I safely buried his face in my chest, but the back of his head didn't seem to be safe.
"Oh, head. Who are you?"
"His Majesty's concubine."
"I thought I didn't have a concubine? I only have one wife."
"I'm a concubine. A second concubine at that."
"I don't think so."
"Really?"
I secretly hoped he'd say I was an Empress, not a concubine.
"My wife is an Empress."
As expected, he understood my heart so well...
"Acting Empress."
... I don't know.
This man, whenever I'm about to forget, always reminds me that I was the 'Acting Empress.'
Linel covered up the fact that I was the acting Empress, but he couldn't seem to stop teasing me like this. When I tucked my tail between my legs and fell silent, he laughed.
Linel's laughter caused my sullen expression to waver.
"I'll restore you as Empress as soon as I get back."
He lowered his head, gently brushing my lips against his before opening his.
"From the beginning, you were my only Empress, and you always will be."
His voice, as if proclaiming something, was thick with possessiveness.
I raised my hand and stroked his sharp jawline.
Then his eyes found mine again.
I couldn't find the moment to breathe.
Linel's hands and breath began to caress me, driven by an uncontrollable desire.
"You said you were curious about what advice I gave Rosie, right?"
I whispered through our lips, our lips briefly parting.
"Yes."
His lips, which had been breathing heavily, rose into a flowing line.
I untied the laces of my gown.
Linel's face froze.
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t need pajamas on your first night of marriage. Like, something like that?”
His eyes, drawn to me like a magnet, seemed busy.
“How am I?”
“Always wonderful...”
It wasn’t like I was covered in gold dust, but whenever he saw me, he would catch his breath and become so serious.
“My advice.”
Not what you’re seeing now.
When I asked, closing my gown again, his lips closed.
Our gazes locked.
“There’s no point in talking any further, you understand?”
Linel reached for the nightstand next to the bed where the lamp was.
As darkness fell, my gown also fell to the floor.
My pulse was racing, but the warmth of my body was calming down.
Conversely, his once cold body was warming.
“Oh, so...”
He started to speak, but was cut off.
My eyes, accustomed to the darkness, met his wet ones.
Linel looked down at me and continued.
“I love you so much.”
I felt like my soul might be sucked into those words. So I quickly blurted out the same thing.
“I love you too.”
Overcoming my shaky vision, I stared straight into his blue eyes.
Even though I had just whispered the same words, his face was as overwhelmed as if he had never heard the words “I love you” before.
His heavy breathing and persistent desire kept pulling my lips up.
***
The next day, after lunch, I headed to the main palace with the concubines.
The servants showed us to the reception room, where various cakes, fruits, and cookies were already set out.
“You must have put a lot of effort into this, your first tea time as Empress,”
Melanie murmured, her eyes wide as she scanned the pretty, bite-sized cakes.
“I hope you had a good first night?”
That was the most curious thing of all.
Everyone nodded in agreement as our Majesty the Empress entered the reception room.
Ah, Rosie...
I'd seen Rosie in her crown at the wedding and reception yesterday, but in just one day, she had become even more splendidly empress-like.
It wasn't just my imagination.
Everyone looked at Rosie with awe.
"Her Majesty, Empress of the Pasha Empire,"
I greeted, and the other concubines followed suit.
"Please, all have a seat."
Rosie offered a seat and smiled brightly.
"Did you sleep well last night, Your Majesty?"
I asked casually.
"Thanks to you,"
Rosie replied with a satisfied expression.
The concubines leaned in closer, their eyes filled with curiosity.
"Wasn't Emperor Norton surprised?"
"He was, but he said it was a gift he wanted."
Rosie, embarrassed yet eager to show off Emperor Norton's reaction, answered before I could even finish my question.
It was the concubines and I who blushed.
We pushed each other, rejoicing.
The sweet dessert continued the sweet story of last night, which had been even sweeter as we ate.
Rosie, controlling her tone, spoke, pausing intermittently, her expression strained for the right words. Then, as if remembering something, she repeatedly chuckled to herself.
“By the way, what about the concubine issue?”
Catherine’s question brought Rosie back to her usual sly self.
“I heard the ceremony is scheduled for a few months.”
“Don’t worry too much. Usually, when a woman from another country is chosen as Empress, it’s common to deliberately bring in a noblewoman as a concubine for the sake of the imperial family’s stability.”
“Yes, of course. I want to get along with the three young ladies being considered as concubines.”
“If they do anything impolite, please let me know immediately. I’ll send my wyverns to give them a proper lesson.”
“Just hearing your words reassures me. I heard you’re leaving for the Lapion Empire tomorrow. I wish you’d stay a few more days...”
Rosie’s previously happy face turned sour.
I was prepared, but the thought of parting ways with Rosie already made my heart ache.
As Rosie had said, I wanted to stay here a little longer.
However, due to Emperor Calvain's sudden death, my schedule had been extended by nearly a week.
Sadly, I have to leave the Pasha Empire tomorrow.
***
While Zelda was enjoying tea time in the main palace reception room, Norton, Linel, and several other key members of the celebratory delegation were chatting in the office, checking on the departure schedule for tomorrow.
"I briefly mentioned it a few days ago at the meeting, but I'd like to repeat it before I leave,"
Empress Elan said, taking a sip of warm mint tea and setting down her teacup.
"By the end of this month, you have agreed to send foreign ministers from the Lapion Empire, the Pasha Empire, and the Delroy Empire to the Tebello Empire. If there are any changes, please let me know by letter."
Everyone nodded in agreement with Empress Elan's request.
This was to inform some of the ministers and citizens of the Tebello Empire of the truth regarding Emperor Adrian's death and to resolve the situation.
It wasn't difficult to uncover that the real Emperor Adrian had already perished during the Continental War three years prior, and that the sorcerer Philike had been impersonating him through black magic ever since.
On board the ship bound for the Pasha Empire, the Tebello Empire's knights had learned of Emperor Adrian's true identity before his death, so they alone had ample witnesses.
Furthermore, the testimony of Bellos, Philike's mentor, further bolstered the credibility of the story.
Moreover, Emperor Adrian's personality and actions, which had changed significantly since the Battle of the Valley of Death, were viewed as extremely strange even by the ministers of the Tebello Empire.
In fact, the bigger problem was that the Tebello Empire currently had no heir to the throne.
For now, Empress Elan held all authority over the Tebello Empire.
She requested the surveillance and protection of various nations until Emperor Adrian's affairs were settled and the imperial family stabilized, and she could find and establish a suitable Emperor for the Tebello Empire.
"I have one request."
"Please speak at your leisure, Empress Elan."
Emperor Norton of the Pasha Empire, a neighboring southern continent, asked in a friendly tone.
"I need someone to assist me immediately."
After returning to the Tebello Empire, Empress Elan needed someone she could trust and rely on, not to mention her own safety.
Everyone seemed to agree with her opinion.
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
Linel asked.
He kept glancing in my direction, and I had a feeling it must be someone from the Lapion Empire.
Linel had a feeling of who Empress Elan had in mind when she spoke.
Her eyes were fixed on one person.
However, she seemed completely oblivious to that person.
“Commander Macrom.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Commander Macrom answered Linel’s call.
Empress Elan’s eyes widened slightly before lowering.
“I think you are the person Empress Elan was thinking of?”
Linel’s teasing tone made Commander Macrom stare at Empress Elan.
“That’s right. Your Majesty, could you send Commander Macrom to me for a while?”
Empress Elan felt Macrom’s gaze and asked Linel.
“I could send him for life,”
Linel replied with a hearty laugh.
“That’s not possible...”
When Empress Elan was taken aback, he continued.
“Macrom, tomorrow you will accompany Empress Elan to the Tebello Empire.”
“Tomorrow... you mean?”
“Yes. Go and let them know you’re not that talented.”
Linel said to Commander Macrom, covering his mouth with one hand as if having a secret conversation.
Laughter leaked out here and there.
Commander Macrom was too caught up in Emperor Linel’s joke to see Empress Elan’s flushed face.
***
After finishing tea time in the drawing room, as I was descending the main palace stairs, Melanie grabbed my arm, saying she had something to say.
“Can we stop by somewhere on the way back to the Lapion Empire? It’s very close to the Pasha Empire.”
“Where are you talking about?”
“They say the island will sink under the sea in a few years. Soon, everyone there will migrate to the Principality of Aklatto!”
Melanie stamped her feet and pleaded.
“...What?”
“If not now, there’s no reason to go to Tanya Island.”
Are you suggesting we stop by Hetor’s country?
A pirate’s den... so, a barbarian island?!
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