Chapter 2 Part 5

While the journey might be a taxing ordeal for the Emperor and Empress, the citizens had waited at least half a day for this event. For the common folk, who rarely saw the royals, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the royalty.

 

 

 

“As for Your Majesty…”

 

 

 

Noticing Rahil’s expression, Anais suddenly became aware of the sparkle in his eyes. When they first entered the venue, she wondered why he looked at her so intently, and when exiting, she thought he seemed somewhat disgruntled.

 

 

 

Of course. It must be because he married a woman he didn’t love to protect the woman he did.

 

 

 

Personal feelings aren’t required in a marriage of convenience. But given that they’d be together for a long time and would have children, Anais hoped they could at least become friends or colleagues.

 

 

 

‘But…’

 

 

 

What’s with this? His bright, boyish gaze felt unfamiliar. It can’t be fun to make wedding vows with another woman in front of the one you love, right? Why are his eyes shining?

 

 

 

‘Is he naive, or just thoughtless?’

 

 

 

If it were anyone else, they might have doubted Rahil’s feelings and held some expectations. But Anais knew the Duke. With memories of her past life, she wasn’t naive enough to think that Rahil, the sub male lead, might perhaps have feelings for her.

 

 

 

‘Optimistic to a fault. People don’t easily fall in love, nor do their feelings change so swiftly.’

 

 

 

Could his behavior be out of curiosity…? Or perhaps the joy of making a new friend? She found it hard to believe either possibility.

 

 

 

Intending to tell Rahil not to embarrass her with a face like a cow being led to slaughter, Anais became awkward.

 

 

 

‘Is he fine with this marriage? Is he acting this way to save face in front of Angelica?’

 

 

 

“…Please inform me if you’re tired. We still need to attend the after-party, so don’t overexert yourself.”

 

 

 

The party would have already begun in another ballroom of the main palace. Although the Emperor and Empress would only join five hours later, some nobles had already entered the ballroom.

 

 

 

“That’s expected. I’m glad you’re staying spirited. I was worried you might look downcast.”

 

 

 

“For me, my dignity is just as important as Your Majesty’s.”

 

 

 

As she responded while holding Rahil’s hand, he let out a pleasant chuckle. Such a magnificent laugh could have made the nearby maids blush, but given Rahil’s history, Anais felt nothing.

 

 

 

With Anais taking long strides, Rahil followed behind. The difference between her dress and his formal attire soon made him appear as if he were escorting her.

 

 

 

Anais didn’t pay it any mind. She was more concerned about what would happen at the subsequent reception ball.

 

 

 

‘The first dance…’

 

 

 

Rahil wasn’t completely clueless, so he would obviously have the first dance with Anais, his bride. The problem lay in what came next. If Rahil were to dance with Angelica for the second dance, rumors would fly. The third, even the fourth, would not be good either.

 

 

 

‘Telling this fool won’t make any difference… He might get delusional and think I’m into him.’

 

 

 

It was expected that being the Empress would invite certain compromises. She had also resolved to maintain her dignity as long as she was married to Rahil.

 

 

 

‘I’ll have my first romantic relationship with a paramour (consort). My first kiss will be with him, too.’

 

 

 

Given her position, she would have to carefully choose her paramour. Anais had the common sense not to get involved with a married man. If rumors about the Empress being unhappy with the Emperor spread, seductions from all sides would be inevitable, making her choices rather convenient.

 

 

 

‘Foreign nobles could be spies, which would be problematic… Someone of a lesser title or removed from power would be preferable.’

 

 

 

Someone stubborn enough to trust would be ideal. She’d like them to be more handsome than Rahil, but whether that was feasible was yet to be seen.

 

 

 

“The carriage is this way.”

 

 

 

As they reached the gilded carriage, Rahil quickly stepped forward. An attendant had already opened the door, and he swiftly lifted her into the carriage.

 

 

 

“Huh?!”

 

 

 

Startled, she looked up to see his mischievous smile. Instead of scolding, Anais just narrowed her eyes slightly. She couldn’t comprehend his high spirits.

 

 

 

“Let’s go.”

 

 

 

Following Anais, Rahil climbed into the carriage, took his seat, and signaled to move. Anais, looking at his radiant smile under the sunlight, found him genuinely peculiar.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Cheers continuously erupted from the crowd. Though Rahil’s ascension was a joyous occasion, this was his wedding.

 

 

 

There had been rumors about the Emperor’s long-standing love for a certain noblewoman who became the Duchess of Calix, but that was one thing, and this was another.

 

 

 

They didn’t even know the face of the Duchess of Calix. For them, the entire spectacle was the face of the Empress, holding the Emperor’s hand, slowly riding through the city in their carriage. She was more beautiful than a princess from legends, fulfilling and even exceeding the people’s fantasies.

 

 

 

Even if it was just a fleeting fantasy, the people were entranced by her.

 

 

 

The carriages that followed, laden with gifts, were incredibly generous. With joyous faces, children held gift bags as they returned home. There were gold coins for adults and sweets for children.

 

 

 

Moreover, a week-long festival was scheduled, and fireworks were planned for the evening. Both adults and children were excited.

 

 

 

After the exhaustive procession, Anais, on her way back to the palace, dozed off. Only having consumed water since morning for the sake of her wedding dress, combined with the mental and physical toll, had taken its toll on her.

 

 

 

‘I thought my face would spasm from the strain.’

 

 

 

There’s a limit to how much one can keep smiling and waving. After the wedding and before changing her clothes, if Mary hadn’t given her a light snack, she might have fainted.

 

 

 

Although the carriage arrived at the palace, Rahil signaled for quiet. He opened the carriage door and carried her out, yet Anais didn’t wake.

 

 

 

‘Is she tired?’