WMEEM Ch 16

Herodia and Aranad (2)

[Celeste] "Pleased to meet you, Princess Herodia."

Unlike Herodia, who curtsied deeply, Celeste offered merely a subtle nod.

The moonlight illuminated Celeste from behind, making her look far more breathtaking than Herodia had envisioned. In her mind, Celeste had been hideous.

Herodia had been shocked upon receiving Emperor Batizo's invitation. Though he had ignored her marriage proposals, she had never imagined another woman existed.

She gathered intelligence on Batizo constantly. She had heard news that a woman had arrived at Kellinev's imperial palace, but she had never known the woman was his intended bride. It was an unpredictable turn of events.

Batizo was a man who despised women, delaying marriage to avoid being bound. Thus, he cycled through countless women in his bedchamber.

Herodia paid it no mind. So long as he settled down with no single woman, that sufficed. As Emperor, he would marry eventually. As long as that bride was Herodia herself, nothing else mattered.

She believed that regardless of how many women Batizo had seen in the past or whom he loved, she would be the one to claim the Empress' throne, his final woman.

Yet now he possessed a bride-to-be. She refused to stand idly by and dispatched informants to discover the bride's identity. When she learned the woman was Calyx's notorious fake princess, she rejoiced.

Because those initial reports lacked details, she investigated further. She received word that the princess was hideous and ignorant. Rumors circulated throughout Calyx, praising Emperor Raff's noble character for caring for such an unsightly princess rather than casting her out.

Herodia assumed the two empires had arranged the union through a secret transaction. She was hardly alone in that assumption. Sudden marriages between nations invariably masked ulterior motives.

Since Batizo and Celeste were not marrying for love, she merely needed to offer an equally lucrative deal. Yet Celeste's appearance contradicted her intelligence reports entirely, leaving her flustered.

Lustrous, voluminous golden hair paired with violet eyes. Fair skin that looked soft without even a touch, and cheeks flushed in a delicate pink that she favored.

And her petite frame….. It was obvious she would resemble a doll in any dress.

I will skin those useless informants alive. How on earth is that hideous?

Furthermore, her delicate looks contrasted sharply with her articulate manner of speech.

Is she putting on airs because she carries the title of fake princess?

[Herodia] "You know who I am?"

[Celeste] "I saw you arriving from my reception room window. You were so remarkably beautiful that I inquired about your identity."

Celeste offered a warm smile.

Irritation flared within Herodia as she watched Celeste's relaxed composure while she herself stood on high alert. As Herodia pondered her response, she decided to abandon subtlety, since Celeste assumed such an unbothered stance.

[Herodia] "I made an effort because there is someone here I wish to look beautiful for."

She awaited the inevitable question asking who that person was. So she could utter Batizo's name immediately.

[Celeste] "What a relief that your efforts yielded such results. You are gorgeous, Princess Herodia."

Contrary to her expectations, Celeste refrained from asking who that person was. Yet her tone remained gracious.

[Celeste] "How are your quarters? Should you experience any discomfort, feel free to inform me anytime."

[Herodia] "Thank you..."

Thank you?! This is completely off script!

Herodia shook her head to gather her wits.

She is too ignorant to grasp my subtle jabs, and I am letting myself get dragged into her pace!

Her father, the King of Cronak, always said: If you can't claim it, don't begin.

She had begun because she was resolved to claim Batizo. Therefore, she would drop indirect speech and state it plainly.

[Herodia] "Your Highness. I love His Majesty. The person I wish to look beautiful for is him as well."

Now Celeste seemed to grasp her meaning. Her violet eyes widened, and her smiling lips flattened into a firm line.

[Celeste] "His Majesty is a captivating man. So many women love him."

[Herodia] "Most of those women lack royal bloodlines like mine, do they not? You must not compare me to such lowly commoners."

Such lowly commoners.

A direct jab criticizing Celeste's bloodline.

How dare a lowly creature try to marry Emperor Batizo?

[Celeste] "Princess Herodia. I am not comparing you. I mean, you are one among many women who love His Majesty. Furthermore, he places little value upon bloodlines. Is choosing me as Empress not proof enough?"

Herodia stood speechless. The woman Batizo had chosen was Celeste.

Though she longed to retort, no words came to her mind. Her lips merely twitched before she blurted out:

[Herodia] "His Majesty is blinded by something at present. He will soon realize..."

[Celeste] "Princess. Don't insult His Majesty."

Celeste's violet eyes issued a cold warning.

Shut your mouth immediately. Don't presume to question Batizo's judgment.

Now Herodia couldn't even move her lips. Celeste's vanished smile returned.

[Celeste] "You must be exhausted after traveling a long distance today, so please go and rest."

[Herodia] "I... I..."

[Celeste] "It is quite late, Princess."

[Herodia] "I... I will not surrender!"

Her voice trailed off. Herodia offered a quick bow and turned on her heel.

She returned straight to her assigned quarters, collapsed into her nanny's arms, and wept.

[Herodia] "Waaah! I loved him ten years before she did! Why is it not me?! What do I lack compared to that princess?! Waaaaah!"

Her loud wailing echoed through the night without end.

---

[Celeste] "Far more aggressive than I anticipated."

Left alone in the garden after Herodia departed, I murmured to myself with a sigh.

I was startled. Had I not forced myself to stay calm, I might have snapped at her brazen declaration of love for Batizo. Despite her sophisticated appearance, her speech and demeanor were remarkably childish.

At a glance, she appeared a year or two older than me, but that was clearly a misconception. Then again, her behavior toward her maid beneath my window had already hinted at her true nature.

Though I managed to silence Herodia tonight, I didn't know what the future held.

[Terkan] "The wind is chilly."

He arrived unannounced and draped a shawl over my shoulders. In my haste to greet Aranad, I had forgotten all about a wrap.

[Celeste] "Did you see?"

[Terkan] "Yes. All of it."

[Celeste] "I knew she wouldn't surrender easily, but I never expected such a direct confrontation."

[Terkan] "You have a demanding ordeal ahead."

[Celeste] "Do you think so?"

[Terkan] "An ordinary princess who values dignity and decorum is manageable, but an unreasonable person proves difficult."

[Celeste] "Indeed. To speak so bluntly to my face..."

Had she been an elegant, dignified princess, I wouldn't have been so flabbergasted. Though, of course, such a rival would have proven equally suffocating.

[Celeste] "Still, I found myself slightly envying a princess like her."

[Terkan] "In what regard?"

Terkan asked as if unable to comprehend.

[Celeste] "A confidence that only someone raised with love can possess? I saw that in her."

[Terkan] "Being raised with love bears no direct correlation with confidence. However, it is true that Princess Herodia received immense affection as Cronak's youngest princess."

[Celeste] "No wonder. She was actually quite endearing."

Especially that dress laden with frills and ribbons. Her unreasonable behavior was only possible because everyone around her indulged her every whim.

Herodia would likely wear a gown fully reflecting her tastes to the ball as well. Though I felt sorry for the head seamstress, I intended to ask her to strip every frill from my gown.

[Celeste] "Ah, by the way... did you mention Aranad to His Majesty? I saw that he arrived."

[Terkan] "Yes. Knowing he is your cherished friend, I suggested sending an invitation. His Majesty readily granted permission, so I dispatched it."

I wished to express my gratitude to Terkan, but I held my tongue, remembering his advice to save words of thanks for subordinates.

[Celeste] "Well done. I missed him so much."

[Terkan] "Having known him since childhood, I understand your bond is exceptionally deep, yet I ask that you refrain from embracing or holding hands moving forward."

[Celeste] "Did you witness me meeting him as well?"

[Terkan] "It happened unintentionally."

[Celeste] "I will say this once more: Aranad and I don't share that sort of relationship. Regardless, I shall exercise caution."

Though I regretted that I could no longer interact with Aranad as freely as before, it was unavoidable. It was far better to avoid attracting public scrutiny or courting gossip in the first place.

[Celeste] "Is dining with him tomorrow morning acceptable?"

[Terkan] "Of course."

[Celeste] "What a relief that we can at least share a meal."

[Terkan] "I hope you enjoy your time together."

I needed to summon Aranad early in the morning since we had so much to discuss.

While I usually read during breakfast, that would be impossible tomorrow, meaning I had to cut back on sleep tonight instead.

Even though I was sacrificing more sleep, the prospect of spending time with Aranad filled me with pure joy.

---

Morning arrived.

To Aranad, seeing Celeste sitting across from him felt like a dream.

When he heard news that she had departed to marry the Emperor of Kellinev, he feared he would never lay eyes on her again. Because rumors painted Batizo as no ordinary man, the terror that she had walked straight into hell had kept Aranad awake at night.

He had desperately sought word of her, yet Kellinev was distant, and his body remained frail. Hiring informants had crossed his mind, yet with his daily movements monitored, even that proved difficult.

Thus, thoughts of Celeste consumed his mind entirely, making his heart swell to bursting when he saw her like this. Her luxurious gown, styled hair, noticeably brighter voice, and beaming smile felt dreamlike. Her beauty shone all the more brilliantly.

Celeste had been lovely even when she lived in Calyx's annex. Though clad in shabby rags and occasionally covered in wounds, she had always offered a radiant smile whenever she saw him.

Seeing Celeste smile through such miserable squalor broke his heart, making him detest his useless self for offering no aid.

If anyone asked for my sole wish, it was your happiness. Yet are you happy now?

Your face says so, but is it the truth?

[Celeste] "Did you receive my letter?"

She asked with flushed cheeks.

[Aranad] "Yes, I received it. Did you write it yourself?"

While the handwriting belonged to her, not a single word contained a grammatical error.

[Celeste] "Of course! I wrote it myself. I read and write quite well now, and I know an immense number of words too."

As she spoke proudly, Aranad reached out and stroked her hair.

[Aranad] "You studied diligently. Good girl."

[Celeste] "It feels wonderful to receive your praise. Besides, I am studying other subjects as well."

Celeste offered a clear laugh and chattered enthusiastically about her current lessons.

She had grown brighter than before. Healthy weight filled her cheeks, and unlike past winters when colds plagued her constantly, she appeared radiant. Yet fatigue showed upon her face.

[Aranad] "Are you lacking sleep?"

She pressed her hand to her cheek.

[Celeste] "Is it that obvious?"

[Aranad] "Your eyes carry exhaustion."

[Celeste] "I suppose cutting back on sleep due to my overwhelming workload shows. Still, I feel fine physically."

[Aranad] "I understand your heart, but pace yourself. You will ruin your health."

[Celeste] "Tarega scolds me daily about my health as well, but I have no choice."

A shadow flickered across her face, yet vanished instantly as she smiled and lifted a forkful of food.

[Aranad] "Your appetite has increased."

[Celeste] "Yes. I must eat well to stay healthy, and only with good health can I accomplish what I desire."

Though she framed it that way, memories of hunger undoubtedly drove her.

Celeste ate as though intending to clear her plate completely, only to halt mid-motion. She claimed she was full and began nagging Aranad, whose plate remained heavily laden with food.

[Celeste] "Are you still eating so little?"

[Aranad] "No, my appetite has grown too. I simply lack an appetite in the morning."

[Celeste] "Eat more regardless."

Celeste narrowed her eyes, warning that she would watch until he finished.

[Aranad] "Yes, ma'am. I suppose I must finish out of sheer terror."

Though his mouth felt dry, he resolved to finish his meal for her sake. As he ate, the food slid down surprisingly well.

To think a day would arrive when I could sit across from her and share a meal peacefully.

A day he had never dared dream of had finally come.

[Aranad] "Is Emperor Batizo good to you?"

[Celeste] "Yes. Look at this."

She extended her hand toward Aranad. A radiant ring rested upon her finger.

[Celeste] "It is a ring I admired at the jewelry shop. I returned empty-handed because it was too expensive, yet he presented it as a gift that very evening."

As she gazed at the ring, her eyes curved into crescent moons. With so much to share, her ceaseless voice sounded like music.

How long had it been since the two of them had shared such peaceful laughter?

[Aranad] "Are you happy?"

It was the one thing he desperately needed to know.

[Celeste] "Happy? I don't fully grasp what happiness means... Is this what happiness feels like?"

She asked in return.

[Aranad] "Every person measures happiness differently, so only you can know if you are happy."

[Celeste] "Then when are you happy?"

He struggled to answer.

What did happiness mean to him? Though he had posed the question to Celeste first, finding an answer to her counter-question proved difficult.

[Aranad] "I... I think I am happy when the people I love are happy."

[Celeste] "I suppose so. Seeing Tarega joyful makes me happy as well. I don't know if that means happiness, but in any case, my current life is not bad at all."

[Aranad] "Then that is enough."

[Celeste] "You will attend my wedding, right?"

Once again, an answer failed to come readily for Aranad.

Could I bear to witness your wedding? Could I endure seeing you belong to another?

Yes... I prayed for your happiness. If you are happy, then I am happy as well.

[Aranad] "Yes. I shall attend."

He nodded vigorously.

[Celeste] "Raff will not be attending, so you will feel quite comfortable."

[Aranad] "He is not coming."

[Celeste] "There is no chance he would come, which suits me far better."

As their meal finished, the maid prepared tea.

Celeste regretted that she had so much left to share when she had to attend lessons. She looked disappointed, which prompted Aranad to suggest dining together again tomorrow.

Reuniting with her when he had feared he never would and sharing meals over the coming days filled Aranad with genuine joy.

Just as Celeste set down her teacup and noted that her lesson was starting, a knock sounded at the door.

Terkan entered the room. He spotted Aranad and offered a brief bow…..

A stream of crimson blood trickled from her nose.

[Terkan] "Your Highness!"

[Aranad] "Celeste!"

Both men called her name in unison. Yet it was Terkan who rushed to her side first.

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