WMEEM Ch 20

First Kiss

His gaze was sharp enough to pierce right through me.

We stood so close our noses nearly touched, leaving me breathless. I wanted to push him away, but my hands lacked the strength.

Still, confirming his words took priority. What had Batizo commanded him to instruct?

[Celeste] "Education for... the wedding night?"

I questioned him, doubting my own ears.

[Terkan] "Education for the wedding night following the upcoming engagement ceremony."

The wedding night following the engagement ceremony.

I had not anticipated sharing a bed so soon after a mere engagement. I had assumed it was a formal event, but that was my own oversight. Still, this was too much.

[Celeste] "Why would he order instruction for that...?"

[Terkan] "Because His Majesty is proficient, while you are not."

I was not ignorant of matters between a man and a woman. Yet my understanding comprised only basic knowledge, which meant that Batizo possessed extensive experience.

While I had never expected Batizo to remain chaste throughout his life, hearing it confirmed brought no pleasure. Furthermore, commanding Terkan to instruct me? Humiliation and misery made me bite my lip.

Forcing his subordinate to educate his bride-to-be for his own gratification was incomprehensible. Even without offering me consideration, he shouldn't inflict such humiliation.

[Celeste] "Is this... customary in Kellinev, or only within the imperial family?"

The question sounded absurd, but I required confirmation.

[Terkan] "Such a thing has never occurred even once."

[Celeste] "If it is unprecedented, why... why would he do this?"

[Terkan] "His Majesty has continuously shattered the unwritten rules of the Kellinev imperial house. Attempting novel endeavors is hardly a first for him."

What did Batizo's recent kindness signify then?

During our dinners together, he had treated me far more gently than before. He had showered me with overflowing gifts as well.

Were those courtesies extended to an intended Empress?

Even if expecting a shift between Batizo and me was my own delusion, this went too far. Disbelief washed over me.

[Celeste] "I can't believe it. Though our marriage is forged on conditions, that is..."

Before I could finish my sentence, Terkan spoke.

[Terkan] "You may verify it directly with him."

His immediate answer confirmed Batizo's order was an absolute fact.

My mind grew chaotic, my heart heavy. As I attempted to process it, clarity failed me.

Perhaps his gifts and kindness served to pave the way for this.

Miserable hurt transformed gradually into anger. Had he consulted my thoughts even once, such fury wouldn't consume me. Then again, consulting me would likely alter nothing.

I met Terkan's unwavering eyes and asked.

[Celeste] "So what should I begin with?"

His lips curved into a subtle slant. His face drew closer still. Our noses touched as his lips hovered a breath away.

[Terkan] "Right here?"

His voice remained a quiet whisper.

[Celeste] "Here or my bedroom. It makes no difference."

Maids entered my bedroom constantly throughout the day, making this deserted location far preferable.

His breath brushed against my lips. The distinct fragrance enveloping him deepened, causing a sudden dizziness.

His ruby gaze, previously fixed on my eyes, descended to rest upon my lips.

Breathing grew shallow before anything had even begun. With his eyes still fixed on my lips, he asked.

[Terkan] "Are you certain?"

His tone was flat and even.

[Celeste] "Yes."

Perhaps because it was my first time, my heart pounded violently against my ribs.

A faint smile touched his lips.

[Terkan] "You must close your eyes."

[Celeste] "A-Ah."

I closed my eyes. Instantly, his lips pressed against mine.

A shudder ran through me. I remained motionless, unsure how to react, as time seemed to stretch.

His lips pressed down firmly, not heavily, but with a gentle pressure.

After a long moment, he pulled away. A soft exhale enveloped my ear, bringing a wave of heat.

[Terkan] "That suffices for today."

I opened my eyes slowly and found Terkan offering a soft smile.

As he released his firm grip on my coat, my body was freed. I stepped backward, trying to prevent him from hearing my wildly hammering heart.

Embarrassed, I pretended composure as I helped him drape his coat back over his shoulders. Though dizzy, I pressed my hand against the wall to steady my balance without betraying my state.

[Celeste] "I shall take my leave."

While I forced a composed front, he appeared entirely unbothered. He took his coat, put it on, and spoke.

[Terkan] "We shall progress further tomorrow night."

[Celeste] "...Very well."

[Terkan] "Watch your step as you descend."

He appeared thoroughly experienced in such matters. I was the sole one left with a wildly pounding heart and a spinning head.

I carefully descended the stairs to avoid stumbling. Reaching the bottom, I leaned against the wall and touched my lips. It was my first time feeling another person's lips upon mine.

I stroked my neck where his warm breath had lingered, then paused. The soft pressure upon my lips, the burning ear, the ceaselessly racing heart. Everything felt entirely foreign. It was a sensation go beyond mere intellectual knowledge.

Amidst it all, I had accomplished nothing, merely trembling throughout.

Is this why Batizo commanded Terkan to instruct me for the wedding night?

Still, the instruction was absurd. Earlier, I had agreed out of a burst of anger at Terkan's prompt.

[Terkan] "We shall progress further tomorrow night."

As I anticipated tomorrow, my barely calmed heart raced once more. I could find no words to describe this feeling.

---

A complete lack of focus persisted throughout the entire day.

Terkan, whom I had parted from so awkwardly this morning, arrived for our first lesson, behaving entirely as usual while I remained stiff.

When Elizaveta visited for afternoon tea, she sensed my unusual state and examined my face with concern. Tarega had reacted similarly. Both possessed sharp intuition.

[Elizaveta] "Your Highness. Did something happen?"

[Celeste] "No. I am just fatigued."

[Elizaveta] "That is because you remain cooped up in the imperial palace daily."

[Celeste] "My body is not exhausted, but my mind feels rather burdened."

[Elizaveta] "Mmm. In such times, one must catch a breath of fresh air."

[Celeste] "I take walks frequently."

[Elizaveta] "Ah. Not the garden breeze, but the air outside the imperial palace!"

She slid beside me, linking her arm with mine. She leaned in, her eyes sparkling brightly.

[Elizaveta] "How about spending tonight with me?"

[Celeste] "Just the two of us?"

[Elizaveta] "Yes. Our residence is hardly as vast as the imperial palace, but it is quite lovely. I shall arrange everything so you feel comfortable."

Her face presented an offer impossible to refuse. I harbored a desire to visit her home as well.

[Celeste] "I don't mind, but would I not impose upon the Count and Countess...?"

A sudden visit was rude, and I worried they might disfavor me.

A welcome like Elizaveta's would be ideal, yet I feared inadvertently creating distance between us.

Elizaveta was unaware of my inner hesitation and shook her head frantically. She squeezed my arm tighter, whining playfully as she rubbed her cheek against my shoulder.

Though unbecoming of her usual demeanor, she looked adorable.

[Elizaveta] "Not at all! Absolutely not! Please come. Will you not please visit? My parents desperately wish to meet you as well."

How could anyone refuse her child-like pleading?

[Celeste] "Then I shall ask His Majesty."

[Elizaveta] "I shall ensure you enjoy the most delightful time!"

Without even asking Batizo yet, Elizaveta acted as though permission were granted already.

With my mind in turmoil anyway, spending time with her felt like a welcome distraction. My reluctance to face Batizo at dinner after this morning's events also contributed to my decision.

I summoned Terkan immediately and asked him to convey my request to Batizo. Permission was granted far faster than expected.

The issue was that if Terkan accompanied us, we would share a carriage alone, and I wished to avoid being confined in a tight space with him.

[Terkan] "I have duties tonight and can't accompany you, so feel free to go with Eli."

I breathed a sigh of relief in silence.

[Elizaveta] "Terkan! There is no need for that."

She interrupted him.

[Elizaveta] "I invited her, did I not? Your Highness, I shall dispatch a carriage and escorts. Of course, I shall take measures to ensure your safe return tomorrow as well."

Uncertain if that was permissible, I glanced at Terkan. Though he wouldn't enter the Countship, having someone guard me felt uncomfortable regardless. Calling it protection was a polite euphemism for surveillance.

Within the palace, surveillance was unavoidable, yet I refused to be monitored even at Elizaveta's home. I directed a pleading look toward Terkan, asking him to trust me at a Count's residence of all places.

His brief hesitation ended quickly, yielding his approval.

[Terkan] "I entrust Her Highness to your care. Keep in mind that should any incident occur, the Guido Countship must bear full responsibility."

[Elizaveta] "Nothing. Absolutely nothing will happen!"

She waved her hand dismissively, insisting such a thing was impossible.

Though thrilled to spend time with Elizaveta, I maintained a subtle smile before Terkan.

A home other than the imperial palace. It felt akin to being invited to a friend's house.

---

[Terkan] "While I harbor no worries regarding the Guido Countship, exercise caution regardless."

I left his repeated reminders behind and departed the imperial palace.

Elizaveta had dispatched an embarrassingly plush carriage accompanied by numerous escorts.

When I arrived at the estate, Elizaveta, the Count, and the Countess greeted me at the entrance.

Their demeanor instantly explained her cheerful nature. While the Count possessed a dignified air, his wife resembled a slightly more serene version of Elizaveta.

During dinner, I met Elizaveta's three brothers. One shared her lively personality, while the other two leaned toward quiet restraint.

Regardless, our shared meal overflowed with endless laughter. Prejudices against me were nowhere to be found.

[Countess] "Your Highness, could you perhaps persuade her to do something about her hair?"

The Countess pressed her temples as if a headache struck and looked at Elizaveta.

[Celeste] "In what way?"

[Countess] "Growing it long like Your Highness or myself would be lovely. Among all the noblewomen in Kellinev, she is the sole exception. The only one!"

[Celeste] "I quite like it for its uniqueness. It grants her a confident aura, possessing a style entirely her own."

[Countess] "She is plenty confident regardless of her hair! She has been confident since birth. Nothing has changed from childhood to present. Even as she ages, she remains like this..."

A sigh followed her words, yet the Countess refrained from scolding Elizaveta directly, merely nursing her headache.

Elizaveta glanced at her mother, set down her fork, and tapped the table lightly.

[Elizaveta] "Mother, don't bring up my age. My wounds have not healed yet!"

She undoubtedly referred to her annulled engagement.

[Countess] "Are you comparing your age to mine?"

The Countess gasped in disbelief and glared at her daughter, her lips twitching. Yet Elizaveta stood her ground without yielding.

[Elizaveta] "Age is age! Besides, Her Highness loves my style."

Though bickering back and forth, the topic shifted swiftly.

Before long, jovial laughter filled the dining hall once more.

I stepped back from their conversation briefly and observed the family sharing a meal. It looked so harmonious. The thought of possessing such a family surfaced, only to be erased immediately.

To dream such dreams with Batizo was impossible, as our paths differed fundamentally. While envying Elizaveta, I accepted my reality as a woman born into this life.

Following dinner and prior to lying down for sleep, Elizaveta visited my room.

[Celeste] "Elizaveta. Did you not retire to sleep?"

She arrived at a late hour, setting an index finger against her lips to hush me.

[Elizaveta] "Your Highness. Would you care to join me somewhere exciting? Refraining out of duty while engaged left me squirming with restlessness."

[Celeste] "Where at this hour?"

[Elizaveta] "Not a dangerous place... somewhere to have wild fun?"

What manner of place offers wild fun? Curiosity flared within me, balanced by doubts regarding whether going was proper.

[Celeste] "What if someone recognizes me?"

Since we had just held a grand ball, my face was public knowledge now. Should nobles who attended the ball be present where Elizaveta intended to take me, recognition was highly likely.

[Elizaveta] "No one will recognize you."

[Celeste] "Is that possible?"

[Elizaveta] "Will you not place your trust in me just this once? Ah! If you dislike the idea, feel free to decline!"

[Celeste] "It is not that I dislike it. Can people fail to recognize my face? Is that actually possible?"

She leaned close to my ear and whispered her plan. Her words made my curiosity swell immensely, shortening my hesitation.

[Celeste] "Can just the two of us venture out?"

[Elizaveta] "A carriage and escorts are prepared already. You need only change your dress. I prepared something special."

She stepped outside briefly and returned carrying a lavish dress over her arm. When I saw the dress, my spirits soared alongside hers.

[Celeste] "However, this dress..."

[Elizaveta] "Is it too revealing?"

The neckline and back were deeply cut. A low neckline was manageable, but the exposed back presented a problem. She had prepared it without knowing about the scars spanning my back, so it was unavoidable.

[Celeste] "Because of this."

I turned around and showed my back to Elizaveta. Her mouth fell open in shock, and a prolonged silence filled the room.

[Elizaveta] "Y-Your Highness... Could His Majesty have..."

As tears welled in her eyes, I shook my head frantically to deny it.

[Celeste] "His Majesty is absolutely not such a person. These scars were inflicted in Calyx."

[Elizaveta] "Heavens, how could anyone inflict such scars upon a young lady's body..."

I took her hands as she looked ready to burst into tears.

[Celeste] "I shall tell you the details later. In any case, that is in the past, and I am fine now. I informed you beforehand so you wouldn't be startled seeing them later, but I refuse to ruin our mood over this. Besides, there is a way to cover them."

I patted the back of her hand and unbound my hair completely. As I ruffled my hair with my fingers, my voluminous golden tresses spilled over my shoulders, covering my entire back.

[Celeste] "Is it visible now?"

Elizaveta clapped her hands in delight. Her tearful eyes overflowed with laughter once more.

[Elizaveta] "No! It is completely hidden! Unless someone deliberately moves your hair aside, it is entirely invisible. Ah! We must apply makeup as well!"

[Celeste] "Why apply makeup when our faces will not be seen?"

[Elizaveta] "Even if hidden, the aura feels entirely different!"

For a complete novice in cosmetics like me, Elizaveta took charge directly.

It was our preparation for attending a masquerade ball.

---

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