WMEEM Ch 9
A Distant Marriage
No way. I shook my head in disbelief, but Terkan remained silent, sipping his tea.
Though I had no pressing need to know his age, his tight-lipped silence piqued my curiosity all the more.
[Celeste] "How old are you?"
[Terkan] "Is my age important, Your Highness?"
[Celeste] "Not particularly, but I am curious."
[Terkan] "Inheriting fairy bloodlines causes me to appear younger than my true age. That is all I shall disclose. Your life in the imperial court will grow dull moving forward, so you ought to keep at least one mystery unsolved."
He offered a vague answer and brought the topic to a close.
As he noted, his age held little importance, making further probing awkward. Perhaps I would discover it in time. Or perhaps not. It mattered little either way.
So he looks young because of his fairy ancestry.
No wonder his aura and physique differed so starkly from Batizo's.
[Celeste] "Do all Hilydians appear younger than their actual age?"
[Terkan] "Most do."
[Celeste] "That is quite a blessing. By the way, do you ever wish to return to Hilyd, or rather, Garsa now? To your homeland?"
If only I knew the location of the village holding memories of my mother, I would visit in a heartbeat. Though my memories were hazy, I missed it dearly. It even drifted into my dreams from time to time.
Once I returned to Calyx, I intended to track it down if possible.
Terkan emptied his cup, rested his laced fingers upon his knees, and shifted his gaze sideways. He lost himself in thought for a brief moment before a gentle smile curved his lips.
[Terkan] "I departed Garsa at such a tender age that few memories remain. Though it crosses my mind occasionally, I harbor no desire to return."
Leaving Garsa so young meant he had spent the following years wandering foreign lands.
Did he travel alongside his parents?
I wished to learn more about his past, yet asking felt like an intrusion into his private life.
I shall ask when we grow closer.
[Celeste] "Terkan... about last night."
The words I heard right as I collapsed resurfaced in my memory.
[Celeste] "What did you say to me when I passed out?"
[Terkan] "I called out to you."
[Celeste] "No, not that. You called me by my name."
[Terkan] "No. I did no such thing."
His expression remained entirely impassive as he denied it.
Did I mishear him?
Because my consciousness had faded, I couldn't prove whether I had truly heard it or imagined it. I was forced to drop the matter.
He shifted his posture and prepared to speak.
[Terkan] "Your Highness, a minor issue has arisen that I must convey. Regrettably, proceeding with the wedding immediately may prove difficult."
[Celeste] "Why?"
That is no minor issue. It is a critical problem.
[Terkan] "The nobility's opposition is formidable."
[Celeste] "Because of my origin."
[Terkan] "I ask that you understand their perspective."
[Celeste] "Yes, I understand."
I understood the moment I laid eyes on them. Though I had often muttered to myself, What does lineage matter anyway?, I understood their resistance to someone of my background becoming Empress of their nation.
I had heard Raff say, until my ears bled, that my existence tarnished Calyx's dignity and humiliated the imperial house.
Word circulated among the nobles that I undermined his imperial prestige. Whenever foreign delegations arrived for trade negotiations, my presence was blamed for unfavorable terms.
It went beyond that. Whenever calamity befell Calyx, the blame fell squarely on my shoulders. Lacking any logical reason, I simply accepted it as my fate. They just required a convenient scapegoat, and I fit the role perfectly.
Kellinev is likely no different.
Who would welcome a bride believed to diminish national standing and sow seeds of future misfortune as Empress?
Yet understanding their stance didn't mean surrendering to their wishes. I had a duty to fulfill, and this marriage was essential to achieve it.
[Celeste] "Will the marriage proceed despite the nobility's opposition?"
[Terkan] "Are you anxious, Your Highness?"
[Celeste] "Naturally. I am merely Calyx's fake princess."
A princess who possessed nothing and held no achievements.
[Terkan] "Set your mind at ease. Though the wedding will be delayed, as I mentioned, His Majesty is a man who honors his word."
I gave a silent nod of comprehension. Yet as I sipped my tea, Batizo's promise faded, leaving only one phrase echoing in my mind: the wedding will be delayed.
The imperial tailors arrived to take my measurements and asked if I preferred a specific design. I instructed them to use their best judgment, and afternoon had arrived by the time they departed.
Tarega returned after completing her morning lessons to attend to me. Having caught wind of rumors, she voiced her worries about the marriage.
Though I reassured her that we should wait patiently, anxiety gnawed at me since I had not glimpsed Batizo once since our arrival yesterday.
I tried to reassure myself that only two days had passed, yet Terkan's warning regarding fierce opposition echoed relentlessly in my ears.
Stifled, I longed to step outside for fresh air, but venturing beyond my assigned wing felt reckless.
[Tarega] "Your Highness, may I open the window?"
She felt equally stifled and asked as she stepped toward the window.
[Celeste] "Yes. Let us get some fresh air at least."
I perched upon the windowsill and gazed out at the distant mountains.
This place is lovely, too. Unlike my annex, which offered only suffocating walls, I can see snow-capped mountains here.
As I rubbed my shoulders against the chill, Tarega draped a shawl over me.
[Celeste] "Are your lessons difficult?"
[Tarega] "I was overly frightened, Your Highness. Once I started, it proved quite manageable."
[Celeste] "What a relief. How is your room? I wish to inspect it myself, but my current standing prevents me..."
[Tarega] "Don't worry, Your Highness. It is a private room and quite spacious."
[Celeste] "Are they serving proper meals?"
[Tarega] "Of course."
[Celeste] "If it were up to me, I would have you stay here alongside me."
Pain had consumed my thoughts last night, sparing me from nightmares, but I didn't know what tonight held. Yet I could hardly demand Tarega sleep beside me, leaving me no choice but to pray for a peaceful night.
[Tarega] "You will sleep soundly tonight, Your Highness."
She squeezed my hand in gentle comfort.
As I turned my eyes back toward the distant peaks, voices wafted up from beneath the window. Because my suite was situated on the third floor, most conversations below carried clearly.
[Man] "Today's council drags on endlessly. The Count entered His Imperial Majesty's office early this morning and has not emerged since."
[Man] "It is no matter to settle swiftly. Who could have imagined such a woman becoming Empress of the great Kellinev Empire?"
Both speakers sounded like noble attendants.
Do they not realize my room sits directly above them?
When my name surfaced, Tarega moved to close the window, but I caught her arm to stop her.
[Celeste] "Shh. Lower your voice."
[Man] "Why His Majesty brought back a woman branded not merely a fake princess, but a foolish one, is beyond comprehension..."
[Man] "A maid who glimpsed the princess this morning affirmed she is indeed foolish. She bathed and brushed her hair herself prior to breakfast! Uneducated and completely devoid of royal dignity."
Bathing and combing my hair unassisted had become a crime. Having performed those tasks my entire life without a second thought, I found it bewildering that self-reliance was considered a lack of royal dignity.
Why must royalty refrain from handling tasks they can manage themselves?
[Man] "Princess Herodia, despite coming from a small kingdom, would be far preferable. Her marriage proposals arrive continuously, do they not?"
Hearing that a princess from another country repeatedly sent marriage proposals to Batizo made me strain my ears further.
[Man] "Even if it is a modest kingdom, an unblemished bloodline is far superior. Though discussing this amongst ourselves accomplishes nothing."
I released Tarega's hand and stepped back from the window.
Even the noble servants held a negative view of this marriage. At this rate, I might be forced into a marriage opposed by every citizen of the Kellinev Empire.
[Tarega] "This is just the beginning, Your Highness."
She wrapped her arms around my shoulders in comfort.
[Tarega] "Don't let it dishearten you. Does the ultimate decision not rest with the Emperor? Though I voiced my worries earlier out of concern, I believe everything will turn out well."
Tarega offered soothing reassurance. Yet the venomous words an intoxicated Raff uttered on the night before my departure flickered in my mind.
[Raff] "You believe you will become Empress? You have not married the Emperor yet. Do you think the nobles of Kellinev will accept a lowly creature like you?"
His words had become a curse. Yet even if it demanded time, I refused to let Raff's malicious wish come to pass.
Batizo sent an invitation to dine together this evening, apologizing for leaving me to eat alone yesterday.
Determined to avoid indigestion, I chewed slowly and took small bites.
My inexperience with a fork and knife contributed to my caution. I refused to appear ignorant of dining etiquette before him. I needed to keep a low profile and conceal my flaws as much as possible.
Because we sat at opposite ends of the broad dining table, he couldn't clearly observe my awkward handling of the cutlery, granting me a meager reprieve.
Seeing him after two days, I found him far more formidable and intimidating than he had been in Calyx. The suffocating atmosphere seemed to press heavily upon my shoulders.
[Batizo] "Do you recall?"
He asked before taking a sip of red wine.
[Celeste] "To what do you refer, Your Majesty?"
I weighed every word carefully.
Gentle and warm, yet dignified and solemn.
Though intended for subordinates, applying such decorum to everyone, including Batizo, seemed wise. I regretted not consulting Terkan in advance.
[Batizo] "You assured me that you learn quickly."
[Celeste] "Yes, I remember."
[Batizo] "Can you learn anything?"
[Celeste] "What must I learn?"
[Batizo] "The nobility fiercely opposes our marriage."
His expression turned grave. His already stern features hardened, growing all the more intimidating.
[Celeste] "I heard from Terkan."
[Batizo] "I managed to persuade them, but they attached a condition."
[Celeste] "What condition?"
[Batizo] "They demand that you undergo imperial education."
[Celeste] "What does imperial education entail?"
[Batizo] "Extensive study: broad knowledge, refined decorum fit for an Empress, and..."
He paused mid-sentence, let out a faint chuckle, and waved his hand dismissively.
[Batizo] "That comes last. In any case, you have much to master."
[Celeste] "If it guarantees our marriage, I shall do it. I must keep my promise to you."
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly before settling back into place.
I tightened my grip on the fork and knife. I needed to offer him certainty and hear that same certainty returned.
[Celeste] "Therefore, Your Majesty must honor your promise as well."
[Batizo] "...Of course."
Our discussion regarding imperial education continued. Batizo informed me that several tutors would be assigned tomorrow, with Terkan scheduled to spend the most time with me.
I felt comfortable with Terkan; since he had promised to guide me toward perfection, spending more time with him offered a clear advantage.
[Batizo] "Is your suite to your liking?"
The question felt uncharacteristic of Batizo, causing me to pause briefly before I replied.
[Celeste] "Yes, it is magnificent."
[Batizo] "Does the food suit your palate?"
[Batizo] "You appear to eat very little."
[Celeste] "You notice everything, Your Majesty."
I spoke out of fear that he had observed my awkward handling of the knife.
[Batizo] "I can observe what enters your mouth, at least."
[Celeste] "It is very delicious."
[Batizo] "There is no need for empty politeness."
[Celeste] "I am not being polite. Yesterday, I ate so well I suffered indigestion."
Only then did he drop his inquiries about the food.
[Batizo] "Is there anything you require?"
[Celeste] "No, Your Majesty. However, I have one request."
I hesitated over whether it was appropriate to ask, but I gathered my courage.
[Celeste] "May I explore the imperial palace grounds?"
[Batizo] "Of course."
He looked at me as if asking why I bothered seeking permission for something so obvious.
[Celeste] "Thank you, Your Majesty."
[Batizo] "Ah, but restricted areas guarded by sentries are off-limits."
[Celeste] "Understood."
[Batizo] "Is that so exciting? Your sullen face brightened instantly. So you know how to smile like that."
My excitement had slipped out unconsciously, despite Terkan's constant reminders to keep my expression controlled.
[Celeste] "My apologies. As you know, I lived confined to an annex in Calyx..."
[Batizo] "Hmm. There is no need to apologize. You may ask Terkan regarding such matters rather than waiting for me."
No further conversation passed between us. Yet unlike the suffocating tension at the start of the meal, his parting words carried a surprising warmth, bringing a wave of relief.
Batizo finished the meal by noting that seeing each other for a time would be difficult, then turned on his heel. Unlike the milder atmosphere during dinner, his retreating back felt cold and distant.
[Celeste] "I wish he had offered a simple goodnight."
If he had, perhaps tonight would be free of nightmares.
When I realized the words had slipped out, I clapped a hand over my mouth.
Thank goodness I spoke softly. What if someone heard?
Why did I even entertain such thoughts? Is this unfamiliar environment making me feel lonely?
Insane.
I shook my head in exasperation.
The following day, the tutors assigned to instruct me arrived to offer greetings.
Kellinev history and geography, world geography and political affairs, economics, languages of the Eastern Continent, imperial etiquette, and more.
An overwhelming curriculum awaited me. Furthermore, Terkan was assigned to teach me foundational reading and writing.
Though I had boldly claimed I was capable, anxiety began to mount.
Can I master all of this?
Terkan later informed me that I had been granted one year. Mastering every subject within one year was the condition for the wedding to proceed. That meant a return to Calyx within a year was impossible.
Then again, having waited over a decade, what was one more year? Moving forward, my sole focus would be my studies.
With lessons set to commence tomorrow, I intended to rest today, but Terkan noted that one last person had yet to arrive.
[Celeste] "Who is it?"
Though the appointed hour had long passed, the missing individual showed no sign of appearing.
[Terkan] "They shall arrive shortly."
Just as he finished speaking, a knock sounded, and the door swung open.
[Woman] "Your Highness! Forgive my tardiness. I intended to arrive early, but an urgent matter arose. I am deeply sorry!"
A striking woman with short hair stepped into the room.
It was my first time encountering a woman with hair reaching only her neck. Though my interactions had been limited, every noblewoman I saw at the banquet possessed long hair. Even in books, women invariably wore their hair long.
Can women wear short hair in Kellinev?
[Terkan] "Welcome. Offer your greetings to Her Highness first."
He greeted her on my behalf while I stared at her in dazed fascination.
If you enjoy it, feel free to leave a rating or review on Naver Series and Novel Updates.
Comments