Chapter 218: Chapter 109 (2) – I Appoint You the New Empress of the Marvinus Empire
[Side Story: The First Episode]
Even if she was selfish about that, she wanted such a relationship; a relationship where she could continue to hide her own secrets, but the other person had nothing to hide from her. Thus, the relationship would be one in which she was absolutely superior!
“…You say it was ‘nothing much’, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed.”
“…I was worried. Your Majesty was groaning, and continuing to sweat as well.”
“I mean, is that something new? It is not like this is the first day or two of that happening.” His strangely exhausted tone was filled with irritation, as if something was getting on his nerves.
Rosemond was anxious about how the atmosphere was going in a strange direction, and did not like it at all. Her instincts were telling her it was time to step away and head back, but Rosemond decided to go against her instincts for the first time and stay in place. She asked with a cute display of affection, “But I am next to Your Majesty now. Forget all about such an evil and wicked woman, and solely look at me now. Yes?”
“…Alright,” Lucio replied in a sighing voice. “I will do that. I should do that.”
“…”
“A lot of people have been sacrificed to get to where we are at, so of course I should.”
“…Why does it sound like Your Majesty’s words are laced with sarcasm?” Rosemond asked with a slightly twisted expression. “I must simply be mistaken about that, right, Your Majesty?”
“Sure. It is because I am feeling a little tired today. I have been feeling a bit weird since earlier.”
His tired voice seemed to be telling her to leave his room, so Rosemond’s mood had now completely plummeted. However, she did not give up there, and brought up the reason for her visit, “Well, Your Majesty. Speaking of that, by the way…”
“Hm?”
“When in the world will the coronation for the new Empress be held? It has already been close to a month since the dethroned Empress was executed.”
“…Do not complain and whine about that. Everything must go through the necessary procedures.”
“Yes? But… it has already been a month, Your Majesty. Would that not be more than enough time to begin going through the necessary procedures?”
“Do you think that everything in the Marvinus Empire revolves around you? There is a huge pile of work to take care of besides that, and fortunately, there is no additional matters that have to be taken care of by the Inner Palace for a while.” Lucio paused as he spoke this far, and realized he might have shown too much annoyance with his reaction. He apologized after a while, “…I am sorry, Rose. I have acted in an excessively insensitive way.”
Rosemond was a little comforted by his words, but her disturbed feelings were not completely alleviated. However, she vowed to herself that she would behave like a saint who understood everything about him. She still needed him for the time being.
“… It is alright, Your Majesty.” Rosemond showed a pretentious smile, and spoke fondly to him, “It does make sense that Your Majesty is feeling a bit sensitive. How busy have you been these days? Your Majesty has a lot of work to take care of, and a lot of things to worry about…”
“…”
“It would be better to take a break. Would you like to sleep more?”
“No. I would rather get up now. There is a mountain of work to take care of.”
“…Very well then, Your Majesty.” Rosemond carefully helped him up, and he proceeded to stagger slightly, and soon collapsed into her arms. Holding him steady, Rosemond whispered, “Your Majesty, if you gain some time for leisure, it would be nice to go on a vacation to relax somewhere.”
“…Should we do that?”
“Yes. You said there was a location full of hot springs, not far from the Imperial Palace, that the previous Emperors had often visited and enjoyed? I think it would be nice to go there.”
“That is not a bad idea either,” Lucio agreed in a slightly tired tone.
Rosemond patted Lucio’s back soothingly and whispered in a loving voice, “Everything will be fine.”
—–
Rosemond’s wish came true. A few days later, Lucio made an official announcement to everyone that he would appoint Rosemond as the new Empress of the Marvinus Empire. Of course, when Rosemond heard the news, she was ready to jump with delight.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
As Glara spoke in a laughing voice, Rosemond threw her weight around, her attitude displaying how full of herself she was, “What about it, like this is anything new. Is this not what we had already all been expecting?”
“But still. Your Majesty’s heartache was beyond severe through all of this, was it not?”
-That is true,- Rosemond muttered to herself. But, after all, that was also a thing of the past. Anyway, she was now going to become the future Empress. All of the agony from the past could just be flung far away. Above all, the future to come would fully be owned by her.
“Now the Marvinus Empire will all belong to Your Majesty.”
“The Marvinus Empire belongs to His Majesty. I am simply his Empress.”
“But, is it not true that ‘it is the man who rules the world’ and ‘the one to tame such a man is a woman,’ Your Majesty? His Majesty is held so tightly and unable to move in the palm of Your Majesty’s hand, and so the Marvinus Empire is naturally in the palm of Your Majesty’s hand as well.”
“How can you be so…” Rosemond asked joyfully, “…good with only choosing pretty words to say to flatter me?”
Obviously, this was a stark contrast to the way she had exploded in anger a few days prior, saying that she had not been properly honored and called with her rightful title. This was not something that Glara and Rosemond were not aware of, but they did not mention the fact. At the end of the day, the important thing was the future, not the past.
—–
“Her Majesty is now entering.”
Rosemond took a step into the cathedral at the servant’s serious voice. Today was the day of her coronation. The venue it was taking place at was at St. East Cathedral, where Lucio’s coronation to become the Emperor had also taken place.
-Finally!- Rosemond began to walk forward in her high heels, step by step, her expression thrilled. She was shining ever so brilliantly in the solemn atmosphere. She was certainly beautiful, and as a matter of fact, probably the most beautiful woman in the entire Marvinus Empire. Ignoring her character and past deeds, that much was undeniable.
When she finally stood in front of the greatest and most powerful man in the country, the priest gave her a signal that she should kneel and bow her head. She willingly did so.
—
“Rosemond Mary Aster de Marvinus!”
Finally, her last name had been changed! Marvinus, the last name of the Imperial Family, which only the Empress could take on as her own! She was overwhelmed with emotion, and her smile filled her face. Lucio’s face was hard to make out because he had lowered his head, but she thought that he surely had a thrilled expression as well.
Why would he not be happy? He had even gotten his hands dirty by shedding blood to elevate her to become the new Empress. Of course, it was a given that he should be happy!
“In the name of the Emperor, I appoint you as the new Empress of the Marvinus Empire.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty,” Rosemond replied elegantly. As she uttered those words, cheers erupted from all sides!
“Long live Her Majesty the Empress!”
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Glory to the Marvinus Empire!”
-Everything is going smoothly and well.- Rosemond displayed a splendid smile.
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Translated by Haeli
Edited by RED