Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Marriage
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The deal was sealed. Lainen asked Kashan to let Canibella stay at the mansion until her fate was decided. Kashan let out a sigh but nodded, having no choice but to comply.
"For now, I need to get permission from Father Emperor, so please wait just a little."
"Alright."
Canibella stayed in the guest room Kashan had assigned her. The unchanging scenery brought her both boredom and a sense of peace.
'When was the last time I had such a relaxing time...?'
Her life had always been one of constant pursuit. Even after losing her memories in the accident, she lived in fear, and while pretending to be a child, she was gripped by anxiety over being discovered and an obsession with finding her mother's killer.
But now she had an ally. Someone who provided stability by her side and promised to find her mother's murderer. It felt good to be with someone special, especially since that person was fulfilling her long-held wish.
To her, Lainen was a sanctuary. He gave her a sense of security and something extraordinary. He was the man who would chase her to the ends of the continent for her sake. And the stark difference in how he treated her compared to others.
He was endlessly prickly with everyone else, but when he was with her, he treated her like the most precious gem in the world. Who wouldn't feel good seeing that?
"Who is it?"
"It's Kashan."
"Come in."
Kashan entered and closed the door behind him. He immediately handed her a document.
"This is the contract drafted by Crown Prince Your Highness. Please review it and sign."
The contract outlined the conditions for Canibella and Lainen's marriage and its maintenance. She had stipulated that he kill off the identities of "Canibella" and "Maria," keep the marriage private, and find the culprit behind the Rasoni Kingdom fire.
In return, Lainen stipulated that they maintain the marriage forever, get along well, and "absolutely" never annul it. His signature was already there, and she scrawled her name with the pen Kashan offered.
"We'll begin preparations for the marriage soon. His Highness is currently persuading His Imperial Majesty, so it will be settled."
She nodded. She ignored Kashan's displeased gaze. She was used to such looks, and his malice even seemed endearing. Besides, she understood why he acted that way.
To him, she was the one blocking his lord Lainen's path forward and making him irrational.
Imperial family members must have no weaknesses and never show emotions freely. As the next emperor, having such a major vulnerability must worry him.
"Then I'll take my leave."
He bowed and left before she could even respond. She chuckled softly.
"Your face shows everything. Amateur."
It was tiring to have made an enemy from the start, even if it wasn't her intention. Kashan's blatant hostility was ridiculous.
But she was used to such behavior from people. She had many enemies and had staked her life on acting to evade their eyes. To her, this was just cute, nothing worth minding.
"I hope something gets decided soon..."
* * *
"Do you know how absurd the conditions you're proposing are?"
The emperor was dumbfounded when he saw the conditions Lainen had presented for marrying Canibella. A private marriage, hidden from the world?
"And she only attends the Empire Founding Anniversary, the Emperor's Birthday, and the Harvest Thanksgiving Banquet?"
Imperial family members had far more duties to perform. As an imperial consort, there were obligations to uphold the respect of the people instead.
Refusing to fulfill those?
The emperor stared at the documents in disbelief, chuckling dryly. He glared at his son, demanding an explanation. But Lainen brazenly replied instead.
"I don't want that. And does the Crown Princess really need to attend every public event?"
"No matter our empire's special circumstances, there are things an imperial family member must show to the people. You can't just do as you please!"
The Luminir Empire appointed its crown prince early. And unless in a "special case," it never changed—no matter how much the nobles opposed or raged. This kept succession struggles minimal.
The opposition always actively supported the crown prince, making fights fizzle out anticlimactically. Palace servants even saw succession as a minor "event."
But this time was different. Laibus, from the opposing faction, had shown genius administration despite his youth. The emperor endorsed his policies, bolstering his own position through him.
Yet Laibus never declared support for Lainen and stayed silent, even if his existence shook Lainen's standing.
As if he were detached from the palace entirely.
Nobles who usually disliked Lainen and opposed imperial policies clung desperately to Laibus's silence.
Lainen's crown prince faction clashed fiercely with the noble faction, igniting the hottest succession battle yet. But since the emperor and empress firmly declared Lainen the next emperor, the others held their tongues.
Still, wasn't this creating a flaw in himself? It was foolish. Amid the emperor's worried gaze, Lainen asserted firmly.
"I'll handle everything. Do you not trust me, Father Emperor?"
"What I want to know is why you must do this."
"...I can't say. Just leave it to me without asking."
Seeing Lainen's eyes, the emperor realized his son didn't want to tell him and was hiding the reason. He couldn't figure out what he'd done with the girl he'd brought as crown princess.
"Fine... do as you will."
His son had always been sharp and unyielding.
After his mother and brother died, he stopped smiling, wearing only dark, cold expressions.
Now, for the first time, that son strongly desired something. Even knowing it could burden him politically, he vowed to bear it all.
'I can't refuse now, can I?'
The emperor sighed. Now, how to handle the aftermath?
"Thank you."
Lainen's face brightened slightly, regardless. The emperor decided there must be a reason for it.
"I'll take my leave."
But his son vanished as soon as business was done. The emperor sighed. When would his son's walls finally crumble?
Whatever the emperor thought, Lainen headed straight to Kashan's mansion to see her. He spotted a maid exiting her room and approached.
"What is the lady doing inside? (Since the marriage isn't official yet, we call her lady.)"
"She's reading books. She said she was curious about this empire's history, so we brought them."
"I see. You're dismissed."
After the maid left, he knocked. A voice invited him in. He opened the door carefully and entered. Canibella was surrounded by stacks of books, immersed in reading.
"Is it alright here?"
At his voice, she closed her book, stood, and approached him.
"You're late."
"Negotiations with Father Emperor took longer. Is it livable here?"
"It's fine. I can even read books—it's wonderful."
She loved and excelled at swordsmanship, but she also enjoyed reading. In Rasoni Kingdom, her child image made reading unthinkable, but here she could freely indulge.
Seeing her content with just reading, he thought of building her a private library in the palace accessible only to her, then spoke.
"Father Emperor approved."
"What happens now?"
"We'll start marriage preparations immediately for the quickest possible date. Any requests...?"
"I don't know marriage procedures. Just tell me what to do."
"I hope that day comes soon."
He embraced her and kissed her forehead. She felt it warm. A pleasant shiver ran through her. Looking into his eyes, she said.
"I hope that day comes soon too."
"Don't worry. It will come soon."
Dawn broke. It was a strange day. Was the tension from her new status as crown princess, or excitement from being with Lainen forever? She couldn't tell.
"We'll move now."
The ceremony would be in a secluded hall in the palace—an unused larger venue spot due to its size. Slightly worn but well-maintained, it was opened only this once due to her aversion to attention.
Guided by maids, she entered a side room near the hall. Maids awaited to prepare her.
"Then we'll begin."
She transformed under their hands. After bathing with perfumes, they seated her before a mirror for makeup. At first overwhelmed by scents, she widened her eyes at her reflection's changes.
Makeup sharpened her features; her ragged, phallic-like hair was neatly styled. It was dyed brown.
'Even hiding my identity from the emperor.'
It was necessary. Though her appearance was unknown, no need to risk it. Revealing her as Rasoni princess would mean extradition demands—pointless hassle.
But she wondered how Lainen would tell the emperor later. He was decisive, but with her, he often melted. It worried her.
'We just need to complement each other well.'
"Now, the dress."
She stood and let them dress her. It was modest, no exposure—satisfying. She didn't want to bare skin or scars before the emperor and empress.
The maids showed no surprise at her scars, silently tightening the corset, layering the dress, adding earrings, necklace, rings. The necklace changed her eye color from blue to brown.
'What is this? Another "miracle" like that child's?'
She'd seen "magic" called "miracle" here. Coincidence?
'Is that child connected to this palace...?'
"All done."
While she pondered the necklace, preparations finished. A veil covered her head. Finally, she received a bouquet from a maid.
"We'll withdraw now."
They left with their tools. The dress and headdress were beautiful, but her heart was heavy.
'I didn't want a marriage like this.'
Honestly, such a modest wedding was fine for her—a fugitive. She had no romantic notions of wedding dresses.
But she felt sorry for Lainen. He was the only one in her heart, her sanctuary.
He probably wanted to announce their marriage across the continent. Given Luminir's position and his demeanor, it fit. Yet he was bound by their deal.
He was the most radiant person she'd seen. Such a small wedding didn't suit him.
She sighed. She just wanted to end it quickly and apologize.
"It's time."
The door opened; the preparing maid entered. Following her, she headed to the hall.
"Stand here."
She had no father to escort her. So she entered with the maid, drawing frowns from the other royals.
To them, Lainen was their sore spot. They wanted him happy. Yet here he was with an unblessed marriage—because of that incoming lady.
The current empress was especially displeased. Once a close noble to Lainen's late mother, the previous empress, she followed her devotedly and treated Lainen like her own son, loving him more than her birth son Laibus.
'Why must you have such a shabby wedding...'
A secret, shabby ceremony. Lainen deserved the most blessings. Yet a mere woman's conditions made it private, excluding all but family.
The empress disliked everything about the bride. The emperor felt the same but hid it, facing forward. If Lainen was happy, maybe that was enough.
Beside the empress, Laibus watched Canibella with an inscrutable expression.
'Brother...'
Canibella felt their gazes but ignored them. This was nothing—familiar. She just wanted the ceremony over.
"You're finally here."
She turned at the voice beside her. Lainen was the only one radiating joy. Seeing him, her chest tingled.
In simple wedding attire, not imperial uniform, he shone like the handsomest man alive. His golden eyes, full of happiness, met hers.
As she approached, he gripped her hand tightly. She steadied herself with his touch and looked to the pope. With them side by side, he blessed them in a gentle voice.
"With the eternal kiss, I declare you husband and wife."
He smiled faintly, lifting her veil. Cupping her cheeks, he claimed her lips. His tongue softly conquered hers; she weakened under his allure.
"Ah..."
She couldn't resist. His emotions, his tongue flooded her. Her breath quickened; an irresistible dizziness swept her body.
"You are now husband and wife. Crown Prince Your Highness, Crown Princess Your Highness."
Before the emperor, empress, and his half-brother Laibus, they were declared married.