Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: First Night
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“Finally, it’s over.”
Once the wedding ceremony ended, Carnivella was led by the maids to remove her accessories and dress, washing away her makeup. As whatever had been weighing on her was cleansed, she felt refreshed. Looking in the mirror, the unfamiliar face was gone, replaced by ‘Carnivella.’
‘Yeah, this is the real me.’
She smiled brightly. The maid beside her spoke up.
“It’s time to move.”
Up until now, she had been staying in the guest quarters, but now she headed to the palace where the couple would spend their first night. The room was beautifully decorated, with a soft, subtle atmosphere.
‘Something feels off here...?’
The mood evoked the image of a consummation chamber. They had agreed during their deal that it wasn’t time for that yet. So she was flustered.
It was almost like the room was shouting, ‘We’ve prepared everything, so just get to it!’
However, since she had never been married before, she had no idea about such things. If the maids insisted it wasn’t that, she had no choice but to believe them.
“It’s time to see His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress.”
The door opened, and the maids announced the next event. She was dressed in an elegant red indoor gown by them. Then, following their guidance, she stepped outside the palace. There, she spotted Lainen emerging with several attendants and maids.
“We’ll go alone from here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
At Lainen’s words, the people withdrew. The two held hands and headed to the banquet hall where the Emperor awaited.
“Please sit here.”
They took their seats as guided by the maids inside the hall. Then they looked toward the Emperor seated at the head table. The Emperor spoke.
“Come closer.”
His words carried dignity and a commanding presence that bent others to his will. She knew exactly who else gave off this feeling.
Her own mother. It was a regal aura that radiated from every fiber of his being, proclaiming his sovereignty—something entirely absent from the current Muyira.
Inwardly, she thought the current Emperor must be a remarkable man respected by his people.
“I greet you. I am Lucia von Luminir, now part of the imperial family as of today.”
“I greet you. I am Lainen von Luminir.”
The two greeted the Emperor. He acknowledged their greetings indifferently, then immediately gave her several warnings. As an imperial now, she must be even more cautious in her conduct, and everything she did must bring glory to the imperial family.
But she had once been designated as the next ruler and had lived her entire life as a princess, so she understood without issue. She nodded, saying she understood.
Seeing this, the Emperor’s eyes widened slightly. He couldn’t believe that a girl of unclear origins grasped the intricate palace etiquette so well. But he soon turned away. And with that, the meal began.
“......”
“......”
The dinner proceeded in silence. She stared only at her plate from appetizers to dessert, occasionally glancing at Lainen beside her. She avoided looking at the Empress because her expression was so grating.
Her mouth smiled, but her eyes radiated endless coldness. Someone like that would nitpick no matter what, surely exhausting everyone around her. The best course was to simply ignore her.
So she deliberately avoided the Empress’s gaze. But perhaps that irked her, as the Empress spoke in an elegant voice.
“The Crown Princess has nothing to say?”
“I apologize, Your Imperial Majesty. My talents are lacking, so I didn’t know what to say that would satisfy you. Please forgive me.”
“It’s simple. Just tell us about yourself, Crown Princess.”
“My story is so bland and unremarkable that I have nothing entertaining enough to satisfy Your Imperial Majesty.”
“That’s fine. I’d like to know what it is about you that caught that child’s eye.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know the reason myself. No matter how much I ask, he just says he’s embarrassed.”
“Hohoho, I see.”
She had shut down the Empress, and sensing her intent, the Empress merely laughed lightly. But inwardly, Carnivella sighed.
She already had to tread carefully to find her mother’s killer, and she didn’t want these childish provocations on top of it. But there was no helping it. She could boldly predict that the days ahead would be a hassle.
‘It’s not time yet.’
Only after everything was settled—capturing the culprit and crushing the Muyira family—could she fully reclaim ‘Carnivella.’ At the very least, that’s what it would take to reveal herself.
Only then could she blend perfectly into this imperial family. She could create the normal situation where Lainen’s ‘absolute’ promise meant he would never leave her.
At that moment, the Empress tossed another question her way.
“Still, I’d love to hear more about you, Crown Princess. For example, about your family.”
She made a subtly troubled expression. Outwardly, she was the daughter of a fallen house. She had the information the little one had given her, but she wasn’t ‘Maria Emari’ anymore, and she lacked the eloquence to fabricate such tales.
Lainen, who had been silently listening to their verbal sparring, finally spoke.
“Do you think I brought my wife here without any standards, Your Majesty?”
“No, Crown Prince. I merely wanted to guard against any potential mishaps.”
“Mishaps...? You’re going too far, Your Imperial Majesty.”
From their exchange, she gleaned one piece of information. She didn’t know how much Lainen had told the Emperor and Empress about her, but from the circumstances, they seemed unaware she was masquerading as ‘Maria Emari.’
If they knew, wouldn’t the Empress have hounded her about the nonexistent ‘Emari’ family?
Watching the Empress eye Lainen warily, Carnivella sighed inwardly. He truly was the imperial family’s beloved son.
She understood the Empress’s feelings. Some lady of unknown origins had become the bride of the son she had raised so carefully—it was natural to be displeased. Add in the resentment over the private wedding, and she should be grateful the Empress wasn’t shouting.
Thus, she stopped Lainen. They couldn’t afford to sour relations further here.
“Please stop, Your Highness. Her Imperial Majesty simply wants to get to know me. And it’s natural she’d be curious.”
“......Thank you.”
The Empress accepted the thanks with a somewhat sullen expression. Carnivella offered a brief silent prayer for the Empress and ate the remaining dessert. It was ice cream made from the finest ingredients, but her discomfort kept it from going down properly.
“Let’s end it here.”
At that point, the Emperor, who had been silent throughout, said only that and rose. The Empress followed. Leibus, who had worn a cryptic expression all through dinner, grinned at her. He approached and extended his hand.
“......”
When she stared blankly, he explained.
“You’re my brother’s wife now, aren’t you? I just want to get along.”
He clarified under her wary gaze. Beside them, Lainen glared at Leibus with fiery eyes. Leibus just smiled innocently in response.
Seeing Leibus’s childlike yet oddly mature smile, she decided to avoid getting involved with him as much as possible. Then, he suddenly yanked her hand hard. Despite being only twelve, his grip was strong—no joke.
“Don’t bully my brother.”
He whispered softly into her ear. Don’t bully Lainen.
She wanted to ask what he meant, but Lainen let go of her hand, smiled, and exited in the direction the Emperor and Empress had gone. She turned with a somewhat confused expression to look at Leibus behind her.
* * *
Entering the room, the strange atmosphere she had sensed became reality. The curtains were all drawn, making it dark, with candles placed around casting a soft glow. A fragrant scent wafted from somewhere.
She felt her face flush. No, when did they prepare all this? I never said I wanted to!
Moreover, rose petals—somehow procured—were scattered across the floor, and on the drawer beside the bed sat a tray. On it were the traditional consummation liquor and two wine glasses.
“......”
And of all things, the clothes on the bed were pajamas made of a fabric that tore easily.
She searched for other options, but this was the only garment in the room. Should she sleep in her indoor robe? But even if it was for indoors, it wasn’t comfortable enough for bed.
“This is just...”
Lainen probably hadn’t known either. Evidence: his face was red as a ripe persimmon upon entering.
He wore only a robe. The sight was stunning, as if a god of temptation possessed him. Her face reddened further. Seeing her like that made his face flush even more.
“Th-this is a misunderstanding...”
He clearly conveyed he had no intention of consummating. They didn’t have the luxury for it. Carnivella hadn’t yet achieved her goal. And Lainen was busy preparing to inherit the throne from the Emperor.
So he had asked the Emperor for ‘just a little time.’ Yet what returned to him was a wife in the most easily torn, provocative outfit in imperial consummation history(?).
The Emperor wouldn’t ignore his request, so it must have been Lainen’s personal maids overzealously loyal. Sighing inwardly, he quickly turned away as her figure became visible in the candlelight.
“Pfft!”
“I-I didn’t see...!”
Lainen’s flustered excuse, his whole face beet red, was quite adorable. It differed from his usual charisma or the gentle smile he wore around her. At his cute fumbling, she chuckled softly.
“I know you’re not that kind of person, so no need to explain.”
“Th-thank...”
She turned his flushed face toward her, saying it was fine since she knew he wasn’t like that, and now that they were married, they could speak casually. He nodded.
“You’re not mad?”
“It wasn’t your order, so it’s fine. These things happen.”
She smiled brightly. Then she extinguished the candles illuminating the room. But in the darkness, they became even more aware of each other’s movements, driving them mad.
‘No, this isn’t what I expected?’
She had thought darkness would hide them, giving freedom of movement and speech, so she’d put out the lights. But in the dark, she felt his every shift more acutely. The rustle of clothes against the bed, the bob of his Adam’s apple—all audible.
“......”
“......”
Awkward silence settled between them. After fidgeting with her hands for a while, she stiffly suggested.
“Sh-should we have a drink?”
“Y-yeah.”
He groped in the dark for the traditional liquor beside him and poured it into the wine glasses. A clear clink sounded as it filled. Listening quietly, they murmured.
“Ch-cheers.”
The glasses clinked. They drank in silence. Even in the dark, embarrassment kept them from looking at each other. Feeling the growing heat, he shed his robe, flapping his clothes to fan himself.
“Whew, hot.”
“You’re hot?”
“No, I’m fine.”
She peered at him puzzled by his stiff reply and took a sip. The first alcohol she’d ever tasted felt very sweet.
Drip. The sound of liquor falling into the cup was crystal clear.
“First time drinking. I thought it’d be bitter, but it’s tasty.”
She giggled. As imperial traditional liquor, it couldn’t possibly taste bad. Overwhelmed by tension, he barely wet his lips. Meanwhile, she kept drinking, finding the novel taste irresistible.
‘Is she okay like that...?’
He watched worriedly as she downed the not-so-weak liquor steadily, but couldn’t stop her gleeful indulgence. Soon, her low tolerance kicked in—she started rubbing against him, begging for hugs.
He found her new side cute. But it was also bewildering.
“Aaang, hug meee.”
Drunk, her speech slurred first. She clung to him relentlessly. It was maddening.
His heart pounded wildly, body heating up. The desire to hold her as she leaned in surged. He wanted to claim everything of the one he loved.
“Ahem...!”
Seeing her body pressed against him, he burned up. His whole body flushed, heart racing. The thumping was so loud he feared bursting.
But he ignored his instincts. He didn’t want to take his beloved carelessly.
‘If you do it now, you’re trash.’
He wanted their historic first night when both desired it(?). There was also his wish to protect her first experience, but he craved perfection in a perfect setting(?).
So her drunken clinging grew uncomfortable. Fearing he’d lose control, he tried to pull away. But the more he did, the fiercer she clung, locking her arms around him.
Always alone in the palace, she now sought solace in his arms, even half-asleep. Unaware of her circumstances, he felt he’d go insane. The swelling below lit the fuse of desire.
“No...”
Finally, after guzzling liquor like mad, she passed out. He thought sleep might ease things—nope. She had fallen asleep literally hanging on him. Shake as he might, she wouldn’t let go.
Why sleep in my arms when there’s a huge bed? I’m losing it!
“Don’t go... Don’t leave me alone...”
Her sleep-mumbled loneliness froze him. His mind cooled, desire ebbed.
He’d momentarily forgotten. She was someone who’d lost someone as precious as him. Lusting after such a person? Insane?
He berated himself and whispered to her.
“I won’t leave. So have sweet dreams.”
He felt her tight grip loosen. Gently laying her down, he covered her with the blanket, lit a candle, and fetched a large doll his maids had left as decoration from his palace.
“Good night.”
He murmured, kissing her forehead briefly. A soft hum escaped her lips, as if dreaming happily.
Gazing at her face for a long while, he eventually shed his robe, changed into a shirt and pants, grabbed his sword, and stepped outside. He didn’t want to disturb her sweet dream. Nor risk his desire resurfacing if he stayed.
‘My fate...’
Thus began the tearful moonlit gymnastics to protect his spouse’s purity.