12. The Party Drags On a Little Longer
After spending a day each in the two empires, Han Siu had returned to the Palania Kingdom for now.
January 15th.
The most important and sacred date on the continent.
It was the core and pinnacle of the New Year's party.
Main God... Goddess...
The sixteen goddesses who celebrated their meeting with the Main God. Among them, some had been male gods at the time of their meeting, but they were all goddesses now regardless. And even though six of the sixteen had betrayed the Main God as demon gods, they were still included in the New Year's festival.
They couldn't completely deny the six demon gods. To do so might criticize or negate the Main God's decision to accept them and their creations.
It was a difference from his first regression timeline, and at the same time, it showed just how firmly the Main God had solidified her divine authority (??). This raised Han Siu's suspicions about the Main God's involvement in his regression.
Well, it's a meaningless hypothesis since I can't meet the person in question anyway.
As he sank into thought with a serious expression, Queen Sharfria Palania, seated on the throne right beside him, spoke up.
"Is something troubling you?"
"Pardon? Oh, no. Nothing like that..."
"Ah, I see. That's a relief. Your expression looked so grave..."
"Ah... Haha. Sorry for making you worry. I was just lost in some random thoughts."
"I see."
The queen nodded in understanding, though a hint of disappointment crossed her face.
It wasn't anything special. He was simply using a more respectful tone in this official setting. On the flip side, there was a benefit: Han Siu was by her side amid this tedious banquet.
Maintaining her dignity on the throne while watching the nobles and heroes enjoy the party was its own ordeal. It was always like this, even though it was routine. Especially when the rightful king consort was off in a corner, chatting with noble husbands.
Sitting here forever won't magically give me any kingly dignity.
Sharfria grumbled inwardly as she glanced at Han Siu, who stood perfectly at attention beside her.
He noticed her gaze like a ghost and smiled.
"You look bored."
"Pardon? Well... Aren't you going to enjoy the banquet yourself, Sir Han Siu?"
"Too many people crowding around. It's more comfortable by the queen's side."
"Hee-hee. I can see why."
Sharfria let out a soft laugh at his words.
Nobles and heroes were swarming to forge any connection they could with him. But the day before, word had spread that he hadn't shown up to the banquet and had gone to the Holy Empire instead. Now they were moving even more aggressively, fearing he might head to the Cheonan Empire tomorrow.
"If you're bored, how about we take a stroll around the banquet hall together?"
"Oh, that... um..."
The queen hesitated at his suggestion.
For an ordinary banquet, it might be fine, but for something as important as the New Year's party, it was customary for the host to remain seated on the throne, overseeing the entire event.
"All the major speeches are done, and the schedule's wrapped up, right? The rest is just casual partying."
"Hmm... True, but still... No, I'll just stay here."
Sharfria shook her head, then looked down at her belly.
There wasn't a dramatic change yet, but it was growing bit by bit. She could feel the child thriving inside, which meant her body was accumulating subtle strains. She did take light walks, but she didn't want to push herself too hard.
Understanding her intent from that gesture alone, Han Siu nodded as if to say he got it.
"Can't be helped, then."
"Yes. So at least you should..."
As Sharfria tried to nudge him away, he leaned in slightly, bringing his lips to her ear.
"How about this, then?"
"...Pardon? Sir Han Siu?"
"After the banquet ends tonight, I'll come to your bedroom."
"......!"
The queen's eyes widened in surprise. It was a question that needed no deliberation.
"...Yes♡"
"Got it. I'll be there at 11."
"Hee-hee, alright♥"
Time in the bedroom, where no prying eyes could reach.
Whether they talked or got up to something naughty, it didn't matter. Lately, Han Siu had been so busy they hadn't met often, and Sharfria had been longing for some relaxed time alone with him.
With her approval, Han Siu gave a light nod, straightened up, and resumed guarding her side. Plenty of people had been watching eagerly for him to step away from the queen, but he stayed with her until the banquet ended.
Once it wrapped up and Sharfria left first, Han Siu moved swiftly. His party members had attended the banquet too, but he took only Hildear back to the mansion ahead of the others.
"You let the others know in advance, right?"
"Yes. I informed everyone except Elaine."
"Good, thanks."
"It's nothing."
"Get some good rest tonight, then. See you tomorrow."
"What about escorting you to the palace...?"
"It's fine. Queen Sharfria showed me a secret passage."
"...Understood."
After chatting with Hildear and finishing his preparations, Han Siu left the mansion right away.
Like most royal palaces, Palania had numerous secret passages for emergencies or royal amusements. They were meant to be known only to the royal family and a select few, but Sharfria had revealed one to him without hesitation.
She said it doesn't matter since different people know different passages. Ah, here it is.
The entrance to the secret passage she'd told him about was a bit away from his mansion, but it had its advantages.
Click... grrrk—.
"I'm here, Sharf... Huh?"
It connected directly to the queen's bedroom.
Emerging from the passage beside the fireplace and closing the hidden door, Han Siu scanned the room. No sign of Sharfria. But traces of her recent presence suggested she'd gone for a bath.
"She's dolling up for me, so I should wait."
After changing into pajamas, he muttered to himself and sat on the bed.
While waiting for Sharfria, he leisurely took in the bedroom.
True to a queen's chamber, it was mostly empty. Not that it lacked things—it was just a bedroom, so the vanity, wardrobe, and other furniture were in their appropriate separate rooms.
A real queen lives like a queen.
Suddenly, it struck him how impressive Sharfria truly was.
She'd become queen around age 24, he recalled.
Not born royalty, but as a marquess's daughter, she'd married and ascended the throne in under a decade. An extraordinary woman. And she'd safely guided the Palania Kingdom ever since.
Thinking about it that way makes that pot-bellied uncle even more ridiculous. He was late 30s? Early 40s? back then. Tsk tsk.
Just two weeks ago, he'd felt a twinge of pity and thought of the king consort as magnanimous. Now his opinion had flipped completely. Who knew if it'd change again, but he was certain they'd never grow close in this lifetime.
Click.
The door opened, and Sharfria returned from her bath.
"You're already here, as expected."
"Did I come too early?"
"No, I figured you would."
Her skin was fresh and fluffy from the bath, with lingering moisture, loosely covered by a nightgown.
Even with its maternity cut—loose and accommodating her belly—the gown couldn't hide her breasts thrusting prominently outward.
Not exactly my type, but... damn, it's hot.
He hadn't expected to get aroused by a pregnant woman.
His visit tonight was meant for a relaxed chat. But she carried his child, and he'd been too busy to spend time with her. With both their schedules, late night was their only window.
No.
Dismissing the maids and approaching him alone, the queen drew near.
He stared blankly before rising to embrace her. Her protruding belly got in the way a bit, but he pulled her close without issue.
It's not the pregnancy turning me on—it's my woman.
Belly or no belly, Queen Sharfria was alluring.
If her whole body had bloated, maybe not—but she still boasted slender limbs, a smooth figure, and plump breasts. Her chest had even grown larger from the pregnancy. Only her abdomen protruded for the baby; her charm hadn't faded.
"Ha-ah... Sir Han Siu?"
"I love you, Sharfria."
"I... I love you too."
A beaming smile lit up Sharfria's face.
They exchanged "I love you"s often, but hearing it in this warm embrace felt different. Pure joy bubbled from deep within, shining on her expression.
"...Haa...♡"
At the same moment, long-suppressed lust ignited.
Even pregnant, she was a woman in her sexual prime. Though desire might wane in the final stages, her eyes burned with lewd hunger now—like she wanted to burn it all out before then.
Overwhelmed by surging desire, the queen pressed her skin against him. Her soft flesh rubbed through the thin nightgown, teasing the man. Her voluptuous curves did the same.
"Hngh, Sir Han Siu? I... "
"Sharfria."
"Yes♥"
"Let's take it slow, chat a bit more, and all that."
Just like during their pregnancy sex, Sharfria seemed even more eager. Han Siu wanted her too, but he meant it—slow and relaxed.
At this rate, one of us is gonna collapse.
And it was obvious the pregnant queen would be the one to pass out.
But Sharfria burned hotter than he'd anticipated.
"No♥"
"Huh?"
"I've been starving too long. Haa-ngh, so hurry... let's do it♥"
"Honestly, our queen is..."
"Hee-hee. Only the hero's cock can sate a hungry queen's cravings, right?"
"Shall we head to bed, then?"
Grinning, Han Siu scooped her up.
"Kyaa?! Ah, S-Sir Han, Sir Han Siu?!"
"You're not heavy, so don't worry."
"Ah-uuht..."
He planted a light kiss on the blushing queen's cheek and carried her to the bed.