Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Triumphal Ceremony (2)
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The extravagantly lavish triumphal ceremony unfolding in the imperial palace's banquet hall made it abundantly clear just how thrilled the emperor was with this victory.
All the palace servants and maids had gathered, ferrying out an endless array of delicacies and fine liquors that even Prince Yuno had never seen before. The nobles showered praise on Crown Prince Franz and Yuno's achievements while never forgetting to laud the emperor himself for ordering the expedition in the first place.
The emperor, his lips curved up to the heavens amid all this flattery, had apparently drunk a bit too much and was now being supported by his secretary as he headed to his chambers with his favorite concubine.
Meanwhile, overwhelmed by greetings from the throng of nobles, Yuno sought a brief respite on the balcony reserved for imperial family members. He usually relaxed in the lounging area or at a private table on the first floor, so he figured it would be empty—but his expectations were dashed.
There sat a stunning prior occupant, and she and Yuno exchanged warm greetings.
"Oh my! Third Imperial Prince. Congratulations on the great victory. I heard you performed brilliantly at Strebr? I was so worried, but I'm relieved you're back safe and sound."
"Ah! Sister-in-law Hilia. It's been too long. I hope you've been well?"
Hilia, the crown prince's wife and Yuno's sister-in-law, had always been on quite friendly terms with him.
Since her family was a vassal house under the Windrage Duchy, she had treated Yuno like her own little brother from childhood, often doting on him during his frequent visits to the empress's palace. Even after her marriage to the crown prince, she and Yuno maintained their close bond.
Of course, her title had changed to sister-in-law, and he could no longer treat her with the same carefree familiarity as in their youth, but Yuno still felt completely at ease with her, like a favorite aunt.
She looked even more beautiful today, momentarily captivating Yuno's gaze—until he noticed her outfit and hastily looked away.
"Hehe, what are you staring at while talking to me?"
Her dress plunged deeply, proudly displaying her ample cleavage, leaving Yuno with nowhere safe to rest his eyes.
"...Ah... No, it's nothing. Anyway, where's Brother...?"
"Sigh~ You know he doesn't like having me around much... It's been ages since we even shared a bed after our honeymoon. If you're tired, I can brew you some tea. Rest here a bit."
"Thank you. Then I'll gladly accept."
With a skill unbefitting the empire's crown princess consort, she deftly prepared the tea and handed it to Yuno, who sipped it appreciatively.
"Hehe, how is it? Feeling any effects?"
"Pardon? Effects from what?"
"Ho ho, it's tea made from the rarest ingredients—tremendously good for virility. I brew it daily for my husband and have the maids deliver it, but sigh... who knows where he uses it."
"What? An aphrodisiac?"
Yuno was flustered by the unexpected words from his sister-in-law's mouth. Suddenly, his manhood swelled massively, throbbing vigorously as if trying to burst through his pants.
"Wha-wha-what?!"
As Yuno panicked, Hilia naturally glanced downward. Seeing what looked like an enormous dragon writhing inside his trousers, she let out a soft gasp.
"Haaah..."
'If only Yuno were my husband... The crown prince shows no interest in me... Sigh... Tonight, he'll probably spend it with her again... Am I doomed to lonely nights forever?'
Deep down, Hilia longed to divorce the crown prince and propose to Yuno right then and there. But considering how her impoverished baronial family had skyrocketed to marquis-level prominence at the empire's power center thanks to her marriage, she couldn't.
And she knew that doing so would drag not just her and her family down, but also the crown prince and this kind third prince who had always treated her warmly—they'd all fall in an instant. So she had to bury her tender feelings for her young lord.
'Still... this dress I wore today just to show him. I'm glad he likes it. Hehe.'
Her massive breasts, usually a source of embarrassment, felt gloriously proud today as Yuno clearly took notice—making even their vulgar display seem worthwhile.
And she found his furtive glances, averting his eyes while unable to fully tear them away, utterly adorable.
'Shall I tease him a bit more~?'
"Oh my~ Your Highness Yuno~ There's a loose thread here!"
As Hilia reached toward Yuno's raging erection, he panicked wildly and covered himself with his hand.
"S-Sister-in-law? I don't see any thread, but I'll... handle it... Ngh!"
"This is a woman's job! Men are no good at these things. Hehe."
Yuno's gigantic erection had poked prominently above his waistband, so Hilia reached there and subtly pressed and squeezed it.
'Oh my, oh my! It's huge! Goodness gracious! How happy would the woman who becomes Yuno's princess be? Probably Princess Eliza. The way she looks at him, honey practically drips from her eyes...'
Pretending to pluck the thread, she firmly gripped his shaft before finally withdrawing her hand. But her body burned hot, her pussy gushing juices that soaked her panties through.
'Haaah... I can't hold back anymore... I've endured so much, but this is the limit... If only I could embrace him here...'
Born with an innately fiery constitution, Hilia had gone without intimacy since the honeymoon, soothing her urges nightly through masturbation or by squeezing her thighs.
She had desperately maintained her chastity as crown princess consort until now, but feeling the massive cock of the young lord she secretly admired shattered her restraint.
The moment she lost reason and moved to pull down her panties, the balcony door opened, and Crown Prince Franz entered.
"Ah! Yuno! There you are. Ahem, Crown Princess Consort here too? But your attire..."
Hilia's dress was disheveled from groping Yuno's manhood, her nipples nearly spilling out, prompting Franz to clear his throat and point it out.
"S-Sorry, Your Highness. I was just fixing Third Prince's clothes..."
"No matter. I'll take Yuno for a bit. The star of the day can't just lounge here."
"Understood. Sister-in-law, I'll be going now."
Utterly oblivious to how close he'd come to being ravished, Yuno felt relieved to escape his playful sister-in-law's clutches. Distracting himself to calm his erection, he rose and followed Franz.
Left alone once more, the crown princess consort trudged sadly back to her palace. Lying on her bed, she cried Yuno's name into the void, furiously masturbating to cool her overheated body.
"...Yuno?"
"Yes, Brother?"
"...Do you have any interest in the crown princess consort?"
"Huh? She's always been kind to me. Hehehe. The tea she made today was delicious too."
Franz, of course, knew exactly what was in that tea and gave a wry smile.
With his heart belonging to another, Franz had deliberately chosen a daughter from a minor noble house as crown princess consort to avoid marital issues, embracing her only on their wedding night and never again.
He felt guilty about neglecting her and, true to form as the empire's crown prince, was keenly perceptive—he knew full well who his wife harbored feelings for.
"Hahaha... Not like that. I mean, have you ever seen her as a woman?"
"Wha? Why bring that up out of nowhere...? I'd never think of such a refined sister-in-law that way."
"If you wanted her, I could... No. Forget I said that, Yuno. Sorry, Brother spoke nonsense. Erase what I just said."
Since his own affections lay elsewhere, Franz had considered pairing Yuno with her someday if Yuno reciprocated.
But seeing his brother's pure innocence, the crown prince retracted his words, flashing a bittersweet smile as he returned to the celebration with Yuno.
Night deepened, and the festivities continued unabated.
The crown prince had long passed out from the nonstop toasts and been carried away, while Yuno, sensing his own heavy buzz, blinked sleepily.
His superhuman body metabolized alcohol at an incredible rate, but the empire's famed liquors were potent, and with them pouring in relentlessly, even Yuno eventually got thoroughly drunk, slamming his head on the table and dozing off.
"Hehe, my little brother's drunk? Must be sleepy. Want to sleep next to big sis tonight? I've developed a hangover cure that's perfect~~ for you."
Before he knew it, First Princess Diane sat on Yuno's right, licking her lips seductively as she eyed the sleeping boy.
"Sis! I'm taking Yuno oppa! Who knows what rough treatment he'd get if I left him with you! Hmph!"
But Princess Marie, seated on his left, blocked Diane's abduction attempt. Diane glared sharply at her youngest sister, a stark contrast to her gaze at Yuno.
"Oh dear... Our Marie's grown up, huh? Talking back to your big sis like that. I thought you were still a kid."
Marie didn't flinch under Diane's stare, clutching Yuno's arm tightly before retorting.
"Hmph! Sis, kids these days have attitude, got it?"
"That attitude's what made me who I am, you brat!"
Diane flicked Marie's forehead and tried to drag Yuno off, but Yuria and Isabella arrived just in time, crushing her scheme.
"You're the one who grew up more, Diane. Hehe."
"Diane sis! Where are you taking Yuno? Mom and I will take him to the Third Villa, so let go."
"No, I was just going to give him some medicine..."
"Diane? You can give that medicine to me instead, right?"
"Tch... Fine. Empress Mother... I really do have a great hangover remedy, so I'll send it to Yuno's villa later..."
Though Yuria was closer in age than most mothers-in-law, Diane had always been powerless against her since childhood, and once again, she had no choice but to obey.
With every servant committed to the banquet, the completely wasted Yuno was half-dragged by the grunting Yuria and Isabella into a carriage and transported to his villa.
Upon arrival, the guard knights on duty helped, allowing Yuria a moment to catch her breath and wipe her sweat.
"Whew~ Our boy's heavy... Isabella, let's head back now. We should let Yuno sleep comfortably."
Isabella glanced at Yuno with a hint of regret but, with her mother present, decided to bide her time for another chance and turned away.