A Secret Beneath the Gown
The solemn yet lively sound of trumpets announced the beginning of the auspicious event. The melody that followed was a cheerful tune, as if singing praises to spring. In perfect harmony with the music, pink petals fluttered down from the sky like rain—though, to be precise, they were being scattered from the castle turrets, not the heavens.
Amidst this splendid atmosphere, the parade began. A carriage adorned with golden flowers rolled down the path cleared through the crowds, escorted by mounted knights. Standing side by side atop it, waving to the onlookers, were the stars of today's show: King Pehart and his soon-to-be queen, Carmel.
Although King Pehart's attire was exceptionally majestic and grand, the true focus of the gathered crowd was undoubtedly Carmel, the new queen. What kind of person is she? What does she look like? Which country is she from? Since nothing about her had been made public, their curiosity must have spiraled and intensified with each passing day.
And today, finally revealing herself to the masses, Carmel was bound to exceed their wildest expectations. With her dark hair braided and swept up, crowned by a silver tiara that symbolized her royal status, her breathtaking beauty would surely leave an indelible impression on everyone gathered here.
But she wasn't merely beautiful. The dress I had personally designed—my absolute masterpiece—was crafted to radiate not just pure innocence, but also her raw, seductive charm as a female. Every time she turned her body, the subtle outline of her thighs would be teased through the fabric, drawing the eyes of the citizens—especially the men—to a single spot.
From inside the carriage following closely behind the King and Queen, I could vividly feel the envious gazes and the thunderous cheers of the crowd directed at Carmel. Keep your eyes wide open and look closely. Admire her, envy her, O citizens of Rustier.
The louder the crowd cheered, the more a dark, damp ecstasy pooled in my chest. The knowledge that Carmel—the very woman everyone looked upon with such yearning—belonged entirely to me was intoxicating.
Just by looking at her back, or the angle at which she waved her arm, I could tell. Carmel was currently playing the role of a noble, pristine queen to absolute perfection. Yet, beneath that gorgeous gown, this noble queen was wearing absolutely nothing. Out of the thousands of people watching this parade, I was the only one who knew this delicious truth.
What's more, just moments ago, Carmel had been lifting her skirt right in front of me, exposing her most private parts. She had barely managed to endure the shame, unable to even hide her trembling hands.
What could she possibly be thinking right now? Standing before this sea of people, with only a thin layer of fabric serving as a fragile barrier against the tide of their staring eyes—how did she feel? The mere thought of it kept a persistent smirk plastered across my face.
I opened the carriage window and waved back, responding to the cheers of the populace. I played my part flawlessly—the picture of a pure, innocent princess overjoyed by her royal father's happiness.
Having completed their designated route, the parade procession, led by the King and Queen, made its way back to the royal palace. If the parade was the first act, the ceremony at the palace was the second—a setting far more fitting for the true solemnity of a wedding.
At tables laden with every delicacy imaginable, members of the royal family, vassals, and high-ranking guests sat comfortably, conversing in low, pleasant tones. Naturally, the primary topic of conversation was King Pehart's beautiful new queen.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Pehart and Carmel ascended the dais. An elderly priest presided over the ceremony, invoking the name of the Goddess to bless their union.
"Now, let the two of you seal this vow with a kiss."
The two shared a brief look before pressing their lips together. Watching this unfold right before my eyes, a strange, dark emotion began to bubble up inside me.
This was a perfectly normal part of a wedding ceremony. Since Carmel had to become queen, it was an indispensable step. I was the one who had planned this wedding in the first place, reviewing the itinerary multiple times. I knew full well that they would have to kiss to seal their vows. So why was this unpleasant sensation gnawing at me?
After parting from the kiss, the two stood side by side. Pehart looked thoroughly satisfied, while Carmel gazed out at the guests with a feigned, bashful expression.
"Um, are you alright, Princess Sera? You look somewhat uncomfortable..."
It was a foreign noble I was acquainted with. Had my inner turmoil leaked onto my face? I immediately wiped away any trace of discomfort and offered a smooth reply.
"Oh? No, I am perfectly fine. I was just lost in a rather complex train of thought."
"Ah, indeed, that makes sense. My apologies. I did not mean to pry..."
"Not at all."
Though I managed to mask my expression, my emotions continued to swirl violently within. Just then, the priest called my name.
"Now, we shall announce to the Goddess that the three of you, including Princess Sera, have become a family. Princess Sera, please step forward."
I adjusted my expression with a gentle smile and gracefully rose from my seat. Following the priest's instructions, I stepped up and stood close between Carmel and Pehart.
"Let us pray. O Great Goddess, we call upon You in the name of peace..."
The priest began his prayer in a monotonous drone. I subtly shifted my gaze upward to look at Carmel's profile.
Ah...
She was unspeakably beautiful. I loved her usual haughty self, but seeing her wear such a pristine, delicate expression was also unbearably enticing. Yet, that was precisely why the tempest inside me raged even harder. If I stayed like this, I felt as though I would explode. If I didn't find a way to vent this tension, it would soon become entirely unmanageable.
It's all... Carmel's fault anyway...
I reached my hand behind Carmel's back. Then, I pressed my palm against her bare-feeling buttocks and gave them a light squeeze. Naturally, Carmel noticed the touch instantly. Feigning a natural movement of her head, she darted a glance toward me. Her eyes practically screamed:
Are you insane?
Her gaze was filled with shock and disbelief. No matter how resilient Carmel was, my reckless audacity seemed to have thrown her into utter panic. Right now, the only thing separating my hand from her bare skin was the thin fabric of her dress. The sensation of touching her was exquisite. But even that was not enough to soothe my irritation. I couldn't hold back. No, I was past the point of restraint.
I slipped my hand beneath Carmel's skirt and began to knead her bare flesh. Carmel's hand, which was resting on my shoulder, tightened. She squeezed hard, as if pleading with me to stop this instant. But I paid her no heed, squeezing and grabbing her soft flesh exactly as I pleased.
"Now, let us conclude with the declaration of your union as a family. First, Your Majesty. In the name of the Goddess, do you take Carmel as your wife and queen?"
"Indeed, I do."
"Wonderful. Next, Princess Sera. In the name of the Goddess, do you accept Carmel as your mother?"
"Yes, I gladly accept her."
Finally, it was Carmel's turn. However, even the priest seemed to notice that something was amiss with her expression.
"Hm? Lady Carmel, is something the matter? You seem somewhat uncomfortable..."
"O-Oh, no... It is nothing... I am simply a bit nervous..."
"Ah, I see. Then, please make your final vow. Lady Carmel, in the name of the Goddess, do you accept His Majesty King Pehart as your husband, and Princess Sera as your daughter?"
"I... I accept them..."
Her smile was stiff and painfully awkward. And for good reason—my hand, still gripping her buttocks, was tracing so deep that my fingers were practically brushing against her tight, private crevice. Despite this, Carmel's desperate struggle to maintain the benevolent expression of a queen welcoming her new family was almost admirable. Not that I had any intention of stopping, of course.
"Now, for the final step. We shall offer a prayer to the Goddess for the peace of this household. Guests, please close your eyes and join us. O Great Goddess, who governs life and sunlight..."
The guests, the priest, and even Pehart closed their eyes and bowed their heads. Instantly dropping her facade, Carmel glared at me.
Are you completely out of your mind? What do you think you're doing right now!
Her lips silently shaped the words. Around us, everyone was softly murmuring along with the priest's prayer. In the midst of it all, Carmel and I quietly locked eyes. Yes, I was likely the only one here who knew the real Carmel. I was the only one she would look at with such burning hostility, the only one she would confront with her true self. The realization brought a surprising wave of calm over me.
I pulled my hand away from her and, with a playful smirk, mouthed back:
Just a joke.
Carmel looked so utterly dumbfounded that her lips trembled. She seemed to be desperately swallowing down the urge to scream a torrent of curses at me. I turned my head away from her, closed my eyes, and joined the chorus of prayers.
"Under the protection of the Great Goddess, may this family be beautiful, harmonious, and filled with love..."
Amen. And so, amidst the blessings of all, Carmel officially became the Queen of Rustier.