Chapter 94: The Wedding (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 94: The Wedding (2)
"Ugh!"
While everyone else was in awe, I was in agony. Marianne’s divine power was lethal to Desmond and Bibi, the demons I had contracted with. Unlike me—young and still lacking control—Veronica and Dantalion remained unfazed.
Huh?
Suddenly, Nathaniel reached out and pulled me into a tight embrace. Though startled at first, I quickly realized his intent: he was shielding me from Marianne’s divine power.
"Thank you, Niel."
"Are you alright?"
"Mhm."
Thanks to Nathaniel, the demons, who had been making a fuss, quieted down. It seemed I wouldn't have to suffer from a fever for days because of the divine power this time.
"Thank you, Saintess."
"M-may you live a long and prosperous life, Your Majesty."
Having finished the blessing, Marianne offered a greeting with perfect etiquette, despite her trembling. It seemed she had been studying her manners diligently as a Saintess.
After receiving the Saintess's blessing, Veronica and Dantalion stepped outside to the applause of the nobles. They waved to the citizens of the Empire who had gathered around the Imperial Palace.
"Dia, come here."
"Okay!"
Once outside, Veronica immediately looked after me. It seemed she intended to have me sit on her lap during the parade.
I followed without complaint, as I felt safer that way, but I couldn't help feeling self-conscious.
The citizens might not look kindly on Veronica and me.
The nobility was largely on House Winston's side, so most of them viewed Veronica and me favorably, but would the common citizens feel the same?
Generally, the citizens were loyal to the Imperial Family, but their devotion to the Temple was even stronger. When their faith was stirred, they could turn into a mob and pressure the throne.
Thus, they might look unfavorably upon Veronica for her remarriage and me for being the daughter of another noble.
"Hmm."
I nervously squeezed my teddy bear. Because of the large, chaotic crowds today, Desmond was hiding inside the doll as he had before.
[It’s alright, Master. If anyone says anything bad, I’ll punish them all!]
[That’s right, don’t lose heart!]
Phew, thanks.
Soon, the carriage began to move. The parade carriage was open-topped.
While there was a high risk of assassination during such parades, I had Dantalion, a Sword Master, by my side.
Furthermore, Veronica had contracted with Luers and possessed skills close to that of a Sword Master herself. This seat I occupied was the safest place in the world.
"Waaaaah!"
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
"Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"
"…!"
As soon as we passed through the castle gates, the citizens lined up in endless rows began to cheer for us. I widened my eyes in surprise at the roar of the crowd, which was much louder than I had expected.
"Look, Dia. They’re calling your name too. Wave to them."
"Huh?"
Dantalion spoke to me with a satisfied smile. I tilted my head in confusion until I heard the voices calling out to me.
"Long live the Princess!"
"She's so cute!"
"Princess, look over here!"
"…!"
The citizens were truly sending cheers my way as well.
How was this possible?
Stunned, I stood there blankly before awkwardly raising my hand to wave. At that, the cheering grew even more intense.
What is going on…
Dantalion watched my bewildered expression with a look of deep satisfaction. Seeing that, I realized he had been plotting something.
He must have spread favorable rumors about Veronica and me. Since Cedric had lost the duel, spreading word of his true nature would have naturally drawn sympathy toward Veronica.
He really is a terrifying man.
I clicked my tongue inwardly while waving my hand enthusiastically. Perhaps because my tension had eased, I no longer felt scared or intimidated by the crowd.
"Phew."
By the time the parade ended, the sun was setting. Now it was time to change clothes for the reception.
"Dia, are you alright? Don't you need to rest?"
"Mmm..."
To be honest, I was incredibly sleepy in this child's body. When I reflexively rubbed my eyes, Veronica looked concerned.
"Let's put Dia to bed first."
"No, Your Majesty. Dia is fine."
The ceremony was over, but it wasn't time to relax yet. Who knew what might happen at the reception and the following balls?
I had to keep my eyes wide open and watch the Empress Dowager and Cedric. However, Veronica and Dantalion still looked at me with doubt.
"Dia, you can go night-night. Why don't you go back to the palace with Sir Demia? Hmm?"
"Nooo, take Dia too."
"Oh, you..."
Veronica looked flustered, but since I was throwing a tantrum, she couldn't easily send me away.
"Princess, you mustn't trouble Their Majesties."
"Mhm."
As soon as the ceremony ended, the way I was addressed changed. Sophia spoke to me with more formality than before.
In the end, I gave up and returned to the palace. I was actually feeling dizzy, likely from being dragged around in a state of tension all day.
[Even with an Indestructible Body, you need to rest.]
[That’s right. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and watch everything, so you rest, Master!]
Then I’ll leave it to you.
Left with no choice, I entrusted the monitoring to the demons and fell asleep. It was a bit late to call it a nap.
*
After that, an almost unsettling amount of nothing happened.
I had left early on the first day of the wedding, but the reception passed without incident as well. They said the Empress Dowager returned to her palace immediately after the ceremony and hadn't stepped a single foot out since.
What on earth is she planning?
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't figure it out. I assumed she would strike when there were many people around.
Since security is naturally spread thinner when there are large crowds, I guessed she would make her move during the wedding or the ball period.
But contrary to my worries, everything was very peaceful. With the ceremony over, Veronica had become the Empress, and I was enjoying the ball while being treated as an Imperial Princess.
"Your Highness, would you like to dance today?"
"Dance?"
Abel's suggestion piqued my interest.
I had been too tense to even think about dancing, but as the wedding-related balls were nearing their end, my heart began to sway.
"Yes, our Dia should dance too."
"Shall you dance with your grandfather?"
"Mmm..."
The height difference is too much for dancing with an adult, though.
I looked up at Duke Winston and Vincent, whose eyes were sparkling, with a dissatisfied pout.
Then, Abel reached out his hand toward me.
"Will you dance with me, Your Highness?"
"With Abel?"
Actually, I had been a little angry when Abel was rude to Marianne. That was why I had been acting cold toward him on purpose, but I didn't find him hateful anymore.
As I was hesitating, a pale hand suddenly thrust forward from the other side.
"Dance with me, Dia."
"N-Niel?"
Niel requested a dance with a terrifyingly expressionless face. Flustered, I looked back and forth between the two.
"Wait your turn."
"No."
Soon, the two began to bicker childishly as usual. I actually felt relieved seeing that.
"Princess! Would you... like to dance with me?"
"Huh?"
Furthermore, an unexpected person joined the fray. It was Marianne, who was attending the ball as the Saintess.
"What do you think you're doing, Saintess?"
"W-what? Her Highness hasn't chosen a partner yet. That means I have a chance too."
Marianne still seemed afraid of Abel, but she countered his sharp words without backing down. She looked exactly like a white rabbit puffing out its fur.
[Our Master is quite popular, isn't she?]
[Haha, these punks finally recognize how cute our Master is!]
Desmond and Bibi boasted as if they were the ones being asked. Feeling embarrassed, I looked at the three of them before turning my head away.
The Empress Dowager didn't come today either.
It was as if she intended to do nothing until the balls were over.
But I didn't know why I kept feeling so anxious. It felt as if something was bound to happen very soon.
"Your Majesty!"
Just then, Joshua, the aide, approached Dantalion. At the low-voiced call, Dantalion frowned and turned his head.
"What is it?"
Sensing that something had happened, Dantalion asked in a hushed tone. I held my breath and focused on their conversation.
"We have a crisis, Your Majesty. A plague is spreading in the Southern Region."
"What?"
Dantalion’s eyes widened at Joshua’s whisper. Having overheard him, I was equally horrified.
A plague?
In the original novel, the episode where the plague spreads occurred some time after Marianne became the Saintess.
Because of that event, the tyrant Dantalion completely lost the people's support and met his defeat.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, I bit my lip.