‘Phew. I managed to escape from Empress Sister’s trap safely.’
With the coronation ceremony fast approaching, I hurriedly took the children and headed toward the venue.
I had been tense, worried whether I could truly escape after discovering something by the bedside that resembled an aphrodisiac.
Yet, surprisingly, I was freed without much trouble.
Had I been mistaking Empress Sister for some kind of insatiable succubus?
The only woman so perpetually in heat, scheming to pounce on me at any moment, was Sylvia.
To think I had placed Empress Sister on the same level as Sylvia…
I felt a little guilty.
The coronation ceremony concluded successfully.
Since the late Emperor’s crown was too large for Empress Sister’s head, she wore a newly crafted one.
Nobles from all over the empire gathered, kneeling on one knee in a show of reverence.
The final step of the ceremony was the Lords’ Assembly.
Since the lords who governed territories across the empire had all gathered,
it was an opportunity to discuss necessary matters.
“Your Majesty, do you have a plan for succession?”
“Do you intend to forgo having children and pass the throne to a half-sibling?”
“…”
Yet, for some reason, the nobles’ interest seemed focused on a single topic.
As if they had coordinated beforehand, question after question was fixated solely on Empress Sister’s successor.
Perhaps because she was too exceptional—flawless, even—there was nothing else to nitpick.
The motive was clear.
They were trying to pressure her into marriage.
Desperate to secure a bond with the imperial family, they were practically foaming at the mouth.
But despite the barrage of aggressive questions, Empress Sister remained perfectly composed.
She showed neither anxiety nor urgency.
“Your questions are entirely within my expectations. However, there is no need to worry about my marriage. I have already chosen my partner, and I will be making a joyous announcement soon.”
“Y-Your Majesty!? You have someone in mind?”
“Who in the world is it!?”
The hall instantly descended into chaos.
As the flood of questions surged, Empress Sister simply smiled.
Then her gaze shifted toward me.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
“So, you’ve finally arrived.”
“…What exactly are you thinking, Your Majesty?”
“Are you referring to my earlier statement? But if I hadn’t said that, you would’ve left immediately after the coronation, wouldn’t you?”
“…”
After all the ceremonies concluded, I rushed to catch up with Empress Sister.
I couldn’t believe she had just dropped a bombshell like that and abruptly ended the discussion.
At least a public confession in front of the entire court had been avoided.
Still, given the meaningful looks she had been throwing my way, plenty of people had already picked up on something.
If this “joyous announcement” involved me, I needed to know in advance—so there was no choice but to seek her out again.
“I have something to tell you, so listen carefully. In truth, I had wanted to say this before the coronation, but I got so distracted by your excessive eloquence that I forgot. My plan was to observe your troubled expression throughout the entire ceremony after hearing my words. But now, it’s all ruined.”
“…”
Empress Sister shot me a resentful glare.
I could already predict what she was about to say.
I smiled faintly and opened my mouth.
“I sincerely apologize. I unintentionally foiled Your Majesty’s grand plan.”
“As long as you understand. Even after bringing you into my bedchamber, things did not progress in the natural direction. That must be due to your superhuman mental fortitude.”
“…?”
“As of today, I am officially an adult. Strictly speaking, I came of age at midnight, but only through this symbolic coronation did I truly step into adulthood. Until then, you must have been suppressing your indecent thoughts with all your willpower, right? That’s why even when we were alone in my bedchamber before the ceremony, you held back.”
“…!?”
I couldn’t stop my pupils from shaking.
Waiting until after the coronation?
Superhuman mental fortitude?
What was she even talking about?
I had only realized a few days ago that Empress Sister was still a minor to begin with!
More importantly—
Had she been aware of every single inappropriate thought I had about her until now?
Had I only been indulging in private fantasies inside my head, while she perceived it as me desperately restraining myself?
“Ah. Yes. Well… Uh, that—yes, that’s exactly it.”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ observes you with a suspicious gaze.]
I couldn’t bring myself to confess the truth.
I had no choice but to nod along with Empress Sister’s interpretation.
And so, from this day forward, I had officially become the enlightened sage—a paragon of restraint—who endured the affections of the once-minor Empress Sister with unshakable willpower.
I kept repeating those words in my head, brainwashing myself.
It was the only way to prevent the Spirit’s Eye from seeing through me.
I couldn’t afford to let my true thoughts slip: ‘Uh, I was just fantasizing because I really, really wanted to sleep with her.’
“I wanted to say this sooner, but I hesitated, fearing it would only push your patience to its limits. Count Aslan Vermont. Will you marry me and become the Consort of the Empire?”
“Your Majesty…”
“If the title of Consort is too burdensome for you, then I don’t mind just having you as my lover. Even if we don’t marry, it doesn’t matter. As long as I can love you and have you as the father of my heir, that alone is enough for me.”
“…”
A lover?
Honestly, that felt even more burdensome.
I already had three young wives.
I had married my knight and even my own sister.
And now, taking the ruling Empress as a lover?
That would make me the kind of bastard who deserved to be executed on the spot.
Up until now, the main reason I had ignored Empress Sister’s advances
was because I feared being tied down as Consort and losing my freedom.
I had always wondered—
Did she truly love me?
Or did she just want my abilities and intended to bring me into the palace to use me?
Was there even a shred of genuine affection in her heart?
That question had always lingered.
But now, I had my answer.
Her love was real.
There was no longer any reason to hesitate.
No reason to waver.
“Then, I’ll accept being the Consort, Your Majesty.”
“I thought you detested that more than death itself?”
“I only hated the idea of becoming Consort through a loveless political marriage and being worked to the bone until I died. But if it’s being bossed around by a wife I love, I welcome it.”
“Y-You rogue··· Your silver tongue truly knows no bounds···.”
Her face flushed red as she shyly turned her head away.
This was the same woman who had just boldly declared that she wanted me to help produce an heir—
and yet, when countered, she was easily flustered.
“Wa-Wait! You’ll ruin my makeup···!”
“It doesn’t matter, does it? The ceremonies are all over now. Even if it gets completely ruined.”
“···!?”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ lets out a cheer!]
Without hesitation, I cupped her cheek, tilted my head, and stole her lips.
The thick taste of her heavy makeup lingered in my mouth.
After five or six more kisses, the unpleasant taste gradually faded, and at last, I could savor the sweetness of her saliva.
‘Looks like that ‘joyous announcement’ will be happening very soon.’
With the nobles desperately pressing for an heir, there was no reason to delay the news.
It wouldn’t be surprising if our marriage was announced as early as tomorrow.
Now that Empress Sister had officially come of age, various noble houses must have been preparing proposals to secure the position of Consort.
But all their efforts had just gone up in smoke.
Not that I felt the least bit guilty about it.
After all, I had staked my claim on Empress Sister a whole eight years ago.
If they were that upset about it, then they should’ve risked their lives, traveled back in time, and secured a childhood fiancée for themselves.
“Mmh···.”
Slowly, Empress Sister leaned into me.
A thin strand of saliva stretched between us.
Her longing gaze fixated on me.
At this moment, there was no cold, emotionless Iron Empress.
No superhuman who could see through people’s thoughts.
There was only a single woman in my embrace.
‘Ah. This atmosphere is dangerous.’
I had planned to hold out at least until the children were older.
But at this rate, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep that promise.
Empress Sister leaned even closer.
She placed her hand on my chest—then suddenly stiffened.
“Mmm?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Strange… There’s an oddly deep indentation on your shoulder…”
“…Ah.”
“Bite marks?”
She tilted her head in curiosity and pulled back my collar.
There, on my shoulder, were the still-visible marks where Irene had sunk her teeth into me.
Wait…
That was over a month ago—why the hell was it still so clear!?
“Where did these bite marks come from?”
“Ah, well… My household has a bit of a biting problem…”
“A biting problem? I didn’t know you had a dog.”
“It’s not a dog. It’s my sister.”
“…”
The light faded from Empress Sister’s eyes.
And at that moment, I realized—
I was in serious trouble.
Damn it, Irene. What have you done this time?
