“Episode 1”
“The Queen’s wish will come true even without the full moon.”
“Will it?”
The beautiful Queen, the affectionate Emperor. They seemed to lack nothing in this world.
“I want to give you an heir as soon as possible…”
Patrick gently wrapped his arms around Arist’s shoulders, comforting her.
“We’re still young.”
The Emperor’s visits were not infrequent, nor was there a lack of affection. He was perfect as an Emperor and as a husband, but Arist couldn’t shake off the feeling that she wasn’t fulfilling her role properly.
“Still… It’s the most important duty of a Queen.”
They had been married for seven years since their twenties, and Arist had never conceived a child. Now, not only was there gossip in society, but even in the council, there were concerns.
“You don’t need an heir.”
Patrick never pressured Arist. As an Emperor himself, he understood the importance of the succession issue, but he was grateful for Arist’s feelings.
“Arist.”
He gently took Arist’s arm and led her towards the bed.
“We’re fine as we are now.”
His green eyes gazed affectionately at Arist.
“I’ve obtained the most beautiful woman on this continent as my wife as per my wish, and there’s nothing to worry about in my empire. Everything is as you wish.”
Patrick embraced Arist. As he said, Arist was becoming more beautiful with each passing day since their marriage. However, an unfulfilled longing was gradually eating away at her heart.
“Don’t worry about anything.”
Patrick whispered as if understanding her heart.
“Everything will come to you when you want it.”
Men as kind as Patrick, even if not Emperor, were rare among the nobility. Arist was impressed by Patrick’s gentlemanly behavior when she first met him. That’s why she could become the Queen with joy.
“Thank you, always…”
Arist whispered with pink lips. Her loving husband, who waited for an uncertain heir, was her only reliance and hope. It had always been like that.
“I’ll try harder.”
So, she wanted to hold a beautiful child in her arms and give it to him someday.
“I really want to give you an heir, Your Majesty.”
“You’ve already given me enough with your heart.”
Patrick kissed Arist. With closed eyes, Arist fervently made a wish in her heart. She believed there was still time.
The agonizing wait drained her of vitality. Now, the once beautiful Empress was gone. Like branches turning from autumn to winter, Arist’s heart withered.
“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with the Empress. Please, be at ease.”
Lady Anna’s words no longer provided comfort. Despite trying traditional remedies and even superstitions, there was no sign of pregnancy.
“The Emperor has noticed the Empress’s recent melancholy and specially invited the King and Queen of Leon. He is truly considerate, isn’t he?”
“Yes…”
Arist replied expressionlessly. The Leon royal family had long fallen from their past glory, resembling a mere noble house. Their only hope was for Arist to confidently produce an heir to continue the imperial lineage, but the lack of news worried Arist even more than herself.
“The King and Queen of Leon have arrived.”
After Lady Anna’s brief announcement and a simple greeting, Arist stood before her parents.
“Welcome.”
Despite meeting her parents, there was no joy on Arist’s face. The same went for the royal couple. Arist gestured to Lady Anna to leave the drawing-room, and finally, only the three families remained.
“You must be tired from the journey…”
Before Arist could finish her greeting, the King sighed. Yet, in the presence of others, they maintained decorum towards the Empress, but their familial formality had disappeared.
“This isn’t the time to exchange pleasantries.”
Alone in front of her parents, Arist lost her status as Empress and became just a powerless daughter. It had always been like this.
“What’s the problem exactly? If you can’t produce an heir, you might lose your position as Empress. Lately, the ministers have been talking…about how much noise they’re making…”
“Is it only the ministers? I haven’t seen the faces of society ladies lately. Some even say the Empress is embarrassed to attend social events because she can’t fulfill her duties.”
The Queen sharply retorted, glaring at Arist.
“Is it true?”
“I’ve just been feeling tired lately…and haven’t been able to attend social invitations.”
“Ha…If you can’t fulfill your duties and even avoid social events, who will recognize you as Empress?”
Arist bit her lip hard. There was always a sharp edge to the elegant words of society ladies. They observed Arist’s expression as they mocked her for not having a child or, worse, sneered behind their fans.
“Consider yourself lucky that the Emperor favors you. He’s truly…a generous and affectionate person, isn’t he?”
“Yes…”
Patrick was the perfect husband. He never raised his voice throughout their marriage, always shielding Arist from external criticisms.
“When you were chosen as Empress, everything seemed to be going well, but you couldn’t do the most important thing.”
The King couldn’t hold back and clicked his tongue. Arist just wished for this moment to end quickly. Whether it was the noblewomen of society or her parents, they all treated Arist the same way.
“You’re thirty now. How long do you think you can be favored for your beauty?”
To her father, Arist was merely a beautiful and useful daughter. Even when she became Empress, he had been proud as if it were natural.
“We haven’t seen Her Majesty because of you.”
As a child, Arist thought her parents were proud of their beautiful daughter. Now, she felt vividly that Arist was just a tool. A tool that couldn’t fulfill her role properly.
Arist desperately sought to divert from the suffocating situation and found solace in another topic. Thankfully, she remembered the only person she genuinely wanted to inquire about.
“How is Grandma doing?”
Summoning courage, Arist asked. Her grandmother was the only one who treated Arist with love and care.
“Are you worried about others now?”
“Please, Your Majesty…”
The Queen intervened, signaling the King with her eyes. He coughed loudly and left the parlor without a word of greeting.
“Arist. Are you properly attending to His Majesty’s needs?”
Arist was well aware of what the court ladies and ministers were saying about her. But hearing such words from her mother was too humiliating. Nevertheless, the Queen continued.
“Do you have guests every month?”
“Yes…”
The Queen sighed deeply.
“You’re thirty now, you can’t just keep waiting.”
But how could Arist try any harder? She couldn’t force herself to conceive a child.
“Come.”
The Queen took out a small, ornate box from her pocket.
“I need some blood.”
“What?”
“Don’t ask questions. I consulted a wise man who promised to diagnose by the color change in the blood stored in this box.”
“What nonsense…”
Arist frowned. Believing such superstitions and letting blood from her body, she felt her dignity slipping away.
“Give me your hand.”
But it seemed Arist never had a choice to begin with.
“Ouch!”
The sharp needle in the center of the box pricked Arist’s finger.
“Mother!”
The Queen didn’t respond but pushed the needle deeper. It seemed she was determined to gain accusations that Arist could bear an heir this time.
“Remember, Arist.”
Satisfied with the amount of blood she obtained, the Queen coldly looked at her daughter as she closed the box. Would she have treated her own biological daughter like this?
“You were not born a beautiful princess through your efforts. Similarly, your elevation to the noble position of Empress was not of your making.”
Arist hadn’t decided anything in her life.
“You must bear an heir and fulfill your role. Only then will you be deserving. Understand?”
“…Yes, Mother.”
Finally, the Queen released Arist’s hand with a satisfied nod. Blood still trickled from her finger, unseen.
“We must meet the wise man now, let’s go.”
Arist was relieved that this ordeal would soon be over. She greeted her indifferent parents and left.
The fairytale-like life of the beautiful princess continued today. But the reality behind this fairytale was quite cruel.
shucks