Episode 119
After a month and a half, we finally arrived at the imperial palace, where Lothania was waiting for me with dozens of palace attendants.
Her Imperial Majesty herself opened the carriage door to greet me.
“Mother!”
“Lottie!”
Lothania leapt into my arms, her bright crimson eyes sparkling as she bombarded me with questions.
“Did you enjoy the trip? How was the north? Were you cold?”
“Thanks to you, I had a wonderful time. Was everything peaceful in Brincia, Lottie?”
“Of course! Brincia was as peaceful as always.”
“Really? From what I saw on the way here, it seems like something’s about to happen.”
I narrowed my eyes on purpose as I asked, and Lothania let out an awkward laugh, trying to deflect my suspicion.
Then, in a conspicuously strained tone, she turned to Aiden and asked if he had also returned safely, before stepping toward him.
She lowered her voice, whispering something to Aiden, but suddenly burst out loudly.
“What? In the carriage just now?”
When Aiden nodded, looking completely confused, Lothania groaned and pressed her hand to her forehead, letting out a dramatic sigh.
“What on earth were you doing for the last month and a half, Duke Tilender? Who proposes inside a carriage?”
Although he still didn’t seem to understand why Lothania was upset, Aiden’s expression turned serious as he began questioning whether he had indeed made a mistake.
Shaking her head in disbelief, Lothania turned to me and asked, “Mother, are you really okay with this man?”
Behind her, I could see Aiden’s eyes trembling nervously, clearly distressed by the question.
“I like him, Lottie,” I replied, smiling gently.
“If Mother says so, then there’s no choice.”
Lothania approached me with a playful pout and handed me something.
It was a pink envelope, sealed with the emperor’s personal insignia.
“What’s this, Lottie?”
“Open it, Mother. It’s an invitation.”
“An invitation?”
Puzzled by her meaningful smile, I opened the envelope.
Sure enough, it was an invitation—an invitation to my own wedding.
“Ta-da! You are cordially invited to your own wedding!”
With her arms stretched wide, Lothania declared loudly, and the palace attendants, including Tito, burst into applause.
Beaming, Lothania added, “The date is left blank. You can fill in whichever day you’d like, Mother. But personally, I think this Sunday would be perfect.”
“Sunday is only three days away.”
“Saturday works too!”
I pulled Lothania into a tight embrace, laughing at her mischievous tone.
Although she had grown significantly taller over the years, whenever Lothania nestled into my arms, she always seemed like the same innocent twelve-year-old girl I had first met.
She must have had mixed feelings about my marriage. Yet, this thoughtful child always prioritized my happiness above her own.
If Aiden was the first person I had ever chosen for myself, then Lothania was the most precious gift I had been given.
“Thank you, Lottie. My daughter, I love you so much.”
“Hehe, I love you too, Mother.”
After hugging me tightly, Lothania let go and grabbed my hand, saying she had something to show me.
When I stood in front of the newly renovated Empress’s Palace, I was speechless. Lothania and Tito exchanged proud glances, clearly pleased with themselves.
Someone else was waiting with an equally satisfied expression—Rosaline, who, despite her dark circles, stood before a dazzling display of wedding dresses. Bowing her head, she said, “Your Grace, I wasn’t sure what you would like, so I prepared them all.”
The five wedding dresses, each more extraordinary and exquisite than the last, had already been tailored to perfection.
Thanks to the meticulous preparations of Her Majesty the Emperor, my wedding was set for three days later—on Sunday.
* * *
Everything was ready.
On the eve of my second wedding, I sat in front of the mirror with a peculiar feeling.
I thought it wouldn’t affect me much, having been through it once before, but my heart had been pounding faster and faster all morning.
Trying to calm myself with deep breaths, I heard the door open, and a man dressed in a blue suit stepped inside.
“You look like a different person all dressed up like that,” I said.
“Well, it’s a special day, so I thought I’d put in some effort,” Vitrain replied, smiling, his white eyepatch contrasting with his dimpled grin.
He walked up to me, knelt on one knee, and kissed the back of my hand, gloved in white lace.
“Congratulations, Your Grace. I wish you every happiness,” he said solemnly, his blue eyes radiating sincerity.
“May you find happiness too,” I replied.
“Don’t worry. Though I’ve taken the long way around, I’m finding my way to it,” he said with a contented smile.
I truly wished him happiness as well, and he smiled like someone who already had it.
Not long ago, Vitrain had adopted his niece as his daughter.
Once infamous as a rake who swore vengeance against all eagles, Vitrain had finally found his nest.
His blue eyes, which once seemed so steadfast yet lonely, now carried a warmth that was unmistakable.
Silently, I wished for his happiness once more before asking about another whose happiness I also held dear.
“And how is Aiden holding up?”
“He’s been sitting down and standing up every three seconds. The chamberlain finally scolded him, saying he’d wrinkle his suit.”
“R-really?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen him this nervous,” Vitrain said with a chuckle.
Aiden, nervous? I forgot my own earlier breathing exercises and let out a laugh.
Still holding my hand, Vitrain stood and said, “I’ll escort you to the ceremony, Your Grace.”
Although traditionally the father of the bride, Vitrain had kindly volunteered. In Belpator, after Lothania and Aiden, Vitrain was the one I trusted most, and he was more than qualified for the role.
With his escort, we made our way to the banquet hall.
Thanks to Vitrain’s calm presence, I had briefly forgotten my nerves, but as the sound of music from the hall grew closer, my heart began racing again.
When we arrived outside the hall, I saw numerous attendants gathered, including Aiden.
It seemed he had tried to come fetch me himself, only to be held back by Tito and the others.
In the midst of their squabble, Aiden noticed me and instantly brightened—only to stop in his tracks, as if holding his breath.
“Aiden?”
“Your Grace…”
“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”
Concerned by his pale expression, I let go of Vitrain’s hand and approached him.
When I naturally reached for his hand, he took mine and, with a dazed expression I’d never seen before, blurted out nonsense.
“You’re too beautiful.”
“What?”
“You’re so beautiful I—”
“Alright, that’s enough,” I interrupted, hurriedly covering his mouth.
Although I had stopped him from uttering more embarrassing praise, Aiden, who had once been known for his fierce demeanor in Belpator, seemed utterly dazed.
I took his hand and led him into the banquet hall, where, from afar, Lothania waved enthusiastically with a bright smile.
Seeing Aiden and Lothania so openly joyful instantly eased all my nerves.
As I laughed, Aiden’s smile grew even brighter. Behind him, Tito watched us with a benevolent expression.
Amy, who was adjusting the train of my dress, caught my eye and quickly blushed, bowing her head.
Vitrain, who had just entered the hall, chuckled softly to himself.
Everyone who had worked so hard for me, my beautiful daughter Lothania—they were all smiling.
I knew then.
Unlike my last wedding, when the empress’s crown and solemn music had felt unbearably heavy, today would remain a memory of pure joy.
And the days to come with Aiden would be just as happy as today.
Hand in hand, we stepped forward together.
On that sweet April day, in front of the daughter I loved more than anything in the world, I became a family with the man I loved most.
The first night was even more chaotic than the lively wedding.
Aiden was bashful like a boy, fierce like a storm, and tender like a spring breeze.
The long night was as beautiful as a sky full of stars.
If there was one issue, it was that he suffered from a severe case of insomnia.
“Aiden, aren’t you going to sleep?”
“Go to sleep, my lady,” Aiden said, planting a kiss on my cheek. His manner of address had changed the moment the wedding ended.
“Don’t just tell me to sleep—help me. How can I sleep when you’re like this?”
“I’ll stay still.”
“Don’t stay still; go to sleep. It’ll be dawn soon.”
“But it feels like such a waste to close my eyes,” he replied, this time kissing the tip of my nose.
So much for staying still. He was such a liar.
Sensing another storm on the horizon, I shifted away slightly and asked, “A waste? What is?”
“If I close my eyes, I won’t be able to see you.”
How much does this man love me?
How deeply must he love me to say something so embarrassingly sincere?
Cupping his face, I gently closed his eyes with my hands.
“Even if you can’t see me, I’m always by your side.”
With his eyes covered, Aiden somehow still managed to kiss me precisely on the lips.
When the sluggish morning sun finally brightened the sky, I awoke to find Aiden holding me tightly as he slept.
Stealing a soft kiss from his lips, I saw the corners of his mouth curl up into a smile, and he pulled me closer.
It was a morning brimming with happiness—a happiness that belonged entirely to me.
Not just for today, but for tomorrow, and the day after, and all the days to come.
<Let’s Tame the Insolent Beast> The End.
Dear Readers, Sorry I made a mistake in uploading
Thank you for joining me on this journey through my novel. I hope you found it as calming and soothing as I did while translating it. This story was never meant to be dragged out for a long time, nor did it feel right to charge for chapters, given its lack of drama and depth. It was bound to complete early, and I hope you enjoyed it as an ordinary romance novel with no grand significance.
In a place filled with novels boasting bigger and better plots with various types of angst, this one was different. It was meant to clear your minds, just as it did mine. Feel free to comment and let me know if I made any mistakes—I’ll edit them right away.
Thank you for your support and for reading my work.
Warm regards,
Layana ♥
