Chapter 4
The Duties of a Married Couple
“Ah.”
Perhaps she hadn’t expected my reaction, as Serenity clutched the edge of the blanket with her slender fingers, trembling violently. Tears welled up in her already watery eyes.
Until now, I had thought of Serenity as nothing more than fragile and pitiable. But looking at her now, I realized she knew exactly what she had and how to use it to her advantage.
Unfortunately for her, such tricks didn’t work on me.
“What were you planning to do about the consequences? Not only would you be the subject of gossip in high society, but I, who gave you the Navis Palace, would also be dragged into it. You might even be expelled from our family.”
Serenity wouldn’t know.
She had no idea what kind of criticism and war I, as well as my family, the House of Bifis, had endured while she comfortably ate, slept, and read books in the Navis Palace for the sake of her prenatal care.
I had never once let it show, fearing it might disturb her.
Tears streamed down Serenity’s face as she trembled. Finally, she stammered out, “I-I’m sorry, Isoletti. But I… I had no choice. I truly love him, but he can’t marry me… So, at the very least, I wanted to be connected to him this way.”
“He can’t marry you? Why? You’re the eldest daughter of House Bifis. You, more than anyone, should know that Father is practically willing to hand over the entire family to whoever weds you.”
“That’s true, but…”
As Serenity lowered her head and fell silent, I let out a scornful laugh.
“Sister, don’t tell me he’s a commoner? A palace servant? Or did you, by chance, bring in a prostitute from the palace? Surely you didn’t sleep with so many men at once that you don’t even know whose child it is?”
“I-Isoletti! How could you say something like that?”
“Or… is the father already married?”
“…!”
Serenity, already pale, turned even whiter.
Not sympathy, sorrow, pain, or a faint smile—what crossed her face now was panic.
In my past life, I had never seen this expression on her before.
This must be the real Serenity, without her mask.
Letting out a light sigh, I gently placed my hand on her back as she bit her lip nervously.
“I’m sorry. I was so angry that I said something harsh. I’ll step outside for a moment to get some fresh air.”
“…Mm.”
Perhaps thinking I would stop pressing her about the child’s father, Serenity relaxed her tense shoulders in relief.
I smiled at her reaction.
Bang!
Tristian stormed into the Emperor’s private lounge, slamming the door shut. The woman sitting on the sofa jumped up in fright.
Dressed in a vulgar gown, she had been about to kneel and lick his feet. The memory of what had happened at the banquet resurfaced, fueling his anger.
“Get out. I don’t want to see your face.”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty…”
The woman and her maids hastily gathered their belongings and scurried out.
Those who served Tristian knew better than anyone that even the slightest delay could earn them a slap or a handful of their hair yanked out.
Even the careful sound of the door closing made his nape prickle.
Clenching his fists and bracing himself against the table, Tristian muttered in a tightly restrained voice,
“A whore. A misunderstanding…?”
The more he repeated it, the more ridiculous it sounded.
He should have handled it better, but he had been too caught off guard by Isoletti’s reaction.
Usually, she would be flustered by his demands yet obediently comply.
She was always docile, always submissive. What had gotten into her? Since when did she have the gall to defy him?
It was a short exchange, nothing particularly significant, yet the fact that Isoletti had gotten the upper hand stung his pride.
“She only gets to bear the title of Empress because of me.”
Perhaps it was time to remind her who truly held power in this relationship.
Grinding his teeth, he pondered the best way to go about it when someone suddenly entered the lounge without knocking.
The only person who would dare enter the Emperor’s private quarters unannounced.
His mother.
Aira Monste Ruind, the former Empress.
“Oh my, no women today? Don’t tell me you’re preparing for tomorrow night’s consummation, Your Majesty?”
Clack!
Tristian’s gaze landed on a familiar glass bottle placed on the table.
A green liquid sloshed inside.
Lifting his eyes, he met Aira’s gaze.
Despite her golden jewelry, luxurious gown, and thick layer of powder, she couldn’t hide the sharp lines of age or her inherently cold and calculating nature.
“This is none of your concern, Mother.”
“Oh, but it is. We are mother and son, after all.”
The word mother made him feel suffocated.
Unlike all the other relationships he could sever at will, this one was inescapable no matter how much he struggled.
Just as Isoletti had only become Empress because of him, he had only become Emperor because of Aira.
Aira’s carefully manicured hand rested on his slouched shoulder.
“Drink it. I’ll have a word with the Empress, but we can’t be too careful.”
“…”
Damn it.
Her gentle yet commanding tone made him lower his head.
Aira ordering him around was nothing new, but tonight, he had no desire to drink that vile concoction.
“I don’t want to. The effects of this so-called medicine aren’t even verified.”
“How absurd. I’ve tested it thoroughly on both you and your late father for years.”
“If that’s true, then why is the Duke’s daughter pregnant…?”
Tristian’s thoughts snapped to the palace physician’s report on Serenity’s condition.
But seeing Aira’s composed expression made him clamp his mouth shut.
No way.
Did she… do it on purpose?
As Tristian hesitated, Aira smiled and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
“Disgusting or not, you must drink it. The Empress must never carry your child. You can bed any woman in the world and scatter your seed as you please—but not that wretched girl. Do you understand?”
Why.
Why did she hate Isoletti so much?
She always had. Ever since Tristian was a boy, Aira had despised Isoletti.
But she had never explained why.
Knowing she wouldn’t suddenly reveal the reason now, Tristian kept his mouth shut.
Having accomplished what she came for, Aira turned to leave without hesitation.
“I assume you’re aware of next week’s Proof of Blessing ceremony? It’s a pointless affair, but it must be handled properly. Prepare a suitable confession.”
Clack!
The moment the door closed behind her, Tristian grabbed the glass bottle off the table and raised his arm, ready to smash it.
“…Damn it!”
A mother who knowingly forced such medicine on her own son.
It made him want to shatter the vile thing immediately.
But the thought of Aira’s anger and disappointment held him back.
“…Wait.”
Come to think of it—
He had a perfect opportunity to make all the women who had infuriated him suffer.
The next day, I declared that I would be moving back into the Navis Palace.
The maids, who had pitied me for living in a guest chamber despite being the Empress, were delighted. It was comforting to know there were people who genuinely rejoiced in me reclaiming what was mine.
Serenity, who had occupied Navis Palace, naturally moved into the guest room.
She smiled and said, “I don’t mind the guest room,” but I knew she wasn’t truly okay with it. Not that I cared.
I was done sacrificing myself for her.
I would reclaim not only my palace and my dignity but also the life I had once given up for Serenity’s sake.
I also needed to investigate my illness.
Tristian and Serenity would never have earnestly sought a cure for me—I had to do it myself.
“I can do this. I must do this.”
As I sat before my mirror, gazing at my youthful, healthy reflection, a sense of determination settled over me.
Just as I was about to lie down—
Click.
A sound came from the door.
Startled, I gripped the front of my robe tightly.
“Tonight was supposed to be our consummation night. Is my visit so surprising?”
“…Your Majesty.”
“I’ve come to fulfill our marital duty. Or should I call you wife on a night like this?”
Tristian had come to my room.
In my past life, no matter how much I longed for it, this had never happened.
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