A Different Husband Every Night (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5

“The Emperor is getting married!”

“What? Surely, surely not our own Emperor? With whom?!”

“With the princess from the Lupeon Kingdom who arrived recently!”

“Wait! That wasn’t just a rumor—it’s actually true?!”

“Yes! Just a moment ago, I overheard Counselor Jaerim talking about the banquet for the distinguished guests invited to the Emperor’s wedding!”

The rumor that the Emperor of the Leonharta Empire was getting married spread like wildfire across the continent.

The sudden marriage announcement threw the entire empire into an uproar.

“Has anyone here actually seen the princess?”

“They say His Majesty cherishes her so dearly that no one except her assigned maids is allowed near her!”

“Did our Emperor really have this side to him?”

A maid passing by with laundry overheard the word “princess” and naturally joined the conversation.

“I did see her once, very briefly from afar.”

“What?! Really?”

“What’s she like?! Tell us! We’re so curious!”

“First, her hair was a soft pink like cherry blossoms, gently rippling, and her eyes sparkled green like a forest brimming with life. She was so stunning, I thought—if the god Semula were ever to be born as a human, they might look just like her.”

“Wowww!”

“But she looked so frail—I worried a strong gust of wind might carry her away. Even glimpsing her for just a few seconds from far away made me want to serve her.”

The maid’s cheeks flushed with excitement.

“Come to think of it, I saw the maids assigned to the princess’s chambers recently begging the head chef to prepare high-calorie, delicious meals.”

“I understand exactly how they feel. Anyone who sees the princess will surely understand.”

With those words, the maid walked away calmly, still holding her laundry.

“But wasn’t that the same person, Maril, who just praised the princess? She’s known among nobles for being cold—even to her own masters.”

“Yeah. Ever since her younger sibling suffered terribly under a noble she served…”

“Hold on. Aren’t all the staff assigned to the princess’s chambers people with experience but who only sought easy jobs?”

“…You’re right! They must’ve endured so much hardship everywhere else…”

A shared look of bewildered realization crossed the maids’ faces.

“Just who exactly is this princess?”

“Could she possibly possess some kind of power that draws people to her…?”

Everyone rejoiced at the news that someone had finally appeared to fill the long-vacant Empress’s seat.

The nobles celebrated, saying the empire would now find stability, while commoners rejoiced in anticipation of free bread and soup to be distributed at the upcoming grand celebration.

Our wedding preparations moved incredibly quickly. Jaerim, as Chief Counselor, handled everything with lightning speed, as if he’d been waiting for this day his whole life.

‘He’s rushing it all—could it be because he’s afraid I’ll run away if he doesn’t announce it quickly enough?’

I received gifts including a wedding dress, the Empress’s palace, and the southern Damask Palace, which once directly adjoined the World Tree when it was still alive.

Perhaps because it was the last place where the World Tree’s life-spark had flickered out, the palace still teemed with blooming flowers and living plants, making it dazzling and beautiful.

Everyone was astounded—no emperor in history, however devoted to his consort, had ever gifted the entire Damask Palace, once connected to the World Tree, outright.

‘What good is such a gorgeous, splendid palace anyway? I’ll be staying right next to the Emperor’s chamber in the main palace!’

Still, as we’d previously agreed, I decided to reside in the chamber closest to the Emperor’s bedroom.

It had once belonged to the late Empress Dowager. Unlike my old quarters in the Lupeon Kingdom, this room was bright with sunlight and well-ventilated.

‘Is all this truly mine?’

Unlike those days when I woke up starving and hollow with hunger, now I often drifted off to sleep with a full stomach.

Once, I’d pick up every fallen crumb so nothing went to waste—but now, I even left food uneaten.

‘So this is what it means to live in luxury.’

Everything around me, except myself, changed rapidly. It was a world utterly unlike the life I’d known until now.

Whenever I suddenly feared I might be indulging too extravagantly, Levanfel visited me each night and eased my worries.

“Princess. Are you really satisfied with just this much?”

“…”

“It seems you still haven’t quite realized. You’re about to become Empress of the Great Empire. It’s far too early to be amazed by this much alone. From now on, you’ll possess even finer things—things others can scarcely imagine.”

At this point, I couldn’t help but admit it.

“Marrying you was definitely the best choice.”

Mad power, a sacrificial fate—and on top of that, an absurdly handsome husband with perfect proportions and a flawless physique.

I deliberately turned my gaze away, trying not to notice Levanfel’s chest right under my palm.

Noticing my flustered eyes darting away, Levanfel raised his eyebrows playfully.

“Princess. You just had some strange thoughts, didn’t you?”

“Me? Who, me? Is there another princess here besides me?”

“I mean Princess Teriella Lupeon.”

“Hah! Me? Don’t be ridiculous! You’re accusing an innocent person!”

“Your face is turning red.”

That sharp-eyed guy.

Levanfel had always been perceptive. Someone might think he’d grown up as carefully observant as I had in childhood.

Even though he was a prince! …Well, I was a princess too, yet I’d also learned to read the room growing up.

“Don’t misunderstand. Even if I’d placed my hand like this on Counselor Jaerim’s chest instead of yours, I’d still blush.”

His golden eyes, which had been shining warmly, suddenly burned hot.

“…That would be horrifying.”

“Huh?”

“If that were ever true, someone would end up bleeding. A truly dreadful outcome.”

Levanfel murmured in a low, chilling voice, sending shivers down my spine—his sincerity was bone-chilling.

“Hmmph. If only you didn’t have to undress me every time, it’d be far more comfortable.”

I’d already attempted this several times from different angles or through clothing, but none had worked. It seemed direct infusion of holy energy precisely onto the heart’s location was necessary for healing.

“Really? I actually prefer it this way.”

“Why? You always have to take off your clothes and all…”

“Exactly. Why do you think that is?”

Levanfel slowly leaned his upper body closer toward me and whispered. We were so near that just turning my head slightly would brush my lips against his.

“If you keep doing this… I won’t bother with healing or anything. I’ll just take you to bed before midnight. And then you’ll end up locked in your chamber every night again, drunk as a lord…”

“Don’t worry. If the Princess doesn’t want it, I won’t do it.”

So if I said I did want it, he’d do anything?

I bit down hard on my inner lip, struggling to keep my mind from drifting.

“Anyway, the wedding is really happening soon. Since it’s my first time, I’m nervous.”

“I’m relieved. I was worried I’d be the only one nervous—it’s my first time too.”

I wasn’t someone who backed down easily, yet this man never failed to match my words perfectly.

“Princess.”

“Yes?”

“…If you’d rather the Lupeon royal family didn’t attend the wedding, you can tell me. Since you don’t wish it, I can simply choose not to invite them.”

“The Lupeon royal family… my own family? Why would you say that?”

“I thought you might not want to see those people from your kingdom.”

See? Without me saying a word, he’s already this perceptive.

But I firmly shook my head.

“Your Majesty, what are you saying? The Lupeon royal family is my family. They absolutely must attend the wedding. I’ve even been holding back from inviting all my sisters and brothers!”

“…Princess.”

For a moment, I thought I saw Levanfel’s eyes soften.

“Princess, you truly have such a strong…”

“That way, those royal bastards can watch me live happily right before their eyes! It’s a rare sight even money can’t buy!”

“…”

“I need to see it with my own eyes and laugh right in their faces—only then can I sleep peacefully with both legs stretched out! I’m eagerly waiting for that day to come. Why on earth would you suggest otherwise?”

“…Princess, you truly are strong-willed and remarkable. I would never make you my enemy.”

“My enemy? Were you planning to betray me?!”

“…I should probably reconsider whether the Lupeon Kingdom sent you here for some other reason.”

Levanfel feigned teasing, but his gaze remained as sweet and gentle as biting into a marshmallow.

“How can you be so strong, Princess?”

“Thanks to my mother.”

“Your mother?”

“Yes. Although my family treated me horribly and tormented me… my mother loved me so deeply. From her, I learned how to love myself and never lose my spirit.”

That’s why I could always hold my head high.

Having even just one person in the world who loved me meant more than hundreds to me.

“She always told me, ‘If someone stabs you with a sword, it’s not your fault—it’s theirs. Even if a few dozen people hate you in this world, there’s no reason to blame yourself. You deserve love.’”

My mother had always, without fail, been on my side.

[‘Never bow your head, Terry! Stand tall! Only bow when you’ve done something wrong! If you haven’t done anything wrong and you believe in yourself, never lower your head! I have no intention of making my precious one bow! Terry, you’ll receive so much love in life that it’ll overwhelm you. I’ll give you the whole world, my darling. Do you trust me?’]

“You had a wonderful mother.”

“Though I heard she didn’t even hold me when I was first born. But around the time I turned three, she suddenly changed completely. I guess maybe she felt guilty for everything she hadn’t done for me before—but I’m not sure.”

Sometimes, looking at me as a grown woman, she’d mutter strange things like, “Why did I get possessed at a time like this? I never expected to end up doing parenting!”

“Still, not everyone can trust and stand by their child no matter the circumstances. She truly was extraordinary.”

Unlike his words, which were genuinely admiring, a bitter shadow passed over Levanfel’s face.

‘Does he have painful memories?’

I knew nothing about Levanfel. He’d never given me an opening to probe deeper.

Given his ironclad defenses, we weren’t close enough for me to keep pressing him with questions either.

In that moment of hesitation, Levanfel quickly composed his expression and changed the subject.

“Then, as the Princess wishes, I’ll specially invite the entire Lupeon royal family.”

“Wow! Is that really allowed?”

“Of course. Didn’t I tell you? Anything the Princess desires is possible. I’ll make sure you can enjoy it thoroughly.”

“Am I really the one who’ll be enjoying it?”

Levanfel confidently nodded as if my question needed no answer.

“I’ll send a fast ship to the Lupeon Kingdom.”

“Huh? But what about the tidal waves…?”

“You seem to have forgotten—the Empire has high-ranking priests. If they pray throughout the voyage, they can calm even tidal waves along the route.”

“Oh… But now that I think about it, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if only the Lupeon royals boarded the fast ship—and got swallowed by a tidal wave.”

When I clapped my hands and laughed gleefully, Levanfel let out a hollow chuckle, muttering, “Truly impressive.”

And a few weeks later.

The fast ship carrying the Lupeon royal family arrived at the Leonharta Empire.

Contrary to my high hopes, the ship arrived perfectly unharmed. Honestly, I’d wished for holes to magically appear in the hull so they’d have to row themselves, or for the ship to veer off course during a violent storm and land on a deserted island.

‘What a shame. Sending priests along really wasn’t the right move.’

But it was too late for regrets.

The carriage that departed from the harbor arrived at the Imperial Palace, and out stepped my familiar Lupeon royal family—my own kin.

“We bow before the dazzling sun of the Empire, His Imperial Majesty.”

The King was the first to step down and offer his greeting.

He glanced briefly at me standing beside Levanfel, then quickly looked away. My sisters and brothers followed one by one with their greetings.

Though we could have ended it early, Levanfel and I patiently accepted every single bow from my family.

After the lengthy greetings concluded, Levanfel swept a detached gaze over them.

“How tiresome it was to wait.”

His first words, spoken with a chilling expression, were neither a warm welcome, nor kindness, nor even a word of thanks.

It was a complaint about how exhausting it had been to wait for the Lupeon royal family, who’d traveled a long distance over a month.

“I’ve never waited this long in my life. You must feel honored.”

Caught off guard by Levanfel’s absurd logic, the King lowered his head in confusion.

“Yo, yo, Your Majesty…”

As my father bowed his head and held his breath, the confidence of my siblings behind him instantly deflated.

Since I stood beside Levanfel, they naturally ended up bowing toward me.

‘…Not bad.’

Back in the palace, I’d often been beaten for daring to meet their eyes instead of keeping my gaze on the ground whenever I walked past them. …Though I’d returned every hit just as hard.

Now, seeing my siblings utterly silenced and docilely bowing without a word…

‘Perfect.’

I quickly covered my mouth with my hand to suppress my bursting laughter. Still, my upturned cheeks betrayed my joy.

Sensing the atmosphere rapidly freezing over, Levanfel softened his expression and gestured casually.

“Oh dear. I was just joking because you’d come such a long way. Was my joke too harsh?”

“Ha… haha! Y-You really had me fooled, Your Majesty! Your wit is truly magnificent! Hahaha!”

“Ha… haha! Haha! Ha…!”

As the King laughed awkwardly, his children, watching his cues, followed with stiff, rehearsed chuckles.

When their forced laughter rose into the sky, Levanfel coldly cut through it.

“Actually, I wasn’t joking.”

“Huh?”

“Did that really look like a joke to you?”

“Ha… haha… ha… haa…”

With a sigh, the King hurriedly bowed again, trying to appease Levanfel. Instead of laughter, sighs now floated upward like thick, heavy clouds.