I Will Live for Your Death (20 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 15
Celina’s Empress Consort coronation ceremony was set for the following day.
Though they had decided to keep it as simple as possible, the Empress’s palace brimmed with a quiet bustle, as there were countless small preparations to attend to.
Lynette frowned deeply as she stared down at the box before her. It was extravagantly decorated, clearly meant to hold something luxurious.
“Your Imperial Majesty the Empress… Are you really going to gift this fabric? I strongly object.”
“We can’t receive her empty-handed. After all, she’s joining the imperial family.”
“If someone like her joins the family, I’ll just leave home and live as a man for the rest of my life.”
“Lynette.”
At Ilyd’s quiet reprimand, Lynette released an exaggerated sigh. Inside the box lay fine fabric belonging to the Empress’s palace.
It had once been gifted to Ilyd, but she’d never found the time to have it made into clothing, so it remained untouched.
Too much time had passed to cling sentimentally to it. Now, it was nothing more than a forgotten relic—no one even remembered who had given it.
To finally let go of the past, Ilyd opened the box one last time. Inside, an exquisite white fabric displayed its elegant softness.
“I doubt I’ll ever have reason to wear white again.”
“You could save it and wear it later. Who knows when you might need light-colored clothing.”
Ilyd smiled bitterly. If she ever wore white again in her remaining years, it would likely be her burial shroud.
After closing the box with a gentle sweep of her hand, Ilyd prepared to visit Celina.
“Why go in person? Just send one of the maids to deliver it…”
“She’s the prospective Empress Consort—of course I must go myself.”
That way, Celina would clearly understand she now fell under the Empress’s authority.
Puddles left over from yesterday’s rain still dotted the grounds, not yet dried.
Servants were already out, filling them in with dry soil. Worried Ilyd might accidentally step in and soil her dress, Lynette watched her every step closely.
In the distance, a pink figure bedecked in flamboyant ornaments caught their eye. There was no need to seek out Celina’s quarters—the lavishly dressed woman was already enjoying a midday stroll, surrounded by her maids.
“For someone called ‘the Shadow,’ she certainly doesn’t try to hide herself. To brazenly take a daytime walk like this…”
“Those who are loved always shine, whether by day or night.”
“…Indeed. She shines so brightly, she nearly looks transparent.”
Noticing Ilyd, Celina slowly approached. Lynette clenched her jaw and tightened her grip on the box.
“I greet Your Imperial Majesty the Empress.”
Perhaps due to her new title of ‘prospective Empress Consort,’ Celina offered a proper bow. Ilyd responded with a gentle smile and a slight nod.
“I’m glad to see you, Miss Celina. The weather is truly lovely today.”
“Perhaps because the rain has just cleared. Would Your Imperial Majesty care to join me for a stroll?”
“No, I was on my way to deliver a gift to you, Miss Celina. This is quite fortuitous.”
For the briefest moment, Celina’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Ilyd signaled Lynette beside her, who reluctantly stepped forward, lips tightly pressed together.
One of Celina’s maids hurried over and took the box.
It would have been best if Celina had simply thanked them and quietly left—but shamelessly, she opened the box right then and there. Lynette’s eyes narrowed as she watched.
“Oh my!”
Pretending to be surprised, Celina lifted the neatly folded fabric. The white cloth fluttered gently, draping softly over her arm.
Even to Celina’s unrefined eye, its quality was unmistakably top-tier. Had she received it earlier, she could have had a ceremonial gown made for tomorrow’s coronation.
‘She deliberately gave it late—shows even the Empress is powerless.’
Misinterpreting Ilyd’s kindness as jealousy, Celina examined the fabric closely. Though her behavior was quite rude before the Empress, Ilyd chose not to make an issue of it and continued speaking.
“I don’t know if it will please you, Miss Celina, but it’s good fabric—more than enough to make a proper outfit.”
“Hmm… I’m not so sure?”
For reasons unknown, Celina pulled the entire length of fabric from the box. Her lips twisted into a crooked smile—then she let it go. The white cloth tumbled to the ground, instantly soaking up the damp, muddy water.
It was clearly deliberate. Watching the whole scene unfold, Lynette snapped.
“Miss Celina! What is the meaning of this?”
“I’m so sorry, Your Imperial Majesty—the fabric just slipped from my hands.”
Her hastily feigned embarrassment looked awkward around her eyes. Seeing Celina’s pathetic performance, Ilyd bit gently on the inside of her lip.
“It’s a pity—it would’ve suited me quite well. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor would surely have been pleased too… Who could have known the fabric was so heavy?”
Ilyd had intended to stay silent, but Celina’s provocations were growing excessive. A faint smile crept onto Ilyd’s lips as she spoke in her usual calm tone.
“That’s quite serious. The Empress Consort’s ceremonial crown is fairly heavy. To spare your delicate neck, Miss Celina, I’ll have a physician on standby.”
Celina’s lips trembled. The Empress had always ignored provocations from Claudius or Celina alike.
She’d believed Ilyd merely pretended composure for amusement—but clearly, the Empress knew how to retaliate.
Thoroughly struck down, Celina forced her distorted expression back into place.
“I cannot accept this gift.”
“It’s not so worthless that touching the ground diminishes its value.”
“It seems the floor suits it better. Why not use it to clean the palace floors?”
“Miss Celina!”
Unable to endure any longer, Lynette stepped forward. She was ready to accept any demotion for daring to defy the Emperor’s secret concubine.
No matter how favored Celina was by the Emperor, this was still before the Empress. Where else in the imperial palace would a noble lady with no official title dare act so arrogantly?
Just as Lynette was about to scold Celina, a dark shadow approached them.
“Rivel…?”
Simultaneously, Ilyd flinched and took a step back. Everyone present was startled by the unexpected arrival—when had he gotten there, without anyone noticing?
Ignoring their shock, Rivel quietly looked down at the white fabric, now spreading mud across the ground.
“Kyaaah!”
Startled by Rivel’s sudden appearance, Celina shrieked and collapsed onto the ground. Her dress splattered with muddy water, utterly ruined.
“My dress…! His Imperial Majesty the Emperor gifted it to me!”
Regardless, Rivel wordlessly picked up the fallen fabric. Once pure and beautiful, it was now stained brown.
His grip tightened on the cloth. The soiled fabric crumpled limply in his palm, leaving only deep creases. In that instant, Ilyd realized what he intended to do.
Before she could stop him, Rivel tossed the mud-soaked fabric onto Celina’s head as she floundered on the ground.
A shrill scream echoed through the palace courtyard.
Passing servants and maids peeked over at the commotion, turning Celina’s face bright red. With their help, she barely managed to wipe the stains from her face and hair before shouting furiously.
“W-what is the meaning of this!”
“Judging by how covered in dirt it is, this fabric seems perfectly suited for you.”
Rivel looked down impassively at Celina, seated on the ground. His upright posture radiated a sharp, controlled anger.
“It seems it’s found its rightful owner.”
Celina stood abruptly, ignoring the hands her maids offered. The veins in her neck pulsed visibly as she trembled.
“How dare a mere mercenary insult a noble like this? Do you really think you’ll survive after this?”
“You’ll just have to try your best to stay alive.”
“You must have extra lives to spare. Do you even know who I am?”
“…And who might you be?”
Rivel’s indifferent attitude made it clear he had zero interest in Celina’s identity. His cold response left her deflated, a hollow laugh slipping out.
Truthfully, it was only natural—an outsider who’d entered the palace just a day ago wouldn’t know.
Especially coming from the north, he likely hadn’t even heard the capital’s whispered rumors. Celina scrambled to gather her thoughts, her mind momentarily blank.
“I am…!”
She finally managed to speak—but what next? How was she supposed to introduce herself to this arrogant mercenary who didn’t even know to kneel before nobles?
Calling herself Celina Diobe, second daughter of Viscount Diobe? That might only invite mockery.
After all, her family was already mocked among nobles as “those who sold the nation to save their own skins.” If this mercenary happened to know that, it would be a great humiliation.
Introducing herself as the Emperor’s secret consort? She knew that would only sound even more pitiful—his likely reply would be “So what?”
If only she were already Empress, she could have saved face. But this was the day before her coronation! If only she held the title officially, she’d slap this insolent man herself!
In the end, Celina resorted to the only noble authority she could claim.
“You insolent, ill-mannered commoner! A peasant must show proper respect to nobility!”
Her bluster sounded ragged and feeble. Celina’s outburst failed to leave even a scratch on Rivel, who continued to glare at her with cold steel-gray eyes.
“Then might I ask you, my lady, to kindly teach this lowly man—what exactly are proper manners?”
Watching the unfolding scene, Ilyd sensed the icy composure beneath Rivel’s mocking tone.
It was the gaze of someone who had stood at death’s door many times.
The tenacious struggle of one who had barely clung to survival on the edge between life and death—it even carried a quiet, unsettling calm in the face of impending doom.
Celina realized she had nothing left to assert. Her only remaining trump card was Claudius.
“You arrogant wretch… His Imperial Majesty the Emperor is the one who pays you!”
“As a lowly commoner, I simply cannot fathom the nature of your relationship with His Imperial Majesty that makes you so indignant. Would you kindly explain it clearly, piece by piece?”
He spoke as though he already knew everything about Celina and Claudius. Unable to find another word, Celina glared at Rivel, her lips clenched, tears welling in her eyes.
“That’s enough. Both of you, stop right there.”
Unable to watch any longer, Ilyd stepped in to mediate. If left unchecked, rumors would spread through the palace. She had to end this before word got out that the mercenary captain had insulted the Emperor’s ‘Shadow’ on just his second day in the palace.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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