The day was set to be the noisiest in the capital throughout the year.
The vast expanse of land was filled with crowds, nearly jam-packed.
Citizens from the allied kingdom of Balront, as well as those from the empire, had crossed into the capital to enjoy the festival. Even travelers from nearby foreign countries had joined in.
The imperial citizens felt a sense of mystique in this festival imbued with exotic atmosphere. Conversely, the kingdom’s citizens found familiarity in the impressions offered by their own homeland in the empire’s festival.
Everything had gone according to plan, satisfying both nations. Naturally, mutual understanding and interest in each other’s culture would increase.
“Would have been nice if Chloe were here too!”
From morning, Lerianne and Yuri Hsien had been enjoying the festival early on. They planned to have fun in the village until the imperial memorial events began.
“If Chloe had come along, we wouldn’t have been able to complete the task His Majesty has assigned.”
Yuri Hsien comforted her friend, telling her not to feel disappointed.
“Right!”
The fact she had forgotten was freshly remembered thanks to her friend.
“Clapping her hands, Lerianne exclaimed, “We’re not just here to have fun!”
“Exactly. We have to work while playing.”
“We’re not betraying Chloe!”
“Of course not. We’re actually helping her.”
“Great, let’s have fun with gusto! And get some work done too!”
Yuri Hsien looked at the now cheerfully brightened Lerianne and shook her head, admitting she couldn’t be stopped.
“Shall we go then?”
She jingled the heavy pouch attached to her waist. Except for the small change, it was all gold coins, a considerable amount.
Interestingly, the one who prepared this large sum was none other than the Emperor.
‘I have a favor to ask of you two, as I mentioned earlier.’
Last evening, the Emperor appeared before them while they were taking a walk in the garden.
It turned out that what he had mentioned during their afternoon tea was not merely a joke; he made a request disguised as a proposal.
‘The most effective way to spread the word about the Duke and the government’s wedding would be to send letters of invitation to the nobles.’
Both had planned to keep the Duke’s wedding a low-key affair, but the Emperor wanted it to attract everyone’s attention.
Since it was the Emperor’s request, they had to comply even if their opinions clashed.
Thinking about how to gather the guests more effectively, Lerianne and Yuri Hsien came up with an excellent idea.
Announcing the Duke’s wedding to the people enjoying the festival.
The Emperor also actively supported their idea.
“Let’s start over there.”
Yuri Hsien pointed to a place while looking around.
A restaurant with cute signage and interior stood out, with people lined up waiting to get in.
They discreetly offered a bribe to a staff member who had asked them to wait. Upon seeing the amount, the staff quickly arranged seats.
Fortunately, they were seated in the middle of the restaurant. They quickly ordered food and drinks.
Soon, the food and alcohol were served. After cutting the food into bite-sized pieces, they lifted their beautiful glasses for a light toast.
Yuri Hsien was about to sip her drink when Lerianne downed hers in one gulp.
“What are you doing!”
Yuri Hsien nearly spit out her drink.
Lerianne was notoriously weak when it came to alcohol among the nobles. She had ordered a fairly strong drink, and she had finished it in one go?
“Acting should be… natural.”
Lerianne, whose eyes were already losing focus, seemed to be waving her hands as if to say, ‘Don’t lecture me.’
“What? The Duke is getting married? And with the government?”
She seemed to have given herself over to the intoxication, acting as if she had downed the drink for this very purpose.
With a slam of the table, her voice raised, and all eyes turned to her.
“…Lerianne?”
“While the Duchess is living with her eyes wide open, he dares to marry the government? That must be an amazing love!”
While Yuri Hsien was considerably flustered, Lerianne was composed. She even enjoyed the attention and raised her voice even more.
“Isn’t that so! Friend!”
Such a strange way of speaking, it was the awkward tone normally exchanged between knights.
Lerianne signaled to Yuri at that moment. It was a sign that it was now her turn to play along in this damn play.
‘No one knows me here. There’s no one who recognizes me…’
Torn between the nobility’s dignity and the immediate task, Yuri hesitated for a moment.
‘This task will benefit your friend, so I hope you pay special attention. I ask this in the name of the Emperor.’
If it would help Chloe…
“Ha ha! There’s no limit to the absurdity. And they’re even shamelessly publicizing the wedding to the whole world?”
Gathering her resolve, Yuri shouted with her eyes tightly shut.
“Will it take place after the festival? Might as well attend and see the government’s face.”
“It will be more interesting than a play!”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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