The Deposed Empress and Her New Husband (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
“Do you have something to say to me?”
“No, it’s not that. I just thought you must be working very hard.”
Just then, Ikar’s stiff voice came from ahead—he had already left the dining room.
“We still have a long way to go. Let’s be off.”
“Yes.”
Renev followed Ikar and Drhan.
However, contrary to her claim of being unwell, Selma was waiting at the castle gate—her hair even dyed silver.
“Did you enjoy your meal?”
“Yes, thanks to you. I heard you weren’t feeling well—would it be alright for you to be out here like this?”
When Renev asked with concern, Selma avoided her gaze and replied,
“It’s nothing serious. Thank you for worrying about me.”
Her response was oddly sharp, unlike yesterday. At that moment, the butler standing beside her interjected.
“I informed my lord of your visit, but it seems unlikely he’ll return before the day ends…”
Bayne and Drhan are the Emperor’s closest confidants.
That they happened to visit the viscount’s domain was practically a golden opportunity for Viscount Julevern.
After all, cultivating a friendship with the Emperor’s inner circle would offer considerable advantages—
whether aiming to enter the capital’s political circles or seeking favorable business favors. All the while, the man who introduced himself as Drhan had no idea he was actually the Emperor himself.
Perhaps that was why Ikar was eager to leave as soon as possible.
“Tell His Majesty we received ample assistance from Viscount Julevern’s household.”
At Ikar’s indifferent remark, Selma bowed deeply with a relieved expression.
After leaving Viscount Julevern’s domain and riding for quite some time, the city walls finally came into view.
Houses lined the area around the sturdy fortifications.
“We should reach the imperial palace in about three or four hours.”
Drhan said this after returning from giving water to the horses.
“That truly is good news.”
Renev nodded, gently rubbing her sore backside, waist, and thighs—abused from hours in the saddle.
Ikar stared fixedly at Drhan and Renev.
“What is it, Lord Drhan?”
When Drhan asked cheerfully, one of Ikar’s eyebrows twitched.
“Do you have something to say?”
Drhan immediately clasped his hands together respectfully and asked.
Ikar glanced between Renev and Drhan with a dissatisfied look for a moment.
Then he spoke.
“I have another place to stop by, so it’s best we part ways here, Lord Bayne. Please safely escort Lady Renev of House Seiren to the imperial palace.”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
Drhan bowed deeply in reply.
Ikar, who had been silently watching Drhan, suddenly leapt onto his horse.
“May you remain well until we meet again.”
“Thank you for your protection, Lord Drhan.”
Ikar gave a slight nod, turned his horse, and rode off swiftly. Renev watched his retreating figure for a moment before turning away.
“Lord Bayne, shall we depart as well?”
“Yes, we’d best reach the palace before sunset.”
“Alright.”
True to Drhan’s word, they arrived at Vaschker’s imperial palace after riding for another three or four hours.
“So they really do produce a lot of gems…”
Renev’s mouth fell open as she looked around the palace corridors.
The rumors were entirely true.
Though slightly smaller than Paradium’s imperial palace, its opulence utterly eclipsed that of Paradium’s.
While Renev stood overwhelmed by the interior of Vaschker Palace, Drhan kept apologizing.
“My apologies. We intended to finish renovating the guest chambers before your arrival, but there were delays in material supply…”
She already knew. That’s why she’d have to stay in the garden pavilion for the time being.
“If you truly feel sorry, then I hope the renovations finish quickly.”
Drhan, walking beside Renev, had pulled his robe over his head completely even before entering the palace.
It looked incredibly suspicious.
Yet no one stopped him. Drhan seemed anxious that if someone recognized him and spoke to him, Ikar’s deception might be exposed.
Renev looked at Drhan once more with sympathetic eyes.
“You must be tired too, Lord Bayne. Thank you for escorting me all the way here.”
“Not at all. I regret that your journey wasn’t more comfortable, and I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience.”
Had they taken the official route, the journey to Vaschker would certainly have been far more comfortable.
But had they adhered to the official schedule, who knew what obstacles the two Seiren men—and Lucius and the Empress—might have placed in their way?
“Don’t say that. The renovations will be done soon, and I’ve arrived safely.”
Renev shook her head with a faint smile. Beside her, Drhan instructed a maid to take good care of the young lady before bowing deeply.
“Then please rest well.”
“Lord Bayne, you’ve worked hard as well.”
Renev watched Drhan turn to leave for a moment before opening the door to her assigned bedroom.
A wide window flooded the room with sunlight, white-toned walls and ceilings, and matching furniture.
Despite having lived as Empress and seen many precious things, Renev was still astonished.
The room was so spacious and luxurious that she couldn’t understand why Drhan had been so apologetic.
It rivaled the former Empress’s chambers—proof enough of Ikar’s claim not to slight his guests.
As Renev looked around the room, her eyes fell on a sofa placed right before the large window.
Just as she sat down on the plush sofa and closed her eyes, a knock sounded at the door.
Opening it, she found a maid bowing deeply and holding something out to her.
“His Imperial Majesty asked me to deliver this to you, my lady.”
Renev looked at the round tin case the maid offered and asked,
“What is this?”
“I was only sent to deliver it, so I don’t know what’s inside.”
When Renev just stared at the tin case without taking it, the maid continued,
“Oh—if you’re worried about what’s inside, may I open it for you?”
“That would be appreciated.”
When the maid lifted the lid, a refreshing mint scent wafted out.
‘An ointment?’
The crisp aroma lifted her mood somewhat, yet she couldn’t fully let her guard down.
This was the imperial palace—the very place where seemingly trivial matters could spiral into butterfly effects.
Accepting a gift without knowing for certain whether Ikar himself had sent it—and the maid—was unwise.
In truth, most guests staying in this garden pavilion were foreign hostages for the peace treaty, so their safety within the palace grounds was likely guaranteed.
But outside—among Vaschker’s nobles—it might be different.
Previous Vaschker Emperors had housed their consorts in this very garden.
Though Ikar seemed to be taking a different approach, the Vaschker nobles would likely harbor serious suspicions.
Simply put, if this ointment hadn’t been sent by Ikar himself—who knew if it might be poisoned?
Lost in a tangle of thoughts, Renev was startled when the maid asked cautiously,
“Um… does the scent not please you, my lady?”
Renev blinked at the maid, who had suddenly brought up the fragrance.
The maid then spoke again,
“I heard you rode for a long time. His Majesty sent this as a gift for your muscle soreness… and this scent also has calming effects for the mind and body.”
The maid went on proudly praising how thoughtful their Emperor was.
“I’ll thank His Majesty myself. Thank you for bringing it.”
“I’ll tell him you were pleased, my lady.”
The maid bowed deeply and left the room. Renev felt slightly dazed.
…When had she ever shown she was pleased?
Later, maids came to assist with her bath, visiting Renev’s room.
But she sent them all away.
Ikar would surely do his utmost to ensure Renev’s safety, if only to avoid breaking the three-year peace treaty.
Yet even the most charismatic and composed ruler couldn’t read every heart.
There might be someone Ikar hadn’t yet identified—someone with different intentions.
If a foreign guest were assassinated within the palace, the peace treaty would be ruined.
Though the garden area seemed heavily guarded, she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
After leaving the bath and drying her wet hair, Renev looked down at the dress laid out on the sofa.
‘They must have brought it while I was bathing.’
Perhaps due to Vaschker’s slightly warmer climate compared to Paradium, the dress was quite thin.
She thought she could manage to put it on alone, without assistance.
Renev changed into the prepared dress and stood before the mirror.
The blue gown—slightly covering her shoulders while revealing her collarbones and upper chest—fit her as if tailor-made.
Aside from its slightly unique design, it wasn’t much different from what she’d worn in Paradium during spring and summer.
“It is pretty.”
Just then, a knock came, followed by a voice.
“My lady. Pardon the intrusion.”
Outside the door stood the same maid who had delivered Ikar’s gift.
“What is it?”
“His Majesty has invited you to dine with him this evening.”
Renev’s eyes sharpened slightly. At first, she naturally assumed “His Majesty” referred to Ikar.
But then she immediately remembered she didn’t fully understand the current composition of the Vaschker imperial family.
Even long after Renev had given birth to Kael, Ikar had remained without a consort.
Perhaps he’d once held affection for a woman who had passed away early—and that’s why he’d never married. Though, from what she’d observed so far, Ikar hardly seemed the romantic type.
“Did His Imperial Majesty himself say this?”
“Yes, he did, my lady.”
The maid, who had tilted her head with an innocent expression, suddenly seemed to realize something and added,
“At present, the only person in the Vaschker imperial family addressed as ‘His Majesty’ is the Emperor himself.”
Renev was slightly surprised. The maid’s perceptiveness was extraordinary—likely from long service in the palace.
“Thank you for the kind explanation. Please tell His Majesty I’ll attend the dinner invitation.”
As the maid bowed and turned to leave the room, Renev called her back.
“Wait—may I know your name?”
“My name is Kieren.”
“Then will you be my personal attendant from now on?”
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (78)
Some enlighten Ikar about his feelings before he flounders more
Did Ikar stay single because he fell in love with rebev?
Shouldn’t you try to caution your parents a little Renev?
Inline Comments (1)
It felt familiar yet warm—somehow.
How an already 30 chapters in without anything significant happening?!
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VKotaku28
I ask looking the fact that they are addressing the little things that are usually ignored