Chapter 2. The Summit Between Two Empires
The atmosphere in the conference room was dreadful.
Naturally, no minister, in their right mind, would want to get involved in the Emperor’s personal affairs.
Even if the Emperor had an immoral and unethical relationship with a mistress, it wasn’t their concern as long as it didn’t negatively affect state affairs.
Although it was distressing and infuriating for the Empress, it was an unspoken rule not to meddle in matters concerning the Emperor’s favored mistress.
After all, the Emperor’s favor wasn’t guaranteed to last forever, but the position of the Empress was permanent.
Since the marriage of the Emperor and Empress was largely political, there was no reason for the Empress not to endure the Emperor’s lack of love.
However, there was an implicit ‘extent’ to all these things.
If the Empress tolerated the Emperor and his lover for the sake of peace within the palace, the Emperor, at the very least, should not engage in acts of love where the Empress could see.
Why humiliate the other party to such an extent?
“The upcoming summit will have many dignitaries attending. The welcoming and farewell banquets are to be hosted by the Empress’s palace.”
Therefore, the scandal that occurred before the meeting started was a highly problematic issue.
Matters of the heart aren’t as clear-cut as slicing through with a knife.
Moreover, it was common knowledge that Empress Leonarda endured more than usual, out of love for the Emperor and to avoid being disliked… But to show acts of love in front of her?
“The Empress has been ill for a long time, and the saintess has been helping with many matters.”
The Emperor, exuding a chilly aura, the saintess looking uneasy, and the Empress, nonchalantly smiling with elegance – all were potentially volatile figures.
Nobles with eyes and ears in the palace knew the origin of this tense atmosphere and remained silent.
There was nothing to gain by stepping forward.
“As Empress, I intend to fulfill my duties from now on. I ask for everyone’s support.”
When the Empress finally declared this, the Emperor showed an unmistakable sign of discomfort.
It wasn’t wrong for the Empress to do her duties. No one could oppose that. However, nobles loyal to the Emperor felt compelled to object for the sake of the Emperor’s mood.
But that would surely get them marked by the Empress.
‘Have you heard from Duke Ahillo?’
‘No, sire.’
‘Then the Empress acted on her own?’
‘It seems the Emperor was unaware…’
‘Perhaps the Empress is acting out of spite because of what happened in the meeting room?’
The royal council took place around a large round table.
Nobles seated far from the Emperor communicated with glances and whispers.
Those close to the Emperor, however, were in a difficult position.
Someone had to respond…
All eyes converged on one figure.
The savior was Duke Ahillo.
“I say this not because she’s my daughter, but traditionally, it’s the Empress’s duty to oversee banquets. The saintess has shared this role until now, but if the Empress is willing, it’s only right for her to take charge.”
After he broke the ice, the Emperor slowly spoke up.
“Is the Empress suddenly healthy enough?”
“It seems she has recovered enough to attend the council.”
“Indeed. Usually, she couldn’t even sit in the meeting, but today she came early.”
The corners of the Emperor’s mouth twisted.
The Emperor clearly disliked the Empress and didn’t hide it.
A couple of nobles loyal to the Emperor cautiously made their remarks.
“Ahem, as much as they take the trouble to come here, we must receive them without a single flaw.”
“But, um, perhaps starting with a small-scale banquet would be more suitable… Jumping into such a large event from the start might be a bit…”
When foreign dignitaries visit, two types of banquets are most important.
The welcome banquet to showcase the greatness and wealth of the Nix Empire and to deflate the spirits of foreigners. And the farewell banquet.
These two banquets are so crucial among the numerous court banquets that they are called the salt and light of the empire.
Therefore, it would be preferable if the Empress could yield on this and start with something else.
The nobles loyal to the Emperor prayed silently.
Until now, the Empress had stepped back due to health reasons, and thanks to that, the palace had been functioning smoothly.
Saintess Helene’s temple faction. The nobility faction led by Duke Ahillo, the Empress’s father.
The Emperor’s faction, loyal only to him. And other neutral families.
These four powers formed a sharp opposition, paradoxically maintaining peace.
But things would be different now.
The Empress’s illness was a necessary element for internal political peace. But if she stepped forward like this, the nobility faction could overpower the temple faction.
Then the Emperor’s faction would have no choice but to temporarily ally with the temple faction.
To prevent the nobility faction from growing too powerful.
“This is outrageous!”
“Isn’t it the Empress’s duty to oversee important banquets?”
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
