The Stand-In Empress's Wedding Night (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16
I stared wide-eyed at Rinel.
He had returned to his usual solemn expression and was preparing to receive Grand Duke Martines.
The duke entered the office and bowed respectfully toward us, seated side by side on the sofa.
“I greet the two suns of the Lapion Empire.”
“Come, sit here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As Grand Duke Martines walked toward the sofa, he glanced at me as though studying me.
“Your Imperial Majesty Empress Zelda, you look unwell. Is something troubling you?”
The duke feigned concern, meddling unnecessarily.
“The Empress is just a bit angry.”
Rinel glanced at me and answered in my stead, addressing the duke.
“Oh dear. Have you already heard about the concubine issue?”
Grand Duke Martines jumped to his own conclusions from Rinel’s words.
“I, too, heard about it from the ministers earlier today and have been worried about Your Imperial Majesty ever since.”
He’s putting on a show.
Internally, I scoffed at the duke’s pretentious gaze.
“No, the Empress isn’t angry about the concubines. It’s because of an interruption.”
Rinel pointed his finger directly at Grand Duke Martines.
“You, Duke.”
“Me? What interruption have I…?”
The duke’s bewildered eyes rolled toward me.
Don’t stare at me like that. I don’t know what he’s talking about either.
I simply shrugged my shoulders.
At that, the duke’s gaze returned to Rinel.
“What do you mean, Your Majesty? Because of me, Her Imperial Majesty is upset?”
“We were kissing.”
Rinel swept his knuckles lightly over his lips and smirked.
“!”
Good heavens.
I suppressed a laugh at Rinel’s mischievous teasing.
No, actually—it wasn’t teasing at all, since we really had been kissing.
“I—I was the k-kissing interr—ahem, ahem!”
Grand Duke Martines stuttered in evident shock, then broke into a fit of coughing.
I nodded at the duke’s questioning eyes, which seemed to ask if it was really true.
“Yes. We started discussing the concubine matter, and suddenly the mood turned… well, into a kiss.”
I gently brushed my own knuckles against my lips as I spoke.
Rinel, muffling his laughter with a fist over his mouth, added support to my words.
“Given the gravity of the matter, I felt it necessary to strengthen the bond between the Empress and myself even further. Isn’t that right, Empress?”
“Absolutely.”
I nodded firmly, putting strength into my eyes as I replied.
Amusingly, he seemed genuinely moved by my reaction, giving me a playful wink and squeezing my hand tightly.
Grand Duke Martines, who had been quietly listening to our exchange, gradually grew more and more confused.
“Duke, what are your thoughts on the matter of taking concubines?”
Rinel wiped the smile from his face and asked seriously.
“If I may speak my mind…”
The duke’s eyes lingered briefly on my face before he slowly spoke.
“Your Majesty, I understand the ministers’ concerns. Although we accepted a queen from the Shattonil Kingdom due to current intercontinental politics, the issue of the imperial succession must seem like an entirely different matter to them, wouldn’t it?”
For some reason, I felt as though Grand Duke Martines was siding with the ministers here, speaking on their behalf.
But why? He himself was a duke from the Shattonil Kingdom.
I wondered—if Princess Resilia had been the Lapion Empress instead of me, would he still have taken this stance?
“It is indeed another matter. Hence, they argue that the imperial heir must carry only Lapion blood and push to place their own esteemed daughters into my harem.”
Rinel replied bitterly.
“It’s true that the more imperial offspring there are, the stronger the empire becomes.”
The duke’s point was reasonable.
“Moreover, Your Majesty, it’s rare in any nation for ministers to willingly accept as their next emperor a prince born of a foreign empress.”
Yet, for some reason, I felt irritated.
What was it?
Was it the duke’s intention—not merely neutrality, but active alignment with the Lapion ministers?
“I’m not unaware of that. However, pushing concubines on me mere days after my marriage clearly aims to deliberately undermine the Empress’s authority. That’s what infuriates me.”
I had been secretly glaring at Grand Duke Martines when Rinel’s words startled me.
I hadn’t realized he cared so deeply about my position.
“Then… does this mean, Your Majesty, that unless pressured relentlessly by the ministers, you have no intention whatsoever of taking concubines?”
The duke asked, clearly surprised.
Rinel answered immediately, as if it were obvious.
“I have no desire for concubines.”
His voice carried real weight.
I stole a glance at Rinel’s profile.
He looked as though he could easily remain celibate for ten years.
Grand Duke Martines, who had been staring at Rinel in shock, shifted his gaze toward me.
His eyes seemed to ask: Just how did you manage to get the Emperor to react like this?
I deliberately avoided his gaze and feigned indifference.
“Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, rather than creating discord with the ministers, it might be wiser to accept their wishes sooner.”
“Is that merely your personal view, or does the Shattonil royal family share this opinion as well?”
Rinel questioned Grand Duke Martines with a hint of suspicion.
They probably do share the same opinion.
That’s what I thought.
If the Shattonil Kingdom accepted this issue so easily,
they would likely expect that in the future, divorcing me—and the Emperor remarrying—would proceed far more smoothly.
I recalled Prince Tessler’s face, who would probably rejoice upon hearing this news from the duke.
“The Shattonil royal family holds the wishes of His Majesty the Emperor and the Lapion ministers in the highest regard.”
“Is that so? But wouldn’t that feel rather disappointing from the Empress’s perspective?”
Rinel fixed the duke with a sharp gaze.
“Ahh, hahaha—of course, the kingdom most deeply worries for Your Imperial Majesty’s well-being.”
Only then did Grand Duke Martines reply with an awkward chuckle.
“The ministers already believe they’ve made a concession by accepting Your Majesty’s state marriage.”
“How arrogant of them.”
“Therefore, if Your Majesty deliberately delays the concubine matter, they may perceive their own positions as threatened and redirect their resentment toward the Empress. That is my concern.”
Hah? The degree to which Grand Duke Martines claimed to worry about me was downright infuriating.
Yet his words sounded quite plausible.
“Hmm… I, too, am most concerned about that very issue. So, Duke, are you suggesting that to protect the Empress, I should accept the concubines after all?”
“Precisely, Your Majesty. And as soon as possible…”
At that, I couldn’t help but glare at Grand Duke Martines.
“Given how much closer your relationship appears than I imagined, wouldn’t it be fine as long as Your Majesty remains steadfast—even if concubines are taken?”
The duke spoke carefully, glancing first at Rinel as if testing the waters, then subtly checking my reaction.
His words flowed as smoothly as spaghetti strands.
His expression, as he urged the Emperor to accept concubines to prevent ministerial resentment toward me, was thoroughly insincere.
But his opinion likely mirrored Prince Tessler’s.
If I disregarded my own position and feelings, his argument wasn’t wrong.
The core point was this: accepting concubines quickly would at least mitigate ministerial opposition when Princess Resilia eventually became Empress through remarriage.
In short, a strategic retreat of one step to advance two.
“The ministers wish for the concubine ceremony to take place ten days from now.”
So soon?
I frowned and glared at Grand Duke Martines.
“According to the high priest, that date is the most auspicious remaining day of the year for the empire’s fortune. What is Your Imperial Majesty Empress Zelda’s opinion?”
The duke subtly tossed the ball to me.
He clearly believed my single word would sway Rinel’s decision.
With his cunning mind, Grand Duke Martines could probably join a circus.
I felt Rinel’s gaze on my lips from beside me.
“There’s… reason in the duke’s words, Your Majesty.”
I uttered those words and couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.
My stomach churned strangely.
I felt angry, yet pitiful—unable to pinpoint the exact emotion tangled inside me.
“Let me ask once more. The Empress must answer carefully.”
At Rinel’s suddenly serious tone, my gaze, fixed forward, turned to him.
“If I accept the concubines so quickly… are you truly… alright with it?”
No.
My voice echoed only within me.
“You’re asking if I’m alright with it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I spoke carefully, making sure my voice wouldn’t sound pitiful.
At that moment, deep furrows formed between Rinel’s brows.
“Yes, Your Majesty… such a simple answer. No emotion, no hesitation.”
“Before being any woman’s husband, you are first the Emperor of a nation. I don’t believe personal feelings justify opposition to this matter.”
At my reply, Grand Duke Martines looked relieved, but Rinel wore a deeply displeased expression.
“…Fine. I never knew the Empress was such a magnanimous woman.”
Rinel released my hand and stood from the sofa.
“If the Empress feels so indifferent, I see no reason to drag out time and antagonize the ministers.”
“…”
Rinel walked toward the mahogany desk.
Somehow, a coldness seemed to emanate from his back.
He rang the bell on the desk, and Secretary Raphael entered the office.
“You called, Your Majesty?”
“Raphael, when was the meeting with the ministers scheduled?”
“The meeting hasn’t started yet, but I’ve been informed all ministers have already gathered in the grand hall.”
“Tell them I’m coming.”
“Now…?”
Secretary Raphael glanced cautiously at me before asking Rinel.
“Yes, immediately.”
“Yes, I’ll convey it at once.”
Raphael briefly tilted his head, sensing the chilly atmosphere in the office, then quickly exited, closing the door behind him.
“You are wise, Your Majesty. It’s best to confirm a decision promptly once it’s made.”
Grand Duke Martines stood from the sofa, seemingly preparing to accompany Rinel to the meeting.
But Rinel raised a hand, signaling the duke to stop.
“You should remain here with the Empress. After all, you are from the Shattonil Kingdom.”
“Ahh… yes, of course. I shall do so.”
Grand Duke Martines bowed slightly, flustered.
Since rising from the sofa, Rinel hadn’t once looked at me.
Without another word, he turned and left the office.
[This is the timeline separator]“Phew…”
Only after the office door closed could I finally breathe properly.
“Well done, Your Imperial Majesty Empress Zelda.”
Grand Duke Martines sat back down on the sofa and praised me.
I wanted to appear composed, but my expression kept crumpling.
He leaned in with curious eyes and spoke gently.
“To be honest, I was rather surprised earlier.”
“Surprised by what?”
“That His Majesty didn’t wish to take concubines.”
Grand Duke Martines genuinely seemed astonished by Rinel’s reaction.
I let out a faint, derisive snort.
“Really? He was going to approve anyway—what’s so surprising?”
“But given that this was a politically arranged marriage between nations, and we assumed His Majesty wouldn’t attach his heart to the Empress…”
The duke stared intently at the right side of my face, where the scar remained, murmuring almost to himself.
I met his gaze squarely, irritated by his careless babbling.
I wished I could stuff something sharp into that annoying mouth of his—
perhaps a grilled fish full of thick bones, or an untrimmed rose.
“Duke. Please refrain from such remarks and behavior in front of me from now on.”
“…Yes?”
“You should also play your role faithfully. I expect treatment befitting my current status.”
“Ahh, my apologies.”
Grand Duke Martines raised both hands apologetically, looking slightly flustered.
Even if I eventually step down from the Empress’s seat, I intend to receive every due honor while I remain in it—
even if I must return to the Shattonil Kingdom and resume my former life as a royal bathmaid.
“If I’ve offended you, please forgive me—my consideration was lacking.”
“Shouldn’t you be cautious even when we’re alone?”
“You’re absolutely right.”
“Yes—what leaks from a cracked bowl inside will surely leak outside as well.”
I delivered that sharp retort and stood to return to the Empress’s quarters.
“Haha, duly noted.”
Grand Duke Martines chuckled briefly and rose alongside me.
“Your Imperial Majesty, would you care to take a short walk with me in the garden?”
“I’d rather not.”
My refusal slipped out instantly, within 0.1 seconds.
“…Ah, yes.”
Yet instead of being offended, the duke merely smiled faintly again.
“Are you tired?”
“Rather so.”
After dealing with a cracked bowl like you.
“Breathing in the scent of flowers or grass may ease your fatigue.”
No—what would truly ease my fatigue is smashing that cracked bowl.
I stared blankly at Grand Duke Martines’s head, thinking just that.
“The greatest source of my fatigue would be walking right beside you. Do you truly think floral scents will help?”
Since I’d openly shown my discomfort, the duke cleared his throat but persisted.
“Ahem… I’ve long heard of the Lapion Imperial gardeners’ exceptional skill, but I never realized it was this magnificent. Please, join me.”
“Duke, you seem to seek solitude for reflection—and there’s no better time for that than walking alone. I’ll take my leave now.”
Today had exhausted a week’s worth of my patience.
I just wanted to return to my chamber and rest quietly.
“Your Imperial Majesty, I have a message to deliver.”
Grand Duke Martines’s voice reached me confidentially as I turned to leave.
“Oh? Then please speak here.”
I turned back to him, speaking wearily.
“There are too many prying ears. This is also Your Majesty’s office, after all.”
What could he possibly need to say in secret?
Ah—there was only one topic the duke and I might discuss privately.
“Don’t tell me…?”
“Yes. News regarding Princess Resilia.”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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