I stared at Rinel with wide eyes.

He had returned to his usual solemn expression and was preparing to greet Grand Duke Martins.

The Grand Duke who entered the office paid his respects to us sitting side by side on the sofa.

“Greetings to the two suns of the Lapion Empire.”

“Come and sit here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Grand Duke Martins walked over to the sofa, observing me closely.

“Your Majesty the Empress doesn’t look well. Is something bothering you?”

The Grand Duke asked with feigned concern, meddling unnecessarily.

“The Empress is a bit angry right now.”

Rinel glanced at me and replied to the Grand Duke on my behalf.

“Ah, I see. Have you already heard about the concubine issue?”

Grand Duke Martins presumed Rinel’s words on his own.

“I also heard about it from the ministers today and have been worried about Her Majesty the Empress.”

He’s putting on a show.

I inwardly snorted at the Grand Duke’s hypocritical gaze.

“No, the Empress is not angry about the concubine issue. It’s because of an intruder.”

Rinel’s finger pointed at Grand Duke Martins as if poking him.

“You, Grand Duke.”

“Pardon? What have I interrupted…?”

The Grand Duke’s startled eyes rolled over to me.

Don’t look at me like that. I don’t know what he’s talking about either.

I just shrugged my shoulders.

The Grand Duke’s gaze then returned to Rinel.

“What do you mean by that, Your Majesty? Are you saying Her Majesty the Empress is displeased because of me?”

“We were in the middle of a kiss.”

Rinel smirked as he brushed his lips with the back of his hand.

“!”

My goodness.

I held back my laughter at Rinel’s mischievous joke.

No. It was true that we kissed, so it wasn’t a joke.

“I, I was a k-kiss intru… Ahem, ahem.”

Grand Duke Martins stammered with a considerably startled face and coughed, choking on his saliva.

I nodded my head in response to the Grand Duke’s eyes asking if it was true.

“Yes. We were discussing the concubine issue and suddenly the mood turned to kissing, something like that.”

I also gently placed the back of my hand on my lips and said.

Rinel covered his mouth with his clenched fist, chuckling, and added to my words.

“As the matter is significant, there was a need to further solidify the relationship between the Empress and me. Right, Empress?”

“Indeed.”

I replied with a firm nod, putting strength in my eyes.

Ridiculously, he seemed touched by my reaction and squeezed my hand tightly while winking with one eye.

Grand Duke Martins, who had been quietly listening to our exchange, gradually changed to a confused expression.

“Grand Duke, what are your thoughts on the issue of taking concubines?”

Rinel asked seriously, erasing the smile from his face.

“If I may offer my opinion…”

Grand Duke Martins’ gaze lingered on my face for a moment before he slowly opened his mouth.

“I understand the concerns of the ministers. Although a marriage with an empress from the Shateuneul Kingdom was accepted due to the political situation between the continents, the issue of imperial succession is a different matter for them, is it not?”

I got the feeling that Grand Duke Martins was standing on the side of the ministers here and representing them.

Why would he, the Grand Duke of the Shateuneul Kingdom?

I wondered if the Grand Duke would have shown such an attitude if Princess Resilia had been the Empress of the Lapion Empire in my place.

“It is a different matter. So they argue that my successor must have only the blood of the Lapion Empire flowing through them, trying to make their precious daughters my concubines.”

Rinel replied with a bitter expression.

“It is true that the more descendants the imperial family has, the more solidified the empire becomes.”

Grand Duke Martins had a point.

“Besides, it is rare in any country for ministers to want to serve a prince born to a foreign empress as the next emperor, Your Majesty.”

But somehow it felt offensive.

What could it be?

The intention of the Grand Duke, who went beyond a neutral stance to side with the Lapion ministers?

“I’m well aware of that. However, urging me to take concubines when it hasn’t even been a few days since my marriage is deliberately trying to undermine the authority of the Empress. That’s the part that angers me.”

I was startled by Rinel’s words as I was secretly glancing at Grand Duke Martins.

I didn’t know he was considering my position to this extent.

“Then… does Your Majesty mean that if it were not for the ministers’ insistence, you have no intention of taking concubines?”

Grand Duke Martins asked him with a surprised expression.

Rinel answered as if it was obvious.

“No. I have no intention of taking concubines.”

His voice carried the weight of his words.

I snuck a glance at Rinel’s side profile.

He had an expression that seemed like he could easily remain celibate for 10 years.

Grand Duke Martins, who had been staring at Rinel with a surprised look, shifted his gaze to me.

His eyes seemed to ask how I had roasted the Emperor to elicit such a reaction.

I deliberately avoided the Grand Duke’s gaze and feigned ignorance.

“Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, rather than making enemies of the ministers, it might be better to quickly accept their wishes.”

“Is that just your own thought? Or does the Shateuneul royal family share the same opinion?”

Rinel asked Grand Duke Martins with a perplexed tone.

The Shateuneul royal family probably had the same thought.

That was my assumption.

If the Shateuneul Kingdom easily accepted this issue, it would make a future divorce from me and the Emperor’s remarriage more manageable for them.

I could imagine the face of Prince Tessler, who would have been delighted to hear this news from Grand Duke Martins, thinking it was a good thing.

“The Shateuneul royal family respects the will of His Majesty the Emperor and the ministers of the Lapion Empire the most.”

“Is that so? But wouldn’t that be a bit disappointing from the Empress’ perspective?”

Rinel’s sharp gaze fixed on Grand Duke Martins.

“Ah, hahaha. Of course, the kingdom is most concerned about Her Majesty the Empress’ well-being.”

Only then did Grand Duke Martins awkwardly laugh and reply.

“The ministers already believe they have taken a step back by allowing Your Majesty’s international marriage.”

“They arrogantly think so.”

“So if Your Majesty deliberately delays the concubine issue, they may feel their positions are threatened and direct their resentment towards the Empress. That’s the part I’m worried about.”

Huh? The level at which Grand Duke Martins is worrying about me is absolutely sickening.

But the Grand Duke’s words sounded quite plausible.

“Hmm, that’s also my biggest concern. So in your opinion, Grand Duke, I should accept concubines even to protect the Empress, is that it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. And preferably as soon as possible…”

At this point, I couldn’t help but glare at Grand Duke Martins.

“Since your relationship seems much stronger than I thought, even if you take concubines, as long as Your Majesty remains unshaken, it shouldn’t be an issue, should it?”

The Grand Duke spoke as if testing Rinel while also watching my reaction.

He’s really good at spinning his words like spaghetti noodles.

The Grand Duke’s expression as he persuaded the Emperor to take concubines quickly to prevent the ministers from harboring resentment towards me was truly hypocritical.

But his opinion would be the same as Prince Tessler’s.

Excluding my position and emotions, the Grand Duke’s words were not wrong.

The key point was that by quickly accepting concubines, it could somewhat reduce the level of opposition from the ministers when Princess Resilia becomes the remarried empress in the future.

In short, it was a strategy of taking one step back for two steps forward.

“The ministers wish for you to hold the concubine ceremony in ten days.”

That soon?

I frowned and glared at Grand Duke Martins.

“According to the priest’s words, that timing is said to be the most auspicious for the empire for the remainder of this year. What is Your Majesty the Empress’ opinion on this?”

Grand Duke Martins subtly passed the ball to me.

He seemed to think that Rinel’s decision would be swayed by a single word from me.

With the Grand Duke’s mind-bending abilities, he could probably join the circus.

I could feel Rinel staring at my lips beside me.

“The Grand Duke’s words… make sense, Your Majesty.”

After saying this one line, I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.

Strangely, my heart ached so much.

It felt like anger and sorrow at the same time.

A complex tangle of emotions that I couldn’t pinpoint.

“I’ll ask you once more. The Empress needs to carefully consider her answer.”

At Rinel’s serious voice, my gaze that had been fixed forward met his.

“If I welcome the concubines that soon, will you really… be alright, Empress?”

No.

My voice only echoed inside me.

“I asked if you’ll be alright.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I said, conscious of not letting my voice sound miserable.

At that moment, deep wrinkles formed between Rinel’s brows.

“Yes, Your Majesty… A very simple answer. No emotions or concerns.”

“Before being a woman’s husband, you are the emperor of a nation. I don’t think it’s something I should oppose based on personal feelings.”

While Grand Duke Martins looked relieved at my answer, Rinel, on the other hand, had a very displeased expression.

“…Fine. I didn’t know the Empress was such a broad-minded woman.”

Rinel let go of my hand he was holding and stood up from the sofa.

“If the Empress is so unaffected, there’s no reason for me to drag this out and make enemies with the ministers.”

“……”

Rinel walked over to the mahogany desk.

There seemed to be a chill emanating from his back.

When he rang the bell on the desk, Secretary Raphael entered the office.

“Did you call for me, Your Majesty?”

“Raphael, when did you say the meeting with the ministers was?”

“There’s still some time before the meeting begins, but I received a message that all the ministers have already arrived at the grand conference hall.”

“Let them know I’m coming.”

“Right… now?”

Secretary Raphael glanced at me and carefully asked Rinel.

“Yes, immediately.”

“Understood, I will inform them right away.”

Raphael looked puzzled for a moment at the cold atmosphere in the office, then quickly closed the door and left.

“A wise decision, Your Majesty. It’s best to promptly approve what has already been decided.”

Grand Duke Martins also said as he rose from the sofa, apparently intending to attend the meeting with Rinel.

But Rinel gestured for the moving Grand Duke to stop.

“Grand Duke, it would be better for you to stay here with the Empress. You are from the Shateuneul Kingdom.”

“Ah… yes, of course. I will do so.”

Grand Duke Martins bowed his head, slightly flustered.

Rinel didn’t spare me a glance after getting up from the sofa.

He turned around and opened the office door, leaving.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Phew…”

Only after the office door closed could I finally breathe properly.

“Well done, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Grand Duke Martins praised me as he sat back down on the sofa.

I wanted to appear composed, but my expression kept crumpling.

He spoke to me with curious eyes, hinting at something.

“Actually, I was a bit surprised earlier.”

“About what?”

“That His Majesty didn’t want to take concubines.”

Grand Duke Martins seemed truly surprised by Rinel’s reaction.

I chuckled slightly and said,

“Is that so? It’s not surprising since he’ll end up approving it anyway.”

“But it was a political marriage between nations, and I had expected His Majesty wouldn’t have feelings for you…”

Grand Duke Martins stared intently at my right cheek with the burn scar and spoke as if talking to himself.

I stared blankly at the Grand Duke, whose loose tongue was blabbering thoughtlessly.

I felt like stuffing something into that despicable mouth of his.

Something like a grilled fish with very thick bones, or a rose with its thorns still attached.

“Grand Duke, please refrain from such remarks in my presence from now on.”

“…Pardon?”

“You should also be faithful to your role. I’m saying I want you to treat me in a manner befitting my current position.”

“Ah, I apologize.”

Grand Duke Martins apologized with a slightly flustered expression, raising both hands.

Even if I step down from the position of Empress, while I’m still in this position, I should receive all the respect I can before stepping down.

Even if I return to the Shateuneul Kingdom and live as a bath maid of the royal family again.

“If I have offended you, please forgive me. My consideration and thoughts were ignorant.”

“We should be careful even when it’s just the two of us, shouldn’t we?”

“You are right.”

“Yes, because a leaking bowl will leak outside as well.”

I delivered a sharp rebuke and stood up to return to the Empress Palace.

“Haha, I will keep that in mind.”

Grand Duke Martins also rose at the same time as me, laughing briefly.

“Your Majesty the Empress, would you like to take a short walk in the garden with me?”

“I don’t feel like it.”

A rejection came out of my mouth in 0.1 seconds.

“…Ah, yes.”

But rather than being offended by my refusal, the Grand Duke laughed again.

“Are you tired?”

“A little bit.”

After dealing with a leaking bowl, that is.

“Smelling the scent of flowers or grass will lessen your fatigue.”

No, I think breaking the bowl will relieve my fatigue.

I stared blankly at Grand Duke Martins’ head, thinking.

“The biggest source of fatigue will be walking beside me, so will smelling the scent of flowers really lessen the fatigue?”

When I openly expressed my discomfort, the Grand Duke cleared his throat but persistently continued.

“Ahem, I had long heard rumors of the exceptional skills of the Lapion imperial gardeners, but I didn’t know they were this amazing. Please join me.”

“It seems you want to enjoy some solitude, Grand Duke, and that’s best done walking alone. Then, I’ll be going now.”

Today, I had exhausted a week’s worth of patience.

I just wanted to quickly return to my bedroom and rest quietly.

“Your Majesty the Empress, I have something to tell you.”

Grand Duke Martins’ voice reached me secretively as I turned around.

“Is that so? Then tell me here.”

I turned to Grand Duke Martins and spoke with a tired air.

“There are many passing ears. This place is also Your Majesty’s office.”

What could it be that he’s acting like this?

Ah, there was only one thing that the Grand Duke and I could intimately discuss.

“Could it be…?”

“Yes, it’s about Princess Resilia.”