Chapter 32 of the side story. Even if you say you’re afraid, you can’t take it back
2022.12.03.
As a daughter of an aristocratic family, the emperor’s gaze might be burdensome, but Pacifica did not avert her eyes.
Esteban’s eyes widened at that fact. There was no doubt that she was an unusual woman.
He finished the story by straightening his body against the wall.
“Then you know you accepted Jim’s offer. We’ll discuss the details later-”
Just as Esteban was about to turn back, Pacifica’s voice caught his footsteps.
“Can I ask you something?”
“say it.”
“What made you choose me as your opponent?”
It was definitely a question worth asking. Esteban turned back and stared at Pacifica.
“We met by chance, so it’s fate… well, stop talking nonsense like this.”
Even thinking about it, a languid smile lingered on Esteban’s lips.
his words continued.
“Jim’s loyal henchman, the knight, usually drools in praise of my sister.”
Pacifica frowned. knight and sister. There was only one culprit.
Esteban confirmed her guess.
“okay. Your brother, Sir Lisandro Donovan.”
“…was it?”
“From what Sir Donovan said, I thought you might be the right person for the job. Would that be enough explanation?”
“yes.”
Pacifica’s reply was short.
Esteban’s feelings were new when he faced a person who acted without regret for clearing up his doubts while keeping only people around him who were trying to talk to him somehow.
Is it because of that? The urge to add an uncharacteristically friendly explanation.
After changing his mind about leaving, Esteban came back and stood in front of Pacifica.
“…?”
When the emperor, who had been going away, came back, a question appeared on Pasifika’s face.
“It seems that Jim’s explanation was insufficient.”
“okay.”
“Do this.”
It was impossible to reveal that it was a contract marriage, so it was necessary to properly cover the public eye.
What Esteban brought out for that reason was the deceased emperor’s will.
That the emperor once promised to match Duke Donovan’s daughter with my successor.
Of course, no such promise was ever made.
Esteban said that he would use the deceased emperor, and Pacifica was surprised inside.
But the man’s face remained calm even after uttering huge words.
“Is it okay if I fabricate His Majesty’s will?”
“I think the emperor will be happy too. Rather than the fall of the empire as the price of Ermano is cut off like this.”
“…”
“That would be pretty fun too.”
His expression and manner of speaking, as if he were interested, were quite serious, so it didn’t feel like he was joking.
Esteban, embarrassed when Pacifica didn’t show much reaction, opened his mouth again.
“I’ll tell Duke Donovan, so you don’t have to worry.”
“yes.”
“Then let’s kiss like that.”
“Yes, I understand.”
To Esteban’s words, Pacifica responded without delay. For some reason, Esteban felt a sense of déjà vu, and soon realized the reason.
‘It’s like being at a government meeting.’
I felt like I was treating a subject rather than a wife-to-be.
‘not bad.’
I thought it was a very good business partner.
If it’s a marriage with a fixed ending, emotions will only burden each other.
Esteban held out a hand to Pacifica. Pasifika, who was staring at the hand, lightly grabbed it.
“Please take good care of me.”
“i look forward to.”
Thus, the contract marriage between the two was concluded.
***
A marriage proposal from the emperor has arrived at the residence of Duke Donovan in the capital.
Duke Donovan, who had been summoned and silenced by the emperor earlier, was not surprised, but the Duchess and other servants of the mansion were overturned.
The Duchess went to her husband, who was in the bedroom, and questioned him.
“honey. Will Pacifica become the empress?”
“okay. I made a promise to the emperor.”
“You mean you forgot that? You almost made a connection with an insignificant family over the imperial family.”
“It’s been fixed now, so it’s okay.”
Duke Donovan smiled contentedly as he lay on the sickbed and groaned. He recalled the conversation he had with the emperor alone.
“Peacock. Don’t be surprised and listen carefully.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I think Jim fell in love with your girl at first sight.”
“…Yes?”
“But isn’t your daughter already with a fiance?”
“Yes, but.”
“If I take your daughter in as empress like this, I’ll end up suffering from a scandal. Unfortunately…”
Emperor Yang, who was telling the saddest story in the world, blurred his expression.
“Are you saying you’re going to make Pacifica your empress?”
“I want to do that right away.”
At that moment, Duke Donovan’s eyes glistened with desire. Whether it was his daughter’s scandal or whatever, he couldn’t miss this opportunity to establish a relationship with the imperial family.
“Then do as your Majesty wills. Wouldn’t the daughter’s scandal be out of the question?”
“no. Jim does not want her to suffer from scandal.”
“If so.”
“So let’s do this.”
As if bewitched, she nodded while listening to the emperor’s words, and after coming to her senses, she was already out of the audience room.
All of a sudden, Duke Donovan had promised the arranged marriage of the emperor and his children, who had already entered the grave.
It would be a betrayal of the master who had turned his back on the world, but he didn’t really care. After all, his master now was Esteban, the present emperor.
‘Did you fall in love with Pacifica that much?’
Objectively, Emperor Esteban was not a good husband.
Although he was the strongest swordsman in the empire, his temper was cruel. From a young age, he moved around the battlefield and slashed enemies without mercy.
Also, the rumors that he was acting like a dog chaban to his subordinates were accepted as true.
So, how many of his servants were anxious when he ascended the throne.
But Duke Donovan didn’t mind that either.
There was no reason to give up the fact that she could make the daughter she had been trying to sell off anyway into an empress.
Even if it wasn’t so, wasn’t the self-indulgent attitude a thorn in the eye?
Duke Donovan laughed even though he coughed heavily.
“After becoming empress, she won’t talk nonsense about inheriting the family.”
“sure.”
Duchess Donovan also smiled brightly as she thought of the future of becoming the royal family’s in-law and having a blast at all kinds of parties.
With the full support of the duchess, preparations for Pasifika’s national wedding proceeded quickly.
***
Most of the production of magical materials is dominated by the Devlin Empire, so the development of Ermano’s magic was insignificant.
Because of that, all communication between regions was done through the mail.
About a month after Cyana left for the Gardenia estate, a letter arrived saying that she had arrived safely, so Pasifika immediately replied.
However, since then, contact with Sianna has been cut off.
While busy preparing for the wedding, Pasifika found out what was going on.
At the end of the search, he came across a short article saying that a large-scale landslide occurred on the road between the Gardenia territory and the capital, and the road was cut off.
She wanted to tell Sianna that she was about to marry the emperor, but there was no way.
As Pacifica looked down at the empty stationery, someone knocked on the open door.
“sister. What’s wrong with your expression?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Pasifika hardened her expression as usual and pushed the letter to one side.
Lisandro, the culprit behind all the sadals, approached with a smile.
“For my sister to become the empress. Should I call her Her Majesty from now on?”
“If you came here to make noise like that, get out, Rit.”
“Isn’t that too much for a little brother who only has one?”
The mischievousness quickly disappeared from Lisandro’s gruff expression.
Then, with a serious face, he said a word.
“Your Majesty is a pretty decent person.”
“so.”
“just. I hope you are doing well.”
Pacifica couldn’t understand why Lisandro was saying that.
The subject knows everything about the contractual marriage with Esteban and under what conditions.
The purpose of this agreement was clear. So there is no room for emotions to intervene.
Pacifica did not respond to Lisandro’s words.
***
Things went smoothly just as Esteban had scripted.
Newspapers already purchased by the emperor scrambled to cover the promises made between the former emperor and Duke Donovan.
Because he was the emperor who did not like Duke Donovan, there were occasional voices of doubt, but for some reason, they quickly subsided.
Thanks to the active collaboration between the emperor and the Donovan family, the date of the national wedding was quickly set.
just one month later.
As it was the national marriage of an emperor who had just ascended the throne, the wedding ceremony was held with great grandeur.
People generously applauded and praised the newly born emperor couple.
Returning to the imperial castle after the wedding, Pasifika had a private meeting with her mother, the Duchess Donovan.
When only the two of them were left, the Duchess poured out nagging sounds as if she had waited.
“Pasifica. I want to laugh a little What is that expression?”
Despite those words, Pacifica’s expression did not change. The Duchess let out a deep sigh at her daughter’s unattractive attitude.
“I’m sure you won’t be loved by His Majesty the Emperor if you act so bluntly.”
“…”
“Your Majesty has fallen for you now, but how long do you think that will last? I want to give you a friendly smile before regretting it belatedly.”
“…”
“Huh? Pacifica?”
Pacifica raised her head and looked at the Duchess. It was a surprisingly cool gaze.
Soon, her mouth opened.
“If you’re done talking, let’s go, Duchess.”
“…what?”
The words that came out of her daughter’s mouth made the Duchess’s eyes wide open.
Pacifica’s words continued.
“I’ll call a lady-in-waiting to guide you outside.”
“What kind of habit do you have to talk to your mother about that!”
“Who do you think the person in front of you is?”
I was speechless.
empress. After the national wedding, the daughter in front of her was now the empress of the empire.
It’s a fact I know well, but the fact that I’m her daughter hasn’t changed.
What is the problem with Daejeon when there are only two of them?
“This is rude…! You know I’ll stay still If it were to be known that you treated my mother so ruthlessly, you would-!”
“Try it.”
“…!”
“I can’t, but.”
What the Duke and Duchess Donovan valued above all else was family honor.
However, if this fact goes up and down in the mouth of others, your honor will be lost.
True to Pacifica’s words, she could never tell anyone what had happened.
“A heartless thing.”
Duchess Donovan, who had been glaring at Pacifica with a blushing face, turned around and went outside.
Left alone, Pacifica laughed bitterly.
The first successful rebellion was relying on the power of others.
Still, I didn’t feel too bad.
***
It was early night.
“empress.”
After bathing, Esteban put on a robe and entered the bedroom.
After getting ready, Pasifika, who had been waiting in advance, turned her head.
Likewise, Pacifica’s appearance in a thin apron gave off a different atmosphere than usual.
“…”
A strange tension flowed between the two. It was because he knew what would happen next.
Esteban approached slowly and stopped in front of Pacifica sitting on the edge of the bed.
He placed her shoulder on her shoulder and gently pushed her back, her moonlight brown hair tumbling over the bed sheets.
The eyes of the two met. It seemed as if they were tightly interlocked.
“Even if you say you’re afraid, you can’t take it back.”
Pasifika responded calmly to the meaningless warning.
“I know.”
It’s like talking to someone else.
Esteban let out a soft laugh.
“…That’s why I like you.”
Soon, the shadows of the two overlapped under the moonlight.
