The Abandoned Empress

“Well…I was not well versed in diplomatic affairs, but I noticed a couple of clauses that could be interpreted ambiguously. If you feel the same way, I think you had better call the Foreign Ministry officials and double check them.”

“Good. Thanks for the advice. I will keep it in mind. ”

When I saw him answering seriously, I suddenly felt immensely gratified. I couldn’t realize that I was discussing with him, who was leaning on my lap, about diplomatic affairs. I could not believe he was listening to me seriously after asking for my opinion.

“Um, why is that?”

“Oh, no, Your Majesty. Where did I leave off?”

“Hmm. You’re distracted in my presence? Well, that hurts my pride.”

“Why are you teasing me again?”

When I responded with a short sigh, he said with a smile, “Well, you can tell me about the other document sent by the Foreign Ministry.”

“Oh, that’s right. It was an official letter from the kingdom of Lisa, saying they would send a princess to the empire as hostage.”

“Oh my… I clearly said I would not accept her…” He murmured, then stopped.

He sprang to his feet after looking at me for a while.

“Your Majesty?”

“Don’t get me wrong, Tia. You’re my one and only love. I will never take any woman as my concubine.”

When I saw him embarrassed, I broke into a smile in spite of myself. Of course, I would lie if I didn’t pay any attention to it, but I really didn’t care about it at all.

I momentarily thought of pretending to be angry with him for a moment, but I just nodded with a smile, “Got it. I won’t get you wrong.”

“Thank you.”

When I saw him breathing a sigh of relief, I could not help but laugh. But I organized the documents one by one, trying to control my expression on my face. When I reached out to pick up some other documents after sorting out the essential ones, I felt some tingling sense on my head, which started from my legs and back.

“Ahhhh…”

“Oh dear, are you okay, Tia?”

When I smiled awkwardly at him, he said, watching me moving my numb legs cautiously, “What should I do? I wish I could massage your body, but….”

“Massage me? Oh, no thanks. I’ll be alright a little later.”

When I hurriedly waved my hands, he sat right next to me and said with a smile, “Well, let me lend you my lap, so lean here. You will feel much better if you spread your legs. ”

“Oh no, Your Majesty. I’m fine … ”

“Don’t be shy, come on.”

Although I shook my head to say no, he pulled me in the blink of an eye and lay me on his lap. Then he said, pressing lightly against me when I was trying to get up, startled,”It’s fair, isn’t it. So, just lean on my lap.”

“But…”

“Well, this is the document you missed. As you have decided to help me, please. You can stay in the same posture, lying on my lap.”

“Your Majesty, oh, Rube, please.”

I swallowed a sigh. Once again I tried to get up, straining my body, but I could not because of tingling in my legs. In the end, I looked up at him desperately, but he just smiled casually as if he didn’t notice it.

My heart was pounding loudly enough for him to hear. I felt my face blushing.

“Are you hot?”

“… Oh, no.”

“Then, why is your face so red?”

“…Are you going to keep teasing me?”

When I replied in a sullen voice, he raised me up with a hearty laugh. After sweeping my silvery hair hanging down to my waist, he said, “I’m afraid I can’t wait anymore. You’re full of charm, and now you are so cute!”

“… Your Majesty.”

“Well, I originally wanted to wait until spring, but I think I should advance the date. How about the wedding ceremony during the New Year festival?”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that. We have two months left. Besides, all the nobles are coming to the capital to give me New Year’s greetings, so it won’t be burdensome for them. All the traitors will be executed next week, so by the New Year the imperial power will have been stabilized. So, I think the timing of our wedding ceremony is good.”

His point made sense.

Given that it was the wedding ceremony of the emperor, the ruler of the empire, two months might not be enough for the preparations, but there would be no problem if they made the preparations in haste. Except for the winter factor, it seemed the wedding ceremony during the New Year holidays would be held without any big problem.

Oh, wait a minute. Is it possible?

The moment I thought about it again, it was too late. He already made up his mind, so I stood up quickly, squinting at his navy blue eyes full of joy.

“I think you’re already up and running since you are teasing me now. I’m relieved now. I think I can go back without worrying about you.”

“Um? Going back? Where?”

“I forgot it for a moment, but I have an appointment with the colleagues of my knights divisions. Have a good rest, Your Majesty. I’m leaving now.”

After bowing out politely, I quickly moved out of his office before he grabbed me again.

But unfortunately he grabbed me faster than I got out. He urgently stopped me and said, “I am sorry. I won’t tease you anymore.”

“…”

“I’m serious. You were so cute when you were embarrassed that I just…”

I couldn’t believe he would teased me whenever he met me. I didn’t know when he started doing it. He was not the type of person who messed with me like this. Of course, I didn’t hate it.

“Tia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’m sorry. Well, but I’m serious about the wedding ceremony. So, can’t you give it a serious thought?”

“… Well, I think you had better consult with my father about it…”

“Does it mean that you won’t care about holding the wedding ceremony at a early date?”

“I’m leaving then,” I answered in a low voice, then quickly got out of his office.

I leaned against a white stone pillar outside the office and wrapped my blushed face with both hands. Then I put my hand on my pounding heart and gasped for breath.

Why did he suddenly bring up that topic? Of course, I don’t hate it, but he mentioned it abruptly.

How much time passed? I came to my senses at the coldness of the stone pillar on my back.

As I looked around slowly, I noticed the scenery outside the dark window.

I didn’t know time passed so quickly like this. I’m going to be late for the appointment.

I quickened my steps to the knights division building. When I hurriedly stepped inside, the knights gathered here came running to me and surrounded me.

My eyes were open wide.

What the heck? Why are there so many knights around me?

“Sir Monique, welcome back!”

“Ah yes. But Sir Ryan, are these knights here…?”

“Sorry. There weren’t many at first, but as the rumor spread that we’re going to have dinner with you, they just came in droves to join us, so I selected these guys among them. So, please understand generously this time.”

“Oh, yes, I’m fine.” When I answered readily, Sir Ryan smiled broadly as if he was relieved.

I also smiled at him and headed for the dining hall.

As I sat at the spacious dining table with them, each of them talked to me one by one with a smile.

“Sir Monique, please help yourself a lot.”

“I didn’t know that the day would come when I would have dinner with you like this. I’m deeply moved.”

Only

“I’m glad to know you are safe.”

“Thank you. Please help yourself.”

“Yes, Sir Monique.”

After replying loudly, they picked up forks and spoons. Suddenly, it was noisy everywhere.

I saw some of them busy picking up food, some chatting with their friends, some discussing a certain topic while they were enjoying food. I wish I had this kind of get-together dinner early one if they liked it so much.

While I was having food in a cheerful mood, Sir Freia, who put down a glass of water, made a serious expression and said, “Sorry, Sir Monique. If I had not divided the units like that…”

“Oh, no. I also agreed to be assigned to that unit. I’m rather afraid that other members of the unit would be disadvantaged because of me.”