Translator: Aura

/ Editor: SaWarren

I composed myself and approached him. However, before I could even greet him, Kapmen turned around and went somewhere else.

It’s a relief… but why did he suddenly leave? Wasn’t he here waiting for someone?

At that moment, my ladies-in-waiting approached and urged me,

“It’s time to prepare for the wedding, Your Majesty.”

“There is a lot to do from now on. Also, today you must go to bed early!”

“Hurry up!”

Although Mastas looked puzzled, she also hurried me.

I took one last glance at Kapmen’s back, and quickly followed my ladies-in-waiting to the detached palace.

***

Heinley stared at Navier as she walked away.

While he enjoyed the time at Navier’s side, when she said not to cause unnecessary trouble with the Eastern Empire, he was actually saddened.

Navier had said it in another sense, but her words stuck in his chest like a dagger.

Moreover, Sovieshu’s ominous warning that ‘Navier would leave him when she realized he was two-faced’ made him uncomfortable.

“Your Majesty. Aren’t you coming in? Didn’t you just need a moment to go to the bathroom? Why are you in here like this?”

‘Is this the bathroom?’ McKenna murmured behind him these last words.

Heinley asked, leaning back dazed against a pillar.

“Will Queen want to go back to him… if she finds out I’m trash?”

As a loyal subordinate, many comforting words arose in McKenna’s mind.

‘Why would Your Majesty be trash? Because you have done everything for the sake of the Western Kingdom, because Your Majesty has taken care of our country like Emperor Sovieshu takes care of the Eastern Empire, does that, and much more, make you trash…?’

However, the comforting words that came out of his mouth were those of a thoughtless close cousin,

“Trash can be recycled. You can rest easy.”

When Heinley glared at him, McKenna quickly fled to the ceremonial hall.

* * *

At last the wedding day arrived.

From this day on, I will finally become the Queen of the Western Kingdom.

No, Heinley will proclaim himself Emperor, so I will become the First Empress of the Western Empire.

A slight pressure and emotion invaded me.

The first empress…

Even though I will become the first empress, the Western Kingdom was a country that already had its foundations laid.

The size, wealth and military power of the country were already enough to consider it an empire.

Even once it became the Western Empire, there will be very little that needs to be restructured.

But even so, when the kingdom became an empire, I would certainly need to change a few things since this place would be my new home.

“Heavens, Your Majesty. Stop frowning.”

“Ah. Sorry.”

“I apply pearl powder to your forehead to brighten it up, but you keep frowning, so it’s ruined before it sets properly.”

I hadn’t been able to do anything.

Yesterday I had to go to bed early, because it is said that after a good night’s sleep, the skin looks healthier and makeup looks better.

As soon as I woke up in the morning, I had to take three types of baths and get massages.

Since then, my ladies-in-waiting spent hours doing my makeup and hours doing my hair.

“We’re finished!”

Just as I began to tingle in every muscle in my body, Countess Jubel exclaimed and clapped her hands.

It was a relief. If I had to wait any longer, I really would have needed to take a walk.

“Look in the mirror, Your Majesty. You are very beautiful!”

Rose exclaimed excitedly.

I came to my senses and looked in the mirror. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself like Rashta.

Oh my! I loved how I looked in my wedding dress.

It was surprisingly glamorous. Even though I had tried it on before, it was even more amazing now that I was wearing it with my hair and makeup done.

When I turned around, the wide skirt of the dress fluttered and made a clinking sound. At the same time, the dress shimmered.

How beautiful! Oh, you should have a portrait in your wedding dress!

“Thank you, Miss Laura.”

This was because the skirt of the dress was covered with jewels, for in Heinley’s words, ‘The Western Kingdom is the capital of jewels.’

Although my ladies-in-waiting admired the beautiful dress…. Fortunately, Heinley today would proclaim himself Emperor. Otherwise, without news like that, everyone would think I was obsessed with jewels.

Before the wedding ceremony began…

All the distinguished and noble guests were already gathered in the hall, while I waited in a small adjacent room prepared in advance for the bride.

We had already exchanged our wedding vows, today’s ceremony would be just a formality.

Strangely, I felt a tingling in my hands.

Heinley should be in the small room on the other side. Will he be as nervous as I am?

I guess so. He said it was his first time… Ah, of course, marriage, what was I thinking?

“Your Majesty the Queen, you may enter now.”

As I paced around the room without sitting down for fear that my dress would wrinkle, the official in charge of the state event finally indicated that I could enter.

I nodded, then went out and walked slowly down ‘the bride’s path.’

On the other side, Heinley was also entering the hall.

Once our eyes met, he smiled so brightly that it was obvious to anyone.

The excitement was so clearly reflected in his expression, that in order to contain the laughter, I had to strain to control my facial muscles.

Laughing moderately in front of those present would not be frowned upon, but I could not laugh out loud.

I walked and walked continuously.

The bride’s path… The path on which I lived alone without Heinley… The path Sovieshu was also on.

Before bitter thoughts arose, our paths merged into one.

We smiled slightly at each other, then turned and headed toward the High Priest.

Our hands naturally brushed at that moment, and Heinley grasped my hand firmly.