I Became the Master of the Empress

308

On the day of Mueller’s wedding.

“Wow… I can’t believe we’re getting married at the Iyer Cathedral.”

The Iyer Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the Holy See.

For a mere layperson like Sena to have the cathedral rented out, it seems the Pope must have intervened.

“That’s surprising. No matter how much Sena was affiliated with the Holy See, renting out the Iyer Cathedral wouldn’t be an easy task.”

Tera, not knowing that Sena was a former saint candidate, must have thought that was a given.

“Sena isn’t just an ordinary nun; she was a former saint candidate.”

“Really?”

Tera’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Yeah. It’s a top-secret matter even within the Holy See, so pretend you don’t know.”

The status of a saint candidate is classified information.

If it were to be revealed, she could face assassination or assault, so it’s only natural to keep it hidden.

“Huh… but getting married under such circumstances. To think they’re getting married there.”

“Why? Are you thinking of our wedding?”

At my words, she nodded with a gentle smile.

“Yes, back then I didn’t expect to end up like this with you. Life is really unpredictable.”

Tera and I had held our wedding at the Yier Cathedral.

That’s how significant that place is.

Even the Emperor got married there.

– Squeak.

As the carriage came to a stop, it was packed with an enormous number of carriages.

“Wow? This is no joke!”

Carriages adorned with the crests of count and duke families.

Who could mistake this for a common imperial wedding? It’s an aristocratic wedding.

“Isn’t it strange? Why are there so many nobles at Müller’s wedding?”

I could guess.

They must be people who want to get on Müller’s good side or those he’s helped before.

He’s not only personally capable but also knows how to build good relationships with others.

“Well, isn’t that a skill?”

– Ah! His Majesty and the Grand Duke have arrived.

“Oh dear, we should get down soon.”

– Squeak.

The door opened, and as the purple carpet and the Golden Knights greeted us,

“Your Majesty and Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

Müller, dressed in a pristine white suit, bowed his head in greeting.

“Congratulations on your wedding.”

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

Thus, we entered the wedding venue.

“By the way, what gift did you choose for Müller?”

“Müller prepared a sword engraved with the imperial crest. What about you?”

“I chose a tiara.”

Tera picked out a gift from Senna for Müller and me.

After delivering the gift, I headed to the bride’s waiting room.

Sena, in a pure white dress.

“Your Majesty, the Duke?”

“It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has been.”

There was a slightly strange energy in the air, but it quickly dissipated.

“Thank you for coming such a long way.”

“It’s a wedding for the benefactor who saved my husband; I must attend.”

Tera smiled brightly, holding Sena’s hand.

“Congratulations on your marriage. I know you are working hard for the future of the Empire.”

“I am deeply grateful.”

“Congratulations on your wedding, Sena.”

As Sena bowed her head in thanks, I looked around.

The bride’s waiting room was emptier than I had expected.

No family… No friends?

I had heard before that she was an orphan.

“Darling, what are you doing? Let’s go.”

Tera grabbed my arm and pulled me outside.

It felt a bit unsettling.

That no one was here.

But it wasn’t my place to be beside her as an outsider.

Still, she would have a family today.

“Darling, look over there. Chairman Charles is here too?”

“I greet Your Majesty.”

As soon as Tera spoke, Charles acknowledged her.

“Oh? Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”

Nobles began to slowly gather around her.

I instinctively realized I shouldn’t get caught here, so I quietly slipped away.

“If I stay here, I’ll be seen, right?”

I didn’t want to get unnecessarily caught up, so I made my escape first.

-Thunk.

“Your Grace?”

“Lady Sena?”

Sena emerges from the bridal waiting room.

“Where are you going?”

“Oh, I was afraid it might be bothersome with so many nobles around.”

Sena, wearing a veil.

Her face is hidden.

“That aside, congratulations on your marriage.”

At my words, Sena nodded.

“Thank you.”

With that, our conversation halted, and as she began to walk away, she paused for a moment.

“…What I said to you back then was my sincere feeling.”

“I know. I believed Lady Sena’s words were sincere as well.”

“Right now, you’re thinking it’s a bit of a shame, aren’t you?”

I chuckled at her words.

A shame?

Today, Sena is undeniably beautiful.

But I’m a married man, and she will soon be a married woman too.

It’s all pointless, but well…

Today is a good day, so I decided to indulge in a little lie.

“Yes, I must admit, you are so beautiful that it feels like a shame.”

“Pfft… You’re saying things you don’t mean. And….”

Sena seemed about to say something.

As I waited for her to continue, she shook her head and said,

“The ceremony is about to start, so I’ll be going now.”

Dressed in pure white wedding attire, Sena heads toward the ceremony.

– The wedding is about to begin. Please gather in the ceremony hall!

It seems the wedding is starting soon.

As I was about to enter the ceremony hall, I felt a burning gaze from somewhere, and I turned my head.

“Huh?”

Tera is gazing at me with a suspicious glare, and behind her, dozens of nobles are watching me.

Ma… I’m doomed.

***

The wedding reception has ended.

As the newlywed couple greets the high-ranking guests one by one, the nobles around us glance at me and whisper to each other.

– Did you see that earlier??

– It seems like Lady Mueller and the Grand Duke had something going on.

– How could the Grand Duke, who is the Empire’s greatest beauty, have an affair?

Ba… an affair?

I’m frustrated.

Clearly, I rejected Sena’s confession back then.

But it’s ridiculous that they’re talking as if Sena and I had a secret affair.

Moreover, I think they won’t listen to me, but the provocative words are heard all too clearly.

– Tsk.

Tera, with an expressionless face, is staring at me coldly.

“I’m frustrated.”

I tried to speak first, but Tera doesn’t react, just staring at me with an unblinking gaze.

It would be better if she said something, but she just looks at me without a word.

– This is ridiculous. The Grand Duke’s wife is pregnant, and they’re saying the new bride had an affair.

– Oh, dear God.

No! That’s not true!

If they had listened to the story properly, they would know that Sena and I didn’t have an improper relationship.

But why is this rumor spreading so quickly?

The whispers around us make Sena’s ears turn slightly red, but Mueller doesn’t seem to care.

Maybe she knows the truth.

Mueller must know about Sena and my relationship.

– I heard the new bride is pregnant… Maybe it’s not the Grand Duke’s child?

The outrageous remark makes my face contort in disgust.

“Who is the guy who just opened his mouth and is now pretending to be innocent?”

Tera turned her head and scanned the nobles closely.

“W-what? Did you hear something, Your Majesty?”

Tera spoke to her secretary behind her while pretending not to notice the nobles.

“Arrest all the nobles who slandered the Duke and the new bride just now. I will punish them severely for defaming my royal family.”

After saying this ominously, she shot me a glare and whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

“You’d better be prepared, too.”

– Gulp.

This… is bad.

Soon, after greeting the nobles, the couple Müller and Sena approached Tera and me last.

“Your Majesty, thank you for coming despite your busy schedule, Your Highness the Duke.”

As Müller bowed to us, Tera jabbed me with her elbow.

She must want me to speak since I’m Müller’s superior.

“Both of you have contributed greatly to this country, so it’s only natural you should be here.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

As Müller finished his greeting, the host announced the next segment.

– Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for attending to celebrate this beautiful couple.

The banquet had begun.

I heard there wouldn’t be clowns performing like when I got married.

Well, I suppose they wouldn’t do such things since they’re not nobles.

– Now, we will commence the newlyweds’ first night celebration!

Here it comes. The panty-removing.

It’s a wedding organized by the papacy, yet they would engage in such uncivilized behavior.

– Wow!

– Please lower it with your mouth, Chief Advisor!

– That’s right! Only by lowering it with your mouth will the child prosper!

Müller glanced at Sena’s legs with a flushed face.

It’s called a violation of propriety, but why is he so embarrassed?

It looked ridiculous for him to blush after having already done everything.

“Haa…”

Müller let out a deep sigh.

He slipped into Sena’s wedding dress.

And a moment later…

Something white was caught in Müller’s mouth as he emerged from the skirt.

***

After the wedding, Müller grabbed me.

“Your Grace, thank you so much.”

“Huh? For what?”

“For the week off.”

Despite being incredibly busy within the Empire, Müller was granted a week of leave to commemorate this wedding.

Thanks to that, my workload increased, but since it was his first marriage, I thought it was only right to give him this much.

“What’s this? It’s only natural to give you this much for a wedding. Go and rest well.”

“Yes! I’m planning to travel nearby.”

“Where to?”

“There’s a famous hot spring called Palm Springs near Roman, right? I’m thinking of staying there for a few days.”

It’s a well-known resort area near Roman.

“Good idea. Make sure to take a break and come back.”

As I waved my hand and got into the carriage, Terra shot me a glare.

Her cold, piercing red eyes made my shoulders instinctively shrink.

“Let’s talk about what we discussed earlier in the room later.”

I’m doomed…