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Novel The Great Wish Volume 4
Chapter 2 - Scandal
Part 1
"Like
I said, we were on the wrong foot from the start."
Sienna
entered her dream. Through the Emperor's eyes, she saw the aged Kuhn.
-How
long? It seems like it's been more than a month.
At
first, the frequency of the dreams was irregular, but after a while, the dreams
became spaced every month or so.
—Maybe
this dream will end this year.
If
this dream shows '1 day' in the future, then tonight will be the end of this
dream.
—Why
does it have to be 'today'?
Of
all the countless 'days' in the future, why did it have to be this 'day'?
It
had been a very long 'day', with a lot going on.
But,
if this was meant to tell me about the future, then it would be better if it
was a day in the distant future.
"If
I had to give a reason, I think annulling the wedding would be in your best
interest as well as mine."
"May
I ask why you think that?"
"Because
it's better for us to end relationships that cause pain to each other."
"I
see. So you think my presence hurts you."
"......"
Fair
King smiled bitterly.
"I
admit that your relationship with me did not get along very well at the
beginning of our marriage, but we did our best to make it work later on. I
can't believe that you hate me that much."
The
Emperor's gaze, which had been looking at the Fair King, now looked down.
-Ah.
Suddenly,
Sienna came to her senses. She muttered something like a groan.
—Fair
King, the Emperor does not hate you.
For
the first time, she understood the Emperor —her future self. But, she couldn't
empathize with her. Even if their futures had been different, the Emperor and
Sienna were the same. They are the same person. They are the only people in
this world who can fully understand each other.
When
she first had the dream, Sienna didn't understand. But now, she understood the
complexity of the Emperor's mind.
—The
Emperor felt uneasy towards the Fair King, so she ran away.
I
also experienced the same conflict when I was attracted to Kuhn. A strange,
disturbing feeling of indecision. That's why I'd rather run away.
While
the real Sienna confronted and confessed her feelings, the Sienna from the
future did not. Their circumstances are different.
—At
first, the Emperor really disliked the Fair King.
It
must be so embarrassing and hard to admit that the man she hates has touched
her heart. She definitely doesn't have anyone to confide in. Because her aides
would only spread evil words to slander the Fair King. I can imagine how much
she suffered.
Perhaps,
if the two of them continued to live as a couple, then perhaps their hearts
would open up one day. However, the Iron King who became Emperor died instead.
And
then, the future Sienna came up with the perfect excuse to run away.
—That's
stupid. But, I understand you. If I were you, I would do the same thing if I
were in your position.
"Your
Majesty, I didn't mean to belittle you when I was stalling on refusing the
annulment. It's just......"
The
Fair King's mouth opened, and he let out a breath. After a long pause, he
finally spoke again.
"I
don't hold a grudge against you because of that. Even, Your Majesty, you can
just consider it a thing of the past."
—You......
What a good man.
The
Fair King's eyes were clear. There was no hatred in his eyes when he looked at
the woman who had once been his wife, but instead, the woman left one-sidedly
like that, moreover, she was the daughter of an enemy who had killed his friend
and subordinate.
Sienna
felt happy because she had made the right choice by choosing that man.
"I
had a question about the previous His Majesty the Emperor."
The
Emperor changed the topic. 'Yes, please.' The Fair King replied although he
didn't seem to like it when the Emperor changed the topic.
"During
his lifetime, the previous His Majesty the Emperor was attacked due to issues
of legitimacy. Then, why did the Bless Family turn a blind eye to him? If at
least, one of the Duke Family was actively supporting him, he wouldn't have
such a hard time."
"Your
Majesty, since the beginning, the Duke Bless Family......"
"A
reclusive Duke Family. I know, but the previous Emperor was the flesh and blood
of the Bless Duke Family."
***
People
had gathered in the Palace Banquet Hall since the afternoon. The intelligent
women observed every corner of the ballroom.
"Red
Queen is very considerate."
"Yeah,
that was unexpected."
The
fact that the Red Queen was hosting this Banquet was something that attracted
the attention of the aristocrats.
"The
Red Queen has pride. Even if this is the Iron King's wedding party, she can't
ruin something that was prepared in her name."
"That's
true, she has a big ego for this kind of thing."
"It's
not wrong for her to be called the Queen of the Party."
The
ladies whispered happily, thinking of the Red Queen who must have been grinding
her teeth preparing for this feast.
The
Red Queen is not one to embrace others kindly. She is a force to be reckoned
with. If she was displeased with someone, then she would humiliate that person
in public. There was a woman who was so hurt by her that she had a panic attack
and could no longer go out in public.
However,
no one could criticize the Red Queen. No matter what happened, everyone always
worked hard to please the Red Queen.
The
Red Queen was a strong woman, and she had quite a few followers due to her
refined tastes.
"The
Iron Queen...... It must be difficult, right?"
"Her
personality is very gentle. She is no match for her."
Apparently,
the emergence of a hero who is able to face the Red Queen is still a story in
the distant future. Compared to the Red Queen, Violet is a chick without a
beak.
The
guests kept coming, and soon the ballroom was packed. More than an hour had
passed since the invited guests arrived, and there was no sign of any important
figures —especially the Iron King and his wife who were the guests of honor.
"Even
if His Majesty the Emperor does come, it will only last for a short time —as
usual. And the Red Queen probably won't be coming, right?"
"I
don't think she will come."
"Why
don't we see Iron King and Iron Queen?"
"The
Silver Queen isn't here either. I haven't seen Marquis Lard either."
The
party went perfectly. The food and drinks are amazing. But somehow, people got
bored.
"Her
Highness the Silver Queen and Marquis Lard enter the room."
The
servant's shout caused ripples, just like a stone thrown into a still lake. The
sight of heads turning in unison was strange.
Everyone
doubted their eyes. Marquis Lard escorted the Silver Queen and they entered
side by side.
The
two of them looked around the ballroom and called a servant. Silver Queen asked
the servant something. Then, she and Marquis Lard looked at each other and had
a short conversation. Later, they went somewhere together.
People's
eyes followed them as they walked together. They stopped in front of the Count
and Countess Merge.
"Count
and Countess Merge."
Marquis
Lard's call brought the stunned couple back to their senses. Then, they bowed
politely to the two.
Sienna
asked,
"Do
you know why the Iron King and his wife are not visible?"
"Yes?
Ah, yes. That's because......"
While
the Count was talking nonsense, the Countess elbowed her husband.
"Those
two haven't come yet. And I don't know why."
"My
goodness, what is this?"
Sienna
and Kuhn exchanged glances, confused. They deliberately arrived late to give
the Iron King and his wife plenty of time to be congratulated by the people.
When
Marquis Lard appeared with the Silver Queen, it was clear they would attract
attention. So, in order to consider the couple who should be the main characters
today, they deliberately arrived late.
Sienna
made a gesture to call a servant. A servant ran up to her and bowed.
"Go
to the Iron King's Palace and ask why the two of them haven't arrived
yet."
"Yes,
Your Highness."
The
servant ran. Until the Silver Queen appeared, no one had the status to ask why
the Iron King didn't come.
After
that, the Countess asked curiously.
"Your
Highness, I didn't expect to see you two coming together."
Marquis
Lard answered in a low tone.
"It
seems that word from mouth to mouth in high society doesn't always spread
quickly, huh."
"Yes?"
"Even
though I'm trying hard to stand out."
"Yes?"
Marquis
Lard glanced gently at the Silver Queen who was beside him.
"But,
from now on you will often see scenes like today."
"Yes?"
Countess
Merge looked stunned and kept repeating the words like a parrot.
Marquis
Lard grabbed Silver Queen's right hand which was resting on the back of his
left hand, and then he bent down to kiss the back of her hand.
"Because
from now on, I will always be by Her Highness the Silver Queen's side."
"Marquis
Lard."
The
Silver Queen called out to him, her brows furrowed. However, she did not let go
of the Marquis's grip.
"Please
at least allow me to do this, Your Highness."
Then,
Marquis Lard kissed the back of the Silver Queen's hand again.
Countess
Merge's mouth dropped open in surprise. Everywhere she looked, there were
people who looked exactly like her.
Silence
spread throughout the crowded ballroom like fire spreading across dry grass.
And then, the silence exploded. It didn't take long for the words to pass from
mouth to mouth and everyone in the vast ballroom knew it.
The
Silver Queen and Marquis Lard circled the ballroom slowly, greeting everyone.
"Congratulations,
Duke Grosch, Countess."
The
person beside Duke Grosch who had been widowed all these years was not a
Duchess, but his daughter who was a Countess. The father and daughter received
congratulations from the Silver Queen and Marquis Lard with half-crooked
smiles.
"Your
Grace, do you know why Iron King and his wife haven't arrived yet?"
"I
don't know either, but I already predicted that they would be late."
Duke
Grosch answered Marquis Lard's question. The Duke quickly recovered his
expression.
While
they were talking, a servant returned from the Iron King's Palace as assigned.
The servant immediately approached the Silver Queen. Nervous about the
attention he was receiving, the servant stiffened.
"Your
Highness, I have seen His Highness the Iron King, and he told me that he will
only be coming for a short time, even though he will be late."
"The
reason?"
The
servant hesitated.
"Because......
Iron Queen is bedridden because she has difficulty moving......"
Duke
Grosch coughed. The Countess just muttered 'Oh my' and turned her attention
elsewhere.
Sienna
did not understand the servant's words.
"Difficult
to move? Have you called a doctor?"
"Your
Highness, Iron Queen will be fine."
Kuhn
calmed her down, then he turned to the servant.
"Good
work. You can go."
Sienna
still didn't understand.
"He
said they came late because she was bedridden from not being able to move,
there's no way she'd be fine. The Iron Queen had a long wedding ceremony
yesterday. What happened last night, ah, was she sick from the long wedding
ceremony yesterday?"
The
aristocrats around them blushed with expressions of trying to hold back their
laughter.
"Not
that......"
Kuhn
led Sienna away from that place. He whispered in her ear.
"You
just need to understand that the Iron King and his wife had so much fun last
night that they didn't want to get out of bed."
"Okay
then. Although I have to admit, the excuse of being sick is better than being
lazy."
Sienna
glanced at Kuhn who laughed softly.
"Why
are you laughing like that? It's rude."
"One
day you will laugh at today's incident."
"What
do you mean?"
"Now,
let's go there."
"Don't
change the subject."
The
people couldn't hear what they were talking about, but the look on their faces
as they whispered affectionately towards each other was enough. Now, no one
thought that the Silver Queen and Marquis Lard were playing around.
The
Countess turned to Duke Grosch.
“Father,
did you hear anything about those two from the Iron King? Father, you and
Marquis Lard are people who stand on the same side, right.”
"I
don't know. Iron King doesn't talk much."
"Or
is it just you who doesn't know?"
"I
do not think so."
Even
though they are Iron King followers who support the Iron King, each of them has
a different position. Duke Grosch was a relatively latecomer to the alliance
through marriage. For a long time, he was face-to-face with the people who
followed the Iron King. However, Marquis Lard was not one of them.
Duke
Grosch thought that Marquis Lard was the most powerful person among the Iron
King's followers. Duke Grosch thought of him as the captain who led them all,
but it turned out he was just someone close to the Iron King. There was a fine
wall between the Iron King's followers and Marquis Lard.
"It
seems I'm not the only one who doesn't know."
Duke
Grosch said while looking at the depressed expression on the face of Count
Miller who was standing in the distance. Count Miller is a central figure in
the Iron King's followers.
The
faces of those who were excited about the gossip were blushing with
embarrassment. Not because of excitement at the party, but because of shock and
amusement at witnessing such a huge scandal. All eyes were on the Silver Queen
and Marquis Lard. They swarmed them non-stop.
Kuhn
grew tired of the audience's persistence.
"It
felt like a spectacle."
"I
think we need a moment to catch our breath."
Kuhn
looked around and motioned for permission to leave.
Sienna
followed him to the balcony. Balconies with protruding structures are usually
used by people who want to get away from the crowds or have important conversations.
It's also a happy place —where when the curtains fall, romance can happen.
But,
not today. Such behavior in the middle of this sacred wedding party, he might
be pointed at by people's fingers.
"Are
you alright?"
Kuhn
checked her mood.
"What?"
"Everyone
is staring at us, I was wondering if you felt uncomfortable."
"I'm
used to it. It's more blatant than usual, but that's all. How...... about
you?"
"I
don't mind. I don't care what people think. I have thick skin."
"I
know it."
"Well,
since you so bluntly admitted it, I'm not sure how......"
"That's
a compliment. I like how shameless you are."
Kuhn
looked at her speechlessly, then lifted her chin with his fingertips.
"Sienna."
His
face came closer.
"Yes."
"There
are quite a lot of eyes watching us right now, but I want to kiss you."
"......"
"Can
I kiss you?"
Sienna
lowered her eyes coldly.
"......It
seems you are a man who doesn't have the courage for that."
'Silver
Queen has a really good sense of humor.' Dyan once said something like that. Of
course, now Kuhn could understand that. He laughed and put one arm around
Sienna's waist, pulling her close.
His
senses felt the presence of several people peeking into the balcony. He ignored
them completely.
If
they saw we were kissing, then our relationship would be confirmed and rumors
would spread like wildfire. Regardless of his intentions, Kuhn himself was
immediately swept into the kiss.
When
their lips met, Kuhn whispered.
"Your
lips taste like apples."
Her
eyes blinked rapidly, panicked. Kuhn always enjoyed watching her little
emotional changes.
"The
drink I just drank......"
"It
seems you've had it a few times. You must really have a sweet tooth."
"Yes."
"That's
unexpected. Somehow it seems like you never mentioned it, but you often drink
tea."
"By
adding sugar."
"Into
the tea?"
Sienna
thought that he already knew her taste in tea. But after thinking about it, it
was the Fair King in her dream who knew it. Dreams and reality became mixed,
causing momentary confusion.
Usually
Sienna does not reveal her unbalanced diet to the outside world. Outside the
Palace, she drank bitter tea without changing her expression.
'I
don't think the Fair King is not a person who is indifferent to his wife.'
If
he wasn't interested, there was no way he could know her taste preferences.
It
was strange to think of another Kuhn with the Kuhn in front of her.
"I
like the smell of tea. But I hate the bitter taste."
"I
think I know a kind of tea you might like. Next time I'll bring it for
you."
Sienna
is a person of few words. But strangely, she continued to talk while she was
together with Kuhn. And she herself didn't know why she couldn't stop talking.
Sienna
has experienced several situations where she couldn't stand the awkwardness of
being in the same room as other people because there was no conversation.
However, she never felt that Kuhn was forcing himself to chat together with
her. I feel comfortable with him.
"Kuhn,
do you have a definite date for your trip to the Duchy Bless?"
"Not
yet. I have to meet with Count Bless first before he leaves the Capital to
coordinate."
"I
want to go to Duchy Bless together with you."
***
You can read the newly released chapter of [Novel] The Great Wish Vol. 4 on Patreon or Ko-Fi at The SeiRei Wish tiers. Thank you!
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