Unbeknownst to Me, I am Secretly Dating the Emperor - Chapter 207

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story 9
I hastily released Ed’s cheek.
His skin had flushed from my grip and various other factors.
My Aunt and Grandfather treated us as though they’d seen nothing, which somehow made it more embarrassing.
While Ed and I rolled our eyes in panic, my Aunt—quicker to recover, perhaps from experience—made a suggestion.
“You’ve honored us with your visit, yet we’ve left our guest standing. Please, come inside. I’ll have tea prepared.”
Though my Aunt seemed to find the high-status prospective brother-in-law somewhat uncomfortable, she invited Ed with genuine warmth.
Ed accepted her invitation with proper courtesy.
We made our way in silence toward the Family Reception Room.
All three—my Aunt, Grandfather, and Ed—were the quiet type.
Fortunately, since I’d carried Ed on my back for part of the walk, there wasn’t far to go.
The moment the reception room door opened, all conversation ceased and eyes turned toward us.
“I was wondering why it was taking so long.”
Mother regarded Ed with a bewildered gaze, then shook her head as if resigned, murmuring as if to herself.
A smile played at Ed’s lips, but his nature wasn’t sharp enough to manage a witty reply, and an awkward silence fell.
Embarrassed and flustered, Ed’s earlobes flushed a deeper red.
Fortunately, Anika rescued us from the growing awkwardness.
“Hello, brother-in-law.”
“Hi there.”
Anika called Ed “brother-in-law” despite having met him only three times, greeting him with such brightness that she had genuine charm, and Ed seemed to find her easier to talk to.
As the two exchanged smiles, the Twins gave hesitant greetings of their own.
“Please, sit this way.”
Father invited Ed to a seat and poured tea.
Once everyone was settled, teatime resumed.
Perhaps because it had been so long since we’d met after the betrothal ceremony, things were awkward at first, but the atmosphere gradually warmed.
The Twins especially soon forgot their discomfort and, recalling that Helen had once told them of Ed’s exploits, began to glow with eagerness to speak with him.
I seized the opportunity.
“Ed, tell the Twins any Monster Subjugation story you’d like.”
Ed looked troubled and asked me, “Are Monster Subjugation stories okay?”
He seemed worried that the Twins might be among those rare individuals with unusual tastes who kept Monsters as pets.
That concern was evident in his question.
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Reassured by my confirmation, Ed opened his mouth.
The Twins began listening with great interest to what amounted to a briefing on Ed’s “Monster Subjugation Operations.”
Though Ed wasn’t a great storyteller, he’d had so many extraordinary experiences that he had no shortage of material.
Even Anika, tired as she was of her brothers’ Monster talk, listened with genuine interest.
By the end of each story, the Twins would clamor for the next one, and before long, Monsters had become the sole topic of our gathering.
‘Ed’s Monster Subjugation stories seemed to stretch on without end.’
The conversation continued until even Anika, though engaged, finally succumbed to drowsiness and began nodding.
“My, hasn’t the time gotten away from us.”
Father gently shook Anika awake and sent her off to her room first.
The Twins seemed reluctant to part with Ed, but the moment Mother called their full names, they vanished into their rooms.
Once the younger ones had gone, the remaining adults exchanged the proper farewells expected of them and retired to their respective rooms for rest before the coming day.
Ed was to spend the night in the Guest Room next to mine.
“The wedding is only a few hours away.”
Ed didn’t complain until Mother and Father had disappeared into the distance.
I laughed aloud at his grumbling—such a contrast to the proper gentleman he’d been before my parents.
Ed seemed somewhat embarrassed that he’d only complained in front of me, so he said nothing more and quietly entered the Guest Room.
“See you in the morning.”
He left nothing but a brief good-night kiss.
He went so obediently.
I went to my room, lay down on the bed, and rolled myself up in the blankets three times over.
After creating the impression I’d slept there, I picked up my Pillow and tiptoed toward the Guest Room.
Knock, knock.
“It’s me.”
I whispered softly, trusting Ed’s hearing, and as expected—
He hadn’t yet fallen asleep, and opened the door with bright, alert eyes.
“Lina?”
His tilted head—wondering if I had something to tell him—lit up the moment he saw the Pillow in my arms.
“I want to sleep together.”
I answered exactly as he’d hoped and stepped inside the Guest Room.
Ed had never looked particularly sleepy.
The moment I appeared, those bright eyes began to sparkle.
I pretended not to notice and pushed him toward the bed.
“You really do need to sleep.”
I had to remind him: we’re getting married tomorrow.
The conventional preparation for a State Marriage began the night before with facials, massages, and bathing in fragrant oils.
Even though the veteran Attendants insisted it was standard, such an intense routine would exhaust me completely, so I’d skipped all of it—but there was no way I could walk out tomorrow looking haggard.
I placed the Pillow on the bed and lay down immediately.
The moment I mentioned tomorrow’s wedding, Ed grew visibly tense again.
He walked to the bed with stiff, soldier-like steps and lay down quietly beside me.
“Sleep well.”
I returned his good-night with a kiss to his cheek.
Ed, who had been lying neatly under the blankets facing the ceiling, rolled over to face me.
My eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness, and moonlight spilling through the window was enough for me to read his expression easily.
“Can’t sleep?” I asked with concern.
Ed nodded and clasped my hand between both of his.
I regretted mentioning the wedding at all.
This was a man who’d come all the way here in the middle of the night with some unreasonable fantasy.
But the words were already spoken.
I asked playfully instead.
“Excited?”
Ed hesitated a moment, then nodded.
“Excited, nervous, afraid, and also… I don’t know.”
Unable to define the many colors of emotion mixing inside him, Ed pulled me close.
As if he desperately needed warmth.
I held him in return.
Burying his face in my shoulder, Ed spoke in a trembling voice.
“I love you.”
“I love you more.”
Ed lit up as if my answer delighted him beyond measure.
His hot, soft lips fell like rain across my collarbone, shoulder, and cheek.
“I’ll do right by you. I love you.”
Ed whispered his devotion earnestly between each kiss.
We had little sleep that night, but it was filled with love.
* * *
A few hours later.
Ed and I woke before dawn broke.
Father, looking as though he’d barely slept, handed a Silver Ring to Ed.
The First Ceremony of Marriage consisted of parents presenting a long-cherished possession to the groom or bride, offering their blessing.
“This is a keepsake of my late mother. I’ve kept it since entering the Orphanage, so it’s the oldest thing I own.”
Ed received the faded, worn ring with care.
“Thank you.”
At Ed’s polite gratitude, Mother and Father exchanged a glance, then embraced him simultaneously.
“We’ve gained another son in our hearts.”
Mother seemed to want to say more, but emotion choked her words, and she sent us off.
We departed with our parents’ blessing, heading toward the Emperor’s Palace.
The Attendants approached as if waiting for our arrival.
“Did you sleep well?”
“You seem to have lost some sleep. Your skin looks less radiant than yesterday.”
“This is important—shall we apply a mask for a while?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
“You must have been nervous. Shall we bring some warm tea?”
The Attendants sprang into action at the signs of my late night written across my skin.
Compared to my considerably simplified preparations, Ed’s ordinarily uncomplicated grooming was hardly reduced, so we both remained equally occupied.
After several hours of preparation, we proceeded to the Imperial Family Tomb to complete the First Ceremony of Marriage—receiving our parents’ blessing.
Dressed in neat black clothing, we bowed before Ed’s parents’ tomb.
Since Ed had no relatives, his Caretaker—who was also Kyle’s mother—presented me with a Necklace.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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