Unbeknownst to Me, I am Secretly Dating the Emperor - Chapter 208

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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: Episode 10
In the brilliant morning sunlight, the delicate pink Rose Quartz Necklace gleamed softly.
It seemed to hold within it the whisper of someone who bore the name of a rose.
“This necklace was the Empress’s most treasured possession. She said it was a souvenir from a family trip she took in her childhood, and she found it romantic that it symbolizes eternal love. That’s why she always said she would pass it on when her daughter grew up or when she met her daughter-in-law.”
The Nursemaid who presented it in her stead had eyes full of affectionate warmth.
It was a tender, bittersweet smile that spoke of missing an old friend.
“Ed.”
I accepted the necklace and asked Ed to fasten it around my neck.
The understated Rose Quartz Necklace would complement the accessories I had chosen to wear for the wedding without drawing too much attention.
“The necklace that slumbered in the jewel box has found its new owner.”
The Nursemaid smiled warmly at the sight.
“Then I’ll see you at the ceremony in a little while.”
The Nursemaid, with reddened eyes, left first, and Ed and I remained there for quite some time afterward.
Only after the Nursemaid departed did Ed look troubled as he gazed upon his parents’ tomb.
By nature, he didn’t speak of it, but since learning the hidden truth behind his parents’ death, Ed had been confused for a while.
What one suspects in one’s heart is different from what one actually knows.
As time passed, he seemed quite composed, but standing before his parents’ grave stirred his heart anew.
I patted the back of Ed’s hand and spoke.
“Let’s come back later.”
All I could do was remain by his side until he felt better.
Fortunately, Ed soon regained his composure.
“Yes.”
Ed nodded and reached out his hand to me.
I took Ed’s hand and walked with him as I spoke.
“To Grizel Park too.”
In the Empire, reburial was generally avoided, as it was thought to disturb the peace of the deceased.
That was why Bliss still remained in Grizel Park.
We couldn’t visit today due to lack of time, but we would be able to make time soon.
“Bliss would like that.”
Ed nodded again and smiled.
Like the sky clearing after rain, his smile gradually brightened.
* * *
When we returned to the Emperor’s Palace, the Attendants were waiting for us with anxious faces.
We were later than expected, but we had arrived just in time to avoid being late.
The veteran Attendants worked their magic with swift hands, transforming me as if by sorcery.
“Wow, who is this? We haven’t met before.”
When I joked while looking in the mirror, the Attendants laughed and looked pleased with themselves.
“It’s the Empress.”
“Oh my, I should have made you a little less beautiful.”
“That’s what I’m saying. It’s so dazzling, what do we do?”
“If His Majesty faints while standing, we’ll be in serious trouble.”
After hearing their self-congratulatory flattery, I finished getting ready and looked in the mirror—what I’d said in jest moments before had become reality.
‘I look rather beautiful, don’t I?’
In fact, I looked even more beautiful than I had at the betrothal ceremony.
Perhaps getting less sleep had somehow maximized an innocent, youthful image.
I’d thought I had no narcissistic tendencies, but now I understood how they arose.
As I stared at the mirror as if entranced, more laughter erupted from behind me.
I gave the Attendants reflected in the mirror double thumbs up.
“You’re the best!”
When I even clapped for them, the Attendants curtsied gracefully with prim expressions.
As we were fooling around like that, the Attendants suddenly went quiet.
They exchanged meaningful glances and disappeared at remarkable speed.
I turned to look, half-suspecting, and Ed was there.
His expression was slightly more vacant than it had been at the betrothal ceremony—apparently I looked even more beautiful to him today.
Though I felt pleased, I was a bit embarrassed, so I asked with unusual boldness.
“I’m beautiful, aren’t I?”
Ed nodded so emphatically his jaw nearly dropped.
“You’re so beautiful. It feels like I’m dreaming. The only reason I believe this is real is that I don’t have an imagination rich enough to conjure something like this.”
Ed was usually taciturn and restrained in his expressions, but upon seeing me in the wedding dress, he poured forth praise that was surprisingly tender and poetic.
I blushed at the depth of compliments I never thought him capable of.
Ed then approached me with an entranced look, reaching out with trembling care to touch the hem of my dress lightly.
Like someone checking whether a vision was real.
At this point, it was more amusing than embarrassing.
I laughed aloud as I looked at Ed.
But Ed simply remained quiet, waiting patiently for me to finish laughing.
Still carefully holding my dress hem so it wouldn’t wrinkle.
“What are you doing?”
My laughter continued much longer because of it.
It didn’t stop until the Attendants cleared their throats and gave me a pointed look, worried we’d be late for the ceremony.
As we hurried outside, a Carriage awaited to take Ed and me to the ceremony.
The pair of Carriages specially made for the wedding, with their pure white rare wood and delicate gold filigree, were like works of art.
Just as I had promised my worried parents last night, the weather was pleasantly warm for early spring, and the sky was clear.
I took a deep breath to dispel the tension.
Though the air was still a bit chilly, it only made it feel fresher.
Ed took my hand and helped me into the Carriage.
His expression was composed, but he was clearly very nervous—his movements were stiff and mechanical, like a wound-up doll.
Normally I would have teased him and played pranks, but I was also quite tense.
Ed hesitated, reluctant to release my hand, but without a word, we each climbed into our own Carriage.
Once settled in our seats, the Carriage set off without delay.
I breathed slowly, watching the scenery outside change gradually.
Still, my heart continued to beat out of rhythm.
I finally gave up trying to calm myself and decided to surrender to the moment.
Once I began thinking that being nervous was natural, I felt slightly better.
‘I could never do this twice.’
I was grateful that the Greenhouse between the Emperor’s Palace and the Empress Palace was nearby.
The Carriage came to a silent stop at the western entrance of the Greenhouse.
As I took the waiting Knight’s hand and stepped down, I heard hymns being sung through the gap in the closed doors.
“You should enter after the hymn ends,” the Knight told me in a low voice.
Tense as I was, I only managed a barely visible nod.
An eternal moment passed, and I heard the final verse of the hymn I had memorized in advance.
“Your Majesty the Empress,” the Knight called to me, silently opening the doors.
The doors opened, and I stepped slowly into the Greenhouse.
Ed began his entrance from the eastern doors at the same time as I did.
We walked slowly toward the center where Ibeta stood.
At the same time, young Priests began singing a different hymn than before.
Ibeta chanted her Blessing for the newlyweds beginning a new life, channeling her Holy Power.
Her Holy Power Control had grown more refined—as Ed and I walked, her Holy Power scattered like stardust along our path.
Ibeta’s Blessing worked its effect once again.
The tension gradually faded, and I found myself at peace.
I was filled with the certainty that we would be happy, just as we had been until now and would be forever.
Anticipation for the new life just beginning enveloped me.
I imagined a future where Ed and I would be family, sharing our lives together, and all the love stories we would tell each other.
My heart raced with excitement at the thought that all these moments would soon become reality.
I walked with a complete, radiant smile.
The end of the wedding aisle, which had seemed long, now came into view.
Ed, who had deliberately slowed his pace to match mine in the wedding dress, and I met each other’s eyes in the air.
The same happy smile graced both our lips.
“I love you.”
To Ed, who would soon be my husband, I confessed my heart once more with only my lips.
“I love you too.”
fin.

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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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