Chapter 3: A Bride in Waiting

“Has the bathwater not been prepared yet?! How many times did I tell you to bring the finest oils? This has already been opened for over two weeks! What are you all doing? Go out and fetch a new one immediately!”

Wondering what had gotten into her today, Fria, who had even skipped his nap to watch Judith, was startled when the maids suddenly rushed in and began undressing him, and he hastily fled back into the bedroom.

‘Did they eat something strange? What’s gotten into them all of a sudden?’

“I’ll wash myself. I said I’ll take care of it myself.”

“His Majesty has announced he will visit the harem tonight. The other palaces are already in chaos! What should we do?! The lace is already growing mold! Honestly, this place is far too damp. They must have assigned us the worst palace because they look down on you for being from Alphennia.”

“Lord Fria, if you receive His Majesty’s favor, you must request to be moved to Rose Palace. It’s newly built and gets plenty of sunlight… And it’s not like I’m saying this just because I dislike the head maid there. Just because she’s from Asmund, she won’t stop going on about how things are done there… What are you doing?! There’s only half a day left! It takes at least that long to properly prepare, and it’s already afternoon!”

Only then did Fria realize why Judith was making such a fuss, and he let out a deep sigh.

It seemed his adorable head maid still hadn’t given up hope.

Though he had entered the palace as a concubine, Fria had never once dreamed of becoming a favored male consort of the emperor.

What would a nineteen-year-old man lack, that he would turn away blooming noble ladies to embrace another man with the same equipment?

Even if curiosity brought him here once, he would surely expect a young, charming beauty, and the moment he saw Fria, he would leave without a second glance.

Moreover, the emperor’s hostility toward Alphennia ran deep.

There were even mocking rumors that Fria’s own brother had been turned away without so much as an audience, despite offering tribute twice that of other duchies.

For some reason, the young emperor seemed uninterested not only in men but in women as well.

While the lovely noble ladies in the harem spent sleepless nights filled with tears, anxiety, and regret because the emperor never visited, for

Fria, these days had simply been peaceful, eating three meals and sleeping, nothing more.

Fria had intended to quietly pass the remainder of his life in this imperial annex, making this his first and last contribution to his homeland.

But that resolve was now being shaken by the overly enthusiastic head maid, Judith.

“Um… Lord Fria, it’s rather embarrassing to say, but there is something I must tell you.”

Why was she hesitating like that?

Looking down at Judith’s flushed cheeks, Fria felt unease creep over him.

“Well… it’s about the… consummation.Normally, an experienced lady would teach you, but they’ve all been called to other palaces, so there’s no one available. So… I will explain it to you. The most important thing is that not a single drop of His Majesty’s precious seed must be wasted, and for that, the position must be…”

“The position…”

“Eek!”

Without meaning to, Judith imagined the scene herself.

As a head maid, she was expected to know every detail of her concubine’s private condition, such as menstrual cycles and fertile days.

Though lessons on prenatal care and skilled midwives might never be needed, Judith was determined, as part of her professional duty, to at least pass on the techniques to enhance a husband’s pleasure.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she began explaining positions—, nly for Fria to tap her shoulder.

“You don’t have to try so hard, Judith.”

“It’s alright, Lord Fria. At least in theory, I’m quite well-versed-”

“The emperor isn’t coming here. Let’s not waste our energy, okay?”

“You can’t be sure of that. What if His Majesty-”

“I’m just a token hostage to fill appearances. The emperor will never come here. I appreciate your efforts, but can’t we just live comfortably? Don’t think of me as a concubine, and don’t think of yourself as a head maid. Just think of me as a guest from a neighboring country. Or even a student visiting for study. What do you think?”

“…What?”

“Let’s give up. Life gets easier when you give up.”

‘What kind of shameless concubine was this?’

Judith had gone so far as to seek out even indecent books despite her unmarried status, studying diligently, and this was his response?

“Can’t you just follow my lead once? Do you know how many nights I stayed up embroidering for you? Half a year! I’ve waited half a year for His Majesty to come! Do you know how happy I was when I heard the news? I’m the only one worrying myself sick every day, while you just nap peacefully! Lord Fria! Lord Fria! Honestly! At least for the sake of my efforts, you can’t be like this!”

She was terrifying.

Startled, Fria unconsciously stepped backward, straight into the bath the maids had been filling.

Not only that, he was forced into a rose bath he usually detested under Judith’s fierce pressure.

Who on earth had come up with the dreadful idea of scalding fresh roses in hot water like this?

In no time, fragrant oils were applied to his body, his hair was combed, and he was dressed in a suffocating ceremonial robe.

Since the previous emperor had never kept male concubines, there was no designated male wedding attire, so Fria was given the same bridal garments as the women.

“You expect me to wear this?”

He had intended to refuse until the end, but seeing Judith’s excitement at finally being able to show her skills, he couldn’t bring himself to deny her.

Watching her fiddle endlessly with the garments, reluctant to let go, Fria finally relented, allowing this “dress-up” just once.

As he sighed at the heavy makeup applied for the first time in his life, Judith hummed cheerfully, weaving his golden hair together with intricate metal ornaments.

“The sapphire decorations suit you so well, hohoho.”

It was the first time he had seen Judith this lively since entering the palace.

Had she been assigned elsewhere, she would have enjoyed such moments every day, but instead, she had spent her time dusting bookshelves because of an unfortunate master.

Feeling a faint pang of guilt, Fria thought that perhaps indulging her occasionally wasn’t so bad.

“You look absolutely beautiful, Lord Fria. His Majesty won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

Unlike Judith, who clapped in delight at her handiwork, Fria’s expression remained dim.

The reflection in the mirror felt absurd.

No matter how much he was dressed up, a man was still a man.

He could not compare to the fresh, radiant charm of sixteen-year-old Judith, who now spun around the room in excitement, holding his hands.

His scalp throbbed from how tightly his hair had been pulled, and Fria frowned.

“You’re so young… how do you like gold ornaments this much?”

“It’s fashion!”

Judith shot back, glaring fiercely at the insult to her taste.

****

Night fell over the annex palace.

After dinner had been cleared away and Judith dozed off during a game of cards, Fria quietly slipped out into the inner chamber and stood by the window.

The wind slipped through the open window, swaying the earrings at his ears.

Over his reflection in the glass, another face overlapped, a face he longed for.

A girl who now wore a form like his own and had become his brother’s wife.

The heirloom earrings of their mother, once swaying by her ears with a clear chime, would now be adorning the tiny ears of his niece, Mattia.

No! She’s only six years old… just a child who should be running and playing happily…

A concubine?

I’ve heard the new emperor is cruel and ruthless.

It’s a position destined for neglect.

How can you send a child who hasn’t even left her mother’s side to such a distant northern land?

Please stop him, Fria.

He’ll listen to you.

For the sake of our friendship, no, for Mattia, please, you must step in.

At sixteen, he had watched his childhood friend blossom into a woman.

Joachim, who had been troubled by the affections of a girl fifteen years younger, had avoided her for a time.

But when she fell ill from heartbreak and longed for wild strawberries, he ventured into the mountains alone to find them, and ended up breaking his ribs.

When Fria delivered both the basket of strawberries and Joachim’s true feelings, the girl ran to him as if flying, becoming the duchess.

‘There’s no one but you, Fria.’

Realizing something from her desperate plea, Fria rushed into the hall where voices were raised in argument.

Though she fainted upon realizing what he intended to do, Fria did not waver.

Even after delaying his departure by a week to soothe her, still as stubborn as ever beneath her elegant duchess facade, he eventually left for the empire.

‘You must be happy, Fria!’

He could still see her running after the carriage, heedless of her soiled dress.

Though she could not become his bride, as their childish promise had once imagined, she remained by his side as precious family.

He had always thought he would one day take a bride, never that he himself would become one.

Looking down at the complicated ceremonial robes he could not even remove on his own, Fria let out a bitter smile.

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