221: The Battle Maiden is at the Crossroads of Marriage (37)
Trigger Warning: Violence, Abortion
“…What?” Jill exclaimed—or at least, that was her intention.
“What’s the matter? You’ve been quiet for a while now.”
Towards the voice, Jill tried to look up, only for her gaze to lower against her will.
What??? (Jill)
“It’s been seven years since her marriage into Kratos. Isn’t it about time we release her?”
Suddenly, those words escaped from her mouth. Jill didn’t even have time to think about what she was talking about, as the conversation continued on its own.
“The descendant of the Goddess?”
For some reason, when she heard those cold, contemptuous words, there was elation inside of her.
“I’m not saying that the two of you should become a harmonious couple. After all, there are certain principles that Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor mustn’t compromise on. However, the princess is a benevolent soul. Over these past few years, you’ve given her nothing but distain. Won’t it affect Your Majesty’s reputation?”
“—‘Her voice is as melodious as a bird’s, her smile is as tender as a spring sun, and her words are as gentle as a flower crown.’ At least, according to some poets. Little do they know, they’ve fallen right into the Goddess’ trap.”
“But the Princess of Kratos isn’t like that…”
“I only agreed to marry her in name only.”
“The princess isn’t even sixteen yet. Your Majesty, why don’t you try to meet her? I’m sure that once you see her, you’ll—”
‘—You’ll change your mind.’
However, what arose wasn’t sincere anticipation, but dirty and murky envy and jealousy.
“That’s unnecessary.”
And then, relief. Of course, as a benevolent Dragon Empress, she made sure to show a sad expression.
“I understand your desire to avoid war, but a Dragon Empress shouldn’t be too soft.”
“That’s not the case at all. An aggressive stance will only draw backlash, especially since the Rave Empire is currently stable thanks to His Majesty.”
“For now, anyway. No heir has been born yet.”
“…Her Highness the Third Empress is pregnant.”
Again, something seemed to clog her chest, but this time it was much bigger.
She was gritting her teeth, trying to suppress it. Not Jill, but someone else.
Am I possessing someone right now? (Jill)
[So you finally noticed.]
The reply startled her. In the meantime, the conversation continued.
“It’d be nice if an heir could be born soon.”
“…I wish I could help you too.”
“Your duty is to protect me from the Goddess. It’s the duty of the other empresses to produce offspring. What? Did someone say something to you again?”
“No, nothing of the sort…”
No matter how many nights they spent together, to him, she was just a guard. The Dragon Emperor didn’t see the Dragon Empress as a woman. Although she was loved, the Dragon Emperor refused to have children with the Dragon Empress.
No matter how much military strength they secured, that one problem persisted.
‘Hey, how old is Her Majesty the Dragon Empress?’
‘Shouldn’t she be able to bear children soon?’
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll quiet them up right away. I will not tolerate any form of disrespect towards my wife.”
“…Your Majesty takes good care of me.”
“Thanks to you, I can sleep in peace.”
In truth, she wasn’t an empress, she was just a soldier—a shield.
There was no way that man didn’t know what he was saying.
“Thank you. I love you.”
Jill covered her mouth as affection and resentment welled up from the bottom of her chest. As always, she didn’t move and only smiled.
That way, the man she loved wouldn’t be disappointed.
What is this? (Jill)
[My memory. A story from 300 years ago. I am your predecessor.]
When Jill tried to turn her gaze to figure out where she was, the scene had changed.
“Forgive me, but His Majesty seems to be wary of you…”
“It’s all right, Your Majesty the Dragon Empress. From the time we were wed, I fully expected this.”
Jill couldn’t make out her face because of the backlight, but there was a resplendent beauty sitting on a simple slab of stone. She could also see the sky through the barred windows.
Is this a tower? (Jill)
“Rather than that, Your Majesty the Dragon Empress, you seem pale. Aren’t you overexerting yourself…?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks to you, there won’t be any skirmishes with Kratos…”
If there were, perhaps it’d help take her mind off things. It felt as if small holes were opening up one by one.
“But I’m the only one who can protect Rave… no, His Majesty. I don’t have any womanly charms. I only have my strong magical power to rely on.”
“Don’t demean yourself like that. Your Majesty the Dragon Empress is a lovely person.”
A gentle embrace enveloped her.
“You’re akin to an older sister to me. I wish there was something I could do to help you…”
“There’s no need. It must be harder for you, being confined in a place like this for years…”
Within her, a sense of pity intermingled with a sense of superiority.
“I’m sure if I keep telling him, His Majesty will understand someday.”
“I’m sure of it. After all, Her Majesty said it herself. But please, don’t overdo it. His Highness the Imperial Brother is also concerned about you.”
The image of a very compassionate-looking young man flashed across her eyes. He was her brother-in-law, someone who cared about her and would reach out to her. He seemed to be intimidated by his older brother due to their age gap. Personally, she also found it embarrassing to have to rely on him.
Then again, it wasn’t Jill’s memory.
Did this really happen? Then, the woman from earlier, was she the Princess of Kratos who married into the Rave Empire…? (Jill)
[Yes, it was from my own perspective. You want to know what happened, right?]
Before Jill could answer, the scene changed again.
The deafening cry of a baby. A voice that announced that he was the heir. Amidst the shower of congratulations, that man was smiling.
‘Well done,’ He said—to a woman who wasn’t her.
As she watched from the shadow, she felt so unbearably miserable, she impulsively fled the scene. Someone noticed her, and grabbed her arm, but it wasn’t her husband.
“Sister-in-Law! Are you okay?”
“I am not!”
If she had answered that she was okay, would things have changed? Did she regret saying that?
“I’m not okay at all! I am going to be dispatched to Radea again tomorrow. To protect our borders—to protect his child that another woman gave birth to! How am I supposed to be okay!?”
“S-Sister-in-Law, please calm down. I’m sure it isn’t like that—”
“—Don’t make me laugh. I’m sure you think so too. I’m neither an empress nor a woman, just a soldier. No, a shield—!”
“I’d never! I’m different from my brother—I’m in love with you!”
Her head went blank. The embrace from her meek brother-in-law stole her breath away. She barely managed to muster a word.
“Let me, go…”
“I know, I know that this is wrong, but—!”
She had never known such ardor.
“I’m no match for my brother. But Sister-in-Law, rather than seeing you unhappy, I’d sooner steal you away from him!”
The cold love of reason had never set her aflame like this.
If she said that the Kratos’ movements were suspicious, her husband wouldn’t suspect it even if she stayed in Radea for a month or two. He’d say that he’d be lonely and send her on her way.
Even after she returned to the imperial capital after having many trysts with his brother, her husband didn’t suspect a thing.
It was just funny and exhilarating.
The princess of Kratos was the first to notice the change. She even cooperated with her so that the two of them could be happy.
…As if. This will only make everyone unhappy. (Jill)
[I wonder about that? I was the happiest I’d ever been. For all it was worth, I was adored—loved.]
Things came crashing down when she got pregnant.
Of course, there was no way it could’ve been the son of the Dragon Emperor.
There was no way the betrayal of the Dragon Empress would be forgiven, either.
[I forgot who was it that came up with the escape plan.]
The divorce with the Princess of Kratos was being discussed. Suspicious movements near the border had become more active, and the situation was becoming direr every day.
[But none of it mattered anymore.]
She wanted to protect the new life that had sprouted inside her. To do so, she’d be on her own for a while, but not forever.
“—Well done, Descendant of the Goddess!”
So when everything came to a head, she was unafraid.
Not even when it was revealed that the princess of Kratos had seduced the emperor’s brother and was simply using her as a decoy to escape.
She didn’t even know if it was true or false, since most of it had been revealed by the Dragon Emperor himself.
“—As expected, I was naïve for thinking that the Holy Spear was crucial for my plan! How dare you…”
Jill wanted to avert her gaze, but one couldn’t simply look away from a memory.
“Please, please have mercy! I want to give birth to this child! Please, anything but that!”
“You’ve betrayed me, Dragon Empress! Even though I loved you…”
‘Aah, will this man act like this until the end?’
If she ever felt hopeless, it was at that precise moment.
‘Even though he didn’t love me.’
First, her legs, and then her arms. And then, the Heavenly Sword punctured the womb that she tried to protect until the end.
[Curse you.]
That was when Jill noticed what resided within the ring of the Dragon Princess.
[Curse you.]
—and it resonated with her.
Before she knew it, Jill was plunged into darkness.
***T/N: DRAGON EMPRESS?!?!! DON’T MAKE A KID WATCH YOUR EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR?! DID YOU MAKE SURE TO CENSOR IT PROPERLY!??!
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