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Side story 6
TL : Nestaelle
Lart strode toward the library as soon as he left the Emperor’s office.
Why didn’t I think of that? There is a very simple way. I’m such a fool.
Right. I just need to get smarter and stronger. If the Empress’ power is not enough to secure my position as the next successor, then I must build up my own power, right?
Stronger than anyone. A commanding presence unrivaled to anyone.
The solution was so simple which made his efforts all this time seem worthless. At least, that’s what Lart thought.
Lart then began to visit the Royal Villa after he had made up his mind. The man who had been following Lucy like a shadow finally appeared in the sunlight.
Now that he had set his goal, all that left was for him to win Lucy’s heart. It might be the most difficult part of all, but he decided to put himself out there first.
He was known as a selfish and eccentric prince, so his reputation couldn’t get any dirtier than this.
“His Highness the Prince is flirting with Princess Belinda’s maid.”
That meant he would be unharmed even if such rumors spread.
I can’t believe I reaped the benefits of living frivolously. I’m glad to live as I pleased.
After much effort, Lart was able to win Lucy’s heart. His sincerity could also get through to her. Lucy was so sweet and kind that she couldn’t turn a blind eye to a man who clung to her and made pitiful advances on her.
Maybe he turned into a wise person as his father advised, he succeeded in rallying the aristocratic forces to side with him. His other significant achievement was gaining the support of the Imperial Army.
‘I need to get my act together.’
In addition, even the Shinsu became his reliable supporter in the end. He grew strong enough to have Lucy as his Empress without difficulty.
***
On a clear day.
The Emperor’s garden was full of flowers. The white clouds slowly drifted away, and the flag waved gently in the breeze.
Lart lifted the veil covering Lucy’s face. He paused as he looked at her. His eyes, which had always radiated the innocence of a mischievous boy, shone with sincerity.
Today was Lucy and Lart’s wedding day. They finally got married two years after he became an emperor.
Lart’s long-desired marriage was always pushed back. The nobles objected with reasons such as it wasn’t the right time yet. They gave him shady advice, saying that it wasn’t too late to get married after he established his position.
The nobles were clearly opposed to the marriage. They secretly wanted to replace Lucy with their own daughters since Lucy wasn’t a powerful figure.
The Emperor’s love will surely wither soon. Love is a fleeting emotion that will perish over time.
They believed so.
But Lart was adamant. He always held Lucy’s hand wherever he went and whatever he did.
Lart smoothly feigned ignorance to the advice of the nobles who opposed their marriage, and set the wedding date as soon as he established imperial power.
On a particularly sunny day. A sunny day where the sunlight gently wrapped around them.
Lart locked his gaze on Lucy’s. Her eyes reflected the soft sunlight. He couldn’t stop looking as he was in disbelief that the person wearing the bride’s veil was really Lucy.
Only after Shanti cleared his throat, Lart lowered his face.
Soon after, Lucy and Lart’s lips touched and cheers began to erupt at the same time.
“Congratulations on the Emperor’s marriage!”
“May His Majesty and Her Majesty always be filled with infinite happiness!”
“Congratulations!”
Shanti, the nobles, and countless others celebrated their marriage.
Huge applause, cheers, and the sound of a stringed instrument meant to jazz up the venue were mixed harmoniously and joyously. Everyone smiled happily as they congratulated the couple.
It was such a happy day.
***
An arrow was shot and hit the target. Belinda eyes lay on the fallen target.
“Princess Belinda popped 5 balloons and is the winner of this group!”
Five dogs wagged their tails as they ran. As she watched the dogs begin to bring each balloon piece, Belinda took a step back following the servant’s guidance.
She sat comfortably on the carpet, watching the next group of archers fly their arrows. From a distance, an air-filled pocket rose up into the sky.
That group started to shoot arrows. Half of the arrows missed and the rest hit the target.
“Halla is the winner of this group!!”
Belinda threw a smiling glance at Halla, the winner of this round, as she walked back triumphant expression.
The archery contest was held today.
Archery targets were gas-filled bags instead of pigeons. It may look like a childish game, but it was an annual event overseen by the Imperial Family.
Mazetto flapped his wings and screamed in Belinda’s ears.
“Did you see that, Belinda? Did you see? His Majesty only got one point!”
Mazetto chirped gleefully, laughing at Lart.
The target changed from pigeon to balloon because of Mazetto. A little consideration for the little bird who yelled, ‘Human is cruel!’
“I won the fourth group, and you won the third group. I guess I’ll see you in the final, Princess.”
Hala said this while lying down and munching on green grapes. Belinda nodded toward the Shinsu, who took the form of a beautiful woman with her chin raised in triumph.
“Seems like I’ll be the winner today. I have a good feeling about this.”
“Who knows. Shall we try then? It’s clear that I’m going to win,”
Belinda leaned back on the carpet. In the distance, she could see Lucy pulling her bow with a loud grunt. The group in this archery contest was decided by drawing lots, and the noble Empress was put to the final group.
“His Majesty looks quite nervous.”
“Lart is always like that.”
The great emperor was fidgety as he tried to protect his wife. He fumbled with his hand, worried about his wife, who was struggling to pull the bow.
Lucy’s arrow barely made it. Lart’s face lit up as the arrow hit the balloon.
“Play the celebration music this instant! The Empress hit it!”
Belinda smiled warmly when she saw Lart went straight to hug his wife without any shame. Oh well, when did Lart care about people’s stares?
The gossipers would make a big deal out of it, calling it shameless behavior unbefitting of a noble, but Lart didn’t care. He has always been like that.
High clouds, pristine sky.
It was a joyous occasion for both humans and beasts.
Except for Shanti, sprawling on the forest border as if he was dying.
「Stop it, these little….!」
Shanti growled helplessly at the three children sliding on his back.
Shanti’s daughter, Carrie, as well as Belinda and Aymon’s twins, Anish and Thilai, were all playing on Shanti’s back.
Shanti didn’t mind being trampled on his back because their faces were as cute as angels. Shanti’s whiskers twitched every time the children yanked his fur with their tiny hands.
“Daddy! I want to go there and play with balloons!”
“Me too, Uncle!”
“Uncle, me too!”
The children’s eyes glistened as they squirmed to catch Shanti’s tail. His brown fur was blown up each time he swirled his tail.
「 No.」
Shanti shook his head with a menacing look. The children, on the other hand, were not afraid of the Shinsu that they had stepped on.
He thought he heard them giggling, followed by the sound of children’s footsteps. They started running toward the hunting ground whether Shanti allowed it or not.
「These cute kids!」
Shanti rose to his feet. Before he knew it, the children had transformed into brown and black cotton balls and were running around wildly. These small creatures were indeed fast looking at how their twirling tails were already far away.
「Sigh…….」
Shanti just stood still. He was too tired to chase after them.
They were still babies, but Shinsu was a Shinsu. Flying arrows don’t pose a dangerous threat to them. But wouldn’t it be embarrassing if they show their belly in front of humans and act like babies? A Shinsu had to maintain its dignity.
Shanti thought for a moment before turning his gaze to the trunk of a tree.
「Aymon……. Chief…It’s your turn now…….」
Aymon finally opened his eyes after hearing his murmur. Aymon was dozing off while leaning against the trunk of a tree. They agreed to take turns watching the children every hour, but it seemed that an hour had already passed.
Why does this wonderful break have to end so soon?
Aymon stretched his arms out and slowly raised himself. His gaze was drawn to three baby leopards, who appeared as small as dots from a great distance.
Even though they were running on small feet, they pounced on each other, jumped back up and ran again.
“Why are those little creatures there?”
「You know what they were like.  They want to play there」
Shanti let out an exhausted voice before crouching down. After taking care of three children alone, he seemed to have lost his energy, and soon he was burying his head in his front legs.
Aymon started walking slowly. He planned to catch the three leopards as they ran wildly like foals. But the kids were faster than he expected. Their distance kept growing further.
“…….”
Tsk.
Aymon clicked his tongue.
A large black leopard leapt from where a human used to stand and began to dash smoothly across the hunting ground.
At that time, Belinda, who was chatting with Lucy and Halla, raised her eyebrows.
“Hm? Isn’t that my kids?”
Because the beasts that used to play in the hunting grounds appeared in the middle of the hunting contest. They were her sons and Halla’s daughter.
Three young leopards were trampling and rolling among the deflated balloons. Their little tails fluttered wildly as if they were excited. The humans who were supposed to shoot the arrows were perplexed and set their bows down.
“Belinda! Belinda!”
Mazetto, who also saw the children, called out to Belinda. Belinda rubbed Mazetto’s stomach to tell that she saw them as well.
“I saw them, Mazetto. My children are over there.”
Aymon and Shanti were definitely keeping an eye on them. But why are they having such a good time over there? Of course, I don’t mind because they were adorable.
Belinda, who was agonizing about what to do, laid back in a relaxed manner. Because she saw a black leopard running toward the cubs.
The Shinsu Chief, her husband, the father and uncle of the children.
‘I’m sure you’ll do well on your own.’
As soon as Halla saw Aymon, she laid down again. The children ran away and Aymon chased after them. She wasn’t surprised as it wasn’t the only time she saw this scene.
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