Chapter 95

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The roadside was lined on both sides with ceremonial Kingsguard, followed by the people standing on tiptoe to watch our procession. A buzz of joy and excitement enveloped us.

Time for the brief winter of the Radon Empire to end. Newly sprouted green leaves and fresh flowers filled the streets. The music of the band that had been waiting for us beforehand was delightful.

I slowly looked around, a little nervous. The welcome was even more enthusiastic than on my last return.

“Empress!”

I heard voices calling me. People’s faces seemed full of joy and surprise. They had not expected me to appear on horseback with Kwanach.

It was a complete and unequivocal victory for the empire. And it was a magical story, like a fairy tale. It spread and inflated the elation and pride of the imperial people.

‘Still, to be welcomed by this much…’

The look in their eyes as they looked at me was full of trust.

The truth about the sclerosis was revealed, and the imperial people were gripped by extreme anxiety and anger. Since my flesh and blood, Diaquit, was involved, I could not completely avoid the eyes of distrust then.

In the first place, there were quite a few people who called me a stranger from the North, and were not happy about it. They just couldn’t officially show it.

However, by embarking on this war and organizing it, I seemed to be perfectly established as the Empress of Radon, not a stranger.

Don-don, don-don, my heart seemed to beat to the music of the musicians playing. The well-trained horses walked slowly along the path leading to the Imperial Palace.

I was nervous.

I glanced to the side and saw that Kwanach was regal and natural, as if he was quite accustomed to this kind of situation. More than likely, the victory ceremony was something he had experienced countless times.

However, sweat oozed from my palms as I held the reins. I wanted to show the people the appearance of the benevolent empress, but since it was a situation I was experiencing for the first time, my body was gripped by tension.

Flower petals and leaves were dancing here and there, pushed by the loud cheers and wind. People filled the path leading to the Imperial Palace. I could feel the heat on my skin.

My shoulders and legs grew stiff. Suddenly a gentle warmth covered the back of my hand. It was Kwanach’s hand.

I exhaled the breath I had been holding. The moment Kwanach’s firm hand enveloped mine, I felt the strength leave my shoulders.

“Don’t be too nervous. It’s alright.”

With all the noise around me, I couldn’t hear Kwanach’s voice clearly, but I could understand his meaning by the shape of his mouth and the expression on his face.

Yes. I had this man beside me. There was nothing to be afraid of.

I smiled faintly and nodded. Somehow, the cheers around me seemed to have become even more intense.

Kwanach squeezed my hand tightly and let go. I took a deep breath, exhaled, and straightened my back.

Then I made my way inch by inch toward our home, the place I had to return to, the imperial palace of the new solar empire.

* * *

After a hectic but heart-filled victory procession, we returned to the Imperial Palace. The dangers of war had subsided, but there remained quite a bit of business to be handled.

Such as the issue of Roman and Jaxor’s punishment, the purification of the Fahar River, and the plan for a large supply of sclerosis medicine.

However, we decided to rest on the day we returned home after a hard journey. Kwanach and I went straight to our bedroom, where a bath had been prepared in advance.

The people who would take care of the bath were all sent out, and we were left alone in the room.

“Ha …….”

Without realizing it, I lost all my strength and was quickly embraced by Kwanach. Kwanach picked me up and approached the front of the bathtub.

When I saw the bath with the steam rising up from the shimmering water, all I wanted to do was to get soaked as soon as possible. Kwanach gently lowered me to the floor again and untied my hair ornament, which was securely fastened.

I remained standing with my back to Kwanach, gently letting myself to his hands. I was quite used to moments like this by now.

Thick, burly fingers unraveled my hair and brushed it down. I took off my cloak, which was inscribed with imperial patterns, and unbuttoned the dress I had layered inside.

I heard a low voice behind me.

“Was it hard?”

“It was more hectic than difficult. Too flashy… how to say it. It doesn’t seem real.”

The people filled the streets of the capital. And it all felt unreal that they were paying tribute to me.

Even after entering the Imperial Palace, we walked to the entrance of the main building, receiving excessive courtesies from the knights. Such grand and splendid hospitality was something I had never experienced in Achaia.

“The people of the empire are very passionate.”

Their emotional expressions were more vivid and straightforward than those of the people in the north. They were more lively.

Kwanach chuckled behind me and pulled my dress down. He said, skillfully taking off my undergarments.

“You’ve done amazing to deserve this much hospitality. Well, it’s true that the South is a bit loud. The festival is very colorful and full of things to see.”

“A festival….”

I mumbled, immersed in a drowsy mood. Before I knew it, hot, rough skin touched my bare back.

Kwanach kissed me briefly on the shoulder as he ran his hand gently down from my neck to below my waist.

“Ha…”

A ticklish, strange sensation spread throughout my body.

“Our wedding will be a festival, too. A grand festival.”

Kwanach said with his lips on my shoulder. His hot breath soaked into my skin.

His strong, large hands somehow crossed over to the front, gently caressing my lower belly and gradually moving to my chest. Eventually, strong hands grabbed my breasts all at once.

“Kwanach….”

“You don’t like it?”

There was a hint of impatience in his voice as he asked while squeezing me from behind. He even sounded a little depressed.

All the while, his center, touching my back, was swollen to the fullest. Come to think of it, we didn’t have a proper physical relationship while going back to the imperial palace.

I muttered as I felt a tingling heat spreading from near my navel.

“No, no, that’s not it. You have to take off your clothes too. … ugh, we have to wash up.”

Kwanach did not give me time to continue talking properly. His rough hands constantly rubbed my breasts and his hot lips roamed over my shoulders.

“We can do it while washing.”

Kwanach’s answer was short and intense.

“You can undress me…”

I nodded slowly, feeling my face burn. The strength in Kwanach’s arms, which had been holding me tightly, relaxed a little. In the gap, I turned around and face Kwanach.

A flush of red was on Kwanach’s copper skin. His chest trembled loudly. The deep gaze swept through my body outright.

I brought my trembling fingers up to Kwanach’s collar. It was quite embarrassing to touch the body of an aroused man.

My tense fingers moved slowly. I had to pull the buttons, but my hands wouldn’t work.

“I’m sorry…. Why is this not working?”

The heat rose and my throat was dry. As I whispered quietly, Kwanach’s neck shook violently.

Unable to bear it, Kwanach moved a step. His angry body pushed me backward. His breathing disturbed my ears.

“Wait a minute, Kwanach…….”

Behind me was the very bathtub. Kwanach lifted me up and got into the tub. The warm water enveloped us.

The ceremonial clothes that Kwanach was wearing got wet from the water and clung tightly to his body. The movement of thick muscles was revealed.

There was no place to look. Everywhere I looked was too stimulating. I was out of breath. I flinched in Kwanach’s arms, and the water that surrounded us shook and clapped.

Kwanach kissed my ear and stroked my back with his burly hand.

“Ha……”

“I like it when you strip me… I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to do that today. We’ll do that next time.”

Kwanach’s sluggish, thick voice entered my ears. I nodded as if possessed, gradually melting under his touch.

* * *

It was just before dawn, Kwanach woke up.

Usphere, who was in a thin chemise, was sleeping in his arms.

Her clothes slipped down, exposing her shoulders a little. Red marks were imprinted here and there on her pure white skin.

Kwanach kissed Usphere’s smooth forehead briefly as he cautiously traced the marks he had made with his fingertips.

“Beautiful…..”

He stared at Usphere’s face with eyes accustomed to the darkness. Sleeping beautifully, she was unrealistically pretty. Every corner was perfect.

Despite the many times they had been physically together, there were times when he still couldn’t believe that she was his wife. Was it because he had lost her in less than a day?

She was like the perfect ideal that he dared not commit. She was like the most enchanting dream.

Even after all these years, Kwanach was always thought that Usphere was unreachable. It would never be easy to reach her.

His wife, who was always beautiful and precious.

Kwanach calmed his overwhelming heart and kissed her nose. He got out of bed, careful not to wake her.

“Hmmm…….”

Usphere turned over as if she missed the warmth that had disappeared, and fell asleep again, breathing beautifully.

Kwanach pulled the covers up to her neck and quietly stepped out of the bedroom. There was still work to be done to make the country she would live in for the rest of her life safer and wealthier.

His face, which had been slack and relaxed as he gazed at Usphere, became cold and hard the moment he left the room.

It was to the underground prison that Kwanach’s steps led.