Chapter 46 My In-laws and Everything Else
The training grounds were not kind.
They were wide, unforgiving, and utterly merciless under the morning sun.
And currently-
They were witnessing a tragedy.
"...I'm... going... to die..."
Esmeralda staggered across the dirt path, her steps uneven, her breathing ragged. Her once elegant posture had long since collapsed into something... draped in sweat.
She barely finished her third lap.
She stopped.
Then bent forward, hands braced against her knees, gasping as though she had just fought for her life.
"...This... is attempted murder..."
From a short distance away, Marcus stood with his arms crossed, watching her with a look that was far too calm for her suffering.
"You've only run three laps."
Esmeralda lifted a trembling hand.
"Correction... I have survived three laps."
Marcus sighed.
"You asked for this."
"I asked for stamina improvement, not early death."
She straightened-barely-and pointed at him accusingly.
"If I collapse here, I will haunt you."
"You've already collapsed three times without training. I think the title of 'lady who frequently collapses' suits you well."
Esmeralda froze.
Her eye twitched.
"...Don't."
Marcus tilted his head.
"Don't what?"
"Don't start with me."
Then-
"...Lady Esmeralda, whose talent is falling unconscious-"
"STOP."
She clutched her chest as if physically wounded.
"I refuse to be remembered like that." she said, still catching her breath.
Marcus let out a quiet chuckle, though there was a softness beneath it.
"You'll improve. Your body is simply not used to exertion."
Esmeralda groaned, dragging her feet toward him before collapsing-gracefully, this time-onto the bench nearby.
"I cannot fall unconscious again," she muttered, more seriously now. "A fourth time would be too embarrassing, I'd rather pretend to die if it happens again."
Marcus didn't interrupt.
"...I already look fragile enough," she continued, staring at her hands. "If I faint again, society will start placing bets on when I'll collapse next."
Marcus studied her for a moment.
"Then we train properly."
Esmeralda looked up.
His expression was firm.
"...You will build strength gradually," he said. "No shortcuts."
Then she sighed.
"...I swear, if I die-"
"You won't."
"...Make sure my funeral at least serves the best cookies."
Marcus exhaled sharply through his nose.
They had barely resumed when-
A knight approached.
"Lady Esmeralda."
She turned, still catching her breath.
"Yes?"
"A formal invitation has arrived from the Imperial Palace."
Silence followed.
Marcus straightened.
Esmeralda blinked.
"...Now?"
"Yes, my lady. You are requested for dinner with Their Majesties. His Highness, the Crown Prince, will also be present."
Esmeralda's exhaustion vanished.
Replaced instantly by dread.
Imperial dinner.
Which meant meeting with her future in-laws.
She had just barely survived 3 laps around the training ground, how was she gonna survive this one?
---
The moment she arrived at the palace, everything moved too quickly.
Maids surrounded her.
Voices overlapped.
Fabric brushed against her skin.
Jewels were presented.
Choices were not given.
"This one."
"Fix her hair."
"Tighter."
"No-looser strands here."
Esmeralda sat still, enduring the transformation like a sacrificial offering.
By the time they were done-
She had already looked like the epitome of beauty.
Her gown shimmered under the light, adorned with emerald jewels that mirrored her eyes perfectly. Her hair was elegantly tied into a bun, exposing the delicate line of her neck.
She looked every bit the noble lady she was expected to be.
Even if internally she still felt like she had just run three tragic laps.
Evening arrived swiftly.
And as she made her way toward the dining hall-
She stopped.
Amaria stood ahead.
Draped in white.
Soft.
Radiant.
And-walking the opposite direction.
Not toward dinner.
Not invited.
Their eyes met.
Silence settled between them like a drawn blade.
"...Lady Esmeralda," Amaria greeted sweetly.
"Lady Amaria," Esmeralda returned just as politely.
A pause.
"...You look well," Amaria said.
Her gaze flickered briefly to Esmeralda's attire.
"...The palace does have exquisite taste."
Esmeralda smiled faintly.
"They do. It's a pity not everyone gets to enjoy it."
A subtle strike.
Amaria's smile tightened.
"...I suppose some invitations are simply... more selective."
"Mm."
Esmeralda stepped closer.
"Though I've heard white is often worn for purity."
A pause.
Her eyes softened-just slightly.
"...Or for mourning."
Amaria froze.
Just for a second.
Then smiled again.
But it didn't reach her eyes.
"...Enjoy your evening, Lady Esmeralda."
"As you, lady Amaria."
And just like that-
Esmeralda walked past her.
Leaving Amaria standing still with her hand clenched to her sides.
The Imperial family was already present when she arrived.
Emperor Henry Sullivan sat at the head of the table, composed and silent.
Beside him, Empress Rosette Sullivan radiated warmth.
And across-
Crown Prince Israel Sullivan.
Rael looked stunned the moment Esmeralda entered the halls. She looked like beauty itself. All he could think about was..
She's beautiful.
She sat beside Rael as dinner immediately began and conversation started smoothly, tackling mostly about latest trends like the bicycle that's become famous among commoners now. Though, Esmeralda had not revealed it was her idea, she was very enthusiastic is her thoughts about how it works.
After a while..
"Lady Esmeralda," the Empress spoke warmly, "I am relieved to see you well."
"Your concerns are well received, Your Majesty."
"What happened at the cathedral... was not your fault."
Esmeralda bowed her head slightly.
"Your Majesty is too kind."
The Empress nudged the Emperor subtly.
The Emperor, mid-bite, paused.
"...Mm."
His agreement was minimal but present more or less.
The conversation suddenly shifted.
"...We were thinking," the Empress said lightly, "perhaps it would be best to hold the ceremony sooner."
Esmeralda choked.
"-!"
She coughed, quickly covering her mouth.
"My apologies."
Rael glanced at her.
Barely holding something back.
"Your Majesty," Esmeralda said carefully, "it would not be proper. Engagements are usually followed by a waiting period of two to three years."
She met their gaze.
"To hasten it would invite... unnecessary talk. It may reflect poorly on the royal family."
Esmeralda did not like the idea of hastening her wedding to Rael.
She did not even know what to do with Amaria yet.
She has not even decided what to do with the Goddess' cryptic words yet.
And she does not even know what she feels for Rael yet.
"Let's not be impatient, mother. Lady Esmeralda will still be here by the time of our wedding," Rael said calmy with a smile on his face as he looked at Esmeralda, "right, my lady?"
Esmeralda did not process his words enough to reply.
The Empress smiled.
"...You're right."
A soft laugh followed.
"I suppose I was simply eager to welcome you as my daughter-in-law."
Esmeralda smiled politely.
But internally-
I barely survived that.
After dinner-
"Stay the night," the Empress suggested gently. "We've already informed the Duchy."
Esmeralda froze.
She could not refuse. It would mean discarding of the royal family's thoughts.
"...Of course, Your Majesty."
On top of the tons of things I have to do, sure, I guess I can stay the night at my in-laws..
Her thoughts paused.
Why did I think in-laws?
...
Well, whatever.
---
Night fell.
The palace quieted.
But sleep did not come to one specific lady.
Esmeralda sat up, her hair still in its elegant bun. With a sigh, she draped a shawl over her shoulders and stepped out.
The halls were silent.
Cool and still.
Eventually-
She found herself on a balcony.
The night air brushed against her skin.
How peaceful.
"...Can't sleep?" a voice came from behind.
She turned and saw Rael stood there.
Calm and composed, just as always.
"I should ask you the same."
"I was working."
"I see. Your Highness has a lot of work to be able to only allow himself to sleep late at night."
"I suppose so." he started, "I hope you will not mind this once we have wed."
He teasingly smiled.
"I guess we'll have to see. Though, I hope I remain conscious by the time that wedding arrives, else, we'll have to host a wedding in my bed chambers."
Rael chuckled.
A soft silence lingered for a while before Rael spoke again.
"...I read the book you were reading."
Esmeralda froze.
"...What do you mean? What book?" she avoided his gaze with cold sweats all over her face.
"I was curious as to why a lady, who has no ounce of interest in men lately, was eager to read such book."
He looked away, faint amusement in his voice.
"...I found the book very... informative."
Her face turned red instantly.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about." Esmeralda said still looking away.
She crossed her arms.
"It was purely for educational purposes."
Rael huffed out a quiet laugh.
"Of course."
Then-
He stepped closer.
"Didn't the Duke do something like this?"
Before she could react-
He leaned slightly and blew a soft breath against the back of her neck.
Esmeralda froze completely.
Her entire body locked.
Rael laughed-
But stopped.
Because when she turned-
Her face was completely red.
Not just embarrassed.
Not just flustered.
Beautiful.
He froze.
"...Not funny, Your Highness!"
She turned sharply.
"I'm going back to bed!"
And walked away.
Quickly.
Stiffly.
Like she was escaping from something she didn't understand.
Rael remained there, his hand covering his mouth.
But his ears-
they were a rosy hue.