Yasashī Shinjitsu to SeiryakuKekkon Vol IIChapter 31

A

 month before the wedding day, guest began toarrive in Barenshiaga’s capital, Oviolus, for the pre-wedding festivities.

Merchants and tourists followed.

The capital was lively.

The imperial palace was also fullof people. The aides and servants were always on the move, answering requestsand demands of their guests.

There were tea parties every day.So much so, Matilda felt her stomach full of tea, sloshing about.

Thinking of the stomach, her periodcame, thankfully. All that s.e.x did not lead to pregnancy. Leandroth wasn’tbothered, he said he was happy to enjoy just being to two of them in newlywedded bliss. On the other hand, she was worried she would not be able to carryout her duty as empress to give birth to an heir. But Leandroth said not toworry, so she won’t dwell on it…too much.

Periods were painful for Matilda,so she did not want to sleep with Leandroth. She pleaded to stay in her ownroom during that time, but she was rejected. (Zuben: Don’t underestimate thepowers of a good testosterone belly rub.)

She had tea with the rumouredOctopus Princess. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were amazing! They truly looked like the roundheads of octopuses on her chest. She had thought the nickname was a cruel jokebut now she realised it was very apt.

‘What did his Majesty Leandrothtell you about me?’ she asked.

Matilda looked into her glitteringeyes, ‘He said you were like a…mermaid princess,’ she said ambiguously. Theoctopus and fish were alike, right? She wasn’t lying.

The Princess had an exaggeratedexpression of joy on her face. It was rather lovely. So Matilda gave her thenickname “Mermaid Princess of the East.” It was not wrong, just a differentflavour.

There were many visitingPrincesses, the youngest was seven and the eldest *mumble mumble* was of indeterminate age. Matilda had tea partieswith them. There were many cute Princesses which made Matilda very happy. Therewere many promises of letters collected over the month.

And she was able to meet manyroyals she had written to and received letters from when she was still inIcecoretta.

Persistently, Matilda was asked totell the story of how she and Leandroth met. There seemed to be a story beingcirculated that had been created. Matilda gave a slight smile and nodded toevery story she was asked to confirm.

It seemed that someone had come upwith a story about their meeting and they were running a play about it in theCapital.

There were stuffed toys of them,selling quite well. People believed they would help foster their love. Thedolls had small pocket to secrete love notes or love wishes which could be sewnup and sent off.

Princess Matilda, who would becomeEmpress, seemed to be suffering from walking the tightrope between her love forhis Majesty and her duty as Empress. (Zuben: What-.-?)

…How silly.

It was inevitable that cute thingsbecame fashionable, is what she thought.

◇

The day of her wedding dawnedbright. Nary a cloud to be seen.

She was stunned when she woke up tothe sunny day.

‘It’s because we’ll been wellbehaved everyday.’ Leandroth said cheerfully, but she did not pay attention tohim.

She was taken to a separate room;bathed and moisturised and pampered before her maids and ladies in waitinghelped her into the dress. It was a lovely dress that sat off her shoulderswith long sleeves and a skirt that was layer upon layer of tulle with anoverlay of beribboned lace.

‘Is it alright to have the dress onbefore make-up?’ she asked Julia who was checking the veil with one of theladies in waiting.

‘We will do it shortly, please waita moment.’ Julia replied with a soft smile.

Just then, there was a loud knockon the door.

‘Mattie, I’m coming in.’ It wasLeandroth. He burst into the room in a flurry.

‘Eh? What’s wrong?’

He did not answer but grabbedMatilda’s wrist and pulled her along with him.

Leandroth was also in his whiteformal suit. He looked so handsome and dignified. Her eyes were glued to him infascination. She thought she would fall in love with him again.

He took her down the spiral stonesteps that led to one of the plazas around the palace.

In the plaza were BarenshiagaKnights with Bartholomew at their lead and…the Knights of Icecoretta near acarriage with the Icecoretta coat of arms,

‘Huh?’

She reached the end of the stepsand the carriage door was opened. The King of Icecoretta stepped out.

‘Father…?’

She was suddenly petrified.

He alighted from the carriage andtook of his mantle and handed it to his Knight Captain. He was wearing a formaldress as well.

Her dear father, he looked thinnerthan she remembered and tired. She covered her mouth with both her hands andher eyes were wide with surprise.

He was here. At her wedding.

He never left Icecoretta, even whenhe was invited to celebrations in neighbouring countries. They usually sent theLeader of the Senate.

Her legs were trembling.

He looked up and their eyes met.

His eyes widened in surprise to seeher.

Leandroth gave her a gentle push,‘Go ahead.’

She picked up her dress and raninto her father’s arms.

‘Father, you’re here. I can’tbelieve you’re here.’ She cried as she clung to his neck

The knights were silent as theywatched Matilda cling to her beloved father. King Carl Cristian Icecoretta gotover his shock and returned his daughter’s embrace,

‘Matilda…’

Matilda began to cry in herfather’s arms. They looked like a couple whom the older lover had come torescue the girl from an unwanted marriage.

‘Father, I’m so happy to see you,’

He pulled back a little,

‘Matilda, are you okay? Is yourbody alright?’

‘Body?’

‘I was told you drank that poison.I thought you were dying from the illness it caused.’

Matilda lowered her head in shame,‘I am alright. Truly.’

Her father gave a sigh of reliefand they hugged again.

She rested her head on her father’schest, breathing in his scent. She felt like a child again.

‘Your Majesty Carl, thank you formaking the journey to our wedding.’ Leandroth said with a smile.

She looked at Leandroth from thecircle of her father’s arms, he was laughing calmly. Matilda was happy aboutthat. She rubbed her face on her father’s chest,

‘Majesty Leandroth…?’

‘About the letter, I will explainto you later. But it was all true.’

Her father’s hold on her tightened.

‘Understood.’

‘Mattie, we have to go and getready.’ Leandroth said holding his hand out for her.

Matilda gave her father one lastbig squeeze, and a kiss on the cheek, ‘I love you, father,’

She took Leandroth’s hand.

◇

The wedding was taking place at theTemple of Tariq, the largest temple in the capital city.

Matilda was surprised at herreflection after the maids and ladies in waiting were finished with her.

As usual, everyone’s skill wasmagical.

After the ceremony and theirpledges to one another, there was the carriage ride through the city, and afterthat were various ceremonies planned by the officials.

Although it should be their weddingand all about them, they were led about by arrangements and plans and itinerariesthat needed to be followed. Neither of them had any chance to think abouttheirselves or their feelings.

She changed dresses for theafternoon banquet and then changed again for the evening dinner party.

Though her dance training had notbeen successful, Matilda danced and laughed with Leandroth at the ball. Shewore a great smile and managed to finish the day well, somehow.

She was exhausted when she returnedto her room; she feared she would fall asleep from exhaustion in her ball gown.

‘No you can’t sleep just yet,’Leandroth said pulling her up, ‘next is a very important event.’

‘Event?’ she asked,

‘Yes, our wedding night.’

She woke up a little at thatsentence, her eyes wide

‘What?’ she asked incredulously(Zuben: I know right, you’ve done enough ‘first nights’)

‘Now now Mattie, what is with thattone. Please go and have a bath. We’ll be in a different room tonight.’ He saidwith a wide smile

A different room? Very well.Matilda nodded tiredly and did as he asked.

She took her bath and changed into a thick nightgownand a robe and followed Agata out of the room.

Agata led her to a room where asingle lamp was lit. Inside, her father was about to get into bed.

Matilda stared in wide eyes shock.

Her father’s reaction was the same.

Agata smiled and said, ‘His Majesty’sgift to you, Empress; some time with your father.’

‘Eh?’

‘It may not be possible to go backto your home country once you begin your duties as Empress. His Majesty wasvery anxious about you and your father’s relationship. The poison you drank wasa fake. His Majesty switched it when he realised what it was.’

‘So you did drink it.’ Her fathersaid with a sigh

‘I will excuse myself,’ Agata said,she bowed and left the room, gently closing the door.

King Carl looked at his daughterand said, ‘This bed is big enough for two of us,’

‘Yes!’ she replied and she took offher robe and dove into bed beside her father.

‘As for you, today…’

‘Yes…?’

Her father sighed and said, ‘Itlooks like his Majesty Leandroth treasures you.’

Matilda smiled. Her smile was assweet as a blooming flower,

‘Yes, very much.’

‘Do you think he will make youhappy?’ he asked as brushed her hair with his hand.

‘Yes, he can make me happy.’ Shereplied brightly.

‘So tell me why you took thepoison.’

‘That…it was a childish reason. I’msorry I did it. I will never do it again. I don’t even have the vial anymore.’

She only just realised she didn’thave the vial anymore.

‘What was the childish reason?’ hepressed. It seemed he would not let her get away with it.

She sighed and said, ‘I thoughtthat I was not made the next ruler of Icecoretta because I was not needed byfather. But Leann said he thought that father did not make me queen because youcared about me too much.’

She told him everything albeittimidly, hiding her face in her father’s shoulder. Her cheeks were red asfather patted her back and said,

‘Leandroth was correct. I didn’twant my gentle and carefree daughter to become a cold hearted ruler that youwould have to be to rule properly. I should have explained to you properly.’

‘It’s alright now…’

‘It’s been a long time since I’veheard you called me “Father”,’

‘I have always wanted to call you“Father” and hug you,’

‘Matilda…’

‘I also say to Leann “I love you,father”,’

‘Father?’ he repeated laughing, ‘Idon’t think that would be good for His Majesty’s ego.’

They laughed.

That night, they reminisced aboutMatilda’s mother; how she and Carl met and their time together. He told her ofher step-mother and little brothers’ progress. He updated her on the arrival ofthe team of doctors and their elderly knight.

It seemed the reason the knightsled by Bartholomew was escorting the doctors was because of worrying movementsin the northeast of Barenshiaga. Bartholomew had told Matilda of this when hevisited before the wedding.

Listening to her father tellstories of her mother, Matilda felt a weight she did not realise she had lift.He father never forgot her mother. He still thought of her with love andaffection. He still had memories of her in his head. She was glad.

‘You’re just like Lyra when she wemet.’

‘Like mother?’

‘But you’re stronger than her(Zuben: *Snort) I am proud of her and I am proud of you.’ He told her gently.Tears welled up in Matilda’s eyes.

‘Don’t cry, you’ll mess up yourcute face.’

‘I’m not cute.’

‘What is my daughter saying? Nomatter how old you get, my daughter would remain my cute daughter. So ifLeandroth doesn’t care about you, I will take you home with me.’

Matilda laughed through teary eyes

‘Be happy, Matilda. May you alwayshave smiles of joy on your face.’

They settled in to sleep. As heused to do when she was a little girl, her father gave her goodnight kisses onher eyelids. And Matilda went to sleep.

◇

The next day, Carl, the King of Icecoretta returned home.

He originally was not going to be at his daughter’s wedding, butBartholomew was given the poison she had drank to show to the king. He hadthought she was dying. So he dropped everything and made haste to Barenshiaga(Zuben: Leann is a manipulative b.a.s.t.a.r.d J)

Matilda glared at Leandroth but he avoided her gaze, trying to lookinnocent whistling terribly.

‘Matilda seems to be healthy and happy, and above all, that make me happy.’

‘I am, father.’

‘Is it possible to ask father to deliver a message to step-mother Lena?’

‘What is it?’

She gave him a kiss on each cheek and said, ‘I love you.’ She said with abig smile(Zuben: *retches*)

‘Hug your father tightly, you should also give him a peck on the lips,don’t you think? You should show your father you love him.’ Leandroth said.

Her father’s face turned ruddy red but he smiled widely.

‘Quiet you.’ She said to Leandroth.

Carl hugged them both.

‘Majesty Leandroth, I entrust my daughter to you.’

‘Leave it to me. Sorry if I was rude just now…’

‘It’s alright. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of surprise would bewaiting for me next time. ‘

Leandroth answered with a smile.

The King’s tone turned serious and regal,

‘As long as you are Matilda’s husband, the Icecoretta Kingdom is yourally.’

‘Thank you, your majesty.’ Leandroth replied equally regal in his bearing.

Matilda’s eyes widened at the conversation (Zuben: Her eyes are definitelygoing to pop out one of these days)

Her father gave her a farewell kiss and boarded his carriage.

Her father’s knights raided their spears in a salute,

‘To our honourable Princess, even if you are far from us, we, theIcecoretta Knight Guards swear our loyalty to you! Hurray!!’ (Zuben: yes, theyended with hurray)

The mounted guards moved forward to the head and sides of the carriage.

Tears fell from Matilda’s eyes and she clung to Leandroth for support.

‘Answer, Mattie…’

She nodded and turned to the departing party with a tear stained face,

‘Thank you, my Knights! I will do my best to be a princess you’re proudof.’ She shouted and she waved

The guards waved back and she waved at them till the party left the palacegates and disappeared in the distance.

She turned and hugged Leandroth.

‘Oh look at this messed up pretty face,’ he teased.

She laughed, he used the same words as her father.

‘I am very happy, Leann.’

He smiled softly and replied, ‘So am I,’

He lifted her, making her laugh, ‘Shall we return to official business, myEmpress?’

She giggled some more and replied, ‘Yes, my Emperor.’

◇

That evening after her bath, the maids dressed her in a rather cute nightgown. It was pink lace with puffy long sleeves. It was low cut with a floretbetween her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and an overlay gathered around it.

It was so cute, she thought it was a shame it was a night dress.

She was surprised to hear that the empress and emperor’s night clothes werethrown away. (Zuben: Why?) And the clothes were monitored closely, so that theywould not be stolen.

‘Matilda-sama, if you please.’ Agata said as she presented her with a veil,and covered her head with it.

It was all excessively pretty.

‘This is a gift from everyone to Matilda-sama and the Emperor. Every thing this evening looks rather lovely, but can you not be distracted and think of just his Majesty for tonight?’

‘Huh?’

‘Tonight is the real first night after your wedding. Please, please yourhusband.’ Agata said with a mischievous smile.

‘I will take my leave.’ The stewards and Agata left, leaving Matilda on acouch wondering what was going on.

The room was silent, she could hear her heartbeat, yet she felt calm.

Wedding night, she blushed at the thought.

He gave up last night for her to spend time with her father. She feltsomething deepen in her heart for him,

‘What are you thinking about, Mattie.’

‘Ah!’

It was difficult to see through the veil, what expression he had on hisface.

‘You look cute, Mattie. Can you stand?’ he asked as he held a hand out forher. She took his hand and guided her to a chaise lounge, and knelt before her

‘Matilda Matina Icecoretta,’

‘Yes,’ she was a little high pitched because she was a flutter.

He held her hand softly. It was warm.

‘Regardless of our countries, would you marry me, Leandroth LevanBarenshiaga?’

Even though they ceremonies were done, the parade and a reception.

He was asking to marry her, not as a ruler of a country, but for himself.He wanted Matilda, not the Princess of Icecoretta.

‘Yes, gladly.’ She replied with a beaming smile.

He let go of her hand, and pulled her to stand. He took off the veil, andshe could finally see him. Their gaze locked,

‘Thank you,’ he said. (Zuben: Was she really going to say no after all the pomp, pageantry and crybaby nonsense?)

‘No. Thank you for wanting me.’

They kissed.

She opened her eyes; Leandroth had a gentle smile on his face,

‘Lean, I love you,’

"I love you too, Mattie.’

They smiled at each other, grinning from ear to ear. Her loved her. Sheloved him.

She closed her eyes, and his warmth surrounded her.

She hoped she was giving him warmth too…

This was a story about a political marriage that was only a gentle truth.

⚔⚔