I’m In Trouble Because My Husband Is So Cute - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

The coronation and subsequent jousting competitions were one of the Imperial traditions. It commemorated the fact that the first Emperor of the Empire was a knight, and in the distant past, the Emperor himself participated. For now, for safety reasons, they sent out a substitute knight.

‘Perhaps, he won’t compete in the Duke’s house.’

Even in order to avoid a confrontation with the imperial family, the Duchy would not deliberately send out knights. Iellie was a little sad.

‘Still, the Duchy is a family famous for raising great knights.’

The jousting was a kind of pride fight. At a time when the Duchy and Imperial Families were on better terms than they are now, the Duchy deliberately sent knights to jousting matches of the Imperial Family several times.

Each time, the Duchy family broke the Imperial Family and became the ‘Master of the Asha flower branch,’ and the relationship between the Duchy and the imperial family began to deteriorate.

Iellie narrowed her eyes.

‘Well, even though it’s a bit shabby to send out a substitute knight because you’re not the party involved.’

Still, isn’t it the bloodline of a family that had a knight emperor as an ancestor? They would like to have the title of winner of the jousting match, but they don’t want to get hurt because they have a precious body. If the Emperor hated it, everything was worthless.

She murmured without thinking.

“Anyone that the Emperor sent as a substitute is fine. I have confidence.”

“Really? Is there anything else you want?”

For a moment, Zachary’s eyes lit up. What else does she want? As she pondered, she answered involuntarily.

“Then… To receive the flower of the knight who won the jousting?”

Because there was nothing to receive, anyway, it was just a dream.

Hearing that, Zachary wondered as he tilted his head, and he asked Iellie.

“Oh, did Len want to get something like that, too?”

“It’s of course. Isn’t that a fantasy that most ladies have?”
To offer flowers to a lady who gave their heart and to have the right to the first dance. Isn’t that romantic?

Iellie smiled awkwardly. To be honest, she would like to receive flowers from Zachary, though saying that would be too obvious.

“All right, got it. You, go in and rest, because the journey has been long.”

Then, Zachary answered with an unknown smile. Oh, already? She felt kind of sorry at that. However, it was true that she was really tired, so she couldn’t hold on to him any longer.

She nodded her head with a grim look.

“Okay. Then I’ll sleep today, see you tomorrow… Ack!”
“Len!”

She turned around a bit hastily and stumbled on her foot. Surprised, Zachary wraps her waist around and supports her. What should she do? Her heart felt like it was sinking. Her face dyed bright red, and her heart was pounding.

“Are you okay?”

“…Uh? Ah, uh, yes.”

Iellie nodded her head broadly.

Today was really weird. Zachary was the same as usual, but she was the only one who was constantly conscious of him.

Zachary, who supported her so she could stand upright, asked anxiously.

“Are there any injuries?”

“Yes, no. That, Zachary. I’ll just go in.”

“Yes, Len. Get some rest.”

At her reassurance, Zachary smiled brightly.

Looking at that smile, Iellie hurriedly turned her body. Her face brightened with excitement. Lately, she thought she was really weird. She was anxious to hear the beating of her heart.

As the slender back figure slowly faded away, he stood there and filled his eyes with the image of the girl he loved dearly. After a while, he raised his hand and covered his mouth. The white face was dyed red.

“Len… you really.”

The expression on his face that he had worked so hard to pretend to be okay has long since collapsed. His heart was beating wildly and he couldn’t stand it.

Suffering from love close to obsession, in a low growling voice, he murmured.

“You probably don’t know anything.”

‘My Iellie. Every time you smile in front of me I feel like I’m going crazy. When I saw you rejecting the Emperor in front of me, I felt like my heart would burst with joy.’

Zachary bit his lip.

“And, just a moment ago, when I hugged your waist where you stumbled on your foot…”

‘…I almost would have kissed you right away. I can’t stand it because I love you.’

He smiled bitterly.

“You don’t know, so you can smile at me like that…”

‘I want to have you somehow. When will I be able to become a ‘beloved lover’ instead of a family member? ‘

The dangerously shining blue gaze sinks deep. Zachary shut his eyes tightly to suppress his feelings.

The next day. The two had to attend the emperor’s coronation, without even having time to rest.
The Emperor’s funeral was already over. The coronation ceremony was held at the Remforde Temple, the temple of the Imperial Family.

“It’s gorgeous.”

“Yes.”

The two people who attended the coronation spit out such sentiments with sullen faces.

Remforde Temple, which had long hosted the coronations, funerals and other major events of the Imperial Family. Inside the magnificent temple, golden insignia were hung, and the imperial family coat of arms was hung everywhere. Its splendor seemed to weigh on the viewer.

“Oh my God, the Small Duke of Hessenweitz came with his wife.”

“The Duke did not attend, but instead sent the Small Duke as his representative, didn’t he?”

“Isn’t it certain that the duke’s succession will be succeeded by the Small Duke?”

As soon as Zachary and Iellie entered the temple, people’s eyes poured in, and conversations took place.

“Zachary, are you popular?”

“I will reject this popularity.”

As Iellie muttered while bursting out laughing, Zachary answered with a sullen face.

“Have there been rumors that the relationship between the Duke and the Small Duke is not good?”

“Rumors are just rumors. Ah, but…”

The gaze that had been looking at him shifted to Iellie. At that, she flinched at the observing gaze.

“…Some say that the atmosphere of the duke’s castle has changed since Lady Hessenweitz came in.”

“Ah, did she prepare for the small Duke’s coming-of-age ceremony this time?”

“Are you talking about the coming-of-age ceremony that the Crown Prince and the Princess also visited?”

No way, that talk about the coming-of-age ceremony went all the way to the Capital? She glanced at them secretly.

“The northern nobles say that they recognize Lady Hessenweitz.”

“Ah, I also heard from my cousin, who was married to the North.”

It had been a long time since the topic had moved to Iellie. As she hardened her shoulders, Zachary gave her a look.

“Len, you’re popular, too.”

“Well… I will also reject such popularity.”

Iellie narrowed her eyes and was disgusted. Just then, the royal attendant walked towards the two of them.

“The two of you please come this way.”

The royal attendant politely guided the two to their seats. It was right next to the place where the High Priest gave the next Emperor the crown. A place where only the Emperor’s closest aides and the best nobles of the Empire could stand.

‘Is he really succeeding the throne?’

Iellie had a strange feeling. She didn’t want to see the Crown Prince succeeding to the throne, though her seat was the closest to see it.

Zachary felt the same way, and he gently grabbed her hand.

“I feel a little weird.”

“Yes?”

The two whispered a little to each other. However, just in time, majestic music announcing the Emperor’s entrance was played.

While everyone was silent, the Crown Prince in a red cloak entered.

“Joshua Lippenberg, the new sun of the Empire.”

The High Priest called the Crown Prince powerfully. Next to him was the servant who supported the crown on a red silk cushion.

“I bless you to become the most benevolent father of all people and a strong shield.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The Crown Prince stood in front of the High Priest across the red pedestal, knelt on his knees, and listened to the High Priest’s words. It meant that he would humble himself under all people and serve the people.

The High Priest spoke in a serious voice.

“Then, go ahead and receive the call of the people and the empire.”

He then lifted the Emperor’s crown.

With his wrinkled hands, he put the crown on the Crown Prince’s head. The light gleamed coldly in the crown placed on the crown prince’s head, and the High Priest bowed his head and gave his congratulatory remarks.

“With this, the sun of a new empire has risen before us. May you stay healthy, Your Majesty.”

People bowed their heads like waves. After the High Priest’s lead, a loud voice resounds.

“May you stay healthy, Your Majesty.”

“May you stay healthy, Your Majesty.”

Iellie and Zachary also bowed their heads with distasteful faces.

In the center of the temple, the Emperor smiled happily as he crossed the long pedestal. It was the birth of a new Emperor. What effect the new emperor would have on the Duchy’s future was not understood by Iellie. Perhaps, he did not seem to have a positive influence.

The coronation was over. Words of blessing poured out on the new emperor. Everyone was clamoring to get their eyes known. The Emperor received the congratulatory remarks with the most benevolent face.

Meanwhile, Iellie and Zachary slowly retreated.

“Come to think of it, I don’t see the County Laurent family.”

“Yes. They are the only royal family noble in the north.”

Zachary glanced around and nodded his head slightly with a smirk on his face. County Laurent did not meet them throughout the coronation ceremony. Probably, intentionally moving away from them.

“Then, shall we say goodbye and go home early?”

“Yes. After all, the longer we stay here, the more we talk.”

Zachary gave a disgusted look. The two people who made their way through and bowed their heads.

“Congratulations on your accession, Your Majesty.”

“I wish you a great monarch.”

“Thank you.”

The Emperor greeted the two with a bright face. Iellie and Zachary gave each other a small wink. They saw the opportunity and tried to escape. However, the Emperor didn’t seem to want to let them go.

“Come to think of it, I am planning to hold a few events to commemorate my coronation.”

Event…? Iellie narrowed her brow.

Traditionally, the coronation is accompanied by a jousting contest. Nonetheless, seeing that he dared to mention ‘a few events,’ it seemed that he would add other annoying things besides that.

“So, I hope that the two of you from Hessenweitz will also enjoy the event in the Capital.”

“No, we…”

“I want to see you two for a long time. Because the two of you could not even attend the funeral of the predecessor Emperor.”

Saying so, the Emperor opened his mouth softly. If he brought out the predecessor Emperor’s funeral, it became difficult to refuse. The news was late, so it was true that he couldn’t attend. Zachary wrinkled his forehead and let out an annoyed sigh.

“…I see, I will do that.”

“Good.”

The Crown Prince, no emperor’s eyes, who smiled brightly, turned. At the end of his gaze, Iellie was standing. The gray eyes, as transparent as glass marbles, were softly curved while capturing her deeply.

“It will be a very fun time. I promise you.”

“Th, thank you.”

She answered that with a shaky voice. Zachary stared at the emperor with a wary face.

“Just this time, we decided to put on a performance related to the Imperial Family at the Fortuna Opera House.”

“If it’s Fortuna Opera House…”

It was the most famous opera house in the Empire.

The Emperor, who looked at the two of them, spoke slowly.

“It is an opera based on the legend of the founding of the country, and it is also partly related to the Duchy of Hessenweitz.”

“….”

Iellie narrowed her eyes. No matter how she looked at it, it didn’t seem like the Emperor was inviting them with good intentions.

“If you talk about the founding legend, is it the story of a silver dragon and a gray knight?”

“There is Fairy Asha, too.”

‘Ah, yes.’

At that, the Emperor, who had looked gloomy, opened his mouth with a smirk.

“In hindsight, Fairy Asha and Lady Hessenweitz are quite similar.”

“…Me and Fairy Asha?”

“Of course. Pink hair and pale green eyes.”