Chapter 32

Yenikarina was immensely proud of being the most beloved princess by her people. She couldn't stand it if even one good word went to someone else, and this made her incredibly angry.

'And not just anyone, but that rag princess!'

"Grandfather! Yenikarina is so upset! Angel means Yenikarina!"

Yenikarina pouted and clung to Duke Skiera.

"Of course, our princess is the angel."

"But they call that half-breed the Angel of Hope!"

"Compared to that deficient princess, our princess is the hope of this country, no, the world. There's no need to worry."

Duke Skiera stroked Yenikarina's hair, trying to reassure her.

"I know that, but with such articles... people might get the wrong idea."

Duke Skiera burst into a hearty laugh at Yenikarina's continued whining.

"Don't worry, Your Highness."

Yenikarina's eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if she had been waiting for those words.

Sure enough, her grandfather gave the expected response.

"I'll meet with the editor of this newspaper soon."

"Really?"

Yenikarina beamed and threw her arms around Duke Skiera.

"I'm so happy, Grandfather! You're the best!"

Duke Skiera smiled fondly at his granddaughter, who, despite being an adult, still had the innocent and adorable charm of a child.

The queen, noticing this, frowned slightly and called out to Duke Skiera.

"Father."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. What kind of person am I?"

Duke Skiera patted Yenikarina and continued.

"I know the king is watching. I won't mention anything about the illegitimate princess to the editor."

Creating a scandal in such a situation is something only a fool would do.

If caught, it would limit his options.

"But I can certainly talk about how kind, lovely, and beautiful our Princess Yenikarina is."

Duke Skiera proudly presented Yenikarina to the queen, as if showing off a prized possession.

"That's not something the king needs to worry about. It's only natural to praise one's own daughter."

The queen also smiled at this.

She gently stroked her daughter's cheek and spoke.

"Indeed, the king's love for Yenikarina is special."

Yenikarina giggled and accepted the affection.

But a cold, heavy feeling settled in her heart.

As her mother said, her father's love was rightfully hers.

But.

'Aristine!'

The memory of her father's attitude towards Aristine ignited a fire in her heart.

'No, no. Yenikarina is special.'

She was the only one who knew about King Ailugo's condition and kept it a secret, protecting him.

Therefore, her father's favor would always be hers.

'Yes, at the welcome party, Father was on Yenikarina's side.'

When that wicked princess dared to challenge her, her father stood up for her.

How painful it must have been for him to see his most beloved daughter suffer.

After that, her father gave the princess a position higher than Yenikarina, but she ignored this fact.

It was only because there was no other seat available.

Her father had said it had no special meaning.

Despite this, a shadow fell over Yenikarina's face.

Duke Skiera, noticing this, patted her shoulder.

He thought she was still bothered by the beautifully dressed princess in the newspaper.

"Shall we buy a new dress for our princess? We'll get her lots of beautiful clothes, along with matching hats and gloves."

"Tch, even you, Grandfather."

Yenikarina pouted and gave Duke Skiera a playful glare.

"And necklaces and earrings."

The cuteness of her granddaughter, who added this in a small voice, made Duke Skiera's smile widen.

"Bracelets, brooches, and new shoes as well."

"Of course, our grandfather is the best!"

Yenikarina hugged Duke Skiera's neck.

Duke Skiera laughed heartily and patted her back.

The gloom in Yenikarina's demeanor completely disappeared.

It was only natural, as her favorite hobby was to dress up beautifully, take the best photos, and have them published in the newspaper.

Then the newspaper would write articles praising Princess Yenikarina as the best.

The jewel of the kingdom, the flower of the kingdom, the brightest star, the nightingale of the kingdom, and so on.

All the good things were included in the articles.

Not only that, even small acts like smelling flowers during a picnic or giving money to a poor girl on the street were photographed and published.

This wasn't about manipulating public opinion.

She actually went on a picnic and smelled flowers, and she gave a piece of jewelry to a poor girl.

Even if it was for the photo, the result was the same, wasn't it?

It was good for everyone.

She was a deserving person of love, and it was only right to let the people know.

The royal family's popularity would rise because of her, and the people would have more pride and respect for their rulers.

'Really, so much good comes from Yenikarina, doesn't it?'

Yenikarina marveled at her own greatness.

'Yenikarina is the Angel of Peace!'

"Let's go shopping. Call the photographer! By the way, the room in Yenikarina's palace has been redecorated, perfect for photos!"

Yenikarina chattered excitedly.

"Our princess will look much more beautiful in the newspaper than that princess."

Duke Skiera chuckled and tapped the newspaper on the table.

"Hehe, that's right. Yenikarina is my daughter, but she is truly a lovely child. Unlike the princess who was exiled and not treated properly as a royal..."

The queen's face stiffened as she glanced at the newspaper with a smile.

No matter how much she wanted to belittle it, the Aristine in the photo was truly beautiful.

The newspaper featured several photos from today's wedding.

From the ceremony to the wedding parade.

Aristine and Tarkan walking in together, standing face to face, their vow kiss.

Aristine being escorted into the golden carriage, the two of them on the carriage.

Even scenes of Aristine being rescued and riding a horse with her.

The newspaper was filled with so many photos that it almost looked like a photo album.

It seemed the journalist had given up on selecting photos and included as many beautiful ones as possible.

"......"

The queen clenched her fists.

She wanted to storm into the newspaper office and demand how they could publish such an article.

The people and the nobles would surely have their own thoughts after seeing this newspaper.

The nobles were quite shaken at the last welcome party, but they didn't openly praise Tarkan and Aristine as they did today.

This was partly due to the unexpected situation and the lack of a visible reason to change their attitude.

However, today's wedding provided a perfect reason.

The reason was simple.

'It looked good!'

It was a trivial reason, but it was very powerful.

People are strange; sometimes they can't be persuaded by reason and logic.

Instead, they are swayed by irrational and emotional reasons, like not feeling like it or thinking it won't work.

'Looking good' was the same.

It was a very irrational and emotional reason, but once it took hold, it was incredibly strong.

Today's wedding of Aristine and Tarkan looked good, even to the queen.

It really looked like a sacred wedding for peace.

And the couple in the photos looked good.

* * *

"How can the Empress, no, the Empress-to-be, have such smooth and soft skin?"

"It seems to glow even without doing anything."

The palace attendants marveled as they poured scented, milky bathwater over Aristine's body.

Aristine was half-asleep, listening to their words.

Today had been a long day.

Even just the wedding would have been exhausting, but with all the events, she was drained.

"Silvanus people have fair skin, right? Is this a characteristic of Silvanus people?"

"Girl, no way."

One of the attendants laughed and glanced outside.

The door was closed, but outside were Aristine's attendants from Silvanus.

"They have fair skin, but not this transparent, glowing look."

"Right. I haven't touched her, but she doesn't look this smooth."

"Indeed."

The attendant who had asked if all Silvanus people were like this nodded in agreement.

"Of course, our Empress-to-be is the best."

"It's an honor to serve her."

"Prince Tarkan will be delighted to have such a bride."

"Ah, I'm so excited."

"Don't worry, Empress-to-be. We've prepared everything perfectly! Absolutely perfect!"

"Everything will be romantic, no matter who sees it."

"Once you lie down, it will be like everything is over."

The attendants giggled, their cheeks flushed and eyes twinkling.

"Ah, shouldn't Prince Tarkan be the one excited, not you?"

They laughed like children, completely shameless.

Aristine, however, was trying to stay awake, her eyes closed.

She felt like she could fall asleep at any moment.

The new bride, submerged in the bathtub, didn't pay attention, but the attendants were excitedly chattering and teasing each other.

They were genuinely happy to have such a beautiful and wise Empress-to-be.

All palace attendants who serve a praised prince hope for a suitable Empress-to-be.

Having a mistress in the palace makes a huge difference.

'Frankly, I was worried that Diona might become the Empress-to-be.'

Many attendants liked Diona, but not these.

At first, they also liked Diona.

'Until they saw her true colors.'

After accidentally discovering her true nature, they found her actions repulsive.

But Diona was the sister of a meritorious general and a countess, while they were just palace attendants.

They couldn't show their dislike.

The only thing they could do was to take care of Aristine instead of following Diona.

'And I can't trust those attendants from Silvanus either.'

Originally, the attendants from the bride's family should help with the preparations for the first night.

They are the ones the bride can relax with.

But the observant attendants noticed early on that they weren't serving Aristine sincerely.

They also knew Aristine didn't like them.

So, using the excuse of being more familiar with Ailugo's customs, they volunteered to take care of the preparations for the first night.

"Empress-to-be, please stand up."

"It's time for the massage."

Aristine, half-asleep in the bathtub, slowly stood up.

The attendants felt proud.

She must be very nervous about the first night, but they managed to help her relax so much!

Aristine's smile made their own smiles widen.

"Yes, Empress-to-be. Keep relaxing."

"Relaxing your body will make for a better night."

"Of course, for a good night's sleep."

"Hehehehe!"

The shameless attendants burst into laughter again.

They applied scented oils, made from a blend of rose, lilac, ylang-ylang, peony, sandalwood, musk, and amber, all over Aristine's body.

These were specially made for her, as ordinary oils wouldn't do for their Empress-to-be.

The attendants' determination for the first night burned brightly.

They gently massaged Aristine's body, easing her fatigue and tension.

Aristine let out a satisfied moan, enjoying the pleasant touch.

Her muscles must have been tense from almost falling off the carriage and the horse.

The soothing massage felt incredibly refreshing.

'Can an Empress live such a life?'

The first night was already so wonderful.

'Ah, so I'm not a guest in this palace but the mistress now?'

The thought made Aristine's eyes sparkle.

'Can I have tea time whenever I want?'

Her heart raced with excitement.

'Strawberry cake... I want to try it. Can I ask for it to be made?'

It would surely be possible.

Aristine was now officially Tarkan's wife.

The attendants, noticing her rapidly beating heart, slowed their movements.

They checked her face, worried she might be uncomfortable, but saw only joy and excitement.

Seeing her face, the attendants also felt joy and excitement.

'Yes, yes. It's a good time.'

'How excited she must be. Prince Tarkan...'

'Hehehe, our Empress-to-be will have a night of burning passion.'

Their efforts in preparing the bridal chamber were worth it.

While they were so happy, Aristine was also happy.

'I must try macarons and Sachertorte!'

Sachertorte was something she had always been curious about, having seen her younger sister eat it as a child.

And she had once tasted a macaron her brother secretly gave her, but couldn't remember the taste.

She only remembered it was very delicious.

'Trying it will bring back the memory.'

Now that her memory was better, she wouldn't forget it again.

With everyone happy, the preparations for the first night were complete.

Only one thing remained.

"Now, Empress-to-be, please raise your arms."

The attendant holding the bridal nightgown smiled brightly. It was a kind and gentle smile.

But Aristine couldn't follow her instructions.

Aristine stood frozen, staring at the piece of mesh in the