Chapter 18.1

The Aftermath of a Big Fight: Cermiane’s Point of View. (1)

Although I had resolved to restore my position in the imperial family, I couldn’t bring myself to face the even more terrifying truth… that I would have to reveal my true identity to Ralphine.

This was frightening. After all, I had never revealed anything about my identity to Ralphine. I had never even hinted at it. Ralphine seemed to find it strange that I had never told her anything about my father, she was too perceptive to push the issue further.

How could I suddenly reveal to her that I was a prince, and that I would be entering the imperial palace to become the crown prince? And that she, too, would become the crown princess? It was unthinkable. It was too scary. I was a knight, and Ralphine believed that I was just a knight who had married her. I had no idea how she would react to the truth.

I probably won’t get a simply surprised reaction. There’s no way my wife is a cute woman who would settle for that level. She will probably get angry. She will get unreasonably angry. It was easy to imagine. After all, Ralphine is so bad at aristocratic socializing. I can’t imagine her agreeing to a life of socializing at the imperial palace as a member of the royal family..

He also made a promise to her when he asked her to marry him. Returning home to the Marquis de Caliente’s territory, defeating the king bear, being free to go hunting, etc., all become unrealizable promises. Even this alone would make Ralphine rage, saying “I’ve been deceived!”

However, on this very day, I had a serious situation awaiting me: I was to go to the Imperial Palace to be officially recognized as a prince. My mental capacity was already full to the brim. In such a state, I wondered if I would be able to tell Ralphine about my situation, apologize to her, and perhaps even withstand her raging anger. Impossible. I think it is very impossible.

In the end, I boarded the carriage sent by the imperial palace without being able to explain a single word to Ralphine.

In the carriage to the Imperial Palace, Ralphine glared at me and was in a bad mood. She was wearing a dress that she hated and was fully equipped with jewelry that she hated. That alone was painful, but she didn’t know what to expect. Even if I were her, I would be grumpy. But when she saw that I was wearing the off-the-rack blue military dress that I had worn on my wedding day, she seemed a little nervous about what was going on. It was the only clothing appropriate for a prince at a time like this. The Crown Prince must have probably imposed this formal dress for this kind of situation.

As we disembarked from the carriage upon reaching the Imperial Palace, all eyes were on us. This, it seemed, had already been heralded by the nobles. Everyone was whispering and gossiping as they looked at me. Ralphine was tilting her head. We entered the waiting room for the guests of honor. I was so nervous that I could hardly breathe. After all, everything would be decided once we entered the audience chamber. My life as a knight until the previous day would disappear completely, and my life as a prince would begin.

Ralphine rubbed my trembling hand anxiously. But Ralphine, who looked as if she was a stranger to the situation, was actually not a stranger to the situation either. Her life was going to change drastically from that moment on. But even at that point in my life, I still couldn’t tell Ralphine the truth.

“I’m sorry…”

That was all I could manage to say.

Soon after, we entered the second audience chamber, which was filled with nobles. This was supposed to be opened only to nobles of the rank of viscount or higher. I could tell that the aristocratic world of the empire was surprised and paying attention to the unveiling of the hidden prince. I walked with Ralphine supporting me. With each step, my legs grew heavier. But somehow I managed to move forward. I was able to move forward because of Ralphine’s presence.

Their Majesties’ arrival was announced, and Ralphine and I put our hands on our chests and bowed our heads. The guests were supposed to kneel, but I, as the prince, and Ralphine, as the prime consort, were exempted. At this point, we were already being treated as a prince and prince consort.

The Emperor’s expression was the sternest I have ever seen. He kept all his emotions under the public mask and did not show any of his feelings towards me. I remembered my mother’s words, the severity and loneliness of the Emperor that I had glimpsed for the first time. Was I supposed to become like that?

“I announce to the noble lords and ladies of the empire gathered here today that Cermiane Emilian is now a member of the imperial family from this moment forward.”

As soon as the emperor made his solemn announcement, the retreat route was soundly blocked. All that remained was to proceed.

Ralphine listened to the emperor’s explanation with an uncertain look on her face, but the next words of the emperor brought her into the situation without mercy.

“The Princess Consort of Cermiane is Ralphine. She is the sister of the Marquis de Caliente. Since her status is not in question, she too will be welcomed into the imperial family.”

Ralphine’s complexion turned blue. Ralphine became stunned.

“Cermiane, Ralphine. Come up.”

Ralphine was unable to move even though the emperor urged her to do so. I had never seen her so upset. I pulled Ralphine up the stairs.

On the raised platform, I bowed to His Imperial Majesty and looked down below. Hundreds of aristocrats were focused intently on me and Ralphine . I removed the glove on my right hand and held the Ring on my middle finger high. Most of the nobles could not see it, but the higher ranked ones could. A ring made of blue-black precious stones. It was a black ring.

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