Chapter 131 The second Wife
Chapter 131 The second Wife
After our conversation, we agreed that starting from now, we would make time for one another.
Although it was not officially declared throughout the empire, I had already stated within the household that they would be treated fairly and with the respect befitting a family.
"At least now, even if they abuse their power within my home, it won't be a problem," Lea remarked.
While we were eating, Elisa suddenly asked a question that caught everyone off guard. "You know, I understand you're doing this to build a good relationship between everyone, but isn't our setup a bit too complicated?" she asked.
Elisa explained that it is common practice for consorts to simply follow the Empress's orders, and eventually, they would be required to bear a child to become an heir.
"If we have equal rights as the Emperor’s spouses within the Empress’s household, it means everyone also has a right to Didi’s attention," Elisa added.
I pondered this and clarified that the previous order forbidding consorts from having a close relationship with me—which would steal the Emperor’s attention—was no longer a major issue.
"I believe the death penalty was also removed by the Empress."
Lea suddenly went blank and couldn't speak. Because of her reaction, the room went quiet, and no one knew what she was thinking.
"Think about it carefully. If a consort seizes the Emperor’s attention and gains equal rights, it means the consorts could potentially conceive a child earlier, while the Crown Prince hasn't been born yet," Elisa pointed out.
"Huh?"
Elisa explained that according to imperial law, the Empress must give birth to the Crown Prince before the Emperor can have children with other consorts.
The laws of the empire would have to be changed if the Emperor were to have a child with another consort before the Empress.
Lea clutched her head while staring blankly, and through that, Elisa realized that Lea had not considered the consequences before making her decision.
"You made a decision without knowing what might happen?"
Elisa mentioned that one day, even if we don’t want it, there will be a conflict over the princes' power. Especially since we don't control the minds of the heirs or the politicians who will use the princes for their own ends.
"I understand you want the empire to run smoothly, but your decisions have a huge impact on the future," Elisa added.
Lea suddenly slammed her hand on the table.
"In that case, one of the rules of this house is that no one shall seduce the Emperor until the Crown Prince is born."
I shook my head when Lea stared at me with her sharp eyes, as if she were angry with me.
"Why are you looking at me as if I've done something wrong again?"
"We've already talked about this. There is nothing I can do about them, especially since I am in Genion’s body and I could pass my dark energy to them," I replied.
It was clear to me that I couldn’t touch the consorts because of the potential effects of the dark energy if I were to pass it on during intimacy, but Lea’s doubts about me could not be swayed.
"I know we’ve talked about this, but I doubt you’ll be able to keep your word, especially since the consorts are beautiful," Lea said.
I looked at the consorts and agreed that they were indeed beautiful, but I clarified that I wasn't there to collect beautiful wives.
"I’ll admit they are beautiful, and I am just a man who gets tempted, but I’m not so lecherous that I would prioritize self-indulgence as an Emperor."
"I will finish my mission in this world and follow the plan we agreed upon," I added.
"Ha! Is that so? Remember, the moment you make a mistake, it won't just be your 'eggplant' that you'll lose, but your tongue as well," Lea threatened.
I tried to calm her down and stop her from making threats, especially since the consorts were already getting scared just because of our argument.
"It’s normal for us to argue; you don't need to fear being involved or punished," I added.
I just handed Lea more food and asked for her patience.
"Don't be angry anymore. I thought you didn't want to ruin this evening? Let's just eat."
A few minutes later, we ate together and shared stories.
I gave them a board game so they could enjoy themselves with the others. It wasn’t difficult at all, as they found it easy to get along with everyone.
As I watched them together, I felt like I had done something right. I don't know how my mission to be the Emperor will end, but I think I’m doing the right thing.
Since there is a celebration tomorrow, we couldn't afford to be tired or stay up late, so I had them return to their respective residences.
The Sun Festival is one of the palace’s biggest celebrations, and I knew it would be a tiring day.
Hours passed, and we rested in our own rooms to gain strength for tomorrow.
"I hope everything goes well tomorrow," I said while lying in bed, yawning.
The next morning, when I woke up, I felt something soft beside me. It wasn't familiar, so I immediately turned to look.
I was stunned to see Elisa beside me. Her face was only inches away from mine.
"Elisa?"
I sat up in shock, unable to believe it. Elisa was lying in my bed, sleeping.
"Wait, what are you doing here, Elisa?"
Because of my noise, she woke up immediately and just looked at me casually.
"So, you're awake, Didi," she said, rubbing her eyes.
"W-wh-what are you doing here?" I asked frantically.
According to her, Azula was accustomed to waking up early and going to my room to wake me up, so she felt she had no choice but to do the same. But when she arrived at five in the morning, she felt sleepy.
"I lay down on the bed to surprise you, but because you took so long to wake up, I fell asleep waiting," she said with a yawn.
I shook my head, saying she succeeded in surprising me, but I warned her not to do it again.
It wasn't good for her to be lying in my bed, especially since the Emperor's palace and the Empress's palace were almost right next to each other.
"So, are you afraid that the 'shrimp' will see us together?" she asked.
"I don't want any trouble. She is still my wife, and you cannot just enter my room without permission," I replied.
She just smiled at me and suddenly pushed me back onto the bed. I was shocked, especially when she sat on my stomach.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
"You know, I enjoy seeing that reaction of yours, Didi. It makes me more motivated to pursue my plan," she said jokingly.
"Plan? What plan?" I asked, flustered.
"Didn't I tell you yesterday? I want to destroy your relationship as husband and wife?" she said, bringing her face close to mine.
She slowly leaned in and whispered in my ear, "What do you think, Didi? Are you ready to sin?" she said in a seductive tone.
I was startled by what she said and immediately grabbed her shoulders to push her away so I could stand up.
"Wh-what are you saying? Aren't you horrified by what you're saying? Your joke isn't funny anymore," I said in a panic.
I never thought she would say that, and even though we often joked around with each other, she had never tested me like this before.
"What's the problem? Whether I'm joking or not, it shouldn't be an issue for us," she replied while sitting on the bed.
"What do you mean, 'no issue'? You shouldn't be teasing me like that, especially since I'm still a man. Don't you think you're acting like a woman trying to steal someone else's husband to be a mistress?" I said.
She just laughed at what I said and stood up from the bed to approach me.
"You know, Didi, I wouldn't be called a mistress because in this world, I am a noble consort of the Emperor, and technically, I am your second wife."
I was surprised by what she said, realizing that Azula had a higher rank than the other consorts, and since she was in Azula's body, she might indeed be one of my wives.
"What? Yes, Azula is a noble consort, but you are just in her body. You said yesterday you didn't want to play the role of my subordinate," I said.
She put her hands on her hips, clarifying that she only disliked serving me, but she could perform the role of my second wife for her own amusement.
I shook my head, frustrated by what she said, and could not believe she was treating everything as a joke and a game. I got slightly angry at her and scolded her.
"Stop treating everything as a joke."
"You don't want this to be a joke? If so, would you prefer that we take being husband and wife seriously?" she said.
I couldn't speak because of what I heard, as I couldn't tell if she was still joking or not. Elisa is the type of person who is hard to understand, especially since her face is always so serious and strict.
I didn't answer her question; instead, I just sighed. I didn't want to expect anything from her or be embarrassed, especially since she was always testing me.
"Just stop it. We have a lot to do today," she said.
She sighed, saying that things wouldn't be fun if I always avoided the question. She walked toward the door.
"But whatever you choose, you can't escape me, Didi. We’ve been together since childhood, and I won't allow myself to be removed from the scene just because of your shrimp girlfriend," she said.
"What? Why are you so grumpy toward Lea?" I asked.
"That's just in your head," she replied as she walked out and closed the bedroom door.
"No, Elisa, you really do that, and you enjoy teasing her."
After she left, I realized she hadn't prepared my things. "Oh, right. That’s why I felt like something was missing. I remembered she stopped preparing my things in the morning."
"What am I going to have for breakfast?"