For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 13
Eugenie’s calm response left Apollin gaping like a goldfish out of water. How long did it take to say ‘six’?
“What?! What nonsense…!”
“Ten seconds have passed. Now step aside.”
Apollin let out a shriek and tried to grab Eugenie. However, Eugenie, dressed in the million-diamond dress, stood firm, and the officiating priest, overwhelmed by her radiance, unknowingly handed over the marriage contract.
In the end, what was supposed to be a contract for just two people now had a total of six signatures.
[◇Bride: Eugenie Morgan Norton
◇Grooms:
Alfred Nentrence Wilberforce
Percival Reged Troys, 13th Duke of Troys
Magnus Seville Napier, 7th Count of Napier
Cassius M. Lysander
Carter Arthur Livingston
*The order of husbands is based on the order of their proposals, not on favoritism.
**The bride’s surname will remain unchanged as per agreement with the grooms.]
Just before the ink on the contract dried, the first person to regain composure shouted,
“This is absurd! How could this… be so unseemly?!”
Empress Silvea approached quickly, her face flushed with anger. Wasn’t this a wedding organized by her own close attendants? Not only was the ceremony being ruined, but Eugenie had also brought five men into this chaos!
“A proper lady should feel ashamed! That vow will not be sanctioned in the name of the imperial family!”
But Percival stepped forward and bowed to the Empress.
“Your Majesty.”
“Duke Troys, what on earth is going on? How could someone like you be part of such a farce?”
“I am here to collect payment for my 1,875 expeditions.”
“What… what do you mean?”
“That’s the number of times I’ve been sent on campaigns to defend the northern borders since I was eighteen.”
“I can’t deny that. But what do you mean by collecting payment…?”
Percival pulled out a neatly folded golden letter from inside his formal jacket.
[Imperial Wish Claim: I will grant any request.]
The Empress’s hand trembled slightly as she held the short letter. There was no mistaking the writing style, which appeared a bit unsteady from drink.
“This was written by the Emperor himself after my last expedition.”
“…”
“He stated that if I had a request, he would grant it for any reason.”
Silvea tried to counter but could only press her fingers to her temples in frustration.
‘That wretched man…!’
How could he not fully comprehend the weight of the Emperor’s personal letter?
Having been thoroughly restricted from mingling with women, his repressed desires had surely twisted into excessive drinking. Hence, it was no wonder that such a nonsensical ‘Wish Claim’ had been issued!
Yet, even as Empress, she couldn’t openly undermine the Emperor’s prestige in front of so many people. There was no longer anyone to stop the newlyweds.
Eugenie raised her left hand high for everyone to see.
From her thumb to her pinky finger, her hand adorned with a brilliant jewel ring sparkled magnificently, illuminating the eyes of all present.
This was the moment when everyone would whisper about the ‘myth that would remain in the history of the Hermeland Empire.’
* * *
Just as flamboyantly as their entrance, Eugenie and the five men made a loud exit. Staying there any longer would only invite fatigue.
Even until their departure, Peter Lamburg still hadn’t shown up.
“Hey, Cassius. You didn’t kill Peter, did you?”
Eugenie glanced slyly at her new husband, Cassius Lysander. She had her reasons for choosing him, recalling his previous comments about ‘handling’ things.
Cassius blinked his large eyes and smiled brightly.
“Oh, I didn’t kill him. He’s alive and well.”
“But why hasn’t he shown up?”
“That’s a trade secret.”
“……”
It was a subtly concerning statement that made Eugenie think Apollin might need to find another groom.
Just then, Carter glanced at the documents the attendant had brought.
“Inheritance shouldn’t be a problem anymore, Eugenie. You’ll be able to confirm your share soon.”
“Really…? Is that true?”
Eugenie started to respond with relief but then trailed off.
While she had secured what she aimed for through marriage, what about these five men?
‘They don’t seem particularly reluctant to get involved with me, but it’s hard to gauge how much of this is out of gratitude.’
….Regardless, Eugenie decided it was time to express the most important thanks she had forgotten until now.
“Everyone.”
Several of the men gasped in surprise as Eugenie gathered the hem of her dress and bowed deeply, showing them the utmost respect.
“I know it took me too long to say this because I was so busy handling everything… but thank you all for your help.”
Eugenie didn’t care much for social reputation, but these men were in different situations. They had family matters to consider, and such a loud wedding might complicate future remarriages.
No matter how much her mother had helped them and this was their way to repay it, it couldn’t be ignored.
