I Became a Barbarian's Bride - Chapter 18
The Empress could vividly imagine Nisha suffering and wasting away in the filthy, barbaric land of those arrogant and violent savages.
“The climate of the desert is too harsh for your frail body. Moreover, it’s well known that the current king of Xieman is exceptionally cruel. They say his appearance is monstrous, more like a beast or a demon.”
“Go and dress beautifully, like your mother…” Celiana said. Nisha’s porcelain-like face momentarily twisted with emotion. Celiana loved these rare moments when Nisha couldn’t hide her turmoil behind her usual stoic expression. It brought Celiana a perverse joy to see her looking distressed or hurt, as it made Celiana feel more alive.
“You must do everything to entice him. It’s your only way to survive longer, isn’t it? Fortunately, your mother gave birth to a pretty child.” Celiana lightly tapped the cut on Nisha’s cheek with the end of her fan. “Tsk, it’s a pity, but we can’t have any imperfections that might catch his eye. Go and get the priest to heal it.”
“Yes, thank you.”
With the priest’s healing power, the wound would almost completely disappear, erasing any evidence of what had just happened.
“And you two, help her dress after she’s healed. We wouldn’t want the barbarian to find any fault.” With a flick of her wrist, Celiana tossed the fan to the floor. Nisha bowed to Celiana and left the room.
“Throw that fan away; it’s dirty now. And when is the Xieman delegation expected to arrive?”
The words of contempt behind Nisha were already familiar her. As Nisha exited, Celiana sat on the bed.
A maid answered her question.
“They’ve crossed the border and should arrive by the afternoon.”
“Very well. Ensure there is nothing lacking in the preparations for the banquet. If anything displeases them, heads will roll.”
Celiana rose and crushed the fan underfoot, muttering.
“Lowly barbarians.”
“Your Majesty, the Emperor is calling for you. His… episode has started again…”
“Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”
Sighing, Celiana frowned and turned around.
She clicked her tongue, thinking of the Emperor, who, after participating in the war and suffering humiliating defeat, was now plagued by trauma and frequent seizures.
‘What’s so terrifying about these barbarians… so cowardly.’
Recalling the Emperor’s hallucinations of monsters and beasts that triggered his seizures, she headed to his chambers.
However, at the banquet that evening, she gained some insight into the Emperor’s trauma.
***
The Crown Prince collapsed, his arm severed, and laughter erupted from all around. Celiana’s eyes widened in shock.
This occurred less than an hour after the banquet had started. The servants, who had been rushing to replenish the quickly disappearing food, froze in place.
The current Crown Prince was the child left behind by the former Empress, her dear friend. He was the only living testament to the former Empress’s existence.
Thus, Celiana loved the Crown Prince as she did her own twins.
She had no desire to usurp his position as heir. After all, it rightfully belonged to her friend from the beginning.
But what had just happened before her eyes left her mind blank.
She couldn’t even speak, too shocked to scream. It felt like a nightmare.
While she stood there, pale and frozen, laughter erupted from all around. It made no sense.
For someone to have nearly died moments ago… and yet everyone was laughing.
The circular tables scattered throughout the grand hall were occupied by the Xieman delegates, while the forcibly invited Roshan nobles were all pushed to the corners.
In the innermost part of the hall, a long table reserved for the Xieman king and his future queen, Nisha, was set up.
The Roshan royals, who were supposed to sit at the wide table, had been relegated to the round tables before it.
It was then that Nisha’s coughing fit broke out.
“Cough-, cough-…!”
