What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 16
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After the evening banquet extended into the night, another reception was held.
If the daytime event had been hosted by the royal family, this time, it was held at the same venue by Duke Temisian Blake, known as Kazhan’s right-hand man, to congratulate the new couple.
“Hearty congratulations, Your Majesty. It’s quite a grand occasion after a long time.”
“Thank you, Duke.”
“With such a lovely new wife, Your Majesty, I’m sure concerns about the imperial succession will ease.”
“Let’s wait and see about that.”
Kazhan brushed off Temisian’s remark, his attention stirred. Amidst the sounds of instruments, conversations, clinking glasses… and footsteps. Amidst the bustling crowd’s noise, he struggled to pinpoint Ysaris’s presence at the reception.
Her tendency to stand quietly without much movement was both an advantage and a drawback. Once he knew her initial location, she was likely to remain there for a long time without getting lost, but her quiet demeanor often led him to mistakenly overlook her.
And there she was, when he turned around, Ysaris casting her gaze into the void with an indifferent expression. As always, she stood with impeccable posture, staring straight ahead into the distance like a lifeless flower.
An alive but not living, a flower in the picture.
She used to be more active than this.
As Kazhan pretended to scan the party and briefly scrutinized Ysaris, Temisian spoke up with a puzzled expression.
“Shouldn’t you start considering your successor before it’s too late? Emperor Sunhwang had seven wives and fifteen children.”
“One more will suffice later on. After all, I’m left alone in the end.”
“Well, if that’s how you put it, I have nothing more to say.”
As the Duke remained silent in response to the tyrant who had personally killed all the others, Runellia suddenly intervened.
“I will do my best to contribute.”
“Thanks to Her Majesty the Empress, the future of the Empire looks bright.”
“In reality, it’s individuals like His Majesty the Emperor and the Duke who truly illuminate the Empire.”
“Haha, your praise is too much. Are you enjoying the reception?”
“Absolutely! The seamless transition from daytime to a completely different atmosphere in such a short time is truly admirable. Did you enlist the help of wizards?”
“Yes, through the connections I’ve made this time…”
Listening in on their conversation, Kazhan once again followed Ysaris’s demeanor. Despite momentarily being distracted by Temisian and Runellia, he was relieved to find that she hadn’t left. Her continued presence reassured him of her usual presence.
Normally, he wouldn’t be so anxious, but today, he was unusually concerned about Ysaris. This unease had persisted since the daytime event.
Was it her lack of reaction that bothered him? Or the fact that she didn’t look at him properly?
Was it because he had taken another woman as his wife?
“How do you see it, Your Majesty?”
“……”
“Your Majesty?”
“Everything……”
Kazhan, hoping she stays silent. Giving him something to ponder.
Kazhan flicked his eyebrows and absentmindedly swept his hand through his hair as a habit. “What?” he vaguely responded to the Duke’s voice.
“No, what were we talking about?”
“Well, it’s something I’ve noticed while preparing for this event. It might be beneficial to involve the wizards contracted to the royal family in the new construction projects….”
The conversation grew longer.
Instead of Runellia, who had left midway to join the gathering of young nobles, other high-ranking nobles gradually joined in the discussions. Their movements exuded an impressive aura of wealth.
Dealing with official matters made time pass quickly. In the ripe atmosphere of the feast, voices filled with laughter and chatter overflowed amidst the intoxicating drinks.
Since they were celebrating the arrival of the new bride, Kazhan didn’t need to stay here for long. Despite the Duke’s consideration suggesting he should leave early, Kazhan’s sole reason for remaining was purely because of Ysaris.
He wanted to gauge her reaction. He wanted to know what Ysaris, who tended to be more honest when dealing with others than with him, thought of today’s Empress investiture.
But…
“I missed it.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll take my leave now.”
“Your Majesty?”
Having abruptly ended the conversation, Kazhan left the bewildered nobles behind and departed. Pretending to choose food from the tables arranged along the edge of the banquet hall, he set out to find the vanished Ysaris.
* * *
Meanwhile, Ysaris received an unwelcome guest on one of the terraces of the banquet hall.
“Oh, Your Majesty the Empress, you’re here?”
