3. The Empire’s Most Popular Idol, Louis IV
This truly is a case of a single misstep leading to eternal regret. A tiny moment of negligence regarding the script has now completely blocked all my escape routes concerning this “marriage” matter!
With my handprint on the marriage certificate, and now Kephir’s added, the black and white text has been sent directly to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Of course, I could stubbornly claim it doesn’t count, but I fear that if I do, the uncle will bring the Civil Affairs Bureau over tomorrow to make me admit it.
Of course, this marriage certificate and the relationship that has already been set in stone is just the beginning.
That evening, Uncle Zerola, who had come over to mooch a meal, tossed out a few tickets: “These are tickets to the Royal Grand Theater of the Great Ying Empire. There’s a performance by the queen tomorrow, so you two can go and have a date while you’re at it.”
Nilu, who was pouring tea nearby, almost spilled it, and I was left wide-eyed in shock!
—
This kind of thing…
“I absolutely…”
Can’t agree, okay!? However, before I could finish my sentence, I keenly sensed that the “attitude” of the great Kfeier was changing with my response. For instance, right now: the great one was clearly not pleased.
There was no choice; I had to change my words on the spot.
“I simply cannot refuse.”
Kfeier was satisfied, and without saying another word to me, she blushed and continued eating. At a time like this, I couldn’t even ask Miss Nilu for help, as she seemed a bit dazed and silent herself, making it inconvenient for me to disturb her.
More importantly, if I refused, the death script would immediately pop up.
[Zerola was greatly displeased by Oujilide’s refusal and slapped him to death.]
What the heck! Is that even okay!? It’s just a date with Kfeier, right!?
So, the next day, at the Royal Grand Theater in the capital of the Great Yingtian Empire.
The Royal Grand Theater is the largest and most luxurious theater in the Great Yingtian Empire, and the performances there represent the highest standards of the empire. Such a theater is already hard to get tickets for, yet the uncle managed to get us two VIP tickets with a private room, allowing us to enjoy “personal space” during our date. It was clear that the uncle had gone to great lengths to “matchmake” us.
At this moment, I was sitting still, staring at the performance on the stage behind the transparent glass, not even daring to glance at Kfeier. Although Kfeier and I had been alone before, the atmosphere had only been slightly ambiguous. However, with this sudden change in our relationship, today’s solitude… was clearly mixed with too many chaotic vibes, leaving us both speechless.
Today’s performance was quite special; it was a solo show by Queen Louise IV of the Great Yingtian Empire. The content of the performance was somewhat inconsistent with the theatre, as the colorful magic stone lights flickered, and Louise IV, dressed in a beautiful little dress, bounced around the stage singing. The scene looked like a young idol holding a personal concert.
Even so, the script’s claim that [Louise IV is the national idol of the Great Yingtian Empire] was certainly not false. Just from the cheers that could be heard even through the glass, it was clear that Louise IV’s popularity in the Great Yingtian Empire was not much less than that of Leiti.
“To everyone in the Great Yingtian Empire, I love you all~”
As a cheerful song ended, the bouncing Louise IV made a little heart gesture with her hands, sending it out amidst the crowd’s screams. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that this little heart, along with Louise IV’s gaze, was clearly directed at the room where Kfeier and I were sitting, even aimed right at me.
This must be what a young idol is like, but the death script that Louise IV had for me in the script was a bit too much. I actually quite enjoyed this “concert,” but Kfeier, who had been just as still as I was , finally couldn’t sit still anymore.
She shifted in her seat, her body leaning over, and even without looking at me, I could feel a hint of sourness in the air.
“A national idol like the queen sending secret glances at herself is just so nice!”
“What are you getting jealous about~”
Just now, Louise IV’s strange behavior had left me completely bewildered. The script only indicated [Louise IV made a little heart gesture towards Oujilide] and [Louise IV noticed Oujilide], which were rather trivial.
“Then why were you staring at the queen for so long?”
“I was just wondering why she was holding a concert.”
Kfeier seemed quite satisfied with my answer, and the sourness in the air lessened considerably.
After a moment of thought, she said seriously, “It should be due to some major events in the royal circle recently.”
Huh?
“Of course, you wouldn’t know this, but although the queen’s reign is expected to be long-term, the upper and lower councils of the Great Yingtian Empire need to undergo a reshuffle every year. The queen has been making frequent appearances during this time to prepare for the upcoming reshuffle of the upper and lower councils of the Great Yingtian Empire.”
After saying this, Kfeier turned her head away.
Clearly, it was a date, but her mood didn’t seem as high as I had imagined.
I certainly knew the reason; it wasn’t just what the script showed—Kfeier herself wasn’t a naive sweetheart. After yesterday’s shyness, she must have realized today: my reaction to the marriage proposal yesterday.
Euclid, if you don’t want this engagement…
“I never said that!”
With just one sentence, my words sent a blush creeping up Cipher’s cheeks as she looked at me in a daze.
It was a desperate measure, though. Despite my resistance, I had already pressed my handprint, and it was rumored that the marriage certificate could be expedited today. If I were to back out now, wouldn’t it only hurt Cipher’s feelings, and wouldn’t I be abandoning the leg I had grabbed tightly?
So, I didn’t plan to back out. I would just enjoy it quietly. However, about the “engagement scene,” I still wanted to delay it as much as possible. After all, I could easily imagine: getting married today, Cipher might be waiting for me in bed tonight.
And at that time, I had a 100% confidence that I wouldn’t have the self-control. I would definitely be tempted by her body. I’m honest.
Unfortunately, with my current identity, if I rejected Cipher, I might not have the chance to enjoy anything in the future. So, I was looking for various excuses… to delay it.
And now, I suddenly thought of an excuse.
“I just hope it wouldn’t be too rushed, and you know, the next is the queen’s parliamentary reorganization, right? If we were to celebrate in a big way at this time, wouldn’t it affect the queen’s plans?”
“…”
Cipher fell silent. She wasn’t someone who would be overwhelmed with happiness the moment they received an engagement.
“I’ll definitely acknowledge the certificates, and I’ll keep them right in front of my heart.”
After all, this was my “leg certificate” for grabbing a leg, and it was far better than being a divine official, so it should be called the “leg upgrade certificate!”
I ignored the blush on Cipher’s face and continued, “But in terms of time, you should also persuade your father, who’s as anxious as a monkey.”
“…Yeah, that’s true.”
Cipher nodded, and the expression on her face gradually brightened. It was likely that she knew I wouldn’t go back on my word, so her mood also lifted up.
However, the next moment, we didn’t have time to enjoy the rare atmosphere that had finally stopped being awkward.
A person in white walked in from outside.
“Miss Cipher and Mr. Lee, are you two free?”
“The queen’s concert will soon be over, and she hopes to meet the two of you secretly when you return from the Rosia Empire.”