Epilogue

That night, among the maids gathered in one room, hoping for the Princess’s beautiful first night, one who couldn’t resist hunger went to the kitchen and returned with a strange story.

“They say Duke Dreikan has taken a vacation!”

“…Vacation?”

“Yes, for a whole month.”

He was famous for never taking a break since becoming Captain of the Imperial Knights. For Duke Dreikan to suddenly leave the palace for a month… The maids who knew of his relationship with Eileen fell silent. One thought for a moment and spoke.

“Maybe he was hurt by the Princess’s wedding?”

“Could be. Having to send the one you love to another man must be painful. And he attended the wedding and watched until the end.”

“I wouldn’t want to stay in the capital either. Just seeing the palace would remind me of the Princess.”

Others nodded in agreement, adding their thoughts. They guessed the Duke must have left the capital for a while, and one maid even teared up, unable to imagine Leios’s feelings.

Only Marianne kept a strange expression and stayed silent.

“But why did they suddenly decide to stay at Rozalian Palace? The Princess was supposed to stay at Ruby Palace after marriage. I heard His Majesty even announced it to the nobles.”

“I hadn’t heard anything different until this morning. Does anyone know what happened?”

They sat together, enjoying small treats and talking. Elisa, who had first accompanied Eileen to Rozalian Palace, raised her hand.

“I’m not sure, but I heard something from the steward.”

“What?”

“There are a lot of people in the palace. Since they’re not traveling to celebrate, His Highness wanted them to spend time somewhere quiet.”

“His Highness, or the Grand Duke?”

“That’s what I heard.”

The maids nodded, accepting the explanation. Other nobles also traveled for two weeks to a month after marriage to enjoy their honeymoon. Eileen had hoped for such a trip, but the Empire’s situation had worsened.

Princess Elizabeta from Hyksar said a young prince had died, and warned that Kallian was not safe even in Staerfix. So, for safety, their honeymoon trip was postponed indefinitely.

“Well, Rozalian Palace is on the outskirts, so it’s quite peaceful.”

“How many days will their nights last? Surely they aren’t sleeping separately after just one night?”

“Hmm, who knows.”

The maids shrugged, only Marianne knew how far things had really progressed between Kallian and Eileen. Watching the situation, Marianne stood first.

“I’m tired, I’ll go to bed. I’ll take care of them in the morning, so you all get some rest.”

“Aw, Marianne! But it’s the Princess’s wedding celebration…”

“It’s fine. We didn’t get official leave anyway.”

At Marianne’s cool words, the others pouted, but she left for her room. She glanced up at the floor where the bridal chamber was and sighed.

Could it be…

“Duke Dreikan isn’t up there, is he?”

With her uncanny intuition, she hoped she was wrong. If she was right, it meant Eileen was accepting two men… Even if there was no pain, could the frail Princess endure? Wasn’t this a bit much?

Marianne shook her head and walked off, unaware she’d be summoned by the newly-titled Grand Duke in the morning.

* * *

When Eileen awoke, it didn’t take long to realize she was alone in bed. Last night, she was sure both Leios and Kallian had been there. As she blinked and tried to get up, a fierce muscle ache tormented her body.

“Huuuh. Ouch.”

It seemed last night was not a dream. She’d never felt such pain before. So, where were the two men? As Eileen forced herself up, both the inner and outer doors opened, and the two men entered from opposite sides. The inner door led to the bath, the outer to the corridor. Leios, fresh from the shower, approached in a bathrobe, while Kallian, casually dressed, pushed a large tray into the room. The smell of breakfast quickly filled the air.

Sniffing, Eileen’s stomach, exhausted from last night, began to rumble.

“You’re awake, Eileen.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Ugh, Leios…”

Leios helped Eileen, who was struggling, by lifting her and placing her arm around his neck, then carrying her in one motion. Eileen, surprised, said nothing, and Kallian nodded, speaking.

“Seat her here, Duke. I brought breakfast and medicine.”

Following Kallian’s instructions, Leios seated her at the small table in the sitting room connected to the bedroom. Unable to sit up straight, Eileen slumped, giving up on posture and leaning back. Not only her waist, but her legs trembled.

With her stomach growling, Eileen worried the sound might escape, but seeing the two men naturally preparing breakfast, she spoke in a hoarse voice.

“So, what exactly is going on…?”

“I told you yesterday. I invited the Duke.”

“But why… Leios, what about your knights?”

Eileen looked for an explanation, but instead, a spoonful of corn soup was held before her mouth. Eileen, puzzled, opened her mouth, and Kallian smiled, resting his chin on his hand.

“Eat first, Eileen. For you to enjoy your honeymoon, your health is most important.”

“Please, Eileen.”

The sweet smell of corn soup made her stomach rumble, so Eileen took a bite and chewed. The two men watched her with gentle but intense gazes, which was awkward, but hunger won out.

“Now, listen while you eat. The Duke and I made an agreement.”

“Mm, agreement?”

“After you bear the Grand Duke’s child and safely give birth, you and I will have our wedding.”

Had they already discussed things to that extent? Eileen blinked, surprised. The breakfast was also prepared for three.

Yesterday, when Kallian said he had personally invited Leios here, Eileen had been so flustered that she could barely process it. Now, looking back, it seemed everything had been carefully planned.

“Did everyone know except me? How could you prepare a meal for three…?”

“No, not at all. I brought this meal myself. The only ones who know Leios is here are the three of us and your maid, Marianne. Officially, the Duke is said to be on vacation to soothe his heart after losing his beloved Princess to me. Of course, I gave that excuse to your brother, King Adrian.”

“Marianne knows…?”

“I called Marianne this morning and told her separately. We needed at least one person to look after you and help.”

If Marianne knew, then she must also know Eileen spent her first night in a scandalous way with two men. Eileen’s face flushed, and Leios chuckled, cutting her favorite lamb and poking it with a fork before holding it out for her. With no choice but to accept, Eileen chewed and swallowed a few bites, then replied with a sulky expression.

“Then you could have told me first. Do you know how shocked I was, both of you?”

“But there was no other way. I, for one, wasn’t even allowed to enter Ruby Palace.”

“That’s right. None of us could see you. Even the groom was forbidden to meet you until the wedding day. The security at Ruby Palace was so strict, you wouldn’t believe it.”

That was true. Eileen remembered the palace had been closed off for a while to protect the bride. She understood their excuses, but forgiving them in her heart was another matter.

“So, are you two going to stay with me today as well…?”

“We’ll stay by your side.”

“I-I was really exhausted!”

Eileen protested, but Leios gently wiped the sauce from her mouth with a napkin.

“Then should I leave, Eileen?”

“…That’s—!”

“I won’t do anything you dislike. The only reason I’m here with the Grand Duke is to share love with you.”

“Leios…”

Eileen heard the deep affection in his quiet voice and called his name. Last night, when Leios said he would leave if she wished, it was Eileen who held him back.

“I feel the same way, Eileen.”

“Kallian…?”

“I don’t know what you think of me, but I love you too.”

With both men confessing their feelings, Eileen’s face turned red.

“If you don’t want this, our honeymoon ends here.”

“T-that’s not it!”

“Then?”

“I—I like both of you…”

The only problem was that last night’s passion had been so intense, the aftereffects were serious. Still, she couldn’t forget the pleasure of those repeated climaxes. She didn’t dislike either Kallian’s or Leios’s touch. In fact, she liked them both too much.

“So, just don’t push me too hard…”

“You mean you like it?”

“I do, Eileen.”

As Kallian and Leios spoke to her in their own ways, Eileen, too embarrassed to say more, quietly nodded. That was the perfect agreement. Seeing her so lovely, both men smiled gently.

“Let’s finish breakfast, then. Eileen, you especially need to eat well.”

“That’s right. Go ahead.”

Eileen laughed freely at the sight of the two men competing to bring her food.

* * *

The fact that Eileen von Staerfix had spent over a week of her honeymoon confined to her room reached Adrian’s ears. Of course, the detail that there were two men inside remained secret. Adrian hoped Eileen would quickly conceive an heir, and the news spread to Rozalian Palace.

After that, Eileen continued the act of conceiving an heir. Though the three spent time together, it was only Kallian who sowed the seed inside her, so there was no risk of trouble.

Thus, the three continued to whisper of eternal love.

Every night. Very secretly.

– the end.