Chapter 316: I Already Have A Wife
Rita looked at Kiana with a soft, gentle smile and continued:
"After that incident, the late emperor—who once had high hopes for Lady Kiana—stopped grooming her as the imperial heir. Perhaps in his eyes, someone destined to rule couldn't afford to be so naïve and softhearted."
"It was also around that time that Lady Kiana began dedicating herself to land reclamation and commercial development. For ten straight years, she worked tirelessly to increase crop yields and ensure that grain flowed through the empire's trade routes. Thanks to her, we avoided multiple crises that might have escalated into full-blown famines."
"At the same time, I never once saw her waste a single grain of food. Her appetite is enormous, and her dining arrangements are often quite extravagant. But no matter how much food is served, she always finishes every last bite—as if she'd rather lick the plates clean than leave even a scrap behind."
Rita gazed at the sleeping Kiana with fondness, while also subtly observing Sigurd's expression.
She couldn't help but sigh inwardly, disappointed.
Still no reaction. Not even a flicker of emotion.
Was His Majesty truly so cold that even such beauty and genuine kindness couldn't stir him in the slightest?
Durandal looked at Kiana's sleeping face, her thoughts utterly transformed.
The woman she once thought frivolous and unreliable… now felt entirely different.
After a long silence, Durandal bowed respectfully.
"Lady Kiana… what immense virtue."
Zhuge Kongming, meanwhile, stroked her chin in sudden self-doubt.
'Wait… if Grandpa chose me to be the crown princess instead of her… does that mean he thought I was colder? Less kind?'
Just as she was beginning to spiral, Rita gently tapped her shoulder.
Zhuge Kongming looked up and blinked in confusion.
Rita didn't say anything. She only shifted her gaze meaningfully toward Sigurd, then toward Kiana—her eyes glinting with subtle implication.
Zhuge Kongming stared for a beat… and then suddenly stood up with a serious expression, giving Sigurd a deep and formal bow.
"Your Majesty, the matter of Huodou concerns the very foundation of our nation. The three of us must conduct thorough strategic discussions to address it. As it's late, and tomorrow's duties await, may we be excused to work on this matter further tonight?"
"Also," she added quickly, "with Lady Senti and Lady Fu Hua's deep knowledge of Taoist arts and martial discipline, their insight would be invaluable. If we could request their assistance—?"
"Approved. Senti will go with you. As for Fu Hua, you'll have to find her yourselves," Sigurd replied with a wave.
And so, the group quickly left the hall.
At that moment, Kiana's eyelids twitched slightly.
Silence fell over the palace once more.
Sigurd leaned back in his throne and slowly closed his eyes, seeming ready to take a brief nap right then and there.
But just then, the curled-up Kiana on the desk suddenly rolled over in her sleep, fumbling clumsily at her collar and pulling open her white sleeves. The black fabric over her chest shifted down as well, revealing a red dudou—a traditional Chinese undergarment—stretched tight over her ample curves.
"Mmm… so hot…"
She mumbled incoherently, her tone dazed and unintentional. There was no deliberate seduction in her voice—Kiana simply wasn't the type who could fake that sort of thing.
Still, the scene itself… was plenty suggestive.
The temperature in the room instantly plummeted.
Around the desk where she lay, the air grew so cold it nearly froze.
"Tch—"
"Achoo!!"
Kiana suddenly pulled her clothes back on, instinctively wrapping herself tight. After a loud sneeze, her eyes fluttered open.
And there, she met Sigurd's gaze—calm, emotionless, and as still as a deep lake.
Sigurd: "…"
Kiana: "…"
The atmosphere instantly shifted from vaguely romantic to unbearably awkward.
"…Uh. Your Majesty… why am I here? What happened? What time is it?"
"You woke up when Rita was talking. Based on your hormone levels and blood flow patterns, the alcohol should've worn off."
"Ugh…"
Sigurd's tone was calm.
No desire.
No anger.
And precisely because of that, Kiana—harboring all kinds of guilty thoughts—felt her entire face heat up. She covered her face with both hands, wishing she could just roll off the desk and disappear.
Sigurd folded his arms and spoke slowly, his voice calm and deliberate:
"Let me guess—shall I tell you what you, Kongming, and Rita are silently plotting together?"
Kiana: "…"
"From the bits and pieces you've picked up in daily conversation, you've all concluded that I'll be leaving eventually—and not too far off. So, for the sake of the empire's stability, you're now all thinking about one thing: how to make me stay. Or, failing that, how to ensure a smooth transition of supreme power."
"From the perspective of a traditional imperial monarchy, the best method is simple: establish a legitimate heir."
Kiana: "…"
"Many of the empire's traditions have already been reformed, but the core concept of a hereditary monarchy—of bloodline succession—can't be shaken too suddenly. If it is, the entire structure's legitimacy will crumble. That being the case, once I leave, neither you nor Zhuge Kongming, as members of the old royal family, are suitable candidates for the throne. At least not directly—doing so would cause unrest."
"On the other hand, the new dynasty is still in its early days, and the influence of the old royal family hasn't completely faded. Your current political power, yours and Zhuge Kongming's, still stems from your former status."
"So in this transitional phase, the ideal heir would be someone born from both bloodlines—mine, and the old royal family's. Such a child would be the most legitimate symbol of unity. Even if it were just a baby, that child would naturally be accepted by all once I'm gone. With the four of you around to guide them, power could pass on smoothl—"
Before Sigurd could finish, Kiana had already leapt to her feet, one hand clutching her shirt, the other tugging at her hair. Her face turned scarlet as she shouted:
"Can't you just consider that I actually like you?!"
Sigurd shook his head without hesitation.
"I'm not some kind of universal treasure. Even gold isn't loved by everyone. We've only known each other a short while, and I've made a point to keep my distance and communicate with you respectfully. There's no reason for you to fall for me."
"Let's be honest: what you all want is a child that carries both my blood and the royal lineage. It could be you… or even Zhuge Kongming—by old-world standards, a twelve-year-old princess is still 'eligible.'"
"And if we follow traditional imperial logic—three wives and six concubines, spreading the royal seed across the land—your true goal is probably to have as many heirs as possible. I'm telling you now: give it up."
Kiana exploded:
"You—! FINE! I admit it, okay?! Rita talked me into it! You were right about most of it!"
"But I'm not that easy, alright?! I've lived this long and never once had feelings for any man! If I didn't think you looked decent, why the hell would I even consider offering myself?!"
Sigurd remained unmoved.
"Then don't. Giving up is the best choice for you."
"First of all, we're fundamentally different beings. Your physical makeup isn't capable of bearing a child with someone like me. It's biologically impossible."
"Second, I already have a wife. I'm not interested in getting involved with anyone else."
"And third, even if I did have a child, I wouldn't want to trap them in a world as limited as this one. I'd take them with me when I leave. So, I'm going to bed. Do as you wish."
With that, Sigurd turned and left the great hall.
He glanced up at the starry sky and shook his head, speechless.
Seriously, if they're that worried he'll leave, why not just grow up and adjust the system already?
Make the damn monarchy more flexible. If all else fails, just pick an orphan and use them as a public figurehead. As long as the core team works hard and gets the Central Core functioning properly, they'd be fine recognizing that child as heir.
As long as the insiders all agree, who could even question the heir's legitimacy?
There are plenty of workable options. But no—they just had to go for the one that involves lusting after his body. Are they out of their minds?!
He already has a wife. Three, actually. Taking care of them properly is already a logistical nightmare—don't make it worse.
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