Starting a Reversal in Life From the Time of Release

27 – Into the Palace of the Reversed World (2)

It wasn’t the first time she had been on a ship for work. She had traveled by various types of vessels, from luxury cruises for security assignments to motorboats and ordinary ships. She had been on many boats.

But she had never ridden a ship made of processed wood, heading to a distant place, like she was doing now.

A ship that moved forward while swaying.

Seagulls and a clear sky.

And even the blue sea.

Just by looking at the scenery, one could feel overwhelmed to the point of speechlessness.

However, I was feeling dizzy and nauseous from motion sickness at the back of the boat.

The rocking was much more intense than the boat I had previously been on, making me feel even more nauseous.

When I breathed in the sea breeze outside, it felt refreshing and soothing to my nose, but being inside was a different story…

“Are you okay?”

With my eyes closed, I was trying to calm my insides when Mari approached and asked.

“I’m fine because I’m outside. Thank you for your concern.”

“It’s a relief… If I had known it would be like this, I would have brought some herbs for motion sickness.”

“Oh? Is there such a thing?”

As I opened my eyes, Mari nodded and replied.

“Yes, there is. It’s bitter, but it has a nice aroma, and if you chew on a root, you’ll feel fine for two days.”

“Is it expensive?”

“No? Many sailors use it, and even passengers on the boat use it. So it’s easy to come by.”

I had completely forgotten about it.

Listening to Mari’s explanation, it made my mouth water. It felt like I had just chewed on the described herb.

I had thoughtlessly overlooked this and ended up in this state.

“I’ll definitely buy it next time.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I underestimated the situation.”

Mari sat down next to me, apologizing with a hint of guilt on her face.

“It’s my fault. I thought the boats I’ve been on and this one were the same.”

“It’s frustrating, isn’t it?”

Mari sighed as she looked at the floor, and I felt the same.

There was nothing to say, so we just sighed to alleviate the frustration.

In that moment, Mari suddenly wrapped her arms around my shoulder and hugged me tightly.

Her strength was unexpected, and I felt myself being pulled in.

“I’m sorry. This is all I can do for now.”

Although I had crossed my arms before, being held like this was a first.

It was embarrassing, and at the same time, my heart felt relieved.

It was a strange feeling.

“Thank you.”

I couldn’t remember the last time I had been embraced by someone else.

As I closed my eyes slowly, the bracing sea breeze brushed my cheek.

Fortunately, since then, I had the leisure to look around and converse with the crew.

Perhaps it was their frugal long-sleeved clothing, but the fabric showed enough contours.

I wondered if it was the nature of the imperial people or if it was because of their good food and rest.

Curious about this, I asked Maria, and she replied, “That’s the average. Why, is it strange?”

After hearing her answer, I pondered it carefully. The people on the pier, or those I had glimpsed, all had tall and distinct figures.

Men had what could be considered an average physique, but for some reason, they seemed more slender than the women.

Of course, there were men like that on Earth as well, but it wasn’t as common as it seemed to be here.

Perhaps the gender ratio here was 7 women to 3 men, I thought.

“No, that’s enough for today. The child is coming.”

The bedroom of the Galia Empire’s capital, the Royal Palace.

Alberto let out a sigh as he looked at the Emperor Anastasia, who was on his ship.

A mad week on White Back Island.

Even after that, he had been pushing himself every day, to the point where he had no time to spare.

It seemed like his eldest daughter, Charlotte, was now handling most of the country’s affairs.

And the reason for that wasn’t due to her good health or high energy, but simply for the sake of bearing children.

Alberto was on the verge of giving up.

“Producing many offspring is the duty of the nobility. So, you should make an effort when you have the time.”

While having many children increased the likelihood of power struggles among them, it also increased the chance of passing on the family lineage.

For example, if he had only one child to inherit the lineage, and that child was assassinated…

“Shall we erase the secret message painted on the boat and speak openly?”

Since calling her by her nickname didn’t break her stubbornness, I must cut the roots of the justification altogether.

With that determination, Alberto pointed to the tattoo engraved on Anya’s sturdy lower arm.

It was a secret spell cast by the palace magician for clandestine contraception.

“Ahem…”

Contraception contradicts the Emperor’s statement that one should have many offspring.

The Emperor, aware of this, coughed as if he understood.

It was clearly due to his greed.

“Well, first, I should change my clothes…”

The Emperor subtly hinted as he surreptitiously descended from Alberto’s boat.

Alberto responded with a wry smile, rising to his feet.

“I will help you.”

“Thank you.”

Although the palace attendants would have assisted, he could manage dressing on his own.

Fanciful dresses might have posed a challenge, but the uniform was comfortable enough to wear.

Alberto recalled a past incident as he dressed the Emperor in a black uniform from the wardrobe.

A crack, falling into the gate, wandering around the city of Gyeonggi.

“Oh, when did that child say they would arrive?”

The Emperor asked, smoothing out his clothing.

Alberto already knew exactly when they would arrive, but it was simply a question thrown in for the sake of conversation.

“In the afternoon, or perhaps around evening, they said they would arrive.”

“Along with the man who supposedly lives in the other world?”

“Of course, that must be the case.”

Thinking of the faces of the two men and women who would spend time together, Alberto replied.

Although Yu Si-hu might not hold a high status here, he was more than suitable to be his daughter’s partner.

His abilities were indeed commendable, but his character was sufficient just by looking at it.

Not given to indulgence or nervousness like other noble young men.

“Is she pregnant?”

“Well… how would I know that? However, it’s not entirely unlikely. It won’t be a distant tale, at least.”

Without hesitation, they left the conversation, heading into the bedroom, sharing quite intimate stories.

As a man with discerning eyes, he had always thought he would live a lifetime alone.

A man from a different world, even brought by benefactor Alberto.

The emperor thought that her daughter was fortunate in many ways.

It might be difficult to succeed the throne, but she wasn’t interested in it herself, so she could freely engage in her activities.

Blessed with wealth.

And the luck to bring a man.

“Mother, father, have you come?”

As the couple entered the restaurant side by side, a woman with long braided golden hair politely lowered her head.

She was not generously endowed, wearing a silver dress that clung to her body.

The woman was named Charlotte Elizabeth and would someday be the one to follow the emperor.

“Yes, have a seat.”

When Anastasia gestured, her daughter Charlotte sat quietly in her place.

Alberto tried to sit in a place where he could face Charlotte, but he failed.

It was because of Anastasia’s compulsion that he ended up sitting next to her.

“Can you do the work?”

As plates of food were placed one by one on the table, about halfway through the meal.

The emperor slyly picked up his glass.

Even in Charlotte’s cold expression, there was an even greater chill.

In the presence of the emperor, she comfortably referred to him as “Mother” and “Father” just like Anastasia.

Even in the presence of the emperor, the education policy was such that using the term “Mama” among family members would create a rift.

“Thanks to you, Mother has taken excellent care of me.”

“Sorry…”

With a voice full of sarcasm, the emperor lowered his head as if to say that he had no face.

He handed over the royal duties for the selfish reason of spending personal time with Alberto.

“I understand. Please return to your seat quickly and do your work. Then I will forget the complaints I’ve held.”

Charlotte tried to forgive the emperor, who was trembling with a stiff expression.

“Well, what I mean is…”

“Why? Do you want to say that it’s still not enough?”

Because the emperor was stammering and trying to say something else, he furrowed his brow.

“Ahem! As you know, your father…”

“Mother! It’s been several months! It’s only appropriate to congratulate Father for his return, and I understand the emotions that have built up in your heart during this time!”

When Charlotte got angry, the emperor fell silent instead of speaking.

His demeanor was so lacking in majesty that it made one wonder if he was truly the emperor.

He slouched, almost as if caught red-handed, right down to his shoulders.

“Several months! You’ve been indulging yourself for several months without even attending to state affairs, and you still find it insufficient… Is that what you’re saying?”

“This child is right. Even the Lady should consider attending to state affairs now. It won’t be long before she can’t perform her marital duties.”

Anastasia was still only forty-one. While that wasn’t a young age by the standards of this continent, it wasn’t considered old either. Some nobles continued to manage their fiefs effectively even past their seventies. Unless her health was poor, there was no reason to completely neglect state affairs at this point.

Ultimately, Anastasia had no justification to abdicate the throne.

Furthermore, as Alberto held her hand and gently persuaded her, Anastasia sighed as if there were no other option.

“…Sigh. Fine. There’s no helping it. I’ll return to my duties starting tomorrow. You’ve endured enough for today.”

“Is that really the case?”

Upon hearing the relieved response, Charlotte’s cold expression blossomed into a smile. She knew that someday she would inherit the throne, but she didn’t want to be burdened with it this early. That’s why she could only accept the emperor’s decision.

“I’m truly relieved.”

“Well… The other girls would prefer to do as they please with their fiefs and countries as they wish… My daughter is quite unique, even though she’s my own.”

“Because I inherited Mother’s blood.”

“I have no words for that.”

Anastasia knew better than anyone that she was unique. Therefore, Charlotte’s short response felt logical and firm.

“Oh, by the way, I heard that Mari is returning. She even said she’s bringing her fiancé.”

As the conversation came to an end, Charlotte brought up another topic. She had gathered a lot of information while serving the emperor for a short time, and information about her younger sister Mari was one of them.

“Yes, he’s a fine young man.”

Alberto praised Yushifu with an indifferent tone.

No one at the dining table was unaware of Alberto’s return.

Although the majority believed the false excuse of coming back from a distant immigrant land as the truth, they were not among them.

“It’s a shame. I even thought about giving him a chance to be called a good man…”

Unlike Marie, Charlotte had a calm personality, but she had a deep and sensual nature that resembled the emperor.

Moreover, being at the pinnacle of a matriarchal society, she was subtly assertive.

So, with a somewhat disappointed expression, she finished the remaining dish.