The Kidnapped Marriage of the Empress Who Turned Back Time.

**Chapter 3**

While the weak seventh prince became the crown prince and prepared to take the throne, the alliance between Biantica and Zacador fell apart.

With ongoing wars and conflicts, Eliano’s position became uncertain.

“What nonsense is this? The crown princess is here!”

Supporters who had been with Marcel since Lingsgen strongly opposed the idea of making the Duke of Bain’s daughter the empress.

They remembered how Eliano helped her husband become emperor.

“She can’t have children! You need to think about an heir!”

“How dare you say such lies! Her miscarriage was because of poisoning, not because she can’t have kids!”

“Still, we can’t let Biantica’s bloodline mix with Zacador’s royal family!”

Even as Marcel was about to become king after winning the succession battle, nobles pressured him to choose a wife who would be better for politics, saying he needed the Duke of Bain’s support.

Marcel, however, firmly refused.
“Are you suggesting I break my promise?”

When Marcel married Eliano Rosana, he vowed to have no other wives besides her.

“Do you want to make me look dishonorable? What will people say about me?”

“But, Your Highness—”

Marcel’s blue eyes grew cold, and his voice was sharp.
“Have you forgotten? The late empress chose me because of Eliano. You now ask me to betray her wishes? I will not do such a disgraceful thing.”

Eliano sacrificed a lot for her husband, even giving up her Biantican identity to become a Zacadorian when he became crown prince.

This decision led to harsh criticism from Biantica’s crown prince.

“Did you leave your homeland just to become Zacador’s empress? Your ambition is too much, just like a traitor from the Rosana family!”

As the alliance between the two nations fell apart, Biantica and Zacador became enemies.

Zacadorian nobles were angry at the insult aimed at their crown princess, but Eliano remained unfazed.

The shy Rosana princess was gone.

She coldly responded,
“How weak must their prince be if the old emperor continues to rule? He’ll stay a crown prince until he dies.”

Though she seemed indifferent, her heart hurt from her homeland’s scorn.

Eliano never wanted to be empress, but at some point, that changed—not out of ambition but love.

Her love for her husband gave her purpose. But over time, she started to feel that his love wasn’t the same.

“Lia, I’ll soon be emperor. Do you want to be empress?”

The question hurt her. Shouldn’t the role of empress belong to her? Still, she tried to convince herself that her husband loved her.

“Yes, I do.”

“Why?”

The question stung.

“Because I love you. How can you ask me to be anything less than your wife?”

Coming from a place where monogamy is the norm, she couldn’t understand sharing her husband.

To her, any woman besides the empress was just a mistress.

Marcel’s aides tried to convince her.
“Your Highness, being empress isn’t the only honorable position. Consorts also have dignity, and their children can become heirs.”

But Eliano shot back with sharp words.

“Do you think I’m ignorant because I’m Biantican? My husband, born of a consort, was looked down upon until our marriage. Only then was he truly recognized as a prince!”

When the room cleared and left them alone, Eliano said,
“I am the daughter of the noble Rosana family of Biantica. I didn’t marry you to be a mistress.”

Her boldness left Marcel speechless. Though she knew her words might be seen as ambitious, Eliano couldn’t bear the thought of sharing her husband.

After some thought, Marcel spoke.
“Lia, consorts are not mistresses. I explained this before—”

Eliano interrupted.
“But they aren’t queens either. If I can’t be your empress, send me back to Biantica.”

Despite her normally gentle nature, she made her stance clear.

Eventually, Eliano was successful in her efforts, and she was crowned Zacador’s empress.

She bore the weight of the title with determination.

But one day, Marcel spoke gravely to her.
“Lia, I need a consort who can support me. I’ll take the Duke of Bain’s daughter as my first consort.”

Though her heart ached, Eliano kept her composure.
“I understand. Do as you must.”

Her words were calm, but inside, she burned with anguish.

Sharing her husband went against everything she believed in. But love and duty demanded her compliance.

When the new consort, Elizabeth of Bain, arrived, Eliano greeted her with grace.

“Welcome. I hope your new home suits you well.”

Elizabeth, visibly pleased, replied,
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

Outwardly kind, Eliano struggled internally.

Over time, she hardened herself, suppressing her emotions.

As Marcel’s court expanded with more consorts, Eliano took it upon herself to counter their families’ growing influence, believing it was her duty as empress. But Marcel became more and more bitter.

“Lia, you are getting too involved in politics.”

“How can you call me empress while criticizing my actions?”

Their arguments grew more frequent.

Though Marcel claimed his actions were for the empire’s good, Eliano saw his love slipping away.

Still, she clung to her duty and her love for him, asking herself silently,
“Do you still love me as I love you?”