The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 0.2

As Enki had said, around the time the autumn harvest ended, he led the army towards the border.

He mentioned that he would return by the end of the year, at the latest before the snow fell. When snow arrived, movement became difficult, and it was a long-standing tradition to call for a ceasefire.

With a sigh, Getsuran gently stroked her now large belly.

Whether this was fortunate or not, her doting father had been stationed at the royal palace for the last two months, so the news of her pregnancy hadn’t gotten out. Until now, her loose clothing had hidden it, but from here on, it would no longer be possible to keep it a secret.

Now, what should she do? Getsuran wondered, softly rubbing her swollen belly.

“Miss.”

Her thoughts were interrupted by the older maid who had served her since childhood.

“What is it, Rakuka?”

When Getsuran turned around, the maid was holding a cup of tea with a stern expression. It was growing colder as the night deepened, so the maid must have brought it to her.

“We can’t stay like this forever,” Rakuka muttered as she set the teacup on the table.

Here it goes again, Getsuran thought, furrowing her brow slightly.

Rakuka’s scolding had become a daily occurrence lately. Getsuran understood well the reasons behind it, so she decided to remain silent and listen.

“What are you planning to do…?” Rakuka asked with a sigh this time.

“I’m not doing nothing,” Getsuran replied, puffing out her lips while holding the teacup with both hands to warm her fingers. Rakuka’s gaze grew sharp, and she clenched her fists, leaning forward.

“If you were thinking, you wouldn’t have ended up with such a belly!”

Getsuran had no words to counter that.

Rakuka had been like a mother to Getsuran since her own mother had passed away when she was young. Everything a mother would normally do for her daughter, Rakuka had done for her.

That was why Rakuka deeply lamented that her beloved Getsuran had given herself to her lover without following the proper steps, and ended up pregnant. Getsuran wasn’t so shallow that she didn’t understand Rakuka’s feelings, but she wasn’t the type to easily apologize or show contrition either.

After drinking half of her tea, Getsuran sighed.

“Rakuka.”

She placed her hand gently over Rakuka’s trembling fist.

“It was wrong to not follow the proper order. That’s true, and I admit that it was my fault. But… Enki and I, our hearts are always one. We want to live together.”

“Miss…”

“I know I did something wrong, and I truly regret it. But, you understand, don’t you? It happened this way because my father was so stubborn.”

Getsuran spoke earnestly, and though Rakuka didn’t say anything, Getsuran knew she was nodding inside.

The next ruler of the Ryuu Kingdom was Enki’s older brother, Enryou.

Getsuran’s father had always intended for her to marry the crown prince.

Enryou already had a wife. Even though Getsuran knew that marrying him would only make her a secondary wife, that primary wife had passed away about four years ago. She had been exhausted from childbirth and was forced into sexual service that very night, dying in her chamber.

Yet her father was still insisting that she marry such a cruel man, even if it meant separating her from the one she had loved since childhood, Enki.

Rakuka also mourned for her, and though Enryou’s position as the crown prince was powerful, Rakuka opposed sending Getsuran to such a ruthless man.

Getsuran had persistently refused, always demanding that her marriage to Enki be acknowledged. Even though her words weren’t enough, Enki had visited many times, asking for permission, but nothing had changed.

Finally, last spring, it had been decided that if Enki could prove himself in battle and be recognized as a capable man who could protect Getsuran, then the marriage would be allowed.

After that promise, Enki had fought in a few small battles, but they were deemed too insignificant to be called achievements. As a result, the promise was broken, and Getsuran, unable to wait any longer, ran to him, which led to this situation.

Looking down at her swollen belly, Getsuran quietly sighed.

Originally, she had planned to tell her father once she found out she was pregnant, but perhaps it had been a mistake to first inform Enki. After that, she missed her chances, and as her belly grew, she knew she couldn’t hide it for much longer. Just as she was about to tell her father, a war broke out with a neighboring country, and her father had been stationed at the palace for over two months, completely losing the opportunity to speak.

Her baby would be born soon. What would happen then?
As she stroked her belly, she noticed the noise outside growing louder.

Something must have happened. As both Getsuran and Rakuka turned towards the door, it was suddenly flung open.

“…Father?!”

Her father, shoulders stiff with anger, entered the room and immediately raised his hand.

“You—what a foolish girl!”

It was the first time her father had slapped her. Stunned by the pain and shock, Getsuran stared blankly at her father, whose face was dark with rage.

“Getting pregnant before marriage… What kind of thing is this! Have you no shame?”

He shouted angrily, his breath ragged, before kneeling down, crying in anguish.

Getsuran straightened up with Rakuka’s support and silently watched her father.

Someone must have told him about her pregnancy. He must have hurried home after hearing about it.

She felt a pang of guilt. If someone else had told him that his only daughter was in this situation, the shock would have been immense. It was no wonder he hit her.

Getsuran quietly placed her hands together and bowed deeply.

“Father, your anger is completely justified. It was my own thoughtlessness that caused this. I don’t know what to say, but please, forgive me.”

Her father remained silent.

After a while, he let out a heavy sigh and raised his face, grabbing her hand with his much thinner hand than the last time she had seen him.

“Run.”

He spoke sharply, pulling her to her feet.

“Wait, Father?” Getsuran looked at him, confused, as he grabbed a hairpin case and turned towards the door.

“The crown prince has found out about your pregnancy.”

His words were short, but they didn’t need any more explanation.

It meant that Enryou, who had often been discussed as the man she might marry, had learned that someone had already taken her. Given Enryou’s pride and selfishness, it was clear how he would react to this—especially if it was Enki’s doing.

And horrifyingly, Enryou had the power to act as he wished without consequence.

Getsuran’s face turned pale, but she quickly steadied herself. She followed her father’s instructions, wrapping herself in silks that could be sold, putting on every possible ornament, and tucking valuables into her clothes, preparing to leave with only the minimum essentials.

When she was ready, her father called out, and soon Swor appeared.

“You understand the situation, right?”

Swor nodded silently in response.

“Protect Getsuran. Just as your name says.”

Swor nodded again and quickly stood up, grabbing Getsuran’s hand.