Chapter 15
"The game is simple: two players per team. Defeat the other two sides and the game ends!"
"Then how do we pair up?"
"There are four factions and over twenty identities total. The game divides them based on the number of players. With six of us, that makes three factions."
Hearing that, Nino immediately flipped over her character card.
A beautifully dressed girl wearing a crown appeared before her eyes.
Nino placed a hand on her hip, closed her eyes smugly, and waved the card triumphantly.
"Heh heh, I drew the Empress!"
The others checked their cards too.
Ichika was the High Priestess, Miku the Knight Commander, May the Archmage.
When it was Yotsuba's turn, she stared at her card in disbelief.
General's Wife? What kind of role is that?!
Before she could say anything, the scene shifted again.
Yotsuba found herself in an elegantly decorated ancient bedroom.
Intricate wooden carvings adorned the walls, beautiful red paper-cut decorations everywhere.
Red silk draped the room, creating a festive atmosphere.
Just as she was taking it all in, the door opened.
Several cute maidservants rushed in.
"My lady, what are you doing just standing there? Today is your wedding day!"
Yotsuba blinked in confusion.
Wedding? I thought we were playing a game…
And who are you people calling me "my lady"?
Before she could protest, the maids began dressing and styling her.
In the mirror, her school uniform vanished.
In its place: a phoenix crown, flowing red bridal gown, exquisite embroidery, and dazzling jewelry.
She looked like a living painting.
Yotsuba stared, entranced.
Is that really me…?
Then, like a puppet on strings, she followed the maids' guidance onto the bridal sedan chair.
The game kindly gave her a full panoramic view of the wedding.
Red lanterns hung throughout the grand courtyard; female musicians played joyful tunes.
A mile-long procession with lavish dowry stretched down the street.
Citizens in ancient attire lined the roads, offering sincere blessings.
In that moment, Yotsuba felt completely lost in the fantasy.
Every girl dreams of her wedding—and Yotsuba was no exception.
But she'd never imagined anything this dreamlike.
She forgot it was just a game, fully immersed heart and soul.
Finally, the groom appeared.
Yotsuba's eyes widened in surprise.
Silver crown, jade belt at his waist, long hair casually draped over his shoulders.
The vermilion groom's robe perfectly highlighted his flawless figure—clean, bright, and striking.
Is that still Ye Yu? He's way too handsome.
For some reason, memories of their childhood encounter resurfaced.
Today… we're getting married?
Under the gaze of countless NPCs, Yotsuba—filled with complicated emotions—completed the wedding ceremony with Ye Yu.
Then she was carried into the bridal chamber.
Ye Yu approached slowly.
Looking at his veiled bride, he felt deeply satisfied.
He gently lifted the red veil.
Yotsuba's shy, breathtaking face appeared.
"This game is insanely realistic!"
Yotsuba's cheeks burned as she glanced at him awkwardly.
She knew full well that the man before her was her sister's boyfriend.
In other words—her brother-in-law!
"My lady, a spring night is worth a thousand gold. Shall we retire to bed?"
Huh??
Yotsuba froze.
Retire to bed? It's just a game!
But Ye Yu didn't give her time to think—he scooped her up and leaned in for a kiss.
Panicking, Yotsuba tried to snap him out of it.
"Brother-in-law, no—!"
Ye Yu smiled inwardly.
You have no idea how much hotter that makes it.
The game couldn't go that far, but a little harmless flirting was fair game.
"You should call me 'husband.'"
At that moment, a voice whispered in Yotsuba's ear:
[Congratulations, player! Newbie task completed. Exclusive skill unlocked.] [Blessing: United Hearts]
Yotsuba pulled away from the intense kiss, flushed and breathless.
"What just happened? What does 'newbie task completed' mean?"
Ye Yu held her gently and explained.
"Every character has a personal event they must complete before the main game begins. I'm the General, you're the General's Wife—so naturally, our event was the wedding."
Yotsuba's face burned hotter; she still hadn't recovered from the kiss.
"Right… it's just a game!"
"What else would it be? You didn't think we actually got married, did you?"
Yotsuba turned even redder—she really had felt that way for a moment.
Ye Yu blew out the candle.
Then he simply held her on the bed—no further moves.
Yotsuba lay quietly in his arms, repeatedly telling herself:
It's only a game.
Suddenly curious, she wondered: If my event was a wedding… what's Nino's as the Empress?
…
Meanwhile, Nino was on an absolute high.
She'd never been much of a gamer, but no game had ever felt this thrilling.
In a magnificent palace, she sat upon a pure-gold throne.
Wearing an opulent empress's robe and a dazzling crown studded with gems and pearls.
Nino looked down haughtily at the lavishly dressed nobles below.
The moment she entered, the game had launched straight into her coronation as Empress, following the death of her father and the exile of her elder princess sister.
As the crown was placed upon her head…
As the nobles bowed in respect…
As countless soldiers outside roared "Long live Her Majesty!"…
Her vanity was satisfied beyond imagination.
Forget that it was a game—she was the Empress of the Ice and Snow Empire!
At that moment, the palace minister shouted toward the hall entrance:
"Announcing the arrival of Royal Knight Nakano Miku!"
Soon, Miku strode in—dressed in magnificent knight armor, radiating valor.
She placed her right hand over her chest and bowed deeply to Nino.
Nino stepped forward slightly.
A minister immediately presented a ceremonial sword.
"Nakano Miku, do you swear to cast aside personal desires and become the sword and shield of the Empire for the sake of great justice?"
Miku, fully immersed in her Royal Knight role, answered solemnly without a hint of embarrassment.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Nino took the sword and touched it to Miku's shoulder.
"By the authority of the 99th Empress of the Ice and Snow Empire, I appoint Nakano Miku as Commander of the Royal Knights."
A game prompt appeared: All players have completed their newbie tasks.
As Nino and Miku checked their new exclusive skills, a soldier burst in frantically.
"Your Majesty! The Magic Kingdom's army has reached our borders!"
Nino slammed her hand down in fury.
"Royal Knight Commander Nakano Miku, hear my command! Lead our forces and annihilate the invaders!"
The next instant, her vision blurred.
When it cleared, she was back in the living room at home.
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