Future Beast World: Becoming A Pampered Beauty-Chapter 118 - 69: One Month Pregnant

Before she left, she had to leave behind one last thing.

All the arrangements for the mating ceremony were left in Duotu’s hands.

Having learned from the last time, his arrangements were all in perfect order, and the process was much faster than before.

All told, the mating ceremony was scheduled to be held one month later.

On the eve of the ceremony, servants finished her makeup and hair. Sang Luo propped a delicate cheek on one hand and stared out the window, bored, as the pale light of dawn crept across the sky. She let out a yawn.

It wasn’t until she saw a tall, slender figure hurrying over that she finally perked up. From a distance, she smiled and gave him a flirtatious wink. "Your Majesty~"

"You may all leave us."

After entering the room, Duotu dismissed the attending servants and walked over to her, taking out a brocade box.

He had commissioned another ceremonial gown, its exquisite beauty in no way inferior to the last.

Sang Luo changed into the gown right in front of him. It was a perfect fit, and the fabric was very comfortable.

Duotu must have given special instructions to have the waist-cinching corset removed so it wouldn’t press on her belly.

At two months, her belly was starting to round out. A corset could still hide it somewhat. While this new design was more comfortable, it made her pregnancy a little more obvious.

"This... Won’t people laugh at me?" Sang Luo asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

’In all of history, who holds a mating ceremony only after they’re already carrying a cub?’

"I’d like to see anyone dare laugh. They must not want their head anymore!" Duotu declared, kneeling on one knee to gently put her shoes on for her.

According to the traditions of past ceremonies, Sang Luo should have been wearing elegant, high-heeled ceremonial shoes of gold filigree and dangling pearls. It was a style that made the wearer look like a beautifully wrapped gift, but it was also incredibly harsh.

Duotu, afraid such shoes would be uncomfortable and that she might twist her ankle, had specifically instructed the Ministry of Rites to replace them. Instead, she had a pair of comfortable, flat brocade slippers embroidered with gold thread in totem patterns, which were no less dignified or elegant.

She wiggled her feet, looking down with a smile. "Your Majesty is acting like an unreasonable tyrant."

Duotu stood up. Gazing at her blossoming smile, he reached out to gently stroke her lovely, rosy-fair face. "Luoluo," he said, mesmerized, "you’re so beautiful today!"

She lowered her veil and placed her hand in his broad, long-fingered palm. "Your Majesty, let’s go."

The mating ceremony was magnificent.

Even more magnificent than Sang Luo had imagined.

Witnessed by countless Beastmen, flower petals rained down from the sky as Duotu lifted the veil from her face and placed the crown upon her head. His hands trembled uncontrollably.

Sang Luo took the initiative, wrapping her arms around him and rising onto her toes to give him a kiss.

The jubilant celebration from the hall below was earth-shaking, wave after wave of cheers rolling on. It was a long time before the noise finally subsided as night began to fall.

As the new Queen, Sang Luo naturally had to exchange toasts with the nobles attending the banquet. She had been on her feet all day, and when she finally took off her formal attire in the middle of the night and lay down on the bed, she didn’t want to move a muscle.

Before long, Duotu returned as well.

He had changed out of the magnificent robes he wore during the day and into soft, silk loungewear as he walked to the bedside.

Sang Luo was drifting in and out of sleep when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

The man’s scent enveloped and surrounded her.

The heat from Duotu’s broad chest felt as if it could melt her.

Sang Luo awoke fully and whispered delicately, "Your Majesty..."

Duotu buried his face in the crook of her neck, greedily inhaling her scent. He had loved the way she smelled from the very first time they met. Now, there was an additional, faint milky fragrance about her that made him feel an instinctual sense of peace, dependence, and joy.

His breath fell upon her neck and behind her ear, sending shivers through her.

His nose brushed lightly against her cheek as he lowered his head, intending to kiss her lips.

She turned her head slightly to avoid him. "Um... the baby... The witch doctor said it’s still early. We shouldn’t overexert ourselves right now."

"I haven’t been close to you in so long... Just help me with this," he said, his voice hoarse. He took her hand and guided it downward.

Her fingertips flinched, and her face flushed slightly. "Your Majesty, I’m tired," she said wearily. "Let’s just rest for now."

Duotu didn’t dare press the issue. He simply held her, no longer trying anything.

Sang Luo was still awake, but he fell asleep quickly.

She turned her head to look at the man lying beside her.

One of his arms was around her, while the other rested gently on her belly. He slept soundly, as if he had let down all his defenses.

’He wants a happy family of his own.’

...

After that night, the relationship between them seemed to ease considerably. Duotu brought Sang Luo with him to every important ceremony. They were practically inseparable and deeply affectionate these days. To outsiders, they were the very picture of a harmonious Emperor and Empress.

Sang Luo, by Duotu’s side, also got to know several ministers and got along quite well with their wives, the noble females of the court. They would often have leisurely afternoon teas, and she heard many amusing stories from them.