I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 259



259 – 263

Eurydice heard a certain rumor today.

“Is that truly the case?”

Eurydice, the empress dowager and the emperor’s biological mother.

She had heard stories about her daughter Theodora and Debian’s affectionate antics in the palace.

As someone who has lived as an empress for a long time, Eurydice knew all too well what it meant that the handsome emperor couple had shared a deep kiss in broad daylight and that they had sat together on the throne during morning duties.

“Hehe, Ian, Rene.”

Of course, it was quite problematic for Debian to sit on the throne, but what of it?

Debian is a saint and the national document of this empire.

There had been a time when the emperor had sat on the throne with the crown prince, bestowing authority upon him. It didn’t seem like a big problem.

“Didn’t they say they do it every day since before the surgery?”

The disheveled bed and stained sheets every night since the two began their relationship.

Eurydice couldn’t possibly be unaware of what this implied.

“Hoho… it seems spring has finally come to the royal family, my dear.”

Eurydice thought that now she wouldn’t have to worry about the two of them anymore.

Her face was filled with the bloom of laughter.

*

“The emperor shared the throne with the grand duke.”

“Isn’t this something that could lead to our downfall?”

“The fact that we can do nothing in this situation is despairing…”

The emperor’s faction was filled with a thirst for revenge against the grand duke.

The emperor’s faction, which had exercised powerful influence as the backbone of the great lords.

They had caused internal strife among themselves to gain a fishing advantage and had come to depend financially on the emperor.

Thus, the great lords had banded together to live under the emperor.

However, the emperor only used them as puppets and had never granted them direct benefits.

On the contrary, he had infringed upon their tax collection rights, and the nobility had become strongly dissatisfied to the point of establishing it as law.

They felt deep despair and disappointment at the fact that the emperor and the grand duke had become one.

“Phew… What do you think will happen when they try to infringe upon our rights from now on?”

“Our power can only diminish from here on out. We must do something.”

“What do you mean by ‘do something’? Are you suggesting we start a rebellion? With our strength, we still can’t defeat the anti-imperialist faction.”

The biggest problem is that so much national power was consumed during the previous civil war.

The kings belonging to the imperial faction are currently struggling just to repay the bonds issued during the war.

In this situation, even if they gather to incite a rebellion, it would be difficult to compete with the anti-imperialist forces.

“Does that mean we should just wait to wither away?”

“Anyway, aren’t we still alive for now? If we wait and wait, an opportunity will come to us as well.”

As it stands, there is no answer other than this method…

But if they remain idle like this, everyone could wither away.

Yet, to rise up would mean fighting against the Grand Duke’s army or the imperial army in the worst-case scenario.

Moreover, the neutral cities have begun to show a favorable inclination towards the Grand Duke, who is referred to as a saint.

A young noble participating in the meeting spoke up.

“Is there really a chance that an opportunity will come?”

But no one could answer his question.

Everyone knew well how meticulous and deep-minded the Grand Duke was.

That is why everyone gathered here…

Desperately hoped for the Grand Duke to make a mistake.

Otherwise, they would all lose the real power of the nobility.

“I’ve heard… there are rumors that the Grand Duke might go blind.”

“I heard he has bandages wrapped around his eyes.”

At the young noble’s words, an experienced noble nodded.

“That’s right, which means it may be difficult for him to exert significant influence over state affairs as before. If that’s the case, the leader of the anti-imperialist faction will likely be… Princess Mary.”

That statement had merit; nominally, the Grand Duke would remain, but while he stays in Roman, Princess Mary would rule as regent.

In practical terms, the Grand Duke’s influence would inevitably diminish…

Thus, the nobles calculated that simply persuading Princess Mary would make things much easier for the imperial faction.

“But will Princess Mary help us? Initially, when Valoran died, she had the position to oust Duke Devian but did not help him, did she?”

The young noble’s words were indeed correct.

“Yet we cannot just sit still; let’s make contact with Princess Mary. And back then, she was unmarried, but now she has a child, doesn’t she? Her thoughts may have changed since then.”

If the imperial faction and the anti-imperialist faction were to form an alliance, it would undoubtedly cause significant hindrances to the reforms of both the Emperor and Devian.

—

They must be trying to avoid civil war as much as possible.

Thus, they decided on a course of action.

*

The day’s work has ended.

Is it because I can’t see?

Time feels like it’s passing more slowly than usual.

“Darling, weren’t you bored today?”

In the afternoon, it was Theodora’s personal work time, so I was just lying on the sofa in her office.

“A little? It’s definitely boring since I can’t see.”

At my words, Theodora replied in a voice full of concern.

“Should I have a maid read a book to you?”

I am bored, but a maid capable of reading a book would be quite skilled even within the palace.

Having someone like that read to me feels like a waste.

“It’s fine. Why go through the trouble?”

“Hmm… then…”

Even though I can’t see, I can feel her thinking about me, and it makes me feel good.

“I’m okay. I can take naps in between. I don’t even know how long it’s been since I last took a nap.”

“Hehe, just thinking about you napping makes me happy.”

Curiosity sparked by her words, I asked.

“Do you like it when I take naps?”

“Yes, isn’t it obvious? Which wife wouldn’t be happy to see her husband, who’s so consumed by work that he doesn’t even realize he’s wearing himself out, finally take a break and rest?”

Her words bring a smile to my face.

“Hey? Are you in a good mood? You have a smile on your face.”

At Theodora’s playful voice, I nodded slightly.

“Pfft… so cute. I’m glad I stopped the annulment, aren’t I?”

I can’t see her face, but somehow, I feel like it must be full of smiles.

“Yeah, you did well to stop it.”

“Hehe…”

Theodora, who has tightly wrapped her arms around mine, rubs something against my arm.

It’s probably her cheek, I think.

—

Even when I could see before, I often engaged in skinship, so I could guess even without my sight.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

– Creak.

As the door opened, we entered the room.

“Hehe, you need to wash up too, right?”

A chill ran down my spine at Theodora’s sly voice.

When we washed together in the morning. The wicked woman who had spent a long time washing parts of my body clean came to mind, and my expression turned pale.

How should I put it? It felt like she was deliberately prolonging the stimulation when my morning schedule was busy?

But I had no inclination to be subjected to that, so I glared intently at the place where I guessed she was.

“Well… that’s true, but it won’t be like during the day, right?”

“What do you mean? I’m just washing my uncomfortable husband, that’s all!”

Theodora feigned innocence.

“If you keep pretending like that… you might not be able to sleep tonight.”

“I don’t mind not sleeping…”

I spoke too softly for it to be heard properly, so I asked again.

“Hmm? What did you say?”

“Nothing at all. Let’s hurry and wash up.”

“Wait a second!”

“Ugh! Why are you doing this? We have to wash anyway, right?”

As I tried to dodge Theodora, who was attempting to take off my shirt, I stumbled and fell to the floor.

“Ugh!…”

“Ah! Are you okay?!”

Something soft was in front of me.

As I groped for it, I felt a familiar cushion.

“Is this a sofa?”

“Yes, it’s a sofa. But what do you think you’re doing, running away like that?”

I awkwardly replied to Theodora’s slightly annoyed voice.

“Are you just going to keep teasing me? I don’t like that!”

As I shook my head, Theodora held my cheeks and said,

“Hehe, I’m just here to wash you. Even if you think those things alone, I know nothing!”

—

I hope this captures the essence and atmosphere of the original text!

“Lie… then why did you only mess with that innocent spot?”

Even as I said that, Theodora climbed on top of me and began to undress me.

“This time, I won’t let it happen. Just take off your clothes willingly.”

Caught by her like that, I was pulled into the bathroom, completely undressed again.

What can I do?

If I flail around blindly because I can’t see and end up hurting Theodora…

That would lead to an awkward situation.

So, in the bathroom, I was held by her and washed thoroughly, and then I came out.

She kept her promise and washed up earlier than I expected before lying down on the bed.

“Did you take a nap earlier?”

At her curious question, I nodded.

“Yeah, I slept a little. Why?”

– Swoosh…

I felt a slight pressure on top of me.

“You didn’t think you could just kiss me like that earlier and then sleep peacefully tonight, did you?”

“Uh… huh? Isn’t that just a trade-off for this morning?”

“Not at all.”

Her hand slipped inside my gown.

“Usually, you make me feel good. Tonight, I’ll make you feel good.”

With that, she pressed herself against me.

Oh… Elisha…