I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 262



262 – 266

Theodora’s office.

Lying on the bed, I’m lost in thought.

“Your Majesty… could you please step back for a moment?”

I feel puzzled by Karl’s words.

Currently, it’s just me, her, and Karl in her office.

To ask me to step back sounds like he wants me to leave.

Really… already caring for me with such loyalty?

“Theodora? Should I be in the honeymoon suite?”

Power is inherently difficult to share among family.

I want to let them talk comfortably without me, but I can’t see, so it’s hard to leave alone.

“Where would I go, Minister Karl? He is my husband and a true loyalist. I will hide nothing from my husband, so speak freely.”

“However…”

“I dislike repeating myself.”

Listening to their conversation, I carefully caress the tea table to find the teacup.

“Ahem… there are reports that the aristocrats are plotting something sinister.”

Here it is?

“They are planning to overthrow the Empire now that the Grand Duke has undergone surgery and is unable to recover.”

Why is my eye surgery involved?

Let’s not worry about it; I’m just a sick patient. Theodora will handle it.

“Really? Is there no specific plan?”

“It’s still under investigation, but internally, I’ve prepared a scenario predicting their plans.”

From noble mtl dot com

I sip the coffee in the teacup and look for some snacks nearby.

The familiar texture feels in my hand.

Found it.

I grab a biscuit I tasted a moment ago and take a bite.

Hmm~ Delicious. Is this the leisure of a retired person?

Recently, Theodora hasn’t been nagging at night, so I’ve been able to sleep comfortably and rest well, and I’m so happy.

If I remember correctly, was it since I was five years old?

Since then, I’ve lived a grueling schedule. It feels even more precious now.

“What?! You’re saying that he’s trying to hinder his eye recovery and undermine the authority of the saint?!”

“Your Majesty? That is literally a hypothetical scenario from the intelligence department.”

I think they mentioned something about hindering my eye recovery, but let’s not worry about it.

If I start to stress out from here, I might not recover and could be dragged into the grand interrogation.

I force myself to savor the taste of the cookie.

Is it because I can’t see? The flavor seems to feel richer.

“What?! You’re suggesting a coup against the Grand Duke to Mary?!”

I can’t hear. I can’t hear…

To be honest, with all that shouting, how could I not hear?

“Yes, currently, the intelligence department is acquiring various information based on the scenario. Please wait a little longer for a specific plan to emerge.”

-Thunk!

Was that a surprise?

It sounded like something breaking.

“How dare you… try to harm my husband?! Is there anyone outside?! Bring William!”

-Yes!

“Ha… To be driven mad by such power and try to slander the saint of God. I haven’t been sitting on my emperor’s throne for long, but humans are truly fearless beings.”

Whatever they say, I take another bite of the cookie.

-Crunch…

“You! What are you eating right now?”

Why is the fire splashing over here?

I finished the cookie in my mouth.

“Munch munch… Why? What’s wrong with me?”

Anyone would think I’m committing treason.

“You said sitting there and just eating cookies is bad for your health, right? You’re not a child, why are you acting like this?”

“Gaining weight? I’m still in my twenties.”

“And you’re a patient. Take all of Minister Karl’s cookies! Hurry!”

– Tap tap.

The sound of footsteps nearby.

It seems like someone is carrying something in front of me.

“Haah…”

I understand why marriage is called the grave of life.

“Bring me some good snacks!”

Theodora commanded.

– Creak.

– Rattle… rattle…

The sound of wheels on the office floor.

– Thud.

Something was soon placed in front of me.

“What is this?”

I don’t know who it is, but I want to ask what I’m eating…

“Oh? This is troll eyeball cookie.”

“Ugh…”

I can’t see it in front of me, but I know what a troll eyeball cookie is.

Troll eyeball snacks are an incredible delicacy, but there’s a saying that they are good for the eyes.

And thanks to the ingredient troll, they are extremely expensive cookies.

But… no matter how bad my eyesight is, I don’t want to eat this delicacy.

As the presence faded and the sound of the door closing echoed, I complained to Theodora.

“Why does it have to be troll eyes? Don’t you have anything else?”

“How expensive do you think that is? Sister Sena insisted that you must eat it, so just do it.”

“Even so, that’s a bit much.”

Eating troll eyes? That’s a bit too much.

– Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

I hear Theodora’s sharp voice.

Hasn’t she plotted against me more than once? Why is she being so sensitive?

Then I remembered that she was on her period, and I nodded unconsciously.

It must be because of my period.

– Sir William has arrived.

“Quick, tell him to come inside!”

– Creak.

– Creak… creak…

The sound of metal resonates cheerfully.

“It’s been a long time, Duke Debian.”

“It has indeed. Sir William. I apologize for not standing to greet you; my eyes are not well.”

“No, I’ve heard that your ailment is due to your intense duties. Your loyalty and passion for the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor are admirable enough to make even me bow my head in respect, so please, do not stand on ceremony.”

“Ahem…”

As William and I engage in a lengthy conversation, Theodora seems uncomfortable and clears her throat.

“I present my respects to His Majesty.”

– Thud.

A dull sound is heard.

“Uncle William, would you like to see this?”

“What is it?”

I should have another sip of coffee.

Personally, I want to drink an iced Americano, but I still lack the skills to make espresso.

Should I consider establishing a technology department later?

There is currently a department managing the technology investment fund, but there is no technology department.

Compared to the information department, the budget doesn’t seem like it would be too large…

“Your Majesty! Please give me your command; I will personally quell the rebels!”

“Before you personally quell the rebels… what do you think?”

In the long term, this will surely increase productivity.

But the budget…

Although the budget has increased significantly compared to before, it’s not unlimited.

It’s an industrial revolution brought about by mana and technology.

I’m quite drawn to it.

“Dear?! What are you thinking?!”

“Ah!”

Theodora suddenly shouts loudly in my ear, causing it to ache.

“Ugh, why?!”

“Ugh, come on! I’m asking for your opinion right now, aren’t I? Can’t you do it properly?”

I let out a sigh at her words.

“Ha… So, you’re saying there’s a conspiracy to make me lose my sight? Or that the aristocrats who have been suppressed will rise up using that as an excuse. Something like that?”

“Yes, that’s right. You had thought of this, didn’t you?”

I replied as if it were obvious.

“Of course, if I had left Roman, it would have ended without incident, right?”

If I had retired from politics after leaving Roman, they would have endured a bit longer.

But since I can’t retire from politics, they are the ones rising up.

It’s similar to how even a worm wriggles when stepped on.

“But that can’t be, right? You’re not planning to run away after doing everything with me, are you?”

I shake my head at Theodora’s cold voice.

“Run away? You want me to live apart from the one I love? I really don’t want that.”

“Then what? Don’t you have any solutions or anything?”

Is it because I said I love her? The cold tone shifted to a slightly sulky one, which felt a bit cute.

“Well, I guess? It’s not like I don’t have any.”

I start to reveal the troubled thoughts I’ve had for a while.

“Do you know why those aristocrats have risen up now? Even disregarding the Pope and you.”

“Well… Isn’t it because their benefits have decreased?”

I shake my head at her words.

“Sure, their benefits have decreased, but it’s not enough for them to rise up. The reason they’re rebelling is that you and I have formed an alliance.”

They are not pleased with the situation where I wield immense power.

Everyone knows that Theodora has forcibly kept me from leaving Roman.

In other words, the emperor’s intention to oust me means he wants to diminish my power, which is no different from saying he wants to remain close to that power.

On top of that, I’ve even gained the title of a saint…

I am the ruler who possesses both formidable power and divinity.

“So, do you have any thoughts about this plan?”

“I do, but… it’s not easy.”

First, I will announce that my children have been stripped of their rights to the duchy.

Perhaps the backlash will be slightly reduced since there is no direct connection with the next Grand Duke and the next Emperor.

And…

“We need to pretend that our political interests do not align.”

It is also necessary to stage some discord between Theodora and me.

I believe this will likely not sit well with the aristocrats.

After all, I have been pulling off some tricks all this time.

“What? Why?”

“They need someone to stop the pressure I’m applying. They surely know that trying to move now is like hitting a rock with an egg, right? Isn’t that so, Sir William?”

William, who had been silent for a moment at my words, replied.

“The Grand Duke is correct. No matter how much the aristocrats band together, it will be difficult to stop His Majesty the Emperor’s army and the Grand Duchy’s army. They seem to be aware of that and are moving regardless.”

I think they have decided to act out of desperation, knowing that they will wither away as time goes on.

Of course, it is true that we are fighting from a favorable position, but there will inevitably be bloodshed in the Empire, and many citizens of the Empire will die.

In other words, they are just being obstinate.

Playing with human lives.

“So… are you saying they are trying to force the sacrifice of the Empire’s citizens to compromise with us suitably?”

I smiled inwardly at her words.

This… political sense has improved, hasn’t it?

“Yes. That’s right. That is their goal, and personally, I would also like a suitable compromise.”

“Do you have some clever plan?”

I beamed a bright smile at her words and replied.

“No, not yet?”