I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 282



286

Our first impression of the Egyptian restaurant felt quite rustic.

The bread was a bit coarse, and the soup, how should I put it? Bland.

“But the aroma isn’t bad, right? It seems like they used herbs?”

Theodora said as she dipped the bread into the sauce.

“Yeah, that’s true.”

It might be a bit bland for my taste, but it seems to suit Theodora’s palate well.

“But what do we do after eating this?”

Her words made me pause for a moment in thought.

“Well? Shall we have a drink?”

I want to enjoy a cold beer after a long time.

In the palace, there’s mostly only high-end liquor.

“Beer? By the way, isn’t beer Francesco’s drink?”

I nodded while tearing the bread with my hands.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

At that moment, the waiter came over with the food.

“Hamarmashi and beef tagine have arrived.”

A dish filled with something green inside a chicken and meat and vegetables in a reddish pot.

“Is this chicken?”

“The menu says it’s pigeon.”

“Yes, it’s a dish made with pigeon and rice inside. It’s a popular dish in Egypt.”

Pigeon, huh…

It’s not the dish I ordered.

I took a fork and poked the beef tagine, bringing it to my mouth.

“Lamb, huh?”

At first, I was surprised by the flavor of the spices, and even more so by the lack of any unpleasant odor.

I thought lamb would have a bit of a gamey smell… but this is delicious?

There’s hardly any unpleasant taste like that; instead, the unique flavor of the lamb is rich.

“It’s better than I expected, isn’t it?”

My eyes widened at the taste of food I was trying for the first time.

“Darling, you should take a bite of this.”

She uses her fork to pick the meat off the pigeon leg and places it on my plate.

“Have some rice too.”

Theodora scoops some green-tinged rice onto my plate.

“Thank you, you should have some of this too.”

I served her some meat on her small plate.

“Thank you.”

And just like that, our dinner came to an end.

We were walking down the street together.

Theodora naturally linked her arm with mine.

With a fresh smile, she asked,

“Where to now?”

“Well, how about the opera house like last time?”

That seems to be the only kind of leisure activity around here.

She nodded her head.

“Sounds good. Oh? Darling, look over there.”

Theodora pointed to a vendor selling apples.

She asked the merchant,

“How much?”

“You’re quite the beauty. Just 5 silver.”

Theodora reached out her hand to me and said,

“Darling, can I have that money?”

Anyone would think you’ve entrusted me with your money, wouldn’t they?

It’s absurd that she, who earns more than I do for maintaining her dignity, is asking me for money…

“Here you go.”

—

I gave her a silver coin worth 10 silvers, and she smiled faintly.

“Ma’am, I’d like two apples, please.”

“That’ll be 10 silvers.”

Theodora nodded at that and handed the 10 silvers to the woman, then polished one of the apples until it gleamed against her sleeve.

Did it have any dust on it?

As I pondered this thought,

she handed me the apple with a bright smile.

“Here, eat up.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

But she didn’t have to buy it for me.

If I had wanted it, I would have bought it myself.

-Crunch.

-Crunch.

“It’s delicious. Apples are definitely in season.”

“Of course… it’s autumn.”

As we walked together,

I spotted a little boy sniffling.

The child, looking around in confusion, couldn’t keep his head still—he seemed to be about five years old.

“Uuuh… Waaah!”

Seeing the boy burst into tears, Theodora turned to me.

“Do you think he’s lost?”

“Isn’t it likely?”

It was strange for a child of about five to be all alone in the middle of the street.

And if he was crying, it was obvious.

As I approached the boy, he started to hiccup.

“Hey there, don’t be scared. I’m not here to hurt you. Are you lost?”

But instead, the child began to back away, as if I frightened him.

I heard Theodora’s gentle voice.

“Oh dear? What’s your name, little one?”

Her voice, as if she had never spoken like this before, was tender, like a mother addressing her child.

But the child, whose guard had lowered in response to such a tone, answered.

“Hector, who is this sister?”

Wow? The gender discrimination is strong here.

Just a moment ago, he was wary of me, but now he quickly relaxes when the pretty Theodora speaks, and I inwardly lament.

That woman wields a whip when she’s angry… her face isn’t everything. Kid.

In the future, when he marries after seeing her face, he’ll find out that it’s not all about looks when he gets scolded by his wife.

“I’m Theodora. Has Hector lost his mother?”

Hector, nodding slightly at her words, blushed and replied.

“Ah… no! I didn’t lose my mom; my mom lost me.”

I silently laughed at the bold little boy’s words.

He wants to show off in front of a girl, acting all manly.

But perhaps I’m the only one thinking that, as a gentle smile remained on Theodora’s face.

“Is that so? Then I’ll help your mom find you.”

Watching the boy blush even more at her words, I wondered.

Why is he blushing while looking at someone else’s wife?

How many years apart are you and Theodora?

As she said this, gently embracing the child, she looked at me and asked.

“Dear, what do you usually do in situations like this?”

When Theodora called me “dear,” the boy’s gaze darted back and forth between our faces several times.

Why? Is it because I have such a beauty as my wife that it bothers him?

“How did you get such a pretty lady, mister?”

Seeing the absurdity in the boy’s words, Theodora affectionately ruffled his hair.

“Is the sister pretty?”

The cheerful little boy nodded vigorously.

“Yeah! She’s as pretty as the Emperor!”

That sister is currently the Emperor.

“Mia usually helps find parents at the security office, so let’s hurry and take you there.”

As I walked with Theodora toward the security office, I spotted the guards.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

But the soldiers, who should be patrolling normally, were causing a commotion around.

-Clank, clank!

-Group 5 is searching the entire area.

-Group 6! Are you not moving quickly?!

Dozens of guards are bustling about, their movements frantic.

Could it be… no, it can’t be?

As I pondered this, Theodora seemed to share my concern, her eyes reflecting worry.

“Are you sure everything is alright, dear?”

“Oh, it’s just the night market; the guards must be busy.”

When the little one looked at Theodora with anxious eyes, she comforted him.

“Don’t worry, Hector, this sister won’t let anyone touch you.”

The boy nodded, seemingly reassured by her words.

-Heehee!

Knights clad in golden armor issue commands to the soldiers from their horses.

“Immediately seal off this area and conduct thorough inspections! If anyone is found without identification or appears suspicious, prepare to take action! The person we are looking for is of noble birth. If there is even a hint of disrespect in our service, I will have your head on the spot!”

Following the knight’s orders, the guards halt the carriages on the road and begin their search.

-From now on, inspections will commence! Everyone, do not move!

-Hee?! What brings the Golden Knights here?

-Everyone, get off the carriages!

-Do you know who I am?! I am a councilor from the Duchy of Allen…

-Shut up! Do you think I’m blind?

-Even if you say you’re the Emperor, you can’t do this!

I felt a sense of discomfort watching the knights boldly stop the carriage of an imperial councilor and forcibly drag him out.

“Sister… I’m scared.”

The little one, who had been boasting just moments ago, now seemed frightened by the imposing actions of the knights.

That aside… isn’t this an overreach of authority?

Forcing an inspection on an imperial councilor is illegal under imperial law.

Though part of the empire, they also serve as diplomats representing their respective territories.

There’s no need to invite unnecessary misunderstandings.

It seems that Theodora and I are not in a situation where we can leisurely wander about.

“Somehow… it seems better to reveal my identity and return.”

The situation with Roman is unusual.

“Haah, being an emperor really seems uncomfortable. I can’t even go on a date freely.”

She lets out a deep sigh.

“When we go to the Grand Duchy later, let’s go on plenty of dates then.”

– Smooch.

As I bring my lips to her forehead, she smiles shyly.

“When do you want to go to the Grand Duchy?”

“Well, who knows? Maybe when things settle down? First, I need to deal with those knights; if I’m not careful, rumors will spread that the imperial couple is oppressing the council together.”

At my words, she nods and takes off her ring, her dazzling blonde hair turning into a bright gray.

“Stop, knights!”

It’s a voice filled with authority, not the lively tone she usually has when she’s with me.

Returning to her role as empress, she halts the knights.

“Your Majesty!”

– Thud!

The golden knights and everyone around them kneel on one knee.

“I was worried; please return to the palace at once.”

Theodora has returned as the empress.

She looks around at the people.

“What on earth are you all doing?”

“However, it is unprecedented for Your Majesty to have disappeared. We will accept the punishment for our disrespect. However, we have faithfully fulfilled our duty to protect Your Majesty’s safety.”

Their words do hold some weight.

The position of emperor is not one that can easily go incognito.

I feel that the recent rebellion in Valoran has left an indelible mark on the Golden Knights.

“Haah, for now, I will personally discuss this matter with Sir William, so be aware of that.”

At that moment, a little child nestled in Theodora’s arms looked up at her with sparkling eyes.

“Wow, are you the empress, sister?”

The child interrupts the atmosphere I had just tried to create.

In a way, it’s an irreverent thing to say, but there’s no one here bold enough to shout at a child cradled in Theodora’s arms.

“Hehe, yes, I am the empress.”

The face of Theodora is filled with a smile as she speaks.