I Became the Master of the Empress

206 – 210

And so, Devian spends time meeting with Amon.

Today, Joy is learning imperial studies from Lucius again.

But if there’s a slight difference… perhaps it’s that Joy is staring intently at Lucius’ face today?

“So, the virtue of imperial politics is that all power lies with the imperial citizens…”

Lucius, feeling unusually burdened by Joy today, tries his best to focus on the lesson and proceed when,

Joy, with half-closed eyes, opens her mouth.

“Brother. Do you know I’m coming of age soon?”

-Flinch.

Startled by her words, Lucius cautiously responds.

“I am aware…”

Unsatisfied with Lucius’ reaction, Joy frowns.

“Hmph.”

Joy’s feelings are indescribably frustrated.

And for good reason, as she has quite a fondness for Lucius, but due to the difference in their social status, Lucius cannot act rashly.

A love that transcends the status of a princess.

Such a thing is almost unheard of in the long history of the empire, except perhaps in its early days.

Sure, there was an emperor who made a stripper or a prostitute an empress… but anyway.

In the past, people were not so bound by social status, but now it’s different.

If Lucius, beloved by the imperial citizens, were to confess to Joy, he might be beaten to death.

Or worse, he could be executed by order of the emperor and empress, who adore her terribly.

That’s why Lucius must be even more cautious.

On the other hand, Joy clearly feels Lucius’ affection for her but is frustrated by his lack of confession.

It’s not as easy for Joy to force Lucius into something like Dora in the novel, so all she can do is curse him inwardly.

‘Idiot, fool, dummy!’

That’s why Joy is frustrated.

‘If only he would confess like my brother-in-law.’

Deviang has never confessed to Theodora. It was just arranged that way by circumstance.

But our Joy doesn’t know the details.

If she did, would she be learning imperial studies?

Anyway, Joy likes Lucius.

She likes his tall and handsome appearance, and he’s hardworking enough to become an assistant to the archduke, so he must be capable.

Moreover, he’s always kind to Joy, and when she wants to eat food only sold in the city, he secretly buys it for her.

‘Surely he must be interested in me.’

Joy subtly nudges Lucius’s calf with her shoe.

Is it the touch that makes him flinch so noticeably?

He tries to continue speaking calmly.

“Ahem… So, the biggest problem with the current political system is…”

‘Tch. Act like a man and do something, Brother Lucius.’

***

“Did you find Mother?”

At my question, Mother nods her head.

“Yes. I’m sorry for calling you during such a busy time.”

“It’s okay. But is something troubling you, Mother?”

Every morning when I see Mother, her complexion seems pale.

“Well, you see. Sigh… Butler, bring that here.”

Upon Mother’s request, the butler enters her room and brings out a large box, which piques my curiosity.

“What’s this?”

“These are letters from Joy’s suitors.”

“Joy’s… suitors?”

I’m aware that Joy is soon to come of age. But marriage, already?

“Isn’t Joy still too young?”

Of course, she’s of age, and it’s common to marry at this age, but to me, she’s still my endlessly adorable little sister.

The thought of Joy having suitors is something I can’t help but be surprised at.

As I ponder this, the butler continues to bring out boxes.

Seeing half a dozen boxes piled up, I cautiously ask Mother.

“Aren’t there too many letters?”

I say this looking at the endless line of letter boxes, but Mother shakes her head.

“We haven’t even brought out half of them yet. First, I’d like you to check if there’s a suitable husband for Joy among these.”

Only then do I get a sense of why Mother wanted to see me, but to be sure, I ask her.

“Are you considering an arranged marriage for Joy?”

At my words, Mother gently shakes her head.

“It’s not me who should keep this in mind, but you. When the imperial power is as low as it is now, strategic marriages can be a solution.”

At my mother’s words, a feeling of panic wells up within me.

“Mother? I have no intention of arranging a strategic marriage for Joy. I want her to marry the person she loves.”

To my words, my mother sighs deeply.

“That’s why I said you need to consider it. You are the head of the Augustus royal family on a small scale, and on a larger scale, you are the emperor. The throne requires one to even make use of their own kin when necessary.”

I nod slightly at my mother’s worried words.

“No matter what, I can’t just send Joy off to marriage as if she’s being sold.”

My mother shakes her head in disapproval at my words.

“Sigh… I’ve only told you what I know as a mother. The choice is yours to make, Terra. But as a mother, I do have one worry.”

My mother’s worry?

I ask, hearing this for the first time.

“What worry?”

“I wonder if Joy will ever get married… How could she write such bizarre novels? I’m worried she might get divorced if she does marry.”

The BL novel Joy wrote last time.

Indeed… Such a novel could be a sufficient reason for divorce.

Even the Vatican, notorious for not granting divorces, would approve it.

“Come on, surely not. I wrapped it up nicely, didn’t I?”

But my mother, looking anxious, shakes her head vigorously and presses her forehead with the back of her hand as if feeling dizzy.

“Still, if rumors spread… What a disgrace it would be. Sigh… I have two daughters, and one has been married for nearly two years without any news of grandchildren, and the other writes bizarre novels. How will I face your father after I die?”

At my mother’s words, I am left with an awkward expression.

That’s understandable since my mother wants grandchildren, but I haven’t shared a bed with Devian yet.

I’m ready in my heart. But has Devian, a man, not yet done so?

I feel discontent in this situation where someone might think I’m a lewd woman, but I try to comfort my mother.

“Ha ha… There will be good news soon.”

We kiss more than before, don’t we?

Yet, my mother doesn’t seem to think so as she takes my hands in hers.

“Terra, dear. Just… just in case I’m asking… Are you still a virgin?”

At my mother’s question, my cheeks burn with heat as I nod slightly.

“I can’t stand it. I really can’t stand it anymore.”

And turning her head away, my mother lets a single tear fall.

I was taken aback by the sight and blurted out,

“Mom? Why are you crying?”

I called her mom without realizing it in my confusion…

“Sob… No matter how I look at it, I chose the wrong son-in-law. I believed that because he’s from the Ryan family, he would easily grant us grandchildren. Sob sob…”

“Mom, really… We’ll handle our relationship ourselves.”

I think to myself that although our relationship is slow, maybe it’s okay to take our time.

After all, we can’t live apart from each other.

***

“So… The Grand Duke wants to join hands with us? But isn’t the empire ruled by the Emperor?”

When King Locust of the Grasshoppers asked Beta, he bowed his head and replied,

“Normally, the Emperor should rule, but currently, the Grand Duke of the Francesco Grand Duchy is married to the Emperor and is governing.”

Locust, puzzled, asked back,

“Then, if the Emperor is not a maiden, how can she create the Devil King’s vessel?”

“Well… According to Alpha, the Grand Duke has been maintaining the Emperor’s purity for the sake of trading with us.”

At those words, Locust wore a bewildered expression.

“To think that grown adults, married, have not consummated. This Emperor must be quite the prude. But if we use the Emperor to resurrect our Devil King…”

‘It would be unimaginable, the physique he would acquire.’

The thought of the Devil King being resurrected using the body of the Emperor, a direct descendant of the first hero, filled Locust with profound elation.

“However, I personally oppose it.”

As Beta spoke cautiously, Locust turned his head sharply.

“Why?”

“No one who has joined hands with the Grand Duke has ever had a good outcome. He is a man of cunning schemes.”

At Beta’s words, Locust shook his head.

“Isn’t that what blood contracts are for? Besides, we can’t miss this opportunity.”

How fervently had the Devil King entrusted Locust with this in hell?

He did not want to incur the Devil King’s wrath.

“Who knows what tricks he might play…”

“Enough. There’s no need for further discussion. I will meet with the Grand Duke first.”

At Locust’s declaration, Beta wore a reluctant expression.

“However, first, entrust it to Alpha…”

At Beta’s words, Locust flew into a rage.

“Time is of the essence, time is! How long do they expect us to wait?! Do they think the Demon Lord in hell will just sit idly by upon learning of this?!”

Locust’s anger is, in a way, justified.

No one anticipated such a delay when Valoran’s rebellion succeeded.

By now, the Demon Lord must suspect something has gone awry, given the amount of time that has passed.

Locust believes there can be no further delay.

‘What could mere humans possibly do?’

Locust’s arrogance is perhaps understandable.

The intense power not bestowed by the gods.

Many are unsatisfied with the power meant to maintain the world’s harmony.

Dissatisfaction with the gods.

Only the demon race can extinguish that dissatisfaction. Hence, there have always been those among humanity who worship the demons.

Because the gods are not perfect.

“Be it the former Grand Duke or the current one, there’s little difference. Each takes what they desire.”

Moreover, the conditions set by Deviang are not much of an issue.

In all the continents, the Grand Duchy is but a tiny part, and the eternal life Deviang spoke of can be granted by the Demon Lord’s power.

And currently, Locust is the only high-ranking demon on this continent.

In other words, the Demon Lord’s proxy and the being entitled to make such a pact.

“First, tell the Grand Duke to arrange a meeting.”

At those words, Beta nods.

“I will convey the message first.”

Beta thinks it’s best not to further provoke Locust’s temper.

He decides to follow Locust’s command for now.