I Became the Master of the Empress

208 – 212

Iphar, the empress’s childhood friend and maid, was not in a good mood.

“The emperor is disappointed.”

At first, Iphar thought that the emperor loved Theodore, and Theodore seemed to reciprocate. However, after hearing rumors of Devian’s infidelity, she realized she had misjudged the situation.

Theodore and Devian.

Initially, it was the worst, but just a year ago, they seemed to be quite compatible. In fact, Iphar thought that their relationship was so good that it was enviable.

However, the couple’s relationship had become political, and the rumors spread that they no longer had a romantic relationship.

It wasn’t just that.

Rumors were circulating among the maids about Devian’s relationship with Sena, who had a large bosom.

“Men are all crazy about big-breasted women, aren’t they?”

Of course, Iphar and Theodore both had beautiful bodies, but compared to Sena, they were nothing. However, Iphar couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment about the emperor.

Moreover, she felt a faint sense of guilt towards Theodore.

This was because she had talked to Theodore about Devian’s good qualities before.

Therefore, Iphar was filled with serious discontent about this situation.

“Blowing in the wind, worst case scenario.”

Of course, Devian and Sena were not physically intimate, but Iphar, who didn’t know this, thought they were definitely physically intimate. She thought that since they often spent time alone, it was obvious they were having an affair.

“She must be having an affair.”

According to her experience, one hour was enough time to undress, roll around, and flirt shamelessly.

“It’s clear that she’s having an affair.”

Therefore, she decided to confide in the person she was most afraid of about this matter today.

“Is there something you wish to say, Yipa?”

Eurydice, with a kind smile, considers Yipa as a daughter of her heart, though not of her flesh.

She had wanted Yipa to leave her maid duties at the palace and take up the role of the Empress Dowager’s secretary, but Yipa, uncomfortable with the indulgences of palace life, had declined Eurydice’s offer.

“It’s just…”

Faced with Eurydice’s angelic and pure visage, Yipa finds herself unable to speak.

‘How do I say this… How do I tell her that not only has the Emperor been struck, but the Duke is involved with another woman…’

Despite her thoughts, Yipa knows she must quickly put an end to the Duke’s affair.

She is well aware of how much Theodora loves Devian, and how much he occupies her thoughts.

Wanting to protect her friend’s marriage at all costs, Yipa struggles to speak.

“His Grace the Duke… seems to have… taken a fancy to someone else.”

At Yipa’s words, Eurydice’s eyebrows twitch.

The bright smile on her beautiful face slowly turns into a frown…

“A fancy? My son-in-law has taken a fancy to someone else? Without even consummating his marriage? Did you say a fancy?”

Eurydice’s demeanor brings to mind the chill of a cold northern wind, and Yipa closes her eyes slightly.

“Tell me everything.”

Upon hearing the details of Devian’s frequent meetings with Sena, Eurydice’s eyes darken with intent.

“Summon the Emperor, the Duke, and Sena to my presence immediately. Now!” she commands.

The chamberlain nods in response and hurries off.

Seeing this, Eurydice is determined not to let this matter slide.

How could she, having raised her daughter like a precious gem, stand by while her marriage remains unconsummated and a mistress is brought in?

Eurydice, with her deeply conservative views on romance, resolves not to overlook this affair.

***

-Knock knock.

“What is it?”

A soldier’s voice comes from beyond the door in response to my query.

-It’s the chamberlain’s visit.

The chamberlain? Why would he come?

The chamberlain, like the steward, holds a high position within the palace and bears the title of baron.

As I’m told that people who are hard to approach, even for me, have come to find me, I take a moment to compose myself before speaking.

“Come in quickly.”

The door opens, and the majordomo enters, nodding his head and opening his mouth.

“The Empress Dowager has summoned You and the Crown Prince to attend to a matter urgently.”

“Is that what the Empress Dowager said?”

I wonder what kind of urgent matter would require the Empress Dowager to summon me.

Nothing comes to mind, but something lingers in my head.

Ah, is that it?

If it’s just about me, I wouldn’t know anything, but since it’s about Sana, I can make some guesses…

Rumors have been circulating in the palace that Sana and I have been having an affair.

Could that be the case?

I hesitate to ask, but I do so anyway.

“What’s the matter that requires your attention?”

The majordomo’s expression becomes troubled, and he hesitates before speaking.

“It’s… well, there’s a rumor going around the palace, and we’re worried about it.”

You want to confirm our affair, don’t you?

But unfortunately…

“Sana won’t be coming today. So I’ll be going alone.”

In reality, Sana has been acting as a messenger, relaying the conversations between me and the Pope.

So I don’t often get to see her, but it’s said that I’m being given special treatment within the palace.

“Yes, I understand.”

I followed the majordomo to the Empress Dowager’s quarters.

Inside, I found Sana and the Empress Dowager together…

It’s as if I’ve been transported to the North Pole.

Is it just my imagination? The temperature in the room seems to be dropping.

“Sana, go out for a moment,” the Empress Dowager said, her voice stern.

Sana nodded cautiously, and…

-click!

The door closed, and the Empress Dowager turned to me, her eyes fixed.

“Come, I want to ask you something, and I want the truth.”

The inevitable has arrived.

Though I’m trembling inside, I somehow concoct an excuse.

“Speak, if you will.”

At my words, my mother-in-law’s gaze turns even colder as she begins to speak.

“I’ve heard recently that you are having an affair with Sena, the aide. Is this true?”

I shake my head.

“No, it’s not. My relationship with Miss Sena is not impure.”

“So, the rumors spreading through the royal palace are just nonsense? I’ve heard that my son-in-law has been having tea… tea time alone with a woman named Sena quite often. Is that true?”

To that, I nod with an embarrassed expression.

“That is true, but… it’s not the kind of relationship you’re thinking of.”

At my words, my mother-in-law shakes her head and glares at me.

“Son-in-law! It’s preposterous for a man and a woman who are not married to be together so frequently. No matter how much you claim innocence, no one will accept it.”

Looking at my glaring mother-in-law, I ask with a puzzled face.

“Is it really so strange?”

Even in a conservative world like this, can’t men and women have tea together?

Considering that wealthy nobles often support poor artists and scholars, it’s hard to see my actions as strange by comparison.

“It is strange! Very strange indeed! There’s a rampant rumor inside the palace that you’ve taken a mistress! Are you going to insult my daughter like that?”

At those words, I scratch my cheek with an awkward expression and say,

“But mother-in-law. I have already proven my purity (?) to Theodora regarding this matter.”

A few days ago, Theodora was very angry about this issue, so I proudly declared my innocence using the Orb of Purity to her.

“So, to her, you…”

“This man? Proving… purity?”

As my mother-in-law becomes increasingly agitated, I explain the method I used on Theodora.

“Recently, Theodora took issue with that part, so I proved my purity with the Orb of Purity.”

This is the time for a straightforward approach.

I thought my mother-in-law would restrain herself a bit, but…

-Shivering.

With trembling shoulders and a flushed face, my mother-in-law shouts loudly.

“No! Why is a married man proving his purity? When are you going to give me Ian and Rene?!”

“What?”

She looks at me and points to the ground, exclaiming,

“No good! Devian, sit here!”

The regal tone Mother-in-law usually reserved for the court was nowhere to be found. I feel a sense of bewilderment as she speaks so casually.

“Why aren’t you sitting down?”

At Mother-in-law’s sharp command, I find myself sitting beside her without realizing it.

What to say about Mother-in-law’s current demeanor? It’s as if a noble mother is scolding her son.

“You say you love Terra? Then why aren’t you consummating the marriage? Do you take the empire’s future as a joke? And why must I hear rumors of my daughter being slapped? She’s a daughter I can proudly present anywhere!”

I’m taken aback as Mother-in-law rattles off like a machine gun.

“That… That is.”

“And! You used the precious unicorn horn for overtime work? Do you think I gave it to you for that?! What about Ian and Rene? When will you create Ian and Rene?!”

Now, Mother-in-law’s face turns beet red as she fumes.

How should I put it? Is it somewhat cute?

Just as I feel this way, her eyes, blue as sapphires, begin to moisten, and her shoulders shake.

No… She mustn’t cry.

“Mother-in-law. Please calm down.”

I try to soothe her with my words.

But once Mother-in-law starts crying, it’s as if she’s overcome with sorrow. She begins to sob loudly.

“Sob… How did our family come to this? The eldest daughter is just wielding a whip, and the youngest writes strange novels. Sob sob! It’s all your fault!”

Why is it my fault that Joy writes BL novels?

And the eldest daughter must be Theodora. Could she have an SM preference?

Thinking back to her in a previous dream, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had such tastes, but knowing the original Theodora, I doubt it.

Regardless, the fact that Mother-in-law is crying in private with me—if word gets out, I’ll be severely criticized. So I sweat bullets trying to calm her down.

I must avoid spending the night with Theodora at all costs.

“That… How is it my fault? You can’t blame me for your daughters’ peculiar tastes.”

But my words seem to make her even more upset, and she cries louder.

“I don’t know anymore! Child-rearing has failed! It’s ruined!”

No matter how I look at it, this life seems doomed.