I Became the Master of the Empress

210 – 214

On the table are the handcuffs and sleeping pills, as well as the book read by Theodora.

I look at them calmly and speak in a trembling voice.

“So, what was the plan with this?”

Theodora avoids my gaze and nods her head.

“I was going to give it to you and suppress you.”

My eyebrows furrow slightly at her words.

It’s as if Theodora said she was going to commit a mana-assisted rape. What should I do?

Was she planning to create a child with me and then kill me?

It’s unthinkable, even if we weren’t in a romantic relationship. Who would say such a thing?

Even if I did it, it would be a huge crime here.

And if she did it… it would be an even bigger crime.

No matter how powerful Theodora is as an empress, this is a huge scandal.

She must know this fact better than anyone.

But she’s still thinking of creating a child with me and killing me.

It’s too scary.

Could it be true that she actually likes being hit?

As the thought crosses my mind, I seriously consider whether it would be better to have separate rooms from Theodora in the future.

Wait a minute… Yesterday, my mother-in-law…

[It’s all because you let Tera wield the whip, you don’t see her as a woman anymore, do you?! Waaah!]

[I’ll have it! I’ll have your child! So please, stop crying.]

[Really? Sniffle… Do you really promise?]

I’ve… been had!

I thought that was the end of the trap?!

Did she know this and still forced Theodora and me to share a room?!

I knew my mother-in-law was good at politics, but I didn’t realize she played such a high game.

With such scheming…

Could it be that the most politically adept person in the empire is not me… nor Theodora, but my mother-in-law?

Anyway, that’s not what’s important.

When I glare at Theodora…

-Swish…

She avoids my gaze.

Ignoring her, I pick up a book and start reading.

“Wow…”

The content is risqué right from the start.

A woman named Dora and a man named Deang.

“Wait a minute?”

Dora and Deang? Is this book written based on me and Theodora?

Deang, squeezed dry almost like a dog every night.

Up to the scene where he’s handcuffed by both hands by Dora and sleeps comfortably.

It feels like I’ve seen a similar book somewhere before.

Back then, it was about me and Agrippa, wasn’t it?

There’s only one person bold enough to write about me, the power behind the empire, and Theodora, the empress, within the empire.

“Haah… My sister-in-law… You’re of marriageable age and yet you still write such things.”

As I sigh deeply, Theodora trembles her shoulders and turns to ask me softly.

“Why the sigh, Joy?”

Her eyes brimmed with a touch of curiosity as I spoke as if it were obvious.

“Why? Because Joy wrote it.”

She looked at me as if I were speaking nonsense.

“Joy? Surely not…”

I drove the point home to the incredulous Theodora.

“Then tell me, how many in the empire would dare write such a scandalous tale about you and me?”

-She flinched.

She turned to me, her composure regained.

Her face quickly flushed a deep red.

“You knew it was written by Joy, didn’t you?”

But she couldn’t respond, just hung her head low as I sighed.

“Ah…”

This is maddening. Like it or not, I have to stay here for a while.

I’ve made a promise to my mother-in-law, after all.

But… if I let my guard down and fall asleep, I can see it now: drugged, assaulted, and assassinated in my sleep.

What should I do?

First, let’s clean up this mess.

They probably didn’t expect me to search under the bed, so they’ll think this is all there is.

I open the window and throw out the handcuffs and sleeping pills.

“You…?”

As I tossed them out the window, Theodora looked at me, startled.

“Just sleep in the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch tonight.”

With that, I lay down on the sofa.

I’ll have to assign an intelligence agent to Theodora starting tomorrow.

“Good night…”

She said, turning off the light.

And she fell asleep quickly.

***

The next morning.

Theodora, her sister-in-law, and her mother-in-law were having breakfast.

“Joy, let’s talk after breakfast.”

Theodora said with a chilling voice…

“Hic!”

Joy hiccuped, her eyes and the corners trembling red.

Ah… Why did my sister-in-law write such a novel.

It seems Theodora wants to scold Joy, asking to see her separately.

“Uh… Sister? Why all of a sudden?”

Joy seems to sense something as she looks at Theodora’s stiff face and trembling eyes, despite the faint smile.

“I’ll tell you about it later.”

So Theodora continued her meal.

I feel awkward under the pleased gaze of my mother-in-law, watching her and me.

What a mess.

I’ve been planning to become the power behind the empire for quite some time, and I’ve been pondering the methods of governance for just as long.

The civil war against the anti-emperor faction, the fight with Joannes, the battle with the demon worshipers.

I’ve been planning and envisioning all this for quite some time.

Most of it went exactly as I intended.

About 90 percent?

But on the contrary, the parts related to the royal family or Theodora…

It seems nothing is going as I wish.

The empress with her bizarre hobbies, my sister-in-law who writes BL and erotic stories, and my mother-in-law who cries buckets wanting to see children from me and Theodora.

None of these were things I ever anticipated.

My head feels a bit dizzy?

So I look at Joy, who bows her head and stares at her plate.

Sister-in-law… You’re having a hard time.

***

“Where are you going, Joy?”

I clearly said to see me after the meal, but I glare fiercely at Joy sneaking away.

“Eh? Me… Me? I think I need to go study with brother Lucius quickly?”

Joy’s eyes tremble violently.

“Hmph! It’s okay to be a little late. Follow me.”

“But… still, Lucius oppa is worried…”

Joy, trying to escape this place somehow, pretends to be calm with trembling eyes.

I grab her wrist and head to my office.

Joy follows me.

She looks like a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse.

How can she write such trashy novels with that cute face?

I told her not to write BL novels, and yet she writes cheap and bizarre ones.

Honestly, I like that novel too.

It’s quite provocative and funny.

But it’s too vulgar for the empire’s princess to write.

Ah… my sister is writing such novels.

Honestly, it feels like my heart is breaking.

At least it’s not BL, which is a relief.

Homos*xual novels are banned by the Vatican, regardless of the type.

In contrast, erotic novels are not so strictly controlled by the Vatican.

If there’s any consolation, that would be it.

-Creak!

I enter my office and close the door tightly.

-Bang!

“Uh… Sister? Is something wrong? Is it because of your husband?”

At that, I frown and say,

“Are you calling that a conversation?!”

As I snap at her, Joy shrinks back.

“Sister… don’t be angry. What’s wrong…”

“That’s enough, explain this!”

I say, thrusting two blue books on the office desk in front of Joy.

“Ah…? This? You’ve seen this too, sister? I’ve been reading this book lately.”

Joy, shaking violently as if the inevitable has come, speaks with an expression and voice that accuse me of being the culprit.

How can she write such things when she’s so scared?

Of course, just because she’s my cute sister and I enjoyed the book doesn’t mean I won’t scold her.

A stern reprimand is in order.

“Of course, I’ll see it. You’re the writer, after all! Do you even realize you’re a princess? You’ll soon be an adult…”

Thus, she is taught how to conduct herself as the empire’s princess.

***

Days later, on a certain day.

I’m waiting for Amon on Roman Avenue.

-Knock knock.

“Come in.”

The door of the carriage opens, and a familiar man enters.

“Have you been well?”

I ask, feigning the expression I reserve for close friends, and Amon responds with a smile.

“I’ve been well, I hope His Grace has been the same.”

After the formal greetings are exchanged, I speak up.

“So, what did Locust say?”

It’s obvious that there’s no other way but to join hands with him, but still, I ask formally.

“He’s thinking positively… but trust hasn’t been established yet, so he wishes to meet in person and form a blood pact.”

A blood pact.

That’s a relief. It would have been troublesome if he had brought up something else.

The preparations to thwart the blood pact aren’t complete yet.

I’ve decided how to do it, but the material to deceive Locust and the demon worshippers isn’t perfectly crafted yet.

That’s why I’m thinking of buying time.

That’s why I nod with a smile.

“Well, I don’t mind either way. What exactly are the terms of the contract you desire?”

I ask nonchalantly, and Amon nods in response.

“Firstly, we want content regarding an alliance with us and active cooperation on the parts we request.”

He’s taken the bait.

The content about the alliance and active cooperation.

Both are abstract concepts.

Meaning, if I challenge this part, the conversation will inevitably be prolonged.

“What exactly do you want? I’d like to know what you mean by an alliance and active cooperation.”

Amon wears a blank expression, seemingly unable to grasp my words.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Instead of such abstract content, it’s about stating concretely what kind of favor you want done. As you know, if it’s too abstract, the blood pact might not function properly, right?”

Only then does he seem to understand a bit, his expression clearing.

“Don’t worry. If you just faithfully carry out the tasks we ask of you…”

I cut off Amon’s words.

“That’s just it. What if the actions you’re requesting are impossible for us to perform? Like if the Grand Duchy demands an unreasonable conscription, or an absurd amount of money. It would be difficult to sign under such unfair conditions.”

In reality, when forming treaties between nations, a great deal is considered.

And I have overwhelmingly more experience dealing with politicians and states in political and diplomatic affairs.

“So, tell me specifically what you want first.”

In other words, I plan to use the clauses of the blood pact to buy time.

But Amon seems clueless, his expression troubled.

“Uh… that’s still… well…”

“First, find that out. How can I sign the blood pact without knowing what it is?”

Amon nods his head, his face blank, as if he has nothing to say.

Idiot…

I’m sincerely glad such a fool isn’t my subordinate.