I Became the Master of the Empress

219 – 223

“I apologize for the inconvenience. Have you been waiting long?”

As I say this, Alexander and Olivia wave their hands as if to say no.

“Not at all. It’s we who have come unannounced.”

“We are grateful for your hospitality.”

With a light greeting, I begin to ask.

“But is that child truly Johannes’ son? And how did this situation come about?”

It’s the first I’ve heard of a son between Johannes and that woman.

At first glance, the child appears to be about 1 or 2 years old. If I were to guess the timing…

Was it during the civil war of the Emperor’s faction?

In the midst of war. Was there even time to have a child?

“That is… His Highness Joannes and Lady Olivia first met in the Duchy of Dupol.”

Oh?

I can roughly imagine the story.

Joannes must have abducted that woman to satisfy his lust.

Here, war crimes are exceedingly aristocratic and male-dominated.

So, it’s common for nobles to violate or use a fair woman from enemy territory as a plaything.

How else could it be that even in the military academy I attended, they encouraged looting and rape to boost the soldiers’ morale?

By modern standards, these are heinous war crimes, but here, such acts are not just frequent; they are recommended by field commanders.

Thinking this far, I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for that woman.

“I see. But why are you telling me this?”

What puzzles me is why you’re bringing up Joannes’ illegitimate child.

“That is… Lady Olivia was cast out from her home. I have served her until now, but with the warrant out for her arrest, I can no longer assist, and so we have come here.”

“Hmm… I see.”

The astute Alexander would know that I’m the one who issued the warrant.

And yet he comes to me?

Could it be that Alexander has something to offer me, hoping to secure assistance for the child to grow up well?

Alexander, cunning as ever, is not outdone by me in scheming.

Can it really be just that? I find it hard to believe.

To be honest, shouldn’t we be past the point of beating around the bush?

In the diplomacy of this place, it’s considered virtuous to avoid direct conversation and speak in roundabout ways.

It’s the custom here to look down on direct talk among peers of the same status.

At this point, it doesn’t suit Alexander’s stature to speak in circles.

If it were back when he was a representative of Nicaea, it would be appropriate to speak indirectly. But now, he’s no different from a criminal.

No matter what anyone says, he’s a criminal for having drawn his sword against the empire with Joannes’ help.

Knowing this and still showing himself to me means…

He’s clever indeed. He must have appeared knowing that I can’t kill him.

Now I understand why he’s come before me, but how he found out remains an unsolved mystery.

As I tried to discern his true thoughts in my mind.

“Your Grace, you seem to be deep in thought. I never imagined that my powerless self coming here would cause you such contemplation.”

Alexander, with his easy smile, to which I respond with a grin.

“That’s right. I was pondering the intentions of a master tactician in diplomatic warfare coming to meet me. As you know, we are not such people, are we?”

Alexander shakes his head.

“Ha, how could this old man be called a master? I’m nothing but a humble elder.”

With that, our conversation pauses, and then he continues.

“Your Grace might think I have come here with an ulterior motive…”

“I am aware of what you are thinking.”

I take the lead, having a rough idea of what he is about to propose.

“Surely, you have come to request a pardon for me, and to offer your assistance? And I have no intention of refusing this offer.”

He must know that I am in want of talented individuals.

Currently, the traitor Sabinelli has become the Minister of Justice of the Empire.

This means that both Theodora and I would highly value any talented person, no different from what he suggests.

And knowing this, Alexander must have come.

“But how did you know I was here?”

At my words, Alexander bursts into a hearty laugh.

“It was by chance.”

“Chance?”

I ask, and Alexander nods.

“Since the day His Highness Joannes was assassinated. Olivia and I have had to live a hard life.”

Thus begins Alexander’s tale.

Alexander took care of Olivia, who had been violated by mercenaries, and treated her wounds.

And Olivia, who recovered from her injuries.

Alexander emptied his pockets to send her back to her hometown in the Duchy of Dupol.

But what returned was the cold rejection from her family.

In the end, she was driven out of her home, labeled a harlot who had given herself to the enemy king, and Alexander took her in.

But as Olivia’s belly grew increasingly round.

“I’ve settled in the Yarl Plains.”

Alexander, who had made a difficult home in the Yarl Plains, caring for Olivia and Joannes’ illegitimate child.

He was unable to return to his hometown due to a warrant for his arrest, and without a proper identity, he couldn’t secure a decent job.

Thus, he became a tenant farmer here, toiling away at the land…

“When harvest time came, the tax collector arrived in the village.”

While all the villagers paid their taxes, Alexander could not.

He had no legal identity, after all.

Alexander was a criminal, currently wanted by the state.

His suspicious behavior eventually got them expelled from their dwelling; he says he came to me after seeing my flag.

“Just a moment, Representative Alexander. Then, the child’s biological father is…”

Though Joannes had satisfied his desires, she was violated by mercenaries.

Doesn’t that make the child’s father unknown? But how can he claim to be Joannes’ son?

Alexander gives a look that says he knows what I’m thinking.

“That’s correct. The child’s biological father is unknown.”

At that, I’m taken aback.

“But why then?”

Alexander, holding baby Olivia in his arms, says,

“If this baby is of Babylonian blood, wouldn’t it be easier for His Grace the Duke to assist us?”

Indeed. If he’s Joannes’ son, he could receive funds from the treasury of Nicaea.

Even though Joannes is a traitor, the proud people of Nicaea are being appeased by granting maintenance funds to Joannes’ children and wife.

In our country or China, there’s no culture of exterminating the traitor’s family to the third or ninth degree.

Instead, it’s a feasible policy here, as it’s difficult for the imperial law and the sentiment of the imperial citizens to accept collective punishment for the innocent families of criminals.

In essence, Alexander now wishes to have this child recognized as Joannes’ son.

“It wouldn’t be difficult.”

If I acknowledge this child as Joannes’ son, securing maintenance funds for him wouldn’t be hard.

“But if I were to assist you with that, what could you, Representative Alexander, offer me in return?”

I asked him directly what he would do for me.

“Ha. I shall share with you a way to alleviate His Grace the Duke’s worries.”

Worries? What worries?

My current concern is to prevent bloodshed when dismantling the Papacy.

But how could he know that?

“I’ve heard you’ve been losing ground to the imperial faction. Having been active within it for a long time, I know their thoughts and habits better than anyone.”

Alexander’s tension eases at the words.

“It’s not that it was overdue, but rather that it was shared.”

“Not only that. I’m well aware of their corrupt deeds.”

Alexander, appealing about himself in case I find him disagreeable.

Seeing Olivia looking anxious, I don’t want to see any more pitiful displays and cut him off.

“I personally, as well as publicly, hold Representative Alexander in high regard. I will acknowledge Olivia’s son as the son of Johannes. Furthermore, I will appoint Representative Alexander as a civil servant under my employ.”

Only then do the two relax their expressions.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. You’ll probably be quite busy for a while…”

From his bosom, he presents a slave contract… no, an employment contract.

“Please sign here.”

Alexander looks at the paper I’m holding out.

He reads the text carefully, and his complexion turns pale.

It’s the same content as the contracts written by Mueller or the former Lucius.

Clever Alexander. He must know what this content means.

“This… isn’t this a slave contract?”

“Oh! A slave contract? This is my assistant’s contract. As you know, being a representative, the empire’s civil servants receive their salary from the blood-like taxes of the empire’s citizens. Therefore, shouldn’t we work hard for the sake of the empire’s people?”

Alexander blinks at my words.

“Even so, this is too much. I’ve heard that the work of the Grand Duke’s office is intense, but… this is almost slavery…”

“Slavery?! As you know, our empire has outlawed slavery. Besides, isn’t the salary itself quite substantial? What slave owner would pay a slave such a generous salary?”

Alexander makes a face of disbelief.

“It seems I’ve come to the wrong place. Let’s go, Olivia.”

Who sent you? You came of your own accord, but leaving is not the same.

“Where are you going? Didn’t you say you would help me? Ah? Taris, come and greet.”

I call Taris, who is behind me, to introduce him to Alexander.

“This person is Taris, affiliated with the intelligence department. Taris, please greet this gentleman, a talent of the empire.”

As I deliberately reveal that Taris is from the intelligence department, Alexander makes a face as if he’s been had.

“Pleased to meet you, Representative Alexander. I’ve heard much about you.”

Taris bows his head in greeting.

“Ah… pleased to meet you.”

Well, how about it? You’re going to leave without signing, even with an intelligence agent present? You might end up being investigated by the intelligence service, are you okay with that?

Investigation is a kind word for what often turns into torture at the hands of the intelligence service.

“Do you want to be tortured?” I say with a look that conveys the message, and Alexander sits down with a look of despair.

“I’ll sign.”

“That’s a wise decision. I’ll make sure your salary is very generous.”

And so, today I’ve acquired an excellent servant.