I Became the Master of the Empress

227 – 231

Thus begins the mere semblance of a trial.

“Gregorio, though holding the papacy, has committed treason against the empire…”

The knights, hearing the same charges, are disgracefully bound, their wounds from yesterday on display.

Burst lips and a bruised upper body.

The empire’s citizens look on with expressions of utter devastation and sorrow as they listen to the hollow charges against the pope.

It’s a mess.

The accused is neither the pope nor are the charges correct.

As I entertain these thoughts, the chief justice delivers the verdict.

The chief justice, reciting the lengthy sentence.

“Therefore! I decree execution!”

He finally judges the pope’s crime.

A soldier, following the verdict and armed with a halberd, steps in front of the pope.

And then…

“Chop!”

His head rolls on the ground.

A fountain of blood sprays in all directions, the head tumbling about.

“Screams!”

“Oh, divine one!”

“May the archduke be cursed!”

“Woe, woe! The archduke, a blasphemer!”

“To the guillotine with the archduke!”

As I look around me.

Something falls onto the stage.

“What is this?!”

Seeing an iron ball the size of a grown man’s fist, I urgently shout.

“Everyone, duck down!”

I say, ducking down myself, but…

“Boom!”

A massive explosion hits me.

“Argh!”

It hurts. My body trembles with pain as if being torn apart.

“Ugh…”

Spitting blood from my mouth.

“Cough, cough.”

“Bring the Grand Duke! Bring His Grace!”

“Fetch the physician!”

The hall becomes noisy, and I can’t make sense of what’s being said.

-Murmurs,

Is this how I die?

Blood flows from torn skin all over my body.

Would death… be a relief?

Thinking I can finally rest, I let go of the strength in my body.

Yes, this should be enough. Haven’t I done as much as I could? The rest can be left to others.

It’s peaceful.

I can finally rest now. Yes… Next time I’m born, I’ll sleep to my heart’s content.

As my consciousness slowly fades away.

Why does my mother’s smile come to mind at this moment?

Why do I see Theodora’s tearful face now?

“No!”

I can’t die… not now.

If I die now, it will only lead to more chaos.

Forcing myself up, swallowing the pain, I say,

“Everyone, do not act rashly.”

I glare at the terrorist and command,

“Arrest the terrorist!”

At my command, the soldiers beat him indiscriminately.

“Cough! Cough!”

Blood dribbles from my mouth.

I can’t die. Not yet… I can’t.

Struggling to rise,

“Your Grace, here’s a potion. Please drink it quickly.”

The lieutenant offers a potion.

After swallowing the potion…

-Gulp.

“Strictly discipline the involved parties.”

With that command, he heads to the imperial palace.

***

Watching the soldiers bustling about, Theodora senses something amiss and calls out to them.

“What’s happening outside?”

“His Grace the Archduke was caught in an explosion.”

“What?! What happened to the Archduke?! Tell me about his condition in detail.”

Shocked by the news, I press the soldier for answers.

Devian is injured?

Suddenly, my legs start to give way.

In my astonishment, I urge him desperately.

“Didn’t I tell you to speak quickly?!”

At my words, the soldier speaks with an embarrassed face.

“Well… His Grace the Archduke ordered not to give any external information to His Majesty the Emperor…”

At that, I frown deeply.

“Then who has the command now?! I will go to meet that person.”

“Agricola… the Commander-in-Chief.”

Agricola, his ever-trusted confidant.

Even before, when he had troubles concerning his personal safety,

“Where is Commander Agricola?”

“Well… he’s in the Archduke’s office.”

“I will go there.”

As I head towards the Archduke’s office as the soldier said, the soldiers block my way.

“How dare you! Are you obstructing the Emperor’s path?!”

As I rebuke them, the soldiers block me with stern faces.

“We are soldiers of the Grand Duchy of Francesco. No matter if you are His Majesty the Emperor, you have no authority to command us.”

-Crack!

“I am both the emperor of this nation and also serve as the Grand Duchess Francesco! How dare you refuse the command of your lady of the manor!”

In truth, I am his wife.

When he is injured, I, as the lady of the house, can wield influence over the Grand Duchy.

“That… What is that?”

“Did he order you to imprison the Grand Duchess? Shall I tell him of the insult you’ve given me later tonight?”

As I speak tumultuously, attempting to leave the Gold Area…

I dodge the hand of a soldier trying to grasp my wrist and say,

“You cur, do you dare lay a hand on the body of the Grand Duchess?!”

Seeing the soldiers hesitate at my words, I make my way out of the Gold Area towards the Grand Duke’s residence.

“His… His Imperial Majesty?!”

“What are you doing! Don’t just stand there”

The soldiers blocking my path. Confusion flashes in their eyes before they stand firm against me.

This could go on forever.

Then…

“Your Majesty? What brings you here?”

I meet the eyes of Agrippa, wearing a bewildered expression.

“Commander Agrippa. They say he’s been hurt… Is it true?”

Tears well up at the mention of his injury.

Devian, who recently clutched his left eye in pain.

Perhaps his health has worsened due to the recent locusts, and now he’s caught in a terror attack.

“That’s…”

I speak to Agrippa, who avoids my gaze.

“How is he? Is he alright?”

“I’ve heard he’s taken a potion, so the immediate danger has passed, but he needs to rest for a day or two.”

At those words, my legs give way, and I collapse.

“Ah… Thank goodness. Sob… Thank goodness… Devian.”

***

The Grand Duke assassination plot.

Considering the magic forms and items used in the terror, it’s likely a plan prepared by the priests and cardinals.

“Cardinals?”

Karl nods at my words.

“Yes! The culprit hasn’t confessed yet, but I think it will happen soon.”

Currently, there are as many as 200 cardinals within the empire.

Just under 80 of them reside in Rome, and when you consider the numerous other important priests and high-ranking officials, as well as the agents deployed outside the palace to counteract any unsavory movements and those stationed in the palace’s underground dungeon.

It’s nearly impossible to demand a mission be carried out perfectly.

In some ways, I think it might have been impossible to prevent this incident.

“Alright, first look into that matter.”

Saying this, I turn to look at Agrippa standing behind me.

“Has there been any other disturbance?”

“No, there hasn’t been any other disturbance, but… His Majesty the Emperor is quite worried about His Grace the Archduke. Perhaps you should invite him here?”

Without realizing it, I flinch at the thought of Theodora.

Why did I think of Theodora just now? How foolish.

The moment everything was given up. Theodora’s grieving expression is unforgettable.

“His Grace the Archduke?”

“Huh? Did I say to call Theodora?”

Agrippa nods slightly at my words.

“Yes. It would be alright to call her.”

As I give my permission…

The door opens, and Theodora enters.

What? There was no mention of her being at the door?

Her sudden appearance makes my heart flutter unusually.

Why is this happening?

As I try to calm my racing heart and turn my head…

I see her red eyes, bloodshot, and I speak.

“What’s wrong? Have you been crying?”

As I rise from the sofa and approach her, tears stream down her beautiful red eyes.

“Sob… Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine. But why are you crying?”

Agrippa and Karl.

The two exchange glances… and quietly leave the room.

“Look at my face.”

And Theodora, scrutinizing my face closely.

She examines my body and says,

“Why couldn’t you prevent the terror? Is there a shortage of intelligence agents?”

As she says this, carefully observing me, I nod slightly.

“Yes. There are many to monitor, after all. We can’t just recruit anyone as an agent.”

To be honest, it’s true that the intelligence department is overloaded.

That’s why I don’t want to blame them for this, as they’ve been struggling with their duties up to now.

The terror was possible because I gave them too much work.

“How about drafting personnel from the Golden Knights? Even a few would be a help to you.”

The Golden Knights have combat abilities against demons and excellent escort skills, but they don’t follow my orders, only the emperor’s, which makes them hard to trust.

“Besides, with the Golden Knights’ help, it would be easier to kill a high-ranking demon like Locustra.”

“That’s true, but… they don’t listen to me well, do they?”

Frankly, it’s exhausting to think that calling them allies could lead to escaping with Theodora or some other mischief.

“If I tell them to treat your orders as their own…”

She cuts off her words firmly.

“Rejected. It’s hard to trust.”

At my words, Theodora’s face turns blank.

“What if you get caught in terror again?”

“That’s…”

I’m at a loss for words.

“If you bring a few and entrust them with your escort, it would be easier for you, wouldn’t it? Or are you worried I might do something rash?”

I want to agree with her slightly furrowed brows, but I hesitate, fearing she might get angry.

“You’re not scared, are you? Someone like you?”

“Huh?”

Her eyes sparkle mischievously as she continues.

“You’re always known for laughing off the opponent’s schemes and counterattacking. You’re not afraid of me, are you?”

Honestly, Theodora is scary.

“No, I’m scared of you.”

As I say this with a serious face, Theodora turns to stone.

“What?! Why are you scared? Why am I scary to you?”

And as Theodora, who had regained her senses, asked me with a bewildered face…

“I’m tired today. Let’s talk another time.”

As I spoke with an exhausted face, Theodora, subdued by my tone, nodded slightly.