I Became the Master of the Empress

251 – 255

In the time filled with the blue light of dawn.

I gently open my eyes to a tickling sensation on my chest.

A woman with gray hair is lying on top of me.

She tickles my chest.

“Are you awake?”

As I speak, the gray hair sways slightly.

“Did you wake up?”

“Yeah.”

It’s a bit embarrassing.

Before I fell asleep, I was driven by lust, but after a nap, I feel a mix of embarrassment and happiness.

In the brief silence, I cautiously break the quiet.

“Are you feeling okay?”

She rubs her cheek against my chest.

Does that mean she’s not hurt?

I gently stroke her hair.

I enjoy the soft texture of her gray hair and savor the current situation.

The fragrant scent of rosemary.

The aroma that had aroused my desire moments ago now brings comfort to my heart.

It feels nice.

I drift off to sleep while enjoying her nestled in my arms.

– Poke, poke.

Something is poking my cheek.

I turn my head to avoid whatever it is.

My body is so tired; I want to sleep more.

But that something keeps following me.

I’m so sleepy…

It continues to poke or stroke my cheek, annoying me, so I cover my cheek with my hand.

“Chuckle… cough…”

I struggle to open my sleepy eyes at the sound of something laughing.

“Wake up already. It’s time for breakfast.”

Theodora, with a bright smile, appeared through my blurry vision.

She gently caressed my cheek.

“Yawn… What time is it?”

“It’s 8 o’clock.”

Ah… it’s morning time.

As I slowly sat up, I noticed she was already dressed neatly, as if she had just washed up, and she caressed my cheek again.

Was it this hand that woke me from my slumber earlier?

And then the hot events of last night flashed in my mind, causing a physical reaction, so I hurriedly headed to the bathroom.

“I’ll go wash up.”

After washing up, changing my clothes, and heading to the dining room.

She gently crossed her arms.

“Hehe.”

And Theodora rubbed her cheek against my arm.

It felt strange, like a cute cat nuzzling against me.

It’s not that I dislike it. It’s certainly nice, but it feels awkward because it’s a bit different from what I know.

Now that I think about it, I should bring up the eye surgery too.

As I was lost in thought, she whispered softly.

“Yesterday was too intense.”

She clearly said it was intense, but is the laughter in her voice just my imagination?

“Ahem… Was it?”

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the dining room.

-Squeak.

I exchanged greetings with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law as we began breakfast.

*

Time at the Grand Study passes really quickly.

“I’ve given the order for Sir William to return to the capital.”

Müller, who had been promoted to my direct secretary, started the evening report with a deadpan expression.

Previously, I had summoned William and the Golden Knights near Roman to be Theodora’s sword in case I had to step down.

Originally, he should have entered Roman by now, but the plan has changed quite a bit, so he has only just issued the return order.

I clearly understood that Theodora had no intention of killing me.

Moreover, this is also a precaution in case I go into surgery and become blind.

Even if I were to go blind, as long as William and the Golden Knights remain in Roman, no one would dare to look at Theodora’s throne.

And divorce due to blindness is also not permissible.

“When will you arrive?”

“They say they will arrive in about two days.”

As I nodded at those words.

– Knock, knock.

I looked at the door at the sudden knocking sound.

“Who is it?”

– His Majesty the Emperor has come to visit.

What could it be about?

I wondered if he had come because he wanted to see me, but soon shook off that thought.

“Show him in.”

At my words, the door opened, and Theodora entered.

When I first saw her, she was naive to the ways of the world, but now she has become a solemn emperor.

Isn’t her expression quite serious?

She looked at Müller and said.

“Secretary Müller, I have something to discuss with the Grand Duke. Could you step out for a moment?”

At those words, Müller nodded.

“Yes. I will step out for a moment.”

As Müller left the office, I asked the serious-looking Theodora.

“What’s the matter?”

“I wanted to see you.”

“Hmm?”

Theodora suddenly barged in.

She seems a bit shy, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Is it wrong to come because I wanted to see you?”

“No, it’s not that it’s wrong.”

—

It’s clearly autumn weather, but why is my face getting hot?

There have been many things during our married life, but knowing her true feelings makes me a bit shy.

“Ahem… It’s getting to be dinner time, shall we go eat?”

At my words, Theodora nodded with a gentle smile.

After dinner.

I was about to return to my heavy studying, but Theodora, with a downcast expression, asked me.

“Can’t you stay with me today?”

“Huh?”

“Since we got married, you’ve always been busy, and we haven’t really spent time together. So, can’t you just stay with me today?”

The way she spoke, as if she feared I might refuse, made her seem like a little kitten.

Isn’t it okay to take just one day off?

Of course, I do have some things to do…

Besides, I need to talk about the eye surgery anyway.

After some hesitation, I nodded slightly, and she beamed.

“Hehe…”

Why… why does she look so cute?

I felt a sense of bewilderment inside, as I hadn’t felt this way just a little while ago.

So, we walked together and shared the conversations we hadn’t had.

“I thought you were crazy back then, you know?”

I said, in a flustered voice, as she talked about the time I was working late, eating the unicorn horn my mother-in-law had given me.

“I had a lot to do back then. Plus…”

I was scared of having a child with her.

But saying that in front of her felt like a curse, so I trailed off…

“Why are you trailing off?”

Theodora asked, looking puzzled.

“Huh? Did I?”

We walked together to a bench in the garden.

The two of us sat on the bench, momentarily silent.

I wonder what she’s thinking right now?

A brief silence flowed between us.

I wonder how I should bring up the subject of my eyes.

But really, you won’t regret doing this with me, right?

There have been cases in history where people suffered severe injuries.

It’s not uncommon to lose an eye or an arm due to war or accidents.

In Roman politics, such individuals were thoroughly ostracized.

Maybe that’s why I felt a bit shaky.

To be honest, I’m a little scared.

I thought it might be difficult to speak while looking at her, so I gazed at the night sky.

“Theodora. I have something to say.”

“Yes?”

I continued speaking in a flat tone, despite her voice.

“Um… the truth is, I need to have surgery.”

“S… surgery? What do you mean…?”

Theodora didn’t understand my words.

I elaborated to make it easier for her to grasp.

“My left eye is at risk of blindness, and if I leave it untreated, my right eye could go blind too.”

In that moment, something gripped my shoulder tightly and turned me around.

“Say that again! What’s wrong with your eye?”

Theodora’s expression was one of anger.

How should I put it? Her face was a mix of surprise and fear.

“I’ve had trouble with my left eye for a while now, remember?”

“Ah?”

If I say it like this, she should understand what I’m getting at.

“W… wait a minute? You mean it’s serious enough for surgery? What’s the cause? No… we don’t have time to be doing this right now!”

Her face was filled with confusion.

I held her hand resting on my shoulder and spoke slowly.

“Yeah, if I don’t have the surgery soon, I could go blind, and even if I do have it, I don’t know what will happen. The cause… is probably overwork.”

At my words, Theodora bowed her head and trembled slightly.

“It’s because of work, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it because of the civil war among the imperial faction and the locusts that this happened to me?”

The trembling voice of Theodora.

I could feel the sadness and confusion woven into her words, prompting me to correct her.

“The civil war among the imperial faction and the locusts, that’s true. But you are not to blame.”

To speak coldly, Theodora’s presence was a burden to me.

The driving force behind my ability to rule the empire came from Theodora’s authority.

That’s why I mobilized the intelligence agency to uncover her secrets; I didn’t know what she might be plotting.

This lie sprang from a hope that she wouldn’t feel even a hint of guilt.

“Lies… lies…”

She lifted her head, tears brimming in her eyes as she continued.

“It’s because of me, isn’t it? I tried to bear the immense burden to protect the empire and humanity, and that’s what led to this!”

As transparent tears gathered in her beautiful red eyes, I wiped them away.

“If the burden is the reason, then yes…”

A gamble with my life and several wars.

I had certainly planned my best, but the fear of potential failure loomed over me.

I had summoned the locusts with Roman, but there was the worry and burden that I might fail and the Demon King could be resurrected.

On my shoulders rested the weight of humanity, heavier than anything else in this world.

There were times I couldn’t sleep deeply. No, it would be more accurate to say that I couldn’t sleep due to the burden.

She hugged me tightly.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry. For making you… carry such a heavy burden… ugh… I’m sorry.”

I said nothing and gently stroked her hair.

Until her tears ceased.