I Became the Master of the Empress

253 – 257

Originally, I had planned to do this after my date with Theodora, but…

“Let’s just do it today.”

Since the establishment of the Ministry of State, my workload has decreased, and I took out some tasks that had been put on hold and began to review them little by little.

Should I try to tackle a few today?

With that thought, I unfolded the documents I had carefully set aside for the handover and examined the agenda in detail.

The recent issue is the treatment of the imperial citizens who protested against the Vatican’s decree.

As there were violent demonstrations, quite a number of those involved were arrested.

The penalties imposed by imperial law are quite severe prison sentences.

However, I had established an internal policy to grant amnesty, knowing that if I were to engage in such violent actions at that time, there would be backlash, unless they were heinous criminals or individuals trying to exploit this chaotic situation for personal gain.

“Thanks to that… there’s so much to do.”

Thus, I spent a long time meticulously reviewing and selecting the candidates for amnesty.

The documents I am currently looking at are lists of prisoners who have previously committed serious crimes and whose acts of violence have exceeded acceptable limits.

“Whew… was arson against civilian homes really necessary?”

As I was reviewing the documents.

– Knock, knock.

I glanced at the clock.

What is it?

It was already past 9 PM.

There shouldn’t be anyone coming at this hour, so I asked back.

“What’s the matter?”

– Creak.

Without my permission, the door opened, and William along with two members of the Golden Knights entered my office.

“Your Grace, we are here to enforce your Majesty’s order of forced removal.”

“What?”

I was taken aback by the sudden situation.

“W-What does that mean?”

Forced removal? I’ve heard of forced resignation, but this “forced removal” is something I’ve never heard before.

And forced? What nonsense is this?

Before I could say anything in my bewilderment, the Golden Knights seized my arms.

“Excuse us. We will escort you to the Gold Area.”

Knowing that no matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t overcome them, I let out a deep sigh.

“Ha… was this what you two were discussing earlier?”

At my words, William nodded.

“Your excessive exertion has caused great concern for his Majesty. While your hard work for the empire is commendable, there are duties associated with your position, are there not? If you continue to overwork yourself and end up harming your health, causing worry for his Majesty, that would also be an act of disloyalty.”

In response to his solemn words, I retorted bluntly.

“But the documents I need to see right now…”

“If you have a separate petition, then petition His Majesty.”

As I was being dragged out like that, I spoke to William.

“Sir, isn’t this a bit much? I’m not trying to do anything strange; I just want to do my job…”

“I’m truly sorry, but I am a knight executing my lord’s orders. The authority lies with His Majesty.”

Realizing that arguing with this inflexible knight was futile, I decided to negotiate with him.

“Then, is it alright if I take the documents with me?”

But William shook his head.

“That’s not possible either.”

Damn…

“Fine. I’ll go on my own, so please let me be.”

At my words, William nodded and gestured to the knights, who then released my arms.

“We will escort you into the Gold Area.”

And so, I was forcibly led toward the honeymoon suite.

And then…

“Theodora! Isn’t this a bit much?”

I said, my irritation evident, but Theodora burst into laughter.

“Snicker… Haah…”

Her effort to stifle her laughter only fueled my annoyance.

“Am I doing something strange? Do you really want to interfere with my work like this?”

As I raised my voice, she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and said,

“Power really is something, isn’t it? I think I understand why everyone gets intoxicated by it.”

“No, we’re not talking about power right now, are we? Withdraw the order given to Sir William.”

I said this in a low, irritated tone, and she smiled slyly.

“Do you know the heart of a woman waiting for her beloved husband to return?”

“Hmm?”

As Theodora suddenly changed the subject, I blurted out something foolish, and she took it in stride.

“Besides, you’re the patient, and the surgery is coming up soon, right? You should actually be grateful that I’m letting you off until nine.”

Saying this, she came closer to me…

“If it were up to me, I’d want to keep you in bed all day, but that would only frustrate you, so I’m letting you go.”

“Uh…?”

“And there’s something else for the two of us to do, right?”

“What is that… Ugh!”

Saying that, Theodora gave me a deep kiss…

She didn’t leave me alone all night.

And that day, I thought maybe it was a mistake to summon William for no reason.

*

Finally, the day before the surgery.

Since tomorrow’s surgery needed to be kept as secret as possible, I summoned Sena and the medical staff who would assist her to the palace.

I decided to keep the concern that I might go blind hidden, as the Pope and the Chancellor shared their opinions that it could incite anxiety across the empire.

However, it seemed difficult to hide it even from the royal family, so I finally conveyed my eye condition to my mother-in-law and sister-in-law today.

And then…

“Brother-in-law…”

“I can’t believe your eyes are that bad.”

When the two of them suddenly came to the grand study to find me…

Seeing tears welling up in their eyes made me feel embarrassed, so I told them I was okay.

“I’m fine. They say it’s just blindness at worst.”

I tried to reassure them somehow, but instead, they burst into tears.

“Ugh…”

“Brother-in-law!”

“Why… why are you doing this?”

Isn’t this supposed to be the other way around? I should be crying in sadness while they comfort me; I don’t understand why I have to comfort them when I might go blind.

“I’m fine.”

So I sweated a lot while trying to comfort the two of them…

Just in case something happens to me and I go blind, I distributed power so that the grand study could continue to function for a while.

Whether it’s a month or perhaps a lifetime… I believe that if Theodora takes on my role, everything will run smoothly without me.

And then… inevitably, when I was kicked out of the grand study at 9 o’clock and was sharing a moment of love with Theodora, enjoying the lingering feelings in bed.

Theodora’s shoulders, nestled in my arms, trembled delicately.

“Ugh…”

“Don’t cry. Why are you crying again?”

I hold her tightly.

“I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry. I can’t stop crying.”

Theodora, filled with tears.

I wiped her tears reflecting in the moonlight.

“Don’t apologize. This is the path I chose, right? And if I had been better, this wouldn’t have happened.”

I forced a smile and made a joke, but she only trembled her shoulders.

Feeling that it wouldn’t be easy for her to calm down, I gently stroked her hair and called her name.

“Theodora?”

Her head buried in my chest, shaking.

I held her tightly and called her again.

“Theodora.”

“… What is it?”

Her voice, soaked in tears, made me smile without realizing it.

“Why have you become so cute?”

Honestly, I didn’t expect her to be this sad and self-reproaching.

“C-cute? I’m just a foolish woman who can’t even trust her husband or take care of him…”

– A chuckle.

“Foolish? With how pretty and cute you are, where do you see foolishness?”

“Stop it. You’re trying your best to save the world… I’m just the woman who got in your way.”

“Hey, don’t say that. What you did was the right thing. The center of the empire is the emperor, and you just did what was expected of you as an empress. The state my eyes are in is because I failed to take care of myself.”

As I deliberately told her it was my fault, she lifted her body from my embrace, wearing an expression of anger.

“Don’t say that! You… you did your best, didn’t you? No one can speak of your achievements like that!”

Tears glistened in her beautiful red eyes.

How could I not love her when she cries for me like this?

And on top of that, she’s an incredible beauty.

I brought my lips to her forehead.

– A kiss.

“Yeah, I thought my achievements were great too, but when I see you so sad, I sometimes wonder if I had been a bit better, our beautiful wife wouldn’t be crying.”

This is a lie.

It’s just a lie that came from my wish for Theodora not to cry.

Honestly, what I did is not entirely my own skill.

Countless people participated in making plans, and luck was on my side.

To say that I came this far solely through my own ability would be misleading.

That’s why I felt burdened by everyone praising and worshiping me.

Of course… I paid the price, but still, I would be satisfied if I could lose my sight and save everyone.

Of course… it’s bittersweet, but isn’t it somewhat cool?

I protected humanity and lost my sight, yet I left my name in history.

“Ugh…”

As I said that, she let out a short scream and avoided my gaze.

“So, if you’re sad, I’m sad too.”

Saying that, I hugged her tightly.

A brief silence flowed between us.

Feeling Theodora squirming in my arms, I wondered.

What is she thinking right now?

Perhaps she regrets not annulling the marriage?

Just in case, I decided to broach the subject.

“By any chance… do you regret stopping the annulment back then?”

At my words, Theodora flinched.

“Why would you think that?”

“Just, the truth is, I don’t have anything, right? If I die, the title will go to Mary, and if I become a blind man, I won’t be able to engage in politics. I’d just be a burden to you.”

I felt her shaking her head, as if to say no.

“No, I don’t regret it. On the contrary, I think it was good that I held onto you back then. Even if you can’t see, even if you have no limbs… even if you become disabled, I would have acted the same. Because I love you.”

At those words, my vision unknowingly blurred.

Perhaps… I was worried whether I would be abandoned by her after becoming blind, or whether she would regret it?

“So… please stay by my side until the day you die.”

“Okay… I will. I love you, Theodora.”

With that, a wave of warmth spread between us.