I Became the Master of the Empress

263 – 267

The aristocrats are gathering in one place to prepare a conspiracy.

“I heard that Princess Mary requested an extension on the deadline for her response.”

As a young man spoke, everyone nodded in agreement.

“If Princess Mary comes over, we might have a chance. Honestly, it’s hard to believe we can defeat the Grand Duke and the Emperor, and if that’s the case, surely a noble with ulterior motives will emerge.”

They will inevitably crumble if they scatter.

Not all nobles are aristocrats, after all.

If a traitor emerges from here, that traitor will undoubtedly reap tremendous benefits.

“First, we are cutting off the strings of the intelligence department, but… who knows what outlandish methods they might use to siphon off information?”

The fact that the intelligence agency has been siphoning information from the Imperial faction for a long time is no secret.

Therefore, they are confirming this through the use of double and triple magic detection devices and holding a meeting.

“First, please tell us how we can blind the Grand Duke.”

At the young noble’s words, an older noble spoke up.

“Currently, the Grand Duke’s primary physician is Sister Sena. She is a prospective saint.”

At the mention of a prospective saint, silence fell over the room.

Saint.

The secret weapon of the Holy See in preparation for the resurrection of the Demon King.

They have carefully nurtured a pure and virtuous person for a long time.

“What do you intend to do with her?”

As silence enveloped the room…

“There is no way other than to kill her or threaten her.”

Everyone felt a sense of bewilderment at the words of the older noble.

“W-what do you mean… kill her? We would incur divine punishment.”

“Is divine punishment really important right now?! If things go wrong, our family line might be cut off!”

For the nobles, the most important thing is their lineage.

The duty of a noble is to protect and prosper their family.

“That is true. I must fulfill my duty as well.”

At that moment, a woman who appeared to be in her sixties, who had been silent until then, spoke up.

“But to speak coldly, can we win?”

“Is it necessary to win? Can’t we just inflict pain on them and reach a suitable compromise?”

They would blind the Grand Duke and reach a suitable compromise with the Emperor so that the Grand Duke could no longer interfere in the politics of the Empire.

With just that one incident, they could demonstrate the strong influence of the nobles in Imperial politics.

That is all everyone desires.

“Then, in the end… the prospective saint…”

To do so, they must either kill Sena or co-opt her.

“It’s an unavoidable situation… May God forgive us…”

Thus, they devised a concrete plan.

*

“Hmm~”

Lying on the sofa, humming a song.

Though I can’t see, I’m deeply moved by how comfortably I can spend my time like this.

How heavy has the burden been all this time?

Rebellion, civil war, being ground down in the hell of internal affairs, dealing with the demon race.

Considering the period of abuse I endured under the guise of heir training, it seems there has never been a time as leisurely as this while living as Debian.

“Really… I always hoped you would take a little break… but I didn’t mean just lying on the sofa like this.”

Recently, I’ve been intentionally avoiding her office, following her.

If I had to give a reason, it’s to provide suitable fodder for the aristocrats and to live this comfortable life.

For several days, quite a plausible thought has crossed my mind.

But to do this, I need to stay out of Theodora’s sight.

If this goes well… I could abolish the Grand Duchy and live doing nothing in the imperial palace.

“What does it matter? You can’t see anyway, right? You should go think about what kind of carrot to dangle in front of the aristocrats.”

“Ugh, fine. By the way, a letter came from Mary. Should I read it to you?”

I nodded at her words.

“Yeah.”

– Rustle…

“To my dear Debian oppa…”

Theodora begins to read the letter in her sweet voice.

The gist of it is that the ambassador from the Grand Duchy inquired unofficially about the Grand Duke’s succession intentions, and there’s a question about what happens to the anti-emperor faction’s ruler once I become a real name.

And that diplomat is someone Mary has taken a long time to befriend, so he subtly conveyed information to our side.

That the aristocrats’ uprising is not far off.

“Well, that’s predictable, isn’t it?”

Honestly, the political arena is like mathematics.

Considering the means that the other side might choose, their schemes become clear.

Of course, if the opponent is a fool… there’s no answer.

“So what do we do? Capture them all and execute them?”

“Then it would become difficult to govern, you know?”

“Phew… That’s why I’m struggling like this.”

The nobles here are not merely vested interests.

Nobles are a class that has received a high level of education.

Nobles can receive a high level of education, but the number is very small.

In other words, if we capture all of them, we can expect the administration to collapse.

“First of all, we don’t know their plans, right? If we keep an eye on them, a good method will come up.”

“Yes, if it really doesn’t work out, we’ll have no choice but to send them all to the execution platform.”

I nodded at her words.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

– Creak, clank.

After confirming that the door had closed, I slowly sipped my coffee.

A moment later.

– Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

“Greetings, Your Grace.”

I responded to the familiar voice.

“Yeah, Ipa, I’m sorry for making you suffer because I can’t see.”

“It’s nothing. I will wait outside until His Majesty the Emperor arrives, so please call for me at any time.”

“Then, I’m sorry to ask right away, but could you call Victor for me?”

“Are you referring to Minister Victor of the Foreign Affairs?”

“Yeah. Tell him to come because I have something urgent to discuss. And bring some cookies, not troll eyeballs.”

“Yes, I will do that.”

With that, Ipa withdrew.

A moment later, she brought the cookies, and I enjoyed them deliciously.

Have I been living too busily? I never knew palace cookies could be this tasty.

I definitely felt that Roman’s food was the best.

Perhaps before, I only ate convenient food and didn’t have the chance to truly savor it.

Next time, I should try something other than cookies.

– Knock, knock.

“Who is it?”

– Minister Victor of Foreign Affairs has arrived.

“Show him in.”

– Creak.

The door soon opened, and someone entered.

“Are you Minister Victor?”

“Your Highness… I heard about the surgery. Are you feeling well?”

I nodded at Victor’s words.

“Yes, I’m fine. I called you here because there is something urgent to discuss. I hope… no one else has come in?”

“No, I came alone.”

“My eyes are uncomfortable. Please, have a seat wherever you feel comfortable.”

– Tap… Tap.

After taking a seat, Victor spoke in a low voice.

“Why have you called me? Is it because of the aristocrats?”

“That’s right. I’ve heard that the aristocrats are taking advantage of my condition to engage in amusing activities. Therefore, I must prepare accordingly.”

To be honest, this crisis is not really a crisis.

No, rather it’s an opportunity.

Officially, as the Emperor’s husband, I have many duties, responsibilities, and powers.

In other words… if I don’t do something about these, I’ll have to continue with public duties and endure that dreadful Duke’s office.

I should take this chance to abolish the Duke’s office and become a full-time layabout, a pillar of Tedeora.

I didn’t used to feel that way, but having tasted rest, the desire to return to the Duke’s office has vanished.

I want to wake up, leisurely eat delicious food, and rest deeply.

Honestly, I want to fully enjoy palace life where I can work all night without opening my eyes and do anything if just spoken to…

However, according to imperial law, there are many matters that require the involvement of the state.

Moreover, the bills approved by the imperial council when I became Duke also bind me.

It wouldn’t be bad to nullify everything this time, and hand over the Duke’s position to Mary.

“If you’re talking about the Empress Dowager…?”

As Victor cautiously opened his mouth, I responded.

“They are a coalition that has temporarily gathered for their own interests. They are about to make me an offer I cannot refuse.”

A moment of silence passed.

“An offer you cannot refuse? What is it?”

“I ask you to negotiate with the aristocrats to withdraw this uprising in exchange for my complete relinquishment of the Emperor’s privileges, the abolition of the Duke’s office, the transfer of the Duke’s position to Mary, and the total waiver of privileges guaranteed by the state.”

To others, it may seem like a proposal akin to surrender, but this would allow me to shed all the obligations and responsibilities that bind me.

“The Duke?! Is… is that really true? But why are you doing this? Isn’t this a condition of surrender when we are in a favorable position?”

—

Victor begins to look astonished and aghast at my proposal, which is nothing short of a complete surrender.

“Ha ha, I have no desire for power. It just turned out this way because I was doing what needed to be done.”

The world needed strength.

And the truth of the world is that to maintain strength, greater strength is required.

Now, having nothing left to do, I intend to boldly give up all of this.

Still… I’ll be receiving a pension as a former duke, thanks to the imperial decree.

Fearing that he might think I would give that up too, I hurriedly spoke to Victor.

“Ah? I won’t be giving up the pension from the decree, so please convey that well to the aristocrats.”

Because I need money to enjoy delicious food and have fun in the splendid Roman style.

This is something I absolutely cannot give up.

“W-well, that sounds like you’re simply saying you want to rest…”

I shook my head at Victor’s flustered words.

“Surely not, I am sacrificing for everyone.”

I say this with such shamelessness.