NOVEL NEXT Chapter 228
Sometimes I feel like this world is a wonderfully bizarre mix of everything.
From one angle, it looks just like the fantasy medieval world from my past life, but from another, it feels distinctly Eastern.
The way people behave, their eating habits, even their living spaces blend harmoniously together.
And it’s just the same in the political scene and the inner workings of the Imperial Family.
“Please, have mercy!”
“Your Majesty! Please, reconsider your intent to abdicate!”
The discussions with the Ministry of Land were pushed aside. That wasn’t what was important right now.
When the Emperor of the Empire is willingly stepping down, you definitely need to bow your head!
Anyone shouting “Long live the Crown Princess!” here would probably end up discovered as a corpse the next day.
At first, I was baffled with what kind of chaos this was. I raced toward the Imperial Palace with various thoughts swirling in my mind.
The first thought that struck me was how oddly similar this was to the history I’d heard before in my past life.
Upon closer inspection, there were quite a few kings who orchestrated abdications deliberately to strengthen their royal authority.
And they had actually worked quite well. Ministers were forced to bow their heads in front of loyalty tests.
Those who were labeled as rebels could be eliminated without mercy. It wasn’t something to feel wronged about if it happened.
Moreover, this place is a grander country than it was in my past life. Not just a kingdom, but an Empire.
Remaining silent while others displayed their loyalty here is equivalent to committing suicide.
‘But… There’s absolutely no reason for my father-in-law to do this.’
There hasn’t been a significant internal issue in the Imperial Family that would make the imperial authority be taken lightly.
Neither has there been anything internally or externally that could threaten the Empire.
On the contrary, thanks to our victories in war, the Imperial Family has gained unprecedented strong authority.
It would be difficult to find a point in the entire history of the Empire where the Imperial Family held such overwhelming power.
Without the abdication show, other possibilities begin to emerge naturally.
Just simply wanting to pass on the throne while still alive, that could be it.
Considering my father-in-law’s age, it’s not entirely unreasonable.
Two years from now, he will turn sixty. After three more years, he will celebrate his sixtieth birthday.
It’s hard to conclude that he’s gravely ill or too frail to move.
But age-wise, he is indeed entering his old years. He even saw his granddaughter not long ago.
Perhaps he judged that an old man sitting on the throne would appear shabby.
“Your Majesty! Please, have mercy!”
“Please, reconsider your intent to abdicate!”
As soon as the news broke, the ministers all dropped everything and rushed in.
While the staff was on standby to prevent the administration from completely freezing, it still shows how serious this issue is.
Such sudden occurrences could have a serious adverse effect on the Imperial affairs, so it’s implausible that this would happen without deep consideration.
Under normal circumstances, I should also join the crowd, bow my head, and shout.
But I’m the Emperor’s son-in-law. Since I’m family to the Emperor, I could enter here as ‘family’, not just as a minister.
And inside were my brother-in-law, wrapping his head with a bandage and my sister-in-law, with her eyes closed in frustration.
“Sister. Your brother-in-law has arrived.”
“…Have you?”
The situation doesn’t look too good. Anyone observing might mistake it for the Emperor’s bad health….
Wait a moment. Could it be? On the surface, it seems to be just about abdication, but is there another reason?
When I expressed my doubts about that, my brother-in-law firmly clarified that it was not the case.
“It’s true that His Majesty has a lingering cold, brother-in-law. But apart from that, there are no significant health issues. The medics have checked thoroughly and reached consensus that he is indeed still in good health.”
“But why would His Majesty…”
“Perhaps he wishes to pass on the glory to you, my sister, while the Empire is at its peak. It seems he wants you to take charge to sort things out before an unnecessary chaos arises.”
“…I understand.”
When the Empire shines the brightest, he passes on that brilliance instead of keeping it for himself.
Thus, the start of my sister-in-law’s reign as a successor would be built on a flawless imperial authority.
And since it’s an abdication while still in good health, that enables a clean, simple resolution without unnecessary discussions.
These would be the benefits that my father-in-law could reap from the current situation before the abdication.
“But it’s absurd for him to even think about it when he’s still in such good health. My sister is refusing for that very reason.”
“And this sets a bad precedent for future cases.”
“You’re right, brother-in-law. It’s being viewed positively right now, but the history of the Empire can’t always shine brightly.”
There could come a day when some scoundrel might mention the current affairs.
While I can’t dare bring that up, my sister-in-law can certainly.
And I too know that her concern isn’t unfounded.
“Is His Majesty still resolute?”
“Yes.”
“And even if you tell him he can’t do that?”
“For the moment, His Majesty has given the response that he will think about it, and that’s why I’m here.”
My sister-in-law was pressing on her temples, as if she had a headache.
Then she suddenly stared at me intently and opened with “Brother-in-law,”
“Is there perhaps any method?”
“Your Highness?”
“Aren’t you the country’s greatest strategist?”
“Well, I’ve only excelled in military matters and I’m a complete novice in political matters like this.”
In response to my answer, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law shot me looks of “What are you talking about?”
Wasn’t I the one who skillfully navigated the political landscape considering the situations of various countries until now?
The Emperor trusts me greatly, and as his son-in-law, don’t I have some method to help?
But really, I too don’t have any sharp solutions.
After all, I’m not part of the Imperial Family, so how could I involve myself in this matter?
If it were an issue I could resolve, my sister-in-law would have already swayed my father-in-law’s mind.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
The Minister of the Palace approached. If that person is coming from the side of my father-in-law, there’s only one reason for it.
He must be thinking of gathering his thoughts and trying to persuade him again.
“His Majesty asks you to enter.”
“…May I also ask if the Crown Prince and the Chief of Staff may enter?”
Given that they are a son and a son-in-law, family matters, it’s a bit ambiguous to refuse.
Yet they also hold justification to persuade the Emperor.
Recognizing my sister-in-law’s inner thoughts, the Minister of the Palace replies in agreement.
He too likely wishes to prevent the Emperor’s abdication, so he may secretly welcome this.
A short while later, the Minister came back with my father-in-law’s wishes.
“His Majesty has also asked for the Crown Prince and the Chief of Staff to enter.”
“I see.”
As I moved forward, I racked my brain. Can I really change my father-in-law’s mind?
But the only conclusion I could reach, no matter how much I thought, was that ‘it would be difficult.’
There’s an old saying from my past life about being uninterested if you don’t want to be the peacekeeper.
Even more so, what of the Emperor’s position? If my father-in-law doesn’t change his mind about stepping down, I honestly see no way to make anything happen.
Abdication ultimately comes from the wishes of the Emperor, his command. That cannot be refused.
“Did you call your brother and your son-in-law too?”
“That means you consider this matter to be absolutely unattended, no?”
It feels strange. In other places, people are scrambling to snatch it away, but here they’re in an anxiety to refuse it.
Or they’re cautious, not wanting to give it up, yet also impatiently wanting to pass it along.
“Your Majesty. Even the medics say you are still in great health. The cold you’ve been feeling is merely because of time passing, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“The Crown Prince speaks rightly. However, conversely, that means I have grown too frail that the cold refuses to leave. I believe it’s best to withdraw before causing even greater chaos.”
“What kind of outrageous words are those? Absolutely not. I earnestly implore you to reconsider.”
Following this, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law began to earnestly list their heartfelt objections.
Starting with the precedent I had mentioned earlier, then the inevitable vacancy of the next emperor’s position due to a successor being chosen.
If such abdications happen only during significant crises in the Empire’s history, it would sow the seeds of insecurity among the citizens.
Even with all the reasons stated, my father-in-law remained unmoved.
The ruler. The one up there looking down on everything.
Such reasons probably wouldn’t penetrate his resolve.
‘Something else is needed.’
The Empire, history, these things have weighed down on his shoulders, but now, he should want to lay that burden down.
A small reason that can flip the heart of someone wanting to relinquish that obligation.
A justification that once everything has been prepared within a few years, he can finally pass on the throne.
‘… That’s what’s needed. Oh, I really don’t know! Damn it. I don’t know!’
In the midst of internally screaming, my father-in-law called me.
“Son-in-law.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Is it the same for you?”
Of course, it is. If I sign in favor here, I’ll be labeled a traitor.
“That’s right, Your Majesty.”
“Why does the son-in-law hold that opinion? Is it for the same reasons as the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince?”
“That is…”
What should I say? What can I even say to get through this situation?
As my mind whirled, my lips began to move on their own.
“You should also show this to the ladies of the court.”
“Hmm?”
“That they directly see that the one who is their Emperor is indeed their grandfather. It’s not just something they hear from others; they should see it for themselves and remember it well.”