I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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Crown Princess Aria Heldenberg felt a heaviness in her chest.

It was true that she had hinted at the will of abdication, but she never imagined it would come to pass so soon.

She thought she had a few years before such matters would arise, but at this rate, she might receive the throne next year.

This needed to be stopped. For the sake of the Empire, for the Imperial Family, and for herself.

So she knelt before the Emperor, pleading with him and offering various reasons.

However, despite her best efforts at persuasion, the Emperor showed no signs of wavering.

In the end, she decided to involve not only her younger brother but even the Emperor’s son-in-law.

The ministers were already gathered outside, calling for the withdrawal of the abdication.

If they cried out in unison, perhaps the Emperor would be inclined to listen.

‘…Is it not possible?’

To cut to the chase, it ended in utter failure. Her brother, Gnaius, also could not sway their father.

In fact, it felt like the Emperor’s resolve only strengthened. At this rate, she might truly find herself seated on that throne.

One day she would, but not now. She wanted to learn a bit more and take her time.

If she rushed into it, something would inevitably get all tangled up. Such a situation must be avoided at all costs.

‘Brother-in-law. It’s now up to you. Please, with your brilliant tactics, persuade our father.’

Perhaps Kael could do it. He might point out the internal and external issues facing the Empire as justification.

Having gathered wisdom from across the continent, he might even surpass her in insight.

How would that strategist tackle this predicament before them this time?

“Shouldn’t you also show it to the princesses?”

“Huh?”

“Your Excellency, the one who stands as the Emperor of this land. It’s not enough for others to merely hear it; those children should see it for themselves and remember it.”

What Kael mentioned was not a reason that could be presented as a minister to the Emperor.

It was something a son-in-law could offer to his father-in-law. Something a grandfather could do for his granddaughters.

However, to be honest, she wondered if that would even work. It seemed too far-fetched from the start.

Wasn’t it just too personal a reason? To bring up the mere matter of his granddaughters against the Emperor?

Of course, she didn’t underestimate her nephews and nieces. She acknowledged their cuteness.

But the one in question was the Emperor, who had sacrificed everything to live solely for this Empire and its people.

‘What sort of reaction will Father show, I wonder?’

The Crown Princess gazed at her father, her heart filled with both hope and dread.

And soon, she was reminded that her brother-in-law was none other than the greatest strategist of the Empire.

“…Hmm.”

The Emperor had seemed utterly unmoved by any reason so far.

Yet upon hearing Kael’s reasoning, his eyes deepened in contemplation, as if truly pondering.

He wanted to abdicate, but when considering his granddaughters, it felt a bit regretful.

Anyone could see he was grappling with that thought, and the Crown Princess quickly spoke up.

“Brother-in-law is right. Those children were born merely a few months ago. Though they have opened their eyes to the world, they will need more time to understand it. One day, when they’ve grown, their first memories of Your Majesty should surely be of their beloved grandfather shining brightly, shouldn’t it?”

She had heard somewhere that there is a difference in how one treats children and grandchildren.

Children are not only cherished but can also bring pressure to raise them rightly as individuals.

However, grandchildren only need to receive pure love. The parents will handle the rest.

She had forgotten that. Or perhaps she subconsciously thought it would never be true.

Her Emperor. Her father was different. He was supposed to decide and execute everything solely as an Emperor.

Yet upon reflection, the Emperor had not always been an Emperor. He began as just one person.

Though he bore the heavy burden of duty because of his position and bloodline, he had relinquished all mundane happiness as a single human being.

That happiness was supposed to be his right. If circumstances allowed, he should be able to enjoy it.

The Neomes princesses were the first granddaughters for the Emperor. Not one, but two of them.

They were treasures that would not hurt even if placed in his eyes. He would eagerly wish to see them grow.

But as Emperor, he could not show it on the outside. He could not afford to do so.

And Kael seemed to have accurately grasped that unspoken feeling of his father-in-law.

‘You’ve found out what even the children couldn’t grasp about a parent’s heart, brother-in-law.’

Strategy is not just about using the wisdom written in books.

It involves seeing through the hearts of people, predicting their actions, and having them dance in the palm of your hand.

Kael had always been that way, and so he was more adept at understanding human emotions than anyone else.

And once again, the Empire’s strategist proved his abilities without a doubt.

“Your Majesty. The officials of the Empire have gathered before the Imperial Palace, pleading for the withdrawal of the abdication. If this continues, state affairs may be paralyzed. Please do not ignore their earnest requests.”

The Crown Princess’s final words drove a wedge into the Emperor’s conflicted heart.

In a personal sense, as a grandfather. And on a larger scale, as the Emperor of the Empire.

He knew all too well that insisting on the abdication would not benefit anyone.

“…Where is the Minister of the Palace?”

“I am always by Your Majesty’s side.”

“Let it be known to all. After careful consideration, I will withdraw my intent to abdicate. If taking more time does not serve the Empire, I shall willingly reserve my decision.”

“Your Grace, your mercy knows no bounds!!”

The Minister of the Palace hurried outside, fearing the Emperor might change his mind.

Watching this scene, both the Crown Princess and Gnaius let out relieved sighs inwardly.

And shortly after, they shared a fleeting smile towards Kael standing beside them.

‘Thank you, brother-in-law.’

‘Truly worthy of being our Empire’s greatest strategist!’

Kael could only blink in bewilderment, completely taken aback.

*

“I wish to be alone for a while.”

Upon hearing this, the Minister of the Palace and the attendants all withdrew.

Left alone, the Emperor gazed at his desk. There lay the imperial decree proclaiming his abdication.

Initially, he had planned to pass this to his successor as soon as possible.

However, just moments ago, the collective opposition and his son-in-law’s persuasion had halted that.

“…”

He turned and approached the window. He saw the ministers shouting in celebration of the abdication being rescinded.

As he watched them for a moment, the Emperor recalled his son-in-law’s words from earlier.

‘For the sake of the granddaughters.’

Finally, he had become a grandfather. No longer just a father, but a grandparent.

When he heard that his daughter Isabelle had successfully given birth, he was overjoyed.

And when he saw the newborn twins through the communication mirror, his happiness had soared.

He thought there could be no flames igniting in his heart, but that was not the case.

Seeing those little angels sleeping soundly reignited the spark within him.

It was not the heart of an Emperor, but that of a grandfather who now had grandchildren.

He longed to step down from this heavy position and return to an ordinary life.

Not because he couldn’t visit them as Emperor, but he wanted to be free from always having to maintain that decorum.

Now, as someone without any real power, he wanted to be able to visit and be called upon whenever he wished.

Then his son-in-law said he wanted those children to remember him as their grandfather the Emperor.

He wished to imprint that proud and radiant image of the Empire on them, to create memories they would cherish.

The twins, when they grew up, would think of their grandfather and feel pride.

If he said he felt nothing upon hearing these words, that would be a lie.

The infants barely able to open their eyes would one day walk around at their grandfather’s call, mumbling the word ‘grandfather’ with their little mouths.

He held no real attachment to this position, yet he wanted to leave them with sparkling memories.

He wanted to express that a grandfather is just the highest figure in the Empire, rather than a mere difficult concept of a situation.

Imagining his granddaughters beaming with joy, calling their grandfather the greatest in the Empire, made him smile widely even though there was still plenty of time ahead.

‘Yes. I suppose I must stay in this position a little longer.’

As his son-in-law stated, wanting his granddaughters to remember this moment.

And following the advice of his first daughter, he couldn’t allow for a vacant throne to arise.

Though it pained him, the Emperor decided he would bear this heavy weight just a bit more.

‘…But then again.’

Within this turmoil, the Emperor found himself once more plagued by a certain predicament.

While there were already born children, eventually, the firstborn would have children of her own one day.

When another grandchild was born, wouldn’t he also have to show that grandchild his role as Emperor?

If that truly happened, just how long would he have to keep this position?

“…Did I act too hastily?”

The Emperor chuckled awkwardly, feeling quite flustered.