I Became the Master of the Empress

20 – Episode 20

Early morning.

I returned to my room after waiting for the Duke who arrested Ifa, but he never showed up.

After breakfast.

As I was about to change into my clothes and head towards the Duke.

Early in the morning, Congressman Alexander suddenly requested a meeting with me.

What could it be? Normally, Chairman Charles would be the one to visit from the Imperial Council.

I awaited Congressman Alexander in the reception room, having received notice of his imminent arrival.

A series of recent perplexing events.

The disappearance of the Grand Duke.

And immediately upon his return, the arrest of the Crown Prince, heading straight to the Imperial Council.

Strange… very strange.

No news has reached us of the imminent arrival of the Imperial Faction, even though they are almost at our doorstep.

Furthermore, with the Grand Duke, who should be busy preparing for war, casually visiting the Imperial Council?

I sense something peculiar in the air.

“Your Highness, Congressman Alexander is here to visit.”

Just then, Congressman Alexander arrived.

“You may come in,” I said.

*Creak.*

Congressman Alexander entered, beaming in response to my words.

“I hope you have been well?”

“Thanks to Your Highness’s great virtue, I have been well.”

“Your kind words are appreciated. Now, what brings you here today?”

A cold, unsettling smile forms at my words.

“Today, I have come to visit Her Highness Hwang Tae-nyeo because, as the Vice-Chairman of the Imperial Council, I am here to deliver an explanation of the bill passed in the Imperial Council yesterday at the urgent request of Her Highness Johannes, and to announce the declaration made in the Imperial Council.”

Feeling puzzled by Congressman Alexander’s words, I ask, “What about Chairman Charles… and why have you come, Congressman Alexander?”

“He has gone missing since yesterday, but His Fairness, the Grand Duke, is searching for him, so we should hear good news soon.”

Silence falls between us at that moment.

Chairman Charles’s disappearance… Is this really a coincidence? Or is it a plot by the Grand Duke?

The Grand Duke visited the Imperial Council just yesterday.

And Chairman Charles disappeared around that time.

As I begin to ponder the connection between these two incidents…

“First, I would like to report that Their Highnesses Johannes and Devian, have formed an alliance.”

-Uh…

What…? They formed an alliance?

Those two, who were at war with each other not long ago, formed an alliance? Th-this… doesn’t make sense…

My mind cannot predict the next situation.

So… what about the Empire?

My head becomes muddled.

If that wicked Grand Duke is removed, the Emperor’s faction will take control, and they have never been ones to obey my orders.

But I thought they wouldn’t ignore their rights like that wicked Grand Duke.

I had planned to oust the Grand Duke at the very least and make the Emperor’s faction and the Neutral faction fight each other to seek stability.

In the meantime, I don’t know what the Duke did, but the news that the Imperial Faction has joined hands with the Duke…

I can only take it as a sign that they plan to subvert this empire together.

Before it even began, the grand ceremony has crumbled.

Ah…

Everything before my eyes turns pitch black.

It’s been a month since Father passed away.

During that time… the coronation that should have naturally taken place was postponed day by day.

The Imperial Council fell into the hands of a wicked group.

In the meantime, what have I… done…?

Ah… this can’t be happening…

What should I do…?

What should I do?

How on earth can I overcome this barrier?

Nothing comes to mind.

I don’t know what to do.

A perfect checkmate.

The empire that has lasted for two thousand years… perhaps it’s not coming to an end due to my incompetence, to the point of being a dreadful thought…

Despair.

I believed, I believed in the Imperial Faction…

Who staunchly supported Father.

I did not think they would wholeheartedly devote their loyalty to me… but I did believe they understood at least what justice is.

Confusing.

The world I knew… is crumbling.

What’s next? What should I do next? What am I supposed to do next?

My mind is not functioning.

The strengthening of the Emperor’s faction and the Grand Duke’s reinforcement.

That is the tolling bell announcing the extension of this hellish time.

And… it signifies that their tyranny and plunder will begin from now on.

In my confusion, Alexander speaks to me dully.

“And… the bill to change the structure of the imperial government has been passed.”

“Government… structure?”

“This time, we will establish the Grand Duke’s office and incorporate the five departments such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance directly under the Grand Duke’s office.”

…”

It’s over…

Everything… is over.

I don’t know how it came to this.

One thing is certain… I feel there is no situation left for me to intervene in.

I sink into a deep despair, as if the ground is giving way beneath me.

“And… the Imperial Council recommends Princess Hwangtae to marry Grand Duke Jeonha.”

Alexander’s words snap me back to reality.

“Do you… think I will marry the Grand Duke?! I’d rather die?!”

I can’t bear the thought of mixing my life with that despicable Grand Duke and bearing his child.

How could a human… no, how could a person marry and live with a pig-like creature who only knows power?

Marry that demon-like Grand Duke? Never!

I won’t do it, even if it costs me my life!

As I firmly refuse, Alexander smiles faintly and says, “Well, that’s not for me to decide.”

“…”

“Then, I have delivered the recommendation determined by the Imperial Council, so I shall take my leave.”

-Click!

Alexander leaves abruptly.

My legs give way.

-Thud.

And my vision blurs.

I roughly wipe away the tears with my sleeve.

It’s not over yet.

I still have the Emperor’s right of refusal. That absolute authority remains.

First, I must become the Emperor. Somehow… as soon as possible.

***

What should I do…?

I am facing a great trial right now.

That is…

“If I ask Mary for some maids, will I be scolded?”

Agrippa nods at my words and says, “Do you not know how much Lady Mary cherishes her maids?”

After arresting Ifa, the maid who used to assist Theodora has disappeared.

I need to hire a new maid immediately, but it’s not as easy as I thought.

The qualifications are more demanding than I anticipated.

First, she must be loyal not to Theodora, but to me.

It would be troublesome if, like Ifa, she were more loyal to Theodora and secretly snooped around everywhere.

Second, she must have the ability to prevent assassination or attack.

This is the most difficult condition.

It’s unlikely that an ordinary maid would have combat abilities, or expertise in poisons, right?

That’s why I’m so nervous about the problem of hiring her maid.

“Mary’s maids are perfect.”

I’ve seen the maids Mary personally raised before.

They were from the orphanage my mother used to support.

After my mother passed away, Octavia and Mary sponsored the orphanage on her behalf.

If they saw children with potential, they would provide scholarships to support their studies or help them become knights from behind the scenes.

Some of the girls admired Mary and wanted to be close to her…

Mary accepted those children and raised them as maidservants with strength.

As a result, they became stronger than most men, with a profound knowledge of poison. It’s challenging to label them simply as maidservants.

If it’s those children… they seem to fit perfectly as Theodora’s maidservants, close bodyguards, and surveillance personnel.

“I agree, but… it won’t be easy.”

Agrifpa shakes his head with a reluctant expression.

Well, he must have seen Mary’s maidservants before.

I gaze intently at Agrifpa.

“Your Grace, is there something on my face?”

“No.”

I say that, but I keep staring at his face.

“Such a gaze is quite awkward.”

Agrifpa frowns slightly…

“Agrifpa, if you ask Mary for a favor instead of me…”

Agrifpa grimaces at my words.

“That’s absolutely not possible. Are you asking me to scold Mary instead of Your Grace?”

“Or… if you attack Mary at night…?”

Agrifpa responds with a shocked expression.

“Your Grace, Lady Mary is still 19 years old…”

“It’s okay; I trust you!”

If it’s Agrifpa, I believe he will take responsibility for Mary.

Agrippa looks at me with a cold, skeptical gaze as I speak.

“Well… even so, we’ve decided not to do such things until Lady Mary comes of age.”

“Even so…”

“Your Highness…, and besides, um… I don’t want to mix our relationship with political reasons.”

I nod my head at her words and let out a sigh.

“Hmm… then what should I do?”

What does Mary want…?

No, does she want something from me?

I recall the things Mary likes in my mind, one by one.

Good weapons?, Agrippa?, what else was there…

Words?

As Mary lives a modest life for a princess, only weapons and armor come to mind.

“Or perhaps, Your Highness, how about searching through the royal palace warehouse?”

Hm…

At that moment, a brilliant idea popped into my head.

“I’ve come up with a satisfying proposal for both Mary and me.”

Agrippa tilts her head at my words.

“And what else are you thinking?”

I smile brightly at her words and say, “Agrippa, let’s get engaged to Mary.”

Engagement, the act of nobles promising to marry in the future.

Well, I may not be a noble, but if I engage, I should be able to marry Mary later, even if I’m wrong.

“Grand Duke…”

Surely, even Agripa would be moved, I thought as I looked at him with anticipation…

He gazes at me with calm eyes.

“While preparing for the engagement… you’ll still assign tasks to me, won’t you?”

I nod in response to his words.

“Of course, even if you skip a few days, it feels like I’ll die.”

It’s a natural thing.

What we urgently need right now is talent.

There’s a shortage of trustworthy and capable individuals.

Among them, Agripa is reliable and exceptionally skilled.

The moment we lose such talent…

I’ll be exhausted. Knowing that, he will naturally have to handle official duties even while preparing for the engagement.

“hahahaha, Mary is quite the romanticist, isn’t she? If I arrange your engagement, should I lend you some maids?”

“Well… wouldn’t that mean I’ll have to work that much harder?”

I shake my head in response.

“No! It’s been a while since I visited the Grand Duchy, so we can have a date with Mary and get engaged.”

But I have no intention of letting Agripa, such a precious talent, play around too much.

Of course, there’s a lot to be done, and there’s much for him to handle in establishing a new institution.

“Hoo…”

Agrifa lets out a sigh.

And then…

“…”

Agrifa’s soft words brush against my ears.

“Hm? What did you say?”

“It’s nothing. But becoming a noble is really difficult.”

“Right? You didn’t say anything, did you?”

Loyal Agrifa wouldn’t dare to curse, would he? I must have misheard.

Well, whatever!

“Sigh… Can’t I just go live in the countryside and farm with Lady Mary?”

I smile softly at the remark.

“No, you can’t.”