I Became the Master of the Empress

25 – Episode 25

A long time has passed since Theodore entered the bathroom.

“Ugh!”

Stretching and organizing the documents and papers to examine them carefully.

It seems… not easy.

Although I have been searching through tax-related papers that the professors at the Imperial Academy have been writing for a long time, it’s difficult to find the paper I want.

No matter how much I grew up in modern South Korea, in order to utilize that knowledge properly, I need to know it accurately.

For example, let’s say I want to make a car here that can easily be seen in modern Earth.

Certainly, just developing a car would be a tremendous help in war, so it would be a great help to me if I can make it.

But reality is not so simple.

From the engine that goes into modern cars, to the transmission, and the device that can control the direction with the steering wheel, I need to understand the working principles and structure of the unknown car parts.

Furthermore, in order to even come close to implementing it, I need knowledge of the metals used in each component and the alchemy at the level of modern times.

But… I know nothing about alchemy.

Ignoring all these things, forcibly replacing engineers, it might be possible to create it.

Can it really be made in a short period?

And will it be faster than words?

Will a forcibly made car really not explode?

The first appearance of a car in the 18th century became commercially successful in the early 20th century.

After about 200 years of development, a somewhat usable car was finally born.

Considering the need for mass production on top of that.

Believing in half-baked knowledge and governing, a fantasy world version of an industrial revolution might begin…

The same logic seems to apply to economic theories as well.

Modern economic models or theories optimized for the present may not work well when applied directly here.

Moreover, I haven’t specialized in economics or business management; I only know at a common-sense level…

So… before the wedding, I tried to carve out time to meet with academy professors to get opinions on economics.

However, I discovered a shocking fact.

“They don’t have economics here…”

There isn’t even an institution that organizes statistics.

“We’re doomed, it’s over.”

Thinking such, I absentmindedly checked the clock…

It’s been over an hour since Theodora went in to wash, making me worried, so I knock on the bathroom door.

After marriage, it’s the etiquette here for a man to speak informally to a woman, and a woman to use formal language with a man.

Following that, I say.

“Theodora, are you inside?”

“…Why?”

A voice without energy comes from across the door.

Unlike her usual strong voice, the lack of strength in her voice makes my heart bitter.

Did I really not want to marry her to this extent?

To be honest, being human, I feel a sense of guilt.

I know in my head that this is the best option, but that doesn’t mean my emotions don’t reproach me.

Sigh… I’m sorry…

“Come out slowly; I’m going to take a shower now.”

-Splash…

A loud sound of water is heard in response to my words.

And…

“I understand…”

Saying that, after 10 minutes pass, Theodora, wearing white lingerie, comes out with a thoughtful expression.

Taking a bath for so long… her face has turned all red.

“I’ll shower and come out too.”

Saying that, I pass by Theodora and head to the bathroom.

-Swish…

Sorting out my thoughts while being hit by the hot bathwater.

“Sigh… washing up and… economic revival, but…”

The strange history of technological development in this place makes it impossible to predict when the industrial revolution will arrive.

For example, let’s compare it to the history of wars in the medieval and early modern periods.

The wars of the Earth’s medieval and early modern periods could be counted as the development of gunpowder weapons.

But here, something is a bit strange…

Gunpowder exists, but firearms and cannons have not developed.

The reason is…

Magicians are in charge of firepower here.

Efforts to create weapons using gunpowder were said to have been made here in the past.

However, rather than trying to improve primitive gunpowder affected by weather and having weak range and firepower, the efficiency of improving existing magic to enhance firepower or range, or using scrolls, was higher, and it cost less time and money. As a result, gunpowder faded away.

Unlike Earth, where gunpowder developed without magicians, it’s a different world here.

Anyway, as a result, the technology here is quite different from the technological sequence on Earth.

For example, climate control is a challenge with modern Earth technology…

But here, it seems like it can be solved with spirits or magic.

The variables that magic possesses.

I don’t know how they will affect things.

At this rate, with the fantasy industrial revolution coming, instead of coal… would they burn magicians? Such a dizzying thought…

I don’t know how the future here will develop.

“Sigh… calm down…”

Making an effort to think of something else, something stiff in the lower body is quieted.

“Phew…”

Once the silence settles in, I wipe my body with a towel, change into fresh clothes, and step out of the bathroom.

The room is engulfed in darkness.

Faint moonlight seeps in through the glass window.

Looks like Theodora has put out the lights.

I sit on the sofa, thinking it must be her silhouette lying on the bed.

“Hwaryeok…”

Then, I simply light up the candle with a spell.

Magic… It’s essential for a high-ranking noble like me to be able to handle simple spells.

Having a strong affinity for mana is almost exclusive to nobles.

Isn’t it natural for people with generations of strong mana to marry each other?

Relying on the softly glowing candle, I continue reading the paper.

***

The dim dawn.

I gradually open my eyes to the light of the rising sun.

Time locked in a blue hue all around.

“Ueuk…”

I feel sore all over, probably from sleeping on the sofa.

“Saegeun… Saegeun…”

I hear rhythmic breathing from the room, and as I look there…

I see the most beautiful woman in the world, adjusting the blanket and sleeping peacefully.

*Sigh.*

Approaching her gently to cover her with a blanket as she shivered, a delicate tremor running through her.

When it’s cold… cover yourself with a blanket and sleep.

*Soft rustle…*

With that thought, I pulled the blanket up to her neck.

Then, I did a simple stretch to loosen the stiffness.

It was still a time not yet reaching 7 in the morning.

I woke up earlier than usual…

Because there’s a lot to do.

Shall I go to the home office?

Quietly leaving the room during the time when everyone else is still asleep.

*Soft click…*

“Ge… General? Are you already coughing?” The guard looks at me with sleepy eyes.

“Yeah, thanks for your hard work.”

“Oh, by the way, how was your wedding night?”

Wedding night…

There was nothing like what they expected.

I just did what I had to do.

“Well… it wasn’t bad. I have things to do, so I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes, understood.”

After a brief greeting to the security guard, he heads towards his office.

Has it been about an hour?

“Phew… It seems like the expenses for buying crops are too high.”

He ponders while looking at the monthly expenditure table for the middle class.

Since the development of fertilizers in the 20th century, agricultural production has increased explosively.

Thanks to that, prices have also dropped significantly.

Unfortunately, there are no fertilizers here.

Therefore, the biggest concern for the middle class is the issue of food.

In this era, where the middle class earns a day’s worth of income and spends it on a day’s meals, it is their biggest worry.

I think if we can only solve this part, it will greatly alleviate the burden on the imperial citizens.

It’s a problem that can be solved with just fertilizers, but the problem is, I don’t know how to make them.

“Hmm… What should I do? Should I organize an idea competition or something?”

He quickly makes a note of the idea that came to mind and checks the time.

Suddenly, he sees the clock pointing to 9 o’clock.

“I should go and pay my respects now.”

Since he got married yesterday, he plans on paying his respects to his mother-in-law from today onwards.

Although he is busy, he thinks that if he can spend about 15 minutes each day to greet Hwang Tae-hu, he will have enough support from her and it will be a profitable business.

That’s why…

He heads towards Hwang Tae-hu’s residence.

Eurydice Augusta.

According to the information I personally searched for, she is said to be Valerian’s first love.

However, she loved Emperor Tiberius Augustus and they got married…

After that, it is said that Valerian was captivated by something insane.

But that’s beside the point.

Eurydice, my mother-in-law, was said to be the most beautiful woman in the empire when she was young.

Perhaps looking at Theodora and Joy, the rumor seems to be true.

While I was thinking about my mother-in-law, I suddenly arrived at the empress’s chamber.

A guard looked at me and raised his spear.

“Is the empress mother inside?”

“Yes, the empress mother is inside, but… she’s having a meal…”

Oh no… I came too early.

Since it’s not polite to visit during unsolicited meal times, I was about to turn back.

– Is there something going on outside?

A woman’s voice was heard from the room.

“The… the Grand Duchess has arrived.”

– Then let her in.

When the guard and I met eyes at that remark, I nodded.

And then…

-Kkiik!

The door opens, and I step into the room.

A woman in her forties with gray hair that suggests refinement.

Tying her hair neatly as if framing her head, she exudes an elegant aura—my mother-in-law.

Next to her stands Princess Joy.

“Oh? Brother-in-law?”

The Empress and the Princess look at me with a puzzled expression, as if surprised that I’m here.

“Is this not an unexpected visit from someone so busy?”

I raise my words, gesturing with courtesy to Empress Hwantaehu.

“I’ve come to pay my respects to Empress Hwantaehu, the noble lady of the empire.”

Before they could process my words, the Empress and Princess Joy exchange glances.

“Ahem… We were about to have breakfast. Would Your Grace join us?”

In response to that, I reply,

“While I am the Grand Duke of the empire, I am also your son-in-law, Empress Hwantaehu. So, please, lower your speech.”

They gaze at me with a strange look after my words.

“That is true, but…”

Seeing Empress Hwantaehu hesitate, I bend one knee as if performing a gesture fit for a knight before a lord.

“As the lord of the imperial family and now my mother-in-law, I will remain like this until you feel comfortable enough to speak freely.”

“Your… Your Grace?”

“B-brother-in-law?”

Both of them wear bewildered expressions as I continue.

“I… I know that I was in the wrong. But I will make sure that it doesn’t harm my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and my wife.”

A sincere message delivered with more meaning than a hundred empty words.

I believe that if I deliver it with sincerity rather than deceitful words, tainted with malice, they might accept it to some extent.

If they don’t accept it… well… I’ll just have to visit them diligently every day for the remaining time.

“Phew… Fine, sit here instead of sitting like that.”

As my mother-in-law gave her permission, I stood up from my seat and sat at the dining table with a bright smile.

I also smile faintly as I think to myself.

Indeed, a son-in-law’s love extends to his mother-in-law…