I Became the Master of the Empress

29

As I whisper into Theodora’s ear, she looks at me with a startled expression and says, “What? The knight is Lady Mary?”

As she looks flustered and raises her voice, I hastily say, “Shh! What if someone overhears?”

In a hurry, she lowers her voice at my words.

“At… the ceremony, the helmet has to be removed…”

Theo, rolling her crimson eyes.

Even though she probably has no experience in politics, she seems to be gauging the aftermath of how sincere the imperial citizens are about the tournament.

“Please. Just help me this once, and I’ll use the wish I won in the bet.”

Theo ponders my words for a while.

“Alright, but in return…”

In return? But it’s using the wish won in the bet?

Unbelievable.

“I have something I’m curious about. Tell me the truth.”

She responds as if she’s incredulous.

“Where’s the curiosity in that? It’s using the wish won in the bet.”

She gives a bitter smile at my words.

“Well then, why don’t you do it yourself?”

If I do it myself… the imperial citizens might resist.

There are two main evaluations of me in the empire right now.

The innocent man who married Theo, the renowned beauty of the empire.

Most women in their late teens to mid-twenties think so, but most of the empire believes I am a new usurper.

So, if I deliberately ignore the royal family here, I think their resistance will intensify.

What should I do?

Theo’s demand is simply to tell her one fact.

It’s not asking for power or authority, but if it’s a sensitive subject…

I have to think about whether to listen and lie or not.

I should put out the urgent fire first and then, if necessary, lie.

Of course, unless it’s a sensitive topic, I’ll just tell the truth.

“Hoo… Alright. You won.”

As I see Theodora brightly smiling for the first time in response to my words, my heart pounds.

“hehehe?, Is it your first time winning?”

I respond somewhat grumpily to her seemingly pleased words.

“What?”

“I won against you.”

-Tsk.

Should I consider this a victory?

“It’s not winning; maybe it’s more like coercion?”

“Coercion is your specialty, isn’t it?”

At that remark, I’m momentarily speechless.

Indeed, I coerced her into marriage and took away her rights.

Because of that, feeling awkward about what to say, I change the subject.

“Setting that aside, why did you suddenly become so charming?”

Theodora, with a slightly thoughtful expression at my words, speaks.

“It’s not charming, is it?, But how is Yifa still alive?”

Continuing, Theodora speaks.

“And I’m curious why you lied about Epa’s death.”

“By any chance, has Epa returned?”

Theodora nods her head slightly in response to my words.

“Yes, and not only that, Epa said that she’s actually been doing very well, which confused me.”

I had asked her to release Epa, but I never expected her to return to the palace.

Since I had generously given her money, I thought she would go back to her hometown.

“Sure.”

-Wow!

As I was about to say something more, the audience erupts in enthusiastic cheers.

“Let’s talk calmly one by one, Your Grace,” she says, turning her gaze towards the arena.

Seeing Theodora like that, I smile inwardly.

Well, I thought she would ask about something very sensitive, but luckily, it seems that’s not the case.

***

Slowly, the full moon begins to rise.

The blue sky is turning red.

The award ceremony is being held to give prizes to the winners.

Theodora and I stand on the podium, waiting for the winners.

“On behalf of the Duchy of Francesco, General Agrifa will receive the award for the team battle.”

A blond and handsome man slowly ascends to the podium.

-Oh my goodness! He’s handsome!

– Who is it? Whose child are you in this house?

– No surname? Then, a commoner?

– A commoner, yet appointed as a general in the Grand Duchy? Come on, don’t be ridiculous.

People cheer like a swarm, rising from their seats as they see Agrippa, sculpted like a masterpiece.

Primarily women, though…

Is it just my imagination that Maryan, the winner of the swordsmanship and spear-fighting divisions behind, appears to be floating?

At such thoughts,

As Agrippa steps forward to Theodora, she speaks with a solemn voice.

“You, with outstanding strategy and command, are recognized as the group battle champion of the 978th tournament.”

Then, after presenting the imperial certification and trophy, Agrippa nods in gratitude and descends from the platform.

“Now, we will proceed to the award ceremony for Lady Maryan, who excelled in both swordsmanship and spear-fighting.”

Seeing the exuberant Maryan with shrugged shoulders, irritation surges within me.

Just you wait later.

I suppress my anger inwardly.

The announcer, unaware of my feelings, addresses Maryan.

[Please remove your helmet in front of His Imperial Majesty.]

Seeing the official trying to restrain Maryan, our gazes, Theodora’s and mine, meet.

“It’s alright. It’s not easy to win in one category, let alone two. Come up without removing your helmet.”

As Theodora speaks with a benevolent voice, the official looks awkward…

[Um… then, please proceed! Player Maryan!]

Maryanne responds to those words by stepping onto the platform.

Eyes that meet slightly through the helmet.

Those eyes, avoiding direct contact with mine, quickly turn away.

She must have realized that I caught on, right?

Arbitrary actions are only tolerated within the Grand Duchy.

In the current situation, it’s not strange to consider everyone around me as potential enemies.

Joannes, who is just an ally in appearance, and Charles, the chairman who is always looking for an opportunity to push me out.

And Theodora, who clearly wants to annul the marriage.

The imperial citizens who see me as a usurper.

The perception that I am the ruler of the empire now is merely because my army controls Rome.

Therefore, at such a sensitive time, I will deal with Mary’s reckless actions later.

“Maryanne, boasting overwhelming skill and bravery in both swordsmanship and spear, I acknowledge you as the champion of the 978th tournament in the swordsmanship and spear categories.”

Phew…

I’m glad I asked Theodora in advance not to remove the winner’s helmet as a wish.

If I had stepped forward, there would have probably been a chorus of boos.

And seeing my younger sister going wild in the tournament, I don’t know if it’s the relief of worrying as a family or avoiding a potential major incident.

The tension eases a bit.

That’s how the awards ceremony came to an end.

***

On the night the tournament ended.

The night in the capital city of the empire, Roman, shines brightly.

I sit on the terrace, leisurely observing my surroundings.

Families enjoying parties, lovers exchanging shy glances on their dates.

I feel uplifted watching children eating candy apples made from melted sugar and apples.

I sense the satisfaction of the struggles endured to prevent war.

As I watch people peacefully living their lives, a bit of the fatigue accumulated over the years seems to melt away.

I never knew their smiles could be such a source of strength for me.

“hehehe, how’s married life?”

I casually ask Johannes, sitting across from me.

“It’s just so-so.”

When there are no official events after our marriage, we don’t spend time together.

We haven’t even had our first night as a couple, just the appearance of being married.

“Oh? That’s surprising. Wasn’t Empress Hyunghwaje the most beautiful woman among all the empresses in history?”

“Well, that may be true, but I don’t judge based on looks alone.”

Theodora.

The incarnation of power as seen in the original work.

She didn’t love the hero but, for revenge, she ensnared the hero and brought him into the harem, eventually dethroning him.

Later, from the hero’s perspective, it was described that she ruled the empire not as a chosen one but as a tyrant.

Many must have died.

In the original, Baloran dies and is tortured by Theodora.

In reality, I only appear in two lines in the novel.

Baloran’s son is captured, tortured, and killed.

I remember these three facts in a slightly longer form.

“Hmm… So what do you see? Are you looking at the heart or wisdom?”

What are you so curious about? This old man…

He lazily replies.

“I see the essence of a person.”

While saying that, I observe the people I have rescued.

Sometimes, it’s okay to do such secret missions, right?

Because of the circumstances, Johannes and I decided to meet in a place other than the palace.

Both Johannes and I will have minimal guards and dress in ordinary clothes to blend in.

So there won’t be many people who can recognize us.

Now, it’s time to get to work.

I straighten my posture and hand Johannes two scrolls sealed with the double-headed eagle emblem.

“These are documents stamped with the Emperor’s seal, transferring authority over Epirus and Ezeb. I have already informed the local officials, so once they receive it, they will hand over the governing power.”

As I hand over the scrolls, Johannes smiles.

“Thank you, but does your wife know about this?”

I raise my eyebrows and reply.

“There’s no need for her to know. After all, I am the one in control of everything now.”

“Is that so? She might resent you.”

It doesn’t matter. I’ve already received plenty of resentment.

She seemed a bit softened during the tournament earlier, but once she finds out that I’ve surpassed Epirus and Aegyptus, she’ll be furious again.

“Already received plenty of resentment?”

Ioannes chuckles at my words.

“If I take the aphrodisiac I gave her and share a bed with the empress, she might come to love you.”

-Sigh.

He’s been reading too many romance novels.

It’s the kind of story you’d find in a steamy novel, where a woman falls for a man who raped her. No matter how chaste a man may be, he’ll leave an indelible mark on a woman.

If it were Theodora, she might use that mark to stoke her desire for revenge.

“That won’t happen.”

“Heh, I see. But what’s your point?”

I look at Ioannes as I speak.

“We’re planning to create legislation to control each other’s empires.”