I Became the Master of the Empress

8 – Episode 8

After the meal, the servants present a splendid tea set.

White ceramics adorned with blue flowers, it looks expensive even to someone like me who knows little about it.

Theodore, who pours the hot water after removing the tea leaves from the tea pot, speaks.

“Do you like tea?”

I nod in response to his question.

“I’m not very knowledgeable about tea, but I do enjoy it.”

In truth, I prefer coffee over tea, but I do have some sense not to say that to someone who went through the trouble of serving me tea.

Theodore responds in a dry voice to my words.

“That’s fortunate.”

He pours the tea into the teacup and places it in front of me.

And as she poured tea into the cup in front of her, she spoke.

“I heard that you want to marry me.”

It must have been Charles, the chairman, who said that.

Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll find out eventually.

Holding a warm cup of tea, I speak.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

At my words, one eyebrow twitches.

“The Duke once almost called me his mother-in-law. Yet, do you still want to marry me?”

In reality, Baloran had forcefully tried to marry her and make her the puppet empress.

It all started with the marriage to Theodora.

That’s why there was a time when I called her mother-in-law.

“Well… Technically, you didn’t actually get married, did you?”

According to the laws here, marrying one’s mother-in-law is a heavily condemned action.

But well… Strictly speaking, we were only engaged, not married, so there shouldn’t be a major problem.

In fact, there have been cases where if the older brother dies before carrying out a strategic marriage, the engagement is continued by the younger brother.

At my words, she seems to have nothing to say and turns the conversation around.

“Well then, will you enter the royal family as my concubine?”

Did she not hear what I said to Chairman Charles? Maybe she knows and is testing me.

“No, I don’t. We want to create a new family when we get married.”

-Hmph.

Theodora gives a faint smile.

“It’s impossible according to imperial law. I hope for my children to succeed me as the emperor.”

Imperial law.

It is the law that defines the political structure of the empire.

In fact, it can be said that I am currently the strongest political force in Rome.

It is only natural that the person with the most powerful army in the East and the West is the strongest.

The army that was stationed in Rome was expelled on the day the emperor was captured.

They were all banished from Rome.

That’s why if I only have the will, I can ignore laws like that and handle things, but…

That would be a bad move, as it would make me an ideal target for being labeled as a usurper or a rebel.

So, if I want long-term support from the nobles, the imperial citizens, and other races, I should at least follow the formalities.

I can’t be a tyrant on my own for long.

That’s why I decided to go along with this little prank.

“Well, that will be a matter for the Supreme Court to decide.”

She responds to my words mockingly.

“Do you know how long it takes for the Supreme Court to make a ruling? In the meantime, the emperor’s faction will enter Rome and take control.”

-Sigh.

She says, taking a sip of her tea and continuing.

“Then your neck will be hanging from the gallows.”

I know well. Usually, a ruling from the Supreme Court takes about 3 to 7 years.

However, the negotiations behind the scenes with the Supreme Court have already concluded. The verdict is scheduled to be announced tomorrow morning.

“But… You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?”

-She flinches.

As if disapproving of my nonchalant behavior, she looks at me and finally speaks.

“If you don’t leave now, you’ll soon lose everything.”

Does she know? If I leave, how fiercely the imperial faction will fight among themselves to fill the void left by the Emperor and me, to seize the empire. I roughly estimate.

If I play my cards right, I can swallow up this thousand-year empire.

That’s why her provocation seems like a child’s play. I calmly respond to her childish provocation.

“That’s something I’ll take care of.”

Perhaps my actions have unsettled her, as she glares at me with beautiful crimson eyes, then gently closes her eyes and sips her tea again.

“I see. I asked to meet you today to refuse the marriage proposal.”

“Sigh…”

I let out a deep sigh.

I’m so busy… How unproductive to spend time in a place like this right now.

How busy am I? What on earth did she call me here to say? I was a little hopeful, but that hope fades, and a sense of coldness flows through my heart.

Right now, she has neither the authority nor the ability to refuse.

A pitiful Emperor with no power at all.

That’s her reality now.

In the novel, she was a clever and sharp Theodora. Is she still too young?

It seems to fall a little short of my expectations.

Well, considering the original story starts three years later. It’s true that she’s younger compared to when she first appeared.

After all, she’s only 20 years old.

Right now, the issue for her isn’t me.

Even if I leave this place, can she truly stand on her own as an empress?

Certainly, another authority like me might appear and turn her into a puppet.

In other words… it’s not just a matter of marrying me or not right now. It’s a situation where we have to figure out how to gather the army that was expelled from Roman, or at least make efforts to have minimal forces.

If we manage to defend Roman somehow, we can stabilize the political situation with the legitimacy of the emperor and the authority of the Imperial Council.

But she doesn’t understand the complex current political situation.

A dreamy girl living in the misconception that everyone will bow their heads and follow just because of the name “empress.”

That’s Theodora, as I evaluate her now.

So, talking more with her is just a waste of time.

Feeling that way, I stand up from my seat and speak.

Talking with her about this is meaningless anymore.

Whether she likes it or not, marriage with me is inevitable.

If we don’t marry, Roman will turn into ashes.

The thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“I understand. I’ve heard the intentions of the imperial princess.”

After looking at her for a moment, I speak.

“But let me make a prophecy.”

At my words, Theodora frowns and asks.

“What are you talking about?”

“We are going to get married. I’m sorry, but I have to go now.”

With that, she left the room.

***

After the extravagant dinner with the Duke, she tossed and turned in bed.

She couldn’t sleep.

She was angry at the humiliation she suffered from Devon, and sleep eluded her.

“I see. The reason for meeting the Duke today was to refuse the marriage proposal.”

The Duke sighed deeply at my words.

“I see. I understand the Princess’s intentions.”

He said, looking at me indifferently.

“But let me make a prophecy.”

As if my opinion was not important, he looked at me with a cold gaze, like he was looking at a fallen stone on the road.

“What are you talking about?”

“We are going to get married. I’m sorry, but I have to go now.”

With that, the Duke left his seat.

I stood there, unable to grasp the meaning for a moment.

And then, I soon understood the meaning of his words…

*Thud.*

Deep anger surged within her.

“Dare… How dare you! Challenge me, the unrivaled subject!”

Now, she is Hwang Taenyeo. In other words, the person destined to become the empress.

Ruling over all, the master, the emperor.

And yet, an arrogant and uncouth duke dares to threaten me.

Back when her father was alive, she never dreamed that such a situation would arise.

Vile Valoran.

He ruined everything.

In the splendid 2,000-year history of the empire, such disgrace had never occurred.

The confrontation between the former emperor and the council.

The confrontation between the pope and the emperor.

There were many significant and trivial events, but…

An emperor persecuted by his subjects had never existed.

Valoran, casting licentious glances at her.

He, who made a threat to kill her family, was the one she had become engaged to.

All he asked was… if she agreed, he would spare her father and brothers.

However…

Now, Valoran has only accepted the engagement and broken the promise.

Her father and family, tragically losing their lives.

The offspring of an enemy who, even after devouring everything, now seeks me.

-Duduk!

It’s humiliating.

I’ve never experienced such humiliation in my life.

“Daegong. It won’t go as you wish.”

In reality, with the empire’s laws in place, such a thing wouldn’t happen.

According to Chairman Charles, he heard that the young ruler still didn’t understand politics well and made frivolous demands.

I agree with those words.

From what I’ve heard, it takes several years for a verdict to come from the Supreme Court.

“You fool… Soon, you’ll be hanging from the gallows.”

The imperial army will arrive soon, and at that moment, his head will roll.

Now, savor this moment to your heart’s content…

The crime of mocking and lusting after the imperial princess.

You’ll have to cleanse that sin with your life.

So… let’s see if you can be as leisurely then as you are today.