The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go

 

⚔️

 

An Empress from a noble family who was executed while trying to take the Emperor’s power by gathering her external connections and family.

 

The Emperor had to kill the empress with his own hands, acting as a ruthless Emperor. 

 

In order to protect his son, whom the Empress called useless because the child couldn’t awaken his own ability, and to keep the order in the Empire.

 

A weak prince who was abandoned by the Empress and was nearly killed by Jack Marr, a great murderer and the leader of the rebels.

 

Cedric understood that the ministers were only concerned about his spouse’s candidate background.

 

And now, even this reaction did not deviate from his expectations at all.

 

“Your Majesty, did you just say Count Ciel Minerva?”

 

As Cedric expected, the Ministers seemed surprised.

 

Perhaps they didn’t even consider Ciel when they made a list of candidates for the Empress.

 

Cedric could be sure of that just by looking at this very embarrassing atmosphere.

 

“Your Majesty, Commander Minerva would never—”

 

As one of the ministers spoke, Cedric clasped his hands together and let out a sigh.

 

Every one of them was a reliable person who had worked faithfully for the imperial family since the predecessor Emperor.

 

So Cedric knew they weren’t doing it out of bad intentions.

 

Still, he needs to be independent.

 

“His Majesty keeps on rejecting every noblewoman candidate for marriage that we recommend.”

 

But when the Emperor said he would marry someone he loved, backlash poured out.

 

‘Wasn’t it a story that doesn’t deviate from every cliché at all?’

 

With that in mind, Cedric raised his head.

 

“Commander Minerva would never… No, no, wa- wait—”

 

Instead of being the first to speak, he stopped and sat down again.

 

“Wait… Come to think of it, wouldn’t Commander Minerva be okay?”

 

Cedric initially doubted what he had heard.

 

So, he asked back, looking at his twinkling eyes, “Minister of Foreign Affairs, what are you saying now…?”

 

“Your Majesty, now that I think about it, Commander Minerva wasn’t a bad choice either!”

 

Then, with his eyes wide open, he began to give a full speech to the other ministers who were seated.

 

“Everyone, think about it. Wasn’t Count Minerva a perfect pro-imperial faction?”

 

At those words, the old minister wearing glasses raised his brow and spoke,

 

“Come to think of it, the Count hated the nobility very much.”

 

Then he lifted his glasses, cleared his voice, and continued his speech,

 

“It’s a bit harsh to say here, but to quote,

‘It’s my wish to throw dirt directly into the eyes of the nobles who have dirty eyes’.”

 

“That’s right, and you all know that the count has spent a long time with us since she was a child.”

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke with more confidence.

 

“That’s right. And everyone knows that the Count has spent a long time with His Majesty since he was a teenager, right?”

 

The foreign minister said after gaining more confidence.

 

“And the Count was alone, she had no family or relatives to interfere, so we wouldn’t have to keep her family in check.”

 

This advantage was bound to be tempting for the ministers, who had endured a nightmare due to the Emperor’s stubbornness and unwillingness to accept the bride they offered.

 

“I agree. And personally, I like Ciel Minerva the Knight’s Commander, but… Still, wasn’t she a little low on status?”

 

In response to the opinion of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was leading the meeting, the Minister of Finance was cautiously skeptical.

 

“I’m worried that the Count would be bothered because she was lower in status than the other noble ladies from society.”

 

Cedric opened his mouth to refute the remark, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs was faster.

 

“But it’s not like there hasn’t been an Empress from a Count until now. And the higher the status of the Empress’ family, the greater the possibility of her meddling in the monarchy.”

 

Cedric nodded satisfactorily as he looked at the scene where the minister spoke exactly what he wanted to say.

 

“Count of Minerva was the least risky candidate, although the title itself may be lower than others. She has no greed for power and wouldn’t threaten the imperial power, she has enough strength not to be swayed by the aristocracy.”

 

The minister tapped the table with his finger and added, “On the contrary, the power of Count Minerva may help the imperial family.”

 

Even the Minister of Finance, who had just expressed opposition, was nodding at his words.

 

“And if we welcome Count Minerva, who was previously a commoner, as Empress, the commoners’ support for His Majesty would be firm.”

 

Cedric smiled secretly as he watched the ministers exchanging words as if they were tossing a ball.

 

Because things were going much easier than he thought.

 

“Honestly, leaving all of that aside, there was another reason why we should choose Commander Ciel Minerva as the Empress.”

 

The minister said with a reverent look, with open arms, as if he was praying to God.

 

There was silence in the conference hall for a while at his remarks, and another Minister hesitated and asked him.

 

“Tha—that… was it possible?”

 

Then the Minister of Foreign Affairs lowered his arms with eyes wide open and he spoke excitedly.

 

“Your Majesty! And the Count! Didn’t you say yes? That’s good!”

 

Cedric couldn’t hide his admiration for the minister’s speech, which had to be emphasized by cutting it into four parts rather than saying it in plain tone.

 

“In front of us too! Directly!!”

 

Then he looked around the other ministers with twinkling eyes.

 

“Your Majesty says you like her, right? How dare us ministers stop Your Majesty’s heart!”

 

His last words seemed to have wiped out even a single rebuttal among the ministers’ blessings.

 

Everyone nodded, and they seemed to agree that Ciel Minerva was suitable for the Empress.

 

Cedric was very serious about whether to give the Minister of Foreign Affairs a vacation as a reward, but he decided to consider the matter later.

 

“Yes, then I understand you agree with me.” (Cedric)

 

Cedric tried to confirm the possible objections, but there was no objection from the ministers.

 

“Thank you all for understanding.”

 

Today’s meeting was very successful.

 

As usual, Ciel’s reputation was so good among the pro-imperial faction, that Cedric had a more successful outcome than he had originally planned.

 

“So, let’s end this here.”

 

“Well, Your Majesty.”

 

At the moment when he tried to move to another agenda, one person asked for the right to speak.

 

“There’s one thing I’m worried about, but…”

 

“Yes? Tell me.”

 

Cedric clasped his hands, then fixed his gaze on the man who raised his hand.

 

“Count Minerva doesn’t seem to be greedy for power, what if she feels burdened by the position of Empress? No matter how much we want her for your Majesty, we couldn’t force someone on the Empress’ seat.”

 

At the minister’s words, the other ministers also began to talk and feel concerned about the matter.

 

Except for one person on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 

“It’s not difficult. We could make her accept the Empress’ position voluntarily.”

 

“What do you mean? How?”

 

“Well, if we work hard and connect her with his Majesty, wouldn’t his Majesty’s sincerity reach her heart? Then, she might accept His Majesty’s request to marry her.”

 

Instead of nodding his head, Cedric also listened and other ministers also added.

 

“That’s right, and if she likes you, she would be more likely to accept the Empress’ position.”

 

“Yes! That’s right.”

 

“So, in the end, we just have to do well in acting as a bridge between the Count and his Majesty.”

 

He thus settled the matter, but another minister raised another concern.

 

“Well… won’t Command Minerva retire in a fortnight?” the Minister spoke carefully.

 

No matter how much the Emperor and ministers have foretold candidates for the Empress in advance, it takes quite a while to formalize them.

 

Ciel couldn’t have finished the whole process in the next 15 days of her retirement.

 

“The process of choosing an empress would take a long time, but if the Commander retires first—”

 

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

 

Looking at the ministers with their eyes wide open, Cedric smiled languidly.

 

“Because there are all kinds of ways.”

 

⚔️

 

A week prior to the end of the contract period, it was glorious outside.

 

“So, hold it like this.”

 

He held a sword with a blue sapphire in front of a new knight, who stared at Ciel with round eyes.

 

“Let’s start by pointing straight at the target.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Wait a minute.”

 

To correct the posture of the new knight, she put his sword down for a moment.

 

“I’ll fix your posture. Raise your chin and—”

 

It was the moment when I touched the chin of a new knight.

 

A tingling sensation rose from my fingertips.

 

“Ow, it stings!”

 

The startled rookie Knight involuntarily shouted and dropped his sword.

 

At the sound of his cry, other knights who were training turned to us.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

 

Embarrassed, the new knight picked up his sword and hurriedly bowed his head.

 

“Oh, no. It’s okay. Static was common these days.”

 

‘All right

‘, I reassured the new knight, and held his sword back properly in his hands.

 

‘Why does static occur so often these days? It’s not even winter.’ (Ciel)

 

Ciel had that thought but tried to erase it from her head and concentrated on guiding the new knight again.

 

“Raise your sword and straighten your back.”

 

As soon as she held the sword with his two hands, the sapphire shone and a blue spark flew from the sword.

 

“And from that posture, if you lower your sword slightly like this, a flash of light—”

 

With a dazzling light that made the surroundings white for a moment and a thunder-like sound, the target tree was helplessly cut down and collapsed to the side.

 

‘Wha- what…?’

 

Smoke rose from the tree that had been cut down and burned, and the new knight, who was staring blankly at it with his mouth wide open, clapped his hands.

 

“Wow…”

 

No, I was only going to show you a light attack that would cut a hole in that tree.

 [Hey, what are you doing? Was there a need to burn down the practice area?]

Caliberne snapped angrily.

 

‘Oh, no. I didn’t do that on purpose.’

(Ciel)

 [What?] 

‘I guess I couldn’t control my power well. Ugh, it’s been like this these days.’

 

Ciel looked back at the new knight, who still couldn’t close his open mouth, and replied to Caliberne in her mind.

 […] 

‘… Why? What’s wrong?’

 [No… just…] 

‘What? I’m also curious. What’s wrong? Why aren’t you answering?’

 

Just as I was questioning Caliberne, I saw my replacement knights, James and Hillac, running frantically from the back gate of the Imperial Palace.

 

“Co– commander!”

 

All the knights looked at the two at the sound of their cries in the middle of the practice, calling me loudly, but neither of the knights cared.

 

“What, what’s going on?”

 

Seeing the two of them running, I had a gut feeling that something urgent had happened.

 

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a while since Lord Turka went on an expedition…?’

 

Don’t tell me. Did a beast invade the border?

 

Anxiety crept up in the corner of my mind.

 

Finally, unable to bear it, Ciel grabbed James’ shoulder with both hands and asked.

 

“James, what’s going on? What’s going on at the border? Did they get badly injured during the expedition?”

 

“Oh, no, that’s not–” (James)

 

When James replied like that, Hillac cried out to me with a very urgent look.

 

“Commander! That’s not important! You have to go with me first!”

(Hillac)

 

“Yes, Hillac’s right! Come with us now!”

(James)

 

“What?” (Ciel)

 

James and Hillac suddenly grabbed my arm and started walking towards the Imperial Palace.

 

“What? Where are we going? Hey!”

 

But Hillac and James didn’t tell me where they were taking me until the end.

 

⚔️

 

It was right in front of the audience chamber where the two who had been dragging me along released me in the end.

 

(N: Audience Chamber- a room where a monarch or head of state conducts formal interviews.)

 

Those who were already present in the room opened the door as if they’d already made an appointment, not panicking as they saw me in a mess being dragged by Hillac and James.

 

“Count Ciel Minerva enters.”

 

The interior was filled with key figures as they almost had their backs pushed by the audience chamber gatekeepers.

 

“What’s this…?”

 

As they met Cedric’s red eyes as he sat on the dazzling throne and looked down at them, I could see the corners of his lips creeping up.

 

“You must have been very surprised because it was an urgent call, but you came well, Commander Minerva.”

(Cedric)

 

An elegant, soft, yet unwavering voice resonated in the audience chamber room.

 

Is it an emergency call? I haven’t heard of anything like that.

 

‘I couldn’t figure out what exactly was happening.’

 

“Now that the last person has arrived, we don’t have to delay it any longer.”

 

Cedric walked out of the throne and spoke.

 

The glossy black hair, the sharp bridge of the nose, and the fiercely shining red eyes.

 

Every move was full of dignity and elegance.

 

“I hope all of you, witnesses, would listen.”

 

Witness? What the hell was that supposed to mean?

 

But everyone except me seemed to understand Cedric’s words, so they knelt and answered at once.

 

“I’ll take your orders.”

 

As soon as I raised my head in confusion over this unknown situation, Cedric’s eyes, which shone red like the color of a rose in full bloom, gently curved in a relaxed manner.

 

“Now, let’s begin the hearing about the new contract between the Knights Commander Ciel Minerva and the Imperial Family.”