Chapter: 404
I thought I could clock out right after the abdication ceremony, but alas, that was the naive misconception of an inexperienced rookie. Instead, the real schedule kicked in right after the ceremony.
The new Emperor had to fill the void left by decades of a heavyweight ruling the Empire. Naturally, as the new Emperor, I needed to announce to the entire continent, “I can fill that vacancy completely.” If I didn’t pull that off, the domestic crowd would get restless, and foreign nations would start sniffing for opportunities.
So, instead of heading home like everyone else, I was stuck glued to the Emperor since the day of the abdication ceremony. It’s maddening to be tethered to this guy I barely know for days on end.
“Damn it.”
The silver lining, if you can call it that, is that I wasn’t just shadowing the Emperor alone—there were five dukes tagging along too. If it was just the two of us, I would have made a break for it long ago.
Thanks to that, I sighed internally while watching the Emperor perched on his throne, surrounded by nobles swearing fealty. Those aristocrats would be heading home as soon as they finished their oaths, while I was stuck here questioning my life choices.
…And I know why I’m here. As the godfather to the first-in-line Crown Princess, being close to the newly crowned Emperor bolsters his authority. If I weren’t by his side, people might start to wonder if there’s some rift between us.
Better to deal with the annoyance of being close to the Emperor than to stir up those anxieties. Politics, am I right? Such a pain in the neck—like rolling in dog poop.
“Your loyalty has pleased the situation. I, too, will show unwavering trust as long as your duties are upheld. Serve the Imperial family and the Empire well.”
“I shall surely meet Your Majesty’s trust.”
Anyway, the Emperor just gave his ceremonial reply to the nobles—specifically the Eastern Lords—who pledged their loyalty.
Honestly, in an official event like this, nothing puts the mind at ease like a routine response. If he gave any response that required actual thought, the nobles would scramble around like headless chickens. No need to overthink things right from the start of his reign.
If there was something he truly wished to say, he could always arrange a private meeting instead of trying to make a grand statement in public.
“The pledges from the Eastern Lords are now complete.”
After the Eastern Lords deeply bowed and took their leave, the Vice Captain on the Emperor’s left spoke up.
The Emperor nodded, his expression relaxing a bit. As for the high-ranking officials in the administration and the dukes scattered across the Empire? We can safely say all the immediate fires have been put out.
‘Now it’s time for the middle-tier lords and the military.’
We’ve doused the urgent flames, but there are still far more people left to deal with than those who’ve already left.
“Those loyalists who rushed to the system deserve some time to rest. Let us pause for now.”
“Indeed, a truly wise decision, Your Majesty.”
Perhaps the Emperor was aware of the remaining group still waiting around; he paused briefly before declaring a break.
Honestly, oath-taking ceremonies aren’t exactly a neighborhood grocery store sale event, so it makes sense to take a breather. If they kept running through the motions, resentment might start to brew among those pledging their loyalty. It’d feel like their allegiance was being treated like clearance items.
With the Emperor’s declaration of rest, the dukes congregated around the throne began to disperse. I, too, was planning to find a corner and rest up—
“Only the Minister of the Information Department shall remain. There’s something urgent to discuss.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
What the hell?
Is my taking a break really that unacceptable?
I watched the dukes casually grab wine bottles or cigars, and Beatrix, looking over her shoulder apprehensively as she slinked away, made me shut my eyes for a moment.
‘Should I just smack someone?’
The thought crossed my mind seriously. After all, it hadn’t even been a week since the pledges, and I could cancel my allegiance without any penalty. What if I did? I could just slap someone once and then renew my pledge afterward—what’s the harm in that?
I know it’s a crazy idea, but my hand itched for it. If not now, when would I get this chance again?
Or rather, maybe the chance has already slipped away, but I can convince myself otherwise.
“I can finally breathe. Meeting people back to back got a bit stifling.”
Regardless of everything, the Emperor let out a small sigh and relaxed into his throne like a tired husband coming home after a long day at work.
It was almost enough to make me vent out a curse. His stifling was stifling, sure, but why do I have to suffer through this passive hell as well? Consider my position in all this, stuck here with my superior.
“Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty.”
Yet, despite my thoughts, those words slipped out. No matter how much my boss annoys me, as a public servant, I must keep my exterior in check.
“Why would only I suffer? You and the dukes have worked hard keeping your seats as well.”
It’s even worse that he’s aware of it, yet still keeps me pinned here.
The resentment and anger must have shown in my eyes because the Emperor chuckled softly before continuing.
“The dukes are of quite an age, right? The youngest, the wise duke, is in his forties, while I—clumsy twenty-something that I am—need to be the considerate one.”
At his remarks about age, I instinctively shut my mouth.
‘Just throwing facts out there, huh?’
It’s true the youngest duke is in their forties, and the eldest is over eighty. Even an Emperor wouldn’t want to keep those older gentlemen hanging around forever.
Right, given the circumstances, the younger ones might need to shoulder a bit more burden than normal. I still have the instincts of respecting seniors in my blood.
“And as I just mentioned, I kept the Minister here because there’s something urgent to address.”
With that, the Emperor pulled out a couple of small wine bottles from his robes.
…?
‘What the hell?’
Why are there wine bottles coming out of his clothes?
“Here. Just a quick sip, so no need to worry about getting drunk.”
“Ah, uh, sure.”
I was caught off guard but quickly gathered my wits and accepted the bottle.
Having been trained by the wise duke, I can handle surprises like this. It was just a matter of the unexpected appearance of an unexpected wine in an unexpected spot.
*
Watching the Minister receive the wine with a dazed expression made me chuckle. I never thought I’d see the Emperor downing shots of vodka right out of the bottle on the throne. And strong vodka at that.
But here I was, doing the unexpected at this gathering. It might sound like an excuse, but it truly was a surprise. If someone disagrees, I’d like to see them try it while sitting on a throne.
‘This is more than I bargained for.’
Quietly taking a swig, I sorted through my thoughts. The weight of being an Emperor, the undeniably stormy future ahead. I was ready for it all. Still, I committed myself to move forward.
Yet, sitting on the throne—wearing that crown of authority while facing reality—was harsher than I imagined. Just a few days had passed, but the mental pressure I felt during that time was immense.
I had to control and manipulate the nobles swearing allegiance, just like my father would. Every single word and gesture carried meaning. Amid fierce international relations, I had to showcase the Empire’s dignity and secure both benefits and justification.
I felt every bit of that in the past few days. Seeing the nobles bowing their heads before me, offering congratulations and goodwill while the eyes of their envoys darted around in a frenzy was a lesson hard-earned.
“I will discard nothing.”
The words I had uttered during the abdication ceremony came rushing back. Even with the weight of the throne on my shoulders, I vowed to maintain my humanity rather than become just an Emperor.
I chuckled again, recalling that rebellious spirit I’d shown to the Emperor during that moment.
‘What a grand dream.’
Although I didn’t respect the Emperor’s method, I certainly revered his achievements. Given his legacy, I question whether I would’ve had the guts to rise and restore this Empire had I taken his place in the past.
And yet there I was, boldly declaring in front of him, “I won’t turn into you.”
To cast everything aside like he did? There’s no guarantee that I’d reach his heights, even if I tried.
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I’m not like the previous Emperor.”
Right. I am different, very different.
“Do you know why I embraced Ainter?”
“…It was partly due to Ainter holding neutrality compared to the Second Prince, but more so Your Majesty demonstrated mercy—”
“I was swayed by emotion.”
It was emotional. Unlike the previous Emperor, I handled royal matters purely out of emotion.
“Was it because my position as Crown Prince was already solid? That Ainter was no longer a threat? No, it was an emotional decision.”
The reason I welcomed Ainter back into the royal family was pretty straightforward. The Crown Princess was with child, so I feared how the unborn child might perceive things later.
Someday, if the Crown Princess were to ask me, “Why doesn’t my mother get along with Uncle?” I would be at a loss for words.
“Such an emotional choice. If Ainter had any ambition or ill will, this choice could have led to turmoil in the royal family and the Empire.”
I closed my eyes. After speaking so honestly, a sense of relief washed over me.
My assertion that I would discard nothing before the Emperor and my inability to respect his methods all stemmed from this. I realized that I wasn’t the kind of person who could act on emotion entirely. Perhaps that’s why I vehemently denied the Emperor’s way and committed myself to my own.
Because otherwise, I’d be admitting that I wasn’t fit to be an Emperor or a leader. Acknowledging that I couldn’t command this Empire would be the worst fate imaginable.
‘Thank goodness I have the Minister.’
Really, I felt relieved. If I opened up to the Empress about this, she would only worry. If I confided in my father-in-law, it would inevitably reach her ears.
Other family? Am I going to spill to Ainter, who I nearly killed, or the babbling Crown Princess?
Friends? My only so-called friends were the First Prince’s cronies from the academy, and they weren’t really my kind of companions.
That’s why it’s the Minister. I could only share this with a trusted partner who had a knack for keeping a secret.
“Speaking of which, I told the Emperor that I would walk the path of the Emperor in my own way. I will become an Emperor different from you.”
I turned my gaze back to the Minister.
“Can I be an Emperor in your eyes? A ruler like you; calm and capable of ensuring peace for the Empire and its people?”
The Minister didn’t speak up. After all, asking for a response from a newly anointed Emperor is a stretch. They might interpret my words as a loyalty check instead.
I felt quite apologetic. In seeking my comfort, I unfairly loaded the Minister with pressure.
Embarrassed, I turned my gaze back to the front. Still, letting it all out certainly lightened the load—
“I probably won’t become an Emperor like the previous one.”
?
I darted my eyes back to the Minister, surprised by the unexpected answer. I didn’t even think I was asking for a real answer, though?
“The former Emperor seemed born to be a monarch. He acted primarily on reason and logic. Honestly, I don’t envision you becoming an emperor like him.”
The Minister spoke unfazed by my gaze. Their tongue was remarkably more nimble than usual.
“However, is there really a need for you to become an Emperor like the last one?”
“What?”
I reflexively responded, baffled. Asking if there’s a need to become that kind of Emperor?
Of course, there is! Competent Emperors like him are rare; even now, with a new ruler at the helm, it’s only natural that I strive to follow in his footsteps.
“All throughout his life, the previous Emperor worked for the Empire. His abdication was a decision made not out of obligation but by his own judgment.”
Yet the Minister’s ideas seemed to differ; pouring the remaining contents of the bottle in one gulp, they continued with a stoic tone.
“Maybe he believed an Emperor who had relinquished everything wasn’t needed anymore—rather, the Empire required a human being who could protect it. From what I witnessed, the last Emperor would’ve endured anything that potentially harmed the Empire.”
I had no words in response and stared blankly at the Minister.
‘An Empire that can be ruled by a human.’
I quietly repeated those words in my mind.
To separate the Emperor from humanity, to view an Emperor as one among humans—this was the path the late Emperor hadn’t chosen, nor could he have.
…An Empire ruled by someone who chooses the path of humanity instead of that of an Emperor.
“That’s the Empire you will lead.”
It reminded me of words I had once spoken to the late Emperor, but instead, they now echoed from him to me.
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
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