Chapter: 405
If I could go back to the past, I’d twist my own neck. If that’s impossible, I’d just smash the Emperor’s head with the wine bottle he handed me. Either way, the backlash would be colossal, but it’d definitely be better than the pain I’m enduring right now.
With tears threatening to spill if I let my guard down, I quietly cast my gaze downward. Just a few days ago, I thought my status was that of a royal slave, but I had foolishly overlooked the fact that beneath the ground, there’s a whole dungeon waiting.
“Isn’t that a sign that the Emperor has deemed it okay for a human who protects everything, and not one who has discarded everything, to rule this Empire? From what I see, the former Emperor would endure anything harmful to the Empire even if he became immortal.”
As the recollection of that arrogant past hit me, my head started to throb.
‘I shouldn’t have done that.’
I didn’t know that then.
I bit my lip subtly. It was nonsense and entirely impossible. How dare I judge the situation as a mere subject—that was sheer madness. Honestly, I should be ashamed if I decorated my Emperor’s ascension with theatrics.
But the scarier thing was the Emperor’s reaction. He laughed upon hearing that insane statement. It wasn’t a laugh of disbelief or rage but one of pure amusement.
“Indeed, the Minister’s right. You’ve judged it well, so you must have relinquished the throne to me. That’s correct!”
Seeing him act like the Joker dancing down the stairs sent a chill down my spine. It was an unspeakable terror creeping up my back.
And from that day on, true fear and despair started to engulf me.
“Let’s wrap today’s schedule here. Ah, Minister, you come with me.”
“Let’s have a drink. You’ll be struggling more in the coming days, so a little drink won’t hurt.”
“Come to my office first thing in the morning. The youngsters should have to work a bit, don’t you think?”
Ever since that remark, the one who used to only call me when absolutely necessary now started to keep me by his side. Call it favoritism, but frankly speaking, I was now—
“A toy.”
Yes, a toy. A toy that he liked to carry around all day. Cherished but rolled around enough to break, held onto out of love, even if it eventually fell apart.
It’s a horrific notion, but my instincts scream that I’ve devolved from a competent servant into a cherished toy. My madness induced by alcohol surely must have altered the Emperor’s sentiment.
Whether it was the delight of seeing a lunatic or a desire to torment an annoying little brat, I couldn’t tell—
“Minister, what’s gotten into you? Is the meal not to your liking?”
“No, Your Majesty. It’s absolutely marvelous; I’m relishing every bite.”
Alas, the fact remains that I still have to endure the Emperor’s whims.
“Damn.”
I glanced down again as the pleased Emperor nodded at my response.
To my surprise, I had already been invited to dine with the Emperor for several days now. Dining with this beast of a man should’ve been impossible, but here we were, and it’s horrific.
“A great meal calls for great wine. Just recently, from the Lucen Kingdom’s vodka—”
“Your Majesty. The Lucen people endure harsh winters and drink vodka daily, but you don’t need to follow suit.”
The only saving grace was having the Empress there with us.
And I benefited from her presence today. She gently prevented the Emperor from invoking the symbols of our dark past as he was about to call for attendants as if she gently brought him back to earth.
“I made a mistake, wanting to share something good with the Minister. My apologies, Empress.”
But while he’s apologizing to the Empress, why was he staring my way?
“I understand your feelings well. It must be a joy to be with a loyal servant. I just wished you’d take care of your health a little more.”
Even the Empress, following the Emperor’s gaze, subtly glanced at me.
This is maddening. Was I not just a cherished toy for the Emperor, but a communal toy for the royal family?
“—Isn’t it nice to get attention from someone high up?”
Amidst this, the Eternal Blue Sky, which had been quiet, burst into my mind, throwing my thoughts into chaos.
I thought it had calmed down after promising to bring gifts during winter break, but why now?
“Isn’t it nice to receive care from elves and fairies?”
– Oh.
Fortunately, I could quickly repel it since I was enduring similar pains to that of the Eternal Blue Sky. They say too much attention can drown the recipient, and that feeling was certainly haunting me.
…But to have my only ally be a deity instead of a human? I could almost cry.
The fragile civil servant, unable to leave the estate, could only contact his lover at night.
“I’m a bit late today because I dined with His Majesty. Sorry, Mar.”
—“Oh, it’s fine. I’m just glad that His Majesty trusts Carl.”
Seeing Mar smile brightly, genuinely pleased, brought a bittersweet smile to my face. It’s a relief from my perspective, but I can’t shake the feeling that they’d only fret over it from a third-party viewpoint.
So, in front of others, I only share the objective truth of being “pulled into a late-night dinner.” I never mention how I feel like I’m going to die from the Emperor’s torment. What would saying that do other than worry them?
“Anyway, I really should return to the Academy, but I have no idea when this will end.”
— “Don’t worry. Eri is there instead of Carl, right?”
“I’m worried about that.”
I swallowed the words, barely managing a smile.
Classes had resumed just after the abdication ceremony, and although the Academy had closed for the abdication day, it was back to normal now. In other words, whether I rolled with the newly seated Emperor or not, the world was returning to its usual pace.
So, instead of me not returning to routine, Erzebet was going to step in at the Academy again. I almost felt like protesting to the Emperor about how he’s so ridiculously fast and accurate with his work during these times.
—“Honestly, I’d want to all go to the capital, but wouldn’t that just burden Carl?”
Seeing Mar mutter that with a hint of regret made me feel sympathetic, yet regrettably, she was right.
I’ve spent a day in the Imperial Palace and only had dinner before heading home, so lovers coming to the capital wouldn’t get a warm welcome. I’d only feel guilty leaving them just to fend for themselves, escalating my mental fatigue.
— “I envy your father and Lady Beatrix today.”
“Isn’t that a pretty petty reason to be envious?”
Still, I burst into laughter at what she said next. It’s entirely natural for someone to envy her father and Beatrix since they both stood in the noble ranks of dukes— but Mar envying those two simply because they could be with me was amusing, really.
Thanks to that, my laughter subsided, unable to contain itself. What quaint and adorable jealousy this was.
“Tomorrow, I’m going to ask your father if Mar could be a duchess—”
—“Please don’t.”
“Understood.”
Before long, Mar began to chuckle along with me.
This is what keeps me going through the day.
*
Finally—
“I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.”
As I sat in a regular chair in my office instead of on a throne, a smile of relief crept across my face. The dukes and even the ministers have all retreated for now.
I had received oaths of loyalty from all ranks of nobility, officials, commanders, judges, and smoothly sent back the delegations from various countries. As the new Emperor, I had checked off everything I immediately needed to handle.
‘…Is the banquet all that’s left?’
The most annoying thing sprang to mind, almost making me sigh. Truthfully, considering how much I struggled from the abdication ceremony to today, throwing a banquet should be little trouble, but just imagining one rivaling the New Year’s Celebration was draining me already. I have no good memories of banquets and am not one to enjoy them.
But what can I say? It’s a tradition throughout the continent that, once the new monarch finishes urgent affairs, they hold a commemorative banquet. They even crafted a banquet after my uncle’s abrupt abdication, although it was on a smaller scale.
That’s why I need to throw a proper celebration. The Emperor ascending the throne deserves all the celebration and reverence one can show.
‘At least I’m thankful it’s not happening immediately.’
Seeing as it requires a show of grandeur matching the Emperor’s dignity, it’s only natural that preparation will take a good deal of time.
At least since the situation had prepared for abdication well before, it shouldn’t take months; but still, I could at least buy some time for a breather. Just enough time for the nobility to catch their breath after pledging allegiance and for me to sneak in a short break.
“Your Majesty.”
As those thoughts churned through my mind and I rubbed my sore shoulders, I heard Hendrik’s voice from outside.
“The Royal Chamberlain requests an audience with Your Majesty.”
‘The Royal Chamberlain?’
An unexpected visitor, but it wouldn’t be strange for the Royal Chamberlain to drop in at any time during such a busy period in the palace.
Speaking of which, I realized that I needed to appoint a new Minister of the Imperial Household soon since the Chamberlain of the Royal Knights would be stepping down soon. I should maintain his acting position until then. It’d be better to appoint all the key officials at once rather than stagger them.
“Allow him in.”
As I gathered my thoughts and permitted entry, the Royal Chamberlain stepped in cautiously.
‘Oh dear.’
Seeing him, though I didn’t want to, a sense of sympathy washed over me. He must have a heavy workload, juggling both the tasks of the Royal Chamberlain while acting as a stand-in for the Minister of the Imperial Household. He was truly hard at work.
“Long live Your Majesty! A humble servant stands before the noble Sun.”
“Raise your head.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He didn’t look well even upon a second glance.
I must certainly grant him a decent vacation once this banquet wraps. Otherwise, it felt like I might lose a talented official.
“So, Royal Chamberlain, what brings you here?”
Feeling the need to wrap things swiftly for the sake of the chamberlain’s well-being, I asked directly, and he respectfully handed over the documents he was holding.
“I come bearing the words of the late Emperor.”
“The late Emperor’s?”
I reflexively asked in surprise. Since the abdication ceremony, he declared he would no longer participate in any affairs and has been refraining from public appearances ever since visiting his mother’s grave.
But now receiving messages from the late Emperor? What could it be?
‘…Huh?’
As I looked at the documents handed over, I was plunged into confusion. It was the first time since the “World Tree Incident” that my mind went blank at sight of what was written on paper.
But there was no helping it. The contents of the documents were bizarre, to say the least.
“A field?”
He wished to cultivate a small field within the palace.
“Livestock?”
He also seemed to want to rear some animals as well.
…
“Wh-What is this?”
What the heck is going on?
“The late Emperor said he must learn in advance for the person he will meet in the future.”
My expression only grew more perplexed after the Royal Chamberlain’s further explanation.
Who could he possibly want to meet to warrant these lessons? Not to mention, did the late Emperor even have anyone to meet?
‘…I have no idea.’
Even as the former Emperor, it seems he remained as mysterious as ever.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.