Chapter: 830
The domestic honeymoon wrapped up successfully, except for the chaos on the first day.
Of course, it didn’t help that the Executive Manager of the Information Department and the former Second Manager raided illegal gambling dens from the very first day of the trip, which made the visiting local governors and lords visibly tense. But you could look at it the other way: it meant that any incident worth our attention was swiftly handled by the local officials.
Thanks to that, we strolled leisurely through tourist spots, enjoyed famous local foods, and packed gifts for Ferentz and the family.
In a way, this was the most peaceful honeymoon I’ve experienced so far. Unlike the other trips that were punctuated with disruptions over several days, this one only had a frenzy on the first day.
“Well, I’m off to the Imperial Palace.”
So there I was, wrapping up my honeymoon with Erich and preparing to visit the palace at the Emperor’s request the next day.
“Oh, I’m coming too!”
“Eh? You too?”
“Yup! I brought a present for my Senior!”
The moment I mentioned meeting the Empress, it all made sense.
Well, considering Erich is pretty close with the Empress as her senior, exchanging gifts isn’t strange at all. Plus, since the Empress can’t easily leave the palace as the national mother, it makes sense for her to hear all sorts of news through the relatively free Erich.
“Oh! And I prepared gifts for our adorable nieces and nephews too!”
When Erich proudly pulled out her gifts, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Sure, Erich is lively and unpredictable, but she’s actually quite sweet to those she considers family. She’s going out of her way to prepare gifts for her close senior and her senior’s kids.
“This one’s for Charlotte! This one’s for Carolus! And this one’s for Caroline!”
“Are they all dolls?”
“They need to be the same kind! If I don’t get the same ones, they’ll fight over them!”
That logic was indisputable, and I nodded back reflexively.
The Crown Princess, Crown Prince, and Princess all live in the same house. If I were to give different gifts, the other gifts would look bigger, sparking envy among them. That would turn the once-friendly siblings into fierce warriors fighting over their presents.
Plus, the Princess just happened to be born this year. If I’m not careful, she might easily get her gift snatched.
‘Dolls are the safest bet.’
Anyway, dolls are perfect for even the newborn Princess to have next to her like a pillow in the crib.
I just got my son a toy that leads him toward the path of becoming a weapon master, yet I’m gifting my niece something common and proper. I can’t tell if that’s fortunate or downright weird.
‘As long as Ferentz likes it, though, it doesn’t matter.’
Thinking of Ferentz smiling with his little dagger, I found it alright regardless.
Whether it’s dolls or daggers—what matters is that the receiver enjoys them.
Unlike Erich, who headed straight to the Empress’s quarters, I made my way to the Sun Palace, but I ended up not meeting the Emperor.
“His Majesty is in a meeting with the other ministers. He’ll be here soon if you wait in the office.”
“Is that so?”
It’s rare for the Emperor to step outside of his office for long.
‘Of all times, why now?’
I grumbled in my head at the royal guard stationed outside the office. It’s a shame—the one time I need to have an important conversation, the Emperor steps out. How tragic can fate be?
But since the Emperor was away for work, I had nothing to complain about. Complaining would just be me shouting at a silent guard, and if a minister got involved, I could only imagine how awkward that would be for him.
“Well then, I’ll stay inside. Thanks for your efforts.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After patting the guard on the shoulder, I stepped into the empty office and settled into an appropriate seat.
Now that I think about it, this is my first time entering an empty office. Until now, it’s always been a place where the Emperor welcomed me. Meeting him has usually ended up being more about bad news than good.
“Hmm?”
As I looked around the office with slight curiosity, I spotted a piece of document lying on the floor near the desk.
What a careless fool. The Emperor has dropped a report meant for him on the floor. If it’s a document that needs his approval, it can’t be something trivial, right?
‘What’s this?’
The moment I picked up the file, I froze.
[Proposal for the Establishment of the Prime Minister Position.]
The opening line was anything but ordinary.
‘Prime Minister? What kind of madness is this?’
What kind of ugly letters exist in this continent? Can these kinds of hideous and bizarre titles actually be real?
I don’t get it. The mere idea of overseeing the prime minister and establishing a minister for such an absurd role—it just doesn’t make sense!
‘What the hell does it mean by being a minister overseeing the national affairs?’
No, if it’s to oversee national affairs, then it should be the Prime Minister title. What kind of audacity is it to toss around the word “minister” like that?
And why, why would this idea come up just when I wanted to resign from the minister position? Isn’t this clearly a discussion born out of targeting me?
‘That bastard!’
My hand trembling around the document caught me by surprise.
This lunatic thinks that instead of resigning from the Information Department, he’ll just throw a bigger title at me? A title that surpasses all existing minister roles just like his title as deputy duke?
The deputy duke is equal to a duke. In terms of imperial rank, that puts him above the head of the Imperial Household. So creating a position higher than that to block the influence of the deputy duke—that’s what he’s aiming at—
‘No.’
I forced myself to think rationally, battling a surge of rising blood pressure.
‘This must be a bluff.’
It’s a bluff. If the Emperor had any sanity left, he wouldn’t resort to such crazy measures.
Even the head of the Imperial Household, the most prominent minister, is just the foremost of all ministers, not the one to lead. He can assist the Emperor, sure, but he cannot officially be regarded as the clear number two of the Empire.
The Empire has been wary of a second-in-command showing up. Someone might gather achievements and earn the Emperor’s favor, but officially creating a position for a second-in-command? That can never happen, or else the position would exist until the Empire’s ruin.
‘But making a position inferior to the head of the Imperial Household could also mean that “overseeing national affairs” doesn’t make sense.’
To claim to oversee national affairs while being lower than a mere minister? This is a joke. It would only serve to ridicule the authority given, leading to miserable consequences.
Thinking logically, a proposal like the creation of a Prime Minister position seems like a method of intimidation. The document probably dropped intentionally to grab my attention.
‘This is maddening.’
My head began to throb. Should I just keep quiet and remain as the Executive Manager of the Information Department, or should I bear the unprecedented title of Prime Minister? A threat telling me to choose whatever is comfortable for me.
Of course, I could ignore this pressure of low probability threats and just walk away from the minister position.
But what if this threat really gets executed? Can I be sure the Emperor would strictly make rational decisions? Trusting my fate to that lunatic?
‘No way.’
There’s no way I can do that. I can’t entrust my fate to that kid.
What should I do…?
*
After hearing the reports from the ministers, I sauntered back to the office.
“I see His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Hmm, thanks for the hard work. Has anyone been here while I was away?”
“The Executive Manager of the Information Department is waiting inside.”
As soon as I entered the office, the answer I wanted immediately made me smile.
Of course, I expected the minister would be here first since his retirement is on the line. Also, knowing his character, he must have his eyes glued to the document on the floor, so I was sure he hadn’t missed the memo about the Prime Minister.
At this point, I figured he would have made some internal decision on how to react to my ultimate proposal. Now I could enter cheerfully.
“Minister. Have you been waiting long?”
As I confidently opened the door, I found the minister sprawled slumped in his chair.
‘Well, well.’
It was a sight that made me feel a twinge of sympathy. It seems the mental shock was quite significant.
“Your Majesty, I present my respects.”
“Sit down. No need to stand on ceremony.”
Quickly jumping into the comforting role, I took the higher seat, hoping to ease the minister, who seemed overwhelmed. Leaving the minister in this state for too long might make his eyes go bloodshot. That wouldn’t do.
“Did you see it?”
“I apologize, but which document are you referring to?”
“Let’s cut out the convoluted talk and be direct; did you see that document?”
Pointing at the file, the minister nodded silently.
How annoying it is to ask again when he clearly understands.
“The Prime Minister, overseeing all national affairs. In a place where dukes are five and five only, how could a mere individual presume to reign as the second-in-command of the Empire, bringing all the nobles and officials under one roof?”
“Indeed, that is a completely valid point.”
“Yet considering your contributions, talents, and loyalty, it may not be impossible. Establishing the Prime Minister position as a temporary role for you to maintain dignity, then abolishing it afterward wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
At those words, I noticed the minister’s shoulders start to tremble slightly.
“Of course, I don’t wish to create a second-in-command position, even temporarily. I simply considered your future promotion to deputy duke next year and thought it might suit your status—a mere fleeting thought.”
“Your Majesty! Forgive my audacity, but the Vice Captain is nominally under the Commanding Minister of Defense. However, who would dare doubt the Vice Captain’s authority in this Empire?”
‘Hoh.’
Intrigued, I mentally applauded. This guy is prepared with some rebuff in the meantime.
“You have a point. Therefore, I’ve also considered bestowing on you an existing title rather than this outrageous Prime Minister thing.”
“Pardon?”
“Look at the back.”
Finally, the minister hastily examined the back of the document.
The desperation in his expression made me chuckle. Just how much had the mere mention of the title ‘Prime Minister’ shaken him that he didn’t think to look at the back?
“The Assembly President of the Empire?”
“Specifically, a lifetime president. The president who stands above the imperial counts. If you’re to be a deputy duke, certainly that’s the least you should aspire to. After all, a duke cannot stand at the same level as the imperial counts.”
I noticed the minister’s eyes beginning to twitch wildly.
To take on the proposed Prime Minister title or shoulder the heavy load of the Assembly President; it was clear what choice lay ahead of the minister.
“Minister.”
“…You may command me.”
“Neither sounds enticing, right?”
Of course, I had no intention of offloading either responsibility onto the minister.
“Your Majesty, if it is a title you bestow upon me, how can I refuse?”
I couldn’t help but be impressed by how the minister held his patience amidst all this.
At the same time, I sensed that further pressure might lead to a disaster. Now was the time to bring out my true goal.
“Let’s write a contract. If I command you to return to the position of Executive Manager of the Information Department, you will accept without protest.”
“Y-Your Majesty?”
“If you sign that, I’ll immediately relieve you of your ministerial duties. What do you think?”
In truth, that was the real intention behind this entire charade. Presenting the minister with two disasters that he cannot accept, only to follow that with a challenge he can accept.
‘That much I can concede.’
Initially, I considered erasing the idea of ministerial duties altogether, but I was worried that giving the minister too much mental shock would provoke future complications.
If I’ve to tease him excessively, he should receive the appropriate compensation. After all, that way, the minister may serve the Empire for a long time.
‘The minister’s character would compel him to keep working regardless of his position.’
One way or the other, the minister will look for ways to serve even if his position as Executive Manager of the Information Department gets relieved. It has nothing to do with his position; such diligence is simply part of his nature.
Ultimately, this works out even better for me. If he does considerable work elsewhere, he can’t possibly resent me; I gave him a significant concession with the position relief.
“Your Majesty’s grace! I shall never forget it!”
“Grace has nothing to do with this.”
I’m the one who’s more grateful!
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