Ch.173Outside. Daily Life of the Gong Royal Family (1)

In the 1st District of the Imperial Capital stood the Grand Duke’s residence.

This was the dwelling place of Erick Wellesley, the Grand Duke of Wellesley and King of Microssia who had ascended to the throne 10 months ago, and also the site where his cruelty was revealed.

The original owners of this mansion were the Arknight ducal family, who were slaughtered at the “Blood Banquet.”

On the surface, it appeared as though he had killed the owners and stolen their home.

‘No, that’s actually what happened.’

In the early evening, Ember Wellesley, who was having tea with her relatives, muttered with a bitter smile.

The Hyde family. Being one with a long history, there were quite a number of people sharing the same surname.

Just counting those gathered here, there were fifty people.

Originally, the Hyde family’s presence was extremely insignificant.

They were baronial vassals serving an unremarkable count.

Apart from the direct line who could live somewhat nobly, the rest had to find their own way to survive.

Either becoming retainers to other houses, becoming soldiers or officials in the Imperial Capital, or simply forgetting their status and living as wealthy farmers.

However, the surname “Hyde” was now recognized with special significance in the Empire.

This was naturally because of Ember herself.

Ember Wellesley, the only daughter of Count Hyde, the steward of the Wellesley duchy, and now the Queen Consort.

She stood at the center of power.

Though it wasn’t what she had wanted, she couldn’t say it was unfair either. After all, it was true that she helped Erick with governance.

She possessed far too much power to simply claim the romantic notion that she was just supporting Erick.

And there were side effects caused by that power.

Side effects she had learned about through intelligence reports about her relatives that had been tickling her ears lately.

“Do you know a knight named Connor Hyde? He’s your uncle’s son, Lady Hyde.”

“Ah, you haven’t met him. Anyway, he’s currently serving in the knightly order of Duke Tomen. I hear he was recently promoted to first-rank knight. He received a village as his fief.”

“There’s more news. I’ll report it in writing.”

Reports that people with the Hyde surname were thriving across the continent.

It wasn’t something to be entirely happy about.

‘Success beyond one’s station is poison.’

It was awkward for Ember herself to say this, but it was the reality.

The Hyde family had no special qualities except for frequently producing handsome men and beautiful women. The men generally applied to the knight faculty but had never produced any renowned knights.

After observing this situation for a while, Ember finally summoned her relatives to the ducal residence.

Dozens of relatives separated since her grandfather’s and great-grandfather’s generations.

Though they shared the same bloodline and she wanted to treat them kindly if possible… Ember wasn’t planning to just host a banquet and send them off with gifts.

In fact, it was quite the opposite.

“Um, Your Highness the Queen. Thank you so much for inviting us today…”

“There’s nothing to thank me for.”

“…?”

“It’s been a while… No, that’s not right since I’m meeting some of you for the first time. I apologize for suddenly summoning those of you who have been living scattered throughout the Empire. However, I felt that if I delayed any longer, we might end up meeting in a very uncomfortable manner.”

“Um, what do you—”

“There’s no need to pretend you don’t understand. I know that you’ve all been receiving treatment beyond your station. I didn’t have to collect this information deliberately—even sitting quietly in the royal residence, sparrows brought me the news.”

The relatives began nervously shifting their eyes.

Ember, undisturbed by their gazes, listed the special favors they had received. Some had been suddenly promoted, some had been granted small fiefs, and some who had been living as farmers had suddenly found employment in a marquis’s trading company.

While these might not be considered enormous privileges, they were privileges nonetheless. Ones they would never have enjoyed if Ember hadn’t become the King’s wife.

“Everyone. It’s awkward to say this myself, but the Hyde family has never produced any notable talents. Whether it’s due to poor bloodlines or lack of resources to properly raise the family’s children, I’m not sure.”

“…”

“The same applies to me. If I hadn’t earned my husband’s trust, I would still be working nine hours a day in a small government office. Since I never attended the Academy, senior administrative officer would probably have been my promotion ceiling.”

“How can you say that? With your intelligence and virtue—”

“I have none of that. It was just luck. Even now, I’m living in fear, having been given power that’s difficult for me to handle. I’m simply living day by day, trying not to bring shame to the King.”

This statement was only half sincere.

While she truly was living day by day with effort, she wasn’t trembling with anxiety. Not because she enjoyed Erick’s favor, but because she didn’t even have the luxury for such feelings.

Perhaps she had unknowingly developed courage during her time with Erick.

And besides courage, there was another skill she had acquired.

The ability to accurately guess others’ true feelings.

“You probably feel wronged. You might think you’re being scolded for no reason when you haven’t received any significant benefits or large bribes. You probably haven’t even received any specific requests yet.”

“…Haha, yes. We’re not fools—why would we get involved in anything unsavory?”

“But in the near future, you’ll use your background as the Queen’s relatives to grant someone’s request. Since you have nothing else to show for yourselves without my influence, it’s inevitable.”

No one refuted this observation.

But they didn’t all seem convinced either.

Some relatives looked like they wanted to argue but were restraining themselves out of fear of Ember’s position.

‘Well, they might think what’s wrong with picking up a few crumbs.’

However, the benefits they had mindlessly accepted could turn into shackles in an instant.

People weren’t treating the Hyde clan well for no reason. They were being favored because everyone thought they could collect on those favors later.

Ember was simply trying to discipline her relatives before they caused trouble and fell into ruin.

Some might say she was being too cold to people connected to her by blood…

‘But it’s better than sending them to labor camps later.’

Ember decided to make things absolutely clear this time, if only to avoid seeing such a fate.

“Everyone. The person who originally carried on the Hyde family’s legitimacy was the former Baron Hyde, correct? He’s also my uncle. Do you know how he makes his living now?”

“Well, I’m not sure…”

“He manages support work for coal miners. Despite having a sister who is the duchy’s steward and a niece who is the Queen, that’s the work he does. Buying a lottery ticket once every two weeks is my uncle’s only pleasure.”

Telling them that her closest relative, once the family representative, had been assigned to manage miners’ meals was essentially a warning that she could treat them even more harshly if they caused trouble.

“Be careful how you conduct yourselves. Make sure no unpleasant rumors reach my ears.”

Ember delivered this message dryly.

After administering such a rebuke, it would be proper to offer some comfort, but Ember did not do so. It might be disappointing for those who had expected a family banquet at the royal residence, but this was the best she could do for now.

After all, she was the wife of the King who held the Empire’s power in his hand.

***

“Please report regularly on their movements from now on.”

This was the instruction Ember Wellesley gave to someone from the intelligence department after sending her relatives away.

It might seem like she was being overly sensitive, but she had no choice.

Unlike Erick, whose entire family had died, and Hannah, who had no acquaintances due to being from another world, Ember herself had far too many blood relations.

Constant management was essential if she didn’t want to cause trouble for Erick.

She didn’t particularly feel fatigued about having to be cold even to her relatives.

After all, she was usually involved in much darker matters.

Since becoming Queen, she had been continuously monitoring the movements of nobles (especially those who had lost their heads of family during the Blood Banquet). This wasn’t simply to prevent unrest, but to prepare for eventually incorporating their territories directly under royal control in a presentable manner.

These gloomy political machinations were unbecoming of a Queen, but Ember couldn’t deny they suited her aptitude.

And honestly, she sometimes felt a sense of accomplishment. Manipulating people according to her intentions was more enjoyable than she had expected.

‘Since I’m doing this anyway, I might as well enjoy it.’

Ember headed to the bedroom, dragging her heavy body.

The bedroom shared by Ember herself, Erick, and Hannah, the other Queen.

Though they each had separate bedrooms, they usually stayed together unless something special came up.

Having grown accustomed to it since their wedding night, it now felt more comfortable this way. Even the maids, who had initially shown embarrassed reactions, had come to accept it as normal. Some might consider them perverts, but that didn’t matter.

“Erick? I’m sorry the talk took so long…”

Ember stopped abruptly mid-sentence.

It was because of the scene unfolding in the bedroom.

“Ember. Avoid stressful situations for a while.”

Erick addressed her with a worried expression, while Hannah lay sprawled on the bed with a languid expression. Fresh sheets and a faintly musky scent lingering in the air.

It wasn’t difficult to guess what had just happened here.

She didn’t feel slighted. Seeing Hannah giving her an eye greeting with an expression mixing pleasure and fatigue, she actually felt apologetic.

‘You had a hard time alone.’

It couldn’t be helped. Ember herself was in no position to join them.

She was pregnant. The seed planted during their honeymoon week had grown vigorously, and she was approaching full term.

Whether it was a boy or girl was unknown, but Ember was set to give birth to the King’s firstborn. Hannah had planned to get pregnant herself after Ember’s child was born.

Yes, they were close enough to communicate such matters. It might be a bit unusual, but as long as the parties involved were happy, that was all that mattered.

“It’s not particularly stressful.”

Ember answered lightly as she shared a brief kiss with Erick.

Immediately after, Erick carefully lifted her up and laid her on the bed. Ember smiled, thinking it would be nice to have a quiet conversation among the three of them (if Hannah recovered her senses) before falling asleep.

Unlike when she was sternly disciplining her relatives, her face was now filled with happiness.