Ch.243Conflict (10)

The treaty with the Empire went surprisingly smoothly. The Emperor, who had shown great hostility toward me and had been obstructing our conversations at every turn, became quite docile after I snapped at him.

Above all, it seems the Emperor knew he shouldn’t do as I said, but he didn’t exactly know what he shouldn’t do, which greatly influenced the outcome.

Though we made an agreement to ease the treaty terms in exchange for appointing my children as imperial nobles, it’s obvious he failed to notice that the eased terms fall far short of what those noble titles are worth.

“Sigh…”

Although the direct compensation I’m receiving has decreased somewhat, I got everything else I wanted, so it doesn’t really matter.

From permanently cementing the Holy Empire’s characteristic decentralized political system to allowing the Kingdom of Lotaring to ruthlessly exploit that fragmented system for our benefit—I didn’t fail to achieve a single objective.

I’m quite satisfied that my children, who will live as imperial nobles, will greatly benefit from this treaty. With the substantial financial support I’ll provide them for their independence, it won’t be difficult for them to expand their influence in an empire where the Emperor’s authority and power have been driven into the ground.

Today was truly satisfying. I’ve also eased much of my discomfort by providing titles to my children who might have felt deprived without any positions.

[However, the Queen’s offspring cannot receive the Prince-Elector position. This is a matter I cannot yield on under any circumstances.]

[Are you afraid the Holy Empire will be devoured by Lotaring?]

[Isn’t that obvious? Put yourself in my position—would you accept such terms?]

[No, I wouldn’t.]

[I’m glad you understand quickly. So I intend to select one of your illegitimate sons for the Meissen Prince-Elector position. Since it would be awkward for prestige reasons if the candidate were too young, I was thinking of your first concubine’s eldest son—what do you think?]

[Jean-Claude… Well, that’s fine.]

It’s not a major issue that the Prince-Elector position is going to an illegitimate son rather than a legitimate one.

I wasn’t even considering giving such an important title as Prince-Elector to a legitimate heir anyway, since it would likely become a seed of conflict. I would have refused even if the Emperor had offered it to my legitimate heir.

The only thing that bothers me is why the Emperor brought this up first… Well, obviously he needs to prevent a future where the Empire is completely swallowed by Lotaring.

Knock knock—

“Chloe? Come in.”

Just then, I hear Chloe’s knock from beyond the door. Having heard thousands of knocks since taking this position, I can now distinguish who’s who just by the sound of their knocking.

“Excuse me.”

“…What’s the matter?”

But Chloe’s expression is very strange.

As far as I know, the only time Chloe has worn such a serious expression was long ago, when I had just become the Duke of Bourgogne and went to the battlefield where Caroling’s invasion was taking place.

“I’ve come to confess… a mistake I’ve made.”

As she speaks, Chloe’s yellow eyes still shine, but unlike before, their brilliance has diminished significantly. It’s like looking at gold tarnished with dust.

……….

Chloe hangs her head with a gloomy expression. If I had been standing, I wouldn’t have been able to see her face, but since I’m seated, I can see her expression quite clearly.

“…Alright, I understand.”

What Chloe told me was truly shocking in many ways.

When Chloe learned that the Emperor had made not just Jean-Claude but all my children imperial nobles, she realized things had gone terribly wrong and that she had greatly interfered with my plans. Feeling immense guilt, she came to confess what she had done.

No wonder the Emperor’s attitude seemed so strange. If he had been intelligent enough to try reducing the severity of the treaty in exchange for empty territories, he wouldn’t have chosen to abdicate without any countermeasures, allowing the Empire to split in two.

This morning, I just thought the Emperor was being clever again, but to think Chloe was behind it all…

“Since you’ve come to me directly, I assume you understand very well what you’ve done wrong?”

What Chloe did is a serious offense beyond excuse, even if her intention was to secure the imperial throne for Jean-Claude.

I managed to handle it well, but if I had been in poor condition and unable to think of a proper response, it could have been a disaster. I might have had to watch my children fighting against each other.

“…Yes.”

So far, Chloe’s confession has been nothing but a recitation of facts.

Not once has she injected her personal feelings into her words, which makes it impossible for me to speak harshly to her.

If she had tried to justify her actions even slightly, I would have severely reprimanded her, but when she’s simply stating facts while continuously apologizing with such a humble attitude, how can I rebuke her?

Moreover, her intentions were for her children—my children. How could I attack someone to their face when they’re sacrificing themselves for their children?

Of course, I mean as a father of a family, not as a sovereign ruler.

“Chloe, we cannot make this public, but neither can we quietly bury it as if nothing happened. All positions you currently hold will be revoked from this moment, and direct or indirect contact with anyone outside the palace is forbidden starting today.”

Chloe holds many important positions in the court. From head lady-in-waiting who manages the other ladies, to accountant managing the royal family’s assets, to overseeing palace security, and even filling the vacancy left by Leclerc’s retirement—all are crucial roles.

As a reliable sister and a capable person recognized by many high officials like Luca and Leclerc, I’ve entrusted her with all sorts of duties. Her sudden removal will certainly cause considerable disruption.

But I cannot exempt her from punishment for that reason.

Even if others don’t know why Chloe is being punished, discipline is important, and if I let this pass with just a verbal warning, Chloe might commit a similar offense in the future.

Of course, it’s hard to imagine that the kind, polite, and obedient Chloe would do something like this again, but there can be no exceptions to punishment and discipline.

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s mercy.”

Though the punishment is almost equivalent to confinement, Chloe simply bows her head and expresses gratitude for my mercy.

…To be honest, if Chloe had clung to me tearfully, the severity of the punishment would have been greatly reduced. No matter how strictly I need to separate public and private matters, Chloe is my precious family.

But Chloe didn’t do that, even though she knows very well that such behavior would influence my judgment. She seems to understand that such actions would be inappropriate and would make the situation irreversible.

Sigh…

“Did you want to give something to the children that badly?”

“That is…”

“You can speak honestly. I won’t get angry.”

“…Yes, you’re right. I wanted to give titles to the children who wouldn’t otherwise receive anything.”

Now that official business is concluded, I asked Chloe a personal question, and she responds quite readily. From her expression to her answer, everything is straightforward.

…It might be inappropriate to say this in this situation, but she’s quite adorable.

“Above all, I also had the desire to spread Your Majesty’s and my descendants far and wide.”

“…Ahem. Still, don’t you think the Emperor went too far? Isn’t Prince-Elector high enough?”

“If you’re going to aim for something, shouldn’t you aim for the highest?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Jean-Claude becoming Emperor of the Empire… I hadn’t considered it, but it’s not bad at all. No, it’s not just “not bad”—it’s excellent.

There’s a possibility that Jean-Claude, as Emperor, might covet the throne of Lotaring, but the treaty we signed with the Empire today would be inherited by Jean-Claude as Emperor, so the likelihood of the Empire attacking first is extremely low. Being an illegitimate son, his legitimacy is weak, so even if he did harbor such ambitions, he wouldn’t have much domestic support.

Besides, since my children aren’t being enfeoffed as imperial nobles right away, I just need to ensure that Lothar and Jean-Claude maintain a good relationship going forward, as they have until now.

Although public and private matters should be kept separate, in this feudal medieval era where the monarch is the state, friendly relations between rulers have an enormous impact on state affairs. I don’t want my children fighting each other.

“Um… Brother, may I ask you one question?”

“What is it? Go ahead.”

At that moment, Chloe hesitantly asks a question. It’s quite noticeable since she’s been maintaining a humble attitude ever since entering the office.

“Why aren’t you opposing Jean-Claude becoming Emperor of the Empire? I acted independently without any prior indication, yet instead of canceling or restraining it, you seem to be encouraging it, which confuses me a bit.”

“Hm? What parent in this world would dislike seeing their child succeed?”

“Ugh…”

Chloe’s breath stops instantly. Her face even turns red.

Why is she so moved by something so obvious… It’s not like I insisted on primogeniture to prevent my children from succeeding.

“Of course, just because I agreed to Jean-Claude becoming Emperor doesn’t mean I’m overlooking Chloe’s independent action, understand?”

“Yes, of course…!”

“…Good, if you understand, go prepare for the handover of your duties.”

Despite my cold words, Chloe still seems moved as she bows respectfully before leaving the office.

Really… If she had just talked to me beforehand, I would have gladly granted what she wanted. I could have planned the situation more smoothly and definitively.

As I’ve felt since she was young, Chloe has a strong tendency to handle things on her own rather than relying on me more, which would be fine.