Chapter 405: The Emperor Doesn’t Know Labor Laws (1

If I could go back in time, I’d strangle my past self. If that’s impossible, I’d smash the Emperor’s head with the bottle of alcohol he handed me. Both actions would have tremendous consequences, but either would be preferable to the suffering I’m enduring now.

I quietly lowered my gaze, holding back tears that threatened to flow disgracefully if I let my guard down. Until a few days ago, I thought my status was that of the imperial family’s slave, but it was arrogant to overlook that there’s a basement below the ground floor.

“Didn’t he judge that now the empire can be ruled by a human who will protect everything, not an Emperor who has abandoned everything? The Retired Emperor I knew would have persisted even as an immortal if it were for the empire’s benefit.”

My head throbbed as I recalled the embarrassing history that shattered that arrogance.

I shouldn’t have done that.

I didn’t know that fact.

I gently bit my lip. It’s absurd and impossible. Daring to comment on the Retired Emperor’s judgment and the Emperor’s qualifications from a subject’s position was madness that crossed the line too far.

Honestly, even I think it would be justified to mark the beginning of the Emperor’s reign with my execution.

However, what’s more terrifying is the Emperor’s reaction. He laughed even after hearing that crazy statement. Not a laugh of disbelief or extreme anger, but a genuine laugh.

“Yes, the Minister is right. The Retired Emperor must have abdicated to me because he judged so. That’s correct!”

Seeing that, I felt like a citizen facing the Joker dancing on the stairs. An indescribable fear crept up my spine.

And from that day, true fear and despair began to engulf me.

“Let’s end today’s schedule here. Ah, Minister, follow me.”

“Have a drink. We’ll be working hard for a few more days, so it’s fine to drink this much.”

“Come to the office first thing in the morning. Young men should work a bit more, shouldn’t they?”

The one who used to call or contact me only when necessary started keeping me by his side after ‘that’ statement. Kindly put, it’s favor; frankly speaking,

A toy.

Yes, a toy. A toy he carries around all day because he likes it. He cherishes it but rolls it around to the point of breaking because he likes it so much, and even if it breaks, he keeps it out of affection.

It’s a terrible thought, but my instinct screams so. I’ve devolved from a competent slave to an attachment toy. Clearly, the Emperor’s feelings have changed due to my madness that succumbed to alcohol.

Whether it’s the amusement of seeing a lunatic or the intention to keep a detestable fellow close to torment him, I’m not sure—

“Minister, what’s wrong? Is the meal not to your liking?”

“Not at all, Your Majesty. It’s so excellent that I’m savoring every bite.”

Unfortunately, either way, I have to suffer under the Emperor.

Damn it.

I lowered my gaze again, watching the Emperor nod in satisfaction at my answer.

Surprisingly, I’ve been invited to the Emperor’s dinner for several days now. It’s unthinkable to dine with a beast, yet here I am. It’s dreadful.

“Excellent meals deserve excellent drinks. The vodka from the Kingdom of Lucen—“

“Your Majesty. The people of Lucen need to drink vodka daily to survive their harsh winters, but you don’t need to do the same.”

If there’s any consolation, it’s that the Empress, the beast tamer, is here too.

I just benefited from the Empress’s presence. From my perspective, the Empress gently stopped the Emperor from bringing out the symbol of my embarrassing history. The Emperor, who was about to call a servant, quietly lowered his hand at the Empress’s dissuasion.

“I made a mistake in wanting to share something good with the Minister. I’m sorry, Empress.”

But why is he looking at me while saying he’s sorry to the Empress?

“I fully understand Your Majesty’s intentions. It must be enjoyable to be with a subject who understands you. I just spoke out of concern for your health.”

Even the Empress subtly glanced at me, following the Emperor’s gaze.

I’m going crazy. Am I not the Emperor’s attachment toy but the imperial family’s shared toy?

— Isn’t it good to receive attention from important people?

Amidst all this, the Eternal Blue Sky, which had been quiet for a while, invaded my thoughts, plunging my mind into chaos.

It had been quiet since I promised to visit with offerings during the winter break, but why now of all times?

Isn’t it good to be cared for by elves and fairies?

— Ah.

At least I could quickly repel the Eternal Blue Sky because we share similar pain. The pain of the recipient dying when attention becomes excessive.

…More than that, the fact that my only ally is a god, not a human, makes me want to cry.

A delicate civil servant who can’t leave the capital can only contact their lovers at night.

“I’m a bit late because I had dinner with His Majesty again today. I’m sorry, Mar.”

— No, it’s fine. Rather, it’s a joyous thing that His Majesty trusts Carl so much.

Seeing Mar smile brightly, genuinely happy, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. For me, the person involved, it’s trust I wish would be withdrawn, but from a third-party perspective, it’s nothing short of an honor.

That’s why in front of others, I only state objective facts like ‘I was held up, so I’m late in contacting you,’ rather than saying I feel like I’m dying from the Emperor’s torment. Saying such things would only make them worry.

“Anyway, I should return to the Academy soon, but I don’t know when this work will end.”

— Hehe, don’t worry. You have Eri sister instead of Carl, right?

That’s what I’m worried about.

I forced a smile, swallowing the words that had risen to my throat.

The Academy was closed on the day of the abdication ceremony, but classes have resumed as normal since then. In other words, the world has returned to its routine, regardless of whether the newly ascended Emperor and his close associates are struggling.

That’s why Elizabeth is again substituting for me at the Academy in my place, as I can’t return to normal life. I almost want to complain to the Emperor about why he’s so quick and accurate in handling things only at times like this. He’s such a bastard.

— To be honest, I’d like us all to go to the capital, but that would only burden Carl, right?

Seeing Mar mutter with a bitter expression made me feel sorry, but regrettably, Mar is right.

Given that I go to the palace early in the morning and return after dinner, even if my lovers came to the capital, I couldn’t properly welcome them. Rather, the guilt of neglecting my lovers who came all the way to the capital would only increase my mental fatigue.

— …Just for today, I envy Father and Beatrix unnie.

“Isn’t that reason for envy too trivial?”

However, I burst into laughter at Mar’s next words. While it’s natural to envy Father-in-law and Beatrix, both holding the noble position of duke—Mar envies them simply because they can be with me. After all, the dukes are suffering in real-time along with me.

Thanks to this, my laughter wouldn’t subside. What a modest and adorable jealousy.

“Tomorrow, I’ll tell Father-in-law that Mar wants a ducal title—“

— Don’t you dare.

“Understood.”

Eventually, Mar started laughing with me.

It’s because of moments like this that I can endure each day.

Finally—

It’s finally over.

I smiled with relief as I sat in an ordinary chair in the office, not on the throne. For now, I’ve dismissed not only the dukes but even the Minister.

I’ve received loyalty pledges from all titled nobles, officials, commanders, and judges of the empire, and successfully concluded diplomacy with envoys from various countries, sending them back. Now, all the immediate tasks I had to handle as the new Emperor are resolved.

…Only the banquet remains, huh.

I almost sighed as the most troublesome task came to mind. Honestly, considering the hard work from the abdication ceremony until today, a banquet is nothing, but thinking about hosting a banquet that surpasses even the New Year’s reception in scale already makes me feel tired. I don’t have particularly good memories of banquets, nor am I the type to enjoy them.

But what can I do? It’s a tradition across the continent, not just the empire, for a newly ascended monarch to hold an ascension banquet after completing immediate tasks. Even the Retired Emperor, who didn’t have a normal ascension, held an ascension banquet. The only issue was that its scale was somewhat smaller.

Therefore, I need to hold a proper banquet. I must demonstrate that the new Emperor’s ascension is something to be celebrated and worshipped above all else.

Fortunately, it’s not happening right away.

Since it’s a banquet that needs to showcase a scale and splendor befitting the Emperor’s dignity, it will naturally take quite some time to prepare.

At least, since the Retired Emperor had been preparing for the abdication beforehand, it shouldn’t take months, but we can still buy the minimum amount of time. Enough time for the nobles who returned after pledging loyalty to catch their breath, and for me to take a short rest as well.

“Your Majesty.”

As I was thinking this and massaging my stiff shoulders, I heard Sir Hendrick’s voice from outside the door.

“The Executive Manager of the Imperial Household requests an audience with Your Majesty.”

The Executive Manager of the Imperial Household?

An unexpected visitor, but it’s not strange for the head of the Imperial Household Department to visit at any time. Isn’t this period one of the busiest for the Ministry of the Imperial Household?

Come to think of it, I need to appoint a new Minister of the Imperial Household soon, but since the captain of the Imperial Knights is retiring soon, it might be best to maintain the acting system under the department head until then. It’s better to appoint major positions simultaneously rather than sporadically.

“Let him in.”

After organizing my thoughts and granting permission, the Executive Manager of the Imperial Household cautiously entered.

Oh no.

I felt sorry seeing the Executive Manager’s appearance, which couldn’t be described as having a good complexion even as a white lie. Not only does he have his own numerous duties, but he’s also acting as the Minister of the Imperial Household. He’s truly working hard.

“Long live the Emperor. This humble servant beholds the noble sun.”

“Raise your head.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even looking again, his complexion isn’t good.

I should definitely arrange a vacation for the department head once the banquet is over. Otherwise, it seems we might lose a capable official.

“So, Executive Manager. What brings you here?”

Asking directly to quickly conclude the business for the sake of the groaning department head, he respectfully handed over the documents he was holding.

“I’ve come to deliver a message from the Retired Emperor.”

“From the Retired Emperor?”

I couldn’t help but question this unexpected statement. Since the abdication ceremony, he had withdrawn from all duties, saying he was no longer Emperor, and after visiting his mother’s tomb, he had even refrained from outside activities.

So suddenly hearing about a message from the Retired Emperor, what could this be about?

…What is this?

That question deepened as I looked at the documents handed over by the department head. It’s the first time since the Minister’s World Tree incident that I’ve felt dazed even after looking at documents.

But it can’t be helped. The content written in the documents was that bizarre.

A field?

The Retired Emperor says he wants to create a small field inside the palace grounds.

Livestock?

And he says he’ll raise some livestock along with it.

…

What is this?

Really, what is this?

“The Retired Emperor said he needs to learn in advance for someone he’ll meet in the future.”

The Executive Manager’s additional explanation, seeing my expression, made my head even more complicated.

Who on earth is the Retired Emperor planning to meet that he needs to learn such things? No, does he even have anyone to meet in the first place?

…I don’t understand.

He’s a person whose inner thoughts are hard to grasp, even after becoming the Retired Emperor instead of the Emperor.