episode_0008
by fnovelpiaAs the meal comes to an end, the servants present a splendid tea set.
The white pottery is adorned with vibrant blue flowers.
Although I am not well-versed in tea etiquette, even to an outsider like me, it looks expensive.
Theodora, pouring hot water into the teapot with tea leaves, asks, “Do you enjoy tea?”
I nod in response, saying, “I may not be well-versed, but I do enjoy it.”
In truth, I prefer coffee over tea, but I’m not so oblivious as to say that to someone who has gone through the trouble of serving tea.
Theodora responds dryly, “That’s fortunate.”
She pours tea into a cup in front of me and then pours some for herself.
“I have heard that you wish to marry me.”
Was it Lord Charles who mentioned it?
It doesn’t matter. I’ll find out eventually anyway.
I raise the warm cup of tea and say, “Yes, that’s correct.”
One of her eyebrows twitches at my words.
“The Grand Duke once almost called me mother. Yet, do you still wish to marry me?”
In reality, Valerian had tried to force her into marriage and make her the puppet empress.
It all started with the marriage to Theodora.
That’s why there was a time when I called her mother-in-law.
“Well… you haven’t actually married, have you?”
Marriage to a mother-in-law is a grave offense under the laws here.
But well… strictly speaking, we were only engaged, so there shouldn’t be a big issue.
In fact, it’s quite common for the younger brother to take over the engagement if the older brother dies before the political marriage.
She seems at a loss for words at my response.
“So, do you intend to enter the imperial family as my stepmother?”
Did Lord Charles not hear what I said? Perhaps he knows and is just watching me.
“No. We wish to establish a new family when we marry.”
– Sigh.
Theodora smiles faintly.
“That’s impossible under imperial law. I hope for my children to succeed me as emperor.”
Imperial law.
The law that governs the political structure of the empire.
In fact, the strongest political force in Rome right now is me.
It’s only natural for the person with the most powerful army to be the strongest.
The army stationed in Rome was all expelled the day the emperor was captured.
So, if I wanted to, I could ignore such laws and handle things as I pleased, but…
That would be a dangerous move, leading me to be labeled as a tyrant or a traitor.
So, if I want long-term support from the nobles, the imperial citizens, and other races, it’s best to follow the formalities, even if only superficially.
I can’t be a tyrant alone for long.
That’s why I decided to play along with this little game.
“That will be decided by the Supreme Court.”
She mocks me, saying, “Do you know how long it takes for the Supreme Court to make a ruling? By then, the imperial faction will have arrived in Rome.”
– Chuckle.
She takes a sip of tea and continues, “Then your head will be on the chopping block.”
I know well. Typically, a ruling from the Supreme Court takes about 3 to 7 years.
But I’ve already finalized negotiations with the Supreme Court behind the scenes. The ruling is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
But there’s no need for her to know that now, so I casually shrug and say, “Well… we’ll see, won’t we?”
– Frown.
She doesn’t seem pleased with my relaxed attitude and opens her mouth as if to speak.
“If you don’t leave now, you’ll soon lose everything.”
Does she know? If I leave, how fiercely the imperial faction will fight amongst themselves to fill the void left by the emperor and me, in order to seize her and the empire.
If I play my cards right, I could easily swallow up this thousand-year empire.
Therefore, her provocation seems like a child’s play. I respond calmly to her childish provocation.
“That’s something I’ll take care of.”
My actions seem to have irritated her as she glares at me with beautiful red eyes, then closes her eyes gently and sips her tea again.
“I see. The reason I asked to see you today was to refuse the marriage proposal.”
“Ugh…”
I let out a deep sigh.
I’m so busy… Why am I wasting time in such an unproductive place right now?
How busy am I that she called me here to talk about something? I wonder, but my expectations fade away, and a sense of disappointment fills my heart.
Right now, she has neither the authority nor the ability to refuse.
A pitiful emperor with no power at all.
She was supposed to be a smart and cunning Theodora in the novel. Is it because she’s still young?
It seems she falls a bit short of my expectations.
Well, the original story starts three years later. It’s appropriate for her to be younger than when she first appeared, considering her age.
She’s only 20 years old.
Right now, the problem for her is not me.
Even if I leave this place, can she really stand on her own as an emperor?
Surely, another power like me will appear and turn her into a puppet.
In other words… Right now, it’s not about whether she marries me or not, but about how to gather the scattered army back to Rome, or at least make efforts to build up a minimum military force to protect Rome.
If we can somehow protect Rome, we can stabilize the country with the legitimacy of an emperor and the authority of the Imperial Council.
But she doesn’t understand the current complex political situation.
A dreamy girl who lives in the misconception that everyone will bow down and follow her just because of the name of the emperor.
That’s the Theodora I’m evaluating right now.
So, talking to her any further is just a waste of time.
Feeling that it’s meaningless to continue this conversation, I stand up and say, “I’ll take my leave now as I’m busy.”
***
After the dinner with the arrogant Duke, I lie in bed tossing and turning.
I can’t sleep.
I’m angry at the humiliation I suffered from Devian.
– “That’s something I’ll take care of.”
The Duke sighs deeply at my words.
– “I see. The reason I asked to see you today was to refuse the marriage proposal.”
He says while looking at me indifferently.
– “I understand Princess Theodora’s intentions.”
He says, looking at me casually.
– “But let me make a prophecy.”
As if my opinion doesn’t matter, he looks at me with a cold gaze, as if looking at a fallen stone on the road.
– “What do you mean?”
– “We will get married. I’ll take my leave now as I’m busy.”
He says, leaving the room.
I stand there, not understanding for a moment.
And then I realize the meaning of his words…
– “Ugh.”
Deep anger wells up within me.
“How dare… How dare he threaten me, the future emperor!”
Right now, I am Princess Theodora. In other words, the person who will become the emperor.
Ruling over all, the master, the emperor.
And yet, this arrogant Duke dares to threaten me.
When my father was alive, I never dreamed of such a thing happening.
That vile Devian.
He has ruined everything.
There has never been such disgrace during the glorious 2,000-year history of the empire.
The confrontation between the former emperor and the council.
The confrontation between the pope and the emperor.
There have been many big and small events, but…
There was no emperor who was persecuted by his subjects.
Balorang, who sent licentious glances at himself.
He agreed to an engagement with him under the threat of killing his family.
Just like that… because he promised to spare his father and brothers.
However…
Now Balorang has only accepted the engagement and broken the promise.
His father and family members are tragically losing their lives.
Such a despicable offspring of an insatiable enemy is now targeting me.
-Swish!
It’s insulting.
I have never experienced such insult in my life.
“Grand Duke. It won’t go as you wish.”
In reality, there is no way such a thing could happen due to the laws of the empire.
I heard that he still doesn’t understand politics well and makes frivolous demands, as Charles said.
I agree with that statement.
I heard that it takes several years for a verdict to be reached in the Supreme Court.
“You foolish child… you will soon be hanged.”
Soon, the imperial army will arrive, and at that moment, his neck will be severed.
Now, enjoy this moment to the fullest…
The crime of mocking and coveting the imperial princess.
You will have to cleanse that crime with your life.
So… let’s see if you can be as relaxed as you are today… even then.
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