episode_0041

Since I started sleeping in the newlywed’s room as much as possible…

“Real! If this is going to happen, just sleep in the office!”

-puck!

“Wow!”

My light ball hits the pillow that Theodora threw.

“Three… Safe… I’m glad it didn’t break.”

I’m glad that the light ball, the closest friend in the imperial palace after Agrippa, didn’t break.

“Isn’t that too much?! It would have been enough if we had kept eating until late at night. Don’t you think we should let them sleep?!”

I say that with an embarrassed smile.

“That… the documents needed for the cabinet meeting by tomorrow…”

He glares at me with red eyes filled with irritation at my words.

“No! Just because I give it to you a day late doesn’t mean I’m ruined, just let me get some sleep!”

At those words, I sigh and clap my hands.

“Whoa…, okay…”

-Clap clap!

“Ugh…”

I lie down on the sofa quietly, pushed by Theodora, who sighs loudly.

It’s been a week since we’ve been sleeping in the same room like this.

It seems like I was able to work without any physical contact.

I need to get some sleep…

In my head, I think there will be a heated discussion about the establishment of a new department, the Ministry of Intelligence, at tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.

To be honest, it would be possible to press it with force, but it is not necessary now.

Rather, sound criticism is helpful.

It will help me realize things I hadn’t thought of and serve as a foundation for improvement.

In fact, I have been thinking about the Ministry of Information for a long time, and when I actually plan it, I don’t know what parts need to be further improved.

So, I am thinking of using this opportunity to make up for any gaps.

When I think like that. Theodora’s voice is heard softly in the darkness.

“Are you… sleeping?”

“No? Why?”

At my words, she gently stands up and speaks.

“Because of you… I woke up completely.”

Those words prick me inside.

“Mi… sorry.”

I sleep less than 4 hours a day, but Theodora sleeps a lot.

These days, I’ve been sleeping for about 6 hours every day, and I feel like I’m trying to die. It hurts a little… just a little.

-Clap clap!

As Theodora claps, the surroundings become brightly lit.

As I wake up in the bright light, Theodora looks at me and says.

“Whoa… Do you want to go for a walk?”

“Is that so?”

Since I can’t sleep right away anyway, I just put on my coat and leave the room.

After passing the guards saluting us, we emerge into the garden of the imperial palace.

A night with a beautiful crescent moon.

I feel that winter is coming soon as I see the places where green grass used to be sparsely filled with bleak brown and white grass.

-Wheee~

As the cold wind passes between us, Theodora shivers slightly and says:

“It’s a little cold.”

“Because it’s winter soon.”

It will snow soon.

And when winter passes and spring comes…

A war will begin.

When I’m so lost in thought.

-Cock!

I come to my senses when I feel a gentle prick on my cheek.

“What are you thinking?”

-Pisik.

“Nothing?”

Theodora smiles softly at my words.

“Lie I’m probably thinking about work again.”

It’s not wrong.

-Pisik.

“Yes, because the Ministry of Intelligence agenda will be discussed at the cabinet meeting tomorrow.”

Theodora says, shivering slightly as if it’s quite cold.

“Honestly, I don’t understand. It costs an astronomical amount of money. Is that really necessary?”

I nod my head and say that.

“It can’t be helped, but it’s a very necessary department.”

Theodora shakes her head at my words.

“You said you would do it, but I have no choice. But I don’t know why such an institution is needed.”

In this world, the concept of an intelligence department does not exist.

That is why Theodora and other members of the State Council do not understand it well.

So the logic I use to persuade them is…

“Think about it carefully, why was Valorant able to successfully rebel?”

Theodora frowns at my words. It was as if he was telling me not to bring up that topic.

“I don’t want to hear such stories.”

“Theodora I tell you this many times, a ruler must always think calmly. I know it definitely feels bad, but…”

Theodora frowns, then sighs and opens her mouth.

“Phew… I understand.”

“In other words, the reason Valorant was able to succeed in his rebellion was because his treason plan was not exposed. How could Rome have fallen when those triple walls existed?”

In fact, if the emperor had known even the day before, Valorant’s plan would have failed.

In that case, Theodora would not have married me, and the emperor and crown prince would not have died.

“That is why the plots and information of hostile forces are so important.”

Theodora says after thinking deeply about my words.

“But unless the hostile forces are fools, they won’t say such things, so how can we know?”

“No, if you prepare for treason with Valoran, traces will definitely be left behind. For example, purchasing an abnormally large amount of water warfare equipment.”

Complete information blocking cannot exist.

So, somehow, traces will remain, and it is the intelligence department’s job to find those traces.

Well… it’s not just for preparation for civil war.

It also includes information such as collecting information on enemy countries and forces trying to cause internal chaos.

In other words, the intelligence department will provide a clue to catch the demon worshipers hiding in the dark.

“Think carefully. Wouldn’t it be incredibly helpful if there was a war with the United Kingdom or the Babylonian Empire in the future?”

This is unlikely, but if a war breaks out, it would be possible to reverse information that is unfavorable to the enemy country.

Or spreading dangerous ideas and fanning the flames of civil war.

I appeal to him that it is important to establish an intelligence department that encompasses the entire interior and exterior of the empire, but Theodora speaks in disbelief.

“But if information is so great, why don’t other countries or empires have such departments?”

I say this with a bit of sharp insight.

“Because no one thought of that.”

Theodora smiles and says, as if my words were amusing.

“So you are a genius who thought of something no one else in the world could think of?”

I shake my head and say that.

“That’s not true. How many times has information been used in war, diplomacy, or palace intrigues? I’m saying let’s handle it more professionally.”

In fact, there is training for spies during military training.

We can turn the war to our advantage by finding out about the enemy’s military type, deployment, and tactics.

This is something you naturally learn at military academies, and you can gain an advantage in diplomatic warfare just by knowing who is preparing for war through diplomacy.

“Hmm… Is that so?”

But Theodora doesn’t seem to understand what I’m saying.

Well… it’s easy to not know.

What I’m telling you right now is only simple administrative aspects.

We are still immature when it comes to high-level concepts.

“Yes, of course.”

Theodora smiles brightly at my words.

“If that’s what you said, that’s probably true.”

uh?

I feel perplexed by her words, as if something has changed.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

As if he was asking why I said that.

“No?”

“Something strange? Tell me honestly, aren’t you planning something strange?”

She blushes slightly at my words.

“That… over there…”

I open my mouth when I see Theodora looking like she has something to say.

“Is there something you want to say?”

She nods slightly at my words.

She walks next to me and speaks hesitantly.

“Thank you…”

I ask because I am puzzled by that statement.

“Huh? What?”

Theodora blushed slightly at my words and lowered her head.

“Well… I heard about it from my mother.”

To your mother-in-law? What did you hear?

“The reason you don’t do that with me is because you don’t think I’ll get hurt?”

Ah… oh my…

Perhaps she is mistaken about something.

“That… um…”

Why should I bring this up?

Should I say that I am afraid of the consequences of doing something like that?

No, this is too straightforward.

Figure out!, figure out a way to avoid this situation!

I scream inwardly and try to think complicated ways to escape this unexpected situation in my head, but no answer comes out.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Since I can’t say anything, she thinks and speaks alone.

Should I just… not say anything?

It seems awkward to say something for no reason.

Something about this atmosphere feels unfamiliar.

“…”

“…”

I wonder if it’s not just me who feels that way, she feels that way too.

There is only an awkward silence between us.

“Well… I’ll just go first… It’s cold.”

He grabs Theodora’s wrist as she tries to leave in a hurry.

Then I take off my coat and place it over my shoulder.

“Wear this at least.”

At that moment, my red eyes meet hers.

“Thank you…”

Soon, her face gets hot and she nods her head slightly and hurriedly leaves.

Is it that cold?

Then I walk a little more and head to the office.

If I work in my room, I’ll probably hear it again.