episode_0171

Looking at Savinelli in a prison with a terrible stench, he opens his mouth with an expressionless expression.

“I’m sorry to see you again like this.”

Savinelli sighs deeply at my words.

“Have you come to mock the loser Marlo?”

I shake my head and say that.

“I didn’t come here with that intention. I have always admired Count Savinelli.”

It’s a bit embarrassing because I feel like I’m praising myself, but I think I have a certain knack for scheming and scheming.

He likes to skillfully manipulate his opponents and make them unable to use his hands by the time they notice.

A person who can be as high as me is…

I think there is only Savinelli.

Perhaps when I leave the empire, he will have to fill in what Theodora lacks.

Only then will you be able to leave the empire with peace of mind.

“Hehe… You’re giving too much praise. Rather, I am just a disloyal servant who failed to properly look after my lord.”

I shake my head at those words.

“That’s…”

“It was probably during Princess Mary’s wedding.”

Savinelli interrupts me and says something incomprehensible.

He continues speaking with deep regret hidden in his eyes.

“It was the time when a secret pact was made with the United Kingdom.”

“That’s right.”

“At that time, both I and His Highness Ioannes… thought that His Highness had gone to check on the Archduchy. I probably expected our war to last a long time. However, I did not know that this was a ploy to bring in external forces and cause a crushing defeat for our navy. I had no idea that such a proud empire would commit such foul play.”

I certainly had a lot of concerns about bringing in outside forces.

Because it is obvious that I will receive backlash from those who are proud of my political status and the empire.

However, the urgent imperial faction and my forces combined to pass it without a hitch.

“And then he sent Sir William and the Golden Knights to prison, which caught us off guard and led Sir William and the Golden Knights to land in Adriatic. We thought that was the end.”

It was thought that by landing the famous William, the Golden Knights, and many troops under his command, Byzantine defenses would be weak for supply.

And as I expected, Nicaea succeeded in cornering William.

“But the secret trick would have been landing in Byzantium. It occurred to me that the Archduke may have been preparing this plan even before the war… from the moment he made peace with us.”

I nod obediently to those words.

He knows the knowledge of the future and takes advantage of Valorant’s rebellion.

This method is a plan I have had since I was young.

After that, I did whatever it took to lead the political situation in the direction I wanted.

“Honestly, it’s amazing. I’ve heard in my life that you’re quite clever, but I never knew you would wage war in this way.”

Savinelli shrugged his shoulders and continued speaking.

“You are truly scary. I guess. You must have plotted all this because you saw signs that Valorant was about to rebel. To put the empire entirely in your hands.”

As I listen to Savinelli’s longer words, my mood gradually worsens.

Phew… let’s bear with it. When it comes to recruiting talent, you have to endure this.

Perhaps he is taking out his anger on me because Ioanes, whom he served faithfully, has died.

For the future of the empire, this level of anger can be laughed off.

“You left the previous emperor who saved your life to die, and you deceived the emperor who trusted you. It’s all for your power.”

Savinelli’s words continue, with the level of criticism gradually increasing.

“Do you know that you are like a monster without emotions?”

I say this while looking at Savinelli, who is glaring at me.

“I have feelings too.”

I have feelings too.

“Haha, a person with feelings and affection just watches the savior of his life die in an insulting manner? That’s great! Cancer is great!”

I sigh and say those words.

“What is the point you want to make? If you want to criticize and gossip about me, feel free to do so. I will listen to you a hundred and a thousand times.”

When I say that, Savinelli laughs loudly and says,

“Hahaha! All right. I, a lowly person, should not be holding on to His Highness, who is busy, like this. In conclusion, His Majesty the Archduke does not need me.”

I answer that by shaking my head.

“No. I need a talent like you.”

“The Grand Duke is much better than me. How can you help the Archduke like that? I would like to hire someone who I can help.”

When Savinelli turned around and expressed his refusal…

“Count… Can you think about it again?”

Savinelli’s eyes illuminated by dim torchlight.

Those eyes smile brightly and speak softly as if in a whisper.

“I have no intention of working for a monster, so kill me instead.”

Soon his expression changed…

“I just want to take a break. Please leave now.”

I struggle to see Savinelli talking about the prison as if it were his own home.

What should I do? So should I kill him?

I looked at his eyes and the way he spoke.

I have a feeling that he will not be appointed easily.

Write… I can’t help it. This person is too precious to kill.

But it’s too bad to leave it like this…

I laugh bitterly and say this at such a meaningless thought.

“Hope to see you again next time.”

***

A few days after the triumphal ceremony ended.

All evidence related to Theodora’s assassination attempt has been collected.

A final review of the evidence and records of the attempted assassination of Theodora by the Kingdom of Eren, the Kingdom of Bohemi, the County of Neople, and most of the Imperial faction is completed.

-Chin…chin.

I straighten up the stack of documents, hit the desk a few times, and get lost in thought.

This will make it easier for Theodora to manage the imperial faction, right?

Attempting to assassinate the emperor was a serious crime.

This is a crime that would not be surprising if all involved were put to death.

However, trying to punish them by revealing this information is nothing short of foolish.

No matter how emperor he is, it is not easy to kill a nobleman who has done nothing wrong.

Regardless of the imperialist, anti-imperialist, or neutral faction, no one would watch the emperor wield such tyranny.

Because there is no guarantee that the tip of the next emperor’s sword will not be pointed at him.

However, if there is a just cause and justification, the story is different.

They will not be able to escape easily because they have completely secured the circumstances, evidence, and witnesses that led to their attempt to poison the emperor.

In other words… they really have no choice but to become Theodora’s slaves.

If she announces them as the ones who attempted to assassinate the Emperor, they will have nowhere to hide anymore.

-Sreuk…

Organize your documents and put them in your briefcase.

“Phew… Should I go see my mother-in-law now?”

I plan to deliver this information to Theodora through my mother-in-law.

Because if I give it to you, you might not believe it.

Lately she seems to be avoiding me.

When she goes back to her room after work, she pretends to sleep.

Maybe it was because of the kiss that day?

Theodora has not been able to make eye contact with me since that night.

I feel a little uncomfortable because she blushes whenever she looks at my face.

“Well… that will work out somehow.”

Now that I think about it, the thought that next month is Theodora’s birthday and the month after that is our first wedding anniversary makes my head spin.

Should I buy you a gift?

I head to the Gold Area, thinking I’ll go to the department store later and pick out a gift.

The familiar guard in front of my mother-in-law’s door bows to me and then knocks on the door.

-smart.

-someone?

“His Royal Highness visited. Empress Dowager Mama.”

-Ask them to come in.

At the words of my mother-in-law, the door opens and I give a light bow.

“Yes. What’s happening today?”

Unlike last time, I felt a bit puzzled when I saw my mother-in-law, who seemed to be in a good mood.

“Haha… I came here because I wanted to ask my mother-in-law for something.”

My mother-in-law nods her head with a bright smile at my words.

“Okay, what can’t you do for my son-in-law? Please tell me comfortably.”

At those words, I take out the documents from my pocket.

“Please don’t say I gave this to you, but pass it on to Theodora.”

When I took out the documents and placed them on the tea table, my mother-in-law said with a puzzled look on her face.

“What is this?”

“These are some of the letters exchanged with the king of the home country by the imperialists who attempted to assassinate Theodora during the triumphal ceremony, the assassin’s confession, and receipts and witness materials showing the purchase of medicine.”

My mother-in-law’s expression frowns at my words.

“What?! Who were you trying to assassinate?”

-Sureuk! Squeak!

The mother-in-law roughly tears the envelope and checks the documents.

“This… I can’t believe it…”

Shaking blue eyes.

I say this as I watch him turn over each piece of paper with trembling hands.

“Please tell her without my name, and my mother-in-law will help her to take firm control of the Emperor faction without arresting them.”

As I spoke calmly, my mother-in-law placed the documents on the tea table and said,

“Ha… Now I know why he sighs every day. But I have one question. Why don’t you tell it to that child yourself?”

My mother-in-law continued speaking as if it was strange.

“I was wondering if your relationship would get better if you personally told that child.”

“She… might not trust me.”

After learning that Epirus and Egypt were handed over to Ioannes, Theodora is still expanding her power by meeting with various lawmakers and nobles in order to overthrow me.

If she were to receive information from me as a political enemy, it would naturally be difficult for her to believe it.

“But… I have no way of getting such detailed information. If the kid asks where he got this, I don’t have much to say.”

I nod my head and say that.

“I understand that the person who cleans the Grand Duke’s office is an imperial servant. The servant who saw the file of the attempt to assassinate the emperor passed it to his mother-in-law.”

In this way, if information is passed on through the mother-in-law in the future, it will be more reliable.

“Hmm… First of all, let me tell you that.”