episode_0181

One day, a few weeks after the demon worshipers blew up the inn.

It’s finally Theodora’s birthday.

Is it because it’s the emperor’s birthday party?

The imperial palace is busy again today.

-Hoho, Your Majesty, you are so kind today as well.

-That’s right. countess.

The women next to Theodora are laughing and talking and praising her, and the corners of her mouth seem to twitch as she smiles brightly.

Well… so many people are coming and giving her gifts that it’s hard to count how many.

Originally, I would have to be your husband, but…

I sneak out and sip champagne under the pretense of dealing with a male nobleman.

Suffer… Theodora.

While praying for her to rest in peace, I look at her from afar, and my eyes meet her red eyes.

That moment.

It feels like time between her and me has stopped.

Such a beautiful face.

Beautiful red eyes that are like flames that seem to burn everything in the world.

The women surrounding her are also quite pretty, but they do not match Theodora’s beauty.

I don’t think it’s really called the best of the empire.

When I gaze in fascination at her face.

Her brows furrow slightly and she glares at me.

It’s like… I hear an angry voice in my ear, as if asking me not to come here right now…

I have no desire to go to the scene where nobles flatter me, so I wave my hand with a smile.

I want to help, but… I don’t have the confidence to be friendly among female nobles.

So… Cheer up! You have to get me out of office! Because support from female nobles is also important.

of course…

Although there may not be any female nobles with titles, there is no harm in being close to them since they are all from the same family.

When you think like that.

Theodora is seen gesturing and calling to a male servant.

“Your Majesty the Archduke?”

That moment.

Agrippa calls me.

“Huh? Why?”

“Can you help me? It’s His Majesty’s birthday…”

I nod and say, I know what Agrippa is talking about.

“It’s okay. Anyway, that’s cute when taking care of your affairs.”

Friendship with nobles is essential in politics.

Since I rule by almost ignoring such things, I do not receive support from the nobles.

Even so, they are controlled by authority, nominal rank, military power, and money, so they only reluctantly follow.

“Ha… You are merciless.”

I nod my head at Agrippa’s words.

“Huh? Come to think of it… Is your complexion good these days?”

Obviously, my face wasn’t in good shape even before I went to the battlefield.

“Hmm… Didn’t His Highness give you something? That unicorn horn.”

Ah… Is that thanks to you?

I say this because I thought that my complexion had improved because I was taking care of the affairs of the Grand Duchy as diligently as I was.

“Is the effect good? In the past, when I ate that and stayed up all night working, I didn’t get tired.”

When I said that, Agrippa looked at me as if he was looking at some crazy person.

“Are you using that precious thing to work overtime?”

Agrippa’s reaction is different from what I expected.

Of course, I use it for overtime. Where can I find a woman to work nights?

That moment…

I remember the morning after Mary’s wedding.

Ah… really?

Come to think of it, Agrippa was tormented by Mary every day.

When that thought comes to mind.

“This is why His Majesty dislikes His Highness the Archduke.”

He looks at me with cold eyes.

“Kuhm… That’s why your face has improved.”

Agrippa nods his head at my words.

“Yes. I especially like Mary.”

I don’t want to know what my sister is up to at night.

But… well…

It’s not hard to guess that they’ll like it if they see something like that from day one.

at that time.

[Today, we will hold a ceremony to present His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday gift. I hope that your husband, His Highness the Archduke Debian, can come quickly.]

“Yikes… It’s already the opening ceremony. I’ll go first.”

Theodora’s birthday present.

Last time, I bought a ring with an impressive red ruby that resembled her eyes.

When I approached her…

The surroundings become noisy.

-What kind of gift did the Grand Duke prepare?

-That’s right.

When everyone’s attention is focused.

[ruler! As expected, the first to give a gift will be the couple, Their Royal Highnesses.]

Here, the order of giving gifts is strictly determined.

Within the family, gifts are given first by the couple, then by the children, then by the parents, and then third parties begin to give gifts.

Give it to me quickly and I’ll have to get out.

With that in mind, I kneel down on one knee in front of Theodora and speak.

“Your Majesty, I hope you continue to live long and prosperous.”

Then, take the ring case out of your pocket and open it.

-oh? The ring jewelry is big.

-It looks pretty expensive, right?

-But it’s made of gold, right? It’s not even aluminum.

I hear everyone whispering.

Aluminum is certainly expensive here, but on modern Earth it is absolutely cheap compared to gold.

Therefore, no matter how expensive aluminum is, it is impossible for me to buy an aluminum ring.

Buying such a cheap metal at a higher price than gold…

Doesn’t he look like a brat?

At that time, Theodora looked at the ring I was holding out and spoke.

“Grand Duke, thank you for your gift. Now, get up and put the ring on me.”

I feel puzzled as I see Theodora speaking as if she is embarrassed, holding out her right hand with a red face up to her ears.

Normally gifts are given to servants, right?

However, when the emperor gives orders in front of many people, it is something that cannot be ignored.

So, let’s stand up, pick up the ring, and put it on her hand.

She says as she passes by me, wrapping her arms around mine.

“You can’t run away now.”

Surprised by those words, I looked at her face and saw Theodora smiling softly with a red face.

Ah… I got hit.

I think I probably fell into her trap.

[Now, the next person in line will be Princess Joy, His Majesty’s only younger sister!]

I sigh inwardly as I feel her wrapping her arms around me tightly, as if she has no intention of letting me go.

I tried to just give him a gift and leave.

I guess I’ll have to stay here until I check the gift.

***

After being harassed by the nobles for a while with Theodora, not at the gift opening ceremony, but until the end of the party…

I say this as I lie down on the sofa in the newlywed room.

“Puha… I’m exhausted. You were so bad. What if they drag me in there too?”

When she is harassed by nobles. I tried to quietly leave, but she wrapped her arms around me and made me not run away, so let’s talk…

She shrugs and says she doesn’t know anything.

“I don’t really know what you’re talking about?”

I am dumbfounded to see her acting so shamelessly.

“True. This is ridiculous.”

at that time. She sits next to my head.

“Are you really the one trying to run away without thinking of helping your wife when she is having a hard time?”

I nod my head at those words.

“Of course, that’s the birthday person’s duty, not mine.”

She frowns at my words.

“You are my husband, but is it so difficult to help your pretty wife?”

Her bold words.

Objectively, Theodora is an incredible beauty.

So it’s not wrong, but…

Now that she’s boldly coming out, I look up at her, feeling a little strange…

I feel strange seeing her caressing my face, so I turn my head and say.

“Still… there is also the emperor’s duty.”

“value. Only at times like this is he called emperor. As an emperor, he is not given any real power.”

A sweet voice heard in my right ear.

Ah… Now that I think about it, the imperial faction wanted to appoint Savinelli as Minister of Justice, right?

The current Minister of Justice will soon retire.

That is why I am reminded of the intelligence report that they now want to replace the Minister of Justice with Savinelli.

Because I was going to use Savinelli highly anyway.

I think it would be a good time to talk about it.

“Forfeited power… Lost power… The Minister of Justice is retiring soon, right?”

-Sreuk…

I feel her flinch slightly at my words.

“Well… why is that?”

I want to push Savinelli. I guess I haven’t had a chance to talk about it until now.

I understand that the imperial faction is worried about the repercussions that will arise if I reject it and refuse it until the end.

“I’m thinking of giving it to Savinelli, what do you think?”

Were those words unexpected?

-I flinch.

She flinches greatly at my words.

“I… really?”

I answer her surprised voice.

“Yes, Savinelli is quite capable among your vassals anyway, right? Honestly, it is true that he is a talented person. I will do well as a minister.”

Let me say so…

-Sreuk…

I feel her get up from the sofa and I turn my head.

She frowns slightly as she looks at me.

“Why do you keep picking me up and putting me down?”

“Huh? What is that… ugh?! A… Why is this happening all of a sudden?”

When you don’t know what you’re saying and try to ask back.

She climbs on top of me.

and…

“Ugh!”

He pulls my neck tightly into his arms and presses our lips together.

Within…

Something warm, soft, and slightly scratchy sliding between my lips.

“Hmm…”

My head stiffens as I see Theodora moaning so painfully.

What… what is it? Is this a new kind of flirting(?)?

She has been quiet recently, so she suddenly feels embarrassed.

Uh…, what should I do?