404 – Gilbert
I thought I would be able to leave work right after the abdication ceremony, but unfortunately, it was an illusion of a youngster with no experience. Rather, the schedule after the abdication ceremony was real.
A new emperor has filled the vacuum left by the tycoon who has led the empire for decades. Naturally, as the new emperor, ‘I can completely fill that void.’ Should be known throughout the continent. If this is not done properly, the country will be agitated and other countries will secretly seek opportunities.
That’s why, far from leaving work, from the day of the abdication ceremony until now, I’ve been tied up like a set with the emperor. I’ve been hanging out with a guy who would be crazy to see his face sometimes for days.
‘f*ck.’
Fortunately, the emperor and I are not alone together, but all five dukes are also accompanying us. If it was just the two of us, it would be blank, empty, and escaped.
I sighed inwardly as I saw the emperor who sat on the throne thanks to him, and the nobles who prostrated themselves in front of such an emperor and pledged their allegiance. Those nobles will return home right after they have finished their oath of allegiance, but why am I here?
…Actually, I know. The godfather of the Crown Princess, who shines first in the line of succession to the throne, and a man who can cut the sky with a sword, is helpful to the emperor’s authority if he is next to the newly crowned emperor. Conversely, if I were not by the emperor’s side, anxiety would spread that there might be a dispute between the emperor and me.
It’s better to stick with the emperor even if it’s annoying to deal with that anxiety. After all, politics is troublesome and dog-like.
“Even the situation was satisfied with the loyalty of the Lords. I will also show unwavering trust in the Lords as long as they do not abandon their duties first, so continue to serve the Imperial Family and the Empire.”
“I will surely live up to Your Majesty’s trust.”
Anyway, to the oath of allegiance of the nobles—to be precise, the great lords of the East, the emperor returned a formal reply.
Of course, at a public event like now, there is no answer that puts my mind at ease as much as a ceremonial answer. If you give a different answer for no reason, there is a high possibility that the nobles’ heads will become busy and become overloaded. Isn’t there a need for nobles to roll their heads from the beginning of the throne?
If you really want to say something, it is enough to have a private meeting instead of a public one.
“The oath of allegiance of the great lords has ended.”
After the eastern great lords bowed deeply and retreated, the Jeon Seung-gong, who was stationed on the left side of the emperor, opened his mouth.
At that, the emperor nodded his head with a somewhat relaxed expression. From the high-ranking administrative posts located in the islands, to the imperial whites, and to the great lords spread throughout the empire. It can be seen that all the fires that need to be extinguished urgently have been extinguished.
‘Now is it the turn of the small and medium lords and the military?’
Even though it was an urgent fire. There are far more people left than those who have yet to finish.
“We should give the loyalists who have rushed to the system some time to rest. Let’s stop the face-to-face for a while.”
“You are indeed smart, Your Majesty.”
The emperor, too, seemed to have reached the rest of his thoughts, and declared a break after a brief silence.
To be honest, the oath of allegiance is not even a local mart sale event, so it’s a natural decision. If you rotate without resting too much, wouldn’t it be subtle from the point of view of swearing allegiance? You will be disappointed that your loyalty will be treated as a commodity.
With the emperor’s declaration of rest, the dukes who were holding the mood near the throne also began to scatter. I’ll get stuck somewhere and rest –
“The Minister of Inspection will remain. I have something to tell you.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
A bastard.
Did you really hate seeing me take a break?
I quietly closed my eyes as I watched the back of Beatrix, who left with a bottle of wine in his mouth or a cigar.
‘Should I sell one?’
I seriously thought about that. Since less than a week has passed since you swore allegiance, you should be able to cancel your allegiance subscription without any penalty. So, wouldn’t it be possible to cancel and lose one game? Wouldn’t it be okay if we swore allegiance again after that?
I know it’s a crazy idea, but my hands are twitching. I don’t think there will ever be a chance if it’s now.
No, actually, it’s not an opportunity right now, but I can justify myself.
“Now I can breathe. It was a bit frustrating seeing people without rest.”
Otherwise, the emperor let out a small sigh and slumped as he sat on the throne. It was like a head of household who had just finished work and left.
I almost instinctively cursed at that appearance. It’s only frustrating that you’re frustrated, and being tired is a passive that a black cow has to deal with. Please think about my position of being alone with my boss.
“You have worked hard, Your Majesty.”
However, the words that came out of his mouth were different from his true intentions. No matter how dog-like the boss is, it is the fate of public servants not to express it on the outside.
“How could it have been only me who suffered. The minister and the duke also worked hard to keep their seats.”
It’s worse that the bastard who knows that is holding me back.
Perhaps that deep resentment and anger were contained in his eyes, the emperor continued with a small smile.
“Aren’t the dukes quite old? At least the young Prince Hyeongyeong is in his 40s, but Jim and the minister, who are in their 20s, should be considerate.”
I shut my mouth for a moment at the mention of my age.
‘Cold facts.’
Certainly, among dukes, the youngest is in their 40s and the oldest is over 80. It would have been difficult for even the emperor to keep holding on to such elders.
Yes, the current situation is the current situation, so the young guy should suffer a little more. Because the instinct of Jang Yoo-seo is still in my blood.
“And like I just said, I have something urgent to say, so I left only the minister.”
With those words, the emperor pulled out a small wine bottle from his bosom. Even two bottles.
…?
‘What the f*ck.’
Why is the wine bottle coming out of my chest?
“Take it. Don’t worry about getting drunk. It’s just enough to make you feel good.”
“Oh, yes.”
I was a little surprised, but I quickly came to my senses and received the bottle.
I, who have already been trained by the wise man, do not waver to this extent. It’s just that the unexpected guy suddenly pulled out a drink from an unexpected place and was shocked.
***
Looking at the minister receiving the bottle with a bewildered expression, he let out a big smile. I never thought I would be sitting on the throne and drinking vodka from the bottle. He’s also quite toxic.
But it was at this place that I did something beyond my imagination. It sounds like an excuse, but it really is. If anyone says no, I want to ask them to speak after sitting on the throne.
‘Even if I’m prepared, it’s this much.’
I calmly took a sip and organized my thoughts. The weight of the name of emperor, the future that will never be peaceful. Promised everything. Still, I was determined to move on.
However, the reality he faced while sitting on the throne—with the crown on his head was harsh. It was only a few days, but the psychological burden felt in that short time was considerable.
I have to manipulate and treat the nobles who have sworn allegiance to me like my father. Even a simple word or gesture should have meaning. In the midst of the fierce international situation, we must show off the dignity of the empire and secure gains and justifications.
I went through all of that in a matter of days. I experienced it desperately as I saw the nobles bowing their heads in front of me, and the delegation with their eyes busy, congratulating and friendly with their mouths.
“I will not throw anything away.”
I remembered what I said to Hwang Sang at the abdication ceremony. It was a kind of rebellion that, despite carrying the weight of the emperor, he would maintain human emotions rather than the individual emperor.
When I remembered the remark that was almost like rebellion toward Sang-hwang for the first time, I laughed again.
‘It’s a grand dream.’
Though I don’t respect the way things are, I respect achievements. I am skeptical about whether it would be possible to revive this empire if I had been crowned in the past on behalf of the situation.
On such a subject, in front of the situation, I confidently said, ‘I will not become like you.’ Declared that Like the situation, the guy who couldn’t be sure if he would reach the point where he left everything and moved on proudly shouted.
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Jim is different from His Majesty Shang.”
Yes, it is different. It’s so different.
“Do you know why Jim accepted Ainter?”
“…His Highness Ainter has maintained neutrality unlike the 2nd prince, but His Majesty is tolerant—”
“Because I was swayed by my emotions.”
It was because of emotions. Unlike the situation, he handled the imperial family affairs only because of his emotions.
“Because his position as the crown prince was solid? Because Ainter was no longer a threat? It was not a political reason, but an emotional one.”
The reason Ainter was reinstated as a member of the imperial family was simple. Since the empress had conceived her crown princess, she was worried about what her future crown daughter would say, so she reinstated her.
One day, the crown princess turned to Ah Inter and said, ‘Why is Obama not on good terms with her uncle?’ When she asked, she didn’t have the confidence to open her mouth.
“It was a very emotional decision. It’s shameful that Ainter is a harmless and harmless younger brother. If I had made such a decision with an ambitious younger brother, I would have raised the imperial family and the empire’s troubles with my own hands.”
I closed my eyes. After saying this honestly, I felt relieved.
This is why I declared that I would not throw anything away in front of the situation, and why I couldn’t respect the way the situation was. I already knew that I was a guy who couldn’t move with thorough reason. Perhaps that is why I made up my mind to walk my own path while denying the circumstances.
Otherwise, it would be like admitting that I am not worthy of being an emperor or a leader. It’s like admitting that I can’t lead this empire.
‘It’s fortunate that there is a minister.’
I’m really glad. If he confided his feelings to the empress, it would be obvious that he would be worried, and if he did it to his father-in-law, it would eventually reach the empress’ ears.
A different family? Shall I tell Ainter who went to the brink of killing me and the crown princess who babbles?
A close friend? There is nothing like that because I went to the academy when I was the first prince, who only had a name waiting for the day to die.
That’s why it’s spectacular. I can only say this to a minister who is a heavy-mouthed and reliable partner.
“I told His Majesty Sang Sang on that subject. I will walk the path of emperor in my own way. I will become emperor in a different way from you.”
I opened my eyes again and turned to the minister.
“In the eyes of wonder, can I ever become an emperor? An emperor who, like the situation, calms the empire and its subjects.”
The minister could not open his mouth. It was only natural that the emperor who had just ascended the throne was not suitable for what to say to his subjects. Perhaps my words sounded like a confirmation of loyalty.
I’m sorry. Instead of making me comfortable, I put too much pressure on my servant, the minister.
In embarrassment, I turned my gaze to the front again. Still, I’m sure I’m relieved when I tell you –
“I probably won’t be able to become an emperor like His Majesty Sang Sang.”
From noble mtl dot com
?
I looked at Minister Doro at the unexpected answer. No, I wasn’t expecting an answer in the first place, was it?
“The situation seemed like someone born to be a monarch. He acted with only reason and rationality in mind. To be honest, I don’t think Your Majesty will become an emperor like him.”
In spite of my gaze, the minister said without hesitation. Strangely, the tongue moves more splendidly than usual.
“But do you need to be an emperor like His Majesty Sang Sang?”
“What?”
I inadvertently asked a question. Does he need to be such an emperor?
Of course there is, isn’t it? A competent emperor like him has never been and will be rare. As the emperor who succeeded him, he should naturally seek to become like him.
“The situation, which had been moving for the empire all his life, led to his abdication to His Majesty. It was not an inevitable transfer, but a self-determination.”
However, the minister seemed to have a different idea, and he continued talking calmly as he drank the remaining alcohol in the bottle at once.
“Isn’t it that you decided that a human who would protect everything, rather than an emperor who abandoned everything, could rule this empire? The situation I saw was someone who would endure even if he became an immortal if it harmed the empire.”
He couldn’t answer that question and stared blankly at the minister.
‘An empire that humans can rule.’
I just repeated those words in my mind several times.
A remark that did not separate the emperor from a human, but also viewed the emperor as a human being. The way the situation did not choose, and could not have chosen.
…An empire governed by those who chose the human path, not the imperial path.
“That is the empire you will lead.”
I remembered what the situation said to me, not what I said to the situation.
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
***
A chill went down his spine when he saw the emperor suddenly start laughing.
‘Did I go too far?’
Belatedly reason returned. It’s something that wouldn’t happen normally. If you want to reveal it, wrap it up as much as you can, saying it openly like this is crazy.
But damn, the alcohol he handed over to me just to clear my mouth burned my esophagus and my mind. The vodka I accidentally drank before being possessed probably isn’t even this good. Did you pour alcohol on fire?
Anyway, the unexpected alcohol consumed my mind, and I counterattacked the emperor’s complaint with a documentary. For now, I felt fortunate to be alone with the emperor.
‘…Isn’t that a relief?’
Seeing the emperor still smiling, his hands began to tremble.
Still, if you appeal for being drunk, won’t you be able to avoid punishment due to mental and physical weakness…?