128 – 132 episodes
The morning after William’s arrest.
The atmosphere is cold.
The one who creates a chilling atmosphere as if freezing is…
The Empress Dowager, who can be considered the adult of this empire.
In other words, she will be my mother-in-law.
With her long gray hair pulled up high and her chilling blue eyes staring at me, the mother-in-law.
Why? What did I do wrong?
Could it be that the person who, until yesterday, would reassure me that everything would be fine because I had done something wrong, could become so cold?
Feeling uncomfortable in this stifling atmosphere, I speak first while having a meal.
“Mother-in-law… Is there anything that bothers you?”
As I speak, my mother-in-law puts down her fork and looks at me.
“You. I have been silently observing your rule until now because I know better than anyone else how hard you have been trying to protect this empire.”
The usually gentle voice is replaced by a cold one, sending shivers down my spine.
Sometimes, the ominous atmosphere emitted by Theodora seems to have come from my mother-in-law.
“But this time, things have gone too far. No matter how much you adhere to the empire’s laws, William is a loyal subject to the former emperor. How can you imprison such a person and insult him?!”
-Clang!
Crash…
As my mother-in-law forcefully strikes the table, the silverware rolls off.
“Mother?!”
“Oh my…”
Looking at my angry mother-in-law, I think.
She has always looked at me with gentleness.
Of course, she resorted to severe measures. To some extent… No, I am fully prepared to face severe criticism.
“I’m sorry.”
I bow to my mother-in-law to apologize, but she continues speaking with a snort.
“Enough, release William immediately. He is not someone you should insult.”
A cold and sharp voice from my mother-in-law, as if refusing to forgive.
If even my mother-in-law has come out like this, it seems that this plan will work quite well.
Even that sly Sabinele couldn’t have expected me to lock William up in prison.
“That’s not possible. William has committed the crime of leading the emperor’s army in revolt, and those who follow him…”
“Can’t you keep quiet?!”
-Clang!
My mother-in-law rises from her seat.
From what I’ve heard, William was only deceived by false letters from Terra. If you hadn’t given the emperor’s seal to Terra in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened! But why now?”
“Mom! Please! William must have his reasons too!”
Joy tries to hold her mother-in-law’s arm to stop her, but…
“Let go! You, how can you become a princess and not know how to handle public opinion?! Can’t you hear the people outside the palace cursing your husband and your sister?!”
At those words, Joy’s face clouds over.
“I won’t say more. Release William immediately.”
With a heavy heart, I speak up.
“I cannot comply with that request.”
“You! Even if you are Terra’s husband, you have no authority to arrest the Commander of the Golden Knights who serves the emperor! And I heard you gave orders to William this way and that! Are you dreaming of rebellion?”
Rebellion… Well. There’s nothing to say.
“That’s not the case.”
“If that’s so, then release him at once! Aren’t we in a state of emergency now? The Golden Knights would surely be a great help to the empire. Arresting him is a foolish act, don’t you realize? The council might even start to doubt you. Why are you behaving so recklessly. Tsk tsk…”
My mother-in-law’s sharp criticism.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. This matter is crucial for our future plans.
So. I cannot release him just yet.
I try to suppress my inner turmoil, speaking calmly with a composed face.
“Commander William is about to undertake an important task. Please… trust me and overlook this once. Soon… I will bring good news.”
As I speak with a bowed head, my mother-in-law snorts.
“Hmph, a week. I won’t tolerate more than that.”
-Thud… Thud…
As my mother-in-law leaves the restaurant in a huff… and Joy, with a troubled face, rises from her seat, I sigh.
“Sigh… I knew I would be criticized.”
“That’s why. Why did you arrest Commander William?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“To deceive the enemy, you must deceive your allies first.”
“What? I’ve never heard of that? So, what are you going to do?”
A saying that doesn’t exist here, but does in the original world.
“First, we must go to the Grand Library.”
Adriahae’s landing is something Theodora knows about, but the next operation is unknown even to her.
There is a plan that only Agrippa and I know.
With that, I rise from my seat and head towards the Grand Library.
“Has His Highness arrived? Minister Victor, Minister Anthony, Minister Marcus, Minister Gaston, Minister Frank, and Chairman Charles are all here.”
Victor from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anthony from the Ministry of Justice, Marcus from the Ministry of Defense, Gaston from the Ministry of the Interior, Frank from the Ministry of Finance… and Chairman Charles from the council.
It’s not even the day of the Cabinet meeting. Gathering like this…
I have a vague sense of why they’ve come.
“Sigh… I’ll probably get another lecture. What about Minister Karl from the Intelligence Bureau?”
As I ask, Lucius nods.
“Minister Karl will be coming in the afternoon.”
He’s probably annoyed with me too.
With that thought, I head towards the reception room.
“Are you all so busy to gather here?”
As I open the door and enter, familiar faces bow and greet me.
“I hope you’ve been well.”
Minister Marcus from the Ministry of Defense greets me, and I reply, “No. With the current situation, I haven’t been well.”
It’s not just a casual remark. There’s an urgent need for action right now.
“I see. Your Highness… we have a petition to present.”
As Marcus speaks, I feel everyone, including Chairman Charles, looking at me.
An uneasy atmosphere.
But I roughly know what they have to say.
“Let’s sit down and discuss things first. Please, take a seat.”
As I urge them to sit, they all do so and start talking.
“Your Highness, please release William Kyung immediately.”
As expected…
“We have arrested William Kyung, a legend in the Imperial Army, for serious offenses.”
Starting with Minister Marcus from the Ministry of Defense, everyone chimes in.
“And that’s not all. Currently, the sentiment among the Roman Empire citizens is grim. There might be riots if we’re not careful.”
When Minister Gaston from the Ministry of the Interior speaks with a worried expression about the Imperial security, Victor continues.
“Moreover, we are about to go to war with Nicaea, and if we punish the entire powerful Imperial Knights Order, it might raise doubts about Your Highness’s abilities and judgment within the Empire.”
“And that’s not all. It’s been reported that the incident was a result of a misinterpreted order by the Commander of the Imperial Knights Order. If that’s the case, then only arresting William Kyung may be seen as a violation of imperial law rather than arresting the entire Knights Order.”
Listening to the ministers discussing a well-known story, I feel a headache coming on.
Who doesn’t know that?
This is all a way to lure Johannes.
Suppressing the urge to mention that, I bring up a fundamental point.
“I understand what you’re saying, Ministers. But in the end…”
“Your Highness. There are talks in the council about revoking the command authority entrusted to Your Highness and transferring it to William Kyung.”
Annoyed, I respond, “If you can, go ahead and try. I will exercise my veto power. I understand what you all want to say, but I have to protect the Empire and its citizens. William Kyung, who recklessly endangered the country by moving the army, was deserving of execution, but I showed mercy. I believe that is quite a lenient act.”
There are more pressing matters to attend to right now than this. I stand up from my seat.
“I will take my leave. I have much to do.”
Seemingly not wanting to continue the conversation, I leave the room.
William and the Golden Knights imprisoned.
They were bewildered as they looked at the luxurious morning spread.
Just yesterday, the food seemed more fitting for a prison.
But today, ham, sausages, white bread, and fruits filled the breakfast table, catching everyone’s eyes.
[“Is this really prison food?”]
[“Since when does our empire serve such meals to criminals?”]
But that wasn’t all.
Cheese made from goat and sheep milk, various fruit juices.
And the sight of those serving the food, not in military attire, but in formal attire fit for high-ranking officials or nobles, was peculiar.
[“What in the world is going on?”]
Seeing this, William, bewildered, stopped a passing official and asked, “What is happening here?”
“What are you all doing?” William inquired.
In response, a man with a cold demeanor bowed to William and said, “His Highness has ordered to ensure the comfort of William and the Golden Knights.”
Perplexed, William asked, “You’re not a high-ranking official, are you? But I’ve never seen black formal attire before. Which department do you belong to?”
Struggling to smile, the official replied, “I am a Golan from the Information Department.”
“The Information Department?”
Seeing William’s confused expression, Golan let out a small sigh.
“The Minister of Information will be arriving shortly. Please ask him then. I must go serve the dishes now…”
As they gazed at the buttered and freshly baked bread, the fragrant soup, and the grand table, the Golden Knights stood frozen like statues.